Nelsonblog

The baby is starting to make its presence known more and more each day.  The last two days I have felt it move several times a hour – it is so amazing and strange.  It is so weird to think that there’s a little life in me – and now to feel the baby move – it leaves me speechless. 

My mom told me early on in my pregnancy – there is nothing like feeling the baby move.  She was right.  It is hard to describe what it feels – guess you really don’t know until you experience it for yourself. 

Last night, Chris got to feel the baby really move for the first time.  It was so exciting.  I grabbed his hand and put it on my abdomen – but didn’t say a word.  A minute later I felt a kick and looked at him – his eyes got all big and he asked “Was that the baby?”.  He was so happy – he kept his hand on my stomach – but the movement stopped.  So, within a few seconds he grabbed his computer and said he had to make a blog entry to remember how cool it was. 

WOW!

Sue and I were just watching TV together-
All of a sudden, Sue grabs my hand and presses it to the front of her belly. I concentrated, trying to feel the slightest feeling.

Suddenly, I felt, clear as day, TWO little kicks in quick succession!

It was incredible!

I had heard that ‘charlie horses’ or leg cramps are a fun side effect of pregnancy.  Up to last night I had been very fortunate and have not experienced any – but then that all changed.   

In the middle of the night I woke up an excruciating pain in my right leg – from my mid calf, pass my knee, all the way up to my mid thigh I felt like I was being attacked by a dog. 

I was half a sleep that I didn’t know what to do – do I just hold it still through the pain or straighten it out.  I gritted my teeth and slowly started to straighten it out – the pain first intensified but then subsided as my leg stretched and released the tight muscles.  Doctor said I can start taking calcium supplements and to keep up my water intake – this should help lessen the cramps.

So far – I have concluded that women who have more then one baby must be crazy!  All of the stuff that you go through just being pregnant is sometimes overwhelming.  No one told me that I would break out in acne like a teenager and that my body would start to ache as early as four months in the pregnancy – not to mention the weight gain! I think the secret is – WOMEN FORGET!  I swear – moms must go through some form of amnesia and don’t recall the next time what it was like being pregnant.  I also think – when you see the new little precious life come out and hold it for the first time – and hear it’s first cry and make eye contact with it – it must wipe away so many of the ‘not so good’ memories of carrying this little life.

I know I have more unpleasant moments coming up – still got four months to go.  But I know that there are many wonderful moments ahead to – like seeing my little daughter/sons hand or foot move across my stomach. Plus, can’t wait until poppa Chris can feel his child move!

So, I’m looking forward to putting this all behind me and forgetting the not so pleasant moments – but cherishing all of the good and amazing things too.  And I know I will be like most women – in a year or two – I will start pondering when the next Nelson should arrive and forget the not so pleasant times of being pregnant- but absolutely cherish the amazing moments and the end result – having a child of my own. 

Wow, baby is getting bigger and bigger-  well, Sue’s belly sure is.  She’s so beautiful, even tho she doesn’t feel that way lately.  I love her so much.

I got to thinking lately how much this unborn child has going for it-  I think Sue and I have it within ourselves to be good, fun, loving parents.  Not to mention that this child couldn’t ask for a better extended family- Such a core of loving family in Utah, as well as a great family overseas in Germany. 

I was daydreaming last night before falling asleep- thinking of life 10 years from now- our kid(s)  will have a BLAST with their Aunts and Uncles and Nana and Grampa in Germany-  say on a trip for the summer in Europe.  How fun will that be?  Our extended family has SO much to offer in the way of good examples as well- both Sue and my parents have never divorced, for instance- this is defintely something I hope our child(ren) will treasure- it’s becoming more and more of a rarity in this day and age.

I’m getting more and more excited! 

Talking to Sue is trip as well, nowadays- at random times in conversation, her eyes get BIG and she exclaims: ‘Ooh!’ and puts her hand on her belly.  It’s happened alot within the last week, but it never fails to make my protective ‘hackels’ rise.  For a split second I always worry something’s wrong, or she stubbed her toe or somesuch.  Only when she quietly mumbles something akin to: ‘Yes- I know you’re there sweetie.’ and gently rubs her tummy do I smile sheepishly- amazed she’s talking to OUR CHILD.

Incredible.

Chris and I, over the last seven years of knowing each other and 4 years & 5 months of marriage, have been in the process of learning what it takes to be a couple and be a team. I would be lying if I said everything has been perfect – but I can definitely say we have been learning and growing over the last few years and still have room to go.

With that said, I just wanted to tell my husband thank you. He was gracious and went to the grocery store last night by himself, with my list in hand, and picked up the groceries. I don’t think I’ve stepped in the grocery store for over a month now – Chris has been taking care of it and taking care of me. So, thanks honey!

I know that teamwork is important when it comes to parenting. I’m excited and nervous of what it will be like to be a parent – I know that it will require further learning of how to work together and support one another as this little life consumes our time, energy and finances. But I think everything in relationships is a work in progress – we are still learning the art of keeping a clean home and how to communicate and will soon add parenting to our list of roles and responsibilities. We welcome the challenge!

Susan had a great time in Utah-

Here’s a great pic of her holding her new nephew Nicholas!

A vision of the future, indeed!

I had the opportunity to go to Utah for an extended weekend. It was the first time I’ve seen my family since the announcement of us being pregnant. Luckily, I’m starting to show so they could see my little belly sticking out – or as Mark said “my bubble tummy”.

I also was able to meet my new nephew, Nicolas. He is such a cutie. It’s amazing to see my brother with two kids of his own now – I guess we all have to grow up sometime. His oldest son, Isaac, is SO full of life. I met Tammy and Isaac for lunch on my first day at Olive Garden. Anytime Isaac wanted to talk to me he would always address me by ‘Aunt Susie’- which melted my heart. He HAD to share with me his favorite movie – Robots – and then he broke into song at the dinner table ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time.’ For those familiar with the movie – you might recall this clip towards the end of the movie when good is fighting evil – but if haven’t seen the movie yet you might think a three year old is breaking out into a Brittany Spears song. It was quite comical – though I tried not to laugh to hard.

It was great to see all of the family – it’s been a while since I’ve been back. Nancy, my sister, commented on how weird her and my brother thought it was to see me pregnant. There are 11 years between me and my sis and 9 between me and my brother – I was the little kid sister that they tortured and now the baby of the family is having a baby.

Mom and I did what we do best – we went shopping! She took me to the fabric store and we picked out some fabric for blankets that she is going to make – it was really fun. We then hit the mall and shopped for Maternity clothes. I figured, I was in maternity mecca with all of the Mormon families around popping out babies like rabbits. But to our surprise there were not many stores that carried maternity clothes. We hit the jack pot at the last store, Sears, I as able to get a few pair of pants to stretch around my ever growing tummy and have more room to stretch as I continue to expand. I also picked up a few shirts that I think my maternity collection (for the time being) is complete. I have a few basics that I can mix and match – but looks like I will be doing laundry more often.

All is all, I had a great time with the family. The only thing missing to make it complete was Chris – he stayed back in CA. Also, I felt the baby moving more inside – but can’t feel it on the outside yet – but I’ve been told it’s only time until the movement becomes more apparent – I can’t wait for Chris to feel his baby move.