I'm a mom now!

Good morning and may everyone be safe and sound from storm Sandy.  I am happy to report that we never lost power and have no damage.  Much love and support goes out to all who were less fortunate.

 

So, I haven't posted in quite a while because LORDY baby prep is busy work!!  I know, I know, nothing compared to when baby is here.  That's part of my "problem" though, I have all this energy right now....blessed second trimester....and I think I have to do EVERYTHING I ever wanted or needed to do NOW before the baby comes and because the baby is coming.  Well did I get a wake up call a couple of weeks ago!

 

I was simply walking down the street with a friend (thank goodness I wasn't alone) when all of a sudden I stepped on uneven sidewalk and lost my balance.  Instinctively, I twisted my body to the side to protect my belly but fell all the way down to the ground.  I have NEVER been so scared in my life!  In that instant, all of those motherly instincts people tell you about kicked in full force! My ankle was in extreme pain (later to be diagnosed as an extreme sprain) but all I could think about was, "what did I do to my baby?!"  I started to hyperventilate, I knew that wasn't good, but I couldn't catch my breath because I was panicked.  The tears were welling up in my eyes, I was unable to move from the middle of the New York City sidewalk because I was just in shock. Yes, a pedestrian did stop to inquire about my condition (New Yorkers aren't all that bad).  My friend eventually got me to a safe seat where I could elevate my now swelling ankle and try and catch my breath.  I calmed down and called my doctor and my husband and my podiatrist.  I checked in with everyone that needed checking in with, and then just wanted to go home and be still so I could feel my baby move...that was what I needed.  To be sure that he or she was ok.  Nothing else mattered.  I didn't care that I relied on healthy feet for a living, the golf ball sized ankle was of no concern to me, I wanted to feel my baby move!!! 

 

Here's the kicker, my placenta is low which provides a pillow between the baby & me...whew! extra padding, but I generally don't feel a lot of movement because of it's position.  So, waiting was agony.  But that's what I did, waited.  I went home & put ice on my elevated foot, layed back on the couch giving my belly optimal space and waited with my hands on my belly.  I was sooooo happy when I felt movement!!  I finally felt like I could breathe.  It hit me, I'm a mom now and my baby comes first.  Someone else's needs trump mine.  I will do everything in my power to protect my child. 

 

I now understand why my parents agonized every time we got hurt playing soccer, were out later than expected or worried when we traveled without them for the first time.  Last year, last YEAR, not when I was a kid, my mom and I were sharing a dessert and she let me have the last bite.  I thought to myself, "How does she do that?  This is delicious!  I don't know that I would do that, maybe I shouldn't be a mom."  Guess what?  I now get it, I'd give my child the last bite of cake too.   

 

So now, I'm taking a new approach.  I DON'T have to do everything NOW!  I am almost seven months pregnant and I SHOULD slow down a bit.  THAT is part of protecting my child...making sure mom is rested, safe and healthy.   I am writing to you now with my still healing ankle elevated and relaxing on this second day of unexpected storm vacation and am quite content to be doing nothing more than that!

 

Below are belly pics!!!  I took them one week apart from each other because when it came time for the six month pic, the baby hid!  It's now almost time for the seven month pic so stay tuned....

 

24 weeks (camera shy baby)                                                      25 weeks (there you are!)