Shortly after I got pregnant I found myself downloading some country songs onto my iPod. All of my childhood favorites that my parents would listen to like George Strait, Randy Travis and Patsy Cline. Then, I was downloading the Carpenters and singing "Top of the World" to the baby every day on my way to work.
Now, I didn't think much of it until one Saturday morning I found Dave brushing up on his "Stewball was a Racehorse" lyrics and singing Peter, Paul and Mary songs around the house all day. When Dave and Molly were little, their dad had a special song for each of them. Stewball was what Jim would sing to Dave.
I guess that in preparing for parenthood we are doing what our parents did for us. I have also realized that with the Carpenters and Peter, Paul and Mary we are definitely children from the 70's. Don't worry, I also sing Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Usher and Madonna to the baby so she will have well rounded musical taste.
Proceed with Caution
If I had to sum up my pregnancy thus far in one word it would most definitely be moody.
The first few months I cried a lot. I have always hated crying and I could not understand why I was crying all the time when I genuinely was excited to be pregnant. I was so happy to have a baby and yet the tears kept flowing. Then came the grouchy phase. One minute I would be happy and going about my day and the next minute I would be more angry than ever about something very random. Sometimes I would know as it was happening that it was crazy but other times it seemed completely justified to be screaming at people.
I talk with my friend Audrey at the gym, who is also pregnant, about the mood swings (thank goodness I'm not alone) and we say how sorry we feel for our husbands. They never know who are they are going to get when they see us next. But the truth of the matter is that although Dave has had to deal with the brunt of my irrational behavior, he isn't the only one. Others that I love who have had to deal with my grouchiness include: my grandma (who is mean to their poor grandma?), my mother in law, Josh, my coworkers, Sara, my parents, the list goes on and on.
For a few weeks there I wanted to include some sort of disclaimer in my emails that said: Warning - I am pregnant, grouchy and irrational, if this email has upset you I apologize. One day when I was actually feeling pretty good, I got flipped off by three people on the way to the mall. I guess that even my driving is angry and upsetting other people.
As I said in another post, I have been feeling very stable, happy and calm for about the past three weeks, we will see if it lasts. That being said, according to my mother, the post about not caring what anyone thinks was really rude and mean. I didn't mean for it to be! So please proceed with caution and try not to take my mood swings too seriously. I truly am sorry if I upset you. Let's all hope that the brighter days are here to stay.
The first few months I cried a lot. I have always hated crying and I could not understand why I was crying all the time when I genuinely was excited to be pregnant. I was so happy to have a baby and yet the tears kept flowing. Then came the grouchy phase. One minute I would be happy and going about my day and the next minute I would be more angry than ever about something very random. Sometimes I would know as it was happening that it was crazy but other times it seemed completely justified to be screaming at people.
I talk with my friend Audrey at the gym, who is also pregnant, about the mood swings (thank goodness I'm not alone) and we say how sorry we feel for our husbands. They never know who are they are going to get when they see us next. But the truth of the matter is that although Dave has had to deal with the brunt of my irrational behavior, he isn't the only one. Others that I love who have had to deal with my grouchiness include: my grandma (who is mean to their poor grandma?), my mother in law, Josh, my coworkers, Sara, my parents, the list goes on and on.
For a few weeks there I wanted to include some sort of disclaimer in my emails that said: Warning - I am pregnant, grouchy and irrational, if this email has upset you I apologize. One day when I was actually feeling pretty good, I got flipped off by three people on the way to the mall. I guess that even my driving is angry and upsetting other people.
As I said in another post, I have been feeling very stable, happy and calm for about the past three weeks, we will see if it lasts. That being said, according to my mother, the post about not caring what anyone thinks was really rude and mean. I didn't mean for it to be! So please proceed with caution and try not to take my mood swings too seriously. I truly am sorry if I upset you. Let's all hope that the brighter days are here to stay.
Rolling with the Punches
Well, I have had a few months now to adjust and I am starting to embrace the whole pregnancy thing. Not to say that every day doesn't present new experiences, questions, concerns or mood swings but I am feeling pretty darn good these days. In the past few weeks I have started feeling the baby move which I absolutely love and Dave felt his first kicks this week while we were on vacation in the Bahamas.
During my 12 week ultrasound I saw the baby flipping and moving around on the screen and thought it was the most bizarre thing ever. I kept thinking that someone should have told me how weird it is to be pregnant. It is hard to comprehend that something is growing and moving inside you when you can't feel a thing. Now that I can feel her, the whole experience is easier for me to make sense of and it is amazing that she is always with me.
And yes, I am one of those pregnant people who talks to the baby, rubs the belly and sings to the baby on my way to work. The baby has already been to a bachelorette party, two weddings, a few bars, a serious dance club, a casino and for some swims in the ocean. I figure it's never too early to start teaching her how to have fun.
During my 12 week ultrasound I saw the baby flipping and moving around on the screen and thought it was the most bizarre thing ever. I kept thinking that someone should have told me how weird it is to be pregnant. It is hard to comprehend that something is growing and moving inside you when you can't feel a thing. Now that I can feel her, the whole experience is easier for me to make sense of and it is amazing that she is always with me.
And yes, I am one of those pregnant people who talks to the baby, rubs the belly and sings to the baby on my way to work. The baby has already been to a bachelorette party, two weddings, a few bars, a serious dance club, a casino and for some swims in the ocean. I figure it's never too early to start teaching her how to have fun.
I Don't Care What You Would Do
I've never liked surprises. When I was a kid I used to unwrap my presents under the Christmas tree when my parents were gone, check out what I was getting and wrap them back up. And no, I wasn't disappointed on Christmas when I already knew what I was getting. I don't like to be shocked. I don't like surprise parties. I like to know what is going on and what will happen. So I always knew that I would find out if we were expecting a boy or a girl.
What I have realized while being pregnant is that everyone has an opinion about everything. Not only that, but they feel very free to share those opinions with you. I hear the advice gets worse once you have a baby! The "finding out the sex" is the number one topic I get comments about lately and everyone wants to tell you what they personally would do if they had the choice to find out.
I'm not placing blame because I too was one of those people. My poor coworkers Jennifer and Tami did not choose to find out the sex of their babies and believe me, I told them how frustrated I was and how they did not make the right decision. What I realize now is that expectant parents will ask if they want your advice. If you feel strongly, then have your own baby and decide for yourself - otherwise, it doesn't really matter what you would do.
Oh and one more thing...we have decided on a name and we tell people that too! We are planning to name our little girl Samantha Lee. Shocking I know! I bet you wouldn't tell people if you were going to have a baby!
What I have realized while being pregnant is that everyone has an opinion about everything. Not only that, but they feel very free to share those opinions with you. I hear the advice gets worse once you have a baby! The "finding out the sex" is the number one topic I get comments about lately and everyone wants to tell you what they personally would do if they had the choice to find out.
I'm not placing blame because I too was one of those people. My poor coworkers Jennifer and Tami did not choose to find out the sex of their babies and believe me, I told them how frustrated I was and how they did not make the right decision. What I realize now is that expectant parents will ask if they want your advice. If you feel strongly, then have your own baby and decide for yourself - otherwise, it doesn't really matter what you would do.
Oh and one more thing...we have decided on a name and we tell people that too! We are planning to name our little girl Samantha Lee. Shocking I know! I bet you wouldn't tell people if you were going to have a baby!
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