Well, today is the official day that Paul and I have been anxiously awaiting...my due date. However, a due date does not mean that we have a baby. I had a doctor appointment this morning that went well, and my body is progressing into labor, but I still have no quite hit those strong contractions.
Next week we have an appointment to do the non-stress test, and then we will have an ultrasound done. This makes me extremely excited. I would rather meet Isabelle in person before this, however, it gives me something to look forward to next week if I haven't already had her. The nurse told me that an ultrasound at this stage can show how much hair she has and really show what her face looks like. I think that is amazing!
We are anxiously awaiting Belle's arrival, but we know that she will be here shortly. It is so bizarre to think that our lives are going to completely flip around and revolve around one small being. We are excited, but nervous at the same time. There is so much unexpected and uncertainty.
At this point, we are praying God gives me patience to make it through however long this waiting game lasts. My pregnancy has been a wonderful experience so far, but these last few weeks are taking a toll on my body. I am a bit more sore, sleeping is more difficult, and my mind is going nuts on whether the feelings in my belly are contractions or just her moving!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
10 Annoying Things People Say and Do to Pregnant Women
Okay, so I have had a wonderful pregnancy overall, but I found this list and was amazed at how much I could relate! I had to share this, because in some ways I feel it is my Public Service Announcement to everyone out there who says these things to pregnant women! I have experienced each one and can tell you that they are all very annoying.
1. Old wives tales as gospel. As scientific as it is, it's annoying when people tell you with certainty what sex the baby will be based on how you're carrying.
2. Manhandling. Suddenly your globe of a stomach becomes public domain. Old women and customers in grocery stores suddenly flock to molest your belly as if it is the most accepted and natural thing in the world. More common than a handshake.
3. Horror stories. While pregnancy brings kinship between women who otherwise had nothing in common, it also brings out their burning desire to regale you with stories of their horrific stories of birth. Never will you hear more about botched episiotomies and days of fruitless labor and stopped baby heartbeats. Why anyone thinks someone with labor on the horizon would want to hear this is beyond me.
4. The just wait until...syndrome. Nothing is less pleasing than to have your current station in pregnancy belittled with just wait until... (insert anecdote here). Sometimes it is only limited to how much worse your pregnancy will get (as if it hasn't been bad in different ways throughout) but it can also extend to just wait until you get no sleep when the baby is here. When does this end? When I have a baby I guarantee I will start hearing about the terrible twos...when I have a 5 year old it will be "Just wait until you have a tween" and then just wait until you have a teenager. Thank you harbingers of doom, but I think I will take my torture one day at a time.
5. The belly reactions. Pregnant women are hormonal; they are seldom happy with their expanding waistline and are self-conscious in regards to their looks. Why do people feel the need to point out how big they are? "Oh my god! You're huge" are NEVER words a woman wants to hear. Similarly, "Are you sure you aren't having twins?" should have a moratorium slapped on it.
6. Unsolicited opinions on birth plans and breast feeding. The debates between no drugs vs. drugs in labor and breastfeeding vs. not breast feeding can be hot ones...but it should be relegated to the no talk zone along with religion and politics. I am sure that everyone feels like their information is true and correct, but it is a personal choice.
7. Ingestion Nazis. The people that watch you like a hawk just waiting for you to eat or drink something that they think is on the no no list. Pregnancy is hard enough without people commenting on nitrates or caffeine. What self respecting pregnant person isn't going to be aware of the do not eat or drink items and the risk associated with each? Everyone's Dr. is different and new information is being uncovered every day.
8. Unsolicited name advice. A name choice is a privilege bestowed upon people carrying and raising the child. Yet, despite varying tastes, everyone wants to weigh in on name choices. Even the most well meaning person offering up names puts the pregnant couple in the uncomfortable position of having to shoot down names. One man's Bertha is another man's treasure.
9. The “expert” syndrome. It seems that some women who have been pregnant, even forty years ago, feel like they know everything there is to know about all pregnancies. Even though all pregnancies are different they feel the need to weigh in of what is normal or not normal in a pregnancy. Even if they are directly contradicting scores of baby books and professionally trained medical workers, they toil on, spreading misinformation and causing panic or feelings of abnormality.
10. Unhelpful weight advice. Yes I know it is better not to gain too much weight. Yes I am aware of how hard it is to take off weight. Yes I know that breast feeding will not melt away my fat. Yes I’m aware that stretch marks are no fun to have. Enough said.
1. Old wives tales as gospel. As scientific as it is, it's annoying when people tell you with certainty what sex the baby will be based on how you're carrying.
