Lazy Days with a Little Lemon Head

I have been M.I.A. because for the past couple months I’ve been feeling nothing but S.A.T. (sick and tired). And who wants to hear about that? But now that I am better…..

 I thought I should let the whole world know that Steve and I are having a baby!! Our Little Lemon Head, as Steve so lovingly calls it, is coming December 20^th. We’re very excited of course, but also a little freaked out since this is our first. And the fact that we are so obviously first-timers is apparent almost everyday.

When we first found out, one of the next days was fast Sunday and the night before Steve says to me:

“So, I was thinking that this fast Sunday we could both fast about…yatta yatta.”

I just looked at him trying to see if he was joking or not. But he was serious!

“Are you kidding?? I can’t fast, Steve! There’s a baby inside me. I can’t starve my baby!!” I said.

“Oh really?” he said. “Where did you hear that?”

Haha. So yeah, obviously Steve has no clue when it comes to this baby stuff.

I also went hot-tubbing even after I knew I was pregnant but before I knew you weren’t supposed to when you're pregnant! Yikes. I guess I have no clue either. Thankfully, Little Lemon Head seems to be doing ok.

We have a lot to learn!

And that is what I’ve been doing. I pretty much checked out all of the pregnancy books from the library because I realize that since I’ve never done this before I am very clueless. I do feel much more educated now but I don’t think I ever realized before how many different and opposing opinions there are on what’s good and what’s bad when it comes to giving birth. Geez. How am I supposed to know what to do??  Here’s what I’ve been reading:

Misconceptions: Truth, Lies and the Unexpected on the Journey to Motherhood by Naomi Wolf. Although I don’t agree with everything she says, I really liked this book because I felt like it painted a real picture for me of what to expect in pregnancy and new motherhood. Sometimes I feel like everyone just tells you all the good and leaves out all the bad and so your expectations are totally off. And then there’s only room for disappointment. I really want to avoid that.

The Bradley Method by Robert A. Bradley M.D. I actually didn’t get through this book. I know there’s truth to what he’s saying but I can’t help but feel irritated the entire time I’m reading it. But I guess I’ll finish it and then comment on it.

Sleep Deprived No More by Jodi A Mindell, PhD. I have no idea why I’m reading it because I definitely don’t have trouble sleeping. I think I’m just prepping myself for when I have a newborn who needs to be fed every two hours during the night.

Understanding Your Moods When You’re Expecting by Lucy J. Puryear M.D. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been all that moody. (ok, maybe a little). I just wanted to get a better understanding of what’s going on with all those crazy hormones and what the deal is on postpartum depression and everything. Sounds like if you sleep enough and take fish oil you’ll be alright. Sleep is key though and new mothers aren’t exactly able to get a lot of sleep.

Powering Through Pregnancy by Jane Simons. I got to get on the pregnant lady exercises now that I’m feeling better.

Fit Pregnancy for DUMMIES by Catherine Cram and Tere Stouffer Drenth. Looks like I’m gonna have to get one of those huge exercise balls.

And a bunch of books all named Pregnancy and Birth. All by different authors but all saying the same things.( I’m putting What to Expect When You’re Expecting in this category too.)

Although being sick all the time totally stinks and watching your body change makes you feel completely out of control and makes you lose your self image a little bit, being pregnant isn’t all bad. (I probably wouldn’t have said this a couple months ago…or I'll regret it in another couple months) There are some things that make it kind of fun. So far.

Below are what I like to call the “Perks to Pregnancy”:

Somehow, being pregnant has given me the right to:

- Grab a Butterfinger candy bar every time I check out at WalMart or Target.

- Demand that Steve talk to the baby through “the microphone” (my bellybutton) if I think he’s not bonding with it enough.

- Give into all the different foods I’m craving. And then once I get it, I’m over it like I never wanted it. This has included: orange juice, potato salad, fruit snacks, pastry pies from the gas station, chewy bars, Café Rio salad, ice cream, hot dogs, steak, extra sharp cheddar cheese, brie cheese (very expensive), hamburgers from Jack in the Box, caramel candies, cheddar crackers,  Whenever else would I have wanted to eat this stuff?

- Ignore the advice in pregnancy books if it’s not what I want to hear. No tuna or lunch meat for 9 months?? Yeah right!

- Have a nap every single day. Sometimes twice. And I always sleep through the night!

- Skip out on my prenatal vitamin if I just don’t feel like it.

- Laugh and not being able to stop when I feel the baby kick me. Well, at this point they’re more like little bubbles popping. It’s very cute. I never thought it would make me so happy.

                           Little Lemon Head at the first trip to the doctor at 12 weeks

In 3 short weeks we will know what we're having. And in five months we will have a baby and our lives will be changed forever! Right now I'm focusing on what to expect in pregnancy and birth. But I guess I'm forgetting what this is all about:  will I be a good mom?