Day after due date

Yeah, as expected no baby!  That's ok, he's still in there, there's no doubt about it.  He can't be comfortable for much longer because this 7+ pound bowling ball in my belly is running out of room.  I think I just felt him kick the middle of my back, or not but it was close.

He's definitely in positions, every move makes me have to urinate, and sleeping is possible just not comfortable.  I've learned how to roll over and then get off the bed, instead of inching my body over then getting out.  Rolling feels better.  I roll several times a night to visit my favorite spot, the bathroom!

I won't share the details because it's a little disgusting, but I fell out of the bed two weeks ago after eating Chandra's husband's spicy chicken wings.   Bad bad bad, idea for more than one reason. But that was the impetus for figuring out another way out of the bed besides using a ladder.

Ok, I'm rambling but I'm allowed to I'm a woman about to have a baby any minute now.............................................................oh no it's happening!!! 


Just kidding....still waiting!

Due date!

Since that fateful day in October, before we rushed out the door to catch our flight to Spain, we've been waiting for this day, May 25th!   It's hard to believe it's here.  After all these days of growth, nourishment, and having a full belly take over it's almost time for the newest addition to the Minor family to make his appearance. 

But this due date is such a farce, on average only 5 percent of babies come on their appointed date.  They're not into deadlines, especially since they have no concept of time, who's to tell them when to go through the trauma of childbirth any earlier then they choose.

So he's officially in the drivers seat, unless he's too comfortable and decides to hang out for more than 2 weeks then we have to evict.  It's quite the surreal experience because while I have hints of labor I know that the real deal is going to be much more intense.  But it's something you really can only prepare for so much, but when it's here there's no stopping the process.  It's all a little scary but I know in the end I'll have our son in my arms and that is going to be impossible to top!

Mommy's here...my mommy!

Last Thursday, May 17, since we we wanted to be covered just in case Mr. Minor made an early appearance, my mom arrive in J-Ville.  I was very excited because I don't get to see her that often and it's nice to have the woman who pushed me out 35 years ago here to guide, support, and encourage both Tarik and I through this experience.  Especially since mom is the queen of organization and I knew she would help me get some things in order before my life is turned upside down.  Better to START right side up!

A week later we've had a blast.  Movies, dinner, cooking, shopping, organizing, evening talks, laughs, and just reconnecting as mother and daughter before I become a mommy.  Sometimes it's just nice to be daughter.

So now we're just waiting on baby. Each day before I see his perfect little face, I'll certainly cherish. One day I'll look back at these moments and smile, remembering a precious time before I changed diapers and guided a life! 

Busy baby!!

I'm less than 2 weeks away from delivering this child and I'm starting to feel like I can do this man! He's really moving, kicking, elbowing, making his way towards the exit. It's such an amazing (akward, keeping it real) feeling to have a foot, elbow, finger tickle you from the inside out. My favorite is when I try to get someone to feel that foot and then he's like "nope, only for you mommy", and retreats back deep into the belly. Sometimes I watch my entire belly rumble and I'm like what is going on in there. And I think about being stuck in a small closet and imagine it's probably getting tight in the belly. He's almost ready to truly make his entrance into the world. Watch out this is going to be a special one. I can't leave Tarik out of this one. It's so fun to watch him talk to his son, they have a special relationship which has only just begun. I really think if he could carry this baby he would! Alright baby boy, keep cooking, we'll see you soon enough!

Crib for a king or three kings...

We have the biggest crib on the block! When we finally put it together, my thoughts what did I do? Our baby is going to be so small but our crib is SO big. Our room is so small but our crib is so big. Tarik said it was for King Minor and I thought or for you when you need a change of scenery. Alright, it's not that big but it's large and in charge. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, and I picked it, but it just didn't look that big in babies-r-us. So we rearranged things about six times, decided we didn't need, or couldn't fit, a full size dresser and there we go we have a beautiful baby room. I love it!!

And then the colors! That's the exciting part, decorating. The theme modern jungle, which means no monkeys, LOL! My sister helped pick the bedding which coordinated with the rug and then you hold your breath until it arrives and hope it works. It does, take a look for yourself. YAY! We're more than halfway there...

