By the way, some of the photo albums have descriptions & travelogue in the captions, but it's hard to see it in ritzpics. You have to scroll down and you can't see it at all in the slide-show view.
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My Trip to Miami
So the day after I arrived was my birthday. George took me to lunch on the beach in Ft Lauderdale. Unfortunately on our section of the beach there was a lot of construction, so it wasn't exactly peaceful, and the view was not perfectly beachy.
And boy was it breezy! Windy in fact. But I was enjoying some warm Florida weather while everyone back in Denver was getting dumped on with back to back blizzards! Mostly I was just super happy to be spending time with George again after 5 weeks apart.
After that we went to a novena at George's cousin Jorge's house. Novenas are latin Christmas celebrations that happen the nine days leading up until Christmas.
There are passages read, songs sung, everybody has percussion instruments (read: noisemakers) in hand to shake/bang during the singing, and then there is eating and good times afterwards. Since this novena was on my birthday -- and someone else's as it so happens -- we also celebrated some birthdays! (birthday pics are in my birthday album)
Then there was another novena at cousin Andres's house. (Pics in the previous album) Unfortunately, because of my pregnancy, I wasn't able to enjoy all these celebrations as much as usual. Turns out, I am very sensitive to loud noise, and there were PLENTY of loud noises at these get togethers. Too bad! Then it was time for Christmas. They celebrate it Christmas Eve like my family/Faroese people do.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel much up to taking pictures that night, so there is almost nothing in the Xmas album -- just a couple shots of the unbelievable amount of presents around the tree (and this is before many people had arrived and added their gifts to the pile) -- so I need to get photos from G's family to fill out the album. But for now, this is all I have.
Christmas Day we went to IHOP for brunch with G's parents & aunt, Lourdes.
I don't have any pictures of us going for salsa lessons and going out dancing. I wish I did. I totally want photos & video of me dancing pregnant. I keep meaning to get that done, but I keep forgetting. Before you know it, baby will be here and it'll be something I tell people that they don't believe. I definitely got some looks at the club in Miami when we were dancing with me in my little (sexy) maternity outfit. And I think some of G's family was maybe a little surprised to see me dancing away. I think it's cool. I'm so cool! ;)
New Year's was at Jorge & Maria's house. We almost didn't make it. We had been spending lots of time at the hospital since G's dad had been in surgery earlier that week. We arrived only 15 mins before countdown time! And that was really too late to explain to people my family/culture's tradition of jumping into the new year. Ah well, there were far too many people there anyway. I would have had to get on the microphone to tell them all. So G and I jumped alone. Not sure if anyone saw us. There was a lot of excitement.
It was a great party. A DJ & a live band. Seafood paella (with lobster). And I got to see a Colombian (?) tradition I hadn't seen before -- the burning of the Old Year doll. Then there were fireworks (and lots of smoke - cough, cough) and inside people were dancing (us too).
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The Denver Snow
The next day I was on my way back home to Colorado and all that snow. Funny thing... I had planned how to get home (my neighbor picked me up from the airport) but I ended up being snowed in once I got home because my driveway was covered in snow and ice. Thankfully a friend dug me out (thanks again Gabe!!) in time to go pick up George when he arrived home.
I'm actually totally digging the snow. The only craving I have had the entire pregnancy hasn't been any kind of food, it's been snow. I've had this urge to see lots of thick, heavy, beautiful snow like I remembered from my childhood winters in the Alps etc.. I was so bummed I had missed the blizzard(s) of 2006, and knowing Colorado, I thought it all was going to have melted off by the time I got back. But the weirdest thing has happened... we've been having continuous, frigid temps, and it has snowed once a week (for like 8 weeks straight) ever since I got back. So it's all piled up and we only just started seeing the street again recently. I don't have pics (though I should) of all the winter beauty. But my photog friends, Teddi & Keith, have some pictures from the blizzard. (here, here, and here are some fun shots of the empty supermarket shelves as a result of the storms.)
The only winter pics I have from this season are the ones I took with my cell phone before I went to FL. They were from a smaller storm in November.
