Not sure why, but I've really enjoyed thinking about all these questions. So here's another little survey.
1. What name did you and your spouse call your baby before you knew the gender?
We started out calling the baby “It” which we both disliked, so we changed it to “Coffee Bean” around week 6.
2. When did "Oh-my-gosh-we're-having-a-baby" really sink it?
Probably when we heard the heartbeat for the first time (about 10 weeks). That was pretty incredible. Luke may have freaked out a little bit…but we both agreed it was awesome! I was just excited, because it finally made it feel real.
3. When you think of yourself as a mom, what's the first thing to come to mind?
Holding and snuggling my little baby <3 span="span">
4. Is your nursery complete? What's the theme and what do you have left to complete?
Definitely not. We are trying to convert half of our office into a nursery, and we’re not really going w/ a theme. We’ve got a crib and rocking chair (from when Luke was a baby), just need a dresser and/or changing table, as well as bedding, and some décor. We also have to finish clearing out all the storage and office stuff.
5. List 5 qualities you hope your baby will possess:
Intelligence, a cheery disposition, individuality, determination, fearlessness
6. What's your ideal labor experience?
I want to be able to move around enough to be comfortable, I want the baby to come as quickly and naturally as possible, I want to be able to focus on the experience rather than the discomfort/pain, and most importantly, I want to have a healthy baby and healthy mom!
7. List 5 things that have changed in your relationship with your spouse since you've been pregnant:
This has been a crazy transition time all around – baby coming, Luke quitting his job and starting grad school, me training a replacement at work while dealing with morning sickness, living on a restricted income.
We’ve both been more stressed out, more overwhelmed, more easily irritable.
He’s frustrated b/c I’m so sick and he can’t do anything about it.
At the same time, he’s also been more caring and compassionate, trying to do everything he can to help.
I’ve been more frustrated at feeling so miserable and helpless.
He doesn’t like that I don’t want to cuddle anymore (thanks to my internal easy bake oven).
We don’t spend as much time together, since I’m sleeping more, or being sick.
I dunno, that’s way more than 5, but I’d say overall our relationship hasn’t gotten worse – we still love each other, and care about each other, and are trying to take care of each other, and we’re excited for all the changes – things have just been a little strained due to all these factors.
8. List 5 things you think will change once your baby arrives:
Goodbye sleep!
We will no longer have side-by-side computer time (Luke’s desk is moving into the bedroom so he can study and baby can sleep uninterrupted).
I will hopefully not be puking and nauseated all the time!
Pretty sure I’ll actually love being cooped up all winter long, which normally makes me stir-crazy! Nothing like a little baby to make you love wherever you’re at!
I get to start driving the Mustang, the more baby-friendly of our two cars.
9. Where do you think you'll be when you go into labor? Why?
I’m sure I’ll be at home, since I plan on finishing up my time at work around Christmas (around 36 weeks).
10. Have you been talking to your baby? Playing music?
Talking to him/her, yes, usually at night when I’m laying in bed. Luke uses every opportunity he can to play rock music really loud, so baby will develop an appreciation for good tunes.
11. In what ways do you hope your baby is like your spouse?
I hope our baby is smart, determined and inquisitive like my husband.
12. In what ways do you hope your baby is like you?
I hope our baby enjoys good food, is easy-going enough to not take life too seriously, and appreciates the beauty in life.
13. How long will you wait for the next baby, or if this is your last one, why/why not?
Depends on what the rest of my pregnancy is like…if I end up being sick through the whole nine months, it will take a miracle to get me to sign up for this again (or at least a live-in babysitter/cook/housekeeper). Ideally, we would like to have two kids, within 2-4 years of each other. I don’t want to wait too long for number two to come along.
14. What kind of grandparents do you think your baby will have?
This baby is going to be so lucky! All the grandparents are so excited! This will be the first grandchild for my mom, dad, and step-mom. For Luke’s family, it’s the first local grandbaby (they’ve got two grandbabies who live in the Netherlands). I think everyone is going to be very sweet and loving toward our baby.
15. Who will be with you during labor? Who will visit you in the hospital during your recovery?
Luke is the only one who I definitely plan on having there with me. I hope my mom can make it, but it all depends on when baby decides to come. I would love to have all my family come visit me once he/she arrives though!
16. How much will you tell your baby (child, teenager) about your past? Why/why not?
I think I want my kids to know their parents, before they were parents. I think both Luke and I did a lot of things that helped us to become the people we are today. We may not be proud of everything we did, but we learned and grew from those experiences. I want my kids to understand that even when they make mistakes, life goes on, they can move forward and make better choices, and most especially, that they are still good people. Obviously the details may be condensed, or withheld until applicable, based on my child’s age and maturity level. I don’t think my kids need to know every little detail of my history. Just enough to understand me and see me as more than just “Mom.”
17. Do you have any hopes for your child's activities (sports, academics, school preference, activities, etc.)?
I hope he/she is able to find something to be passionate about, and pursue it. I don’t care what it is, so long as it make him/her happy. I may be a little partial toward reading and art, while Luke is leaning toward athletics and academics. But I’m sure we’ll be happy no matter what.
18. When will you tell your baby about the birds and the bees?
Oh boy. If our child is anything like Luke, I’m sure it’ll happen when they are relatively young. Haha. Not touching that one until I have to!
19. In what ways do you hope you'll parent like your parents did? In what ways do you hope you aren't like them?
I want to be a loving, nurturing parent, just like my parents were. I want to provide my child with everything he/she needs, and be a comfort and a cheerleader. I want my kids to see their parents as a united front, a team that works together for the good of the family.
20. Which childhood memory do you hope your child will have (similar to one you fondly remember)?
Family vacations camping at the beach, the excitement of Christmas eve, delicious food and laughter at family gatherings, doing yard work and then playing in the pool together, and most importantly, lots of hugs, silly traditions, and love.
21. And finally, Be annoying! What "advice" do you want newly pregnant women to know?
Pregnancy is not something to jump into lightly. I can’t imagine someone doing this for the wrong reasons – to save a relationship, to find meaning in their life. Figure out yourself first. Then bring on the baby.
I guess that was more advice to women looking at getting pregnant. But still good advice, IMO.
Ok, try again…advice for newly pregnant women – stay positive! Everyone is going to give you advice about how to deal with pregnancy. Just do what works for you. Focus on taking care of yourself as best you can, and managing your life at the same time. Supposedly it gets better ;) No, really, it does. Especially when you can see that little baby swimming around inside you!! Try to be as happy as you can, despite your physical circumstances. It really does affect you. You can do it! And you’ll have a beautiful baby in your arms at the end.
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