I talked with Aunt SW, today. She wholeheartedly agreed to stay with us for a few days after the baby is born to help out!! What a relief!!!!!!! I know others will be by to help, but she's the only one that will be able to stay to help. Of course I just thought of my mother-in-law, who, if able, will stay too, but she's got a work schedule and I'll take her when I can get her, like a second shift, this will give her some time to make arrangements with work and such! I think that will cover the postpartum doula need!
I just heard that the high-chair funds have been raised by a group of Rob's co-workers, yeah!! I'm really excited! It's a great chair and has a long future with us as it adjusts to hold an adult up to 250#s, when not being used for a child!
I saw my good friends L. and B., and their 3 beautiful children today!! It's been far too long. Their littlest, 7 month old V. seemed to like me from the get go, even though she shies away from her own Gramma and she'd never met me, so that felt great!!! Then L. gifted me their little used play yard and a tank top! It's been a good day! Also, B. still works with a number of people that I miss and hope to reconnect with. He was telling me who he still has contact with and I got all excited, because when I think of the good friends that I have lost contact with, so many of them are from Borders, where I worked with B. and L. and these others. Sometimes, I'm glad the world is as small as it is!
I spoke with Dr. P about traveling to my family reunion in July, she said that as long as I was healthy and not dilated, that it wouldn't be a problem. She likes to encourage family things and even seemed excited for me! I spoke with her about a water birth and laboring in the birth tub, she was supportive of that too! Love it!!!
Last weekend we had a little impromptu yard sale of my mom's stuff. We made about $75. I plan on putting the money in a savings account for the baby, or if we need it for something for the baby, it'll be considered a gift from Gramma MW. My Aunt S. and my friend A. came over and helped put everything out in the yard and A. was able to stay and help put stuff away, the next day the Salvation Army came and picked up most of the left overs. Pretty much all I have left is the stuff that I didn't want to give the SA and her clothes. Aunt S is coming over again tomorrow to help shift stuff and get things sorted for "future actions"! I meant to ask Aunt SW if she wanted to come over too, maybe I'll call her in the morning! While the upstairs still looks like a disaster, we're making progress down stairs and it's only a matter of time before the upstairs is affected as we do the "mighty shift of stuff"! This blog helps keep the progress obvious!
As hard of a time that I've had emotionally these last few weeks, there are these good things and I just have to remember to focus on these things!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
#12 Photography and Postpartum Doula
I admit that while I'm not a fan of my body when not covered in clothing, I would like to document the experience of pregnancy through photography. I do have plans to have someone (?) belly cast me, but I'd love a beautiful photograph. Something by a professional who knows how to airbrush blemishes and stretch marks and use lighting to my full advantage!! I go from feeling like a goddess; creating life, powerful, beautiful, sexy, and strong, to feeling like I have no control over my emotions, body, life, or home, feeling fat and awkward, and with no job, I feel like I have to ask permission to buy necessities that Husband doesn't think of (he doesn't want me to feel like I need permission and has recently given me a bit of money to spend as I need to!). I just want to document my beautiful, sexy, pregnant body and eventually forget about all the other crap! (I also want Daddy included in the photo shoot.) I've decided to ask for it as a gift, because we just can't afford it ourselves - it doesn't make the list of "need". I googled "pregnancy photography tacoma" and "maternity photography tacoma". I found some really impressive stuff between Seattle/(article about phgrphr) and Olympia. One in Tacoma, but I'm not sure if she does the touch ups that I'll need, Lakewood, no listing of packages or prices, another near me, more affordable. Of course, if this is gifted then I'll go where I get! (note: there are 6 sites linked here) I would like to ask that if you decide to gift a photo shoot, that: touch ups are available, there is a studio, and maybe that the photographer has experience with plus size models.