I was so craving snow, that at the time I was really excited to have a blanket of a few inches. Now that seems like nothing. Sorry for the lowsy quality, but G had the camera in FL with him. I'll try to get some real shots of my own before it's all gone. Not likely that that'll happen anytime soon. Although we're up in the 50s this week and we're finally starting to get some significant melting, I think I heard the weather peeps talking about yet another weekly snowstorm coming our way. The worst part of it is that it screws us up for people who come to our house for salsa class, Lost-viewing parties, and our upcoming Mardi Gras party. G has had to dig up along the street to make some room for parking! Hopefully he doesn't have to do that again after this next storm!
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Thoughts on Pregnancy
There are lots of things that people prepare (read: scare) you for when you will become pregnant. Most have to do with either morning sickness or the horrors of childbirth. But there are lots of things that people seem never to mention, things that I have been surprised to experience. I thought I'd give you all a little peep into what those things are. Warning... this is a lot of reading!
1. Pregnancy is an exercise in patience.
This is a waiting game. No one ever tells you that those 9 (10) months will be an absolute eternity. Think about it. When have you ever had to wait 40 weeks for a decision to become reality? That's a heckuva long time! And in that time your mind goes through all kinds of mental & emotional states. First you have elation (hopefully) at the news that you will soon become a parent. Yippee! It's finally that time in your life! It's all about to happen! It's happening soon, right? And then that starts to wear off as you try to settle into the "normalcy" of day to day pregnant life. You tell yourself to chill out and that you will have to be patient and wait for this exciting thing to actually happen, so even though you feel like it's happening right now, because you only just found out 2 weeks ago, you have to control yourself and not mention it to every person you see every time you see them (every phone conversation and every email). That's a real exercise of will power! Then after that you start reading some books -- well you have some time to prepare for the arrival, so you might as well study up, after all it's all you can ever think about even if you try not to let on -- and some (all) of these books will scare you. You start to think about the way your body is changing and the way your life is changing and the way nothing will ever be the same. You look at your husband and wonder if your relationship will be the same. And fear sets in. You know, 9 (10) months is a long time to stew over all the possible ways your decision may have been right or wrong. For some of you this will be because of your ability to parent. For others you are scared to death of what will happen with your body during and after the delivery. And then there are the fears of what may or may not be wrong with your baby. It's no wonder that pregnant women have lucid nightmares. It's a loooooooooooooooong, drawn out, stressful time! Oh sure, there are the hallmark moments too, like seeing your baby (or blobby in my case -- only 5 weeks along) on the ultrasound. Hearing the heartbeat, feeling the movements, etc., etc.. But we all know about that stuff. No one talks about how flipping long 9 months is! Maybe it's just because I'm an instant gratification kind of girl. I make a decision and immediately go with it. But all this waiting is really hard on me and really messes with my mind. I think I would have been better off if the human gestation period were only a few weeks. Then I was still filled with optimism and excitement, and I wasn't cranky and tired from all the lost sleep due to pregnancy discomfort.
2. Pregnancy is uh LOT like puberty.
There is something good to gain out of it at the end, but it's difficult to get through, but those who've been through it before you have forgotten how difficult it was and can largely be dismissive of the difficulties. Your body is changing, physically, and some of these changes will be forever. The way you see yourself is changing. It's a transitional period. Puberty brought you from childhood naivety to sexual maturity. The natural purpose of your body became to engage in sexual activity. Now that has changed again, from sexual to pure life support for a little human parasite. You are a vessel and a nutrition center now. Those sexy curves you had (all the better to carry the baby with, my dear) and those beautiful breasts that used to be for catching the attention of men (all the better to feed the baby with, my dear.) This is a profound change! At least it is for me. A change from aesthetics to function. And then there are the hormones. Oh goodness! Mood swings and random crying. Short temper and grumpiness. Remember how irritable you were as a teen? And your body is also going through all kinds of strange new sensations. Some of the sensations are good and some range from irritating to utterly painful. And some sensations are almost identical to puberty, growing breasts for instance.
3. All pregnancy and parenting books highlight the negative, the scary, and the frustrating aspects of maternity and parenthood.
