In honor of Thanksgiving…..

I believe Thanksgiving is much like Valentine’s day.  Why only one day do we need to reflect on being thankful?  Being thankful should be a lifestyle.  What a great gift to pass on to your future generations (did I mention it’s free?)!  In our house we aren’t rich and life hasn’t always been smooth, however, we are always thankful for what we DO have.  Because of this, my children are some of the most giving children I know (I’m not just bragging I promise).  There is always someone in a worse position!

You may have a tough pregnancy (Oh, can I tell you about that), you may be struggling to get pregnant, or you may  have a sick child.  There is always something to be thankful for.  You will find when you start with the little things (yes, as simple as a dry, warm house), the bigger things come to mind.  Your attitude and heart are changed.

I dare you to ponder those things you are thankful for with a scowl on your face.  Can you do it?  I thought not:)  Go, pass on the attitude of gratitude to those around you, especially that one person who always irks you.

An amazing organization with a fantastic product out to do good in this world.  What could be better?  Please go to their website and see how you can be involved in helping babies around this world grow up instead of being a statistic.

The Embrace incubator

You always hear “the experts” telling you to ask questions.  Weren’t we raised to be nice girls?  We aren’t supposed to question those in authority (for all the schooling the doctors sure do deserve some authority haha).  I always viewed myself as being informed and asking all the questions I had, especially with the complications pregnancy brings to my life.

Maybe it’s the fact it’s number four, or perhaps I feel empowered by the books I am studying to become a doula.  I don’t know for sure.  I have asked any question that has come into my head without hesitation.  I find myself speaking up more.  Example, your random fact for the day….Did you know the blood pressure cuff doesn’t actually measure your heart?  I thought it measured the intake and outflow at the heart.  The top number is the number when the blood starts flowing through the cuff and the bottom number is when blood is fully flowing.  I just learned that one last week and it was by asking.  Although I love those caring for me and would recommend them to anyone, I feel like I have some control over my health (my PICC line is a great example of that one!  I was persistent and got it.)

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they are as silly as how a blood pressure cuff works.  I have found the nurses and doctors are more than happy to explain it to you.  If they aren’t, it is time to find others who do.  You deserve good care!  Think of this as good practice.  If your child’s teacher mentions your child having a hard time at school, wouldn’t you ask tons of questions?  In a way, not only are you advocating for your own body, but you are beginning to be the advocate for that little baby swimming in your uterus.  If you feel lost or timid, visit your local library.  There is such great power in books!  The Birth Partner is a fantastic book to get you started.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions!  The more you ask, the empower you will be to make good choices for you and your baby.

Do you give yourself permission to relax?  I am a doer and it drives my hubby batty sometimes.  I cannot watch a movie without doing something else at the same time.  I feel so lazy when I am just watching t.v and doing nothing else.  These last few weeks I have been having to give myself A LOT of liberty to relax.  I think my laptop is getting kinda lonely.  Somedays, my sweet hubby has to give me permission and promise to clean or make dinner.  As moms in general we need to give ourselves the freedeom more often to care for ourselves.  When we are pregnant, this can mean the difference between being a nice pregnant lady, or a hormonal crazy lady.  Can you imagine all the energy your body needs to grow another person?  Make sure to take some time everyday to get a quick catnap or even to meditate for 10 minutes.  As my hubby told me today, we need a happy mommy so we have a happy baby.  Just think of it this way, when you are agitated or upset, the biochemical stuff in your body goes to the baby.  When you are happy, those endorphins go to the baby.  Wouldn’t you rather have a smiling baby then one that is always fussy?  Be kind to yourself, this is a time when your body really needs all the kindness it can get.  If you find it hard, I give you permission.  You can blame it on me.

i have a question for you. Would you or have you gotten married while visibly pregnant? Today i came across maternity wedding dresses. i know, i know, not so taboo anymore. i have never actually seen or heard of someone visibly pregnant getting married.

i do have to confess i was a pregnant bride. i use the term bride loosely however. We didn’t want to deal with the finances or hassle of planning a wedding (have you ever seen the show Bridezilla? That would have been me!). On July 18th, i found myself at the Justice of the Peace in a cute summer dress from Walmart($8.88 mind you), my hubby to be, my 6 month old Chandlur, 3 friends, and about 6 weeks pregnant.  At the time not very many knew about our little Cozette on the way because we didn’t want people thinking that was why we were getting married.  If i was showing, i think it would have felt weird though.

What do you think?  Would you/have you waited until baby came to get married?  Are you a confident woman who wears a maternity wedding dress with the grace of a queen?