Less than 2 weeks until 2007! It's hard to believe that soon the year of Anthony's birth will be upon us! Throughout my pregnancy I've viewed the holidays as kind of the dividing line between the preparation and the really-getting-serious-about-being-parents stuff. And now, soon the holidays will be behind us and nothing but the anticipation of the birth of our son will we be looking towards! I'm about to go into my 28 week, the "official" start of the third trimester, and everything just seems so real now. In addition to my excitement about actually meeting my son, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous and apprehensive at the same time. There's so much about taking care of a baby that I just don't know. For one, the whole breastfeeding thing has me in a tizzy. I really want to try because I know it's best for the baby, but part of me just wants to bottle feed because I know it would be so much easier for me. I've signed up for a breastfeeding class in January, so hopefully that'll help calm my nerves about the process. I think education-- a lot of it-- is the only thing that can help me feel more confident. We also start our birthing classes at the doctor's office the second week of January. It will be helpful to be around other first time moms who don't have a clue and aren't afraid to say so!
In 10-12 weeks we'll have a baby. That is amazing to think about. It's one thing to have him hanging out in my belly; it's quite another to have him in our arms! I can't imagine what it's going to be like to hold him for the first time and look down upon the little life we created.
Aside from my racing mind, I'm actually feeling pretty good these days. I'm very big, of course, but oddly not having too much trouble sleeping or getting around yet. The round ligament pains have actually improved somewhat, only to be replaced by HORRIBLE leg cramps. I woke up at 6:00am on Tuesday morning with a charley horse cramp in my left calf that literally had me crying in pain. On the bright side, I feel the baby moving a lot now, and even occasionally have felt something that felt like a head or elbow pass by my hand. Adam and I spend a lot of our time with our hands on my belly these days, eager to feel the next movement.
I'm turning 30 in January. I always thought turning 30 would be a horrifying experience, but oddly, I don't feel any dread at all. I think having the baby on the way helped that. I'm very happy we waited to have our first child. I feel like I have accomplished a lot in my life so far and I'm very happy Adam and I took some time to enjoy each other before taking on the responsibilities of parenthood. I just now feel mature and responsible enough to be a good parent-- something I never could have said at 25 or 26! I have many hopes for 2007... most of all, I hope our baby will be born strong and healthy. I hope we will be able to give him all the love and happiness he deserves. I hope his presence brings joy to his grandparents and family. I hope all of our family and friends have a happy and prosperous 2007!
Until 2007... the cookie's in the oven!
Chantel
2006-12-11 (25 weeks)
Sleigh bells ring...
December 11, 2006
As Christmas approaches, it is pretty amazing to realize that this will be the last year that Adam and I are a twosome for the holidays! Next year, our Anthony will be almost 9 months old at this point, which is really mind blowing to think about. All the fears and anxiety we have now will be replaced by the comfort of experience. We'll have changed many diapers and made it through many sleep deprived nights by that point. I don't dare to say we'll be experts, but we'll know a heck of a lot more than we know now! Our boy will have brought us nine months of joy. He'll be crawling, exploring, laughing, babbling (maybe even saying his first word!). Crazy!
I've been singing up a Christmas storm to Anthony! I found the all holiday music station on the radio and have been singing to him heartily every chance I get. I hope the sound of my singing is comforting and not frightening to him, ha ha. It's great fun singing Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer to my baby!
It's so exciting to think about having Christmas with children. As an adult, the holidays are still fun of course but it's hard to capture the thrill of Christmas as it exists only in a child's mind. I enjoy thinking about what all we'll be doing next year-- buying gifts for Anthony, decorating the outside of the house for the first time ever, sending out real Christmas cards with our family picture (instead of our usual lazy email variety). We also made the decision we would like to spend Christmas day in our own house with Anthony. I hope our families will be able to visit us on or around Christmas instead. I just remember as a child how thrilling and wonderful it was to wake up in my own house on Christmas Day, and I want to make sure my kids have that too.
After Christmas we'll really be getting down to the wire! Just so hard to believe that our lives are about to changed in a wonderful way forever! I'm trying to get as much information as I can about labor and childbirth so maybe it won't be quite as scary when it actually happens. In January we start our third trimester birthing classes at the doctor's office. It's on Monday nights for 5 weeks. It's weird how this time seems to have gone by so quickly, yet at the same time it feels like I've been pregnant forever. Now that the finish line is in site, I've started thinking about all the wonderful post-partum things (in addition to having our baby boy of course!) like losing this weight, running again, not worrying about every single little thing I ingest, drinking an occasional glass of wine again... did I mention losing this weight??
A blessed and wonderful Christmas to all our family and friends!
Until later, the Christmas cookie is in the oven!
Chantel
2006-12-05 (24 weeks)
Just keep rollin', rollin', rollin'
December 5, 2006
Starting week 25 now... and feeling like a small barge! I can't believe how much the belly has grown in the past few weeks. I quite literally feel like I am going to tip over. According to some pregnancy books I am in the 3rd trimester now and in others I'm going to be there soon; either way, we are definitely getting close! I am feeling this pregnancy with every ounce of my being now too, mentally, physically, emotionally. I'm still keeping to my exercise regime but that's getting harder and harder to do. Even walking now makes my ligaments in the left side sore the next day. I was able to get some swimming in this weekend, which is great, as swimming is the only exercise that doesn't cause me any latent pain the next day.
