i’ve been breaking out like whoa. and i usually have such a nice complexion. simmer hormones. simmer. and give me my mother fuckin’ glow back.
maybe this is a trade off for the mad heartburn i experienced last go around. i have a feeling it’s coming soon enough. so maybe it’s a trade off for the puking i haven’t done.
Last weekend I went baby shower registering with my cousin. This is her first baby and she asked that me and another cousin, both mommy’s, accompany her because she was super overwhelmed. I have to admit that I don’t really like showers and registering all that much, but I do like my cousin pretty well so I didn’t mind and was excited for her.
We began at Babies “R” Us. I have not stepped foot in this store since I registered myself over five years ago. I don’t like it. It’s too much, too overwhelming. We sat at a desk where my cousin gave a sale’s associate her information: baby’s gender, father’s name, due date..yada yada. And then she handed over the scan gun. That heavy piece of plastic intimidates me. My other cousin, whose daughter just turned one a few months back, took the lead. She has newborn products and doctor recommendations fresh in her mind. Where as I on the other hand had never seen so many new options for bottles and monitors in my life.
By the end of our trip it was clear that new parents over buy for their little bundles of joy.
My cousin ended up registering for bottles that cost $45 for 3 because it was free of some sort of acid, and apparently made it easier to transition from nursing to bottle feeding. My bottles didn’t cost nearly that much and Jolie transitioned just fine, and we have yet to see the side effects of any acids from her bottles (or perhaps that’s where she gets her sarcasm from…the acid). They had rows of pampers, which has definitely worked its ad dollars, making it a US household staple, when in reality it’s no different than other diapers except for cost. But choosy moms, choose pampers. And then there were play mats. An entire wall of various mats decorated with stuffed animals and long cotton arms overlapping to form arches over the model baby’s head. There was so much going on on these brightly colored mats that I nearly had a panic attack. Save $70, yes, $70 bucks, and throw down a nice blanket and some tinker toys. The kid isn’t going to know the difference. I could go on and on. The are so many new inventions on the market, like those boppy chairs that allow infants to sit up right in a circular piece of plastic that provides back support for growing baby. It’s absolutely ridiculous when there were already 10 other kinds of chairs and contraptions for baby. I don’t remember these when Jolie was an infant.
By the end of our trip I was as overwhelmed as my cousin, and thinking irrationally. I began questioning my child’s upbringing. Should I have splurged on diapers that are supposedly better for a baby’s butt? Should I have gotten a baby monitor with a screen to watch my child sleep (instead of just checking in her room)? My cousin heard that some mother on TV or something had an overpriced monitor with screen that ended up saving her child’s life because the child was puking and she couldn’t hear her baby, but she could SEE what was happening because of the screen. That’s pure genius marketing right there: If you don’t get this, your baby will swallow it’s puke and die. Do the right thing, Mom.
Jolie didn’t have nearly all of these contraptions and she did just fine. Why? Because she had parents. I won’t act completely unaffected by the industry’s pull. I subscribed to lots of baby magazines and internet sites when I was pregnant with my first. Only to find that I didn’t gain anything from the articles and product reviews. Jolie never swallowed her/his own puke alone in their crib, or showed delay in developing motor skills without the aid of a boppy. Fingers crossed, we make it through just being parents.
rant over.
I’ve been MIA this week. My job requires me to travel around a lot to different schools, and during certain times of the year that is basically all I’m doing. It’s exhausting at times, especially now. I haven’t had time to focus on my pregnancy or self, really. Especially when the students I work with need more disciplining and class structure. I have the utmost respect for teachers. I always have, but now I’ve gained a whole new perspective and their roles are demanding.
When I get home at night, if I don’t have committee meetings or various appointments, I make dinner and crash. Truth be told, Brett has been picking up a lot of the slack lately. He has definitely been Jolie’s main caretaker over the passed month. Not that I totally abandoned being mommy, I’m just more inclined to pull the “pregnancy card” a.k.a. ” get out of bedtime prep work -free card.” I should probably tell him that I appreciate his contributions instead of you all. He’d probably like that.
