Things NOT to say to a pregnant woman....

I have decided that I am going to try to work as long as comfortably possible until the baby comes. A couple reasons for this, my job doensn't pay me maternity leave but they do hold my job for up to 3 months. So I have saved my vacation time and sick days for some coverage during that time- I would like to take the full 3 months if at all possible but we will have to see how that goes. Hopefully I don't have to use any of my time off too early but that all depends on how this last trimester all pans out. I am starting to have a bit of back pain during work and my feet resemble sausages by the time I get home but I am getting pregnancy massages about every-other week which helps a ton. If you are pregnant, never underestimate the power of a great massage!
The only thing harder than the physical stuff while working is trying to gracefully listen to every little comment and question that gets thrown your way. I'm not talking about every now and then, I mean letterally every other, if not every single person that comes up to the counter for their daily fix..... for those of you that aren't aware, I am the manager at 2 Thomas Hammer coffee shops at Sacred Heart Hospital. One being the largest volume store in the company, I have a ton of interaction with people throughout my day. I have some of the best customers and I really do love my job but.... there are just some things that you never say to a pregnant woman, especially one you really don't know. Not all people say things that they intend on coming out mean or rude, but seriously, I think some people just DO NOT think before talking. Wasn't that something you learn before middle school?!
Here are some examples of things that I have been said to me at work....

• "So, how much weight have you gained?"
• "Ya know the guy that did that to you?"
• "Wow, look at your belly, your pregnant right, not just a little fat?"
• "How are you feeling?"- Nothing wrong with this one too much, but it's more the tone and look they give you, like they expect your head to start spinning any time. Plus, do you REALLY want to know the answer to that question.....cause I'll let you know every gory detail if ya want
• "Oh, you look REALLY tired!" um, yeah, just like I feel
• "WOW- your belly is really sticking out there!"
• Them:"Um, How much longer do you have", Me: "About 3 months". Them:"oh man! You are going to be HUGE! My friend is only due in 2 months and she's way smaller than you." me- "Um thanks, have a great day!" then as she leaves I proceed to start bawling at the counter.
• "WOW- I think you have doubled in size since I last saw you" (fifteen minutes later...) "Yeah, you have definately at least doubled in size!" (30 min, later...) "I just can't believe how BIG you are all the sudden!" followed by..."I just Can't get over it! Are you feeling okay?"
• "You probably aren't about to, but you look like you could deliver any time!"
• "pregnant women are CRAZY- I hung out with a couple of my pregnant friends over the weekend and all they did was talk about being pregnant, what to eat, how they feel, UGH!"-my repsonse: "well, being pregnant is a big deal and it's all you think about. They aren't crazy, they are just really excited." (followed by a smile)

And the winner.....

• "So, is your husband the father?" My response, after the initial shock of what I was just asked, "well, I guess we'll see" Then when I realized that she was actually serious I said,"What kind of question IS that?" her response"Oh, you would be surprised in my department" (She is a nurse!) followed by, "So, is this your husbands first baby too?" All I could do was just say "yep" give her a delicious beverage and countinue to laugh about it the rest of the day.

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that this is exciting and most people mean well and for the most part people have been GREAT, but I think of all the times in my life when "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" could apply, it would be now. I LOVE my big belly and the little miracle inside it, and if that means that I have to just grin and bare it, I will.

So just a bit of advice next time you see a pregnant woman, any pregnant woman, it's not so bad asking how far she is or if she has a name picked out. But make sure you tell her that she looks great, beautiful even and congratulate her on that little bundle of joy that she is growing so amazingly...even if she does look a bit round and tired:)

Baby talk....

For those of you that don't know (which I'm pretty sure there aren't many) We are going to have a BABY!! We are so excited! This has litterally been the happiest time in mine - and I'm sure Kyle's lives. I have always been appreciative of my blessings but I think that now more than ever I am so aware of what a gift God has given us. We had some trouble getting pregnant so now that we are we have definately not taken any day for granted. Every little movement, kick(even in the ribs) and flutter makes me smile. One of my very favorite things is to watch Kyle feel the baby move, yeah, I think I officially have that instant pregnant-mommy-sappy thing going on but I just can't help it! He has been so incredibly supportive during this whole pregnancy- going to every appointment possible, cooking, cleaning, building the crib and dresser, painting the room, rubbing my back, and telling me that I still look good even when I don't really feel like I do. I couldn't have asked for more!! He will be a great dad, I just know it!!

We are trying to spend as much time together as possible, We took a trip to Seattle for the weekend a bit ago- went to the Seahawks home opener, dinner at the Crab Pot- DELICIOUS! went to Pikes Street, bought a new tv stand at crate and barrell (we need one here!) and hung out with my friend Traci and her Sister Jen. It was a blast- we definately needed it! We've been trying to do things together at home too: going out to dinner together, movies, shopping - ya know- the things that will be pretty hard to do when the little one gets here- which is going to be soon! We are due December 5th so that only leaves us with about 10 weeks! We are having a boy- his name so far is Parker. I've always loved that name for a boy- we tried lists of other names but just couldn't get away from Parker. The middle name is a bit up in the air. We originally liked Anderson (which is my maiden name) but just recently have liked Noah. So that may be one of those "wait till we meet him" things. I could go on and on about all the baby stuff (it's kinda a big deal) but I'll save some of it so that I can have another blog topic to talk about at one point. plus, I don't want to bore you:)

New Bloggers!

Hi everyone!

So I've decided that starting a blog will be a fun way to talk about all the new and exciting things going on in our lives right now. I have a couple friends with blogs and I think it's a great idea- not only for info-sharing but so I can get some of these events "down on paper". Call it a time-killer or even a time-waster but I think I will enjoy this (I may even be able to get Kyle in on a blog or two) So bare with me as I am VERY new at this and will basically be feeling my way in the dark but I will try to keep up and make this fun!