The other thing that I want, especially reflecting on the last blog entry is a postpartum doula. My friend Amy has a friend, Debbie, that I re-met recently, who, I believe, knows about the circumstances of my Mom, so might give us a friend/sympathy discount, don't really know, but I think I might follow up soon and update this entry later with more info on that! (long sentence!!) This is also a splurge and we probably wont be spending our own money on this, so it goes strictly on the gift list!
The other thing that I want, especially reflecting on the last blog entry is a postpartum doula. My friend Amy has a friend, Debbie, that I re-met recently, who, I believe, knows about the circumstances of my Mom, so might give us a friend/sympathy discount, don't really know, but I think I might follow up soon and update this entry later with more info on that! (long sentence!!) This is also a splurge and we probably wont be spending our own money on this, so it goes strictly on the gift list!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
#11 Mother's Day and updates
Yesterday was quite full! It started at 10am, I called my friend April, who had agreed to go North with me. I asked her if she could reschedule her 1:15 appointment for earlier, alas, she could not, but did realize that her appointment was for 1:00, all of this to get up to Seattle for a 1:00 DVD signing of one of Rob's favorite new shows on Adult Swim, "Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job". I called Scarecrow Video (the host of the signing) and they were kind enough to reserve a copy and have it signed if I didn't get there early enough! We did end up getting there in time. Tim was unenthusiastic, Eric was kind and thanked us for coming, their regular guest on the show, David, was flirtatious with April and wrote all over the paper part of the DVD cover, over the other autographs, and included both his home and cell phone numbers!! I would have been mad, but I knew Rob would get a kick out of it all! David did draw a goose on the back side of the DVD cover and told us that he grew up on farms in Wisconsin, to this April said, "I'm from Wisconsin, too!" This led to her being bilked out of a $10 "donation" for 2 CD's that he'd made! April generously passed them onto Rob after listening to 1 1/2 songs! These are Rob's anniversary gifts! After that, we went to Westlake Center to a store called Lush! I got some shoe/toe dust for Rob's work boots, a couple of deodorants, one for now with tea tree and citrus in it and another that's not so strong smelling for when the baby is born. I also got a couple of massage bars, just an excuse to get Rob to rub on me!! (OK, also to help my skin stretch.) From there, we went to the Pikes Place Market. I found Rob, some strong blue cheese, morels, and a cheesecake treat to share! I'm feeling like a very good little wifey!
As far as updates, after the Pike Place Market, we went to get my birth ball! I lovely craigslist find, only $15. I haven't pumped it up yet, so I'm hopeful that the little chit didn't screw me! She seemed nice and friendly, so I have a good feeling about it. I had to drive out to Kirkland to get it, but from Seattle, it was well worth it. I also got a "ball chair" in Kirkland, for only $20! I didn't get to meet the woman who listed it, but I found out from her husband that she's a naturopath!! All in all, it was a very worthwhile day!!
Today, I went with my Gramma, Aunt S., and cousin to our annual "Daughters of All Ages" event at church. Last year when the singing about moms started I took my little cousin for a walk around the church, this year, only one song was really about mothers, so I stayed strong and stayed. I tried to think of it as being sung for my Gramma, but I still couldn't bring myself to sing along. I only cried once and that was during the opening prayer. I did however have a melt down before my Aunt picked me up to go! Afterwards, at Gramma and Grampa's, I felt morose. My Aunt took me home and helped me out for at least an hour, maybe more, in the basement, we really got a lot done! She even took stuff with her to be dropped off at the Goodwill.
