OK. Truth time: doing the long-distance marriage thing really stinks. Wait, let me re-phrase: doing the long-distance marriage thing and being newly pregnant really stinks. PTL for Skype, y'all. Luckily, Sean and I have been able to talk pretty much every night, but I still miss him. Tomorrow we're meeting up in Chicago to attend a friend's wedding over the weekend. Super excited!! We're staying with one of our favorite couples and will surely have an amazing time.
Feeling really thankful today, despite realizing that we are seriously living on the edge financially. Most of our debt is in school at the moment, but it still hangs over my head, wondering how the heck we're going to afford doctor's appointments and all the things you have to buy for a baby. The "things" buying part could be a really slippery slope for me... I mean, I went nuts when my sister was pregnant. Every time I saw something cute, I had.to.have.it. Also, while traveling for work over the last year, I may or may not have bought children's books as souvenirs. [Cough, cough.]
Anyway, can't worry about what's already in motion, right? Sean told me tonight that he'd really like to come out to DC in June for our first doctor's appointment. I am sooooo excited about that. Luckily, I have enough airline miles, so hopefully he'll be able to find a decent ticket, for free!
The last couple of days I've been feeling... Emotionally: stable and a little energetic. Physically: sleepy around 4:30PM, sore balloons (as my Memaw used to call them), sweaty, & intermittently crampy- but not on one side or anything, believe me- I've been googling whether or not it's normal. Awesome, huh? Bet you wanted to know all those details. [Sorry if it's TMI- I'm writing this to myself at the moment, more for my own memory.]
Speaking of memory! I think I might be starting to develop that "pregnancy brain" thing. I mean, seriously, you should see me in meetings at work- I sound ridiculous. I've had to pause on more than two, three, OK, maybe five occasions over the last two days and ask for forgiveness from my colleagues.
26 May 2011
24 May 2011
the red line
Sean took the car to Colorado. What this means it that my commute to work has suddenly gone from a 10 minute / 4 mile driving commute to a 55 minute / metro & walking commute. And listen, it's OK, I'm all about making sacrifices to allow my husband a professional growth opportunity. Heck, it's actually perfect that I'm newly pregnant and being forced to walk for at least 40 minutes a day.
What I have a problem with is the weird stuff that can happen to you while commuting on public trans. Given my social work background, my encounters with DC's mentally ill don't bother me so much. Of course, it can be awkward. When Alvin boarded the empty train, sat down next to me and asked me my name, I didn't mind. Sure, I lied and instinctively responded "Heather," but that's not the point. When Alvin told me to respond to him by saying, "Hi, Alvin," I didn't mind- in fact, I obliged.
What bothers me are the encounters that happen with people who don't actually realize that they are having an "encounter."
Take for example, today. Again, a nearly empty train. I'm sitting in a seat that faces outwards, near the door. There's a metal pole slightly in front of me, in the middle of the rail car for people to use when they are required to stand due to no available seating. So, what happens when we stop at Metro Center you ask?
Well, Dude walks on, stands one foot from my face and holds onto that support bar like there's nowhere else to stand or sit on the whole train. Now folks, I understand when the train is packed and you are forced to have a little uncomfortable contact with strangers. Did I mention the train was nearly empty? Did I mention that Dude stood facing towards me? Yeah, so my eyes were basically one foot from his personal business. Ick. I sat in awe (turning my head from left to right) for about two stops wondering if he was staring at something important over my head. I got to the point where I was feeling so awkward that I decided to get up and stand myself. Once I stood up, guess what Dude was starring at? Oh, you know, nothing. Just the blank wall of the rail car.
Well, Dude walks on, stands one foot from my face and holds onto that support bar like there's nowhere else to stand or sit on the whole train. Now folks, I understand when the train is packed and you are forced to have a little uncomfortable contact with strangers. Did I mention the train was nearly empty? Did I mention that Dude stood facing towards me? Yeah, so my eyes were basically one foot from his personal business. Ick. I sat in awe (turning my head from left to right) for about two stops wondering if he was staring at something important over my head. I got to the point where I was feeling so awkward that I decided to get up and stand myself. Once I stood up, guess what Dude was starring at? Oh, you know, nothing. Just the blank wall of the rail car.
Three stops later, Dude finally exited. At my stop. I let him go ahead.
22 May 2011
becoming a book worm
This weekend was my first, alone, without Sean. Given that he won't be back in DC until the end of July, I tried to get myself started on a routine that will keep me busy. Even so, I miss him! Weekends are going to be tough.
