The Truth about the First Trimester.

(The morning I found out I was pregnant)

No amount of advice, and trust me, there was plenty, could have prepared me for what the first trimester had to offer.  I was given approximately five days of bliss before morning sickness hit me like a big yellow school bus.  Don't you worry, just like every pregnancy is different, so is every woman's experience or lack of experience with morning sickness.  For example, my mother only felt nauseated in the mornings for a short period of time, with all three of her pregnancies.  Not I.  Not I.  

I should first tell you that I am a drama queen when it comes to puking.  Actually, the term "drama queen" doesn't accurately describe what I turn into when I vomit.  So, you can only imagine how afraid I was of being that woman.  You know, the woman that not only feels nauseated, but ends up puking her brains out along the way?  I'm sure you know where I am going with this, right?  You guessed it.  I was that woman.  

The morning of my 6th week of pregnancy it was like a switch went off.  As soon as I opened my eyes I knew something was off.  Very.  Very.  Off.  I slowly sat up in bed and realized that if I moved any quicker, I was going to barf all over my purple pajamas.  I dragged myself out of bed and headed to turn on the shower.  I've conditioned myself to believe that a warm shower cures everything.  I was wrong, it doesn't cure morning sickness.  At first I wasn't very alarmed.  I mean, how bad could this get?  The joke was on me.

Lucky for me, my morning sickness didn't just last the early hours of the actual morning.  Think more of morning, noon, and night.  The nausea, dizziness, and occasional vomiting lasted ALL.DAY.LONG.  It only subsided the moment I put my head down and closed my eyes.  Those days were rough.  A trip to the grocery store meant knowing exactly where the restroom was, and how long it would take me to get there, before losing my cookies all over the oranges.  There were several times where I pulled up into the driveway and never made it to the door; I puked in my front yard.  Such a pretty scene.  

Here's the thing, there was not a single remedy that helped soothe my nausea.  And, I didn't want to resort to taking medication, which meant I had to take it one day at a time.  Oh, and don't you fret, I tried almost every natural remedy that was suggested.  Sea-bands?  Tried it.  Ginger?  Ginger-ale?  Ginger snaps? Tried. Tried.  Tried.  Water and lime?  It worked for about a day.  After projectile vomiting lime and water the next day, well, that went out the window.  Saltine Crackers?  Ugh, I don't ever want to see a saltine cracker in my life.  There was one weekend I felt like I couldn't take it anymore.  All I did was spend my time on the bathroom floor.  

My meals were all extremely simple.  I realized that in the mornings eating pretzels and cheese helped ease my stomach.  For lunch I basically ate pizza for about 7 weeks.  I mean, you can't go wrong with cheese, tomato sauce, and dough. Dinner consisted of rice, chicken breast and a salad.  Which normally took me extremely long to eat because I had to take one tiny bite at a time.  I am already an incredibly slow eater, so, dinner usually took me over an hour to finish.  

My nausea began to subside around the time I was 13 weeks pregnant.  However, it wasn't over yet, my friends.  Around this time was when my aversion to brushing my teeth began.  For about a week and a half every.single.time I brushed my teeth, I puked.  True story.  Imagine how much fun that was when I brushed my teeth at least twice a day.  Yeah, amazing.  

There were also a couple times where I broke down and cried.  I told you, I'm a drama queen.  My mind couldn't wrap itself around the idea that nothing I did made me feel better.  Swallowing those prenatal vitamins?  Well, for awhile I had to take them with soda.  It was the only way I could swallow them without gagging or puking them back up.  Yes, it happened a few times.

However, those days did pass.  They were hard.  Yes, very hard.  Emotionally, mentally, and physically.  There were moments where I felt like I was going to be sick through my entire pregnancy (I wasn't, thankfully).  Yet, as the days went by, I slowly began to feel better.  And, after my 15th week that switch was turned off.  Just like that, I felt normal again.  My normal appetite had returned and I no longer wanted to barf when I walked through a crowd of people.  It was wonderful.  

If you are having a similar experience here is my advice.  Do what feels right for you and your body.  Have an open conversation with your doctor and be sure to not stress yourself out.  Try out different things, there will be something to help alleviate your symptoms, and it may not be the same as what helped your mother, sister, or friend.  It may not make them go away completely, however, even a little bit helps.  And, it will be over, it will.

xx

Happy Due Date to Me!

"Little Girls Make the World Sweeter"

I found out I was pregnant on October 26, 2013.  It was early on a Saturday morning, right before I left to meet my friend for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk.  My period was a few days late and I figured, "Why not?"  The next few minutes happened to be the longest of my life.  Should I look?  Should I wait till I get back from the walk?  What if it is positive?  What if it's negative?  Heart racing, mind racing, I decided to take a peek, and my life was changed forever. 

