An Addendum to "Each Their Own Pregnancy"

Because this blog is really for me more than anything (and the 4 people who still follow it woo woo), I want to take a moment to add an addendum to my post from 2 months ago.  Why, well because I can and 2 because I feel it is important to document my change in emotions.

When I wrote that post I think it is now fair to say I was not in a good place mentally in terms of being pregnant.  I was extremely frustrated with many things and even used the word "hate" when it came to being pregnant.  I think I was in a slump, the 2 months out... it's still not 100% real slump.  Those who know me know that I try not to use the word hate bc my mom doesn't like it.  When growing up, we weren't allowed to say it at all and instead used "H" if we felt very passionate about something.  For example I often said growing up, "I H zuccinni!!!"  So after rereading my post about being pregnant I realize I was wrong.  That I don't indeed H being pregnant.  I was in a bad place and I've realized that now thanks to the help of a wonderful Mother, Nana and Husband.  It also helps that my Dr. stopped worrying about my weight so much too...

So why was I so frustrated? I think a lot of what I did say was true.  I have never lost control of myself the way you do when you are pregnant.  Of all the things people mentioned would happen, that is not really something they can prepare you for.  Am I in love with my new body, no.  But I think my change in mindset is that regardless of what has happen I am bringing something amazing into this world and that is worth all the change.  I mentioned in that last post that I was glad I am only doing this once.  In some ways that is still true... but now mostly because I know doing this once means adopting our second child which I am still ever so excited to do.  I can't wait until Baby MD is 9 months old and we can revisit that process.  I may not be able to feel that baby kick, but the anticipation will be almost greater!!!

So in the end I am ever so grateful and ever so excited to be pregnant.  Every time we see the ultra sound or feel the baby move I know that something completely mind boggling and yet magical is about to happen.  Will my body be perfect afterwards... no.  Was it before I got pregnant... hahahah... NO.  So in the end all of my worry was for nothing.

Here ends my addendum and I look forward to sharing big news in the coming weeks.  Baby MD can make his/her arrival at any point now and we are sooooo ready for that to happen! (Famous last words... :)  )

Baby Shower Texas Style

Look whooooooos having a baby!!  This past Saturday we had a shower here in Houston with all of my teacher friends as well as Jarrod's Mom, Aunt Gayle and Cousin Amanda.  The fabulous hosts were Casey and Miriam and they ran with my current love of owls.  There were super cute owls everywhere and I think everyone had a fabulous time... I know I did!  Once again we were showered fabulously with many many baby necessities and I can express enough how grateful Jarrod and I are to have such a supportive and generous friend and family base here in Houston.

I think at this point Jarrod and I are very well set for baby MD's arrival... at least when it comes to the materials one needs to bring home a baby.  We are still working on the mental preparedness.... though we are both in agreement that may never be fully there.

As always photos do the best when explaining the fabulous time we had, so here they are!

Getting ready to predict Baby MD's future with MASH!

Such loving friends and family! 

Hilarious diapers for the night time changes :) 

Traits that Baby MD will hopefully get from Jarrod and I

This started in Maine and finished in Texas! Now we just need a baby pic

All of the owls were so cute and perfect

These make me giggle... and they were SO yummy! 

They even went up the stairs

And across the door

Meet Olivia and Oliver! They are now on our front door! 

Laughing at the word nipples... totally mature enough to have a baby :P

"oh BUGS" awesome teething ring

Stackable rings... totally remember this from being a kid

Play mat! hopefully the dogs know its not for them... 

Who doesnt love a monkey on a baby's butt?

Laughing because I thought the little bags were dog poop bags... Ohhhh babies have poopie diapers too! haha

Beautifully hand made blanket with owls and quotes! 

Texans Robe! Every Houston baby needs this! 

Large boxes always confuse me... belly always gets in the way

Yay the baby can come home from the hospital with us! 

The hostesses with the mostesses :)

Again, I can not say enough how grateful Jarrod and I are to everyone who came on Saturday as well as those who have showered us from afar.  I would be remiss in mentioning that we have received many wonderful gifts from family and friends from afar.  We have love coming at us from all over the US and that is such a nice environment to bring Baby MD into.  

Thank you again to Miriam, Casey and Casey's mom who put so much work into all of the amazing details of this shower.  I couldn't ask for a better Houston shower that just like the Maine one was so me.  I can not wait to read through all the traits and diapers and share all of the hilarious futures for Baby MD with Jarrod.  

