Broken pen

I woke up this morning after a long night in bed with a fussy, teething baby (poor boy is getting 3 at once) and walked into the living room to see my favorite pen...on the floor...in pieces!  Now you may think I am silly to have a favorite pen, but this thing is amazing.  It makes my handwriting so much prettier, my drawings more accurate,  and signing checks a little more fun.  And there it was in pieces.  My initial sleep deprived self took this act of destruction personally.  Who would do such a thing as disassemble my pen and toss it about like so?  Who would be so reckless to leave the evidence everywhere?  I examined the scene a little more closely and came to the conclusion that the dog was not the culprit this time (no teeth marks).  Now since the cat doesn't have thumbs nor a care for disassembling anything she is off the hook. And my husband, well let's just say he is low on the suspect list.  So that leaves one set of hands fully capable to disassemble many things, and they have multiple times.  
Baby SMoore did it!  I know it! Now did he do this maliciously?  Should I be upset about it?  No, not at all.  These pieces of my favorite pen are a result of a little boy exploring.  He was simply curious about the contraption that momma left with in his reach.  He disassembled it, examined it, and learned.  This is just a preview of what's to come.  My boy has an engineer's mind and I will care for it, encourage it, and develop it. 

Next time your kids get into something take a moment and think: are they learning? are they exploring? 

Back from my hiatious

Sorry guys!
I've been selfish and we have a lot to catch up on!
We moved to California, we lived in our RV, our little guy is almost 1, and I am starting to work on a couple projects/tasks God gave me years ago.

This blog post is to explain why I've been distant (we'll cover the other things at a later date).

Becoming a new mom is tough, moving across country is tough, living in an RV is tough, working your butt off and still struggling to buy groceries is tough.... all that at once is a test on ones limits and to be honest embarassing.  I didn't want to share with you in the moment what was going on.  I wanted to have my act together,  I wanted the pretty pictures,  and I wanted something positive to say.

But things are better and I am excited to share with you.  I am ready to reflect on those hard moments and see the lessons I learned.  For example, I will never be upset to do laundry in my own home again, especially since it won't require 14 quarters each load.

So get ready for lots of catching up posts, a few diy, and more.  Get ready for lots of photos too!!!

Forgive me for my distance and for feeling like I had to have it all together for you.  I'll stay real and keep it raw because we all have ups and downs!

Unconditional Love

The first thing I think I learned as a new mom was unconditional love.  There was  something indescribable when they put that baby in my hands and left me for the night with him.  I examined him, hugged him, kissed him, and snuggled him; I breathed in all his baby smells and knew no matter what, I would love him.  I know, as his mother, I will always maintain that love , even in times I might not like what he is doing... I will always love him. 
Becoming a mother and more understanding unconditional love, has helped me understand God's love for me. Unconditional,  willing to go the distance,  and fiercely gentle.  I understand why God watches me, "hugs" me, and breathes me in as much as possible.  Why He wants to give me riches in heaven and why he wants to spend eternity with me.  Unconditional love.  God might not always like what I am doing, but He will always love me.

Virtues of a Mom

A virtue is a characteristic of a person which supports individual moral excellence and collective well being.
As a new mom I have gained and/or strengthened many virtues. These virtues vary from woman to woman and are influenced by many different things. I feel this picture really expresses my virtues and plan to talk about them over the next few days; with personal stories of how these were revealed to me.

Back or Belly or Side?

Baby SMoore is a belly sleeper through and through... On rare occasion he will take a 5 minute nap on his back, but then he wiggles himself awake.

I know "don't let them sleep on their tummy!!!". I understand the risk of SIDS and trust me I check this boy every 10 minutes. However, here's the deal... We tried back sleeping, we tried swaddling, we tried it all; and the conclusion was that he is like mommy and daddy. He is a tummy sleeper. And now that he can lift his head and move it around (which he does multiple times during a nap) I don't feel 'as' worried.  Here is the other "no no", he sleeps in our bed at night. What can I say, we are risk takers, but really, it makes my life easier!  With him in bed with me I can check him throughout the night without getting up, nurse more frequently with ease, and the morning snuggles are the best.  I know eventually we will need to move him into his own bed, but for now this works for us.  Everyone is a lot happier and less sleep deprived in the morning. 
We have a tummy sleeping snuggle bug and I will soak it all in while I can.  What are you? A tummy sleeper? Side sleeper? Back sleeper? Leave me a comment below.

