Time to Gather Baby Stuff and Prepare the Nest

I beleive other animals have it down to a science; justation periods are quicker and yet, they have their nesting ground all ready. The one thing animals have that we don't, is the ability to know how long to keep the offspring--some of us never got that memo.

Here I am, planning the themed nursery, painting the room, dressers, tiny Raggety Anne and Andy figurines, and lining the drawers with all my wrapping paper. The bassenette is painted yellow, with green trim, blankets and stuffed animals are carefully placed in preperation for our new bundle of joy. Alright, so I'm just three months along; I'm not a procrastionater. Being a young mother, I just had way to much time at home; BC, ( before children) I could have my house cleaned in seconds. Oh heck, I had lots of things BC...like a nice figure, no boobs, a quiet home, little grocery bills, and well, you get the picture, if not now...soon, my pretty. *evil laugh*

Maternity clothes?

I have to admit, the moment I found out about my baby, the first thing I wanted to do was shop for pregnancy clothes; something that would let the world know! Well, come on Cathy...sooner than later it would be VERY obvious! With your first, I guess you are just so happy. My mom bought me a cute spring-time blouse; it was sweet.

Telling the Family!!!

So we went to my grandma's house, my mom and I and told everyone there the big news! ( ok, so it was my mom that er um blabbed)Their little girl was expecting--another generation coming into the world. Wow! I'm really going to like this pregnancy thing; everyone is caring about and for me! Aunt Sally buys me pies, Uncle Andy takes me out for lunch, Grandma fixes me fresh hot tortillas; they are all concerned with my comfort. This is very nice. I love all this attention. My grandparents are the best!I didn't know it then, but my life, and my waistline was going to change DRASTICALLY!

That did not take long!

It did not take very long for my mom to um, take over! Mom made an appointment for me with the doctor who delivered a few of my brothers; I said a few, because my mom had ten children. ( I guess that’s why she knew—eh, who would have guessed?) By they way all you young ones...they didn’t have over the counter pregnancy test—still had to kill a rabbit! Where was PITA then? Well, I went, not the most exciting day of my life; oh it was a good day but not too thrilled to have my mom in the room while the doctor checked me out. Not to mention, a joke here and there at my expense. I guess I am grateful we didn’t have cell phones back then; my mother couldn’t wait to tell the world my news. Not to mention just think if she had a camera phone!!!

Mom always knows.....

A week into the tummy upheaval, my mom made a surprise visit, she wanted to take me to lunch for fish and chips, the malt vinegar was my favorite part usually, but not that day! We drove up to the restaurant, the overpowering odor of fish frying in grease made my stomach do flip-flops; the color green washed over my olive skinned face. My entire body went limp, and anything that was in my stomach —leaped out!
My mom, concerned about my health asked if I was sick—duh!Of course I was sick! I told my mom I’d been like this for over three weeks. She gave that smile; the one where she knew the answer to all the secrets in the world and worse really.

It's starts!

That pivotal moment when you realize you will be responsible for a life; you will be the one that molds and guides this individual into a masterpiece of art.
I was a very young mother; married at age sixteen and became pregnant in April of the same year. My mother did not explain anything about sex, or what to expect if and when the moment came for children. I was sick—morning, noon, and night for weeks, my husband smoked and the mere puff of that vile stick sent me running for the porcelain god.
We were living in a motel with a kitchenette, not a bad place but it was not what I expected for newlyweds. I would walk to the nearest ice cream shop and order a vanilla soft serve cone; slowly eat the cold creamy treat and then, in minutes the ice cream would make an unexpected revisit. I still had no clue what was wrong.

Just a few words about the new job...

There are many lessons you will learn and many you will wish you had learned in this grand job of motherhood. I can tell you this much, find your middle ground, pick your battles carefully, be consistent and also, be able to bend when the moments demand; in short, always know exactly where you are going and never know which direction to head. Confused? Welcome to motherhood.

We all at some point want to do this differently than our parents, we want so desperately to give our children a better life than we had. I wish to say, that no matter what you think you are doing right...somewhere down the line your children, the ones you will sacrifice everything for, will tell you what you did wrong! You will hear those dreaded painful words come out of their mouths; there is hope however, because there will also be a time when you hear “I don’t know how you did it all mom?”. This is the most painstakingly, thankless yet often rewarding job, there is no monetary pay and it will send you to the poorhouse. Rest assure, if you are fortunate enough to successfully get them all to adulthood, and manage to give you beautiful grandchildren, your revenge err um, reward will come.

Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is just one of those little blessings everyone talks about; the porcelain god is now an intimate friend. Your new treat is dry toast, saltines, and soda water. Your loving husband is trying to be sweet as he brings in breakfast, two wiggly slimy poached eggs. The odor and outer appeal is now dancing on the plate and your tummy; Cha-Cha; Ole’!
Well, my new mommies, this is but a insignificant glance into the pleasures of motherhood—welcome!
There are many things you will learn and many you will wish you had learned in this grand job of motherhood. I can tell you this much, find your middle ground, pick your battles carefully, be consistent and also, be able to bend when the moments demand ; in short, always know exactly where you are going and never know which direction to head.