Let me just vent a while about maternity shopping. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and kick up your feet...
Who in the hell designs maternity clothes? No one. Or at least no one anyone has heard of. Moreover, no one who has a friggin clue about fashion. Who says that because you're pregnant and need to buy a temporary wardrobe that you can't be cute and pregnant? WTF?!?! I just don't understand. I have seriously contemplated starting my own maternity line- cute and affordable. Listen, I don't need the ultimate quality here, just some nice softer fabric (not weird patterned polyester) and cute designs, and OPTIONS!! Again, just because this wardrobe is temporary, this doesn't mean we should be forced to choose from 5 items. Really, there is NOTHING to pick from. Even stores that have maternity lines have literally 2-3 racks or a tiny corner of the store with a couple items. Oh! I'm sorry the 6 ugly shirts you have to pick from don't suit my taste and I'm NOT spending money on some fugly temporary wardrobe. Unacceptable. The disappointment was profound. PROFOUND! What was really interesting was that the lines seemed to appeal to those age groups in say, their 40's-50's...but you don't really see a lot of that age group pregnant now do you. So let's get some young, proactive people on board here to pump out some decent lines. And the selection...COME ON!!!! If I'm having a hard time choosing a pair of pants from a selection of 20 when I'm not with child, how in the hell am I supposed to select a pair of pants when there are 2 styles and 3 colors? Really? Really? Apparently when females get pregnant, we no longer have the wide variety of body types. "Make it work." "It's temporary; just get it." Are just a few of the phrases I've heard. Excuse me? You would never say that when you were out shopping for yourself when you're not preggers, so how could you speak such blasphemy to me? And me, of all people. Don't say that shit to me. It only makes me more angry about the situation presenting itself to me.
Obviously my experience, even at the MOA was memorable, but not a good memorable...more like a nightmare.
Problem 1) I went with no plan and alone. I had NO idea what stores to go to or where they were. Basically I walked about 12 miles that day and didn't even spend my allotted allowance for clothes. Did you hear that? I didn't even spend all the money I had to spend. THAT is how bad it was.
Problem 2) I had no moral support to get me through this "tough time" of bad shopping. I was in so much shock, I could barely function. It was like an alcoholic getting lost in a liquor store...how is that possible? Ok, bad analogy...my humor has suffered during this pregnancy. :)
Problem 3) My shoulders/upper back hurt soooooo bad, I was literally almost crying. Apparently I need to acquire either a new bra with ginormous straps or acquire someone to carry my boobs while I walk around.
Problems 4-10) Maternity shopping sucks. See above complaints.
Solution 1: CALL IN THE TROOPS!! Thank God, my sister randomly was in the cities. Basically I begged her to "save me" at the MOA. She put on her cape and came to my rescue. After arriving I hear, "Kara! I did NOT come all this way to hear you bitch the whole time. It can't be that bad." Oh oh oh, was she wrong. It was that bad and shortly she was brought up to speed and had a take-back to those previously mentioned comments. After Cinnabun and a lengthy shoulder rub from my favorite sister, we rallied to finish the excursion.
Solution 2: Buy a size bigger...should last for most of the pregnancy and as I near the end, pick up some true maternity items. (Except for the pants...those I need now.)
HOW WE ENDED OUR MOA TRIP: With the sales executive at Motherhood Maternity telling me "good luck finding a bra with those proportions." Really? JUST what I needed to hear. Awesome. See below for further complaints on this topic.
BOOBS: An E, really? I'm 5 friggin months and a 34 E, a measured 34 E. This makes me want to cry because these knockers are only going to get MUCH bigger, especially when I'm breast feeding. Already my shoulders and back have been suffering. :( I understand and can appreciate I do NOT have the biggest rack in the world so WHERE IN THE HELL do these big busted beauties shop? Unfortunately, it's not the E that makes it difficult to find a bra...it's the ratio of a 34 to an E. "Good luck." So I start a little online searching. Nordstroms is literally the only department store that carries this size...for $70 minimum. UGH!! Screw job. So I seek out cheaper options on the internet- online shopping at a bra place. Ok, again, when I shop for bras (as do MOST females), we pick out 20 bras, annoyingly and frustratingly try them all on, doing the jump and jiggle, and bend-over test to find MAYBE 1 bra that works...how in the hell do they expect me to order a bra online???? Brings tears to my eyes. Oh, and after 34DD, would you expect me to be a 34DDD or a 34E? This site had 34DDD and 34DDDD and then 34E, but that was the only size that went so high with the quadruple lettering...THANK YOU for making my life even more confusing. Decision: avoid buying a bra as long as possible and hope they stop growing until I need nursing bras...and pray that I don't bust out of every shirt I own (pun intended). So get on the prayers sisters!!!