It’s days like today that I truly miss vodka and cranberries.
Sacrifices of a mother…
Getting breakfast with my cousins and then off to help one of them register for her baby shower. I’m first to arrive at the breakfast spot and ready to eat anything in sight. Naturally, Im on time and waiting. I’m so mean when Im hungry. I think the fetus is too.
The number of people out there that can hurt them. Just in the past couple of months I have ran across people that I innately felt could have hurt me and definitely would be bad news for a child. My mind cannot fathom bringing an innocent little angel into a world full of mentally unstable people and often bona fide evil people.
I have come across several situations in the past couple of months where I did not feel safe as a woman alone. And I’m a grown woman! What about a little child? The thought of them wandering off and something bad happening to them just completely immobilizes me. I have no idea how my parents did it.
However…
Even since I was a toddler my parents have had conversations with me on the subject. How to be safe what to do if situation “x” takes place and so on. Over the years I’ve also come across good advice in magazines and books. It may seem a little ridiculous sometimes but I would rather err on the side of caution.
So my dears just a few things to keep in mind to keep yourself safe whether you are a grown woman or a little girl.
- As much as possible to not go out alone after dark. Bottom line. Especially parking lots.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Notice a creepy guy? Keep your eye on him. It might be nothing or you might notice something to cause further concern and make you take precautions.
- If you do find yourself feeling uncomfortable DO get security to escort you to your car or simply another person.
- When walking from somewhere to your car always have your keys in one hand (possible self-defense) and your cell phone in another. I read once that if you are in an especially unsafe area its a good idea to pretend like you are talking on your phone. The odds of someone picking you if they can see that you are speaking to someone are significantly less.
- Listen to your gut. If you feel like it’s not safe GET OUT. As silly as it may feel sometimes. I drove all the way to a CVS late at night one time and turned around and went home when I noticed the empty parking lot and a couple of men just milling around. Never second guess yourself.
- Use street smarts. Don’t go to shady areas, don’t be out shopping by yourself late at night, don’t park in large and badly lit parking lots, etc.
And most importantly, if the worst happens just remember one thing: NEVER GIVE UP. My dad would always tell me this and later I heard this echoed by police personnel “It’s not over until you give up your will to live.”
I don’t like discussing this subject and I feel that it is extremely sad that things are the way they are but regardless, it is very important to keep all this in mind.
I guess I just have to hope that if I pass this on to my daughters one day this will keep them safe.
Unfortunately, the perpetrators are not usually in the empty parking lots, but in your life. This includes victims of sexual assault, rape and stalking. A majority of victims know the perpetrator as their partner, friend, acquaintance or family member. In most cases it’s not the stranger in the bad part of town.
See for yourself:
Another resource if you or someone you know needs help.
Prevention Tips (which is also helpful for parents looking out for their children)
I absolutely agree that you should be aware of your surroundings at night (and let those around you know that you are aware. it makes you less of a target as opposed to the person avidly texting as they walk), go out in groups and absolutely trust your instinct. But also know the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship and resources if you’re unsure how to leave. The links above are great resources pertaining to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. I also agree that you should never give up if you are a survivor. It’s not your fault and support is out there!
i did p90x with my husband last night and my inner thighs and butt are sore like whoa.
however, i do need to purchase a heart monitor. i am not allowed to exceed 140, and i’m not a good judge of my racing heart. exercise (with the exception of extreme sports like snowboarding, or even horseback riding) is encouraged. good thing i don’t snowboard and ride horses. after all, if i don’t treat my body good during the pregnancy, it will retaliate post-pregnancy. unlike the last time i was pregnant, i won’t be biking to and from classes and walking like crazy. i have a feeling the weight will be a little more difficult to shed this time.
Much like miley, guess i never got the memo
have you listened to me talk about this before? and that’s all you will see. i’m wondering what the newest trend is. you’ll have to observe and report.