Yesterday I went walking for about an hour and then hung out at Rock Creek Park to soak in some vitamin D. While I enjoyed the sunshine, I got pretty deep into one of the pregnancy books I've been reading. It's crazy how much literature is out there, and how much advice people have to give. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful; I literally don't know much about what's supposed to happen and really appreciate being able to educate myself (without becoming too anxious about whether or not I am doing the right things or not). Thankfully, my sister just went through this too, so she has been great and letting me know what to expect. Here's a sneak at my current reading list:
These have been great so far. The Dummies book is a little outdated. Sean bought it about 3 years ago at a book sale in Chicago for $7; we laughed at how perfect it was for us. The Mother book is a really practical, step-by-step guide and provides a pretty objective presentation about what to expect. Right now, I'm most engaged in the Feed book. It's written by a nutritionist, and although she can be somewhat slanted at times, I really appreciate her direct approach about what foods pregnant women should be eating. And instead of leaving the reader hanging about how to move forward with healthy eating habits, she's included a bunch of recipes for tasty meals that provide the nutrients you need. The most practical help though, has been the list of things not to eat. I had no idea that you had to watch out for certain foods during pregnancy!! (Note to self: probably should give the Dummies book another skim through.)
Anyway, today I've got to go buy some wheat germ. Sounds gross, huh? Apparently it's packed with really good stuff for you and your baby, like folic acid and choline. I'm planning on sprinkling it on my PB&J sandwiches, but you can also cook it into breads, muffins, cakes, etc. I've decided that I'm going to try and not get too obsessive about what I am, and am not, putting into my body (besides the major things of course, like caffeine). I just want to be sure that I am being smart and providing the best environment possible for this little embryo.
Emotionally: excited, hopeful, cautious, a little stressed about work stuff & a bit lonely, missing Sean- wishing he was here during this time. Physically: bloated, sorry- TMI, really tired in the mornings, & I've had a runny nose since last week! The Mother book says that this is common- that the mucus membranes in your nose can swell when your body starts to produce more blood. Hopefully this wont last for 9 months!
Yesterday I went walking for about an hour and then hung out at Rock Creek Park to soak in some vitamin D. While I enjoyed the sunshine, I got pretty deep into one of the pregnancy books I've been reading. It's crazy how much literature is out there, and how much advice people have to give. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful; I literally don't know much about what's supposed to happen and really appreciate being able to educate myself (without becoming too anxious about whether or not I am doing the right things or not). Thankfully, my sister just went through this too, so she has been great and letting me know what to expect. Here's a sneak at my current reading list:
These have been great so far. The Dummies book is a little outdated. Sean bought it about 3 years ago at a book sale in Chicago for $7; we laughed at how perfect it was for us. The Mother book is a really practical, step-by-step guide and provides a pretty objective presentation about what to expect. Right now, I'm most engaged in the Feed book. It's written by a nutritionist, and although she can be somewhat slanted at times, I really appreciate her direct approach about what foods pregnant women should be eating. And instead of leaving the reader hanging about how to move forward with healthy eating habits, she's included a bunch of recipes for tasty meals that provide the nutrients you need. The most practical help though, has been the list of things not to eat. I had no idea that you had to watch out for certain foods during pregnancy!! (Note to self: probably should give the Dummies book another skim through.)
Anyway, today I've got to go buy some wheat germ. Sounds gross, huh? Apparently it's packed with really good stuff for you and your baby, like folic acid and choline. I'm planning on sprinkling it on my PB&J sandwiches, but you can also cook it into breads, muffins, cakes, etc. I've decided that I'm going to try and not get too obsessive about what I am, and am not, putting into my body (besides the major things of course, like caffeine). I just want to be sure that I am being smart and providing the best environment possible for this little embryo.
Emotionally: excited, hopeful, cautious, a little stressed about work stuff & a bit lonely, missing Sean- wishing he was here during this time. Physically: bloated, sorry- TMI, really tired in the mornings, & I've had a runny nose since last week! The Mother book says that this is common- that the mucus membranes in your nose can swell when your body starts to produce more blood. Hopefully this wont last for 9 months!
18 May 2011
the genisis of something good
Sean and I celebrated our SEVEN year anniversary this past weekend!! It's crazy to think that since we married in Dallas on that hot spring day, we've gone on to move house 9 times in 3 cities and 2 countries! I've finished undergrad and grad school and Sean is almost done with law school. We've adopted two cats (given one to our adopted mom), and spent some quality time in the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Central America.
