37 weeks pregnant: bittersweet

Christmas day marked my 37th week of pregnancy! I was thrilled to reach the full term point, but now as I am realizing that it will soon be over I am feeling several different emotions. I'm nervous, excited, kinda sad but yet super happy to meet my little boy Nicolas. I'm nervous because this is my first pregnancy & I don't know what to expect as far as labor/delivery or getting him home...I've been reading a lot of articles and asking my mama friends for advice to prepare. I'm excited to meet my son and start this new chapter of life with my family. I am sad because I'll miss this pregnant silhouette...yeah, I said it. I'll miss feeling his movements and I'll miss leaning over my belly to speak to him, miss hugging the bump for mom when she texts me saying "hug Nicolas", I'll miss carrying him with me wherever I go. On the flipside, I am so thrilled to think I'll finally get to see him face to face and kiss his sweet little face. YAY!

As my pregnancy wraps up, I wanted to extend some advice to future mamas out there:

1) Savor every moment! Nausea, illness, loss of balance and weight gain are all trumped by the first feeling of movement, the little hiccup episodes, the "Wave" babies do in the belly haha and the fascinating transformation your body takes. Take pictures of your growing belly, write down your thoughts, take warm bubble baths, eat chocolate haha and healthy things too of course - just savor it all!!!

2) Take people's opinions with a grain of salt. I can't tell you how many sweet compliments I've gotten with my growing bump but of course there's always the few sour comments that I seem to put too much value on. "You're so big!" "I don't think you're going to make it full term!" "Are you sure you're not having twins?" "You look so tired" HAHAHA....Now I can look back and chuckle, but at the time some comments really sent me to the bathroom checking my reflection, regretting eating that Hershey bar and even crying. Maybe those negative comments really prepare us for what lies ahead? People will ALWAYS have opinions about our appearances, our attitude and I'm realizing that I will have to deal with people's judgement on my parenting too as Nicolas and I grow up together. So, all I can say is SCREW IT (for lack of better words). I seriously could care less what people think anymore. This is my body, my experience, my baby and my life. Anyone who doesn't approve can realize it's their problem, not mine.

3) Be comfy: For work and for trips out I always tried to wear jeggings, leggings or yoga pants that were stretchy but paired it with cute tops and accessorized with scarves, jewelry, cute hair do, etc. It's very important to be comfortable & part of that for me is feeling confident! I will never use being a mom as an excuse to be lazy or "not care". Becoming a mom has reinforced for me the importance of feeling good, feeling confident and still feeling like ME. Of course I have makeup less days and I run to the store in my Colts hoodie and some sweats, but overall I know I won't let myself go because being a mom may be a big role but it's not the only role I have.

4) Stretch: I did yoga through out my entire pregnancy. I made sure in the beginning it was lower level intensity & as Nicolas has grown, I've transitioned to prenatal yoga. I am not one to run to Tylenol for pain relief, I'd rather not mask the problem but really remedy it with exercise. Back pain is a sure thing so stretching/yoga exercises really helped me & the mental benefits are amazing as well. Yoga is a true gift to the human body/mind.

5) Escape: I had one weekend getaway with my mom to Ohio and a couple to visit my aunt & uncle in Southern IN. I'm telling you it's SO nice to escape the routine and get away. All of those weekend trips were very much needed.

6) Accept help/donations: I didn't realize how much stuff babies needed & when it started kicking in, I got majorly stressed out............to say the least. I was lucky to get donated lots of maternity clothes but we were also donated the CRIB, baby's bathtub, nursing gear & a high chair. I receieved lots of gifts for Nicolas at his shower too, a carrier, another high chair, a swing, a pumpkin seat and lotssss of clothes. My son is set!

7) Don't WORRY. This is my final piece of advice. This pregnancy has taught me from DAY 1 that
I am not in control. God is in control. I've always been the one to try to manage things and keep things the way I want them but with pregnancy, it's not that way at all. My first trimester was agonic and so slow because I spent every single day worrying. I was worried I'd lose my son. I had to keep myself off the internet reading awful things about miscarrying and eptopic pregnancies, etc. Whatever happens will happen...I had to let go and let GOD. He spoke to me at one point. I heard him say "Be still and know that I am God." Amen! He has carried me through this experience and showed me in his gentle, loving way that HE is the one who provides, He is the one who set pregnancy in motion. My body is just doing what God designed it to do. I will be okay. Nicolas will be okay. You will be okay. God is in control, do not fear.

