Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pregnant Without My Mom

During week 9's update on Baby A, I mentioned missing my mom. And, I left it at that. But, 21 weeks later, I'm ready to pick up that topic again.

As I've progressed through this pregnancy, I've surprised myself with how much I remember my Mom's pregnancies. And yet, at the same token, how much I don't remember. My memory has served me well - helping me remember how she responded to different things...but my lack of memory has also caused much frustration. I remember her cravings (Cherry-limeades from Sonic, for instance), but I can't remember if she just didn't feel well (which makes her seem like superwoman). Thankfully, my Dad has a great memory! He said it best when he said, "I was with her for the 6 years she was pregnant." (8 kids x 9 months = 6 years). So, I've asked him a lot and learned from his memory.

I think about things that she would have made a priority. Like the baby shower hosted for me several weeks ago. She would have definitely been there. Or the fact that all the bedding for Madden's room would have been made by her. Which is probably why I decided to make Madden's blanket. A connection I didn't even make back to her, until a friend of mine asked if that intention was linked to her. After thinking about it, I realized my friend was right - it was definitely linked back to my Mom.

Interestingly enough, I have learned a lot about my unborn child by talking to Cindy, Ben's mom. Listening to her talk about her pregnancy with Ben, I have been able to compare notes to Ben and Madden. The comparisons make me smile because Madden is already like his Dad (but let's hope that he DOES NOT show up 3 weeks late like Ben).

Overall, I have realized how much healing the past 5 years has brought. Sure, I miss my mom. But, I don't feel disabled because she isn't here -I have learned the importance of enjoying life to the fullest...without Mom. I know that seems weird and harsh to say, but it is true. If I remain stuck in the "What if" scenario with my Mom, I will never live life. And, in that, I will truly become crippled by her memory, instead of appreciating my time with her. 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Baby A Update: Weeks 28, 29, 30

Well, today jump-starts WEEK 30! We only have (approximately) 10 weeks left, people!

The last couple of weeks have been so busy as we welcomed the THIRD (and FINAL) trimester. We spent time with family, attended a wedding, and begun the quilt for Madden's nursery.

The hunger has returned in full-force. I thought it was suppose to fall off?

This baby belly keeps getting bigger and bigger. It is truly remarkable. I keep thinking it CAN'T grow any more...right? 

I have been doing a lot of research. In particular,  newborn photo sessions. I am SUCH a planner, so I like to be very well informed and understand the trends...especially in photography.  I have particularly been enjoying the ART of Baby as Art blog. Adorable.

My blog-reading has evolved where I am reading a lot of mommy-blogs. One of my favorites has become Dear Baby Blog.

I am really looking forward to this baby getting here. NOT MUCH LONGER.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Milo and Miko

It has been a while since I have talked about our lovable duo, Milo amd Miko! Ben and I absolutely love these dogs.

They have become the best of friends...they throw their toys everywhere. They chase each other. They guard our house by peering out the window to growl at anything - the wind, a bug, neighbors.

Miko has really blossomed from that first encounter on the roof. When we first got him, Miko did not what a treat was, he was terrified of anyone outside of Ben and I...and he was malnourished. That has all changed. He is so funny and loves attention!

Milo is our old soul. While he loves to play, he is also so serious. He loves to be anywhere i am. He is smart and learns things quickly.


Oh, how we love our furry boys.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Birthday Celebration

Today is my birthday! Wahoo! I have had a great day...actually a GREAT weekend. Ben and I have had so much fun.

Friday Night:
- We had dinner with our good friends, Heather and Cameron.
- Then, we went to the movies. The guys saw "A Night in the Dark" and Heather and I saw "The Help".

Saturday:
- Ben and I spent the day lounging at home...watching the Boot Camp of American Ninja Warrior.
- Saturday night, we spent among Kings and Knights, I mean really! We did! At Medieval Times. It was definitely different from anything we had done before...but it was fun!

Sunday:
- After church, we came home, went swimming and watched Chronicles of Narnia. What a great day.

Overall, my birthday has been so fun. I have completely enjoyed extending the celebration for the entire weekend. :)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Being Thankful...for pregnancy

My mom LOVED being pregnant. Loved it. So when I ran into my Mom's friends last week, they all kept comparing me to her. The truth is that while I am my mother's daughter, I don't love being pregnant like my mom.

In light of that, I have been spending a lot time recently thinking about what makes me thankful while pregnant.

Here is my list:

1. Pre-natal vitamins. I love those little gummies overflowing with goodness. And, they are sooo good for my hair!

2. Feeling my baby move. Absolutely magical.

3. No morning sickness. I'm so grateful this has not been a part of my pregnancy.

4. Healthy baby. So refreshing to know this baby is healthy.

5. Swollen feet. My only "problem" but it means I'm active.

6. Ben. It is wonderful to know that my husband still finds his preggo wife attractive (even when I don't).

7. (approximate) due date. The countdown to single digits is SO VERY CLOSE.