Oh sure, many newer books do it with a wry sense of humor. The thought is that we're in this modern place where we need to acknowledge the bad because it'll do us good. There was a time where that was true. I mean I think it's incredibly unhealthy to pretend everything is peachy to a point where you become delusional. But that time has passed now. We've long been allowed to talk about the bad. And it's almost all we talk about anymore. (Check out the local Barnes & Noble for proof.) At some point we are just dragging ourselves down with all this fear and whining. At some point we need to focus on the positive and the exciting. As someone who struggles with depression (those hormones sure ain't helping with that) and someone who doesn't get into all the usual, silly, fun baby stuff (like showers and such), I know that I need to find material that balances me out. After months of filling my brain with all the possible dangers and struggles ahead, I need to find happy stuff to read. But that's damned near impossible. I've searched the internet and the bookstore. Very little can be found. The best I could do was "Chicken Soup For the Expectant Mother's Soul" and even that had some of that oh-so-modern-acknowledging-the-bad-parenting-sucks-but-it's-worth-it-wink-wink-ha-ha stuff in it. You know, maybe this is why we are built to carry children when we are really young. Remember how invincible you were then? Remember how everything seemed possible and you knew all the answers? Maybe, mentally, we're more prepared for this at a younger age. We're not as susceptible to all the negative because we just don't want to listen to it. Sure, maybe the reality is a bigger shock to the younger mother, but younger people adjust and bounce back pretty well.
Not that I've experienced this one yet, but I'm reading that,
4. Labor doesn't begin right before the baby pops out.
It starts days before. "Prelabor." Contractions are strong and similar to labor pains, but apparently you will "just know" the difference when the real ones come. Actually, to tell you the truth, the contractions are happening throughout pregnancy, they just aren't that strong early on. And the stronger ones that happen early on aren't exactly painful. They make your belly feel super tight and stretched, like you are about to burst -- it's amazing how "burst-y" you will feel. I have had some fairly sharp pains associated with some of my contractions, but apparently I'm just someone who hurts a lot. :)
5. Being period-free for 40 weeks is ABSOLUTE HEAVEN!
Nuff said.
6. You can read or hear it described from a thousand sources, but you will never understand what fetal movement feels like till you experience it.
Flutters, popcorn popping, a fish swimming around. None seemed right to me. It is the strangest thing to feel. It is exciting, delightful, reassuring, and often annoying. It can make you feel like you can't breathe, or you have to pee (depending on the direction of the kicks) or you have some kind of weird muscle spasm. And you will be able to see your stomach move before your hubby can even detect it with his hand. At least I did.
7. You will become immediately attached to the unborn baby, and any potential threat that occurs is emotionally overwhelming, even from the beginning.
George's feet fell (slipped off the arm of the couch) on my stomach fairly early on in my pregnancy, and I cried for hours until I felt the baby move again. I had had such a matter-of-fact attitude towards the pregnancy and the potential of miscarriage etc. didn't seem to scare me. It was all natural, and if it was meant to be it would be. Then this happened and it shocked me. When had I fallen in love with this being that I didn't even know? When did I become so protective over something that still didn't even seem real to me at all?
8. If you are having a difficult or uncomfortable pregnancy, everyone you talk to will invariably be someone who thought pregnancy was a breeze.
"Oh you're having a rough time, are in lots of pain, and throwing your brains up every five minutes? That's too bad. My pregnancy was so easy. I barely even noticed it. And childbirth was virtually pain-free."
9. Childbirth is looking less scary and more like a relief!
As scared as you think you might be about childbirth, you can really start to look forward to it. Pregnancy, for most people, is downright uncomfortable. Exciting, and fun, but uncomfortable. And it's much worse than that for many others. But not only am I looking forward to the day when I can finally do some external bonding with my already wriggling child, I am desperate for the feeling of being a single identity again, to eat the foods and drink the drinks I can't now, to sleep on my belly or my back without worries or discomforts (I am not a side sleeper -- but you are told you have to for the baby's sake), to be free of my occasional morning sickness and my constant joint pain. And you know what? I am actually looking forward to the challenge of childbirth. I know you all think I am nuts and that I must be so afraid or so brave to do a home birth with no medical interventions and no painkillers. But I am neither. I just know I can deal with it. I know the pain may be immense, but it'll be temporary, and I am convinced I can take it. I'm excited for the test, because I know I am going to succeed. Bring it on!
10. Maternity clothes are not sized for women who don't become huge all over.
If you are like me and your body isn't ballooning up like crazy, you will find it darn near impossible to locate a pair of pants that fit your expanding belly and are slim enough in the leg. Most of them are absolutely huge and saggy in the butt area. Any pants I have bought that fit my legs are uncomfortably tight across my belly.
