About Being Pregnant

Here's the thing (as my Mom would say), despite all the crazy sh*t that happens to your body, and that I no longer have a waist line, I've really enjoyed being pregnant.

I'll be the first to admit that it took me a while to get to this point. At first I was so scared something was going to go wrong that I had a hard time enjoying the simple fact that we had created a life. That fear, plus the relentless "morning" sickness made for a rough 3 months. But then came the 2nd trimester, and with that a new calm that this was really happening, and everything was going to be fine.

Now that I'm in the middle of my 3rd trimester and getting closer to my due date, I've realized that I'm actually going to miss being pregnant. Granted it hasn't been all roses and sunshine, but overall it's been an amazing experience. From the first ultrasound, to those first little kicks - I wouldn't trade these past 8 months for the world.

One of the best things about being pregnant is that for the first time in god knows how many years I'm not focused on all my imperfections. I'm not worried about waking up at 5:00 am so that I can fit in a 6 mile run and 45 gym workout everyday before work. I'm not passing on that chocolate chip cookie (instead I'm having two) and buttered bread before dinner. And if I miss a day of working out, it's okay, turns out the world still goes on and there is always tomorrow.

I think the biggest thing I've enjoyed is that I'm looking at my body, and appreciating it for what it is, instead of looking for what I need to work on at the gym. My body, with all it's flaws, is doing an amazing thing. My body, with all it's flaws, is growing our baby - and doing a damn good job at it if I do say so myself. So how can I be mad that my butt isn't as perky as I'd like, and my arms (despite my efforts) will never be toned like Cameron Diaz.

I'll never forget the moment I found out that we were pregnant, standing alone in the middle of the kitchen trying to remind myself to breath. I had no idea what the next 38 weeks would bring, and am happy to say that when people ask me how I feel, I'm not lying when I say "I feel great".

Latest belly shot below, 32 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Baby and belly are growing! 7 weeks and 2 days to go!

Baby Shower

This weekend Drew, Maggie and I made the trip to Long Island for my Baby Shower. I arrived at my parents house Thursday night and settled in for what I knew was going to be a wonderful weekend.

Friday was the perfect day off. I took Maggie for a long walk in the trails, met my Mom to get our nails done and walked along the LI Sound while Drew hunted for beach glass, and Maggie went for a swim. Later that night our Delaware family (Lisa, Jenn and Rory) arrived, and after celebratory ice cream cake for Rory's birthday, we said goodnight and went to bed.

Saturday was the day of the shower, and despite being the middle of Fall it felt like an early spring day. The sun was shinning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. My parents had a full house of girls, which made for a lot of fun getting ready in the morning. It felt like college all over again, and made me realize that you're never too old for a sleep over.

My mom had spent the past 2 months planning the shower, and ended up picking a local restaurant near their house in Miller Place to have it. The day she planned was absolutely perfect. From the timing of the food, and having the whole place to ourselves, to my closest family and friends being there to celebrate - I couldn't have asked for anything more.

After eating a delicious piece of salmon for lunch I sat down in the designated "chair" and stated to make my way through the table of presents that was laid out before me. By the end of the day I had opened more gifts than imaginable, and was touched by how generous everyone had been. Baby C is one lucky little guy, and spoiled rotten already.

Sunday was another beautiful day, and after another long walk in the trails with my Mom and Maggie, we packed up and headed back to PA. By the time I got to the L.I.E. 20 minutes later I was an emotional mess. As I replayed the events of the weekend in my head I couldn't help but cry, realizing once again how lucky we are, and what a miracle this is.

Throughout this entire pregnancy there has always been something else to focus on, from registering, to finishing the nursery, to picking out a day care. But now I find that I'm focused on what it's going to be like to actually go to the hospital and HAVE a baby, and see him for the first time, and watch Drew hold him in his arms.

I can't pretend that the realization we could have a baby in just 7 short weeks isn't a scary one, but at the same time I can't wait. I'm ready to meet our little man.

Here are some pictures from my Baby Shower, a perfect day that I will always remember. Nice work Mama <3

Boobies and Bellies

This weekend, despite Drew's protest, we attended a breastfeeding class. There is less than 9 weeks until our little guy gets here, and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with the amount of basic baby care that we still need to "learn".

So - I signed up for a BF class, and after a last minute schedule change opened up his weekend, told Drew he was coming with me. Thankfully he wasn't the only man in the class, which consisted of fake nipples, a serious power point and numerous video clips of huge, bare, boobies. Lots and lots of boobies. I can't even pretend like I wasn't holding back giggles throughout the entire 2 hours. It was just so much boob, which I guess I should have expected in a class about breastfeeding.

Overall it was pretty informative, and covered some basic BF tips that were helpful to hear in person. I'm hoping that by getting informed early I'll be able to BF successfully. However I'm aware of how challenging it is, and that despite best efforts it doesn't always work out. I'm 100% committed to giving it my all for as long as I can, but trying to be realistic at the same time.

In other news, I feel like my belly exploded this week and I love it. I am finally embracing the bulge and wearing clothes that are more form fitting. My total weight gain at 31 weeks is 18 lbs, which would put me just under 30lbs total if I continue to gain at the rate I've been going. I've decided I can live with that. 25lb would have been awesome, but the bacon every weekend and ice cream sundaes every night have been worth it.

Here is my 31 and 2 day belly shot, take while shopping at "Pea in the Pod" this afternoon.

Crazy Bitch

Holy hormones, I'm a Crazy Bitch these days. I'm thinking about getting a t-shirt made with that on the front, just to give anyone in my path a solid warning.

