Speaking of football, Joshua Caver, still #92, is excellent! He is referred to as, "The Iceberg" and "A Man Among Boys," by the coaching staff. I'd say those are good nicknames. At the beginning of Fall Camp, he came home and said, "Well, I wasn't as out of shape as I thought." Josh is a natural. Pretty much just walked right back into his old football self. He is very intelligent/learns new plays quickly, adaptable, dependable, and loves the game. He really is a gem, and I hope his coaches appreciate and utilize him properly. I am so glad he's here. I'm so glad I'm here to witness this part in his life and be supportive. After the last year we've had, mostly Josh, he deserves to be right here, living his childhood dream. I knew we would come back because as a wife, how can you watch your husband throw away his talent and something that brings him such joy just to work in a plant? I couldn't. The ship channel will still be there when we come home. But as a daughter of a plant workin' man, I hope he never has to work there again! I love my Daddy and our family would not have been so financially blessed without his hard work and sacrifice, but it's a really scary job regardless. Thank you, Dad, you're the very best.
Ok, can you tell I adore my husband and Dad? Because I sure the heck do! I am very proud of my guys!
I thought I would share a few things I've learned along my pregnancy journey, in honor of our halfway checkpoint. So, for those of your soon to be/ someday will be, and current mommies, enjoy my ensuing ridiculousness.
1. Talk to your baby. It may seem weird at first, but the baby knows you. They know your heartbeat, when you're sad, happy or scared. Sing to them! By now, my child probably knows "Love is Spoken Here," and "Defying Gravity," by heart. I can't really explain it, but build a relationship with your little one. It's amazing when the sound of your voice gets them excited and their heart rate spends up for the doctor.
2. Some women/established mothers believe their way is the best and that you should know it and apply it. My child isn't even here yet, and I've heard numerous firm "suggestions" on how we should raise them. Obviously, these people don't know me because I've researched and researched until the point where I just need to be alone, in the dark, with no technology because I've learned too much. (And listen to me when I say this, you CAN learn too much... be careful. Some things would truly be best left unknown.)
*****Side note: Some ladies/friends/family/whomever will be SO SWEET and offer kind encouragement and advice as well! Not everyone is so abrasive, I promise. :)
3. Get picture of your pregnant self. Just do it. You will want to have pictures of your tummy as its growing. I was at almost 20 weeks and my sister asked me for a bump picture. That's terrible. I'm 700 miles away and I should have done better. Family, I'm sorry. I literally have one picture of myself from week 1-19... I took it last night.
4. The whole, "I'm pregnant, so I can stuff my face as much as I want," mindset is so bad. Do not buy into this! You are not a turkey. I am not the person to ask about being thin and super-duper healthy, but I do know that I'm growing a human. I want to welcome the baby into this world as naturally and as healthily as possible. Do I tell myself that I can't eat something? (Other than sushi, deli meats, DP, etc.) No, but I do not sit there and eat a whole box of pop tarts followed up by a large fry and soda. I do treat myself, because no one wants to encounter a raging pregnant lady denying her cravings. I also drink water, eat well, rest and exercise as much as I can. Pregnancy has not been overly easy on me, but I've tried to do my personal best and my weight and at 20 weeks pregnant is 4 lbs. less than before I was pregnant. (If you're already thin, you will gain weight by this time, which is perfectly normal.)
5. Just accept the help and compliments. If your husband is a good man, he will only be helping you do things because he loves you. Not to make you feel inferior, or incapable. He will want to spend time with you, even if it's just at home. He will try to carry as many groceries as possible so you don't have to. Your husband will see you violently throw up, and much, much worse once labor gets heated up. And yes, he will love you the same, if not even more, because you're "fat." :) After thanking Josh for my new yoga ball, he responded with, "Thank you for carrying my baby." That has made the last 20 weeks so worth it.
So, here I was last night. My first and only preggo selfie from the first 20 weeks. Shout out to my awesome sister for one of my favorite maternity shirts, pictured below! Have a great weekend, y'all. Sending all my love!
P.S. I started school, all online. It's awesome. I love not being talked at, and enjoy the freedom to wear whatever I want to school. Josh's classes start Monday and we are ready to get the ball rolling. The dogs are doing well, and learning boundaries. They are becoming well-mannered family members. :)
