This time of year is amazing, but it can be super stressful as well. As much fun as all of the parties and events are, it makes life extremely busy. Add in to that having to shop and get all of the gifts that you need. It can get stressful and so I personally need some ways to relax.
Number one on my list would be to enjoy a glass of wine when you get home from work. Of course this is not what I am doing at the moment, but if I could, I would! There's something about a nice glass of wine after a long day that is so relaxing!
Get a massage. Ok so I'm super busy and the last thing that I need is to add another appointment to my plate, but yet I have a massage next Wednesday. But I think that it will be worth it when it's done. And my body hurts, so I really need it.
Make time for crap TV. I love junky TV. The Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, whatever floats your boat. They are ridiculous shows, but watching these mindless shows can be very relaxing.
Be prepared. If you have a lot of gifts to buy, being organized and prepared is key to being less stressed. Make a list of who you need to buy for, what you have purchased and what you still need to get. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the gift buying until I wrote everything out and realized that I was actually doing pretty well in the gift department. I only have a few more small things to get, or I generally know what it is that I need to buy people.
For you preggos out there, sit back, relax and feel baby kicks. Nothing is more calming than feeling that little guy or girl kick you in the stomach, funny enough. (Except when I was trying to sleep in this morning because I have the day off and the baby decided I should be getting up!)
Don't book yourself too solid. For me, as an introvert, I need some me time. So if we have an event on a Saturday night, I don't make an effort to make plans on the Friday because I know it's too much for me. I would rather sit in on the couch, with a hot chocolate, my husband and a Christmas movie.
Enjoy the season, it only comes once a year!
Three weeks from today is Christmas morning. Isn't that crazy? Where has the time gone? Oh and four weeks from now we are in a whole new year.
This past weekend we went to our local Santa Clause Parade. We have a night parade and I absolutely love it. It's so much fun to see all of the floats lit up with Christmas lights. We met up with some friends there, who have a 6 year old and a 2 and a half year old. The younger boy was so excited to see Santa. He got up on his dad's shoulder and just kept looking for Santa. Finally he saw him and just started yelling "Santa! Santa!" and waving. I had forgotten the magic that is Christmas for children. Kids fully believe that Santa Clause is real and that the one riding on a local float is the real deal! And the look on his face when he saw Santa reminded me of that.
For adults the magic is different. Unfortunately I have come to the realization that there is no Santa Clause. Although some days I try really hard to believe it. But for us it's the feeling that we get this season. There's something about it that just makes me happy. Giving to others, being with friends and family, and just the general joy that seems to be in the air.
The other night as I was driving home from work, it was snowing lightly. The road was so pretty. Then I had a baby start kicking me from inside, and I felt truly blessed. There are so many things that I'm thankful for. But this year, I'm mostly thankful for what I'm experiencing right now. There are some days that are harder than others, but a year ago I was questioning whether I would ever get to experience pregnancy. And I'm truly happy that it's something that happened for me. What I went through to get to pregnancy is nothing compared to what some people are going through trying to start their family. And that little kicking 2 pound ball of baby is a daily reminder that I have so much to be thankful for.
On Friday, I was 27 weeks and exactly 3 months from my due date. Craziness! I'm feeling totally unprepared. I mean I have all of my nursery furniture, so baby has somewhere to live. But this actual parenting thing, it's not going to be easy. But then, is anyone ever really ready?
And this picture is what you get when you have a grumpy, tired, pregnant lady who barely did her hair but luckily put on a presentable outfit to go to church. I hate it, but what can you do.
- Baby is the size of a rutabaga. What's a rutabaga?
- Or to make it easier, baby is about 2 lbs.
- People are still saying I'm small. I think they think they are complimenting me, but I don't really take it that way. I think honestly that people forget what size they were at certain stages in pregnancy. I would say I'm on the smaller side, but the midwife isn't concerned and my uterus is measuring pretty much exactly the right size.
- Bending over is a bit uncomfortable these days. That's probably not going to get easier any time soon!
- Ryan felt the baby for the second time ever this week, and the first time was weeks ago! My belly also moved when it happened, which was pretty cool.
- I just lay on the couch with my shirt pulled halfway up waiting for my belly to move. But it's like the baby knows what I'm doing and refuses to kick as soon as I start looking.
- I had my glucose test for gestational diabetes this week. The drink wasn't bad, just like flat, warm, orange pop. And it got the baby moving! Then I had to sit at the lab for an hour and wait for the blood test, but I just brought my book at it went by pretty quick. Hopefully I pass because I really don't want to do the two hour test!
- I'm feeling mentally exhausted. Not sure if that relates to pregnancy. I think it's a combo of the pregnancy, Christmas and just being generally stressed at work about getting everything done, training a new contract and going into our busy time of year. I come home at the end of the day and just don't want to think about anything.
- Baby got the hiccups the other night. It was a really weird feeling and I don't know how to describe it. Actually it has them again right now. It's much lighter than kicks, but it's rhythmic and constant for a few minutes, so it's kind of more uncomfortable.
- I hope to make my crib mobile this weekend. It might be a pinterest fail, we will see.
- I just realized that my date calculator is calculating based on a February 27 due date (which is what my midwife says my due date is, but I'm still going with February 28 because I think I know better). So really my week changes on Saturdays not Fridays. Close enough.
