Adventuring with Baby

Joe and I are quietly relaxing and warming up after an anniversary snowshoeing adventure. I will confess I was a little nervous to strap on the snowshoes after weeks of Christmas eating and inactivity combined with a belly that seems to be growing bigger everyday. I felt especially nervous about how often I've needed a bathroom lately with Baby Blum deciding that kicking my bladder is a new favorite past time. My energetic little guy/gal is definitely feet down right now and likes to say hi on a regular basis via big kicks and the newest trick that we just started yesterday - pressing some unknown body part toward the outside world as hard as s/he can. Last night there was just a hard knob pushing outward that freaked Joe and I out. Baby, on the other hand, was clearly pleased to be stretching out and was having a jolly time. S/he enjoyed it so much that now it's a new favorite past time. I sit down and Baby stretches out, like any good athlete should, before engaging in a small cardio session. Good job Baby. We're very proud of your proper workout approach.

Anyhow, back on topic. Snowshoeing. Beautiful. We had a great day, perfect weather for snowshoeing and I kept up just fine. Baby seemed perfectly pleased, s/he always seems to get very still and restful when I'm working out/being very active, and (sorry if this is TMI) I found I could pioneer woman pee in the woods just as well snowshoeing as hiking, though it was harder to find appropriate tree cover (darn naked trees!). Good to know since I don't know if I'll ever be able to make it through a whole snowshoe trip without needing to take a bathroom break. Just can't do it. Maybe if this kid decides to flip over and pummel my lungs instead of my bladder? Maybe... but I'm not counting on that.

I probably have more to say about Christmas and Baby's gifts from his/her grandparents and great-aunt but you'll have to wait for that.

Oh, my bones

So I didn't realize being pregnant was going to make me feel like an old lady. Yesterday I had terrible hip pain and was hobbling around work like I'd just gotten those suckers replaced. Today I was walking through Michael's when my lower back flared up like a frickin' brush fire and I found myself standing with one hand pressed to my lower back while I leaned back in an attempt to stretch it out... the perfect old lady stance. And I mean old. Like, 100 years old. Of course, my pain isn't arthritis or osteoporosis; it's apparently ligament pain and my poor back asking what this additional burden is that I have put upon it?

Pretty sure our little baby has had a wicked growth spurt in the past week or two because gentle nudges have become full out kicks, punches, twists, turns, somersaults and frankly, I don't know what else because the weird movements I sometimes feel in there are incredibly mysterious to me. I can only conclude this baby is working on dance moves or possibly some form of martial arts. Perhaps a little tai chi. Excellent choice Baby, very soothing and good for centering the mind and body.

But seriously, once I knew the hip pain wasn't something bad for Baby, I had to laugh at my hobbling self. Now! Yoga! In an attempt to work out the kinks before my spiffy man takes me out to dinner. Why? Because he's swell like that. Yep, I've got a dance moves baby and a spiffy spouse. Lucky gal, right here.

PS- I would like to take this moment to give a "thank you" to my brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Becky, for purchasing me a maternity pillow that is shaped like a large bean and has made my sleeping arrangements considerably more comfortable. Side sleep has become a necessity and this pillow has helped my transition enormously. Also, it's cozy to snuggle with it while I'm reading. Bonus!

This Baby Packs a Punch

Baby is getting bigger everyday and is very keen to let me know what is up, which I appreciate. Hi Baby, nice to feel your little limbs waving around everywhere. Your dance moves are sure to be like your dad's and  clearly you've got some tumbling skills going on. Somersaults? Is that what you're doing? I really can't tell.

But seriously folks, even though sometimes it can be distracting, I love my little Blum dancer. It's really special, exciting, snuggly and fun to feel our little one moving around and feel like I'm getting to know them already. LB obliged us too by giving Joe a nice kick to his hand a few days ago. Impressive Baby, we're proud of your strong legs!

So we're past the halfway point! Excited/scared! I had about a week of panicking but I think I've managed to get over it this weekend. Calm those hormones down and get a grip! We've had some good friends and family rally this week to encourage us and huzzah/thank you Keech/Rose family for your incredible generosity passing along so much baby stuff to us. You guys rock. 

The 19 Week Update - A week late...

We had our big fancy anatomy scan last week at 19 weeks. Last ultrasound for awhile, which is kinda sad since it's so fun to see LB on the screen moving around, but, that means that LB is healthy and there are no concerns for either of us, so that is a good thing. I guess I buried the lead there- LB is healthy! Yay! Measuring a little ahead of his/her age, all of the internal organs were located and are in good working order, apparently there is plenty of fluid to swim around in and LB confirmed that being squished is something that is not enjoyable.

We had a lot of movement from LB today, much to the chagrin of the poor U/S tech who was trying to get us a clear picture of our baby's face. LB had no interest in obliging and instead kept throwing a hand in the way every time she had a clear shot. Eventually she gave up and I felt a little bad for her. Apparently she feels bad for me because she thinks LB's activity bodes ill for me in later months when his/her kicks pack more of a wallop. Apparently, (sorry if this is TMI) my placenta is tucked away behind baby so there is no cushioning or barrier between baby's kicks and me. I feel Baby kicking a lot these days, especially at lunch and in the evening. Considering how much these little kicks startle me, I can't imagine what bigger ones will feel like.

I swear it's a human, not a woodland creature. The line on the face is because a little arm was in the way.
 Baby is NOT ready for it's close up.

Baby limbs!

I HAVE A SKELETON IN ME!!! (Baby hand)

Again, I was completely astonished to see a real human curled up inside of me. LB's daily movements to remind me that s/he is here and my ever expanding belly have made this pregnancy feel much more real. I've finished up my registry, started organizing the room LB will be sleeping in and scanning Craigslist every day for good deals on the pricier items. I've got a list of childcare providers to contact and have started sketching out an idea in my mind of how my return to work might look. Actually, my fevered brain is trying desperately to scratch out a plan for the entire next year, as futile as I know that is, but it's hard to stop a brain when it has reached fever pitch.

Parenting is a Contact Sport?

I will be the first to admit that I am an emotional pregnant woman. The hormones are in full swing and I have found myself straight up weeping about ridiculous things like not being able to make a decision on which was the best baby monitor (this was repeated when choosing a stroller). I was somewhat prepared for this. What I wasn't fully prepared for was how much it would shock and hurt me if someone questioned me. I would find myself in a full out spiral of despair wondering if I really was making a terrible mistake in registering for X stroller or Y monitor and if I can't make these kinds of decisions how will I ever choose a childcare provider?! Or heck, make any of the million decisions that lie ahead of me?!

I usually do okay with my level of confidence. I don't need much support to feel safe in my decisions; just a few key players and I'm good to go. However, this whole becoming a mother thing has left me shaking in my boots and I've found it hard to be confident in the choices I've been making. Last night I poured this woe out to my friend Katie and I was amazed at how at ease I felt after hearing her reassurance that I was going to be fine. Her calm reasoning that everyone cares as much as you do and all any of us want is for our kids to be happy and healthy gave me a better perspective. Questioning isn't always judgment and it's okay for me to disregard the opinions of close friends on matters of baby gear and such. I need to trust my gut. But, it is good to know we can ask questions of friends and family when we feel confused.

So other parents, I hope I never make you feel judged. And I know you don't want me to feel that way. So let's just all agree that we all love each other and our kids and want what is best for them. No judgments or snide comments. It's okay to disagree because we have to make things work for our particular family dynamic. So maybe I'll end up doing things you might find crazy and vice versa. It's okay if at the end of the day everyone is safe, happy and loved.