Registering

Friday night Eric surprised me and wanted to go register for Baby Spills.  When we got to the store, we went up to the desk, filled out the paper work and got to work. We scanned one item, hit a wrong button and deleted all of the newly input data. It was going go be a long night...

I went back to the desk, and the exasperated worker retyped our information into the system again, told us that's never happened before and to ONLY push the yellow button from that point forward. She then sent us on our way. As we started over, it began to set in just how overwhelming this process can be. What does a baby really need? Apparently ALOT. There's safety accessories, bath time, bedding, activity gyms, play yards, swings, travel systems and so much more.

We spent an extra long time in the bedding section, because we couldn't decide on what we wanted. I didn't want anything "too babyish" and Eric didn't seem all that interested at this point... apparently safety supplies and bath time took a lot out of him. I digress... He didn't like the giraff bedding I thought I liked, and I didn't like the giant monkeys he thought were cute. From there, there weren't a whole lot of neutral bedding sets that would fit in with Baby Spills.  A nice worker helped us settled on what we had originally envisioned as a very plain light blue and dark brown bedding set that was on clearance and a must buy that night. From there, I decided we would accent with Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish." Growing up, I hadn't really had a "favorite" bed time story... sorry mom, but I don't really remember reading bed time stories instead my memories include praying before bed... I do however remember the big yellow book, and I have long admired the literary works of Dr. Seuss, and so our nursery was born.

Next, we found the travel system section and there were quite a few to choose from. Once we picked the one that we wanted, we had to figure out which car seat base would fit the carrier... fingers crossed we chose the right one.

After more than an hour, I was done and was proud of what we had accomplished. We once again found Mary Ellen to complete the final process in the registering experience.  As we left, I told her I thought we were done with the whole list and I was really proud of myself. I got home and sent a text to my sister, who went to check out what we had and the next morning, she called me to say, let's go back and get what you really need.

To my surprise, Mary Ellen was working again and she made light of the fact that I brought back the mother of two, really five, for reinforcement... as we went around the store and got the other necessities I missed, like safety locks for the outlets, a thermometer, sheets, and breast pump accessories, the same worker that helped Eric and I the night before choose our bedding, approached and asked if this was to be our, Christine and my, third child together. As Christine said yes, and I nodded in agreement, it took us a moment, well actually me a lot longer, to realize that we had just acknowledged that instead of being sisters, we were instead a lesbian couple registering together. Now, the really funny part of this exchange isn't that she didn't remember me from the night before, or that she mistook us for lesbians, the funny thing is that if you were to see my sister and I together, we could easily pass for twins. The worker may have needed glasses, but I nonetheless am grateful to my sister for taking time out of her schedule to help me with this overwhelming process. September here we come!

People Say the Darndest Things

Why do people see a pregnant woman and say whatever pops into their heads? In everyday life, I am pretty sure you wouldn't go up to a stranger and  say "wow you're gut is really getting bigger," but because I am having a child soon, this exact quote was said to me just the other day. A part of me wanted to rebut, "yea, so is yours," but I held my tongue, smiled and said "ah the joys of pregnancy."

Other people have the audacity to say to pregnant women, "are you sure there's only one in there?" or "Wow, I can't believe you're only xx weeks along, I would have guessed you were much farther." Seriously? I dare someone to say one of these faux pas to me in the next few weeks, because I am pretty sure my response will be something along the lines of "yep, I am due in September, what's your excuse" or "yea, it's true, I am due in September, and by the looks of how you are carrying, I'd say you're having a boy a few months before me."

In all honesty, I feel pretty great right now and I am glad to finally be showing enough for people to know that I am not just fat, rather I am indeed pregnant. But something about the words "your gut" really rubbed me the wrong way. Referring to my expanding stomach as "baby bump" sounds so much cuter and more polite. So a word of advice, if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. And think of the expectant mother's feelings before you blurt out something along the lines of "Holy sh*t balls you're getting fat!"

Finally expecting!

I can't believe I am already more than half way through this pregnancy. After nearly 2 years of trying to conceive, spending months on edge wondering if our efforts had worked and if this would be the month that I'd finally get that big fat positive, it's hard to believe that I am already just a month away from my third trimester. It's been an incredible journey and the fun has only just begun!

I was one of the unlucky women who, as I was reading the baby books, could check off just about every single pregnancy side effect listed - nausea at 5 weeks... Check. Vomiting daily weeks 6-20... Check. Migraines at the start of the second trimester... Check. Acne as if I'm a prepubescent teen... Check. Welcome to week 22... ouch my back hurts, my sides hurt and what the heck is that pain in my hooha... Check. Check. Check. The knowledge that this is all worth it because I will be given the opportunity to FINALLY be a mommy... Check times infinity!

Has it been a long, frustrating journey getting to this point? Absolutely. But has it brought my husband and me closer and so much more grateful to have been blessed with this beautiful baby growing inside of me? I can't even begin to express into words just how worth it these experiences have been and continue to be.

As this baby is kicking me at all hours of the day and night, all I can do is grin from ear to ear knowing that in just 18 short weeks, give or take a few days, baby Spills will be welcomed into this world. The love that I already have for this child is overwhelming at times, and I can only imagine how my heart will just burst when I am actually holding the little bugger in my arms. I can't wait to share this journey with all of you as I explore more about the term "Pregnancy Brain," attend child birth classes, register for baby items, and start setting up the nursery. Sit back and enjoy the stories as we get closer to the due date.