Some women LOVE being pregnant. That was not my story. Join me as I candidly share the ups and downs of what I experienced on a daily basis while I awaited the arrival of my twin babies and how things are going now that they have entered the world.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Phobia
Even if I wasn't afraid of clutter and useless products, I'd still have a problem with the actual look of all of these things. You know what I mean. Most kid's playroom or bedroom floors look like a clown threw up all over them. I can't STAND the over use of primary colors, it's like clutter for your brain (I'm giving you a taste of my psychosis). I was the kind of kid that always went for the "Bold" Crayola markers rather than the "Classic". It was one of my favorite things to use the crayons that had names like Cornflower, Almond, and Caribbean Green. The 64 count of crayons was never enough, it seemed so limiting. So, you can imagine the internal twitching that occurs any time I have to go into a toy store.
Before, I could just leave the scene and go home to my beautiful bolds, but now...it's inevitable. They're coming for me, those primaries. Even necessities for children have the tiny pieces, fabric spaces and horrid color pallet. Prime example, exersaucers. I know these little contraptions are going to be a life saver for me when I just need to get things done around the house and my little babes just can't be pleased. However, the moment I clicked on the "Add to Registry" button for TWO of these, I had to take a deep breath. I've been doing a lot of that lately.
So, all of this complaining and what's my solution...beautiful, decorative storage baskets/bins or whatever. I'm gonna hide it all! Shelves and closets will be my friend in a whole new way. I know what most of you are thinking, "Sure, good luck Kelci, let us know how that works out for ya". Hey, it's helping me get through this...just let me have my fantasy.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bathing Suits (Maternity Suits and the Like)
The dilemma we have as women comes down to a choice. Do we loathe ourselves for the way our body looks, or do we live it up? The first option is much easier as we have been trained to hate our bodies since the first time we saw a Barbie. It starts young and can get more and more overwhelming as we get older. Many of us fall into the trap of thinking our entire worth, and the only reason anyone should find value in us, is because of our looks. It becomes our self esteem, or lack there of. The funny thing is...we are NEVER satisfied. Not as individuals, girlfriends, wives, daughters, mothers...we're not even satisfied as a nation. Everything points us back to how we fail to meet a standard.
Side note: In earlier posts I promised to keep this blog at a PG/PG-13 level. I didn't say anything about keeping things PC though (Politically Correct). So every now and then, I might talk about my faith. If that's offensive to you, it's not meant to be, but with a subject like this, I must bring it up.
So, what about that other choice? The harder choice, to live it up and love ourselves. It's clearly the best choice so why do we consistently ignore the fact that this way of thought is even an option. BECAUSE...you ready for this...we are all born into a condition of inadequacy. What do ya think about that?
I bet some of you are getting pretty ticked at me right about now. Some of you are thinking, "She's crazy, I am just fine, I have a great self esteem, I am a powerful woman/man", and that's fabulous is you think that. But I would challenge you to analyze what it is in your life that you have done, accomplished or do on a regular basis that has to be maintained or had to be done in order for you to believe that about yourself? What is it in your life that gives you that assurance, and if it was taken away tomorrow...would you be loathing yourself?
Others of you feel the pain, you don't have anything the gives you any sort of assurance of value. Ultimately, we're all trying to prove ourselves from the very beginning, and if you haven't had opportunity, good looks, or anything else our society holds up as valuable you're stuck loathing yourself. OH, and you don't have any problem finding excuses, reasons or affirmation as to why you should stay there.
The age old question...am I good enough? Let me help you with that. On your own, the answer is NO, you're not. (Now some of you are SUPER TICKED.) You're thinking, "what is this girls phone number, I need to give her a piece of my mind, she's messed up". Let me assure you I have thought long and hard about this, so bare with me (and you can leave any comment you want at the end of the blog).
You're not, you're not good enough on your own. You know why? Because you're not complete. Like I said before, we're all born into this condition of inadequacy. We're born without God in our lives. We've established that we're never satisfied with ourselves, anyone can acknowledge that, and we know that we all have an underlying need to prove ourselves to the world, our parents, ourselves, our friends, our spouses or whoever it may be. So where does that come from? A lacking. Being incomplete. If we were whole from the beginning, we would never experience loathing.
Back to the God-thing. What I have come to understand is that we all come out lacking something, but the good new is, God IS that something. Not religion, not rules, not fulfilling moral expectations or just appearing to, but knowing God. I know God, and I'm getting to know him better everyday, just as I am my husband, family and friends. I've known about God for years, but it wasn't until 3 years ago that I began to get to know Him for who He is.
