Tag Archives: pregnancy

On My Own Again

Posted on May 29, 2010 | 6 Comments

It’s weekend #2 of the Mister being gone, so this means more alone time. If you don’t count the wee human that lives in my abdomen. However, I am also spending some of the weekend with my girlfriends. So don’t think I am locked up and crying in a tower or something.

I can also be found sleeping in the middle of the bed without regard.

I have always slept on the right side of the bed since I grew out of my crib. But this weekend I decided to try out the middle. Not bad at all. Especially when there are the mister’s pillows that I can steal. Picture a gigantic pillow nest and a gigantic lady with nap-face within the nest. Heavenly. Yes, I still woke up way too early this morning, but at least there were smoothies.

I have eaten an average of one mango per day for the last 2.5 months. Just so amazing.

The advantage to early rising and being alone in the house is getting a lot done before 10 a.m. I paid bills, wrote thank-you cards, went to the store, baked banana muffins for the new neighbors, ate two breakfasts, potted six plants, and cleaned the floor and kitchen. The disadvantage to all this ambition is that my body would rather be in the nest of pillows. I have to give in eventually. OR there is the option to keep going. In which case my body mutinies against my mind. I was literally crawling on the nursery floor during a project this afternoon because walking is just so painful sometimes.

But look at my pretty project results! I hope Baby B likes staring at these.

I know this isn't an infant toy, but I am sticking it in the nursery until he is mobile. Because it is a ridiculous fluffy llama. I love it.

This is my nursery project supervisor/overseer, Porpus Boley. She thanks her grandma in Michigan for the wonderful rocking chair and afghan.

If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Miss Schween Boley Esq., then you will be surprised to learn that she goes out on the balcony on her own and doesn't completely lose her mind. Even when there are loud noises. Even when a leaf touches her. She is so brave.

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Daily Picture, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Worry Not

Posted on May 26, 2010 | 4 Comments

These are Worry Dolls. Have you heard of them? Here, let me google that for you.

My friend, Casey, brought these back for me after a trip. I used to have a tiny bag of them when I was little, only they were the really mini-version.

The concept is this: assign a specific worry that you have to a doll, and tuck her in under your pillow at night, so that she has deal with that worry and you can sleep peacefully. What a great concept. They are the poor man’s Ambien. A great idea for kids, although I think pregnant ladies in the third trimester could really benefit from these as well.

How many times have you been lying in bed, just wishing you could halt your thoughts, anxieties, or to-do lists so you could just fall asleep? Why is it so hard to keep the mind from racing? I’m sure there is some kind of meditation for this problem that I don’t know how to do at the moment.

My biggest worry right now is something that is completely out of my control. A pointless anxiety. I would gladly give it to a little doll to worry about, because she will have as much luck as anyone in changing the course of events that would relieve this anxiety. I hope she doesn’t have a tiny panic attack. But then again, she is made for this kind of thing. I’m sure she’ll be able to handle it. Best of luck with my worry, little one. I am done with it.

I guess that I am doing pretty well if I am only tucking in this one doll. When there is a whole pile of them under there, then it may more of a concern.

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Daily Picture, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

31 Week Watermelon

Posted on May 25, 2010 | 10 Comments

As promised, I am jumping ahead from 27 weeks to the current state of things. Which is about 31 weeks and 3 days. I don’t really know what to do about the food comparison anymore. Baby B isn’t going to get much longer than he has been for the last month, but he will certainly be getting fatter. I am entering a stage where he is supposed to DOUBLE IN SIZE over the next 6 weeks. So only one fruit really comes to mind.

Watermelon.

That is what it feels like anyway.

Mmmm. Fruit. I can’t get enough fruits and veggies lately. Ever since the weather hit 80-90 degrees I have been craving raw stuff. This is awesome because it is way easier to eat healthy in the heat. Things that are not awesome in the heat? PANTS. I refuse to wear them if it is above 80. So that is why you see the hippie dress in this series.

