Yay It's Over!

      Thank goodness Christmas is over.  Next year I promise to FULLY enjoy it and not be Mr. Scrooge.  Plus baby will be here and will be about 4 months old, and I'll have more of a reason to enjoy it.  I have a feeling this kid is going to get totally spoiled  (fingers crossed).
      Tonight I totally indulged, and treated myself to Papa Joe's pizza.  It's a local favorite that I've enjoyed ever since I can remember.  I hope to pass on that tradition to the baby once he or she can eat.
     At the moment I really don't have much to say except that I am thankful to be so loved and that Im happy the holidays are over.  I am ready to ring in the new year and enjoy 2012.  I think 2012 will be the most life changing year I will experience.  I am nervous but at the same time looking forward to it.

Still Hard to Believe

      It's still hard to believe that my body is producing a human. It seems like time is going by so slow too. I do appreciate the slow passage of time school wise because I enjoy being on break for now. My medical is still pending, so Im still worried about that not going through. We cleaned out my former "office/getting ready room" and made lots of room for baby. We still have some moving around to do, and a lot of spring cleaning. Although I've been having tons of free time, none of it’s with Brett. I think his boss schedules him off on my only 8 hour shifts on purpose. Blah. We could get so much done together if we only had the same days off.
      Lately I have sort of been feeling alone. I have noticed who my true friends are, and those are the ones that can put my condition aside and accept me for who I am, and also accept me for the things that I can no longer do. Thank God I have an iPad, and my two cats, or else I don't even know what I would do. Part of the sadness I believe stems from my lack of energy and going to the gym. So this week I started going to the gym again. And let me tell you, IT'S NOT THE SAME!!!!! I have to take a few minutes in between each small work out so I don't faint, or throw up. I used to be able to work out for hours on end without taking any breaks. I was a work out machine. I went from 10lb free weights, to 5lb free weights, running miles to using an elliptical, spinning for 30-40min down to 15-25min. Which is all for a good cause. I can't do things like I used to, which has also put me a little down, it makes me feel like it's me failing but Im not. I am getting used to the fact that I CAN'T DO THINGS THE WAY I USED TO, which is hard. I am also learning that baby comes first, if something is too strenuous, I have to slow down. I have learned to altar my workouts, and take it slow. I can't jump into a body sculpt class like I used to (I learned that last week when I found myself hovering over the toilet at school). That's my update for the week, sorry it has taken me so long to post.

Hypnobirthing

      Not sure if anyone has heard of this method of birth, some people think it's a crock of you know what, or that only crazy people believe this stuff. However, I have been hypnotized before and it's not what many people think, you don't walk around and cluck like a chicken, or quack like a duck. Hypnotism is the most relaxed state of mind that a human can be in. The hypnotherapist brings you to a level of pure relaxation, uses a focal point, and let's your imagination do all of the work.  When I went I focus was getting an A in math, and guess what? I got an A.        I recently contacted my certified hypnotherapist and told her that I was expecting, she was more than happy for me and very congratulating. She was so excited that I had contacted her and told her because she is certified in hypnobirthing.  She recommended that I get a book that she referred to me called "Hypnobirthing", I purchased it last night on Amazon.  Brett and I are both on the same page when it comes to hospitals forcing induction, and pain meds, and wanted to take an alternate route with that regardless.  So he was thrilled when I told him the news.  I am going to start my hypno sessions in about the 7th month.  The therapist has had many "hypnobabies" and the mothers say that their baby's has been so calm, and haves even slept through the night when they were taken home from the hospital.  That's what I will have as well. 
     This is basically a method where you tell yourself positive things and positives things only.  (Pain) is no longer in my vocabulary; labor is work, and not the P word. Western culture immediately associates labor with P.  In almost every other country except ours, women pop squats when they think the baby is coming.  It's very interesting learning about birthing methods, and what people do in other countries.  It's amazing how different our culture treats birth. Hypnobirth Site.  Melinda is the only certified hypnobithing practicioner, and I am so thankful to know this lady and have her assist us with our baby.

