Updates and Flutters!

Eeeeek, so much to catch up on.

I'm not big on holidays, but today was pretty special. We felt the first little flutters from our newest addition!

Wait, let me back up and bring you up to speed. We're expanding our family by two feet. Our due month is December, and every scan so far has indicated a girl. We are beyond thrilled but also waiting for one more scan so we can start buying all things purple or green. (Pink and blue are fairly overdone--she would definitely have her share of pink frocks BUT I also really like purple, and I hope she will too!)

I wish I could update you on cravings and fancies but I barely eat outside what's needed. The nausea hasn't let up, so more often than not I'm choking down whatever is healthiest versus what I might prefer.

We are in great spirits and the kids are excited. We're carefully preparing our toddler, our little lion cub, for his new role as big brother. Our princess is well-versed but has basically taken over choosing the baby's gear. After the initial debate about sharing a room (no one is--baby will have her own space, but the kids have each pleaded their case to have baby be their roomie), the family is gearing up to welcome a new member.

Because we currently divide our time between two homes, it's all fairly exhausting. We know she will be born in Georgia, but that also means Christmas will happen here as well. (I wanted an NYC Christmas and this was supposed to be the year, *sighs*) We wouldn't be comfortable traveling in the winter with a newborn, unnecessarily at that. She would only be about two weeks old. Ideally I'd like her to be at least one month old before we even venture past the state lines. So...no TSQ foolery. In fact, all senanigous activity for me has been postponed until perhaps January or February.

In addition to the new addition,  I'm battling a dislocated hip. It's swollen and painful (I haven't consented to major pain meds--I'm literally treating a bone on bone, disjointed, weight-bearing injury...with Tylenol, compresses, and yoga?!)... I've discussed more practical options for after delivery. For now I'm doing everything to stay comfortable without narcotics or heavy meds.

Don't label me a hero yet, though--I'm NOT handling it as well as I'd like! My bed is an ice pad and I live in leggings because they're easier to shimmy in and out of at the moment. I wear a maternity band and wrap my hip every day. The compression from the elastic bandage helps with the pain, and the maternity band keeps my core centered so I can walk a little easier. Granted I'm not doing laps around my local park, I'm still up as much as I can be, and I'm actually still working! Just not nearly as much, and generally only from my home base.

We have definitely had an interesting go of things recently,  but I'm finding it very hard to be disappointed. After all, babies are sunshine. My favorite memories of my kids are from their early days. Those starfish fingers and bright eyes, that new baby scent?! I'm giving myself a major case of impatience just thinking about it.

I'm so happy we get to experience it again, even the missed sleep and shuffled dynamic.

We already know her name...and I might tell you in another post or two. It's subject to change, because I believe you have to meet your baby and get a feel for what name suits them best. However I am fairly sure her first name is all but etched in stone. It's special and has a very deep history.

For now, I shall sleep. The fireworks are calm and Little Miss has calmed the bladder kicks, so I'm going to take rest.