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Post Maternity Shoot

March 5, 2012 By 3 Comments

About a week ago I did a post about “Preparing For Our Maternity Shoot” and the type of shoots I wanted and didn’t want. Well we finished our shoot and the pictures are back. I LOVE them! The photographer was professional and made me feel so comfortable even during the sexier shots. We’ve already decided that we will use her for our first family pictures once the baby is here and he looks like a person lol.

I debated for some time if I was going to show our images on this site, especially since I decided to use a pen name, but keeping with the theme of being genuine I decided to go ahead and share our images. The pen name is mainly to keep my academic writing separate from my online writing, and no one generally cares what you look like in academia anyway.

So, without further adieu here are a few of my favorite shots from the shoot. I hope you enjoy and if you’re in the metro Atlanta area and looking for an amazing photographer inbox me for details.

Couple notes:

I am 35.5 weeks pregnant in these pictures.

I choose the color schemes based on our alma maters. I’m a Michigan Wolverine and my husband is a Morehouse Tiger :)

A portion of our son's library

Getting started...

 

One of my husband's favorites

 

One of my sister's favorites

 

I love this one, because it looks like he's protecting us :)

 

Another personal favorite...

 

Just me...well kind of lol

 

New FB profile pic for Mamademics

 

Family Reading Time :)

 

Yes that's a Malcolm X book... we're raising a mini Huey Freeman

Did you take maternity pictures? How did you decide on poses and outfits?

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Preparing for Childbirth/Parenting

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As my due date approaches, I find myself wondering what else I can do to make sure I’m prepared for childbirth and bringing the baby home. My husband and I both have insane schedules, so finding time to attend all these classes that everyone keeps telling us about has been a bit hard. Most things are either in the evenings, when I’m way too tired to focus; or on the weekends when we’re trying to get things ready for the baby. We decided that we would attend a breast-feeding class, buy a DVD that walks us through the preparations for labor to substitute a lamaze class, and watch documentaries/read books (I read the books).

So this past weekend we attended a “Breast-Feeding” class, which really should have been called a lecture; and watched The Business of Being Born.

While the breast-feeding class was informative it left a lot to be desired, especially since I paid money for it. I’m not really sure that I learned anything new there, but I know that I’ll utilize the lactation consultants once I’m at the hospital. It also made me very happy that I decided to buy a dvd for the birthing class instead of spending an insane amount of money on the classes.

What I think we both found interesting was the documentary. A lot of what I saw I knew from doing research on making a birthing plan, and deciding between a midwife and an ob/gyn, but it was still a bit jarring to hear the stories from different women and the terrible experiences they had when giving birth.  I love the practice I chose, but I really do wish there were birthing centers in my area, so that I could have a less sterile experience when giving birth. Most of the documentary was new for my husband, because I procrastinated telling him the things I read. I did this for two reasons. First, I knew that one look at the documentary would totally make him anti-hospital and team home birth. Secondly, we just did not have the time to find a home, get married, fight w/ the insurance company about our right to have a home birth, and maintain the work schedules we both had during the first 6 months of my pregnancy. I’m glad I waited to tell him and let him see these things, because he has been able to meet my doctor and go on the hospital tour, so he knows that despite not having the option of a birthing center or a home birth at this time, we (well I) still chose the right place to have our baby. On a more positive note, watching the documentary helped him understand why he needs to know my birthing plan is so important, because when I’m in the throes of pain he’s my advocate.

Aside from attending the class and watching the videos, we made some progress on Baby S’ room this weekend. Oh and by progress I mean we finally took our stuff out of his room and put his millions of boxes and clothing in his room.  It’s still not organized, but we’re getting there.

This coming weekend, we’ll do some more work on his room and start our childbirth classes via DVD.

How did you prepare for your child’s arrival? Were the classes worth it?

 

 

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Things No One Tells You About Pregnancy

February 8, 2012 By 2 Comments

One of my friends asked me to write a post about the things that surprised me during pregnancy. Here’s the top five on my list of “things no one tells you about pregnancy.”