I'm not talking about God like we hear about on T.V. or the PC god that we're "allowed" to talk about in social circles. I'm talking about the one true God. The God of the Bible, Jesus Christ, the Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That one, the real one. Whew...surprisingly that takes a lot of guts to say. Now that I've lost over half of you, I might as well continue.
My daily choice to live it up and love myself comes from my desire to honor God who tells us in the Bible that we are all enough. Boom, plain and simple. No actions necessary. He loves us unconditionally as his creation and if we can live in acceptance of that love and that truth, we can be ENOUGH. See how that all fits in? You all thought I was going to tell you that you're not enough without God and you have to do this, that and the other thing to even begin to have an inkling about what it's like to be enough. NOPE, like I said before, we are lacking something but only GOD is that something. A relationship with Him, not a knowledge of Him or what you should do to make Him or it or what every you thought God was before happy, but an actually relationship.
To me that makes all the sense in the world. It's modeled around us everyday. What actually matters in life? Our job, our stuff, or how we look in a bathing suit? We would all agree that no, it's our family, our friends, the people we have relationships with in our lives. We may not live like those are the most important, but we all know that they are.
So, what are we going to choose on a daily basis? We can loathe ourselves which is as easy as it is to breath our next breath, or we can come into a relationship with God and trust what He says is true about our value. We are enough! He said so over and over in His book. It's a processes, but it's one worth giving a change, because there will be progress. Hope you can find encouragement in that. Have a great day!
The Winds of Change
Summer, hear we come! I have a couple of trips planned in June that I was nervous about in my former state, and now I'm super pumped! Hurray second trimester!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thankful
Freaky Friday
Funny though, 7 years later here I am feeling like I’m in someone else’s body. And guess what, I was right it’s awkward and disturbing. The redeeming factor is the fact that all of the changes are for a greater good, but I swear I look in the mirror on a daily basis and think…that’s not mine.
I’m caught in between adolescence and menopause. Not only do I have a pretty good case of acne (which I was blessed and did not have as a teen), but my mood swings are totally taking me back to when I was 12. Body parts have, of course, started to expand but I wasn’t aware as to how much they would shift. Some days, I feel a bit like a Picasso painting, all miss matched around. Also, new colors and lines have begun to appear in some of the most unflattering places (too much info. I know). Some of my body is just starting to disappear…for example, my toes. Then to add icing to the cake I frequently enjoy headaches and hot flashes.
Suddenly I empathize with the elderly as well. Getting off the couch, out of bed or into a car is exhausting (things don’t bend like they used to), and this sciatica…WHAT IS THAT ABOUT…OUCH.
God was brilliant though when he put the maternal instinct inside women who choose to have children, because in the grand scheme of things, all that stuff I just joked/complained about doesn’t really phase me. It’s bizarre and something worth documenting, but I get to have two babies after it’s over…can you believe that! And as most of you know, one baby is worth it all.
I also have to give credit to Nate. He’s been awesome in supporting me when I do get insecure about everything happening so fast. The best thing he has said to me over the past four months was after a melt down I had, (that was primarily directed towards him…oops) where he just held me, looked me in the eyes and said, “Thank you for carrying our babies”. OH, MY…here I go, where’s the tissue. It makes me cry every time I reminisce.
It’s good to have a support system, especially since the best part is…I still have 5 months to go.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Crazy Cats
I was probably about 6 weeks pregnant when I noticed my cats acting differently. It’s like they knew something was different about me. Toby, my aloof and emotionally challenged cat became a cling-on. He follows me everywhere now. Even to the bathroom. He insists on sitting on my lap every time I used the bathroom. Gross and annoying. He makes a point to get in there before I have a chance to shut the door and just thinks it’s the best thing ever.
Lilly, my baby, isn’t a fan of the little ones inside. About a week ago while I was laying down (story of my life) he jumped up on the bed, sniffed my belly and took one paw and started digging at my stomach. DO I LIVE IN THE TWIGHTLIGHT ZONE? What in the world! I haven’t even felt the babies kick yet and my cat is trying to get them out. (Sorry to those of you who are afraid of cats, I’m sure you’ll have nightmares tonight.)
I suppose what I’m trying to say is…does anyone want a cat?
Magical Ice Chips
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Naked (Warning…this may make some people squirm a little. It’s not graphic, just not a common topic.)
The minute I found out I was pregnant I thought to myself “Thank God, I can’t stand to wear my regular jeans another day”. Then the minute I found out there were twins I was practically rejoicing. I could not understand why I was getting so big (everywhere) so fast. What a relief! I had been in maternity pants since 6 weeks along and grown out of every undergarment I own.