Just recently our boy began doing some serious sommersaults on his water bed, or maybe he's been doing the whole time, but he's just big enough now that I can really feel them. It is the strangest and neatest feeling in the world-- at times it feels like my whole lower abdomen is rolling over. Yesterday I was able to see the kicks clearly from the outside. When he was active every few seconds I'd see a very distinct jolt rise from my belly. According to the books he's about 1 1/4 pound now and about 11 inches long, about the size of a small bag of sugar.
Because I feel so pregnant now I'm finding it hard to think about or concentrate on anything else. Even though my job is very stress free and easy, it's irritating me having to work. I'm ready to have some time off and just focus on my boy. I can't imagine how antsy and restless I'm going to be beginning in the new year, considering how bad I'm getting now. I've viewed Christmas as kind of this dividing line between the preparation phase and the real phrase. I'm not a very patient person by nature, so I can't imagine January/February/early March being very easy for me!
Until later, the cookie is bubbling and baking...
Chantel
2006-11-27 (23 weeks)
Letter to my Anthony
I saw a great suggestion on babycenter.com today-- it suggested writing a letter to your baby that contains the following info:
• Describe your feelings for your baby and what it's like to know he's growing inside you.
• Imagine a perfect day with your baby and what you'll do together.
• Write down your hopes, dreams, and wishes for your baby.
• Think about what being a mother means to you and your definition of what makes a good mother.
Seeing how I love to write, I thought I'd give this a shot!
My dearest Anthony,
Words can't describe what an amazing experience it has been being your mommy so far! At this point you've been with me for 24 weeks, and all my books tell me you're about 11 inces long and weigh just over a pound. Since the day I found out about you, you've been foremost of my mind. I don't do anything without thinking of you and imagining you in my womb, sucking your thumb, moving about and exploring your surroundings. I know you can hear my heartbeat, and I wonder if it makes you feel as warm and happy as it does when I get to hear yours when I go to the doctor. When I felt the first tiny little flutter of movement from you, it was the most amazing moment of my life. Now, as you grow and your movements become more intense and more frequent, your daddy and I feel such a strong bond with you and can't hardly wait until we get to hold you in our arms for the first time.
Everyone says I'm "glowing" these days because of you. I know that's true. I may complain and gripe about my nausea, backaches, or cramps, but despite my outward whining I am loving every minute of it because every sensation I feel just reminds me that you are there. I watch my stomach getting bigger and bigger everyday, and as we count down the days until your arrival we feel more and more happiness and anticipation.
I hope that you are strong and healthy, and that your daddy and I can provide a wonderful life for you. We promise to take care of you, comfort you when you're sick or scared, and bring all the laughter and joy to your life that we can. We are 100% devoted into helping you become the best little man you can be. Whatever your hopes, dreams, and wishes maybe, your daddy and I will do our very best to make them come true. I picture you as a miniature version of him-- in my mind's eye you have unruly brown hair and hazel eyes like he does, and you're just as sweet and funny as he is too. One of my favorite things to imagine is you and daddy sitting around clipping coupons from the paper on Sunday mornings (not to worry-- daddy will teach you all about what coupons are and why they are so important!) I love to imagine you and I going on walks together or making sand castles on the beach. I plan to teach you all about animals, nature, and weather (some of mommy's favorite things!) No matter what my fantasy, it's you, me, and daddy together-- our happy family.
To me, being a good mommy to you means putting your needs first. As soon as I found out I was pregnant with you, my whole world changed. From that moment on I knew I was taking on an enormous responsibility in providing a safe and happy home for you, which is a task I am proud to undertake. Though I've been sick occasionally and sometimes just don't feel well, I'm weary to take any kind of medications to help, even if the doctor says they are ok. I love to exercise and run, but I've cut back on those to safe levels so I know you're protected. I try to eat well, drink plenty of water, and get lots of sleep. I refuse to do anything that has even the slightest chance of bringing you harm. You are my priority now.
It's now about 15 weeks or so until you come into this world. I'm sure I'll gripe and complain more as you stretch my body to its limits, but please know I wouldn't have it any other way! Your daddy and I love you so much, as do your grandmommy Bundrick and your grandma DiMuzio, your grandpa Bundrick, your aunts Sheramy, Chiara, and Aimee, your uncle Brian, your cousin Mikey, and all of your family, relatives, and friends. There are a lot of people out there who love you and can't wait to meet you!
Your middle name is for your Papa Bill, who passed away last year. It breaks my heart knowing that you'll never know him in person because you would've adored him the same way the rest of us do. We'll be so proud though to see any hint of Papa in you-- maybe you'll love baseball, or be a master at cracking bad jokes. I do find comfort though in knowing that he is your guardian angel though and is watching out for you. I know you'll be safe with Papa until you can be here with us. I know he loves you with all of his heart too.
You just concentrate on growing up big and strong! I hope you can hear our voices when we talk to you and can hear daddy's off-tune singing. I hope you know it when we have our hands on my stomach, eagerly anticipating movement from you. Most of all, I hope you know how much we love you!