It is funny when people tell me that I don’t look like I have gained (XX)lbs. They are being so nice to the pregnant lady. I miss my old face the most. This was a year ago. I am hoping to be back there by May of next year. I MISS YOU, FACE! oxox

Even though I am having the typical third trimester woes, I have to admit that I am kind of enjoying myself. It is such an exciting time, that the physical problems pale in comparison with the overwhelming change that is about to happen at our house. I don’t feel like I am in the home stretch yet, but I can nearly see it. Although every stranger that talks to me gets all excited and exclaims “ANY DAY NOW!!!!” Um. No.

Justin is going to guest post here in a bit to give his dad-to-be perspective on all the pre-baby happenings. Should be a good one. Stick around.

→ 10 Comments

Posted in photography, pregnancy, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , ,

Sunday Afternoon DPH

Posted on May 23, 2010 | 5 Comments

This is the first weekend in months that I haven’t felt like I need to be doing anything. And funny enough, that meant being more productive. Not productive on the nesting front, but in the photo and blog portion of my life that has been grossly neglected. I may even design a new header tonight (update: done and done). Shocking!

Let’s talk about a little concept called Time to Myself. I have two months left of that. Time to stare at the wall or the sun on the curtains. Time to space out on the balcony. Hours to nap on the couch until my hips become sore and I move to the bed. Afternoons to just think about what kind of plants might possibly live on my balcony. I want a bunch of lavender, rosemary, and moon flowers so that it smells amazing out there.

I can go on extended shopping trips alone. There is no one to look after, to feed, to change, to entertain. I can hop in the car without looking like I’m headed on a three-day infant camping trip. No bags beyond my trusty Michael Kors, that will soon be traded for a JJ Cole.

I can keep the house clean without much effort. Do only a couple of loads of laundry a week, and take out the trash without worrying about carrying a baby on the other hip. I can read a book without interruption, take a bath for so loooooonnnng that I nearly fall asleep, and eat ice cream before bed without guilt about cheating on the post-baby diet.

If I could sleep in, oh I certainly would. But 5:30 is the new wake up time apparently. I can get ready for work at my own pace, waddle to the train without guilt about leaving anyone behind, and then talk to grown ups for the whole day. I wear mascara everyday, and would never leave the house in pajama pants. I can eat lunch downtown with friends, and wander the stores without worrying about a stroller getting through the racks or finding for a bathroom that has a changing station.

But here is the thing. Even though I will lose many of the personal luxuries listed above in just two short months, I can’t stop wanting that moment to come. I want everything that comes with being a parent. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want a growing family. I want to worry about holding hands when crossing the street, bedtime stories, and skinned knees. I want the late nights, and early mornings, the sick days with sprite on the couch, and pumpkin carving. I want Legos. I want Cheerios stuck to my shirt and gum in my hair. I want to teach and I want to learn. I want to take my baby to new places, see the world for the first time through new eyes, wonder what it is like to pet a kitty for the first time. I want to watch Justin teach Baby B to swim. I want to watch Finding Nemo for the 6 bajiillionth time. People, I want spit up on my new blouse and an exploded diaper in my Moby wrap.

If you haven’t felt anything like this, then congratulations on missing the crazy boat. Please sleep in and have an extra long brunch and then wander your neighborhood. Seriously. Because that is sweet stuff. And because once you find yourself with the baby fever, you will be craving onesies and organizing your changing station on a Friday night before you know it.

You will have to excuse me now, but a certain someone is kicking my ribs because I can only assume he wants ice cream. And I love fat baby thighs, so he is getting what he wants.

Here is some lazy afternoon DPH from the Boley house. Complete with a 20 second video of some sun flickering on a wall. I won’t mention how long I actually stared at that by myself.

→ 5 Comments

Posted in baby, Daily Picture, happiness, pregnant, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , ,

25, 26, 27 Weeks

Posted on May 23, 2010 | 6 Comments

Um, hi there. Long time no belly pics, eh? Well, I am feeling normal (kind of) again after the move, and plan to take the 31 week shot today using guest photographer Amber. She doesn’t know yet. She thinks she is coming over to see my new place and have a leisurely patio brunch and maybe a smoothie on the balcony. Heh.