With Mother's Day fast approaching, I really resent my Mom right now. I feel like she's supposed to be here for me, she's the one with only adult children and no job, who can be there for me to go shopping with, to clean with, to stay with me after the baby is born. Who is going to help me now? Gramma can't go up and down the stairs to do laundry, stay overnight, or clean the house. My Mom's sisters, Aunts C. and S., have children and jobs and while they live close enough to visit on the weekends, not quite close enough to stay late into the evenings or overnight and leave for home in the morning. On my Dad's side, he's got a wonderful wife, who lives with him in Spokane, a sister, Aunt G., and a sister-in-law, Aunt SW, here in town. Aunt G., I think that, even with only adult children, has far too much going on to stay with me, but will be willing to visit as often as she can. Aunt SW, was friends with my Mom before becoming my aunt and has known me since in utero and saw me the same day I was born, has only grown children and I think less on her plate and is the most likely to be available to help me in the way that my Mom would've. I have to talk to Aunt S. about her availability, I don't doubt her willingness. I do have another friend R., that is hoping to come over from Spokane, when the baby is born. She's hoping she can get 3-5 days, it will depend on her employer. She's got a son, who is about 367 days younger than me. R. may never have any grandchildren by him, so we have adopted each other, she's even picked out the title she wants my child/ren to call her! If she is able to make it, it will certainly be a blessing, I just can't count on it.
In writing this out, it helps me to see that there are folks to help, even if just a little, unfortunately, I still have an ache about my Mom. She's left a mess for me to deal with and she's not here to help me with it or my pregnancy. A whole new hurt in a very painful time, combined with a pregnancy and all the emotions that that brings.
As far as updates, after the Pike Place Market, we went to get my birth ball! I lovely craigslist find, only $15. I haven't pumped it up yet, so I'm hopeful that the little chit didn't screw me! She seemed nice and friendly, so I have a good feeling about it. I had to drive out to Kirkland to get it, but from Seattle, it was well worth it. I also got a "ball chair" in Kirkland, for only $20! I didn't get to meet the woman who listed it, but I found out from her husband that she's a naturopath!! All in all, it was a very worthwhile day!!
Today, I went with my Gramma, Aunt S., and cousin to our annual "Daughters of All Ages" event at church. Last year when the singing about moms started I took my little cousin for a walk around the church, this year, only one song was really about mothers, so I stayed strong and stayed. I tried to think of it as being sung for my Gramma, but I still couldn't bring myself to sing along. I only cried once and that was during the opening prayer. I did however have a melt down before my Aunt picked me up to go! Afterwards, at Gramma and Grampa's, I felt morose. My Aunt took me home and helped me out for at least an hour, maybe more, in the basement, we really got a lot done! She even took stuff with her to be dropped off at the Goodwill.
With Mother's Day fast approaching, I really resent my Mom right now. I feel like she's supposed to be here for me, she's the one with only adult children and no job, who can be there for me to go shopping with, to clean with, to stay with me after the baby is born. Who is going to help me now? Gramma can't go up and down the stairs to do laundry, stay overnight, or clean the house. My Mom's sisters, Aunts C. and S., have children and jobs and while they live close enough to visit on the weekends, not quite close enough to stay late into the evenings or overnight and leave for home in the morning. On my Dad's side, he's got a wonderful wife, who lives with him in Spokane, a sister, Aunt G., and a sister-in-law, Aunt SW, here in town. Aunt G., I think that, even with only adult children, has far too much going on to stay with me, but will be willing to visit as often as she can. Aunt SW, was friends with my Mom before becoming my aunt and has known me since in utero and saw me the same day I was born, has only grown children and I think less on her plate and is the most likely to be available to help me in the way that my Mom would've. I have to talk to Aunt S. about her availability, I don't doubt her willingness. I do have another friend R., that is hoping to come over from Spokane, when the baby is born. She's hoping she can get 3-5 days, it will depend on her employer. She's got a son, who is about 367 days younger than me. R. may never have any grandchildren by him, so we have adopted each other, she's even picked out the title she wants my child/ren to call her! If she is able to make it, it will certainly be a blessing, I just can't count on it.
In writing this out, it helps me to see that there are folks to help, even if just a little, unfortunately, I still have an ache about my Mom. She's left a mess for me to deal with and she's not here to help me with it or my pregnancy. A whole new hurt in a very painful time, combined with a pregnancy and all the emotions that that brings.
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