Motherhood

I've been reading the blogs of my friends and realize that there are a lot of things that will change, or are changing right now, as a result of our little boy. One of my good friends just blogged about traditions, and Easter dinner. I too can remember Easter dinners at my grandparent's house - finding that elusive Easter basket that has been hidden in very OBVIOUS places for adults but not so much for little people. . . and now we are all getting older, and starting new traditions of our own. That is exciting for all of us - and concerning at the same time. Will I be able to host a formal holiday dinner? Will I be able to make new traditions? Where will I hide my child's Easter basket, and will the dog get it before my child?? If I, at 32 can remember those traditions, it is almost certain my child will too. I hope and pray that I don't screw this one up...

Halfway there-it IS a marathon

So today I am 19 weeks, which by my calculations means I am halfway to delivery! People ask if I'm scared. At this point, I say no. The baby has to come out somehow, so why worry about how/when/etc? No stress-afterall, there was little stress getting in.

5 more days until we know if we will have a son or daughter. I've been calling the baby "she" for almost a month, and have come to believe we are having a daughter. I've made silly plans in my head for a girl, like braiding hair, buying frilly girly dresses with tights, mary janes. The realization came to me this weekends , quite intuitively, that I may have a boy. Which is funny, because in the beginning of my pregnancy all I wanted was a little boy. But I somehow let the wives tales talk me into believing I was having a girl. The ring test, or the needle test-anyone out there do it? Any results? Girl. The chinese calender test? Girl. There is a drain-o test out there but I refuse to do it. Girl girl girl-even the cats and dog are females. Wonder what they will think of this whole thing. Better get some more super hero outfits...

Count down

149 days until my due date. 11 days until we find out if we will have a son or daughter. My life has become a countdown lately. 3 more months of intake at work. UGH, that's a big one. My favorite countdown is 1 more day until Sat.

When will Spring be here??

In other news, our puppy graduates from puppy school tonite. She has done a great job-we have done a great job as puppy parents. The one last remaining battle is getting her to stop assaulting our company. Haylie thinks that anyone who walks into the door is here to see her. We realize that is a problem, but have not been successful in stopping this behavior. Any suggestions welcomed.

Work is getting tough-talking about a furlow-which means I have to take one day a week off unpaid. Not the time for this people, we need all of the money we can get. I guess I can pick up some gym shifts for a little bit. I'm getting stressed with the dynamics at work too. Lots of work coming in, more cases, more people complaining that they are not getting benefits, and I feel bad. So more stress. And to make the place worse, a dear co-worker has also passed unexpectedly, so that makes it a gloomy place to work. There must be a silver lining. We hope.

Some things about pregnancy I was unaware of. . .

1. Hair. It grows so much when you are pregnant. Hair on your head, hair on your legs, hair on your armpits. I've lost 3 razors in the battle, and I'm only 4 months along. Hair.
2. Heartburn. Ok, I kinda knew this one, but not to the degree I am experiencing it. Sometimes I feel like fire is coming out of my chest. Literally. And I can eat cheerio's and still have heartburn!
3. Headaches. I hear it comes with the change in hormones. Too bad you can't pop some advil and cure yourself.
4. Swelling. Yes, it's happening now. My poor ankles at the end of the day are screaming for reprieve. And my wedding rings are now melding with my skin on my ring finger. I refuse to take them off. Absolutely refuse. Someone bring metal cutters to the delivery please. . .
5. Cravings, or lack there of. Can you believe I haven't had any weird cravings yet? When I wasn't pregnant, I would crave a chicken cutlet sandwich at noon every day. Now? Nothing. I was also under the misconception that I would be eating ice cream every night. Nope, I've had it twice. And this is coming from a girl who LOVES the DQ.
6. How long 9 months REALLY is. Yes, they say it's actually 40 weeks, but I'm 16 weeks into it and I can't imagine waiting around for the next 23 weeks. I can truly understand why some women only do this once.
7. Sleep. I have never slept like I have in the past 4 months. If I'm not in bed by 8:00 pm, I'm falling asleep on the couch. And don't wake me - I'm a bear.
8. Underwear - they actually make maternity underwear and now I swear by them. I totally thought I could just by the next size up. But there is nothing like the feeling of maternity underwear. Almost blissful. Almost.

Ok, I think that's it for now . ..

Pointless Snow

I'm sitting here at work, watching the snow fall around me. I think it started around noon, and as I sit here at 3:30 I think of all of the other things I could be doing: sleep, watching a movie, cleaning my bathroom, sleep. The problem is it's pointless-tiny little flakes sure look nice, but honestly, we need them to do something. When they don't stick to the road we don't get out of work early, for at that time I can do my procrastinating chores. Oh no, not here in CT. Snow falls and falls... schools close early, but nope - I'm still here.

Is it spring yet?

Time Flies. . .

Where have I been?

Lets see, holiday fever is officially over. And not a minute too soon. I cannot believe that some people have already begun to count the days all over again until Christmas. I can hardly count the days left in the week. Wow, a lot of peeps have time on their hands.

Now that the holiday season is over, I can enjoy my favorite time of year. This is the State employees dream. There are officially 4 PAID DAYS OFF between Jan and Feb! Who-hoo! How exciting! I love 3 day workweeks (since I opt to continue to keep my traditional Friday day off). Yay! Another perk to my job.

In other news, the snow is starting to bum me out. I can't take Haylie to the dog park, so all this pent up energy gets taken out on my living room rug and the poor cats. I bet they are wishing for spring time as well. I am anxiously awaiting the BIG MELT OF 2009 to come so that I can enjoy walking my dog when I get home from work. It's therapeutic!

Lastly, there is the notion that I will be a mother in less than 7 months. Which brings about a whole new set of discussions, stories, and laughs. The laugh for today is that I wore a shirt that was not quite maternity - ok, I am still trying to squeeze into my normal clothes - obviously not working. 5 people in the office today asked if I was pregnant. Yes, the sweater is snug in some places (you know, the pertinent places that grow when a women is preggo) but I thought that was nervy. What if I just ate too much over the week? What if I had something catastrophically wrong with me? What if it was a boob job gone bad? I have read that a lot of people are insensitive, and pregnant women tend to notice these things when strangers touch your belly, or laugh at you washing out your breast pump cups. But I thought this was just wrong. So I did confess, that yes, I am pregnant and NOT GETTING FAT FOR NO REASON. I made sure to add the last part. And while they were excited along with me, I hope they got my subtle hint that I thought their approach was rude. Seriously??

Holidays Take II

I made it through the holidays, part I. Why do they have to be so close together? I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had a holiday quiz to see just how stressed out one person can be. very interesting. I have to say that my recent dilema with holiday plans has left me with a sour taste in my mouth for Holidays Part II. Again, loading the dog into the car, along with clothing, gifts and of course the husband. Hitting the road with 1 million other holiday travelers is oh so much fun. Only to turn right around to drop the dog off and then go to my inlaws. Next year we are home.

In other news, I have been seriously contemplating why I work so much. I don't think my job at the gym pays bills, but where does that money go to? I have no free time anymore. I am tired. The gym hardly recognizes me anymore, unless I am behind the front desk. However, my love handles are joyfully dancing at their return.

I look forward to some holiday parties this month, spending some good times with friends, and eating whatever comes in my path. I will worry about the gym in 2009.