Mental: I. Look. Pregnant.
No surprise there considering that I’m at my halfway point and that Bennett’s the size of a small cantaloupe.
What’s nice about looking pregnant is that people smile at you for no good reason than that they see you. Perhaps you live in Illinois or the Shenandoah Valley or some other magical land of friendliness. But here in Northern Virginia, most people don’t opt for eye contact, much less a smile.
Look how Bennett’s already breaking down those walls!
Spiritual: My step-dad, Charley, has been in my prayers this week and I hope he’s in yours, too. He’s begun another round of intense, butt-kicking chemo. It’s a four day marathon. I believe that he’s still on his first 24-hour I.V. chemo drip as I type this.
Let’s pray that Charley becomes the first man to ever be cured of multiple myeloma, shall we?
If you’re not in the loop on Charley, here’s a catch-up.
Emotional: Drained. I’m drained. And I’m pretty sure that it’s not the pregnancy this time. No, it’s just Square Piece being a square piece. Now that I’ve received extensive education through my friend’s, Karen’s, courses on Baby Necessities 101, 201 and 301, I’m fully equipped to make educated, baby registering decisions.
I want to be practical. I want to be functional. I want to be frugal. And I’m so thankful in advance for the generosity of others that I want to make it as painless as possible for them to be generous.
Clearly these goals have required me to make a formal outline of my plan of attack. Babies-R-Us is a clear no-brainer for registering, but sometimes their prices can be higher than Target. That said, Babies-R-Us often has 20% off coupons making big ticket purchases easier to swallow. Target? Not so much. (Will my friends use these coupons? Should I just put the item on the Target list instead?) Then there’s amazon.com for friends and family who live in the sticks and prefer online shopping. Amazon.com has items that the other two stores don’t carry and can almost beat every price, but there might or might not be shipping charges. Gah!
Forgive me, but when you have nothing and suddenly you need everything, it feels very… greedy in my heart… to have a list a mile long and to advertise those needs through registering. I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing and that everyone does it, but … well… now that it’s my turn… Just know that I know that if it were up to me and Brian to survive on the bare bones necessities with zero help from the outside world, Bennett would survive, the Lord would still provide and I’d still have plenty to be thankful for.
Oh, please don’t think I’m greedy.
Physical: Here’s my lily white leg on a good day:
While it’s not uncommon to see my veins through my typically translucent skin, here’s what the extra blood volume has enabled me to enjoy now that I’m pregnant:
While these veins don’t bulge all the time, they are prone to doing so after long walks or physical exertion. Did you know that a woman’s body makes on average an extra four pints of blood during her pregnancy? This is so that when she delivers, if she were to hemorrhage, she can afford some blood loss without it being fatal. In the meantime, that extra blood volume is just going to show up in fancy squiggles on my legs.
And in other physical news, yesterday’s encounter at the salon was a doozy. A client, not my own, called for me to come talk to her. When I approached, her conversation to me went something like this:
“I want to tell you something. I think you’re going to have a boy… because boys make mommies’ butts rounder.” (Processing this.) “It’s because boys love their mommies and want their mommies to be beautiful for them and for their daddies…”
*shrug*
Well, I can’t argue with that.
register for everything, everywhere…then save duplicates to give as baby gifts for other mothers! Don’t forget that if folks can’t afford what is on your list, they will just write a check or give you what they would like to have. Anyone who knows you realizes that you are NOT greedy! As a frugal mom, I may check a registry list then shop around, always giving a gift receipt, so it can be returned. Don’t fret over other people…let them worry about themselves!
Thanks, Margaret. I’ll go back and reread this tomorrow when I hit up Babies-R-Us.
I wish there was a way you could sit down more on the job like a high chair with wheels. Wheeeee!
Goodness sakes! I don’t think my veins ever did that, but then I wasn’t on my feet all day like you.
I think others have gone into remission for long periods of time (years, in fact), but yeah, totally cured would be awesome … for him and all myeloma patients.
First, you all are still in my prayers. Charley, I hope this works; from what I know about you through Suzy and her blog, you will make an awesome Grandpa!
Second, Suzy, put what you need on the registry. The Good Lord knows your heart and what you need and will provide, even through others. Plus, Dannielle just flat out needs to know where to go shopping because she will see in you in one month! Okay, that was weird talking about myself in third-person, but oh well, at least you know I’m thinking about you.
whaaaat? what a weird thing for her to say. random. I can’t believe that your veins are doing that. crazy! you have no body fat to cover it up. hmmm.
Lol I wish girls made mommas butts rounder, I need that lol. When’s your baby shower btw
I’ll let ya know.
I may not be a square piece but I am a planner/organizer if there ever was one! I love the list and cross comparison. A square piece after my own heart!! š
Still sending my love and prayers to you and your family!
Everytime I comment on your blog I’m pulled in one emotional direction or another. I find these feelings very moving and appreciated.
Suzy. Order anything and everything you want or need. People want to shower you all with love and gifts. As a new mama your going to be busy and not have time to do much of anything but care for your little one. Register for tons of bottles and burpclothes and blankets. Because laundry will be the last thing on your mind. But in general if people can’t afford whats on your list they will give you a gift card or something. This is your day your time enjoy it and click that remote on whatever you want.
OH MY GOODNESS! I imagine that the extra blood flowing through those veins would throb and cause you pain!!! Praying for you….I promise….the bigger butt, bigger veins, and uncomfortable registering is all SO worth it. I can’t wait to see you!!!!!! I had a dream about you a few nights ago and I saw you and you didn’t look pregnant but we were checking out your tummy and I asked about how big Bennet is now and you said *3.5* (not sure if you were referring to weight or length). I am praying for Charley’s complete healing.
What a blessing to have Karen next door to help you with the planning of what you will need when Bennett comes. Please understand the joy it brings people to purchase or make a gift for a friend. Sit back and relax and enjoy this wonderful journey you and Brian are on. For Scott and I we find it our way of blessing someone we love and consider family.
Much love to you and Brian