baby t

my pregnancy must haves

 

 

 

Hello.

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments and emails. I love hearing bits about your joys and struggles, too. Labor is intense, right? Understatement of the year, but I know you feel me.

So before I drift into the happy place of forgetfulness (I'm half there already) I wanted to share my personal pregnancy must haves. Perhaps if I have another child I can look back on this list-or maybe my ten friends who are expecting right now will find this useful. Here goes.

Papaya Juice

This tip comes from my Mom. I suffered from the most intense heartburn during pregnancy. It started around the 20th week and just became progressively worse. First I cut out spicy foods and citrus but slowly came to the realization that even water was giving me heartburn. I gobbled up some TUMS, but they didn't help too much and to be honest I didn't love the idea of taking them. My Mom suggested papaya juice and it immediately gave me relief. I'm warning you-the juice is sort of gross, but it is totally worth it for the heartburn relief.

Yoga Ball

So there's this magical time of pregnancy-somewhere around 30-32 weeks, where you become quite "full" of the baby. For me even sitting in a normal chair became awkward and somewhat painful. Enter the magic yoga ball. This thing saved me; I could sit on it while doing computer work and sort of bounce and roll on it during false labor. Supposedly, bouncing on it can help with moving the baby into the right position. I'm not so sure, since I bounced A LOT on that thing and Asa came out posterior-but hey-it's worth a shot. Many people use it during labor. I was able to use it during the first 12 hours but the last 12 hours I wanted nothing to do with it. At about six weeks post partum when I was finally healed up in my lower region I was able to start bouncing Asa on it. Since we can't afford a glider or rocker (well, not one that we like anyway) this thing has been a godsend. Asa loves being bounced to sleep.

A Place to Swim

We moved into our new apartment in May. One of the key selling points of the place was that it has a swimming pool. This summer was the hottest on record, so that pool certainly came in handy. But even if you are in a cold climate, I highly encourage you to swim. It's great exercise and it gives temporary relief to your back and shoulders. Sleep can be hard to come by in the last trimester but I found that if I had a good swim my sleep would be a lot better. Birth is like a marathon and it really pays to stay in shape if you can.

Birthing Classes

I feel like most people have strong opinions about taking birthing classes. Either they loved them or they think that they don't need them. We didn't have a choice-our birthing center makes first time parents take an eight week course of "Bradley"-esque natural childbirth classes. I was skeptical at first, after all I'd read about 10 books already and talked to many moms about their natural childbirth experiences, why would I need a class? Well, I'm really glad we went. Even if you know the information, it always helps to hear it again-and I think it really helped James learn a lot. Even though I felt dorky practicing labor positions it definitely helped prepare James to be my support. And it was nice to have a couple hours a week set aside to focus on the baby. If you are planning a partner supported natural birth I would urge you to take some classes with your partner.

Body Pillow

At about the halfway point of pregnancy it became impossible for me to sleep on my back. Hugging a body pillow was pretty much the only way I could get to sleep. It sort of helped prop up my awkward belly. I ended up using the pillow during my last ten hours of labor, too. I don't know what I would've done without that thing. There are expensive "pregnancy" pillows but I just bought a normal body pillow for about $20.

Gap Maternity Leggings

I lived in leggings and dresses during my pregnancy (and for weeks after). In my opinion, Gap has the best ones. They also have great maternity jeans. A word of warning: I bought some maternity clothes at Target and all of them-literally all of them- fell apart within a couple of weeks-no joke! They are a super rip off.

Floradix and Emergen-C

I was anemic during my pregnancy and it got the point where it was pretty bad. The midwives warned that if I didn't get my iron levels up, I'd have to deliver in a hospital since blood loss would be a big deal. I'd been taking iron supplements for weeks with no improvement. Finally I talked to one of the older midwives at the center and she advised me to take my iron with a vitamin C supplement and not eat any calcium source for an hour before or after. Also, she told me to steer clear of decaf tea and coffee because they still have elements in them that block iron absorption. So this magic formula finally worked for me-I wish I would've heard those wise words a lot sooner! My iron supplement of choice was floradix and I used Emergen-C for the extra vitamin C.

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So what were some of your pregnancy must haves? I would love to hear them! Coming up: my must haves for postpartum Moms and my newborn must haves.

 

 

 

 

 

hello again

Well, gees-I definitely didn't plan on abandoning this blog for weeks and weeks but it's just one of those things that happen. 