Enough about shoppping...for now anyway.
Throughout this whole pregnancy I have felt rather on top of the world. No, really, I've felt like Mary, like "the chosen one." I've felt like I am the priviledged one who was allowed to be pregnant (which is not too far from the truth in some senses). And then I look around and see 1 trillion females with belly bumps or kids on their hips. Sadly, I'm humbled and brought back to reality. So many females (gazillions in fact) have gone through this same experience, but no one really talks about it that much. That fact is kind of mind boggling to me- how is it that when we are creating life inside us, no one talks about it, but when a friend of a friend said something that may have been interpreted as sassy, the whole world knows. So odd, our culture. Creating life vs friend of a friend's sassy misinterpreted sassy comment...hmmmm... So, the more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not special, but I do smile because I AM in fact honored to experience this amazing, life-altering event of creating/incubating life. Wow. :)
Other than a horrid shopping experience, big boobs, and my newly humbled state, I've felt well- tired but incubating life is a lot of work ;)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Week 18: It's a ....
My appetite is back to normal, but with a few food aversions (mostly the things giving me reflux like pizza and anything red peppers).
BEST WEEK EVER!!! We had the ultrasound this week...
Current stats: Baby girl 10 oz, me = 152 lbs, boobs = 34E, yes, a FUCKING E!!!
BEST WEEK EVER!!! We had the ultrasound this week...
Current stats: Baby girl 10 oz, me = 152 lbs, boobs = 34E, yes, a FUCKING E!!!
Week 17: just our anniversary... :)
Not much new to report this week. I feel great. No cravings this week. I'm getting very anxious for movement since this is about the time I may start to feel Omar squirrel around. Nothing yet though. I've still got minor complaints (of course...haha) of back, tailbone, and ligament pain, but it's not too bad.
It was our 4 yr wedding anniversary this week. We didn't have any plans which was exactly the kind of plans we wanted. :) Perfect. :) I'd say after 9 years of dating and 4 years of marriage, this was my favorite anniversary- with a home, a baby on board, and my hubby, I could think of nothing more I could have wanted.
It was our 4 yr wedding anniversary this week. We didn't have any plans which was exactly the kind of plans we wanted. :) Perfect. :) I'd say after 9 years of dating and 4 years of marriage, this was my favorite anniversary- with a home, a baby on board, and my hubby, I could think of nothing more I could have wanted.
Week 16: first belly pics
HEY!!!! Ooooo! I'm feeling good! In fact, I don't even feel pregnant other than my front side seems to be growing exponentially.
Minor complaints (cause there's always something to complain about...haha)- a little round ligament and back pain have started.
Super excited we received a couple of gifts- one from Ariane (a frame for our ultrasound pic) and one from Amy (belly lotion, toy clips, and onesies). Gifts sure do make this whole thing seem more real because to date I have not bought anything for Omar.
I took my first set of pregnancy belly pics.
Getting settled in our house sure takes time, but we're totally loving having our own place. Jamie and I spent a day working VERY hard outside. Picked up a truckload of black dirt to make my 10x20 ft veggie garden. Let me tell you unloading that was a total bitch. About 1/2 way through Jamie was sitting on the cab taking a break as I continued to shovel dirt off the truck in my barefeet. Jamie comments, "I hope no one drives by and sees my barefoot and pregnant wife unloading this dirt while I'm sitting here watching." Hahaha. We also got a truckbed full of rock to unload in the front for landscaping. Anywho, I got my veggies planted and was happy as can be. For my first garden, I planted 3 tomato plants (cherry, beefsteak, and a Roma type), 4 cucumber plants (2 to eat and 2 to pickle...so I suppose I should learn how to do that), a blackberry and raspberry bush, peas, green beans, 1 yellow squash, 1 zucchini, 2 red pepper, 2 yellow pepper, 3 chiles, 1 jalapeno, and 1 poblano, and 3 onions (yes, don't mock me and my 3 onions... I just wanted something underground). :) VERY excited. :)
Minor complaints (cause there's always something to complain about...haha)- a little round ligament and back pain have started.