2. Manhandling. Suddenly your globe of a stomach becomes public domain. Old women and customers in grocery stores suddenly flock to molest your belly as if it is the most accepted and natural thing in the world. More common than a handshake.
3. Horror stories. While pregnancy brings kinship between women who otherwise had nothing in common, it also brings out their burning desire to regale you with stories of their horrific stories of birth. Never will you hear more about botched episiotomies and days of fruitless labor and stopped baby heartbeats. Why anyone thinks someone with labor on the horizon would want to hear this is beyond me.
4. The just wait until...syndrome. Nothing is less pleasing than to have your current station in pregnancy belittled with just wait until... (insert anecdote here). Sometimes it is only limited to how much worse your pregnancy will get (as if it hasn't been bad in different ways throughout) but it can also extend to just wait until you get no sleep when the baby is here. When does this end? When I have a baby I guarantee I will start hearing about the terrible twos...when I have a 5 year old it will be "Just wait until you have a tween" and then just wait until you have a teenager. Thank you harbingers of doom, but I think I will take my torture one day at a time.
5. The belly reactions. Pregnant women are hormonal; they are seldom happy with their expanding waistline and are self-conscious in regards to their looks. Why do people feel the need to point out how big they are? "Oh my god! You're huge" are NEVER words a woman wants to hear. Similarly, "Are you sure you aren't having twins?" should have a moratorium slapped on it.
6. Unsolicited opinions on birth plans and breast feeding. The debates between no drugs vs. drugs in labor and breastfeeding vs. not breast feeding can be hot ones...but it should be relegated to the no talk zone along with religion and politics. I am sure that everyone feels like their information is true and correct, but it is a personal choice.
7. Ingestion Nazis. The people that watch you like a hawk just waiting for you to eat or drink something that they think is on the no no list. Pregnancy is hard enough without people commenting on nitrates or caffeine. What self respecting pregnant person isn't going to be aware of the do not eat or drink items and the risk associated with each? Everyone's Dr. is different and new information is being uncovered every day.
8. Unsolicited name advice. A name choice is a privilege bestowed upon people carrying and raising the child. Yet, despite varying tastes, everyone wants to weigh in on name choices. Even the most well meaning person offering up names puts the pregnant couple in the uncomfortable position of having to shoot down names. One man's Bertha is another man's treasure.
9. The “expert” syndrome. It seems that some women who have been pregnant, even forty years ago, feel like they know everything there is to know about all pregnancies. Even though all pregnancies are different they feel the need to weigh in of what is normal or not normal in a pregnancy. Even if they are directly contradicting scores of baby books and professionally trained medical workers, they toil on, spreading misinformation and causing panic or feelings of abnormality.
10. Unhelpful weight advice. Yes I know it is better not to gain too much weight. Yes I am aware of how hard it is to take off weight. Yes I know that breast feeding will not melt away my fat. Yes I’m aware that stretch marks are no fun to have. Enough said.
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Home Stretch
Well, we are in the final weeks of pregnancy and getting more and more anxious! I have had a couple of baby showers, we have completed the nursery, and I am struggling to find clothes that fit my growing belly. I have loved being pregnant, so I am trying to cherish the last few weeks, but it will be so exciting to meet Isabelle (not to mention a reduction in backaches and the capability of sleeping without 100 pillows!).
Paul and I recently took a trip to Mackinaw as our last big hurrah before our life/marriage as we know it completely changes. It was a fabulous trip and I am so glad we took the time to get away together. We went to Mackinaw Island, visited a zoo (which was sort of a glorified farm), and took a boat tour of the Soo Locks.
As we finish up these last few weeks, it has brought about a lot of mixed emotion. For one, I am petrified of childbirth because of all of the unknown! I know that the final outcome is well worth it, but coming from someone who is horrible with pain and anything that might hurt the entire thing makes me so scared. On the other end, I am scared of the whole parenthood thing because I know it is learn by the seat of your pants and I just pray that some of it comes naturally.
Overall, Paul and I are excited and looking forward to the changes and new adventures ahead of us. Hopefully, we keep some form of sanity through it all!
Paul and I recently took a trip to Mackinaw as our last big hurrah before our life/marriage as we know it completely changes. It was a fabulous trip and I am so glad we took the time to get away together. We went to Mackinaw Island, visited a zoo (which was sort of a glorified farm), and took a boat tour of the Soo Locks.
