What I've learned...

HI! Sorry, I've totally been neglecting this blog. The Maska family moved! We finally closed on our house. I am so excited to finally be moved in and to be in full-on nesting mode.

As soon as we are done with the nursery and the furniture is OUT of the dining room, I will post pictures of our house. We don't have pictures up on the wall yet, or it decorated all cute, but eventually...I promise!

I wanted to write a post about 5 AWESOME things about pregnancy and 5 Not-So-Awesome things that I've discovered in the past 8 months. This weekend, I'll do a bumpdate when I get the energy to get dressed and actually do my hair.

Aight? Here we goooooooooo.

Five AMAZING things about pregnancy:

1. My hair has never been longer, thicker, or more healthy. Well, except for years ago when I didn't fry the shit out of it color it, of course. I am loving it!

2. HOLY BOOBS.

3. Feeling the little flutters, that turn into jabs and kicks, which turn into the little baby rolling around. Now that he's the size of a  tasty melon, I get to see him bumping around in my belly. It's pretty cute. Except for when you're trying to sleep, and he's claimed the right side of your belly, which is the side you sleep on...and of course, you don't want your fat ass to smash him.

4. Nesting mode. I've never been real organized or been a super clean freak, but nesting mode has turned me into a machine. Plus, I'm LOVING the smell of these disinfectant wipes we bought at Sams Club, so I am wiping the shit out of everything in sight that I can. Mmmmm.

5. Meeting and talking with other mamas to be that are in the same spot in life as I am. I have made some great friends that are so resourceful and supportive. Cause' let's face it...my other friends could probably care less about breast pumps, padsicles, and tummy time.


5 Not-So-Great Aspects of Pregnancy

1. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I've REALLY struggled with my body image, self esteem, and weight this pregnancy. I'm literally in tears at least once a week because of either the scale at the doctor, I look like Shrek in my maternity clothes, or somebody asks me if I'm having twins, which has happened twice. I cried both times. No, not twins, and not even really a big baby at that. He is just laying funny in my womb, thanks. Of course, it makes me feel bad. I took no pictures of myself on my honeymoon because I looked "pudgy". It's just been so hard. I'm so motivated to get back into a 7/8 after I push this baby out. My friend Julia and I went to Express today, and I wanted SO bad to buy these cute dresses and colored shorts that were 40% off, but I couldn't, because I have NO clue what size I am going to be.

2. Feeling helpless. We moved this past weekend, and I tried to help all I could. I KNOW if I wasn't pregnant, I would have been able to help more. I felt so bad seeing my family and my husband doing all the work for me. I hate having to ask Mark to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer because my belly won't let me bend over and get the clothes at the bottom of the washer. I hate having to ask him to help me put on my shoes when we go for a walk, and I hate that our electric bill is probably going to be off the charts this month because I'm so warm. I just want to go back to normal.

3. Feeling so fatigued. I nap nearly every day. I get 8 hours of sleep (minus bathroom breaks) but by 2:00 PM, my eyes are heavy and I am dragging. It just started back up in the third trimester. I am thankful for this little miracle I am growing, but I miss being energetic and wanting to "go, go go!"

4. The bloodwork. I dread getting my blood drawn. I think I've had 25 tubes of blood taken in the past 8 months. I pass out. Every. Single. Time.

5. Anxiety. Having had a miscarriage before, I was so anxious and nervous that something was wrong with this baby. I was such a negative Nancy, and I would convince myself before every ultrasound and appointment that either something was seriously wrong with this baby, or that it didn't have a heartbeat. I had many, many meltdowns and freak outs. I just wanted my body to not fail me...again. I needed to learn to trust my body. I'm almost there. Once I make it through the delivery, my faith will be restored :).

I just needed to let it all out there, and I am finally feeling better having written this. I can't wait to meet our son. I can't wait to snuggle him and tell him how much I love him.

32 Friggin Weeks!

Holy hell, I need an extra coat of chalkboard paint on this thing!

Cropped half my face out. You're welcome.

How far along: 32 weeks. Ahhhh! So close, yet so, so far!