Originally, I had planned to share the news with Felipe in this elaborate "pinterest" way.  However, who was I kidding?  There was absolutely no way I could keep this secret for longer than a minute.  The first thing that came out of my mouth was, "Babe, babe, oh my God".  Of course the poor man woke up scared out of his mind.  I ran to the bed and just blurted out, "Babe, I took a pregnancy test, and I am pregnant".  We just sat there staring at each other completely dumbfounded.  It is true what they say, the moment in which you find out you are expecting a child is incredibly surreal.  We both had one of those cheesy smiles plastered across our faces.  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!  

So, ever since that day in October, I have been counting down the days till July 1, 2014.  At first it was months, then it was weeks, then days, and now here we are.  My feelings are all over the place.  They are difficult to put into words.  Anxious.  Nervous. Excited.  A part of me knew deep down inside that she wouldn't come before her due date (A momma can dream, right?).  She was always meant to be a July baby.  Keeping my mind busy, so that I don't think of when it will happen, is getting increasingly difficult.  

Realizing that my little love will come on her time and not on my time, well, that is easier said than done.  So, I wait.  I'll wait, and wait, and wait.  Because I know, that the first time I lay eyes on my little girl, all the waiting will seem insignificant.  My heart feels like it may burst; what is going to happen when I hold her for the first time, my heart may actually, physically combust.  Sweet baby, momma will wait, however, if you decide to still come today, well that is just fine with me.

xx

I am still pregnant. Oy vey!

When my due date was set at July 1st, I was extremely giddy.  There are so many June birthdays in my family that I was determined that Baby O would NOT be born in June.  All I could think of was July, July, July.  Now, I am singing an entirely different tune.  I wouldn't mind one single bit if Baby O is a June baby (Currently, it is 9:48 PM on June 29th, and still, no signs of labor).  Ugh.

Last week Tuesday was the mark of my 39th week.  A part of me secretly hoped that I would go into labor.  Okay, it wasn't such a secret.  If you asked me how I felt, well, I gladly told you, " I AM READY, TODAY, NOW, THIS MOMENT".  It is a mixture of exhaustion and excitement.  The whole thing about being extremely uncomfortable during your last weeks of pregnancy, well, it is no joke.  

As my due date quickly approaches all I can think of is, "WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN."  My bedtime routine has quickly turned into saying a prayer that I go into labor.  Am I scared?  Would you believe me if I told you I try not to think about it too much?  Because I don't, think about it.  I do not think about labor and deliver.  Perhaps, I should.  It makes me feel better not to dwell on the inevitable.  We are all well aware that labor is painful.  However, constantly thinking of that pain, will not make it any better.

When you read this it will be Monday June 30th.  One more day till my due date.  One.  More.  Day.  I've hopefully gone into labor and am holding my sweet darling in my arms.  Hopefully.  If not, well, I guess I need to pray a little harder.

xoxo

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Are you having twins?

I am no stranger to weird comments and odd questions.  Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the endless amounts of nonsense I hear on a daily basis.  What is it about pregnancy that makes women and men blurt the most bizarre things?  Honestly, I think the only thing that should be said to an expectant mother is, "You look beautiful."

Pregnancy is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, if you know what I mean.  Women experience this journey differently.  We will not look the same, we will not gain the same amount of weight, and we will not behave in the same manner.  We are different.

Before you decide to direct your words towards a momma-to-be remember this:  Those hormones you are joking about, well, they may just be the reason you get your head chewed off.

Now, here are some of the most ridiculous things I have heard, some on more than one occasion. 

1.)  "Oh, my goodness, girl, are you having twins?".  Umm, no, I'm not, and who are you again? I can't decide if this question is more offensive coming from a total stranger or from a co-worker.  A co-worker who has asked you on multiple instances.  I mean, I have had the same man, ask me almost every time I bump into him, if I am sure I'm not having twins.  "No, dude, I am not sure, I've had just a couple ultrasounds and baby number two is just playing a mean game of hide-and-go-seek."  Unless you know for certain, do not under any circumstance ask if someone is expecting twins. Trust me.

2.) "Wow, you look like you are ready to pop right here in the line."  No, no I do not.  I still have six weeks left to go.  This is just wrong.  Wrong.  Wrong.  Wrong.  Don't make any references to the time a woman may or may not go into labor.  Again, strangers say the most darn things.