Mama!

My little baby SMoore is growing up so much! He is 101 days old today and I can hardly believe it. I adore him so much!  We have officially strolled out of newborn phase and into infant.  I say this because he can control his neck really well, has begun rolling tummy to back, can pull his toy to his mouth, and has said mama. That's right... He says mama!  I don't expect you to believe me because I don't have it on video yet, but it usually comes out when he is super tired and desperate to nurse to sleep.
It breaks my heart to hear his little crying mama sound, but I embrace every moment he needs me. I know time is fleeting and soon enough he will not need me nearly as much.  Already he is becoming more independent; more able to self soothe.  I love seeing him mature, but remember to stay in the moment and soak in all the snuggles I can.
Make sure you live in the moment today and reflect on what's bright. Take every snuggle you can get from your kids or grandkids.

*
Sorry I hadn't been on top of my blog during the newborn stage; I worked full time and well, had a newborn. I plan to go back and cover what I missed. I have notes and drafts... Just need to date them and post them.  So keep checking in.

Debut of Baby SMoore

April 8, 2013
The day my life changed once more. I obtained a new title and discovered a new love.

*warning this is the birth story... may get graphic*

3:50 am - I woke up like I usually do and had to pee.  Went to the bathroom,  sat down, a shppsh... a gush of water. This immediately pulled me out of my sleepy state.  I looked down and saw the plug and meconium (not good)
3:55 am - I tell Jonathan (who had only been aslerp for 1.5 hrs) that I thought my water broke and I needed to call the DR. 
4:00 am I finally get through all the automated stuff and explain to the nurse what had happened.   Right as she asked if I was sure my water broke, another gush came... "yep, it broke".  She says she will page my DR/midwife
4:05 am My midwife calls me back. Itell her about my water and the meconium.  She tells me to try to go back to sleep after timing my contractions, but to call her if I can't feel the baby move.  She says, "you are going to have a baby today!"

So Jon helps me keep track of my contractions.  They start to become more painful and are every 2 minutes on the dot.  After a half hour I hadn't felt baby smoore,  so I called my midwife back.  Around 4:30am she said to come on in.

4:30am we loaded up the car and hit the road, because our new delivery hospital was about 40minutes away. 
Since the hospital wasn't truly open when we got there we had to enter the emergency area. They explained how to get to labor and delivery and before we know it I am on the elevator... that is when it hit me! "We are going to become parents today".
About 5:30am we were checked in and waiting in our room for the nurse.
The rest of the details are a little eh on time because it all happened so fast.
Shift change happened at 6:00am so I don't really recall my original nurse, but I did get checked and my water had indeed broken and I was already dialated 2 and effaced about 20%.  My contractions were still 2minutes apart, and getting stronger!  A few hours pass and I had met the nurse who would help deliver baby SMoore.  Her name was Stacey and she was awesome! My midwife had come checked on me and said it eould be a long day.  Stacey checked me again around 10am because I kept having the urge to push!  I was 10cm and ready to go!!!!

My midwife came, the on call pediatrician came, and we were ready to go!  I pushed a few times and my midwife said wait you aren't full dialated, yet.... you are only 6cm.   Boy was that disappointing.   So she told me to get into the shower and try to relax.  Around 1pm they gave me an iv with a little bit of medicine to help me relax to allow my body to dialate.  This required me to stay in bed and on my side.  My contractions were still every 2 minutes,  but they lasted about a minute and were very intense.  My midwife checked me at 1:30pm and I was really 10cm now!  Time to push she said!  The whole team came back (my midwife, my 2 nurses, blood nurse bc diabetes, pediatrician,  and baby nurse because of the meconium)

I was so happy to be pushing knowing contractions would end! I pushed and pushed and pushed.  I think it only took maybe 4 rounds of pushing (was about 20 minutes) and our baby SMoore had arrived! 

We were so full of joy! The baby cried right away, peed on me, and then started nursing.  The pediatrician actually left because all was well.  Then we looked.... it was a BOY!