SO. A million years ago I was 25 weeks along and packing boxes like mad. Baby was as long as a beautiful Challah loaf. No, I didn’t bake it. I was so busy I thought my face was going to fall off.

Then we moved. And I was 26 weeks. Also too busy for new recipes. So I got very nostalgic for preschool snack food, and went for ants on a log. Baby was about as long as a bunch of celery. These pictures are so old that there aren’t even leaves on the trees outside the window.

At 27 weeks, I baked cookies for the neighbors below us that had been nice enough to bake us a welcome cake. Can you believe that? I know. I stacked up the butter to the appropriate baby height and then totally forgot to take pictures of the peanut butter, banana, Nutella and chocolate chip cookies that I bake. Drat. Although I did manage to take a picture of the butter sitting in the baby rocking chair that was sitting in the unpainted nursery.

So there you have it. Now comes the part where I have to admit that I am a full month behind on this project. I wasn’t prepared for how hard the 3rd trimester gets. And how much weight I would put on. When I post 31 weeks, you will see what I am talking about.

→ 6 Comments

Posted in baby, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , ,

Blog FAIL

Posted on May 10, 2010 | 2 Comments

My brother reminded me that I suck this morning. NO REMINDER NEEDED.

Yeah, so I have been absent the last month. Well, online at least. I’m still checking Twitter and Facebook via iPhone, but my google reader is bulging at the seams, much like my maternity pants at 29 weeks. I’ve read only my top 10 favorite blogs here and there, but otherwise I am clueless to what is happening in the other 854 posts that go unread.

I used to go online every night, but now I spend the nights testing my physical capabilities until I want to chop my feet off.

MY FEET.

They hurt reeaaal bad. Since we moved almost a month ago, I have had bruised heels, and cannot stand for more than…oh let’s say about 5 seconds before Feet scream in pain to overly ambitious Brain to STOP WALKING ON THEM. Feet have also recruited Hips and Legs in the fight against Brain. They are winning. I am sad. Everyday is harder than the last. The third trimester is serious stuff.

The good news about all this being absent from the web thing is that I have begun nesting with gusto. That is the only word that really describe this obsession. Before I started in on the nursery, the rest of the new apartment got a good taste of the nesting. More of a whipping than a taste actually. I can only assume that Justin is terrified of me, but he’s been studying for his last finals ever, so I am just a blur of crazy in the background that occasionally interrupts him to get my Mizunos laced up. (Not for running, for nesting.)

Wondering where the maternity photo series is? It is in my camera. We have taken pictures during all the absent weeks. I think. If you are wondering what the belly looks like now? Big. Face? Big. I am kind of regretting all this public display of fatness that I decided to engage in when I was a cute 16 weeks. But I’m sure I will be grateful for these photos some day. I will try to post them soon, although my priorities are clearly elsewhere at the moment.

Baby news? Well he is kicking all the time. We call him by name. We love him very much and can’t wait to meet him. Everything is starting to feel more real. We start going to birthing classes in a couple of weeks, and soon we’ll have a pediatrician picked out. We have a stroller. I have a shower coming up. The nursery furniture is being delivered tonight. I am going to do a load of baby clothes laundry tonight. Holy crap.

Anyway, apologies if you came here expecting a DPH or a maternity photo. But here is an crappy cell phone pic as evidence of my nesting:

I made curtains!

And here is a shot of the nursery before I touched the room:

Nursery: BEFORE

Stay tuned for the “AFTER.”

→ 2 Comments

Posted in baby, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , ,

Spring Lovelies (and Un-lovlies)

Posted on April 11, 2010 | 3 Comments

You know what’s fun? Procrastinating when you should be packing! So I thought I would post some photos that need to live somewhere other than my memory card.

One of the pleasures of being pregnant is experiencing mood swings. This is not typical to my personality, so I am living through vastly different emotions from one day to the next for the first time.