In just 6 weeks everyone will finally get to meet this baby they have already showered with love so much... I can not wait to introduce Baby MD to this amazing group of family and friends!

To Each Their Own Pregnancy...

Today marks exactly 2 months until Baby MD is due to make their entrance into the world.  We are actually hoping they are a day late so that they are born on Halloween.  Not because of the holiday persea, but really because that was Grandpa DiTommaso's birthday.  What a fabulous man to share a birthday with for any great grandbaby even if he is no longer here to meet them.

For sometime I have been meaning to write a post about what I have learned during my pregnancy.  Not because I have learned anything profound, but more so I can remember what it was like after the baby is here and I can barely remember my own name.  I think I shall organize my thoughts into lists... I love lists...

Things I've loved about being pregnant:
1. Yoga pants.  When they have the fold over band they are perfect for pregnant bellies and are very comfortable.  I do believe if you try hard enough you could even dress them up... a bit.

2. Watching my belly grow.  Even though it's not as big as I thought it would be (Jarrod keeps telling me I haven't "popped" yet), it has been quite magical to watch it stretch and accommodate the baby. So far so good on the stretch marks front too.  Some popped veins, but no real stretch marks.  I am sure now that I have written this I will grow rapidly and have massive stretch marks.  Thanks universe...

3. Watching people get excited.  I hate being the center of attention, but it has almost been worth it to see how excited this baby makes people.  My family, Jarrod's family, our friends, even my students turn to mush at the thought of "Coach D" having a baby.  The best is seeing Jarrod with a big goofy grin at every ultrasound.  What an amazing opportunity it is to watch your spouse transform before your eyes into a parent figure.  It really isn't something you can imagine before it happens.  

4. Shopping for baby clothes.  Baby clothes have been about the only thing so far that turns me into a cheeseball.  They're so tiny and cute and you can't possibly imagine having enough haha.  It's amazing how a transformation happens within yourself when it comes to shopping.  Instead "I want these new shoes" I find myself saying "I'll get the shoes later, I want to get these outfits for the baby now".

5. Feeling the kicks and movements.  Once the movement became regular I remember thinking how bizarre it was to be totally ok with something moving inside of me.  It is amazing that it never really freaked me out, that the mind adapts quickly and provides you with a sense of calm even though at times it looks and feels like a scene from Alien.  The best is when Jarrod can see it and not even have to feel it.  I was able to actually take a video of the baby moving and send it to both sets of parents.  Technology is definitely amazing in that way.


Things I have not loved about being pregnant:
1. My body is not what it use to be.  I know that is very vain and that it is totally possible to get it back to where it was, but I have not enjoyed feeling frumpy for the past 7 months.  It seems no matter how hard I try to eat healthy or workout I still put on more weight than I thought I did or should.  It's definitely a frustrated experience losing control of yourself.

2. People wanting to touch my belly.  I know that this comes across as mean, but for someone who only recently picked up the habit of hugging hello and goodbye, it is very weird to me that someone would want to touch my stomach.  Feeling it kick is quite amazing, but the baby tends not to perform on demand and so you end up with that awkward waiting game.

3. My nerves seemed to be shot.  Everything makes me worried these days.  Am I gaining too much weight? How will we afford daycare? Is the baby growing? How much will the next ultrasound cost? Is the nursery ready? Who will visit us when? Will the dogs be ok with the baby? Will I be ok returning to work in Jan? How will I know when Im in labor? What will I do if I go into labor at school? Plus 10 million more questions that keep my mind occupied all day.  I know these are all common questions, but as a planner, not being about to plan things out or answer them now really drives me crazy.

4. Peeing all the time. I used to have a bladder of steel.... enough said.

5. Second guessing our decision to have a baby right now.  It sounds horrible, but there are some days when I feel like we've made a poor decision.  That now is not the time to have a baby.  That babies always sound good until you're actually pregnant and even then they still sound good until you're a few months away from having a tiny human in your life.  I feel like a horrible person for doubting our decision and for not wanting this little person we worked so hard to get, but some days I am just not sure I am ready for the addition to our lives.  I think a lot of it has to do with money, free time, having more friends without babies than with, being away from family and away from the baby once we go back to work.  Again, I am sure this is perfectly normal... but then again what is normal when there is a HUMAN inside of you?