Gestational Diabetes

I love sweets!
I love tator tots!
I may be addicted to carbohydrates (like most Americans)

  These are things I didn't really realize until I failed the sugar tests.  I hit that third trimester mark and had to drink the "orange" drink... I can only describe it as an orange crush soda with a cup of sugar mixed in.  I had to drink it quickly, wait an hour, then hand over some blood...
I unfortunately failed... and I failed by a lot!

So I got the pleasure of doing the 3 hour test (which is really 4 hours).  In order to prep for the test I was required to eat 3 candy bars each day for the 3 days leading up to the tests.  I also had to go on a Saturday morning due to work.  When I got there the nurse explained to me that the drink would be about 10 times sweeter. (YES! It was most definitely jam packed with sugar).
I chugged it down and then waited.... 1hour - draw blood... 2 hours - draw more blood... 3 hours - draw more blood.   They couldn't release the results to me until my dr saw them.

                                   So I waited for the call.

A few days later a nurse called to explain my results.... I had indeed scored gestational diabetes' numbers.  Next step - meet with a gestational diabetes dr and dietician.   I learned how to check my blood sugar numbers and was required to every morning, night before bed, and every 2 hrs after a meal.  This became tedious,  but necessary so I could control it with my diet.  I kept my numbers recorded and would email the dietician every Monday.  During this time I basically ate meat,  veggies, and drank water.  Although,  my morning numbers continued to be too low, so I 'had' to eat 2 cookies and a glass of milk before bed :).

Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy I controlled it with my diet and didn't have anymore issues.  Praise God

From now on I am supposed to continue watching my diet; I am more susceptible to diabetes outside of pregnancy now.  This has really made me more conscious of what I eat and as a result a healthier person. I think I just ate things out of convenience and not wisely. I am grateful for the new lifestyle this is creating for me.  Thank you gestational diabetes.  ;-)

Picking a name...

What a task if you really think about it... We get to decide what this human is to be called. Forever.  Legally. Talk about pressure!

I knew if we had a boy we would name him Drake, because we were married on Drake's beach in California and the name was so unique... But other than that we were clueless.

We had multiple girl names picked out, but decided that we would have to meet her (if in deed we were to have a her) before we could name her.  I love the name Naomi due to the Biblical character.

So as my due date approached I felt more and more stress about tge name... I prayed intensely that God would provide a perfect name because He already knew our baby.

Shortly after amen I heard the name Finnegan in my head... I knew God had given that to me. So the boys name was decided... Drake Finnegan... which means dragon fair.

The girls names we like are: Naomi, Elise, Elizabeth, Clementine, Alice, and a few more... But no for sure names yet... Keep you updated!

Can hardly wait to meet this little baby SMoore!

*written during 3rd trimester... Posted later due to lack of organization on my part*

Coming Soon!!!

Anticipation is building! The thought of my life changing so much any day now is hard to describe. It is more anticipation than climbing the big hill on the roller coaster. More excitement than being a child on Christmas Eve. More anxiousness than moving away to college.

The drs gave me a date that our baby is 'due' and I think that makes my anticipation build even more!  Today I officially have 2 weeks until that date... until the day my life will change forever.  I know that becoming a mother is a true blessing and that God will use this to teach me so much.  I anticipate to learn a love I have never known before... a love that will make me see things so differently.

On another note I am excited for all the preparations that are done:

• bags packed
• clothes prepped
• diapers ready
• baby showers over
• thank you's written
• carseat installed
• bassinet and changing table ready
• birthplan written
•  and much more!!!

Although there are a few things I still need to do:

• prep meals
• clean our room
• fix a few things in the house
• get the cat and dog treats for while we are gone

Anything I am missing???

   

Who was that in the mirror?

So I have been blessed with a high metabolism all my life.  Which means I have been about the same size since high school.  Sometime a little more fit, but always the same general size.  I typically have always weighed between 105 and 110.  Now that I am pregnant I weigh a little more :) which I feel no negative feelings towards at all;  it is just a big shock when I walk past the mirror and have to do a double take.  
It has taken some getting used to... especially with only 3 weeks to go!!! I seriously feel like I stuffed a balloon or soccer ball under my shirt.
I am weighing in around 130 lbs. And my dr says that is a good gain for me.  I know they were worried at my previous hospital (we changed because our labor and delivery area closed down) due to my gestational diabetes that I might gain a lot, but I have managed it with my diet.  (I need to do a blog about my gestational diabetes experience).  Going from where I was to where I am now does make me pause in front of the mirror, it catches my attention every time.   I just pause and think...