Super excited we received a couple of gifts- one from Ariane (a frame for our ultrasound pic) and one from Amy (belly lotion, toy clips, and onesies). Gifts sure do make this whole thing seem more real because to date I have not bought anything for Omar.
I took my first set of pregnancy belly pics.
Getting settled in our house sure takes time, but we're totally loving having our own place. Jamie and I spent a day working VERY hard outside. Picked up a truckload of black dirt to make my 10x20 ft veggie garden. Let me tell you unloading that was a total bitch. About 1/2 way through Jamie was sitting on the cab taking a break as I continued to shovel dirt off the truck in my barefeet. Jamie comments, "I hope no one drives by and sees my barefoot and pregnant wife unloading this dirt while I'm sitting here watching." Hahaha. We also got a truckbed full of rock to unload in the front for landscaping. Anywho, I got my veggies planted and was happy as can be. For my first garden, I planted 3 tomato plants (cherry, beefsteak, and a Roma type), 4 cucumber plants (2 to eat and 2 to pickle...so I suppose I should learn how to do that), a blackberry and raspberry bush, peas, green beans, 1 yellow squash, 1 zucchini, 2 red pepper, 2 yellow pepper, 3 chiles, 1 jalapeno, and 1 poblano, and 3 onions (yes, don't mock me and my 3 onions... I just wanted something underground). :) VERY excited. :)
Week 15: Mother's Day
Sunday was Mother's Day. Jamie bought me THE sweetest card which made me cry in the Mall of America, and along with that he gave me the over-the-ear Bose headphones I've been wanting for a super long time. The perfect present is what he gave me. This way Omar can listen to tunes too. How thoughtful! That is why I love that man. :)
We had the Breast Cancer Walk at the Mall of America as well. What a profound experience. 7500 people did the run along with Jamie and Otter (who got 18th or so), and over 30,000 people did the walk. A sea of pink and all for one cause...simply amazing.
While at the MOA, I picked up a belly band and sleep bras. The belly band is an elastic band placed over an open zipper/button so I can wear my regular pants longer. The problem? Who the hell wants to see (via spandex) that my fly is wide open...not exactly difficult to see when all the shirts I have are tight. With loose shirts, they work great though.
Seems my cravings change...this week is creamy soups including broccoli and cheese, french onion, and cream of chicken and wild rice. :) Fantastic
Got crackin on the lotion application. Twice a day to the belly and boobs. Gotta do my best at preventing those stretch marks.
Current stats: 150 lbs (5 lb weight gain), and boobs are bigger :)
We had the Breast Cancer Walk at the Mall of America as well. What a profound experience. 7500 people did the run along with Jamie and Otter (who got 18th or so), and over 30,000 people did the walk. A sea of pink and all for one cause...simply amazing.
While at the MOA, I picked up a belly band and sleep bras. The belly band is an elastic band placed over an open zipper/button so I can wear my regular pants longer. The problem? Who the hell wants to see (via spandex) that my fly is wide open...not exactly difficult to see when all the shirts I have are tight. With loose shirts, they work great though.
Seems my cravings change...this week is creamy soups including broccoli and cheese, french onion, and cream of chicken and wild rice. :) Fantastic
Got crackin on the lotion application. Twice a day to the belly and boobs. Gotta do my best at preventing those stretch marks.
Current stats: 150 lbs (5 lb weight gain), and boobs are bigger :)
Week 14: EAST COAST VISITOR!! :)
Yup, Steph came for a visit!!! We were so amped to see her, but still so exhausted. We closed on Friday and picked up Steph on Saturday. Poor girl is all I have to say. WELCOME to our messy home with crap everywhere, no food, and no fun = theme of the week. Her visit consisted of conferencing, lots of cooking of wonderful food (Jamie was thankful!), and TV.
