Week 19: I'm either laughing or crying

Week 19: I’m either laughing or crying

Before I got pregnant my life was dramatically different. I was living in San Diego, away from my family and working at a stressful (however incredibly rewarding) job. One night when I was bawling about something that was upsetting me, Seth very sensitively tried to put it in the most positive way possible by saying, “Babe, you process through tears, and that’s ok.”

Since we have moved to closer to my family, God has literally made many of my life-long dreams come true. I’m now a short drive away from my family, Seth and I bought a house(We had only lived in apartments until this point), and we are starting a family. Honestly, I don’t have a whole lot to be sad about right now and I’m very thankful for that.
However, lately I think I’m definitely hitting the whole stereotypical phase of experiencing emotions that are out of my realm. I hardly ever cry during movies. It’s got to be something equivalent to a child saying goodbye to his dying mother for me to have a physical reaction. Usually my throat will close up a bit and my eyes might get a little wet. Now a scenario like that would send me to the place of verbal “ugly” crying! I saw the Hunger Games this weekend and I think I was crying during about 40% of the movie! Literally, shoulders shaking, nose sniffling, tears running down my face. For those of who haven’t seen the movie, sure there are some “touching’ moments here and there, but it’s definitely not a movie that a normal non-pregnant person would be bawling over!

My family celebrated my birthday last weekend. Up until this point the majority of any baby gifts I’ve gotten have been adorable little outfits. My older brother, Eric, gave me some very thoughtful things. After he told me the gifts were “actually” for little one I anxiously opened a Costco size bottle of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo. I just stared at the bottle with a huge smile on my face. I got an image in my mind of little baby hands splashing, giggles and squeals. It was one of those moments where I was like, “This just got real. And I’m so incredibly excited.”

Things to look forward to: Our FIRST ultrasound is coming up next week! I’ve been very anxiously anticipating this day from the moment I saw the double lines on the stick. I’ve been so jealous of my pregnant friends who have had early ultrasounds. I want the cold blue gel on MY belly! More importantly, I want to see my child! I’m pretty sure that will be another one of those “This just got real” moments!

Moms (and Dads)-Did you have any “ah-ha” moments like I did with the baby shampoo? Where you sort of froze and it really truly started to hit you how much your life is going to change? Feel free to share by leaving a comment!
*I fixed a setting on the blog so now people without google accounts can leave a comment. Just click on the choice “Anonymous” to leave your comment. Please make sure to include your name in the post if you want me to know who you are!

Blessings,
Shantastic :)

Week 18 and I think I have to pee…again

There’s a common myth about pregnancy that my baby has proven wrong. I always thought you only have to pee A LOT when you are huge and about to pop. Not true. Starting at around week 10 I have had to get up every night to go to the bathroom. And in the last 5 days I have peed 41 times. Is it kind of weird I kept track of that for you all? By the time I’m full term I think the bathroom will be the place I spend most of my time!

I also have some great news about my "were those gas bubbles or my tiny little baby moving around??" They were definitely little one! As the days progressed I kept feeling the exact same “bubble” feeling but they seemed to get stronger everyday. Now the bubbles have progressed to little flicks and kicks!

Best thing that happened this week: Seth felt little one move!! I wasn’t expecting that to happen for a few more weeks but baby surprised us on Tuesday night with a couple roundhouse kicks! All of a sudden I felt a flick, flick, flick and jolted up from the couch. I started giggling and shouting, “AHHH babe!! Baby is moving! Baby is moving! For sure this time!” He put his hand on my belly and a few seconds later we both jumped and went “Whooooooaaaaa!!” It was the biggest kick I’ve felt so far. I’m so thankful Seth happened to be sitting right there to feel it too! Seth has told me that he remembers being as young as elementary school age and already thinking about how much he wanted to be a dad someday (super cute right??). When we heard the heartbeat for the first time he was so excited because he said it was the first time he got to experience part of it with me. Just think how giddy he will be when we get to see him/her for the first time! Our first ultrasound is coming up in a few weeks!

Things to look forward to next week: Baby is taking his/her first trip to New York City! Best. Birthday. Present. Ever!! I’m going solo to visit my best friend, Claire! It’s the perfect way to conclude the babyless chapter of my life.

I still have moments every so often where I’m really involved in a task and I realize I’ve totally forgotten I’m pregnant. When I remember, I’ll instinctively touch my belly and my heart swells up like the Grinch at the end of the movie. Then, as embarrassing as it is, I get a huge smile on my face and whisper, “awww Baby, I love you”

Mommies and Mommy's-to-be, what was it like the first time your little one's dad felt baby move?

Week 17 and Welcome!

Welcome to the inner thoughts of my pregnant mind! This blog is dedicated to all the crazy cool, strange, and miraculous things that happen when a woman is pregnant. My husband said it best the other day when he said, "You know, when you really think about how incredibly miraculous it is that women actually grow a baby inside of them..we should be freaking out excited everytime a child is born!" I agree Seth. I wholeheartedly agree.

First a small disclaimer. If it ever sounds like I'm complaining, please read my words and know that I was probably laughing as I wrote them. Sometimes, yes, it feels like my baby hijacked my body. But honestly, I'm glad to share it. Honored, and priviledged to share it actually! It still blows my mind to think there is a living thing growing inside me right now. How cool is it that God designed us to grow our babies so close to us and in such an intimate way. It may be annoying when I can't get comfortable at night or when I have to waddle to get around, but wow, it's amazing.

The theme for this week is: I'm finally showing enough that I actually sort of a tiny bit look pregnant! Hooray!!

Lets rewind for a moment and jot down some stats about where I started before I got pregnant. 5'7" and 127lbs. I've been one of those people who just doesn't really fluctuate a whole lot with my weight. I'm not sure why because I can put down the cheese curds and doritos as well as anyone. Anyways it has been a life mystery that I have always been thankful for. On the 9th I weighed in at 133lbs! My favorite jeans just barely button. Good thing I bought a second pair of them in the next size up. Take that ever expanding waist line!

Things to look forward to in the next couple weeks: Feeling baby move for the first time and knowing for sure it was baby and not just your regular old movement of things through the intestines. Last night I kept feeling these little "bubbles" but didn't want to get overly excited in case I was actually rejoicing over a bodily function. Then I felt one that was way bigger than the rest and I froze. I'm almost definitely completely sure it was baby...or a huge gas bubble.

Things to look forward to in the next couple months: Being able to balance my bowl of cereal on my belly. I've always wanted to do that.

Baby is the size of a turnip this week. I am now feeling a much stronger adoration for turnips than I did before...

If you have already had a baby or are pregnant right now, feel free to leave a comment about what it was like the first time you felt your baby (or a giant gas bubble) !

Blessings,
Shantastic: mom-to-be extraordinaire