Total Weight Gain: Ugh. I hate this question. ~25 lbs. We will find out the upcoming 4th of July damage on the 10th. But honestly, I don't feel like I've gained anywhere else except my midsection. Maybe a little more jiggle in my arms since I can't do any heavy weightlifting/toning and belly won't let me do push ups any more. Maybe I'll pop out a 18 lb baby and 7 lb of fluid? One can dream. JK the sound of an 18 lb baby makes my vag scream in horror.

Stretchmarks: Another sore subject. Yes, some. This mama has her fading cream ready to go.

Sleep: It's okay...when I can actually fall asleep, I can stay asleep! But falling asleep...urgggg.

Best Moment This Week: Doing our inspection on our house! How is this baby related? UMM because I am one week away from getting those keys and starting on his nursery. I'm seriously going cray. His furniture is in boxes. The amazing gifts we got from our baby shower, are in tubs and bags. I want to put it all together!

Movement: Yep. But honestly, he's really lazy compared to what some people say their babies do. So I've come to the conclusion that A. He's either just really chill and sleeps a lot like his dad, which would be AMAZING. or...B. He's hibernating and keeping his energy stored up to unleash when he comes out.

Gender: Team Peen.

Labor Signs: A few Braxton Hicks contractions. Some cramping (which could be caused by several things that I'm not going to describe on the internet :) )
Belly Button: Still in.

What I Miss: 

What I am Looking Forward to: Moving in, getting settled, and nesting.

Can I just show you the sweetest blanket I bought B on Etsy? It came on Monday and I'm in love.

Eeeeeek I can't wait to wrap him in it.

Ciao!

10 Things I'm Thankful for.

So, I just wanted to post about what I'm thankful for. I've done far, FAR too much complaining in the past couple of weeks due to feeling like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers. Oh, and guess what happened today, at Walmart. I was asked if I was having twins. 

"NO, homegirl, I'm not having twins."

Anyways. In the midst of being 100 months pregnant in the middle of summer, I was thinking about what I'm really thankful for. It's so easy to overlook the things that you are blessed with in your life when you are uncomfortable, struggling with something, or really stressed. It shouldn't be like that. I shouldn't be like that.

SO.. here we go.

1) I am thankful for my wonderful family. My family and Mark's family. They have supported us through SO much, rooted us along, and would bend over backwards for us. My dad's health is better than it was last year, and I am so glad. Mark's family has been so welcoming and nice to me the past couple of years. 

2) I am thankful for this baby boy in my belly. I apologize to him every so often for wishing he was a girl, and for crying when I found out he was a boy. I'm SO excited now to be a boy mom. I can't wait to watch him play with his daddy, watch him play whatever sport he chooses, and kiss his boo boos. I can't wait to dance with him at his wedding, go exploring in the backyard, and watch football with him. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to be a mama. Many people don't know, but we lost a baby before him and I was FOR SURE that I would never have a healthy, happy baby and the chance to be the mother I have wanted to be since I was a little girl, so I am so excited to get a second chance.

3) I am thankful for my husband, who has been so patient with me, who has loved me unconditionally, and has supported me through everything. I never thought I would find someone who compliments me so well. He's a great communicator, and we make a great team. I can't wait to see how great of a father he is to Beckett. I'm also so blessed that he encouraged me to make a job change that was less stressful. 

He is a wonderful provider and I appreciate him so much.

Okay..enough with the sappy stuff..

4) I am thankful for DVR's. There was a point in time when ALL of my favorite shows were on Monday nights. We had the Bachelor, Teen Mom, and Catfish. Now, we have the Bachelor and Real Housewives of Orange County. The DVR makes it so much more manageable. :)

5) I am thankful for Chicken Fried Steak with white gravy. Mmmm mmmm mmm.

6) I am thankful for the New England Patriots losing pretty much half of their team. Brady doesn't need to go to another Bowl.

7) I am thankful for InSession and MSNBC/CNN. I love creeping on high profile court cases. 

8) I am thankful for central heat and air. I have friends on the west coast that don't have it and I'm all like whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! You best believe my AC is cranked.

9) I am thankful for coupons. I will never be an extreme couponer, but good lord, it's actually kind of fun hunting for good deals. 

10) I am thankful for my future neighborhood pool. Sorry in advance to the kiddos that get to see the "scratch marks" on my belly. They aren't that bad...yet.

That is all...HAPPY MONDAY, ya'll!