Friends/family Baby Shower

So after a dynamite first shower I was so looking forward to my second one. My besties put this together and worked so hard to pull of a creative and elegant event. I know the girls stayed up all night, conferred with my out of town girls for months, Quiana and Lyn and did it up right! This is the shower were it really hit me I'm about to be a mommy. It was either the hormones or the love in the room that made me cry at least three times. (probably a combo of the two) When I looked around the room and saw how many close friends and family who are really rooting for my family, it just touched me. Another special day with games, great food, flowers, and lots of kind words made a sister feel like a queen. Guess I better enjoy it because in a few weeks it's going to be all about the king! We really got hooked up once again, this child doesn't need much. I just had to figure out to fit all the goodies in the room. Once again...thank you so much and I love you ladies!!

Shower me with your love..

I'm so blessed to have such a large group of supportive and loving friends. I had two showers leading up to the birth of Baby Minor and I was surrounded by such loving friends at both of them. First my work shower, where Chanel LeBlanc and Sharon Seigal-Cohen rounded up the troops. It was at the Strand and was simply beautiful! I've been at Channel 4 for nearly 7 years and really have developed a lot of good relationships with co-workers and wives of co-workers. We had a blast. I think the most memorable moment was the baby diaper game. They melted different candy bars in the diaper and you had to smell it to figure out which candy bar was the culprit. Hilarious!! It's really awesome to have a network of people who support you and want to share special moments with you and I don't lack in that department. I left with a backseat full of wonderful gifts for Baby Minor and I'm so touched by the generosity. Love you ladies!!

Beginnings...

Yesterday I was thinking about beginnings. Baby Minor is starting from scratch. He's the best cake, with the most ingredients, that are passed on and shared by generations, then gathered from all over the world, nurtured and loved, and then whipped up in a sweet dessert that cooks for hopefully 100 years. It's pretty simplistic but not every baby gets such a special chance at life. We, all of us, have created a world for this child that will prayerfully nourish him body, mind, and spirit. Some children come into the world with the basics, while others with nothing, some in abusive situations, some as pawns for moms and dads. It's so unfortunate that not every children gets the opportunity to thrive, they deserve it, require it, and it's our responsibility to provide for our little guy. I'm feeling more prepared for the job and the mistakes I'll make along the way but I'm giving it my best shot! It started with a positive pregnancy tests and as I know from my family experience it never stops. I'm so blessed to have had the village that raised me!

And it's back...

I've never experienced acid reflux before, but it's been one of the very few negative side effects I've experienced since being pregnant. It's not fun but minor compared to the others that I know are out there. Since I'm a natural "problem solver" I've been trying to figure out how to reduce it. I drink a little coffee a few times a week, eat greek yogurt, but the worse was when my sister and kids were in town and we had pizza and mud! (a dessert with oreos, pudding, whipped cream, bad decision all around) that was a bad night. It came back up with a vengeance. So that's enough of that combo. I've also cut out the coffee and that seems to help. Oh and you have to eat at least 2 hours before bed, because as soon as you start flipping around under the covers any food you've eaten makes its way back up your throat with a serious burn. This is such a learning process but I seem to be getting it, pregnant woman of the year, I've got this down. Now I've got to deliver the little and raise him...different story!

Catching up...

I've been gone for some time but quite a few things have happened in the interim. We're step closer to a completed baby room and miles closer to a beautiful office space thanks to the Minor Men. On a 5 day trip Tarik's dad has built a beautiful shelf that looks just like the vision. It was quite the adventure but with much diligence, patience, and persistanc they did it. Thank goodness for the senior Minor because I'm not sure Tarik would have stayed focused without him. They also got in two days of golf so it was an all around wonderful trip. The last one before the newest addition graces the house.

Baby on the move

It must be getting cramped in there because this little guy is moving everywhere!  This has to be the coolest part of being pregnant feeling Baby Minor move.  The first sensations feel like gas nothing too special, you wonder if this is really the baby or if it's just something you ate.   But as he matures he's starting to assert himself more in the womb.  You still get the gas bubbles but they're like bigger eruptions in your belly.
And then there are the elbows, knees, back, head, toe...who knows, but it's ready to break through but there's "stuff" in the way.  That's when the little guy gives up and goes back into a cramped space, only to try again just a little bit later.