As we finish up these last few weeks, it has brought about a lot of mixed emotion. For one, I am petrified of childbirth because of all of the unknown! I know that the final outcome is well worth it, but coming from someone who is horrible with pain and anything that might hurt the entire thing makes me so scared. On the other end, I am scared of the whole parenthood thing because I know it is learn by the seat of your pants and I just pray that some of it comes naturally.
Overall, Paul and I are excited and looking forward to the changes and new adventures ahead of us. Hopefully, we keep some form of sanity through it all!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Nursery and a Baby Shower
Well, work as begun in the nursery. I have been trying to do a lot of homemade stuff for the decor to help cut down on costs, which I feel has turned out pretty well. I will post more when I complete my latest project, but for now you can see the wooden letters I created. I can't wait till we get our bedding and I finish crocheting the rug I have been working on. :-) I have 10 weeks left, so I better get busy! Here are a few pics:
On another note, I had my first baby shower! I met up with my friends from when we lived in Indiana at the Das Essenhaus in Shipshewana. I haven't seen these girls in ages, so it was so good to see them! I was so thankful they threw me a shower and drove all the way up from Indianapolis to see me. I miss them a lot and I am glad I was able to see them for a bit.
On another note, I had my first baby shower! I met up with my friends from when we lived in Indiana at the Das Essenhaus in Shipshewana. I haven't seen these girls in ages, so it was so good to see them! I was so thankful they threw me a shower and drove all the way up from Indianapolis to see me. I miss them a lot and I am glad I was able to see them for a bit.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Something for fun...
TAGGED!
Well, I figured my blog has been full of updates of my belly growing and ultrasounds, so I thought I would change it up a bit and do this since Shawna tagged me:-)
The rules of the game:
Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8. Tag 8 of your blog friends.
Eight Things I am Looking Forward To:
1. Being a mom
2. Seeing what Belle looks like and learning who she is
3. Although I like my job, I'm looking forward to not working
4. Graduating with my Masters degree in May 2011...ugh, sounds so far away
5. No snow for a few months:-)
6. Eating dinner tonight
7. Decorating and finishing the nursery
8. My face actually getting back to normal and this acne going away
Eight Things I did Yesterday:
1. Went to work
2. Ate Easy Mac
3. Went to Menard's with Paul
4. Painted
5. Checked Facebook...shocking, huh?
6. Talked to my mom
7. Went to Horrock's and bought flowers
8. Crocheted
Eight Things I wish I could do:
1. Dive...I have no clue
2. Fast forward to September
3. Get my dog to like other dogs
4. Although I don't like it, I wish I could go tanning to get a LITTLE color
5. Drink the wine we just bought in Ohio
6. Be less bossy with Paul...I need to tone down the sassy side of me a bit!
7. Take amazing pictures like I'm a real photographer or something:-)
8. Enjoy exercise....I don't think that will ever happen.
Eight TV Shows I watch (this is the easiest one!):
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. Ellen DeGeneres
4. True Life
5. Jon and Kate Plus 8
6. What Not To Wear
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. American Idol
There we go! :-)
Well, I figured my blog has been full of updates of my belly growing and ultrasounds, so I thought I would change it up a bit and do this since Shawna tagged me:-)
The rules of the game:
Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8. Tag 8 of your blog friends.
Eight Things I am Looking Forward To:
1. Being a mom
2. Seeing what Belle looks like and learning who she is
3. Although I like my job, I'm looking forward to not working
4. Graduating with my Masters degree in May 2011...ugh, sounds so far away
5. No snow for a few months:-)
6. Eating dinner tonight
7. Decorating and finishing the nursery
8. My face actually getting back to normal and this acne going away
Eight Things I did Yesterday:
1. Went to work
2. Ate Easy Mac
3. Went to Menard's with Paul
4. Painted
5. Checked Facebook...shocking, huh?
6. Talked to my mom
7. Went to Horrock's and bought flowers
8. Crocheted
Eight Things I wish I could do:
1. Dive...I have no clue
2. Fast forward to September
3. Get my dog to like other dogs
4. Although I don't like it, I wish I could go tanning to get a LITTLE color
5. Drink the wine we just bought in Ohio
6. Be less bossy with Paul...I need to tone down the sassy side of me a bit!
7. Take amazing pictures like I'm a real photographer or something:-)
8. Enjoy exercise....I don't think that will ever happen.
Eight TV Shows I watch (this is the easiest one!):
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. Ellen DeGeneres
4. True Life
5. Jon and Kate Plus 8
6. What Not To Wear
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. American Idol
There we go! :-)
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