Posts tagged pregnancy

As we were getting ready for our maternity photo shoot last night (Chad just takes forever to do his hair…I was ready waaaay before him ;)), we had the NCAA Lacrosse playoffs on the TV. Now, I may have a really crappy memory sometimes, but things - music, sporting events, movies - take me back to someplace. And this game brought me back to Maryland last year.

Chad and I had moved to Maryland in March (Chad) and April (Me) to open a new restaurant. We were SO excited. It was promising. Fun. STABLE. And our future. We looked at houses to buy. To LIVE IN for YEARS. We made friends. We purchased St Michaels-specific art. We were settling into our future together.

But, I digress…for now. Last year at this time, we were living in a home on the Wye River. The home was owned by the same people who owned the restaurant that we were opening. They let us live there until we found our own place in St Michaels. They were so GENEROUS. Excited to have us. Fun to be with. As we were enjoying our Memorial Day weekend together, we got invited to a BBQ in St Michaels (40 minutes away). We decided to just relax at our “house,” have some dinner and watch the lax game. Chad “ran” to the store to grab some food, but got caught in traffic and missed the first quarter of the game!! {If you’ve ever traveled on 50 on the Eastern Shore, you know what traffic can be like!} 

So, there we were, on the verge of our new life…just waiting for it to begin.

And, here we are now…on the verge of our new life. Waiting for it to begin. In Maine. 

Who would have thought that we would be where we are now a year ago? Definitely not us. I wouldn’t have bet $1,000,000 on it…there’s no way we would have been forced to move from St Michaels back to Maine! But I couldn’t be happier.

You can’t plan your life. You can’t write your own book. You can only live your life to the fullest and let God handle the rest. Everything happens for a reason. We had no clue that I was pregnant when we decided to move to Maine. Yet, I couldn’t imagine going through this pregnancy (not to mention birth and life of Cameron) without our friends and family here. Everything happens for a reason. 

And who knows where we will be a year from now. In our own house? Planning a 1st birthday for Cam? In a new job? I will be excited to see…only He knows for now, though. And that’s ok with me.

I have a confession. Part of the reason that I love being pregnant (besides the amazing growth inside of me) is that I am gaining weight at a rapid speed and more and more people are telling me how great I look! Granted, they say that I look great. Period. But what they mean is that I look great…for carrying another human inside of me for 34 weeks and gaining 25 pounds!

I have been very fortunate in the way that I have gained these 25ish pounds…granted, everything is a little swollen: feet, hands, face, boobs, etc, but my stomach is still in front of me, and not beside me. Working in an elementary school, there are plenty of women who are mothers and love to tell me how they looked when they are pregnant - and how much I suck for not looking like them. OK. Sorry?

I have to add in a sidenote here…I was so sick for the first 18 or so weeks and didn’t eat much. I actually lost weight at first (both from being sick and not drinking anymore) and then started gaining weight around week 20, I think. Once I got my appetite back, it was on like Donkey Kong!! I ate (and still eat) anything I want - Italian sandwiches, ice cream, chips, chocolate and brown sugar (true story). I have been trying to stay semi-active by walking at night or walking around my school (it’s huge), but I have not been “exercising” by any means. 

I look at my arms and my legs that used to have lots of definition and wish they still looked the same, but heck…I am working hard at growing a human!! I think that’s enough exercise for now. I am positive that I will be out walking 5 miles a day once Cameron is born and get my pre-pregnancy body back in no time ;) Haha!!

xoxo
Jess 

The stroller was one of the first items that we purchased for Cameron. We did a lot of research and asked our parent friends what they recommended…I had read a blog about the Britax strollers and fell in love with them - mainly because when you have another little one, you can simply buy another chair and install it without having to buy a new stroller.

However, the BOB was our final choice due to the stability and agility of it (and overwhelming recommendations by our friends). We went to LLBean and pushed one around and were sold. It turns so easily and can be pushed with one finger! It also has a great resale value…we paid just $10 more than USED ones were selling on eBay! Score! Another reason we love it is because you can use it from birth - 70lbs.

I can’t wait to push little Cam around in this on the boulevard, the neighborhood, the mall or the park!!

With my ever-growing TO DO list, it seems as though it will never be blank. And with a little one on the way, I know this is true!

I received this TO DO list in my inbox this morning for things TO DO the few days after Cameron is born…I think I can tackle this one! What do you think? :)

I simply love you. You’re growing and are an actual baby now. Not that you weren’t before, but we’ve been YouTube-ing videos of 31 week old babies and they are precious…real babies! You could be born right now and you would be OUR BABY. It’s insane to me. Truly amazing. A miracle. I want you to stay inside of me and grow a little more, but I cannot wait to meet you. I can’t wait to see your little toes and fingers. I can’t wait to watch you sleep. I can’t wait to watch you look at your Daddy. I can’t wait to rock you. I can’t wait to let our family and friends swoon over you. I can’t wait to live our life together. 

Daddy and I sit on the couch and often times comment that we wish you were there…just laying between us - sleeping, eating, watching. You are already such a huge part of our life and I can’t imagine how much better you are going to make it once you arrive.