God bless maternity stores for their attempt to make our lives as pregnant women a little more comfortable and stylish, but I’m looking for something bigger, much more global. Women in Africa have it down…they don’t wear anything. We need government intervention. Maybe someday, when we have a woman President we can unite as women and propose that a law is passed for all pregnant women. Indecent exposure would not apply to us. We could even allot a space for nursing women and partial nudity. Since when is it fair that we must seclude ourselves from the rest of the world while we sustain the future generation with our milk.
I can understand how this would make so many people uncomfortable, so here’s my solution. Ship us off to a tropical island until we deliver. Maternity leave intact, for those of us who work, and our jobs secure when we get back. It’s only nine months. Not only would that save society from having to view naked pregnant ladies, it would save them from mood swings, unpredictable vomiting episodes, and having to go out of their way to help us lift heavy objects. PLUS, anyone who would loose their job in the maternity fashion industry would have first dibs on a job at our tropical island resort.
This is the point in the blog that I realize I’ve gone too far (I’m gonna blame it on the hormones). So with all of this said, I guess I could just settle for being allowed to wear sweat pants, baggy shirts and sports bras in any social environment until the day I give birth. If I have to settle…
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Standards, Oh How They Change
A good day for me now days is a day like today. Mild nausea in the morning and evening, consistent energy levels, and on a scale from 1-10 (1 being barely there and 10 being excruciating) my headache is only a 4 tonight as I get ready for bed. THIS, was a good day!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Pregnancy
So, I’m joining the Blog world a little late, but I’m glad to be a part of it now. I have recently become pregnant with twins (15 weeks along) and suddenly have a variety of thoughts to blog.
For some of you who will read this, you will know me personally, and I just want to apologize in advance for the candor I will be using. This pregnancy thing has not been a bed of roses for me, and where I realize that some women love being pregnant, that has not been the case for me so far.
I will say this once and only once for those of you who are judging me already, I am THRILLED to be having twins. The symptoms and side affects that must be endured to have them I absolutely hate. I hope that is clear. I will be blogging about my pregnancy, NOT my children. I can’t wait to meet them.
Well, these past 15 weeks have been quite a ride… like a roller coaster ride that doesn’t end. I should look at the bright side and realize that I have it pretty good compared to some women who go through absolutely horrific things in pregnancy. But instead, I choose to admire and commend those women and still feel sorry for myself.
The first three months it seems like I have spent mostly on the couch or in bed. Aliens have taken over my body and I have NO control over how I feel emotionally, physically, or psychologically. I’ve had cravings that have ranged from 3 soft shell tacos from Taco Bell for three days straight, all the way to one night when my dinner consisted of a personal pan pizza and cheese sticks from Pizza Hut topped off with 2 glazed donuts from Dunkin Donuts. (GROSS)
Now I know what some of you are thinking…”don’t forget, you’re not really eating for two” or another one of my favorites “ just because you think you’re craving something, doesn’t mean that the baby needs it”. My answer to that is, “you’re right, I’m not eating for two, I’m having twins so I guess that means I’m eating for three”. Also,” if that is how you feel, you probably want to find another blog to read”.
Don’t get me wrong. I understand that anyone could easily use pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever they want whether they should or not and then blame the extra 30 pounds they gain on their “baby weight” for the rest of their lives, but WHO CARES! They had a baby!!! I have never had more of an appreciation for what women go through to get these cute and cuddly little beings. Why is it that the weight matters? Health reasons I can understand, but no one has to look at my fat. It’s not their fat, it’s mine and if I want to gain it, I will. If I want to loose it I will. If that’s not ok with you, you definitely want to read another blog, and maybe get some counseling in body image issues.
ANYWAY, today was the first day that I experienced a normal level of energy. Up until now, my days have consisted of holding back vomit, living in a daze of exhaustion, dizziness, headaches and restless nights. As today progressed my energy level has consistently increased. I’m writing this blog entry now having already attempted going to bed. I haven’t had a problem going to sleep on demand in months. Maybe the cloud has lifted…uh, well and the heartburn has started. It would be wonderful to have my energy back. I have so much to get done!
I realize this blog entry is out of control long, and I appreciate you all enduring it. I look forward to many more entries. I fully intend to post frequently, especially when I’m right in the middle of a mood swing (like I was tonight). I would appreciate any responses to this blog from those of you who can relate in anyway or just think it’s amusing. I have no time for those of you who would like to tell me how wrong I am and that I need to change my perspective…I’m going through enough changes right now, I can’t predict my perspective from hour to hour. And please, no vulgar or inappropriate responses. This is a PG/PG 13 blog. I want honest responses and the occasional helpful hint wouldn’t hurt every now and then either. Have a great night …TTYL