I'm sure if you read this blog, you read my other blog and have heard that I had my baby. Actually, I gave birth almost seven weeks ago. Yeah, I am slow like that. Before Asa's arrival I imagined myself calmly blogging as he napped, puttering around doing housework with him in a sling and just being giddy at being a stay at home Mom. Ok, now imagine almost the complete opposite of that scenario and you have my current life status. Although he does indeed make me very happy and we are truly blessed to have Asa in our lives.

I wanted to open back up here with my birth story-well, with Asa's birth story- but I think that even after seven weeks there are still a lot of parts of it that I am processing. Let's just say giving birth was the most shocking and traumatic experience I've been through. That is not to say that it wasn't beautiful and joyous as well. Pretty much any emotion I've ever felt was felt during my 24 hours of labor. I will say that I did birth as planned at the birth center, it was a drug free birth and at the moment we are all ok. Things were a lot different than anticipated and maybe someday I will let that all go. For now though, it stews...

Probably the most difficult part of it all was the first week postpartum. I didn't fully grasp that I'd be caring for this new life while I myself was trying to heal. Perhaps the biggest lesson I've ever learned I learned during that week: if I don't take care of myself, I am pretty useless to everyone else. That's been a hard one for me to grasp, but oh so important. I stepped back, admitted defeat a few times and took the help that was offered. It was the only way to move forward and I'm so glad that I did. 

Asa is an amazing soul. I swear he came out of the womb smiling. Though he's a fragile little creature he is astonishingly strong both physically and mentally. I cannot describe how much joy he gives us. People told me that a child would make me love my spouse even more and they were right. We are very lucky, indeed. 

So this post is all over the place, I'm not even sure it makes much sense as I am currently functioning on about three hours of sleep. Basically, I just wanted to come back here and say hello. More soon.

why so many things don't actually matter

Well, Asa-here we are; near the end of journey together and I can hardly believe it.

I can't wait to meet you, to hold you in my arms, to feel you on the outside of me-but part of me is ok with the fact that I may have to wait a few weeks more.

Before I was pregnant with you, I thought I knew a lot about pregnancy. See, my Mom had nine kids,five of my sisters have birthed 10 children, I babysat throughout my teenage and college years and recently worked for years in a children's boutique. But once I really started researching more, I soon realized I didn't know near as much as I thought.

One thing that really astounds me about pregnancy is how much pressure the general population puts on a certain "due date". Less than 5% of babies are actually born on this "due date" and really-the date has no indication of how healthy or ready the baby is to be born. We actually have two dates-the one given to us by our Birthing  Center and the one I gave you since I know the exact day you were conceived. Yep-the dates given to Mommas by their doctors or midwives are just based on a certain number of days after their last cycle. That's it. A woman is asked when her last cycle was and 40 weeks are plopped on to that date and the magical "due date" arrives. Funny thing though-I for one know my cycle isn't a perfect one-and I highly doubt every other woman has a perfect cycle....and many women need more or less than 40 weeks to produce a baby.

Another funny thing? Babies born between 37-42 weeks are considered "at term". Some babies born at 38 weeks are perfectly healthy, fine and normal just like some born at 41 weeks can be in need of medical attention. Babies born naturally without any medical interventions can come anytime within this window (and even a week or two before or after)and it's a totally normal thing. Most of my Mom's births came between 36-38 weeks. Many of my sisters gave birth then, too. 

So the thing of it is, I've given myself a good six week window of "this is when Asa will come". I've completely thrown my due date out the door. Here we are, sitting in the middle of those weeks and that is just fine by me. 

A couple of weeks ago I had my first cervical check. This was another thing I thought I knew about but was apparently wrong about. I thought that knowing how dilated and effaced you were was a good indication of when you may start labor, but after reading about and talking to others I found that (especially for first time moms) it really doesn't mean anything. I asked my midwife to not tell me any specifics-and she agreed she'd just tell me whether or not my cervix had begun to "ripen". Well, she barely starts the check when all of the sudden she exclaims "Wow". She proceeds to explain to James and I that Asa's head is at a +1 station and that we should be ready to welcome this guy into the world at anytime. 

Like I said, that was a few weeks ago and here we sit...waiting.

So the lesson is...Asa, you will come when you are ready. I am healthy, you are healthy and that is all that matters. Soon enough you will be here and due dates, cervical checks and stations will all be forgotten.  