Here is a list of things that are lovely right now, and general contribute to a great mood. There is also a list of things that I find hateful most days. And they should be avoided at all costs.

Lovelies:

  • Spring!
  • Commuting home in the warm sun.
  • New things growing out of the ground.
  • Parfaits. From Catch and Carry, Baci, Rom, Starbucks, or Starfruit. Yes.
  • Dessert.
  • Fruit.
  • Being in the park.
  • Sleeping through the night on occasion.
  • Thinking about the new apartment.
  • Thinking about meeting the baby.
  • Talking about the baby with Justin.
  • Spotting strollers.
  • Baby kicks.
  • Our once a week date.
  • Bedtime.
  • Tea.
  • Meals with friends.
  • Leaving the building for lunch.
  • Sleeping in.
  • Not wearing a coat.
  • Lemons.
  • Cats napping on the porch.
  • The days getting longer.
  • Having moments of clarity where I realize how lucky I am.
  • Taking pictures during the magic hour.
  • Clearing the memory card after an upload.
  • The sunroof opened all the way in my car.
  • Green ballet flats.
  • Andersonville. (I will miss you)
  • When Justin comes home on the early train after night class.
  • Hearing how much he loves his job.
  • There are only a couple of weeks left of law school.
  • Words With Friends on iPhone. PLAY WITH ME. My name is Megagood.

UN-lovlies (AKA First-World Problems of a Preg):

  • When Spring disappears suddenly, due to living in Chicago.
  • Walking home from the train when it is cold and wet.
  • Wearing coats that don’t allow me to zip the belly up.
  • Gaining weight and having to ration parfait and Desserts.
  • Packing boxes.
  • Adding more things to the growing to-do list.
  • Justin has started a new habit of snoring after 7 years. I love you, husband, BUT I MIGHT SMOTHER YOU.
  • K, sorry. But you now also have some kind of coughing/wheezing habit. We have to fix this. SMOTHER.
  • Seriously, I think he has some kind of allergy that may be fixed with the move. But if not, there are two choices. Allergist or SMOTHERING. And I don’t want to be a single mom, so let’s settle this rationally. It makes me feel bad to be so irritated with someone’s suffering. But I can’t help it right now.
  • The vibrating chair that the landlord uses above us. The whole stupid house shakes.
  • The produce selection at Jewel
  • Telling people how I feel all the time. “Feeling great!” Actually, I feel fat and my hips hurt and I can’t sit or stand for very long. And I get out of breath from walking up to the train platform.
  • I haven’t slept through the night in months. And this will likely continue for months to come.
  • Being in a bad mood irritates me further. This is the worst.

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Daily Picture, photography, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

24 Week Caesar Salad

Posted on April 11, 2010 | 2 Comments

(I am actually at Week 25 by now, but here is last week’s shoot.)

I had a foot long baby in my belly last week. So I found a head of Romaine that seemed to work as a good size comparison, but now I realize I have lost my chance to do a Subway 5-dollar-foot-long post.

My expression is less than joyful because I am having a hard time accepting the amount of weight that I’ve put on already. But that is another post for another day. Actually, that is a post I will never post. Because no one really cares, and everyone keeps saying that I look cute. I wish I could believe that myself.

What I am grateful for is a very uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy so far. And that I can grow a FOOT LONG BABY in under 25 weeks. Pretty awesome.

Porpus isn’t generally known for her positive attitude, but she is reminding me here that I am also extra squishy and cuddly. Which is to her liking. She also may have mentioned that it is most interesting to see the belly actually move when the baby kicks. All very true. Thanks, kitteh.

So, what do you do with a head of Romaine lettuce that is remotely interesting? Make Caesar Salad. I am not a fan of the creamy version of this recipe. I am more into the lemony/garlic/vinegar/olive oil version that I grew up with. My mom’s Caesar is the best. And here is her magic formula:

Megagood Mom’s Caesar Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon  red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of Dijon
  • 2 tablespoon pressed garlic
  • 3/4 cup olive oil

(shake, shake, shake)

This should easily make enough for two salads. All you have to do is pour it over your washed and torn bite-size bits of romaine lettuce.