It's not always comfortable don't let any one tell you it is, but it's amazing and welcomed because it means he's growing, getting stronger, and moving on down towards the light.  Take your time sweet boy...two months to go baby!

Stop nursery time...

So I'm narrowing down the nursery design and I'm really excited about a nursery I found on pinterest. It's a little less whimsical and more jungle, but it's going to have that earthy feel that I think I was going for when I first started down this road. I mean he is a baby I can't deprive him of a completely theme-less room, right?

Check out this room...

So cute right?! The best part is I have a co-worker whose daughter is an artist. She paints beautiful animal themed, mosaic works of art. So Tarik is in the midst of painting, we bought a rug this past weekend and I need to work on coordinating colors!

Can't wait to see the results!

I gotta go, I gotta go...I gotta go right now!

The next friend who gets pregnant I will NOT buy them a book, but instead a week's supply of double-ply toilet paper!  (BTW that's the 36 double roll)   I've bought so much toilet paper that I downgraded to the cheaper model because it's just ridiculous.  And it's not even a full fledge "go", it's just whatever my ever-shrinking bladder can hold.  

Then they say drink water...lots of it and the cycle continues, I think the doctors are in business with Charmin.   I know this is just the beginning and by the end my bladder will look like a small water balloon that won't inflate but it's all good, it just means Baby Minor is getting bigger!

What a difference a year makes..

Life takes on an entirely new meaning when you're pregnant. You gain 20+ plus pounds in 9 months, growth. Your hair and nails flourish, growth. Your responsibiities include nourishing and protecting a new ife in your belly, growth. And most important, you start with a poopyseed in your stomach that eventually grows, into a pumpkin, or a baby! Now that's the ultimate growth right there.

Life is about to take on a new meaning and most everything that's really important will be centered on growth. "Look at him grow", in the life a child every month is a milestone, every year is a special birthday, until it's not and you're ready to count backwards.

When birthdays aren't as important and you're racing for the next weekend, it's easy to forget about growth. This child has already reminded me to slow down, enjoy the moment, and figure out how to take advantage of even the days you can't wait to end.

Because next year at this time I'll be saying I can't believe my baby is about about to turn one. Now that's growth!

From pink to blue....

This week I realized that my baby bump application on my phone had a pink background and so did this blog. I'm sorry Prince Minor, I love that you're going to be a boy but I think many mothers assume because they have female parts so should their unborn children. So let me list a few great things about boys (or so I hear):

You don't have to do hair
No squatting or very rarely papering a toilet seat
Boys love their mamas
You only have to worry about one boy not every new boyfriend she falls in love with
Go play with your daddy!
Daddy will take you to get a haircut
Treasure hunts
Transformers
Boys take care of their mamas when they're sick
Lots of exercise
Fewer clothes to buy
Your daddy will explain that honey
No short skirts, half tops, and you can't leave the house in that young lady!

I'm sure the list could go on for 5 pages but I'll stop there. I'm excited for this little boy, who's going to change our lives forever! I'm Team Blue all the way, I just hope he looks a little like his mama....LOL!

Birthing Babies...

We started Bradley Birthing Classes about 5 weeks ago. This is not your regular Lamaze class, these women are serious about no doctor intervention. I believe if they could go in the woods, squat, and push out a baby they'd do it and then go wash clothes on a rock It's very empowering though confirming this is what you body was made to do. You have all the equipment, the abilities, the strength, and the pain tolerance to do this. I am WOMAN hear me ROAR!!

All that is well and good but I'm a little scared. How do I know when my cervix is stretching to push out a baby head the size of a bagel that I'm going to be able to tolerate the pain. The pain that has been described as someone taking a hot knife and chopping you in half. What?!?! Are you serious? The other 6 pregnant women sit there with pleasant smiles on their faces agreeing this is going to be wonderful, oh yes, everything I've been waiting for all my life. Im screaming inside thinking...NOOOOOO, THIS IS GOING TO BE AWFUL!! WHY WOULD ANYONE PUT THEMSELVES THROUGH THIS PAIN!!   But then I get it together and think well you might as well try. My mom did it, my sister did it, women for hundreds of years did it, and still do,

Looks like fun, huh?

