Grinch Antidote

Being pregnant makes you really sensitive. And emotional. And it becomes much harder to deal with difficult personality types. If someone does something unthoughtful or unkind, it has always taken me a while to get over. I don't like it when people are blatantly unkind. I try to understand why someone would act the way they did so I can have some sort of understanding. I am looking forward to the day I have the baby so I can get away from a lot of negativity at work. But knowing I will never be able to avoid all the grinch-types of the world, or those people who have hard circumstances that don't know how to handle them well, what do you do for those kinds of people? How do you deal with it?

I guess the issue is, I just don't know how to let things go easily?

On to better things though, Nate and I find out in 15 days whether we are having a boy or girl!! And I have been dreaming up Nursery ideas :) I like the idea of Enchanted Forest. Mostly because I love adorable woodland creatures and nature, but it seems like an easy theme. Nate wants gender neutral, so we will probably end up doing something more like this. (It even has the name I like, though no official names have been decided ;)

But if we have a girl, I thought it may be fun to do something a bit more whimsical.

I am leaning towards the first nursery type theme. I think it will be much easier, especially if we end up moving down the line, or if I am crazy enough to try having another baby after this one. Pregnancy is tough stuff, but my philosophy on children is that it's like football, once your down, it doesn't matter how many pile on. (Once you have one child, it doesn't really matter how many you have because you have now moved on to the land of parenting. Life is never the same as it was before haha.)

Anyway... I can hear Nate stirring. Which means it's time for PRESENTS!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas again. Love, Erica.

Merry Christmas!

Here is my favorite Christmas song this year, Mary Did You Know? I love Cee Lo's voice in this song. And the video is very well put together. But impossible for me to watch without crying so I usually just listen to the song. Enjoy.

Apologies.

Who knew November only had 30 days? Not me apparently. And next time you see me, don't bother trying to explain that whole knuckle thing about which months have 31 days in them. I don't really care that much. If I did, I'd look at a calendar once in a while.

So in case you haven't heard the news, or the rumors, Nate and I are expecting a new addition to our family coming May of 2013. And it better be May. Tardiness is not acceptable. Pregnancy and I don't get along well, and I refuse to go over my due date. So naturally, I will be 3 weeks late and they'll have to slice me... it just seems to be the way it goes in the medical world for me haha.

I have had some pretty funny thoughts. Also scary. And exhausting. And just ridiculous. Like last night. I looked down at my feet and thought, am I wearing socks? I was, but I could barely tell. My feet are getting so white. They lost the tan sunburn from Australia quick. I could really use a tan. And then I thought, why do I care? Soon I won't have to look at my feet- I won't even be able to see them!

My outlook is beginning to brighten a little. No thanks to feeling any better, cause that hasn't happened. But instead of grumbling every day, I am trying to think how grateful I should be that we have this opportunity. We are so fortunate, and even if it came at a very unexpected and somewhat inconvenient time, what a marvelous experience it will be.

At this Christmas season, for the first time I am really understanding how difficult being a mother is. And I know I am only beginning this journey. The worry about the future mom's have, giving everything for their children. If there is an experience geared towards helping women understand pure love, it is this one.

I am not ready to be a mom yet. But I don't know that anyone is truly ready. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who has brought me breakfast in bed every morning. And defrosts my windows in the mornings. And is EXTREMELY patient.

This has been me lately. Except, let's be real for a minute. There is no rolling pin in these hands. I have maybe walked into the kitchen a handful for times without vomiting or coming close to it.

The Nate has done all the cleaning, food prep, and everything else lately because I have been pooped. Everyone keeps saying it gets better, but the headaches only seem to be getting worse. I have been trying not to take it out on other people when I feel miserable, but so far, I have had few successes.

But I will keep trying. And when I feel better, I will talk to people again. Maybe even have a night out somewhere? I'll keep you posted.

Even if it took some time, I am very excited for a baby. I have already picked out a name I like. I have determined I am having a girl until proven otherwise. Nate thinks it's a boy, but in asking around for guesses, girl is taking the lead big time. So far the name I have picked out hasn't been popular with other people. Lucky for me, I don't care haha. If our child doesn't like their name, he or she can legally change it at age 18.

More to come on baby names and the gender reveal party we are planning. I am hoping by 20 weeks I will be functional enough to host such a thing. Thank you all for your patience with me. For your kind words, encouragement, and support. I am so blessed to have friends and family who look out for me even when I fall short. Thank you!