But let’s NOT forget the croutons. They are key. Store-bought or restaurant croutons are gross in my opinion. I prefer ripped pieces of crusty wheat or multi-grain toast for this salad. They are easier to fork and have soaking properties that will do your salad good.

Now I need to head to the grocery and figure out what this week’s dish will be. Hopefully I will post before next weekend, because we are moving. Lots of boxes and general busy happenings around here. Week 26 will be shot in the new place!

→ 2 Comments

Posted in maternity series, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , ,

23 Week Papaya

Posted on March 29, 2010 | 3 Comments

Wait—what happened to 22 weeks?

I don’t know what you are talking about.

No really, where is that part of the series?

You are mumbling, I can’t understand the words you are saying. Can I offer you some juice?

I am not a huge fan of Papaya, but when you mix it with pineapple, wonderful things happen. Pineapple is intensely sweet and tangy, and the buttery and musky papaya cuts some of the sharpness when you juice them together. Martha Stewart agrees that this is a good combination. She also puts mint in this mixture, because she is like that. I would have too, but I have pregnancy brain, and ended up with a package of Andes mints instead.  I remembered the fresh mint when I was already pinned into the check out line. And there is no more wiggling between the cart and the candy shelf to escape back into the produce department for a forgotten item. I am clearly too large and too slow for that kind of behavior.

This may look shockingly large. (I am of course talking about the papaya and not my gigantic FACE.) But you have to remember that the comparison to fruit is dumb. They are really only comparing the length from the head to the toe of the baby, and the actual size of the fruit as a whole has little to do with the actual babe within. But I do in fact have an 11+ inch human growing in there.

Little mister is even getting big enough that he got to kick his dad. While resting his hand on my belly yesterday, Justin felt the first pummeling from his son. It was a sweet moment.

→ 3 Comments

Posted in maternity series, photography, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Breathing is Good

Posted on March 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

As I type this, I am finding it hard to breath. The body I am living in is starting to feel foreign to me. I know it is technically the same one I have had for years, but it seriously feels like I am wearing a costume. A heavy one. It is increasingly difficult to get a deep breath due to less space for lungs, extra blood pulsing through my body, and carrying more weight. Specifically on the chest. Ahem.

When I tell Justin about my woes, he reminds me that I’m a “good baby grower.” Thanks, that’s sweet, but that doesn’t really help me breathe. I guess there is nothing much we can do. So I sit here listening to my own heartbeat pound in my ears, feeling my blood pulse through every part of my body like there is a race on. And if I am wearing a necklace, it will bounce with each ridiculously exaggerated heartbeat. I guess this is normal?

Otherwise, I’m feeling pretty well, considering there is another human growing in my abdomen.

Life is continuing at break-neck speed and I am keeping up for now. This week’s big event was finding our new apartment. We had been searching for a while, and just found something that is going to work out nearly perfectly for us. I was so excited yesterday that I got a stomach ache. We are also moving a month and a half early. Which is probably a good thing since I am only going to continue to suffocate under my own weight as the months go by. Time to start packing and saying goodbye to lovely Andersonville. But we are excited to get to know our new hood, Rogers Park. And it is the perfect season to explore.

Yes, spring is officially here. Although Chicago welcomed it with a snowstorm.

RUDE.

But the week before the snow was pretty great. The day before the snow was nice enough to open windows and walk to the park without a coat on. Luckily I had the day off to soak in some vitamin D before putting on the puffy coat once again. March is such a weird month here.

The rink is melting!

The rink is melting!

Schween rests by an open porch window

Then hunts her shadow with intensity. This points to the sad fact that she hasn't seen much sun for months.

Oh, and these are taco pot pies. Nothing to do with spring really. Just a weird dinner we had on Thursday. I know it sounds white trash, but they were actually pretty awesome.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Daily Picture, photography, pregnancy

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,