3.) "You look huge."  Thank you, I feel huge too.  How about just kicking me when I am down, why don't ya.  The thing is that you have no idea what that woman is going through.  Did she just have a really hard day trying to find an outfit that doesn't make her look like an oompa-loompa?  You don't know that.  Do not make it worse, got it?

4.) "Oh, how far along are you?  But you are so tiny."  This may seem odd to you.  You may be thinking, "Well, this person is saying you are small, isn't that what you want?"  No, no it is not.  I do not want to be told that I am too small, nor do I want to be told that I am too big.  To be on the safe side, do not make any comments directed towards the size of a pregnant woman's belly.  Just don't do it.

5.)  "You are carrying so high, you must be having boy."  Whenever someone says this to me I just want to roll my eyes.  The size and shape of a woman's pregnant belly does not in any way determine the baby's gender.  We are built differently.  Our bodies are not the same.  My pregnant belly will not look anything like your pregnant belly.  Stop telling me that I must be having a boy because I have a basketball for a belly.  I am not having a boy, I am having a girl.  Yes, I am sure.  

6.) "Can I touch your belly?"  Okay, now, asking to have my belly touched by someone I barely know is just weird.  Why would you even ask?  Why would you put someone on the spot?  No, you cannot touch my belly.  I barely know you.  This is almost as bad as someone who you don't know just coming up to you and putting their hand on your belly.  Almost.  

7.) "When is your due date.  Oh, yeah, you will definitely go past that day, at least by a week or a week and a half, definitely."  Listen here, it is summer, in Florida, why would you wish that upon me.  I mean seriously?  Isn't 40 weeks enough?  I am well aware that there are plenty of women that go days past their due date.  However, why say that to someone you clearly see is anxious to get the show on the road?  It's like telling a little kid that Santa won't be delivering his presents on Christmas day but two weeks from then.  Who are you?  Back away from the pregnant lady.

These are just a few of the things I have heard.  Many of them are asked on a daily basis.  Before getting pregnant I wasn't aware that suddenly everyone has something to say.  I actually had a man tell me that I shouldn't walk down the stairs.  Buddy, I have stairs in my house, am I supposed to restrict myself to the first floor only?  Since when are you my doctor?  

Most of the time I just smile and make a sarcastic but sweet remark.  All the while, I am imagining my semi-swollen right hand, smacking you upside the head.  It is truly poetic, I assure you.  The next time you see a pregnant woman and just cannot resist the urge to speak, say this, "You look amazing, congratulations."  Simple and brilliant, because truly, all expectant mommas are fabulous and deserve to be told, constantly.

xx

Five on Friday!

Hooray, it's Friday!

Yay, Friday, finally!  My days have been consumed with thoughts of, "Will today be the day, will I go into labor, will my water break."  It is all I can think about.  Say a little prayer that I do NOT go past my due date; I'm not sure I could handle that.  Five on Friday in five, four, three, two, one...

-One-

Yesterday was my 38th week appointment.  As difficult as it may seem to believe, thus far I have gained 37 pounds, it's okay, you can say it, "WOW."  Baby O, you can come out now. According to my sweet doctor I have not dilated even a centimeter, boo hoo.  The good news is that my cervix has begun to soften, too much?  I also learned that this doesn't mean diddly squat.  My cervix could be completely closed today and I could go into labor tomorrow.  I COULD GO INTO LABOR TOMORROW!  

-Two-

This new Essie summer 2014 nail polish collection is simply fabulous.  Fierce, no fear.  Even the name is spectacular.  My all white manicure lasted approximately three days.  THREE DAYS!  So, I just decided to bite the bullet and paint my own nails.  I could not love this color more than I do.  It will most-likely be my go-to polish this summer.  What do you think?

-Three-

This may or may not be the reason for those extra pounds.  I haven't had one of these ice cream cones in ages.  The other night as I strolled down the ice cream aisle at Publix these bad boys caught my eye.  "Eat me!  Take me home! I'm delicious," is all I could hear. How could I not grab the box?  Post-baby diet is going to be so boring.  It isn't as though I went all out with my eating, because I didn't.  I just know that these little indulgences here and there will be few and far between.  

-Four-

I confess, there hasn't been a lip gloss I could say no to.  Who would have though that these NYX butter glosses would be as amazing as they are.  They even smell delicious; it is so tempting to lick them off my lips.  Don't worry, I haven't.  Pictured below are "Creme Brûlée" and "Sugar Cookie".  If it were up to me I would have purchased the entire line.  Go out and get them, your lips will thank you.

-Five-

How impossibly cute is this "Hello" shirt?  Adorable.  I can't take it.  For thirty bucks it seems a little pricey for a baby shirt, but, I think I may just have to indulge myself.  It is the summer.  Baby O will be a summer baby.  She will look absolutely scrumptious with this on.  Should I do it?  Should I?  Should I?  