It was SUPER great to start turning the corner and feeling better so I could eat wonderful amazing food that I had missed so much. :) Oh food, welcome back, how I've longed for you. :) Eating with a vengence too- this week my appetite was that of a teenage boy again. My fatigue and GERD have also improved. Woo hoo!!!
I LOVE TRIMESTER 2!!!!! :):):)
It was SUPER great to start turning the corner and feeling better so I could eat wonderful amazing food that I had missed so much. :) Oh food, welcome back, how I've longed for you. :) Eating with a vengence too- this week my appetite was that of a teenage boy again. My fatigue and GERD have also improved. Woo hoo!!!
I LOVE TRIMESTER 2!!!!! :):):)
weeks 12-13: extreme fatigue
Well holy smokes...it was during this time, Jamie and I moved onto the next phase in life = homeowners. Packing wasn't really in the cards...thinking we could just laundry-basket-move. Well that's great and all, but unpacking clusterfuck laundry baskets into a place where I have no idea where things are going is not the brightest idea we've had. Nonetheless that didn't stop us from doing just that- laundry-basket-moving...idiots. Thank goodness for Kenny and Brad who came to help us one day...Kenny and I packed and the boys loaded the vehicles and then they unloaded while we unpacked. It was pretty slick. Unfortunately there was a TON left to do, and we were left to it alone. I, feeling pretty terrible and so super exhausted, along with Jamie, packed up our belongings and moved on. It was really rough- we were so tired, and basically at each other's throat by the end of the week. So so so happy to be in our own place. :)
I hate reflux. My symptoms = bloating, belching, and a constant dull epigastric ache = blah! This really makes me finicky...and I'm still not cooking...poor Jamie.
All I want is chocoloate milk and pop tarts, and OJ too. No meat, no broccoli. And for dessert? Tums.
Still sooooooo tired.
I CAN.NOT.GET.RID of these tensions headaches. I have at least one a week. :( Dr Zimmer got another visit and I hit up an hour long massage too...cracking wins for the best treatment.
I met with Tiffany, my personal trainer to discuss a workout regimen fit for a pregnant lady. Basically it's ok to work out like I was but beware of loose joints, dizziness, and balance issues. Alrighty then. Now if I can just acquire the motivation...
We had a Doppler US which was really great. Each time we're in for a visit, I just feel so much better. Progress, progress. :) This one hit a little close to home, particularly for Jamie. Sadly, this week we found out Jenny and Tyler lost the twins, thus making our experience pretty bittersweet and emotional. It's hard to be happy when someone we love will never have what we are experiencing... And then to think we have a world full of undeserved/unwanted pregnancies...pretty much makes me/us sick. So on that chipper note...
Continuing to dream about a boy.
I hate reflux. My symptoms = bloating, belching, and a constant dull epigastric ache = blah! This really makes me finicky...and I'm still not cooking...poor Jamie.
All I want is chocoloate milk and pop tarts, and OJ too. No meat, no broccoli. And for dessert? Tums.
Still sooooooo tired.
I CAN.NOT.GET.RID of these tensions headaches. I have at least one a week. :( Dr Zimmer got another visit and I hit up an hour long massage too...cracking wins for the best treatment.
I met with Tiffany, my personal trainer to discuss a workout regimen fit for a pregnant lady. Basically it's ok to work out like I was but beware of loose joints, dizziness, and balance issues. Alrighty then. Now if I can just acquire the motivation...
We had a Doppler US which was really great. Each time we're in for a visit, I just feel so much better. Progress, progress. :) This one hit a little close to home, particularly for Jamie. Sadly, this week we found out Jenny and Tyler lost the twins, thus making our experience pretty bittersweet and emotional. It's hard to be happy when someone we love will never have what we are experiencing... And then to think we have a world full of undeserved/unwanted pregnancies...pretty much makes me/us sick. So on that chipper note...
Continuing to dream about a boy.
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