Who is that in the mirror? 

That is a soon to be (kinda already am) new momma!  Full of joy thinking of her anticipated blessing.  A new momma anxious to meet her baby SMoore!  A daughter of God ready to experience a new kind of love; ready to experience a miracle. Who is that in my mirror?  A beautiful reminder of God's plan, His timing, and His hand in it all.

I praise Him for it all and look forward to meeting this little one He has designed and He knows very well... even in my womb.

Night Owl

I keep telling my husband that I know I will go into labor at night because Baby SMoore is a night owl.   This isn't a new thing development either... it has been this way the entire pregnancy.   Early on I would just wake up throughout the night.  Then as the baby grew and I noticed more movement it was like there was a nightly dance party in my tummy.   Seriously.... the only way I can explain it is like being on a continuous roller coaster.   That feeling in your stomach when you drop down the big hill... every night around 3 or 4 am!  Now that I am 35 weeks pregnant there is little space for all that moving, but I get kicks and jabs and still at 4am.  Just another amazing reminder that my blessing is there.  I have grown to love my 4am moments with Baby SMoore and can only imagine what it will be like to hold my SMoore at 4am :)  I praise God for the night owl and thank Him for blessing me with this journey.  

Mommy Club!

Did you know there is a secret club out there just for women in my circumstance? A club full of new vocabulary and gadgets. A club full of support and advice. This club is totally open, but you must be a mommy to be (well the alumni are still a part of the club and will jump at the opportunity to tell you about their glory days).
I soon found out about this club shortly after we revealed our secret. And boy was I welcomed by the alumni; all so eager to share there solutions, advice, stories, tears, and much more. Some people hate this, but I was giddy after keeping my secret so long and absorbed every moment and detail of this induction.
I am now in my 3rd trimester and have fast realized this club has many layers and continues to develop as you advance.  Since I am now showing, or appear to be stealing a basketball, I meet the most alumni... strangers with no fear. I love it! When I go out it totally feels like I am wearing the club's emblem, which opens the door for discussion. However, it also brings questions from those not in the club. Quite funny questions as well:
How did I get pregnant?
Did you just have a baby?
And some other comments about stealing basketballs.
I take these in stride, knowing full well the blessing it was to become inducted into this club. I adore every story, every moment, and every question.
Praise GOD for this!

What a secret to keep…

Jonathan and I kept our little SMoore a secret for almost 3 months!!!  I know… we should be in the CIA.  The only people that knew were the doctors, nurses, pregnancy care center ladies, and my boss {because I am a fitness trainer and it is a liability}.

I wanted to announce it to family and a few close friends before social media took over.  I didn’t want to choose who I told first either… so we planned to mail out our announcement with a little packaged s’more kit {2 mini graham crackers, a small chocolate bar, and a marshmallow}.   

This was our announcement stapled to the top of the s'more kit.  I also put an ultrasound picture on the back.

This way everyone got the same announcement, mailed the same day, and it was up to the USPS to decide who got theirs first.  I had tracking on everyone’s so I would know when they were to arrive.  I decided that when Jonathan’s family in California got theirs I would give my mom hers {in her church mailbox}.  My dad happened to be going out of town randomly that week, so I figured I would have to call him when everyone else found out.

My sister, brother-in-law, and niece were the first to get theirs.  {They only live 3 hours away}  She sent me the cutest picture of my niece ‘eating’ her cousin’s {baby SMoore} picture.  The next day more family members received theirs and there was a fantastic sigh of relief.  No more secret! 

We decided to go out to eat with my grandparents to tell them; partially because I wanted to see their reaction and partially because I didn’t know if they would understand the announcement or why we had mailed it to them.  We ate dinner at a local hot spot and before dessert we gave them their ‘gift’.  I told them it was a late Grandparents’ day present and my granddad opened it.  He said, “Oh… a s’more…” and handed it to my grandma.  She actually read it and then said, “thanks” and sat it down.  Daddy SMoore and I laughed and said look at the back {which was where the ultrasound picture was}… it took a few minutes and then they got excited!

