The Little Things

As my 'small' belly becomes a 'small soccer ball' it seems the little things are getting a bit more difficult..things I have taken for granted or never really paid attention to.

With something hard and round attached to your front side, it makes some things a bit interesting. Not pregnant or even in the many weeks prior to now, I haven't had an issue doing my every day/week things.

When you bend over with a hard baby belly, nature lets you know real quick that your belly needs somewhere to go, therefore your legs spread. I didn't even realize it until I caught myself in this very strange stance! Quite amusing I must say.

As I was getting ready to go home last weekend for a wedding and baby shower, I figured I needed a toenail polish! Well, as easy as that seems to be or have been, I can safely say I think the days of painting my own toes are behind me..that is until my little soccer ball is no longer:) I am grateful the polish got where it needed to be and actually looked good, but Matt had to hear me huff and puff the whole time!

Now, this week, as I get ready for our big fundraiser on Thursday night, I figured I might as well shave my legs while I have some time. At least Matt and I have a built-in seat in our shower, but man...It kind of wore me out trying to reach all around!! This should make for an interesting next 9 weeks of shaving (or lack there of). Matt, sorry in advance if I go a little bit between shaves:)

So, as we sit here and watch my belly and Mollie grow by the day, it's a constant reminder of the miraculous feat our bodies endure when a woman is pregnant--just fascinating and a true miracle. All those little things I can or cannot do seem so silly now...who needs to bend over or shave anyway, right?!!

Surreal Moments

I wish I could write this blog daily..but sometimes life gets in the way! I have all these post ideas and 'lightbulb moments' that come to me, but really, no time to write them! I will try to be better.

This past week I was involved with the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament here in Charleston for the 5th year in a row. The Center for Women is the chosen charity, so we must have a presence there for all 8 days and in addition, we do two wonderful events out there. One was Tuesday night and one was Thursday day. ALSO, Matt and I have a friend/colleague who runs all of the food & beverage out there for the tournament and other concerts, so of course we both love to work for her when we can, so that came a few nights this week, too. Whew.
We ALSO had our great friend's wedding in Charlotte this past weekend, congrats Lawson & Katie for such a fun and beautiful day! These pregnancy hormones sure did get the best of me multiple times!! Not to mention we have my dear friend Brant's wedding this upcoming weekend in Alabama! 'Tis the season and we cannot wait:)

It is so amazing to meet up with people that you have not seen in a while for such a joyous occasion as a wedding and at the same time actually SEE the love they have for our unborn daughter already. It was too surreal at moments to see this little flower girl toddle down the church aisle and realize that when my sister's get married, that will be Mollie! It was even more surreal to see sweet Katie dance with her dad and think about Matt one day giving Mollie away to her husband..I am literally tearing up as I write this! Ok, preg hormones, cut me a little slack please!!!

As I realize that we only have less than 10 weeks left before our due date, my mind wanders in all different directions. I am overwhelmed at times with excitement of meeting this little person inside of me and can hardly stand the suspense of seeing her for the first time and figuring out her personality, who she resembles, etc.

Matt and I go home this upcoming weekend to be with some of my most favorite people in the whole world and some of the BEST friends anyone could ask for. A wedding and a baby shower, not much more we can ask for. Alabama friends and family...here we 3 come!!

Milk Factory

This past Saturday marked Week 28..3rd Trimester- WOOHOO!! It's so hard to believe that much time has already gone by and now we have less than 12 weeks before Mollie's due date.

During all those weeks that have passed, I've read and are still reading, some baby books, subscribed to a number of baby/parenting magazines and attended a baby preparedness class, with two others to come. There seems to be SO very much to do and learn before this little one is born and at the same time you (or I!) feel that I cannot do enough before she comes.

Tonight was our 'Breastfeeding' class at the hospital & Matt and I had a few good laughs and nervous eye exchanges, that's for sure. He was a great sport & came along to keep me company and learn more. Glad I had him there to make funny tv show references (i.e. The Office) or that hard chair and powerpoint could have gotten really old! I cannot even begin to express how overwhelming the breastfeeding info seems to be. I mean, according to my 'Babywise' book -which is FABU as a side note and recommended by many friends, and then this class, I will breastfeed every 2-3 hours during each 24 hr period, for about 30 minutes each time. Is it just me or does that math not factor in any time for the mom (ME) to sleep?! Will this baby constantly eat and me constantly feed?! Ha, a milk factory may be my sole purpose in the beginning and I am willing to accept that:)

We want to breastfeed for sure and I will definitely put the time and effort needed into it. That's a commitment I  will make and will need support and encouragement to keep it. YAY mom for being in town for a bit after Mollie comes!! As she said, 'we'll take it one day at a time and get through it- it's well worth every bit of it!' Luckily she has had us 3 girls and breastfed with each, so knows the drill...as for Matt and I, we are in the total dark over here. But willing to learn and excited about the process:)