Elastic Waistbands

The first time I tried on elastic waistband pants, I giggled. It was Sunday morning, Mark was still in bed and I thought it was time to venture into the world of maternity clothing and it felt really funny. A cross between a little kid and an old lady. Quite silly.

Plus, at least for me, my belly still wasn’t quite big enough. I mean, it was big enough to boot me out of my favorite low-rise, boot-cut jeans. But not quite big enough to keep the maternity pants up. Quite a dilemma. My sis talked about the same problem. The first time she wore her maternity pants, she and her hub went out to eat. As she stood to leave, she had to hold the waistband up so the pants wouldn’t fall down.

I’ve mostly learned to embrace the elastic waistband now. Of course, that could be from lack of better options. But they’re quite comfy and will come in handy during Thanksgiving. There are no buttons and zippers to worry about, which is a nice time-saver during those pressing bathroom runs (which are now FAR more frequent than I’d like.) And most of them ten to have a bit of stretch in them…which is also nice.

Now the worst problem is I still can’t keep them up! Who needs low-rise maternity jeans anyway? Not me. I just want pants that stay up on their own and don’t require constant tugging and pulling. No fun! Perhaps I’m alone on this, but – especially now – I don’t enjoy having any part of me flashed to my coworkers while I go about my business.

So I’ve learned I’m a full-panel girl. Did you know there are at least 4-5 different kinds of maternity pants now? Yep, and I’m a full-panel girl. The elastic panel comes up over my growing belly (which I’ve heard is wonderful even after you have the kid) and it gives the pants something to hold on to – which means… I don’t have to!

The Registry

So, Mark and I registered…. Sort of. We sort of registered. I mostly walked around feeling entirely out of my element and completely unsure of myself. Though Mark seemed fairly secure in what he was doing with the scanner gun.

The gal at the registry desk was very helpful, gave us a starters list, showed us the color-coded map and sent us on our way.

How daunting.

How do I know what I need? Yes, most stores provide a ‘getting started’ list but that seemed to be as long as my leg and I’m skeptical that I really need ALL of that to get started. Or do I?

Where’s my mom when you need her? Where are my sisters? I registered first for the things I know my sisters’ loved: The crib Aquarium, the Boppy, and the jumpy seat. Other than that… I’m lost.

So, I figured we should tackle the stroller/car seat while we were fresh. We pulled the strollers out, fumbled with how to open them, close them, attach and detach the car seat part – quite cumbersome for two novices. But I sure enjoyed watching Mark proudly push the empty strollers around as he tested their sturdiness. This is going to be a fun new side of Mark to observe.

Anyway, Mark’s strategy soon became - scan all three strollers we like, that way we can research them online. Then I start to worry that someone is going to pull up our registry and think “Why on earth do they think they need 3 strollers?!?!”

We muddled through the bedding, tested the ‘play yards’ (though Mark scoffed at the name… he’s right, playpen is MUCH more accurate) stared at the ‘safety’ section and were happy any time we were able to pass on a section that didn’t apply to us.

My question, why aren’t there any cute little girl things with dogs on them? The little boys all have dog themes – little bones, little dog-houses, dog faces on towels, shirts and onesies. Little girls do not. Why can’t a little girl like dogs too? So we did register for a pack of washcloths that are blue with the above mentioned little dog things. Mark didn’t seem to share my worry that people would think we were stupid.

So, we have some semblance of a registry put together… I think. I’ve solicited the help of other new moms to see what they had that they couldn’t live without and what the registered for that they’ll never use.

If you think of something, please let me know!

My First Mother's Day

Having never been a mother, I’ve never really thought about Mother’s Day – other than what to get my own mom and how late our gift to Mark’s mom is going to be.

So I was quite taken aback to see this little smiling face sitting on the kitchen table. Mark isn’t much for gift-giving occasions normally, so this was out of character for him. But there on the table was a little smiling face.

We had read that our baby was about the size of a lemon (back in May). Mark bought a lemon to show the size and drew a cute little face on it. Then he got me the fish oil pills I’m supposed to take (for brain development) and a sweet card.

Keep in mind, Mark LOVES to buy cards that will allow him to cross out what’s printed and write in his own words – opting instead for the cuter picture. Part of his charm…

So I read my little card, saw my little lemon and the fish pills that I was out of and was thrilled. Such a small gesture, but so sweet. So thoughtful… so sweet. I was delighted. My first Mother’s Day gift!