Each person reacted joyfully and called us to tell us how excited they were.  Over all it was a great way for us to announce our bundle of Baby SMoore!  Finally when everyone knew… we announced it on social media with a few pictures:

Teal is my favorite color and a big part of our neutral baby theme.

 

 

We LOVE Disney!

 

Again, everyone seemed joyful and happy for us.  Knowing that God was in control and that this was truly blessing of His timing.

Cravings

Food… sometimes I love you and sometimes I hate you.

If you are a pear, apple, or peach I could each 100 of you.

If you are a Popsicle I have eaten 100 of you {in fact I am eating one right now}.

I go through a salad phase about once every 2 weeks and on the rare occasion I really want a chocolate chip cookie.  My biggest unfulfilled craving is for a chili and cheese hot dog.  While I had horrible morning sickness, I would only be able to eat baked potatoes, potato salad {mom’s}, and tator tots.

My mom’s potato salad was my most consistent craving & I made quite a few batches. 

It consists of potatoes, hard boiled eggs, mayo, and mustard.  That is it… easy enough.

Onions are my enemy… and garlic… these two things repulsed me and still do.

Those are really the only things that nauseated me.

Nothing really strange yet. 

The weirdest thing is that before I was pregnant I was lactose intolerant, but now I crave glasses of milk and can drink them without consequences.  I guess pregnancy is my cure to my lactose intolerance.  And thank you Lord, because a big glass of milk is so yummy.

I am so grateful that my cravings are not bizarre… I have heard stories of people craving dirt, chalk, or clay.  So for bland is my friend; the plainer the food the better.

I love the smell of coffee, especially Starbucks coffee; good thing Daddy SMoore works at Starbucks and comes home smelling like it often.  I don’t want to drink coffee.  I don’t like it and don’t think I ever will; but the smell is so nice to me.

I am curious to see what happens now that my appetite is swiftly returning.

Daddy SMoore’s Turn

After my experience with the ultrasound I wanted to do it again {I would everyday if I could}.  So the fact that the Pregnancy Care Center offered free ones on occasion (to train nurses) and the fact that I had already had mine set up was great.  I knew that Daddy SMoore had to make this one though.  I called and confirmed the date and time set up; then I let Daddy SMoore know when to ask off work and all things were a GO.

This ultrasound was a little different… you have to go to the training ultrasounds with a FULL, bursting at the seams, bladder.  I believe it helps the sound waves bounce off and show a better image.  My ultrasound was scheduled in the morning; which was probably not the bestest of ideas.  I had to be up by 7:00am to drink the LARGE amount of water before the 9:00am appointment.  Well I got halfway through and my lovely morning sickness kicked in.  There went that 20 minutes of drinking water.  I tried to start over and chugged the other half.  It was time to go and my bladder was FULL to the brim.

We had to drive separately because Daddy SMoore had work right afterwards.  I drove carefully so not to hit the bumps, because I was in pain.  All for the love of seeing the Baby SMoore right?  Again I arrived to that nice cottage and was greeted with that oh so calming waterfall… pure torture for a pregnant woman with a full bladder not allowed to use the restroom.  A different lady greeted me this time and she took me back to the ultrasound room.  They would do some lessons and time with just me before bringing my husband into the room.  I guess this helps keep the pressure off during training. 

She went through all the different steps and looked at a multitude of things.  My ‘favorite’ part was when the lady being trained tried to find the heartbeat, would find it, and Baby SMoore would move.  I say ‘favorite’ lightly because remember I had a full bladder and was about done after 5 minutes J

FINALLY! We were done with the training and Daddy SMoore was ushered into the room to join us.  We held hands as they displayed our little Baby SMoore on the screen.  He finally got to hear the heartbeat and see all the movements.  It was a joyfilled experience.  I cried again, as would become a common thing.  Daddy SMoore seemed overwhelmed by the experience, no tears, but pure joy and praise.

Pictures were printed {about 10 of them} and I was released to the restroom!!! Oh boy happy Momma SMoore!

Star of the day

Ultrasound day!!! Ultrasound day!!! 

It was the day for my first ultrasound! And again I had no idea what to expect.

