Motherhood

The funny thing about 1st trimester is

January 20, 2012 by Diana 6 Comments

you don’t really feel pregnant. You just feel like someone who needs to start thinking about going on Weight Watchers, has the flu, and a super human sense of smell.

I don’t mind getting bigger. I actually can’t wait for a pregnant belly to rub again. The fact that I’ve already had to stop buttoning my pants just shy of 5 weeks assures me that I may well get my wish a bit sooner than expected.

5 weeks people. Is that some kind of record?

I LONG for my maternity clothes. I can remember putting them away and being ever so sad. Partially because regular clothes no longer fit, but neither did maternity.

Then I discovered Spanx and the world was righted again.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Babies, Family, Pregnancy · Tagged With: Motherhood

4 weeks 3 days pregnant {and how we all found out}

January 18, 2012 by Diana 57 Comments

Yes, I’m telling everyone very early about being pregnant (announced it here yesterday). I’ve gotten a few (non-evil) comments over how early I am, and while I don’t feel I need to explain (after all, it’s my body and Sam and I are comfortable with our decision) I kind of want to explain.

I found out last Thursday at around 11am. Bella and I had gone for a playdate to my girlfriend Tanya’s home, and I was feeling sick. She laughingly suggested I take a pregnancy test, but I knew the chances of me seeing a line at that point were slim to none. But I figured it couldn’t hurt and she had a few left over.

30 seconds later I was staring at this:

Water droplets - I promise.

My mind couldn’t quite wrap around it.

And then. I did what I vowed as a second time mother to be I would never do. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Sam, Thankful · Tagged With: Motherhood, Things that make me smile

Our children don’t need perfection.

January 2, 2012 by Diana 17 Comments

There is this huge movement lately for better parenting. Attachment, natural, gentle, connected – call it what you will. It all offers real benefits to parents and caregivers. The concepts of non violence and treating your child like a human being are spot on. I love the ideas behind gentle parenting. A big advocate for treating our children well, loving them with every fiber of our being.

However, I feel as if in many ways we, as parents, have taken these wonderful concepts of “A person’s a person no matter how small” to “Little Susie should be able to do whatever she wants because we don’t want her to feel bad. Ever.”

It’s getting to the point where we can’t even be authority figures, because someone might get their feelings hurt. Or judge us. Or act like they’ve never lost their temper with their kids. So we have to be “on” all the time. No mistakes. No slip ups. And that’s not what AP/gentle parenting is about. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attachment Parenting, Natural Parenting, Parenting · Tagged With: FAIL, Life Misconceptions, Motherhood, Reasons to save for for therapy, Wishful Thinking

Barts.

December 29, 2011 by Diana 7 Comments

Bella sits quietly on the couch and watches me move. I try to focus on my breath, the technique, the proper placement of my body. This is unusual for her, as she normally likes to attempt the yoga moves or run around me.

Almost to the end, Savasana, I lay in peace as the Namaste DVD plays soothing music and encourages me to, “Let all your thoughts go, simply be.” As I relax, I suddenly feel a tiny presence by my head. Cracking open one eye, I see Bella peering at me.

“Ok Mommy?” she asks worried. I nod. “I’m fine honey, I’m almost done.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Times, Parenting · Tagged With: A funny, Motherhood, Things that make me smile

The “Right” Parenting Choice

December 27, 2011 by Diana 17 Comments

I’ll admit that I love being told I’m a good mom or doing a good job raising Bella. Who doesn’t like to hear that? But what I don’t love is when someone tries to congratulate me with a backwards compliment or insult to a working mom. Because that, my friends, really torks my monkey.

Like the PA in our old doctors office who wondered why Bella had croup so often last year. She asked if I had Bella in daycare, and I replied I stayed at home with her.

“Good for you,” she replied nodding. “Best thing you can do when you have children, what a great choice.”

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Family, Opinions, Parenting, Working · Tagged With: FAIL, Life Misconceptions, Motherhood

This is what’s coming your way…

December 10, 2011 by Diana 14 Comments

One of my biggest regrets about blogging is not writing through my pregnancy with Bella. I started one, posted like 2 times and let it go. I was all about The Bump back then. This time around, I’m so excited to be able to track the journey – no matter the outcome.

But, I wanted to show you what last time around looked like. Because everyone says you get bigger, faster with the second. Or most people do. So friends. FAIR WARNING. [Read more...]