Living in a small town without any family nearby, I sometimes feel isolated – and never more so than since I’ve been pregnant.
Sure, I’ve done this once before. I know I’ll be sleep deprived. I know the boy won’t spontaneously combust if I take a shower and leave him to fuss in his bassinet. I know that I’ll probably struggle to breastfeed and will likely wind up a dreaded bottle-feeder once again.
In some ways, I’m totally prepared. And in others?
Dude, shaking in my Crocs.
And I miss my mom and my sister right now, two people who never fail to tell me when I’m acting like an idiot. Not to mention that this time, the birth will take place in the absence of mourning. So if I was still living within spitting distance of my mom and my sister, I’d have help whenever I needed it.
Yesterday I was crankily surfing the blogosphere when I stumbled on a surprise: a virtual baby shower for two of the most wonderful blog citizens I pretend to know, Her Bad Mother and Mrs. Chicky.
And me.
I know! Can you believe it?
I was surprised and honored and more than a little touched. Kristen, Julie and Liz got together and gathered some truly awesome prizes, and will also make a donation to a charity of our choice. All they are asking of you, dear friends, is to give us your best assvice for moms about to double their trouble with a second child.
I’ve already started reading your words of wisdom, and I’m taking them to heart – to a heart full of wonder and thanks.
Sometime I wonder why I put these words out into the atmosphere. I wonder why I spend my time reading stories about strangers. Sometimes I wonder why I blog.
Then I realize it is because I crave community. And you, friends, are my community.
I thank you.
Now go! Participate! Win! For your trouble, I offer you this gratuitous belly shot.
25 weeks
Hide the children, cover your eyes, it’s the belly that ate Chambana!
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh please, you are gorgeous! Look at that cute lil’ belly and those slender arms.
I’ll give you a pass on the Crocs for now. Comfy shoes are important to pregnant ladies.
Dude, if you stopped blogging, I’d, I’d … I’d stop eating cheese.
There. You have it in black and white. And you know I love cheese.
I’m not community – I’m just a warning to others – a warning of what a good idea can turn into, and of how the subject of “oh, aren’t they doing a wonderful thing” is always tired, cranky, and raises his voice more often than he would like.
I should perhaps also add that I wouldn’t change our family for the world – even though I am driven up the wall at times.
love the belly!!
hi shaggy
Hi Mrs. Chicken, If you would like to give breastfeeding a try and would like to learn more about how to successfully breastfeed, you might consider contacting your local La Leche League group. The best time to start attending meetings is before baby is born, but they will help you for free afterwards as well. You can call a Leader for breastfeeding help any time. Babies and children are always welcome at meetings, so you could bring the Poo.
Great belly!!
Adorable. Seriously.
You are so cute!
And yes, the second one is easier . . . it’s the third one that’ll kick your ass.
ohmygod you are SO CUTE.
I have been reading your blog religiously for the last few weeks. I find you hilarious and brutaly honest. Two things that I really love in people. So thank you for allowing me to indulge in your writting.
Now for the topic of second babies. I’m on my third, just had him actually a month ago. Advise for the second child? Ha! Go with your maternal insticts, if you are such a good mom to the the little one you have now( you are amazing at it by the way) than imagine sharing that love with two. It might be hard for the first few weeks so expect it but after that you will fall into a routine and it will be great!!!! Don’t stress out about breast feeding. Get all the help you can but if it does not work out give yourself a break!
I totally simpathise with you about not having any family around. Mine are in Ny and I’m in Idaho(long story). While I’m pregnant it’s really hard for me because I miss them more than anything. After the delivery too, maybe you can arrange so that your mom or your sister can come visit.
You look small, I was huge at 25 weeks. Very cute!!!
congrats. the second one kicked my butt due to colic…my advice is take ANY help you can, don’t feel bad that you can not get things done. breath and realize baby boot camp only lasts a short time in a span of their life !! good luck, and go check out my giveaway as it is perfect for a new MOM to be !!!
Dude.
I so want to rub that cute little belly of yours.
Enjoy your virtual shower my friend. You deserve it.
Wow, that is very cool. So do I get to throw you a real shower?
The Poo is gorgeous and Baby 2 will be too!
I wrote my contribution to the baby shower before seeing your post and it was about getting/having help. After reading your post and knowing how much you miss your mom and sister, I hope that they’re able to come out and visit for a while, and that there may be some local friends who can pitch in too. My sister only lives 20 miles away, but since we both have weeks-old newborns, we’re not seeing as much of each other as we’d like (world’s tiniest violin playing). Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy baby!
Your bump is so cute! Seriously, mine were not cute at all!
And if you can’t breastfeed, you can’t. With my first, I lasted almost 6 weeks. At which point, I couldn’t do it, she couldn’t do it and I was wracked with guilt for the next nine months or so. Then came baby number two. I nursed her for about about the same. But had surgery and pumping didn’t work, so she got formula as well. I didn’t feel as guilty. Then came baby number 3. I tried again. And wouldn’t you know, I nursed her for 10 months. At which point, I had surgery (again) and she was teething. Which led to me having one hell of a yeast infection and thus weaning her. All because she changed her latch. The Dr. was a bit surprised as that usually happens the beginning of breastfeeding not 10 months in. And you know what, I wasn’t guilty at all.
Do the best you can and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for your decision. Lord knows we Mommy’s feel enough guilt as it is.
Aw, Miss Chicken you are lovely. And thanks for sharing, being away from family is so hard. Thank goodness for email, blogs, text messages and computers. However, there is nothing like a real hug. I’ll pray your family is able to visit and stay for awhile after the baby.
Blessings,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your gram
http://www.grammology.com
I know what it is like to be away from family while gestating. Hard. Thank God (or GUYKAWASAKI) for the internet and the telephone.
You look great. If I had looked that great maybe I would have had more babies…no, it was too hard.
Do not worry about how you feed this baby. AS LONG AS YOU FEED IT. Mother’s have enough guilt as it is. And you know worrying about what kind of milk they have is sort of silly. It is more important to worry about if they are going to be a doctor or an axe murderer.
man, *sigh* those pants look really comfortable.
The community really is amazing, isn’t it? I’ve met some of THE most awesome women around here. And now nice to add your “name” to those I know! But I must add – how adorable is your little belly? Why is mine bigger already? Oh god. (And I had trouble breastfeeding and ended up a pump and bottle-feeder, too, so I hear you. I am really crossing my fingers that goes more smoothly on round two!)Good luck!
The community part is pretty frakin’ great, isn’t it. Happy Shower!
Wow! New lurker here, 1st time commenter. I have to say the first few lines of your post are so spot on with me and my life. I moved to my town when I was almost 8mos. pregnant w/my son and my hubby’s family is here but mine is in TX. Far away. My brother lives about 45 min. away BUT he’s currently in TX for some time working so right now it’s just my in-laws around me. Don’t get me wrong I love them all and I have fun with them but I would L-O-V-E my family to be closer. I miss seeing them and just being the dork I was (I refuse to believe I still am one:) growing up. Take care! P/S: Love your blog:) Started reading blogs before my son was born and I’m addicted to them now (he’s 16mos. old now).
Girl, you look goooooood.
Work that belly.
Aw! That is one sweet belly shot, mama.
You look great and I so wish I had taken pictures when I was pregnant with both of mine. Two is hard work but it is so worth it, trust me.
You look marvelous!
That is 25 weeks? I looked like that at 5 minutes pregnant with number 3. I swear.
(also? we live really close to each other. the chambana was my clue. yeah. i’m supersleuth.)
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