8. I'm excited to meet this child...whose existence was created out of love. That is beautiful.

9. Embarking on the journey of parenthood...with Ben. I am so excited that sharing life with Ben means we this responsibility, joy, and more of parenthood together.

10. Grandparents. I love watching my dad touch my belly to talk to his grandson.

11. Looking forward to being a mom. I am looking forward to replacing midnight bathroom runs with midnight baby duties.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Remembering

This weekend, we celebrated my sister's marriage to the love of her life, Adam. It was a beautiful ceremony. Full of tears, laughs and a couple so in love.

During the weekend, I heard comments about how fast Lydia and Adam's relationship went (they met, dated, got engaged in a year). Then someone asked me if I could believe Ben and I have almost been married for 2 years. Jokingly, I said, "Yes!" In actuality, it really is a mixture of emotions - on one hand it does seem possible, on another hand it seems impossible. Probably because Ben and I have weathered a lot together during these two years. We've fought. We've struggled financially. We've grown. We've cried. We laughed...a lot. We've apologized. We've learned to be more compassionated - towards each other and other people too. We aren't perfect.

In watching Lydia and Adam get married this weekend, I was reminded by how much better my life is because I'm married to Ben. Im sure that Adam and Lydia quickly discover the sweetness of marriage is each other...and how much better it gets with each passing day. Literally. Regardless of what life throws at them (us).

Friday, August 12, 2011

Baby A Update: Week 27

To be honest, Week 27 was not kind to me. At all. In fact, it was the roughest week in my pregnancy yet!

Here is a rundown of my not-so-great week:


- Feeling nauseous for 3 days in a row made for a rough start for the week. I know how fortunate I am to BEGIN to feel sick at Week 27, but it still made it rough.



-  Meeting a client for the first time and being told that I didn't look pregnant, I just looked chubby. Thank you?

- Being asked out by a man twice my age. It was creepy. HELLOOOOOO! I'm not only happily married, but PREGNANT! Interestingly enough, it reminded me of the story when my Mom was asked out while pregnant with me (ironically, I think she was between 6-7 months pregnant too!).

- Almost getting in a car accident...TWICE in the same night. Neither time was my fault, but that didn't stop me from freaking out.

- Realizing how much life is changing. I'm not talking about life after pregnancy, but I am talking about changes in relationships and friendships BECAUSE I am pregnant, because I am having a child. Pioneering this stage of life is not "fun" when you feel alone. So, this has been such a difficult thing for me to grasp (hopefully, I'm not alone?!?!) and it has caused me to be very emotional.

Ouch. That was a lot of heavy topics. Let me end on a good note:

- Madden is moving MORE THAN EVER. And, I am noticing his reactions to hearing people. Some people he moves according to their voices, but others who are unfamiliar or loud, he grows very still. It makes me laugh so much! (Speaking of noises, the dogs are running around the house chasing each other right now and barking and Madden hasn't stopped moving at the sounds of their shenanigans!)

- He also consistently moves between 10am-9pm. On that schedule, there is NO DOUBT he is definitely Ben's child.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Wreath Update

Do you remember this wreath?


It went through a little makeover.


What do you think? I'm too cheap to go buy another Styrofoam wreath, so I ripped up my old wreath and created another one. The beautiful thing of it all is that IT DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Baby A Update: Weeks 24,25, 26

Man, oh, man...I definitely got behind on blogging. Work is consuming a lot of time, so I need to figure out a way to balance work, Ben and blogging.

Week 24:

Baby Madden moved around SO MUCH I literally felt like I was going to be sick. It probably did not help that I kept imagining a baby swimming around and doing flips.
Google Images

Week 25:

- Madden kept up his (more) active movement; I eventually got use to it..and even though he has consistently been moving since week 15, it has continued to be an adjustment!
- This week, I also had a gentleman approach me (in a gas station!) and proclaim, "You are having a boy!" It was strange; he was a stranger and I'm not accustom to being approached like that.

Week 26:

- I spent this week at training for my job - away from Ben. Whew! I did not like that one single bit!
- I encountered my first night of 3am heartburn/acid reflux. Thank-goodness, I had Smoothie Tums. Not only do they taste better than regular Tums, they are do the job too! I am so thankful that I haven't experienced this throughout my pregnancy.
- Within 24 hours from each other, I had 2 different people tell me that they couldn't believe I was ONLY 6 months pregnant. I wasn't as offended as I (probably) should have been...I took it in stride, mostly because I realize how many times people forget to be considerate.
- We bought the fabric for the blanket/quilt I am planning to make for the nursery. I am SO excited to start this project.
- My friends so graciously hosted a baby shower for me. I was very honored by the shower and their incredible thoughtfulness as well. I am going to do a separate blog post to highlight the shower. I don't want it to get lost!!
- I honestly feel like I'm on the downhill slide. I only have (approximately) 13 weeks left! It so, SO nice to feel like the end is in sight!