Deep breath, calm down, and blink. So after I'm sure a hoffified expression leaves my face I put on a pleasant smile that conveys I can't wait for the hot knife or the bagel baby head!

Fake it until you make it and ask for the epidural if you need it! That's my motto. Check back in a couple of months I might change my mind!

Design on a dime!

So one challenge to get ready for the baby is to move Tarik out of his office, which will be the nursery, into another room of the house. He needs his privacy, so it doesn't have to be pristine, but he's going to have to be in a more public room of the house. Right now we have 2 substantial rooms in the house that we don't use. One is a dining room, that's sadly ignored, the other what mom calls the museum. It's a walk through room to the other used parts of the house. The plan: to move the dining room into the museum and turn the dining room into Tarik's office, library, sitting room for the entire family Tarik sees a big fluffy rug for Baby Minor to play on, learn to walk on, have his first date on, learn to drive on, used for everything! LOL, just joking, but he does have this image of a "magic rug" and he will get it!!

So we had a couple of designers come in, for free because they do Morning Show interviews, and give their advice. They agree the space should be better used made some suggestions and we're off! I fogot how I love this stuff. I'm pretty creative when I want to be...so let's do this!

Moved dining room to museum.

Looks pretty good!

Tarik and his dad's spring project, build shelves, here's an idea.

Healthy, active, fully equipped baby!

We're cleared from Regional Obstetrics, the high risk doctors we had to visit because I'm advanced maternal age. 35 is eldery just FYI.

We had dozens of images taken, heart: check, spine: check, kidney:check, toes:check, fingers:check, brain: check! You get the point, we are so blessed to have a presumed healthy baby. They're really thorough and it's a little scary, but you can't let fear drive you in this journey. We pray, give it to God, and let his will be done. The nurse said he was very active, didn't always want to cooperate but all that is great! She was having fun trying to get him to flip over and with a little prodding, literally, he flipped over.

A boisterous, saucy Latin doctor came in and said this is a healthy baby! I don't see one thing wrong with him. Music to our ears, go Baby Minor grow! I can't wait to meet you little guy.

Here's the star of the show....

Pucker up baby!

 

 

 

 

Look at those biceps!

Not your every day nursery...

A few weeks ago I ventured into an overwhelming babies are us. Can I just say, yuck! I'm not feeling the bedding and nursery themes, especially for boys. Monkeys, jungle, sports themes, Winnie the Pooh, cute but but not my thing. This is a unique little guy that needs a unique place to hang out.

So.....here are the words to describe my design esthetic. Whimsical, eclectic, neutral with a pop of color, haunting (in a good way not scary), rustic, warm, calming....

So I went to a friends house who just had a baby boy and loved her neutral nursery. I'm going to take some ideas from her and add my own flair and Baby Minor should have a wonderful pad.

I got some inspiration the other day when I took a detour from my normal walk route. I went into another neighborhood and this red, feathery tree stood out on a neutral canvas. I loved it, that pop of color to make the nursery sing!

pop of color~

You have to go!

Since I'm feeling great, I've been on a daily mission to organize my life. My first question is where does all this stuff come from and why does it keep coming? Piles of mail, clothes I haven't worn in years, oh and I have no idea what that is?? Am I a hoarder? I can't be that bad because I'm ready to donate, consign, and throw away. Tackling a few drawers a day, a closet a day (yes I have stuff in 3 closets), and figuring out where to put it all. I need a bigger trash can or bigger car trunk.

Funny story I was cleaning out the junk in my trunk so I could put more junk in it and a gaggle of neigbor children came for donations. I gave away 6 Jaguar cups for stacking, channel 4 pencils, a hat with a tag on it, programs from my wedding, bags with hearts on them, and a pair of white and gold high heeled shoes that are very inappropriate for a 10 year old. But she said she wanted to wear them on her wedding day. How can you deny a little girl a pair of hooker heels for her wedding! LOL...I couldn't resist!

The always full trunk!

Here's a picture of the trunk after the cleaning, after one full drop off load, and yes it's full again. I know it's ridiculous, but if I'm ever stuck on the side of the road I'll be warm!

Oh boy!