It started innocently enough with a trip to Pottery Barn. My parents were visiting for the weekend, and after an early movie, Mom and I headed up to Pottery Barn to check out a rug for the nursery. Within 10 minutes of getting to the store I had found the rug I wanted, purchased it and was headed to a loading zone on the other side of the mall to pick it up.

Long story short, they had somehow loaded the wrong rug in my car which meant not only was it possible they didn't have the rug I wanted, but worse, we had to go all the way back to the store to figure out what happened.

I could feel my blood begin to boil and was in no mood to mess around once we got back inside. The poor sales rep looked like a deer in headlights as I stormed in, walked up to the register (not caring that there was a line of polite, normal human beings waiting to check out their candles and picture frames) and demanded to be served right away. Thankfully they were able to figure out what happened, and after realizing they had a very pissed off pregnant woman on their hands - walked us out the back way through the stock room to where our car was parked.

This was the first sign of the crazy bitch living inside of me. She came out again the next day when I went to get my hair cut only to find out the Salon was having some event that you had to a) wait in line for the first stylist who was available, b) get at least 2 inches cut off and c) they weren't going to blow it out when all was said.

I was FURIOUS!!!  How could the receptionist not have told me any of this when I made the appointment the day before. I was so mad that I got up with a soaking wet head, and walked out. Just walked out and left. Once I got into my car and the anger melted away and I felt like crying, see - crazy bitch.

For now I'm chalking all of this up to my raging (no pun intended) hormones. But with another 9 weeks left to go I hope I can learn to keep this Crazy Bitch under control!

Here is a shot of the right rug in the nursery, and our first child, Maggie - who is making sure her presence is known during all this baby talk : )

Monkeying Around

Last Saturday my very talented friend Stef donated her entire weekend to painting a mural on our little guy's wall.
 

To be honest, at first I wasn't sure that I was a mural kind of gal. But after looking at thousands of pictures online and talking to Stef about the endless possibles I was sold - this was a perfect touch for the nursery!

Over the past few months we've continued to pass ideas back and forth, emailing each other links to murals we liked, and finally picking a weekend for her to come up and get started. Before I knew it she was pulling up our driveway, and once again I was anxiously waiting like a kid on Christmas morning to begin this new project.

We set out a plan, ran up to Micheal's to stock up on supplies and headed back home to begin this mega arts and crafts project. For the next 7 hours I sat (literally, sat on the floor) and watched as Stef outlined the tree, carefully making sure each leaf and branch was to her liking. Once we were all happy with the map she had created we got to the fun part, paint!

As we began to add color to the outline Stef created the mural came to life. From the light green leaves, to happy little birds, to my favorite part, the monkey - the mural came out better than I could have even dreamed. All I keep picturing is reading to our little man underneath this tree, and making up stories about how the Monkey got there, and why the birds don't fly away. It's perfect.

Here are some pictures of the mural and Stef hard at work. I'm lucky to have such a supportive and generous friend so close by, who also happens to paint kick-ass murals : )

Special Delivery

This weekend, like a kid before Christmas morning, I anxiously awaited the delivery of our baby's bedroom furniture. It was the longest Saturday morning of my life.

I managed to entertain myself until about noon, but after that couldn't help but run to the window each time a car drove by. Finally around 2:30 there was a knock on the door, and in walked the most perfect nursery furniture I could have imagined. 

I wish I could have seen the smile on my face as the two delivery men set everything up in the nursery. The furniture was just as beautiful as I remembered, and fit exactly where I wanted it to (thank god for that virtual nursery planner that I found online).

About 20 seconds after tipping the men and sending them on their way I was back in the room, arranging the bedding and setting stuffed animals on the changing table. The rest of the weekend was spent organizing the room, or setting something up in the room, or buying something for that room, or thinking of something I could buy for the room. You get the picture, I'm obsessed.

I couldn't be happier with how everything is coming along, and can't keep myself from peaking in each time I walking past his room. To think that in 11 weeks there could be a real live baby sleeping in that bed is incredible (and scary, I have a lot more books to read). 

Next weekend Stef is coming over to paint the monkey mural on the wall, I can't wait to show her the room, and have her put in some more finishing touches. As I sit here typing he's really moving around, hopefully that means he likes what he's "seeing".

Here are some recent pictures of our work in progress.

Little Feet Part 2

Well, we're here, we officially made it to the 3rd Trimester. Aside from my endless obsession with all things related to the baby's room life has been blissfully uneventful. Nothing scary to report here (thank god), just lots and lots (and lots) of movement.

I thought this far into the game I'd be use to the feeling of these little feet moving around in my belly. But I still find myself in total awe each time he starts to wiggle around. The sporadic  movements that I used to come here and there have turned into hourly tumbling sessions that make my entire stomach ripple and jump.

I'll be in the middle of a meeting at work and stop just to stare at my belly as it starts to take on a life of it's own. I try to remain subtle about it, or play it off like it's no big deal and I'm totally used it by now. But I don't think I'm fooling anyone, and the huge smile on my face is probably a dead giveaway that the exact opposite is true.

I'm really starting to noticed how active he is at night and first thing in the morning when I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Sometimes his kicks are so strong that it feels like someone is jabbing at my side. It doesn't hurt, but tickles really, although there have been times where he must be near my bladder because I feel like I'm going to pee ma pants.

Nursery furniture comes this weekend, I can't wait to start to fill this room up with lots and lots of baby things. 12 weeks left until we get to meet the owner of these little feet!

27 weeks and 4 days Belly Shot