*******

So if you're a reader and actually took the time to read this-wow, bravo. And do me a favor will you? Next time you see a pregnant lady-ask her how her day is or tell her she looks great...please just don't say "when will that baby be here?". Thanks. 

a Texan baby shower

 When James and I conceived little Asa, we'd only been living in Texas for about six months. We had a small handful of Texan friends and while I was happy about the little guy-I was also a bit scared. I come from a huge family and that family is all based on the West Coast. Friends too, mostly based on the West Coast and I sort of panicked that a Texan support system may not happen for us. 

But luckily we're beginning to feel settled and friends, acquaintances, and coworkers have been more than helpful; I could not be more grateful. I feel incredibly lucky. 

At first, I was quite hesitant to the idea of having a shower in Texas. I don't like being the center of attention and games involving diapers and guessing how large I am sort of terrify me. But I'm so glad that I gave in; the shower was completely beautiful and totally not weird ;)

We had brunch at the La Condesa, a modern Mexican restaurant in downtown Austin. The food was terrific; agua frescas, eggs, tacos and the most glorious desserts I've tasted. Friends bought good conversation and thoughtful gifts. Thank you to all who came and helped put this together-it was a wonderful time!

A special thanks to dear Natalie for making this happen despite my dragging feet, Leah who designed the sweet invites, Caroline who provided beautiful ceramic place settings for us (see the fourth photo) and Aimee who took these photos (except 1 &4). Thank you, ladies!

 

 

a post for Asa

So Asa, I intended on writing more "journal" like posts here, so that one day perhaps-you could look back on what it was like when I was pregnant with you. As you can see, a public place is probably not the best/easiest place to share this info and I have been less than good at keeping up over here.

So how about I sum up the past several weeks for you?

So you and I flew to California to be in my sister's wedding. That's us in the top photo. It was the wedding of your Aunt Cassie and Uncle Eddie. I was a bit worried about flying together-but it was actually pretty much ok. I think I flew at the perfect time. I really can't imagine flying with you now-you are far too big! You and I were in the wedding and it was beautiful. I'm so glad we were able to make it!

While in California we got to see many aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandma and many of your cousins. Your Aunt Allison threw us a book themed baby shower at your Grandma Powell's. It was great-see those blondies up there? Yeah, they were delicious...and you were kicking like crazy after I ate some. You've been almost non-stop moving ever since! Your Great Grandma Thompson gave us some really special books she had saved from when your Dad was a baby. Isn't that neat? We were very lucky and got a lot of sweet gifts from everyone.

When we got back from California, your Dad had put together the crib. I love it! I'm hoping you will, too. We also found a cosleeper bassinet for you to sleep in for the first few months. In the following weeks we put up all of the shelving, curtains and furniture in your room. See those bookshelves? They are filled with books from your shower :) (in case anyone is interested-those shelves are really $4 spice racks from ikea-original idea found here)

We've been slowly gathering clothing, toys and other gear for you. We bought your first little soft toy and hope you'll love it! I'm a bit eager for your arrival so everything is already washed and put away for you.

We started taking a natural birthing class. It's been interesting -it's very nice to have time set aside to think all about you and how you'll be getting here. So far we've already had a couple of trial runs at false labor-my body is just preparing to help get you out, that's all. But I am hoping you'll stay put at least another three weeks. See those photos of me up there? The one where I'm wearing black was taken around 28 or 29 weeks and the other was taken at 33 weeks. Isn't that crazy? It almost looks like you shrunk! But I think you just dropped down further in my torso. I feel lucky to be pretty tall and long so you've got a lot of room to move around down there.

That last photo there is a picture of your baby shower invite for the one we'll have here in Texas. I feel lucky that we've only been here a short while but our friends want to celebrate your coming! Your Dad is also having a shower with his work friends. I think that is pretty sweet. His coworkers are some of the nicest people around, I'm sure you'll meet some of them and their kids. 

 It's been one of the hottest, driest summers around but luckily we have a pool at our apartment. You do love it when we swim...I hope that endures when you are out of the womb.

I guess that's pretty much it, not much else to report.

Ok buddy, we'll see you in about 3-7 weeks, huh?

 

 

 

 

beautiful wares

Ok, ok...I know I said I didn't want to turn this into a "shopping blog" but have you seen this gorgeous store?