8) Okay, I fibbed - one more piece of advice. Reach out to others! I don't know what I would've done without my precious mom. I stressed her out I'm sure with so many questions and worries and complaints but she has been my angel. During pregnancy, it's VERY important to feel supported. Reach out to other people who care for you and your baby. Let them guide you and comfort you as your experience this baffling miracle. Don't let yourself feel alone or afraid. Don't be afraid to let people love you and help you.

I'm thankful for a new day! Even if I am snowed in...lol I choose to praise God on this day and I hope you will too.

XO

Reflections

      As 2012 draws quickly to a close, I've been thinking about how much has changed for me in the past year. I got engaged, pregnant & married. I have a place of my own now with my husband which we share with my stepson Cristian. I have made & lost a few friends through out the year. I have also taken a new job which was offered to me at 35 weeks pregonant! Overall, I am immensely blessed.
     Juan and I found a home church last month. I am incredibly grateful for that...I had been seeking a home church for several years since leaving my home town.
     I am 36 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I was told by many that it would fly by and they were soooo right. I can say that my first trimester was agony for me...it went soooo slow! My second and third trimesters have zoomed right by. My body has undergone so many changes, it's amazing and crazy all at once! First trimester is a lot of physical/mental changes, second seemed to be mostly hormonal/mental and this third trimester has been way better hormonally but physically it's overwhelming! Pregnancy is a beautiful and overwhelming journey. I am thankful for this experience but I can truthfully say I am ready to meet my son, hold him and begin this new journey together!
     Christmas is 3 days away. I can't wait to go to church to celebrate Jesus' birth, to sing and to reflect on this amazing year. I hope all of you have a blessed Christmas with your friends/family and that we all remember the true meaning of this magical season: Christ!

Christmas Spirit Reign!

Christmas is so special to me. I always had wonderful Christmas experiences growing up. My parents, especially my mom, were wonderful at incorporating enough of the magic to make me a believer in Santa and his reindeer but they never let me forget the TRUE reason for Christmas...Christ's birth! I can't imagine how Christmas is in other households who don't celebrate the true reason for the season.

I am blogging today to share some of the ways I am letting the Christmas spirit reign!

#1: Christmas music at work! Let the K-Love Christmas Music Player get you in the Spirit. Beautiful, cheery music that keeps us happy and reminds of why this season is the "most wonderful time of the year!"

#2: Celebrating with Cloffer! Cristian named his Elf on the Shelf "Cloffer" lol. That child has come up with some interesting names. He wanted my husband and me to name our son "Makanuki" LOL!! Anyways, the first day he received Cloffer we read the book & named him. The second day, we found Cloffer in the kitchen where he had made a snowman out of marshmallows. The third day, Cloffer was found in the bathroom with a toothbrush to remind little Cristian the importance of brushing his teeth. Cloffer has gone with Cristian to stay with his mom until Cristian comes back so I hope they're enjoying their time with him ^_^

#3: Baking plans/Party: My mom is hosting a Christmas cookie swap this weekend. I am excited to try every kind of cookie! I can't wait to take my cookies. I don't want to give away my recipes yet, but I will post some pictures of some ideas I've had for the exchange.

#4: I plan to bake a "Rosca de Reyes" for the first time this year! This is a cake pastry traditionally eaten on January 6th on the "Dia de Reyes" (Day of the Kings). The Kings referring to the arrival of the three wisemen who arrived late to celebrate Christ's birth. The tradition of placing a trinket (figurine of the Christ Child) in the cake is very old. The baby Jesus, when hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Jesus, fleeing from King Herod's evil plan to kill all babies that could be the prophesied messiah. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on February 2, Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria). In the Mexican culture, this person also has to throw a party and provide tamales and atole to the guests. *credit to Wikipedia*

Rosca de Reyes

I hope everyone has a ~*magical*~ Christmas season & remembers the reason for season! XO