Things I didn't expect... or did and never happen:
1. I expected to cry all the time... I don't.
2. I expected to have a huge belly... I don't.
3. I expected the dogs to know something was up... they don't.
4. I expected to get sick a bunch in the beginning... I never did.
5. I expected to have a healthy baby...we do... just really small which causes lots of worry.
6. I did not expect to hate being pregnant... I am really glad I am only doing this once.
7. I did not expect enjoying feeling the baby kick... it still amazes me each time and feels normal all at once.
8. I did not expect being treated like I was fragile... I appreciate the thought I suppose, but really I am fine.
9. I did not expect being pregnant to make me a better teacher... I think it has helped me relax...some.
10. I did not expect to want to be a mom... I do want to be... Just hope I am one of the good ones.

Here's to being 2 months away from our lives changing forever... In many more good ways that not I am sure.

Baby Shower in Maine

While home for 5 wonderful weeks this summer my mom and sisters threw a fabulous baby shower that brought together all kinds of family and friends!  My aunt from North Carolina was amazing and made the drive north as well as best friends flying in from DC and driving in from NYC.  I was able to visit with work friends, and Maine friends and even great friends from high school.

My sisters and mom thought of everything! The food was yummy, the decorations were perfect (some still up when I left a few weeks later) and everyone had a fabulous time.  We are so thankful for such a wonderful shower and for receiving so many amazing gifts for Baby MD.  We are very lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives that really are family no matter the blood relation.  That is what I am most excited about having a baby... the huge "family" we have to introduce them to!

Here are photos that Alex took- they show a lot of the fun details and fabulous gifts.  Enjoy!

"Mom... Can we come to the party?"

Yummy ducky punch

Having fun at the Partay

"Ipood" hahaha

MAINE! So they know their roots :)

A silky robe so I feel fabulous post-pregnancy :)

Everyone needs some tye-dye

Rattles that attention to hands and feet for discovery

A handmade receiving blanket made by Nola. It's amazing!

Baby Carrier for Jarrod... less girly than the Moby wrap

Umbrella stroller! Easy moving about...

An amazing basket of goodies from 2 soon to be awesome aunts :)

Pack and Play

Again THANK YOU to my mom and sisters for throwing a fabulous shower! THANK YOU to everyone who came and showered us and Baby MD with fabulous gifts.  We're so lucky to have all of you in our lives! 

Year 3... Weeeeeee

Today marks Jarrod and I's 3 year wedding anniversary.  Rather than some lengthy post about what I've learned (trust me there's been a lot) and what I hope for the future (there's a lot of that too) I thought I'd just share some photos since last July.  Between house projects, family visits, getting pregnant and work, this year has been a whirlwind to say the least.  Summer time is a leisurely time... so let's just look at some pictures :)

Athena Turned 1in August!

We began to redo the kitchen. Starting with painting the cabinets.

Jarrod's parents visited in August and we went to Galveston... Ahoy! 

Saw Incubus and Linkin Park! 

I got to go on the field at a Texan's game! 

Got a new car in September... a Jeep Liberty

Got a kiddy pool for the dogs 

Ran our 2nd Hero's Run on 9/11

My phone screen cracked! Oh the horror! 

Finished the bar in October just in time for Halloween

 First Halloween in the new house... the dogs clearly could smell the candy!

 The high school I work for had a very eventful football season!

 This was my 2nd Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving... Jarrod's first since the year prior he was still working shift work.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 in Maine

Happy New Year from VA! 

Happy 29th Birthday Jarrod

Celebrating Super Bowl at Casey's

Prepping an old bureau for a new use... 

Portland turned 3 in Feb.  in human years that's 21... obvs

In March we saw Bruno Mars at the Rodeo! OMG such a good concert! 

And some friends and I saw Mr. 305 himself! 

In March Jarrod enjoys REAL coffee with Caffeine since baby making finally ended in success! 

In April we were finally able to share the big news :) 

And I traveled to NYC to celebrate Nancie's 29th bday at a Mets game

While in NYC we traveled to Providence to see Alex, my mom and Nana! 

And in June (A month early) Jarrod and I celebrated a fabulous year in San Antonio before my 5 week trip to ME.

Happy Anniversary Jarrod! Can you even imagine the photos we'll have in the next year?!