Poppy's (Very Cozy) First Christmas

This has been a magical week to be pregnant.

Last week I went to the doctor and found out that Poppy is doing well. He is no longer breech, he is sideways (baby steps, right?), his heartbeat is strong, I'm 25 weeks, I've gained 16 pounds and only one light stretch mark, and all of my lab work looks good. He's been in the Christmas spirit recently, kicking and punching up a storm. I love it when I can feel his whole body move inside me and his head makes the whole side of my tummy do the wave. He always seems to do this when daddy or grandma aren't around to feel him do it, but for now, I'm enjoying it. I tell ya--this kid is either shy or a pain in the neck--one or the other.

This Christmas, most of the gifts Chris and I received were technically for Poppy. My parents gave us a crib set for our nursery (option 1, for those of you who commented during the poll and were wondering), some baby pajamas, and an Applebees giftcard so we can get take-out when my rib is really bothering me. My brother also got a couple outfits from Baby Gap for the little tyke. He'll be quite the stylin' baby!

Chris and I have been spending a lot lately getting the nursery ready, by way of making the downstairs a sort of playroom/family room/office combo since our office is now Poppy's bedroom. I received a beautiful wood bookshelf and Chris got a TV stand and television to aid in the transition, which we decided were our Christmas presents to each other. Nevertheless, neither of us could resist giving each other "a little something". We haven't opened all of our presents yet, because the other "baby" in our family visited her mom over the Christmas holiday. All I can say is, my favorite Poppy-related gift hasn't been opened by Chris yet, but I can't wait to give it to him! I also got Dannika a baby boy doll (right now all she has are girl dollies) and a book about being a big sister for Christmas. I figure we can play mommy together. After all, I'm sure that's how I'll feel at first--like I'm pretending to be a mom to a baby. I don't remember when I stopped feeling like I was playing school during my first year of teaching, but it took a long time and occasionally I still do feel as though I'm in the "Land of Make Believe". Strangely, I kind of felt like Dannika's stepmomma long before Chris and I got married. That must be a special case!

The other fun part of being pregnant over the holidays are the reactions of family members who are seeing you noticeably pregnant for the first time. A few of my favorite comments over the weekend were:

"Oh! Look at your little belly! It's so cute!" - Stephanie, Chris's cousin, after putting her hand where Poppy's head would be.

"Are you sure you want them to play together? I mean, look at what happens to Beth when THOSE two play!" - Randy, my father-in-law, after others insisted that I join in the game of Kings that Chris was playing in at the dining room table

"Ya see? Now that's what happens when someone pokes fun at ya and you take it to seriously!" - "Chub", Chris's great uncle, pointing at my stomach and commenting on my pregnancy. I believe this comment made for the funniest and most inappropriate reaction to my pregnancy of all time. It even beat out the lady at HyVee who sold me my box of pregnancy tests last summer. "Hmmm. Darlin', is this a good thing or a bad thing that you buyin' these here tests?"

Well, no matter. Poppy and I love the attention.


For whatever reason, I cannot upload pictures to my blog right now. Check back later for some pictures of Poppy's loot!


Merry Christmas, 


Poppy and Mama




 

 

Poppy Don't Kick . . . He Pops!

Ever since I laid eyes on the ultrasound monitor, I knew my son was an active one. At my last prenatal appointment I was told that I wouldn't feel him very much because of where the placenta is located. In other words, he kicks his nourishment source--not me! 

However, this simply isn't true. I've been feeling tiny "pops" since around week 16 and they've only gotten bigger. The whole "flutter" thing has been a myth for me. Poppy has some serious bang behind his buck. 

Due to the pregnancy popping (yes, popping) out my ribs, I've been taking a lot more baths to relax my muscles and get rid of pain naturally.  Today, while soaking in the tub I felt a huge POP right below my belly button. It even made the water move! How cool is that? 


Last night, my husband and I attended our third Bradley Method class. A girl in the class worked up the courage to ask the same thing I had been wondering. 

 I know movement is good, but is there such a thing as too much movement? Last night, my daughter was kicking and shaking her arms for nearly five hours straight. Should I be concerned? 

Lucky for us, there wasn't such a thing as too much movement, though she did say the more active the baby, the more likely you are to have an active child. The girl and I resolved that we would be getting our children together when they are older for tumble tots, or perhaps swimming the English Channel. Whatever it takes to get them to sleep at night, right?

Do You Know How Much I Love You?

Dear Poppy,

Do you know how much I love you already? 

While much of my day is occupied with worrying about how other people are feeling and praying for their peace, I've never been a sentimental girl.  I didn't cry on my wedding day. I didn't cry when Daddy proposed to me. Most of my birthday cards will be thrown out soon--not because they don't matter to me--I'm just not that kind of person. . . usually.

 But today when I was waiting at Walmart to have my prescription filled, I couldn't help but look at things for you and become a little flustered . I went to the shoe department. I looked for myself, I looked for your big sister, and then I looked for you. I pictured your tiny little baby feet in warm fuzzy socks. I imagined buying you your first pair of tennis shoes and watching you learn to walk. I daydreamed about you wearing out the soles of your Nikes or Adidas from soccer, biking, and playing Kick the Can with the neighbor kids on a summer night.I even though about how when you're a teenager, I'll probably have to buy you the next size up in your shoes for months on end due to a growth spurt. (I'm hoping you take after Daddy in that area.) Your feet, once too small to even see, will someday fill size 12 men's shoes. This idea amazes me.

I looked at clothes for you and your sister too. I love thinking about dressing you up--even knowing that your clothes will often be covered in spit-up for the first several months or stains and dirt as you get older. I love thinking that someday you will have your own personal style. You'll tell me you don't like wearing stripes and please don't buy anything from Hollister--it's not cool anymore. I'll keep all the receipts and try not to take it personally.

As you probably already know, mommy's been having some rib trouble with you. It's okay--it's not your fault. These things just happen sometimes. Two of my ribs are continually being dislocated and it is suspected I may have herniated discs. The pain is sometimes unbearable--which is why I've been putting ice on my ribs. I hope it's not making you too chilly in there.

Today I was prescribed Hydrocodone to take to help me deal with the pain. The problem is that even though I'm in a lot of pain and I know it's affecting you too, I'm kind of afraid to take it. I know that when I can't breathe, you can't breathe either--but what about the rest of the time? I hate the idea of hurting you--even if the doctor says that taking 1 a day has a very minimal risk. I hate the idea that even though there are no irreversible side effects, you could have trouble after your born. I'm not the type of mother that puts herself before her kids unless I feel there is a no other choice.

I want you to know that even if I end up taking the Hydrocodone that I'm still going to try my best to take care of you. I will continue to eat my protein every few hours. I'll try to drink more water. I'll take my prenatal vitamin every day. I'll get at least 30 minutes of light-moderate exercise daily.  And if the medicine is bothering you too much, you just let me know okay? I know you can't use your words yet, but God will find a way to watch over us and take care of us both. We just have to have faith. He will let me know if this is too much for you.

Love you more than you know,

Mama

Nursery Help!

Seeing as Poppy will grow up with two loyal and loving dogs, we (okay, I) have decided to do a "Man's Best Friend" theme for Poppy's nursery. Puppy dogs galore!

I am working on my baby registries and need some help. . . please comment (on here or on facebook) and tell me which one you think is the best!

Option 1: Doggies with Sports

Option 2: Spotted Puppy

Option 3: Summersault Show Doggies

 

Thank you in advance for your feedback. :-)