Brave new world. I'm pregnant!
At almost 6 months pregnant, I "popped" a few weeks ago and it's time to share the news with you all! By the way, the above pix were taken a few weeks ago and I am looking much more pregnant at this point. Baby Boy Firestone/Tandy will be making his debut this coming July, which will be an adventure for which I am thrilled and anxious about all at once.
And that's one thing I want to express here-- I will now be blogging about pregnancy and babies from time to time-- and I will be really honest with you about what I share. And take it or leave it! I've found most pregnancy/baby sites online just fostered anxiety as they are all about blissing out out on the whole thing in a creepy way, or just scaring the sh*t out of you.
I thankfully have had a smooth time with only some mild nausea in the first trimester, fatigue and lately some feeling of pressure and stretching in my lower abdomen as things grow. I am blessed to have some amazing women around me-- friends and family who are "balanced Mom role models"-- to support me and to look to with my many questions. I also feel very lucky as my Ob/Gyn, Dr. Sara Klevens, is one of the best doctors in LA and happens to be a friend from college so I can be really frank with her!
Another one of my newer friends Denise Spatafora, I truly feel like was sent as an angel right around my getting pregnant. When I expressed a little fear and anxiety at the very beginning (aaah! What have we done? No turning back!!), Denise, a mother of two and conveniently a birth and baby expert (check out her program and book Born Clear), told me to ignore everyone else's story of feeling badly- maybe I would feel great the whole time, a lot of women do. In response to my anxiety over going through the holidays having to lie and sneak around with family and friends about being pregnant as I wouldn't be 3 months yet, Denise freed me up to tell whomever I wanted, whenever I wanted. The whole conversation was very liberating. Essentially she reminded me that being pregnant was mine and Napper's thoughtful choice and to be empowered in it! Amen!
And I am feeling it! I have felt great almost every day of my pregnancy- with a few queasy and tired moments here and there. I feel like I'm on a health kick- I've been eating better and more, not drinking except for the occasional glass of wine here or there (harrumph but health kick!!), exercising and sleeping more. I have dealt with the anxieties over the battery of tests administered to expectant Moms 35 or older by trying to stay calm and centered and envision my healthy, happy baby.
Please feel free to share your own experiences and thoughts as I'd love for this to be an open, honest, positive forum for those expecting and for parents! xoxo