Source

Have a wonderful Friday!  And, if you don't already, follow me on instagram, username Rbarbie =)

xx

From my husband's mouth.

My sweet, sweet husband is quite the funny man.  If you know him personally you can attest to that fact.  Now, what he lacks is something called a filter, ya know, for your mouth.  The boy just says whatever comes to his mind.  Usually without thinking.  Which has made for some pretty interesting comments throughout this pregnancy.  Comments I will now begin to share with you, because, I mean, why not.

At this moment I can't think of every single absurd comment (Pregnancy brain).  Don't worry, I am going to start writing them down.  I can however, provide you with three Felipe originals.  Brace yourself folks, you are in for a treat.

It took us some time to finalize the details on Baby O's nursery.  We talked and talked and talked about what kind of crib we wanted, changing table vs. dresser, glider vs. rocker, you know, the usual.  At first we could not come to an agreement.  Which is when my husband turned to me and said, "Does she even need a crib?  Can't we just lay some blankets on the floor, put some pillows around her?  Or why can't we just bite the bullet and buy a twin bed?"  He wasn't joking.  He was serious.  I just looked at him and shook my head.  In case you are wondering, we have a crib.

Felipe and I go back and forth on what our days are going to look like once Baby O arrives.  The talks about chores and daily duties could go on for days, seriously.  One afternoon we started discussing a bath time routine.  My darling just responded, "Can't we just hose her down, ya know, like the car wash?"  Again, not joking.  I have yet to determine whether he says these things to shock me or to scare me into not asking him to do it.  Don't worry, he isn't getting away with any of this.

This past Friday I called Felipe after work and decided to pretend I had gone into labor.  He answers the phone and I immediately (In my most anxious tone) tell him that my water broke.  He proceeds to ask me the following: Am I sure?  Have I called the doctor?  Am I okay?  Am I driving? Am I joking, I must be joking.  After I assure him that I am not kidding and that I've called him before the doctor he says, "Ugh, this had to happen on a Friday night.  I was really looking forward to a relaxing evening.  Ya know, to have a beer, it's been a long week."  I'm sorry babe, this labor thing must be so inconvenient, for you.  I couldn't help but laugh, he must have known I was joking.  Hopefully.

Well, there you have it.  My husband the comedian.  Check back soon for more. 

xx

Let's Get This Show On The Road!

"There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one."

We (Baby O and I) have made it to 38 weeks! Yay!  I am over-the-moon ecstatic that at ANY moment, my sweet little love can make her debut.  I am more than ready to meet her, to look at her sweet little face, kiss her cheeks, and hold her hand.  Mostly, I am beyond excited to welcome her into this crazy but beautiful world.  Baby O, I am ready when you are!

According to some websites, baby weighs about seven pounds and is measuring around 21 inches.  It seems a tad bit crazy that it is almost go-time.  I wasn't checked for dilation at my last appointment, so, I have no idea whether or not I've made any progress in that department.  This Thursday is my next appointment, fingers crossed that something, ANYTHING, has changed.  

Everyone seems to have their own idea of when little Miss O will be born.  The other day, my mom said that she just has a feeling that I am going to go into labor on June 22nd.  To which I responded, hmm, June 22nd doesn't sound like such a bad idea.  I am hoping that I do go into labor on the weekend, or in the afternoon, or in the middle-of-the-night.  What I really do not want is to go into labor at work.  The thought of my water breaking while on the job, well, makes me a little nervous.  Having contractions every five minutes at work, well, that freaks me out too.  Mostly because I am worried about what will ensure afterwards.  Water breaking as I wait inside the elevator with four other people?  Not the way I envision the process to begin.

As to be expected, I am also feeling a little more tired as the days progress.  From the moment I am up in the morning, the only thing I can think of is when I will get the chance to climb back into bed (I crave my pillows something serious).  It isn't even the one bathroom break in the middle of the night that exhausts me, honestly.  I am just one big wobbling ball of tiredness.  No matter how much I rest, how much I keep my legs up, how much sleep I get, I could still use another 10-14 hours.  

Oh, and besides being absolutely ready to hold my sweet little lady, I am missing my old wardrobe (Is that selfish?).  Currently, I am rotating between the same pieces because I refuse to spend money on maternity clothes. Florida is also a huge furnace.  I feel like I may melt into a puddle of sweat on a daily basis (I wish I were kidding).  So, what I really want to do is walk around naked. That may be a dilemma with work, ya know?

Baby O, I am counting down the days, okay, maybe hours.  

xx