You have a lot of hair! We saw a ton on the ultrasound last week - is it blonde or brown? We think blonde. What color are your eyes? Daddy has beautiful blue eyes…I hope yours look like his! We already know you have his feet…whose nose and ears do you have? I wish we knew, but it’s going to be so much fun to find out. :)

I already know you’re going to be a Momma’s Boy ;) I can’t wait to snuggle with you! But I also know that Daddy is going to love the sh*t out of you and your heart is going to explode when you meet him. How can it now? You’re already his “little man” - he talks to you, reads to you, feels you move and makes sure that Mommy is happy and comfortable. We are lucky, Cam!

We have your shower next weekend and I have peeked at our registry…shhhh!! You are going to be so spoiled! You already got your first blanket from Auntie Ally - it’s a beautiful baby blue blanket with a satin border and your initials sewn in! It’s absolutely perfect and will be yours forever. I will have to take a picture tonight to share with you. You have been given so many clothes already, along with toys, swings, car seats and carriers…I promise you won’t go without, child! Daddy and I (along with our family and friends) will take the best possible care of you. 

We love you.

xoxo
Mommy 

Cameron is officially “head down,” which is great because one of my fears is that he will be booty down at time of delivery and have to be delivered through my stomach instead of my…you-know-what. Of course, what ever happens, happens, but this is one thing off my list of Things to Stress About…for now!

With his recent change of positions comes some new and interesting punches and kicks….into my hip bone, ribs and obliques (well, where they used to be). My stomach frequently changes from a round, basketball shape to a more pointy, rugby ball shape - quite entertaining!

In other news, today is my “last” day in my current position. I was filling the spot of a Special Education teacher who was on Maternity Leave and she returns tomorrow. My wonderful staff brought in breakfast for me - bagels, donuts, coffee, fruit and quiche. Amazing! I was so surprised (and embarrassed - I hate being the center of attention) and appreciative because THEY have made my job FUN! It was a sweet ending to this position, even though I hope to see them around still.

The rest of this week is pretty open for us…we are meeting with our photographer on Thursday night to talk about maternity, birth and newborn pictures and I can’t wait!! We are having our maternity pictures taken at the end of May, so I will be 35 weeks and HUGE I’m sure! She will also be in the hospital when Cameron is born so we won’t have to worry about capturing pictures…we can just enjoy our time with our little man! Then, she will do new born pictures with Cameron a few weeks after he’s born…ahhhh, I love professional pictures!

That’s all for now….kind of a random post, but things that have been on my mind!

Have a wonderful Tuesday :)

xoxo
Jess 

For some reason, I look smaller here than previous weeks…must be the dress!

I am officially 31 weeks and 1 day and Cam-man weights a whopping 4 pounds!!

We went to the doctor on Friday for an ultra sound (Dr Dersch thought I was measuring small, but there is nothing small going on in there!) and got see our little man. And yes, he’s still a man! I made sure we got verification of that. ;)

He’s head down and facing my back, which is great for delivery…let’s just hope he stays that way! His butt is right around my belly button, which makes for some funny shapes when he decides to move, and his feet/hands are on my left side…I can always feel/see one of his limbs sticking out!

Momma is feeling GREAT and gaining weight like a champ! So far, I have gained around 19-20 pounds, which is apparently right on track. My back is hurting at times and my feet and hands are a little swollen at night, but Chad has been taking great care of me. ;) Just yesterday and today, I have started feeling nauseous again and light headed! I am just trying to keep hydrated and eat as many nutrients as possible.

Daddy is so excited and ready for him to join us! We saw lots of hair in the ultra sound and this made him a happy man!

We’ve received so many wonderful gifts and clothes and we haven’t even had our shower yet! I spent this past weekend “nesting” by cleaning and organizing his clothes, organizing the fridge (I am positive that was necessary) and lots of other random to-dos. However, our list of things to do is growing by the day and is a little scary. Most importantly, we still have to find child care for next year and a pediatrician! Gah…the stress! ;)

All in all, we are ready for this guy to come! We cannot wait to have him here with us :)

xoxo
Jess 

Since being in the elementary school for the past eight weeks, I have heard some interesting comments from the students regarding my growing bump…

C (who has autism) used to touch my belly daily and ask, “Is that baby still inside of you?” Finally, I learned that HIS birthday is July 1st, so that made it easy to explain when Cameron will be born. So now he says, “That baby’s still in there until July!” and continues to touch my belly.

Another student randomly stopped me in the hall (I had never met him before) and asked if I was having a baby. I replied and he said, “Well, I have the perfect name for her. Wait. Is it a boy or a girl?” I replied and he said, “Well, I think a good name is…………Sal!” I smiled (tried not to laugh) and said, “I think we will call him Cameron.” He thought that was a great name and carried on with his day…I’m glad Kindergarteners approve of his name! :)

Another student put a basketball under his shirt and said, “I look fat like you”! (Thanks, kid…good thing I AM pregnant or I would whoop your a**.)

B (a 6 year old bully) asks me daily if I have had the baby yet. Obviously these kids haven’t gotten the “talk” yet from their parents!

And some teachers feel the need to tell me that I look tired…THANKS! I’m glad you think I look like sh*t. :)