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.