I had seen the Hollywood version of the ultrasound on television, 

but it is so different when it is YOUR stomach they are placing that 'wand' on. 

A few days before this day I had my appointment and they were not able to hear the heartbeat so I was a little anxious to see my tiny Baby SMoore.  

I was ushered into the ultrasound room at my doctor's office.

It was barely lit & there was the typical ultrasound machine next to the 'bed'.

The nurse said "Wow you are tiny; this should be simple.  Go ahead and lay down."

She got out the lovely and always chilly jelly for my stomach and there it was…

my baby…

right there on the screen

The nurse did her usual measurements and checks to ensure all was well.

I was measuring correctly & my little Baby SMoore was already moving around.

 Daddy SMoore was at his 2nd day of a new job & wasn't able to by there; 

so I recorded the heartbeat for him to hear later.

The entire process was fast, but so moving. 

It totally becomes so real when you actually SEE your child.  I will admit that I didn’t cry… until I got to my car and listened to the heartbeat again. 

I am grateful for the technology today that allowed me to have this experience.

Here are some photos from my little star of the day:

*now my hubby did miss the first ultrasound, but my second one at the Pregnancy Care Center was coming up in a week or so and he actually had the day off*

 

--^--^--^--^-- Can you hear it?

Oh butterflies in my tummy joy!  

The first doctor's appointment.

Never have I been so 'nervous' for a doctor's appointment before.

I had already confirmed that I was pregnant; what reason could I have for being nervous?  I guess not knowing what to expect... this was untouched waters for me.

 *

Step 1: try to complete the MOUNTAIN of paperwork I had just been handed

Step 2: pee in a cup - while you are nervous - in a room 1 foot from where your husband is sitting

Step 3: WAIT to be called back to the room to experience who knows what :-)

*

I did all those things and just sat there, not playing on my phone, not at all looking pregnant, just pondering the life within me... the little SMoore somewhere in there.

When I heard my name I kinda jumped... as if I had been waiting to go into the principal's office.  Unsure of all the next steps, unsure of the length of time, unsure.

We did the usual weight...108lbs (normal)

height... 5ft 2in (normal)

blood pressure, etc. (normal)

 *

Then I waited for the midwife.  At my doctor's office you get to meet all the people on staff (4) that could potentially deliver your baby.  This way you are not stressed when delivery comes and your doctor is in Cancun on vacation.

The midwife came in and she had a slight German accent which flowed from her mouth very quickly.  She had about 20 minutes to meet with us before she had to go deliver a baby down the hallway!

She covered a multitude of items.  All too many for this nervous Momma to remember.  We did the normal PAP and talked about blood work I would need that day.  *little note* I hate blood work and usually pass out when I get any done.

Then she pulled out a little strange contraption and that lovely cold jelly.

It was time to listen for the heart rate.

I already started to tear up...

--^--^--^--^--

"That is your heart rate" she said.

---------

nothing

She said I wasn't far enough along, but that was okay.

No concerns to be had. I had a little bit of a concern, but Daddy SMoore reassured me

 Luckily I had scheduled my first ultrasound in a couple days.

I would at least get to see my Baby SMoore.  

That first appointment was so official and so full of information.  They gave me a welcome to the world of being a Momma bag of goodies and I realized - finally some more people know!  Remember we planned not to tell people until we were 12 weeks along, just in case.  Oh and I didn't pass out when they took my blood, but I did get to lay in the awesome recliner and get a cold compress on my neck (I am guessing those prevented the passing out).

 

Sacrifices

Of course the moment I found out we were pregnant I cracked open my "What To Expect When You Are Expecting" book to see what I had laying ahead of me.  If you know me, you know that my number one skill is learning (I actually took a test to find my strengths and my number one was LEARNER).  I thrive on learning... could explain why I have had so many jobs.  I love learning new skills.  Anywho... I read only as far as the first month (didn't want to get too ahead of myself) and I added the app on my phone - this way I am blessed with a little daily knowledge.  
Something I read about and knew a little already about was SACRIFICE or "giving up things".  This has been an interesting experience throughout every stage of pregnancy.  It was easy at first... I mean for me and my discipline it is easy to cut foods and caffeine... and I wasn't partaking in multiple other things already (alcohol and smoking).  There are the occasional days when I really want a big fat sweet tea from the golden arches or a nice chilli cheese hotdog, but it is better to avoid those for my growing Baby SMoore.  
There were, and still are, somethings that I have a harder time SACRIFICING:

• no roller coasters - AH!  we had planned to go to multiple local theme parks this fall (one being all roller coasters), but then I realized I wouldn't be able to ride anything.  Say it isn't so... there was now a limitation on me thrill rides!  Not only that - I had to miss out on the rock climbing tower at the Halloween Festival down the road from us.  I am an avid lover of all things daring so this was a sad, but necessary SACRIFICE.
• independence - Yes... my independence!  I am a strong woman and I like things to be done when I want them to be done... and I will do it myself most of the time.  But lately I have learned that the dresser weighs more than a grocery bag... and the doctor said I can only carry things that weigh a grocery bag full or less. SO that dresser that I want moved NOW will have to wait to be moved when my husband is home.  And that paint that I so badly want on the wall so I can start organizing the babies things... That will have to wait until my husband 'wants' to paint it.  This SACRIFICE of my independence could be the hardest one yet.  
• moving - our plan was to move in November to Colorado Springs... and we would have, but jobs weren't coming through and with a baby on the way one must really be a grownup and think about a lot more.  We couldn't just pack up a car full, head to CO, and see what happens.  We realized we couldn't do that with a baby on the way... we needed more stability.  Plus my insurance is local and through the state... meaning if we moved we would be dealing with another mess of issues.  So, for now, this SACRIFICE of willynilly moving is on hold and in God's hands.  Daddy SMoore is actually hoping for a promotion and Momma SMoore is working on somethings to be able to work from home.  I know God will take care of this area.
• fitness training - I currently am a fitness trainer, but am fast realizing there are limitations on the horizon.  I am seeing that I will be needing to step down from some classes and let another person take over (which means less money for us).  I love all my classes and adore my students, but understand that Baby SMoore needs me to take it easy and SLOW down

I am sure there are more SACRIFICES, but these were the most pressing on my heart when I wrote this.  All these are easy to make to ensure healthy growth and a full term pregnancy.   I adore my Baby SMoore and as the Momma I am okay with these SACRIFICES.  I understand that they are all short term and will be worth it in the end.

VETERAN MOMMAs:  leave me a comment about one or two of your SACRIFICES when you were pregnant please.

Blessings and Happy Holiday Season!

Nauseatingly Thankful

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and also my 19^th week of pregnancy!  We have almost made it halfway and already I have experienced a whole slue of different things.  Pregnancy is an adventurous journey and I am so blessed to be able to enjoy it!

The next week or so, I want to get my written pregnancy journal typed out onto this blog so that I can write my more up-to-date experiences.  Also, I think I would like to post my weekly baby bump pictures for you all to enjoy {it is finally growing}.

Currently I am in my second trimester and it is great for the most part; but part of me misses that first trimester.  I know you experienced mommas are thinking I am crazy, but I grew to “love” my nausea; I was truly thankful for it.  Now don’t get me wrong, I hated the throwing up part… and I did that a lot.  What I grew to “love” about it was the fact that each morning {and sometimes all day} I was reminded that I had a bundle of joy growing inside of me.  It was an interruption in my day that made me stop and think ‘WOW – what a blessing – I am going to be a momma – I am a momma’.   I liked that interruption, but now I can go throughout my day, unless Baby SMoore is moving around a lot, without getting a reminder until I pass a mirror {which is happening more frequently as my bladder is getting sat on and compressed into a tiny space}.  I am sure as this little one grows I will feel it more and be stretched a little more and even simple tasks will remind me.  Right now though, I miss those morning reminders of my blessing!

Now when you mention to a veteran momma that you have morning sickness the advice comes spilling out.  All their stories and remedies are offered to you without a second thought.  Sometimes they even spend the time to tell you their entire pregnancy experience.  I think I would as well because this adventure is so encouraging and adventurous.  One wants to share all the tips they can when they meet another person attempting to climb the Mt. Everest you previously climbed. It is this very thing that inspired my entry for tomorrow. 

Hope you all had a great holiday!   Remember to have fun today as you shop!