It carries artisan goods from Africa and they are all so lovely! The ones above would look particulary swell in a nursery I think.

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Tonight is our first birthing class! I'm nervous, I don't always do well in group seetings but I'm sure it'll be fun...

Ok, back soon.

etsy wishes

a.k.a. ...things I cannot  afford at the moment, but they sure are pretty!

From the top: songrbirds wooden mobile from Snug Studio, Circus Print by Judy Kauffmann, baby blanket from Pata Pri, Rainbow Sweater Ball by Handmade Pretties

being me

 

Today's realizations: it's a lot harder to write a baby blog because

1.Babies bring up a lot of emotions in people

2.Many people think that they way they choose to believe is the right/perfect/best/only way to raise a child and their experiences make them "experts" on the matter(learned that when my post about bright baby books got someone's panties in a knot today-geesh-it's just cute books!!!)

3. With this blog I'm revealing more of myself than I ever have before. I'm not hiding behind my pretty pictures of flowers...I'm just being me and it's weird sometimes. 

Anyway...

so some pretty fun things are happening around here. The baby (Asa?) is moving a lot these days-and kicks are becoming quite visible from the outside. Sometimes they are what I consider to be "gigantic" and it's pretty great when James gets to see or feel those ones. His reactions are always over the top, which I quite appreciate. It makes me excited to see our baby...how will James react then?

I'm heading back home to California to visit family and when I get back, we start our birthing class! That is so crazy to me, time is flying by. Early in my pregnancy I read a lot of birth stories and a lot about labor, but the past two months I've sort of not focused any attention on it. I'm looking forward to learning techniques and meeting other soon to be parents.

Thanks for the comments (and really sweet emails!) on this post. I'm so glad that there were many who could relate. I know this too shall pass...and actually, just getting it out there made me feel about 1,000x better about it. 

Anyway, how's that for a random mess of a post, huh?

Oh well, at least for now I can blame the hormones for my randomness.... :D

 

the cutest

I think that Elizabeth Antonia could replace the name of her shop "the littlest" with the name "the cutest".

Because seriously-aren't theses the cutest little vintage pieces?

Besides having a lovely little vintage shop, she also has a great blog.

Happy Fritday!

Thanks for the support with the last post, just needed to vent a bit.

giant

So here I am, six months pregnant and not too many posts to show for it.

I thought I would love blogging my personal thoughts and feelings while pregnant, but boy was I wrong.

Obviously hormones are raging through me which makes my already sensitive self that much more sensitive and that isn't all bad. I'm finding myself laughing a lot more and it's been easier to ignore things that used to annoy me. Yes, I can cry a lot easier, too. But that's usually the good, sappy kind of crying-like when you watch a really great movie or hear a story of love reunited. 

One sort of strange thing that's happening though is that I'm developing a hatred towards my growing body. I'm aware this isn't ideal. I'm aware many women say "embrace those curves". I'm aware many women love being pregnant and it's the happiest time of their lives. I'm aware of this. But that doesn't mean my pregnancy is the same as their's and it doesn't mean I can force myself to feel a certain way. I have never been this big in my life and I feel as though my body may just explode. I'm awkward, flabby and have lost the little muscle tone I once had. I look in the mirror and see a person who I do not know staring back at me. 

I walk everyday, I swim most every day and take the stairs (yup that's three flights every time) but still feel ginormous. I look to the next three months with happiness-I'm so excited to meet little Asa-but also with a tinge of terror...how can my body support any more of this weight? 

The funny thing is, I am not and have never been a person who found her self worth in her body. I have crooked teeth, an awkward smile, dopey hair and a lack of athletic skill. It's not like I cared much about my outward apperance before being pregnant. I think this is why these feelings are so strange and unexpected for me. 

On top of these feelings is layered a heavy amount of guilt. Why can't I just eat less? Why can't I just be happy with it? Why am I inwardly complaining when so many women would give their right leg to be pregnant? Yep, all these thoughts come up, too.

I don't want anyone to think I'm swimming in a sea of bad thoughts, most of the time I am pretty happy. I'd just thought I'd share in case anyone out there felt the same. And if so-well, you are not alone, my friend. 

So as I continue in this space...you probably won't notice too many "pregnancy" posts. I figure-try to focus on the positive, the end result, right?

At least that's what I'm trying for now...