Updates! Growth! Big Plans!

It's been some time since my last blog update which should probably indicate that nothing too dramatic has been happening really. The baby is growing. I'm growing in all directions although I'm glad to say that at this point in time (I'll be eating my words in no time) have yet to tackle the ever so sexy and seductive look that is cankles. Let me bring everything current:

Baby & Me

We are at 26 weeks! Overall I feel great although as Emma grows (and everything else) my lower back is starting to pay the price. I weighed myself the other day and let's just say that if I wasn't pregnant I probably would have sat on my bathroom floor crying. Not that I have always maintained a physique that would qualify me for a body building contest (and no thank you, not my style anyways), I've always been active and tried to maintain a healthy tone (ish) body. Well, pregnancy is changing that some. I remain active but this growing on each end thing is something to seriously get used to and something to simply accept which I am. As a few friends say, 9 months to put it on, 9 months to take it off. What makes every pound and thicker part of me worth it all are the moments when I am laying still and not only can I feel Emma kick from the inside but from the outside with my hand over my belly AND I can see my stomach move as well.

Our last doctors appointment 3 weeks ago was the routine urine screen (good), weight (none of your business), and listening of the heart (a steady 143). This time I had Dr. Robert Pyke, one of the group of doctors in the practice. He explained their process... named "The Doc in the Box" and that at all times, one of the doctors are on call ready to attend to their patients needs, labor, etc. I asked Dr.Pyke his philosophy on C-Sections and I was relieved to hear that he will not perform elective C-Sections because they "weren't natural" and felt things should progress on their own. He supports my desire to have as little medical intervention as possible (unless we need it) and made a joke about his sister comparing childbirth to pushing out a bowling ball. That's when I knew we would get along just fine. Since all is well my next appointment is scheduled for next week, Tuesday I think where I get to have the lovely glucose exam.. drink that god awful liquid, have blood taken and the usual urine/weight check up as well. This next appointment is with Dr.Thompson and if you read my initial blog I have a feeling that this is "Dr.LongFingers". If so, I pray that Joe keeps his composure so that I do. Or the other way around.

What I'm Learning:

Slowing Down
So about that whole getting bigger thing. A couple weeks ago I worked a pretty full work week. My work also involves travel, sometimes I'm in the car up to 3 hours a day just going from job to job. I couldn't wait for my last job on that Friday. More so for my back, my mind and my desire to just lay down with my new and amazing body pillow (why I waited til pregnancy to have one, I have no idea). I simply cannot physically do what I'm used to doing and I need to remind myself of that every day.

Ice Cream
Give it to me now. Always have a supply in the freezer... and these days, a pint (or larger) never goes bad.

T.V
Avoid all shows depicting violence against women and children or shows with tragic pregnancies, miscarriages or abuse to animals as well. Not that I was ever a fan of watching these but just no. Cannot and will not do it.

Radar
Pregnancy and motherhood IS the cult I expected it was all along. The proof? Watch me and a pregnant woman walk past each other. Wanna know what happens? We give each other the smile and head nod similar to what I would expect fellow gang members to do as their greeting "Sup, yeah I know you had heartburn yesterday and you are fighting those cankles.. me too sister... me ... too". OR the woman with children who gives me that "Oh you are smiling and glowing now but wait until you can't get your kicking kid into the shopping cart and are covered in chocolate that you never had with you to begin with" look. Yeah, totally can read that off of some women. Truly a cult and I ... their newest member. Salud ladies!

Paranoia
"What if my daughter becomes a meth head?"
"What if she hates me?"
"What if she becomes a Republican?"

Fears that I have no reason to be fearful of at least now.... the strangest and most unrealistic things come to mind and all of a sudden it's all I can think about. Rational? Absolutely not. Funny when thinking back on it? Of course.

Joe
I gotta give him credit. He hugs me when I ask and has been so helpful with everything including his patience. I have read ... a lot of books about pregnancy and babies and watch shows and read articles and am a wee obsessive about this whole process because it's literally consuming every aspect of my life. Joe has the luxury of not noticing how big his ass is getting, not having the constant craving to eat pasta (even for breakfast), orknowing that most of last years summer clothes belong in a bin reserved for next year, etc. He doesn't feel the need to discuss it or touch my belly every time Emma moves. So, I'm attempting to not inundate him with "too much baby" which can be difficult at times especially when I'm waddling (that's right, I'm at that stage) all over the house with heartburn, getting kicked from the inside craving ice cream. I think of those women who are single mothers and go through pregnancy without the father of the child or in a relationship and I can't help but feel blessed. This isn't easy and Joe (along with my friends and family of course) has really been a rock for me especially at those times when I just want to cry and he says something so asinine that all I can do is laugh. I cannot image doing this without him.

Dresses
Yes please. I'd like to give props to the Old Navy Maternity line of clothes (thanks Mel and Melissa). I know women say "Oh god, pregnant during the summer... eesh" however, I beg to differ (so far). I prefer to wear dresses to begin with so knowing my summer, the majority will be spent in flowy dresses is perfectly fine by me. I think it would be a pain in the ass to be prego during the winter. The pants, the bundling up, the boots, the snow, the potential to slip and fall. I'll take a sweaty summer day in my dress and flip flops any day.. just keep the ice water flowing!