Thursday December 29th is a big day in our house! We're going to find out if pumpkin is a boy or girl. I'm already convinced it's a boy because Tarik has some special connection with God and I think they had a talk and decided that I needed to have a boy first. 12:45 is the time our world changes. I'm a little nervous because I liked not knowing. There's something about those precious moments before secrets are revealed, they're just so pure, they stand alone without any outside influence or knowledge. But that's not an option, if Tarik analyzes the heartbeat one more time I think he might explode.

First let me say thank God! This is an important appointment, the nurse is taking images of pumpkin's heart, kidneys, spine, liver, brain, counting baby's 10 fingers and toes and everything is in order. But before she finished hubby asks that question again..."is is true that if the baby's heartbeat is fast it's boy?" The nurse realizes that if she's going to have his full attention she better reveal the sex....so she does which pumpkin was showing off like a trophy. Oh that's a boy alright!! Insert full belly laugh, cheers of "that's a Minor boy alright", more laughs. Son your daddy just won the lottery! God smiles at holding up his end of the bargain, I'm still not sure what Tarik has to do?

I'm a little slower to warm, to be honest, not because I don't LOVE you more than anything but because the secret is out and I'm not sure about boys because I'm not one. I know I'll be a wonderful mommy to my boy and I'm sure he'll scream for his mommy when he falls for the first time on the ground and in love!

Cheers to Baby Boy Minor!! We already love you so much!

Christmas Break Part 1

First off for my loyal followers, lol, let me say I'm sorry for the lapse of posts. I've been spending my free moments with my nose in books. I've gotten through the Green Mile, pregnancy books in-between and now I'm reading Wicked. No excuses though, I'll be happy to forget those books one day in exchange for a log of my life before, planning for, and anticipating my first child. So I'm going to pretend it's the holidays and catch you up. In fact hold please, Sounds of the Season On demand television would be an appropriate music choice.

So we had a wonderful Christmas break. One week together, with both families, and lots of friends. First to the house of calories A.K.A. my mom and dad's house for a little relaxation and lots of love. We went to a Christmas party where I had baby bump envy, because there was a woman there ready to pop. I desired to not just look fat but instead pregnant but I supressed that want because I know I'll have my time when I can't see my feet, need help getting up, and feel a foot in my ribs on occasion. It was a wonderful four days, got to see a good friend and her family, exercised with mom, watched lifetime Christmas movies, and ate my favorite feast, seafood. As usual seeing my mommy was a necessary recharge from several months away from that person who's loved me since I made my debut on this earth. I can only hope that my baby feels the same way one day!





Merry Christmas!



Tasha and Mel

Christmas Break Part 2

The Wednesday before Christmas I kissed mom and dad goodbye and we took the hour drive to the inlaws. I know this is going to be another fun filled time, even more so because their first grand baby is cooking in the oven. The first thing on the agenda is a little shopping before going home for lunch. You would have thought my hubby was the pregnant one as he made us stop on the way for a hot dog because he was starving. LOL, it was a funny moment I wanted to remember, I digress. The Minors raved over the baby bump and even put up a stocking for pumpkin, which was blue, I'm not sure what that color choice was about. ;-)

The next day they planned a party so we could meet some of their good friends. It was a delicious soupfest and no different than usual gatherings at the Minor's house plenty of food, plenty of love and toasts, and countless prayers.

That evening we were going to freeze with the Kirsch and Cody families. My best friend and little sister at "Ice" at the Gaylord Palms. All I have to say is 9 degrees, surrounded by millions of pounds of beautifully carved ice.

 I was a little salty when I couldn't slide down the ice slide, sorry Pumpkin, because I'm sure you'll slide down much more dangerous slides in your lifetime. I wanted to show you a good time...LOL! It was really wonderful catching up. Always laugh the hardest with my girls, good friends last forever!

The rest of the trip was just as fulfilling, spent some quality time with my favourite little sister and met her new beau. She's going to be engaged by summer, mark my words people. I'll skip around to Christmas morning...

Big things popping! We opened gifts and everyone felt the love that went into the choices. It was my first Christmas Day with the Minors and pumpkin and I had a blast.

They treat me like a daughte/sister and I can't ask for anything more!