Pregnancy Top 10

I'm nearing the end of what will be my last pregnancy.  Well, if this isn't my last pregnancy, then our family planning efforts had an EPIC failure.  As I look back at my experience this time, and last --- I thought it would be fun to do a David Letterman style top 10 of my most favorite and least favorite parts of pregnancy.  If there are any guys out there reading this, you might want to skip this post.  For the ladies, I think you will understand.

TOP 10 Things I will Miss Most About Pregnancy 

1.  Feeling the baby move inside me.  No contest here.  I think its one of the special gifts that God gives mothers (possibly to compensate for some of the items on that second list down there).

2.  Knowing I'm growing a little person.  I mean honestly, it feels like some special super power or something.  Mommies --- we really do have a cool job for 9 months.  Even if we totally give up our bodies to do so.

3.  The Rock-Star parking spots.  Although I probably need the exercise, its really nice to park right in front of my work building and not have to walk 1/3 mile in the cold.  Yes, its nearly 1/3 mile from the parking lot to my normal building.  Also, lots of stores now have these --- and its a nice perk.

4.  Not having to suck in my stomach all day.  Its the one time in life you get to let it all hang out....and not feel bad about it.

5.  FOOD!  I love food when I'm not pregnant.  And somehow everything tastes even better during pregnancy.  Milk and Fruit have been my favorite during both pregnancies.  Although Chocolate/Sweets have run a close second during this one.

6.  My Skin, Nails, & Hair.  I have NO idea what makes everyone's skin and hair so much better during pregnancy.  I'm sure its a combination of the PreNatal vitamins and the crazy hormones.  Either way, I'm pretty sure this is the best my hair and skin will ever get.  Too bad I have to be the size of a blimp to get these benefits.

7.  Kindness.  People are unbelievably kind to pregnant women.  Random strangers give up their seats on a bus, assist you with your bags on an airplane (one flight attendant being an exception there), and are generally just excited/happy for you.  I realize this is a bit old-fashioned, but I love it --- its shows a certain "goodness" in society.

8.  My Hubby.  Matt is a wonderful husband and father.  As I've gotten larger and more uncomfortable, he's done a good job of spoiling and encouraging me.  Spoiling --- by taking over some additional household/Katie responsibilities....and Encouraging me when I feel like an exhausted, ugly, uncoordinated blimp.  

9.  Baby Hiccups --- this could probably fall in with item #1 above.  But the hiccup sensation is really different/odd, and Katie LOVES to feel it.  Definitely her favorite.

10.  Working from home!  This past month of my pregnancy I haven't been able to travel.  Oh my have I become spoiled.  Working from home (full-time) is NICE.  I drop Katie off at school each morning, I can start dinner during the late afternoon, or throw in a load of laundry as needed.  AWESOME!  Wait, let me say that again ---- AWESOME!  I'm going to have a major reality check when I have to go back to driving into the office/flying all over the place.

TOP 10 Things I will NOT Miss Most About Pregnancy 

1.  Sleep!  I'm a stomach sleeper.  PERIOD.  Which means for the last 2-3 months, I haven't been sleeping normally (I might be a bit cranky about it).

2.  CONSTANT bathroom trips!  The first trimester the bathroom trips picked up, then they were somewhat normal during the 2nd, and now in the 3rd trimester its RIDICULOUS!  I'm up 3 to 4 times each night to use the restroom.  

3. My Feet!  I cannot see my feet.  I make the most ridiculous/entertaining site when trying to paint my toenails (especially at 39+ weeks).  

4.  The Triple B!  What is the Triple "B" you might ask?  Boobs, Belly, and Butt.  You can probably add an "H" in there too for my hips --- or maybe a "T" for Thighs.  They all seem to grow to massive proportions while I'm pregnant.  Its yet to be determined whether or not they will return to their normal state.

5.  Back Pain.  I didn't have a great deal of back pain with Katie. Maybe because I didn't go full-term, and because she was TINY!  But this pregnancy my back pain has been quite annoying.  

6.  No Naps.  Second pregnancies are harder.  Part of that is because you have an energizer bunny (aka - Katie) running around like mad, who doesn't take naps, likes to be carried, and expects you be on your "A" game even when you are exhausted.  There has been no time/option for naps this pregnancy -- whereas last time I could be lazy for an entire Saturday if I needed time to recoup.

7.  Waiting.  I was doing great until these last 2 weeks.  But I'm not a very patient person (ask my husband), and waiting for this baby to arrive is about to drive me NUTS!

8.  People Trying to Touch Me!!  In our society there is an unwritten rule of thumb that specifies a 2-3 foot "personal zone."  People somehow forget this rule when you are pregnant --- and they somehow think its okay to touch a STRANGERS stomach.  It hasn't happened as much during my second pregnancy as with the first.  But it is weird.  If I know you, or you are family --- that's one thing.  I let Matt, Katie, and my mom all touch my stomach and feel the babies movements.  However, if you are a random person, why do you think this is okay?