Man, we've been busy having adventures- and we've been so blessed! All the while, however, in the back of our minds we've been contemplating starting a family and what it would look like to finally settle down. It's hard- for me- being comfortable packing up and moving every year and a half or so, to think about putting down roots and saying, "OK, this is it- this is where we're going to be." At the same time, the idea of finally "being" evokes so much peace in my heart and mind. I'm ready for that- now all I wonder is, "where will we finally be?" Right now, I don't know. Sean and I need to be in DC for another year and a half or so, and I'm sure we'll make a decision based on job opportunities and family.
Moving decisions aside, we're about to start on another adventure, one that we've wanted to take for some time. This is an adventure that I imagine will make us happy "being" wherever we are at this moment in time....
Two days ago, I took a home pregnancy test. Yep, that's right. POSITIVE! I almost couldn't believe it (we were lucky and hadn't been trying for that long). We are still VERY early into it (only 4 weeks and 1 day as I type this), but I wanted to start to chronicle what we're going through so that when we finally make this blog public, our family & friends will be able to have a sneak peak back to our little secret.
As most of you know, my sister (who lives in New Zealand) had a baby boy on 25 Janurary 2011. Guess what our due date is?! 24 January 2012!! (This also happens to be my brother-in-law, Greig's birthday!) Sean and I decided to tell Summer and Greig yesterday since they are planning a trip to the US this fall. Looks like they might push it off a bit to be here over Christmas and for our little one's arrival. It's going to be nice being able to talk to Summer through Skype about what's going on since Sean is living in Colorado until mid-July, working for the Dept. of Energy. Kinda stinks going through the first trimester being apart, but I am thankful that we'll be able to meet up a couple times this summer, in Chicago and Denver!
As far as how I'm feeling... Emotionally: kinda shocked, excited, anxious, happy, thankful. Hopeful. Physically: tired, apathetic about eating. No nausea yet, hopefully not ever! The books say that nausea starts about week 6, so we'll see. Today I got on the train to go to work and had to get off at Chinatown and come home. I started feeling really hot and kinda sick to my stomach. Once I got home though, I was fine, but went to bed nonetheless and slept from 8:45AM until 12:40PM. I definitely felt super lazy and hurried myself out of bed once I found out what time it was!!
Anyway, our first doctor's appointment is on 23 June. I was nervous that we couldn't get an appointment until a month from now, but I'm doing the whole prenatal vitamin thing and will just continue walking and staying positive until then. I've also got my trusty Pregnancy for Dummies book, so I think I'm all set. LOL.
Thanks for taking an interest in our life story. We looking forward to growing with you!
Man, we've been busy having adventures- and we've been so blessed! All the while, however, in the back of our minds we've been contemplating starting a family and what it would look like to finally settle down. It's hard- for me- being comfortable packing up and moving every year and a half or so, to think about putting down roots and saying, "OK, this is it- this is where we're going to be." At the same time, the idea of finally "being" evokes so much peace in my heart and mind. I'm ready for that- now all I wonder is, "where will we finally be?" Right now, I don't know. Sean and I need to be in DC for another year and a half or so, and I'm sure we'll make a decision based on job opportunities and family.
Moving decisions aside, we're about to start on another adventure, one that we've wanted to take for some time. This is an adventure that I imagine will make us happy "being" wherever we are at this moment in time....
Two days ago, I took a home pregnancy test. Yep, that's right. POSITIVE! I almost couldn't believe it (we were lucky and hadn't been trying for that long). We are still VERY early into it (only 4 weeks and 1 day as I type this), but I wanted to start to chronicle what we're going through so that when we finally make this blog public, our family & friends will be able to have a sneak peak back to our little secret.
 |
| 16 May 2011 |
As far as how I'm feeling... Emotionally: kinda shocked, excited, anxious, happy, thankful. Hopeful. Physically: tired, apathetic about eating. No nausea yet, hopefully not ever! The books say that nausea starts about week 6, so we'll see. Today I got on the train to go to work and had to get off at Chinatown and come home. I started feeling really hot and kinda sick to my stomach. Once I got home though, I was fine, but went to bed nonetheless and slept from 8:45AM until 12:40PM. I definitely felt super lazy and hurried myself out of bed once I found out what time it was!!
Anyway, our first doctor's appointment is on 23 June. I was nervous that we couldn't get an appointment until a month from now, but I'm doing the whole prenatal vitamin thing and will just continue walking and staying positive until then. I've also got my trusty Pregnancy for Dummies book, so I think I'm all set. LOL.
Thanks for taking an interest in our life story. We looking forward to growing with you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)