12 Days till Christmas

  
      Yes folks, you heard it.  I’m sure by the time you read this it will be 11, 10, 9, or even 8.  I am not too into Christmas this year.  I wish I was though.  Reason being, I HAVE TO WORK CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY.  To me it's really sad.  So for the past few years I haven't been able to get fully into the holiday for that reason alone.  Next year, I am not missing my baby's first Christmas.  Even though the child will not have any idea what is going on, I will.  I want to be able to share the joy with family without having to worry about checking someone in so they can go see their family, it's not fair.  I’m really bitter about it.  It makes me not even want to do all of the things that I have planned for my "gifts" to give to family.  Who can blame me?  I might as well put the request to have Monday December 25th 2012 off now.  I hope being a first time mother the boss' will understand...sigh :(
      With that being said, Merry Christmas.  To all of those who have holidays off, be thankful, your life could be worse like mine.  I have dreams wishing I had my old job, where I had holidays off.  I am Rudolph, I can’t join in any reindeer games, unless someone wants something when I check them in.

Tis the season.

A Very Special Day

Today I got to see, and hear my baby’s heartbeat. It was one of the most surreal moments that I’ve yet to have in my life. I got teary eyed, and was full of excitement at the site of our little one’s heart rapidly beating away. This experience has both Brett and I really excited, we can’t wait to find out what we are going to have. What makes me the happiest is that Brett is so into it. Our little family is going to be so cute!!!!

Since work has been slower than molasses, I was browsing the web today (etsy.com) and found the absolute cutest infant items. I literally cannot wait to start piecing our baby’s outfits together, buy little hats, slippers, and nursery décor. I’ve even been brainstorming photo shoot ideas for the birth announcements. No, I am not going to tell anyone but Brett because I don’t want my ideas to be taken by anyone. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has thought of this idea, but I will say its chef related. I can’t wait, what I can wait for are the sleepless nights. I love my sleep, and I’ve been trying to get as much of it as I possibly can.

Ps: bleu cheese, I miss you buddy.

And last but not least, our little babe,

Tis' The Season

      For morning sickness, and pregnancy!  This better go away soon.  On the upside, I am no longer enjoying these moments alone.  One of my good friends is in the same boat with me.  I couldn't be more joyous for her and more excited that we get to experience this thing called pregnancy together.  Our due dates are within the same week, which means that we conceived during the same week.  I just think that's amazing.  I can't wait to do things together like go for walks, exchange stories and eat.  Eating has become a bit easier for me, it's just the urge to cook isn't there.  Cooking involves cleaning, and cleaning is the last thing I want to do at this point.  Today I had pancakes and surprisingly I'm still semi full.  I need to invest in some Bisquick.  That's fast and easy I guess.  Plus there are so many different variations.  It's like pizza, blueberry syrup, strawberries and whip cream, maple syrup, bananas peanut butter and Kayro syrup (childhood fav), chocolate syrup, with virtually any type of fruit.  MMMM I want to learn crepes.  That's what I'll do this week, get stuff pancakes.
      This semester is nearing the end, tear, yeah right.  My last final is 12/15 at 6pm.  I am happy to have another semester down, and just a few more to go.  This baby is only giving me more motivation to finish sooner than later.  My AS degree is so close I can almost taste it.  I imagine walking the stage receiving my degree, and advancing from lil' ol' NVC to a big boy UC, or CSU.  It amazes me that my child will be there to congratulate me after I walk the stage (even though he or she will never know the struggle I went through at this place).  I'll get to take pictures with my cap and gown and honor stoles with my little baby, documentation and proof that I have succeeded, and making a better life for our new family.  That image is what keeps me hanging on, and pushing harder for what I dream of.  It will be one of the happiest moments of my life when I can turn the page to a new chapter and further succeed.  I am almost halfway there to being done with everything.  Walking is my halfway point. 
      Anyway, there's my weekend update, my first doctor appointment is this Friday 12/9 at 9am.  I am officially seven weeks in, another million and a half to go.