Behold! A post!

I have been completely slacking more than I can even make excuses for (don't end a sentence with a proposition...end it with a statement in paranthesis).  But tonight, behold!  The entry I have been promising for so long!



The Truth About Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery & New Mom-Dom - PART ONE
Disclaimer...every woman, pregnant woman (two different things there), momma and baby are different.  These are the truths that I have learned.  It will be different for everyone but everyone will have some truth to share!

This is titled part one even though I don't already have sequels planned out.  I just know that every day sheds light on a new "truth" that I will need to "post-it" in order to add it to my list for you.  I am sorry ahead of time for the non-mommas or the boys that follow these entries.  But it could be informative for later use or for entertainment value (albeit very little).

Let's begin...

1. First trimester feels like an eternity.  You aren't showing, you feel yucky (either VERY yucky or just a little yucky like I did).  You feel like it will never end and you want to throat punch the next person that tells you that you won't even remember the misery once you get to second tri...this is TRUE!

2. Second trimester is the best trimester.  You will probably hear this from most women.  You feel so much better, you are showing so you get the sweet looks and endearing comments from complete strangers in Walmart and you get more doc appointments (read ultrasounds and heartbeats).  For those who want to find out the sex, you can find out in this trimester.  You feel your baby move...lots of good things happen these three months.

3. Spin-off from above.  We didn't find out the sex and I am SOOO thrilled we didn't!!  A lot of people want to plan everything so they "must" know the sex - I was never much into pink or blue...especially when it comes to paint in a room.  So we didn't need much planning.  There are so many adorable neutral (but not boring) merchandise.  It really is the only surprise (at least a good surprise) that you will have in your life.  The other cool thing?  It gives your husband a "moment."  The momma receives attention the entire pregnancy, all through labor and birth.  But daddy doesn't get much in the "ooh and ahh" category.  I think T had an awesome time coming out and telling everyone that we had a baby girl!  It was HIS moment.  I wouldn't trade that for the world!

4. Third tri...the fun is still there but fading quickly...the attention increases and sometimes becomes annoying.  Wow!  You are about to pop!  Ummm, thanks.  How are you feeling?  When are you due again?  Haven't you had that baby yet?  The discomfort increases in many ways.  Pee breaks increase.  Bending over to get anything...socks, shoes, your underwear...becomes a chore.  Almost a work out move.  Walking to the mailbox is exhausting.  The movements of the baby in 2nd tri that was so incredible become somewhat painful and annoying.  You begin the process of losing sleep.

5. An epidural doesn't make you weak.  It makes you human.  Going natural is good for some but, no matter how much you hate needles (and I am the phoboholic right here) it sure beats the HELL that is labor.  If only mine would have caught up with the mega-doses of Pitocin being pumped through my veins!  It eventually did but...oh momma!

6. Being induced is not the end of the world.  It really is ok.  It won't ruin you or your baby.  Sometimes it is a medical need, sometimes it is because you want your doctor and not some random back-up doctor.  Mine was a medical need (my water was leaking but I wasn't dilating) but I don't fault or judge those that have it done for scheduling reasons.  It doesn't make the birth any less "natural" or "normal".  There is NO such thing as either.

7. Labor hurts.  Bad.

8. There is a huge phobe about pooping on the table while pushing.  More than likely it will happen.  And, all those who told you that you won't care??  They are right!!!  Once you experience the misery of labor and they finally tell you it is time to push, you could projectile poo-poo on the nurse and you wouldn't think twice.  You think I am kidding. 

9. You may want a boy more than anything...watch football with them, have a momma's boy, your little man.  Or you may want a girl more than anything...bows and dresses, tea parties, a princess.  I tell you this...when your baby arrives...you love them more than any love you will ever know.  Ever.

10. You know those people that say that your life will change when you have a baby?  You know your response of...no, it won't change.  I will be the same person.  Those same people tell you...no, it will change.  But it will be for the better!  And you roll your eyes.  I hate to be one of those people but it is true.  Your life DOES change.  No doubt about it.  Leaving the house takes more planning than a beach vacation.  Going out with your significant other takes weeks of planning.  Your conversations go from...hmmmmm, I can't remember what I talked about before...to how many poops your baby had that day.  Life does change.

But it also changes because a little life looks at you with loving eyes like you are their world.  And you are.  The love that radiates is something I never experienced before (remember, I never wanted kids until about 3 years ago...man, what I would have missed).  Life changes but it DOES change for the better!

I was going to stop at 10 but I have one more that I feel is very important and a good one to end with...

11. It is true that having a baby may change your priorities.  You may not go to the karaoke bar every Friday night or happy hour with your friends on Wednesdays.  But don't forget about those friends.  Most of my friends are kid-less but love my baby.  But, do they want to hear about my baby all the time?  Of course not.  They have lives of their own and I want to know about what's going on.  I think that your friends sometimes feel a little odd about asking you (with a new baby - and new can be up to a year or more) to go out and do something.  It is up to us as new mommas to hold onto those relationships and make the effort!  We know when we are available (around nap times, bed times, etc), our friends do not.  AND I must say, it feels GREAT to go out with the girls and NOT talk about the baby, the diapers, the feedings the..."guess what baby did today??"  Although my friends are awesome and love to hear all the details, it is awesome to have a girls' dinner to just catch up on life!  Their life!  Stay in touch is the bottom-line of this truth.

Let me know what you think about these truths so far.  There are so many to come.  I guess there WILL be sequels!  Based on your feedback, of course.

OH and big news!  My sister-in-law is making some AWESOME baby products that will be available soon online!  I am really excited for her and love these products.  I am hoping she will let me do a review and a possible giveaway!  Paci/toy holders, sippy cup holders and many more AWESOME products.  Stay tuned!

I am back, folks.  Blog diva returns...until sleep prevails!