11. Regular maternity stores don't carry bras big enough for women who were already busty before they got pregnant.
I'm wearing mostly sports bras as a result, though I have started looking online for large enough nursing bras.
And then there are the things you have been told but maybe didn't believe...
1. You will be asked the same set of questions over and over again.
What's the sex? What sex do you want? Names? Décor? Breast or bottle? Epidural?
2. People you don't even know very well will ask you very personal questions.
Was it planned? Were you trying? How long were you trying? Are you happy or upset about it? Are you excited? How many weeks are you (i.e. how many weeks ago was the deed done)? What names are you considering? How much weight have you gained? Are you more or less horny?
3. People will put their hands on your stomach whether you want them to or not.
Every time I go somewhere I think to myself, ok, how many hands do we think we're going to get tonight?
4. No matter how many people say you should never assume someone is pregnant by looking at them, you will be asked your due date by complete strangers who don't even say hello first.
And I guess this will continue postpartum as that baby belly takes some time to spring back and you will continue to look pregnant for some time after. (Bummer, I guess I won't want to wear all those tight-fitting maternity clothes anymore that show off my belly.)
5. People will GUSH over you.
I know I am a grouch, but this gets to me. I just don't feel comfortable being gushed over. And no, so far, I am not a blimp. I am thinner (except my belly & boobs) than when I started out because of the weightloss from morning sickness. So people won't stop talking about how amazing I look and how cute my belly is and how I am glowing. You know, ok, I do look pretty ok for a pregnant chick, but there is no need to gush. And most of it is all in your heads. I look like me except my belly is distended. And I don't think I am glowing at all. I think that's all make up.
6. People will give you unsolicited advice.
And everyone, but everyone has the answer to morning sickness. Ginger, ginger ale, crackers, eating often, eating small... It doesn't matter if you tell everyone repeatedly that your biggest problem (the one that causes you to not eat and to therefore feel more sick) is your severe food aversions. Unfortunately no one seems to have an answer for that one.
7. You can smell everything.
Oh sure, people always talk about food smells that will turn you off. But it's not just that. Your sense of smell will become SUPER human. In any gathering of people you will smell not so fresh breath and body smells coming at you from every direction. And these are hygene-conscious people we're talking about. You can just smell every hint of an odor.
8. You will constantly forget how big you are.
You will bump into people and things, and when you sit down you will be surprised to feel your belly resting on your legs. I don't know how many times I have had to tell myself not to bother looking, it's not one of our cats, it's my unborn baby sitting in my lap.
9. You are getting very, very sleeeeeeepy...
You maybe be a devout anti-napper, like me, but during pregnancy you have no choice. And the most surprising part? This can happen from really early on. I've never been capable of naps, yet I was exhausted & napping off & on from like 6 weeks!
You know, this list is definitely not exhaustive. It could go on and on. But I think I will spare you more for now. And for those of you who will want to know what's actually going on with me & the pregnancy...
I'm doing well, mostly. Still dancing & teaching. Still haven't found out the sex, still don't know if we're going to. Have started shopping for baby things, but we don't have much yet. 10 weeks left today -- but I am told I come from a line of early birthers, so I'm expecting maybe 8 weeks? I am excited but I am also terrified and I have had fairly severe anxiety attacks over the last several weeks. (please don't send me reassuring emails that I will be/do great, I'm prone to emotional difficulties and the hormones haven't helped, so rational thoughts about how much I will love my baby and be the best mom ever aren't going to help -- it's just how I am built.) I'm still not eating like crazy or gaining lots of weight. I lost 11 lbs and now gained 17 lbs, which means overall I've only gained 6, but my midwife doesn't seem too worried. I'm achy & I waddle and my body seems to have developed a new sleep (non-sleep) schedule where I am up between 5 and 6 every morning (no matter how late I went to bed). Baby is moving around a lot and I can see my belly changing shapes all the time. I have gotten so used to it, it will be weird not to feel it anymore after Baby is born. We're making headway on the names. Male names are narrowed down to a couple of choices (not sharing tho), but we haven't gotten far at all on female names.
By the way, I don't anticipate contacting each and every one of you individually when the baby is born. George might, who knows, but he's not a shout it out kind of guy. So I figure this will be as good a place as any to spread the word. Be checking back here for the news of the little one's arrival.
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