9.  Shaving while pregnant.  I'll just leave it at that.

10.  Food/Drink restrictions.  Specifically caffeine, lunch meat, sushi, and wine --- I'm not sure which of those 4 items I've missed the most....but oh I cannot wait to have them back!  Although the wine will have to wait until after I'm done breastfeeding.

So ladies....did I miss anything?

Brutal Honesty

Katie's pediatrician says that 4 year olds are her favorite.  I don't have enough experience yet with the other ages to say if age 4 is my favorite, but there are definitely some hilarious aspects of dealing with our little 4 year old.

Four year olds are brutally honest creatures.  They have acquired a good vocabulary and communicate extremely well.  The only problem with this --- they have NO filter.  None!  I imagine the Preschool teachers at school (and Kindergarten teachers too) get their ears filled on a daily basis.

Now, you throw in being PREGNANT with a 4 year old in your house and it gets even more interesting.  Below are a few of mine and Katie's conversations over the past couple of months.  There have been TONS, but these are some of the most entertaining....and ones I just couldn't resist documenting (no matter how embarrassing).

Story #1:
I've been on a major clean-up and clean-out mission this past month.  With another little one on the way, I know the "stuff" in our house is about to double.  Quite a few clothes/shoes from my closet were included in the "clean-out" mission.  I bagged everything up and we headed to Goodwill.  Katie asked why we were giving our things away.  I reminded her that while we can't use them any longer, someone else might be able to.  She looked at me and said, "Yeah, maybe somebody that doesn't have a big baby belly can fit into your clothes."

Story #2:
One day, Katie and I were getting ready in the bathroom --- preparing to leave for Preschool.  She likes to put make-up on a "primp" with me.  Randomly she looked up and said, "Mommy, how is the baby going to get out of your tummy?"  I'd been expecting that one, and answered it according to plan.  PHEW!  So glad I had prepped.

Story #3:
Katie, Matt and I went to target a couple weeks ago to stock up on baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.).  As we walked in, Katie noticed that the bathing suites were already on the racks for sale.  She looked at a pink striped bikini and said, "Oh mommy, I like this one.  Isn't it pretty?"  Then she looked back at me and said, "Oh wait, you can't fit into this with your big belly.  Come one, I'm sure they have something in here that will fit you."  I looked back at Matt to see what his facial expression was --- he was doing his level best not to laugh.  Of course, when I started giggling --- he felt safe to do the same.

Story #4:
Normally at bedtime, I lay down in Katie's toddler bed with her to read books and snuggle up for bedtime.  The two of us, fitting into a toddler bed when I'm "normal" size is a tight squeeze.  When I'm super pregnant, its virtually impossible.  So, about 2 months ago I stopped laying in the bed with her and just sit in the rocker next to her bed.  She looked at me last week and said, "I'll be glad when the baby gets here and you don't have a big belly anymore.  Then you can lay back down in my bed with me.  I really miss that mommy!"

Katie oscillates between sweet and sassy --- and as Matt's Ganny used to say, she is "So Something."  As my due date gets closer, Katie has begun to ask me "Is the baby coming today?"  And I don't really have an answer for her.  I just say "Well, maybe --- it could be any day now."  She seems to be as anxious as the rest of us.  The last few weeks she has been exhibiting some regression behaviors (i.e. wanting me to rock her in the rocking chair each night before putting her into her bed, asking for her old pacifier --- which she didn't even use as a baby, etc.).  Overall, she's excited about the baby's arrival.  I just hope she transitions to the role of Big Sister relatively easily....

Our Little Swimmer

In December, we enrolled Katie in swim lessons at the YMCA.  She started getting interested in swimming this fall because we would take her to the Y pool on days where it was either too cold or rainy --- just a form of exercise on Yuck-O days when we couldn't got to the park.

Last summer we could barely get her to put her face in the water.  This fall her mindset changed.  She was actually interested in trying swimming ---- and willing to put her face in the water (with goggles mind you).  So, we thought we would give swimming lessons a second try.  The first time we attempted lessons was right before she turned 3 and it did NOT go well!

With Katie, 90% of the battle with new activities/lessons is getting her there and getting her started in the class.  She is extremely reluctant to new environments and very cautious/hesitant.  She fusses, cries and drags her heals about getting dressed, going, and actually participating.  The first swimming lesson at the Y was no different.  Our saving grace was that once she made it to the pool area, she spotted two girls (twins) from her preschool.  After she realized they were in her class ---- everything changed.  And I'm so happy it did.

Katie is now LOVING swim lessons!  She goes two evenings a week --- and then begs us to go to the pool at least once each weekend.  I can't believe the progress that she has made in 6 short weeks of lessons --- and I'm so thrilled we decided to enroll her.  There is a junior swim team called "PUPS" that meets right after her lessons.  She is so enamored by them, she always asks to stay and watch for a little while.  She asked me on the way home last week when she could join "PUPS".  I told her she needed another year or two of practice, but with some hard work she could join.  We'll see what happens ---- and if her interest in swimming sticks or fades.  At this point, I'm just grateful that she's a little more independent in the water. Otherwise, visits to the pool will be NUTS trying to maintain some water safety with 2 kids!