At that moment, I decided to quite voicing my concerns out loud. Up until then I had worried out loud about being droopy and saggy after the baby. Stressed about stretch marks, veins, and larger feet. And I worried that perhaps I was sounding more negative than I felt – because I was really quite excited. And clearly, so was my sweet Mark.

So, I haven’t said another word about the unpleasant physical changes. Yes, I still have those nagging worries, but now when Mark and I are together, we talk about how tall our little girl will be, how longs her arms will be, and harass her while she’s in my belly. (I like to poke around and feel for her!)

(I still have my lemon… though now she looks more like a senior citizen lemon than a newborn!)

The Early Months

Being pregnant is a strange thing.

Mark and I have been married for 8 years so we’d certainly waited long enough. I’m sure the folks and in-laws were wondering what the deal was. We felt ready and we wanted a baby.

Then it happens. And, at least for me, you find yourself thinking… ‘Are we sure?’ ‘Is this really what we wanted?’

I did what most gals do and I waited through the first trimester before we told any non-family members. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like ‘keeping a secret.’ It strangely felt like I was hiding something bad – when really it was great news.

Then I went through a phase where I was just sure every parent out there had formed a secret union and they tried to ‘lure’ unsuspecting childless-folks-with-freedom over to the ‘dark’ side. Isn’t that awful? I just had these pseudo-panic attacks that our lives would essentially be over. I’d lose my friends, not be able to do shows ever again and we’d be broke. (And granted, a lot of that may happen, but at least the anxiety has passed.)

Finally, I started telling people. As I watched faces light up with the news, heard squeals, clasped hands, shrieks and hugs I started to feel much more at ease. I liked being able to tell people!! It finally felt more real, and I might even hang on to a friend or two!

I’ve been told and I’ve read that all these feelings are very normal for expecting parents. Even parents who’ve tried for years and years will go through phases of anxiety, moments of regret and general uneasiness.

Today and for months now, I’ve been pretty happy about the whole thing. I’m lucky that I’ve felt great; Lucky that Mark is excited; and lucky that my little girl will already have little girl cousins her same age. But mostly I’m lucky that I have lots of family around to help me while I figure this stuff out.

Pregnancy Test

It’s a really strange feeling.

I looked at the pregnancy test and was staring squarely at a blue cross. I’m pregnant? I said to no one but myself. I was home alone with Ginger. She was milling around entertaining herself while I opened boxes, read instructions, and prepared for the test – which required careful timing to 5 seconds.

Just as I began, Ginger was interested what was going on. So that in 5 seconds she came in to lick my face. Bad timing, bad dog! It instantly turned into a blue cross. I thought I’d have to wait but nope… there it was.

It’s a strange feeling.

It says you’re pregnant but you feel normal. You feel like everything is the same. Ginger and I walked down to get the mail. I kept repeating… I’m pregnant?, I’m pregnant.? It felt exciting and scary and wonderful and terrifying.

I wasn’t sure how to tell Mark. I knew he’d be excited but he was at work and I had to go to bed. Should I call him? That seems stupid. I thought about leaving the test out for him to find, but I wanted to see his reaction. I could leave a note… same problem. I hid all evidence of the test and went to bed.

I couldn’t sleep.

Should I stay awake and tell him? Could it be a fluke? Could Ginger have ruined anything with her 5 second interest in me? I wasn’t sure.

Yes, taking a pregnancy test by yourself is a strange thing.

Baby Central!

So… I’m 3 months away. I’m sure, by now, most expectant moms have started on their nursery, figured out a name and registered LONG ago.

Not me. So, welcome to the chaos of this soon-to-be-first-time-mom. Our place is too small. Hence, the nursery is FAR from reality. Mark and I have been calling our baby by a nickname and now we’re sort of attached to it… problem is: The name is ugly. But other names don’t sound right. And we haven’t even thought about registering yet. How do I know what I need anyway?…. strange.

I hope you’ll stop by regularly. I’ll share everything (well, mostly everything) with you. Including: How I found out I was pregnant; my early worries and concerns; when I decided to stop worrying (out loud anyway); venturing into elastic waistband pants; my first baby gift; planning the shower and hopefully right up until I have pictures of a new nursery to show (keep your fingers crossed)

This is Baby Central!!