Here are a couple videos of Katie "swimming" at the end of December!  :-)  FYI, that is the deep end of the pool (she can't stand up).  Not exactly Michael Phelps here, but trust me --- its major progress.  

Christmas Eve and Day

I probably reiterated this about 1000 times over the holiday season, but Christmas through a child's eyes is amazing!  There is a little magic there that, as a realistic (somewhat cynical at times) adult, you just wish you could go back to.  I love it!  So, here's the recap on our Christmas fun...even if I'm a month late in posting it.

The afternoon of Christmas Eve we headed to church.  When we returned, Nana and Papa had arrived from Woolwine as they were spending the night with us.  We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner, and then got into our PJs for Santa Prep and other Christmas Eve activities.

We always bake cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve and make food for his reindeer (carrots and celery).  Then we get into our pajamas and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  After cookies and milk are laid out ---- we head to bed.  Matt and I thought that two things would happen on Christmas Eve due to Katie's OUT OF CONTROL excitement:  1)  She might still be awake at 10 PM    2)  She might get up at 5 AM.

Amazingly, she was out like a light at about 8:30 ---- and didn't get up until 7:30 the next morning.  COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!  It was a good thing she went to bed on-time though, because mommy and daddy were up until about midnight wrapping and assembling various presents.  I cannot imagine what bedtime will be for us once 2 kiddos are in the mix.  Shesh!

Christmas morning came.....and guess what, the big guy didn't disappoint.  :-)  Katie was thrilled with all her presents and she, of course, got entirely too many.  This year we also let Katie do some shopping on her own (at the Dollar Tree store).  I wanted her to start learning the value of gift giving....not just receiving.  I was surprised at how good/thoughtful her gifts were.  For Nana, she got candy and warm socks.....because "Nana's feet are always cold."  For Papa she picked out lotion and a clown headed crazy pen.....because "he always says his hands need lotion, and the Pen is a little Silly like him."  Oh, how the mind of a 4 year old works!  

After presents were opened, my parents headed home to Woolwine to visit my grandmother and my brother.  We stayed in Roanoke and just enjoyed the day.  As a parent, Christmas Day and the few days that follow are probably some of the easiest days to care for a preschooler.  Katie was so enamored by all her toys that she would just sit in her play room for HOURS playing with each new item.  Matt and I thought --- should be interrupt this and try to get her outside or engage her in some play.  NAH!  Let's just enjoy the PEACE and QUIET.  Plus, we wanted to play with our new toys as well.  It was a very low-key, relaxing, family day.

Pictures With Santa

Each year, we have to have our picture taken with Santa. I actually have a framed photo of Katie with Santa, for every single year Christmas since she was born. I consider those photos part of our "Christmas decorations." This year, due to a time crunch and me not knowing the best Santa options in Roanoke --- we just went to the mall.

I didn't love our Santa, but Katie didn't seem to notice a difference. She went up to him (holding my hand nervously at first), then once I sat her on Santa's knee --- she was fine. She talked to him and told him the gifts she had written on her list to him. It was actually the best visit with Santa yet. She's growing up so much, and so quickly!

Polar Express Day

I've written before about how much Katie LOVES to stay in her pajamas.  All Day Long.  Whenever possible.  So, its no surprise that when Polar Express Day rolled around again this year --- which meant she got to wear her jammies to school --- she was a little excited.  And by a little I mean she was counting down the days for 1.5 weeks.

I have to admit, I really enjoy the tradition that her preschool has for Polar Express Day.  They invite parents to participate with their children --- we all enter in our PJs, get our tickets punched, participate in the book reading, then sing Christmas Carols, and enjoy snacks together.

Again this year, I joined Katie in the PJ fun.  Actually, when you are 7.5 months pregnant --- I would agree with Katie that all day pajamas are GREAT!  :-)

Decorating Time!!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we let the decorating begin.  Katie--as I've mentioned before -- loves crafts, decorations, and anything of the sort.  So, she was practically begging to get everything out out of the attic and get started.

We began with the outside lights and wreath.  Next we put up the village --- which is definitely one of Katie's favorites!  Then we progressed to the mantle/fireplace, bookshelves, and finally our tree.

Last year we had a our own version of the Griswald Family Christmas Tree experience/incident.  As a result --- we elected not to head to the woods and cut down our own tree this year.  We kept it simple and picked one off the big tree lot outside Kroger.  I realize this is a little Bah-Humbug of us.....but seriously --- we went through 3 trees last year.

Getting the tree up is always interesting.  But decorating it is the best!  Each year we get up in the morning, have some coffee/hot chocolate and breakfast, stay in our jammies, play lots of Christmas music, and JUST decorate together.  We go through ornaments from the past and talk about them as we put them on the tree.  Katie loves to hear the story behind each one!  And once we are done the tree looks so pretty and makes the house smell like fresh pine.  Definitely one of my favorite parts of the holiday --- and it makes it seem like the Christmas season is officially here!

We started a fun new tradition this year too --- letting Katie have her own little tree in her room.  We headed to the craft store and picked out her little tree....and all sorts of decorations for it.  Of course, she picked PINK!  She goes to bed each night with her tree glowing in her room....