1. No Menstrual Cycle Does NOT Mean No Cramps!

This is one of the first things I noticed about pregnancy. Women often rave about the awesomeness of no longer having to deal with a monthly cycle during pregnancy. Since I suffer from pretty severe menstrual cramps, this was one of the things I was excited about no longer plaguing me, at least for the next 9-10 months. Well imagine my surprise when I started feeling cramps in my abdomen during the first trimester. Initially, I thought the five pregnancy tests (yes I took five…don’t judge me) I had taken were wrong, but when the cramps persisted after hearing my son’s heartbeat I asked the doctor and googled for more information. Those pesky cramps were my uterus expanding to make room for the munchkin. Oh and it doesn’t stop in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Abdominal cramps are replaced with random aches, shooting leg pains, and pelvic pressure, since your ligaments are continuously stretching and getting your body ready for delivery.

So, if you think being pregnant will rescue you from the horror that are menstrual cramps, I’m sad to report that 24-48 hours (per month) of pain will now be 9-10 months of random aches, pains, and cramps all in places you would never imagine.

2. You Are Not Really Eating For Two

For as long as I can remember people have always raved about eating for two being one of the major perks of pregnancy. I thought I would want two of everything when pregnant, and I would be totally justified. First, I already have a pretty healthy appetite, so if I ate two of everything that would seriously be disgusting. Second, during the first trimester the smell of most foods will make you sick and in some cases eating it will make you puke (I’m one of the lucky ones who didn’t experience morning sickness); and by the end of the 2nd trimester you start to feel full faster, because someone is inside you taking up space. :) Finally, you’re really not eating for two grown people. You only need like 300 extra calories a day, which is the equivalent of a peanut butter sandwich.

If you thought pregnancy would be a time for you to be a total glutton, I’m sorry to ruin it for you. P.S. Remember you’re going to have to lose all the extra weight you gain anyway, and gaining too much can be bad for both mommy and baby.

3. Doctor’s Visits Are Very Short

I am not a fan of going to the doctor, and having to go so frequently drives me crazy. I know I know this is good for both me and the baby, and I am very grateful for the awesomeness that is my health insurance; but lugging my pregnant belly to the doctor for five minutes sucks. Okay it may be longer than 5 minutes, but most doctor visits are simply about getting weighed, having your blood pressure taken, and the doctor listening to the baby’s heartbeat/measuring your tummy. It seriously takes me longer to get to the doctor’s office than my entire doctor’s appointment. Now this wasn’t so bad when I had to go once a month, but when I started the 3rd trimester those visits became every two weeks, and when I hit 36 weeks they will be EVERY week! ARGH!!!

Note: You will have a few visits that are longer. My initial visit was longer because I had an ultrasound to hear the baby’s heartbeat, have blood drawn, and then sit down and talk to the doctor. The day we found out the sex of the baby was also longer, because we had a very in depth ultrasound, and then the visit when I had to complete my glucose test was much longer as well.

4. Being Hormonal Doesn’t Always Mean Crying

I am a very sensitive and emotional person in general, so I thought I would be a hot crying mess while pregnant. Instead, almost everything makes me laugh uncontrollably. Seriously, I laugh at the most INAPPROPRIATE things, and I feel bad, but I just can’t help it. Don’t get me wrong I do cry sometimes, but it’s usually food related–grapes really set me off for some reason; but my hormonal imbalance is all about laughing when I shouldn’t.

5. Your Body Is Now Public Property

I knew that pregnancy meant that my body would no longer physically be my own, since I would be a housing another person; but I was not at all prepared for the lack of privacy. I’m not exactly a social butterfly, so dealing with complete strangers approaching me and discussing my pregnant belly is not cool. It is none of your business how much weight I have gained or what I’m naming my child. Please do not reach out to touch my stomach… I DON’T KNOW YOU!!!

If the random strangers attempting to touch your uterus isn’t enough, brace yourself for tons of “unsolicited” advice. Now for the most part this does not bother me, especially when it’s newborn related, since I tend to ask lots of questions. I like to hear stories about other people’s pregnancies and life with a newborn; but I do not want your advice on how much weight I should gain or what you think about me eating a Reese’s cup and Doritos. I really want to tell them to MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BACK OFF; but I usually smile politely and let them know that my son is doing just fine and his dad makes sure I eat well balanced meals daily. It’s my own personal way of letting them know this is none of your business, so stay in your lane.

 

What are some things that shocked you about pregnancy? What myths have you heard that didn’t happen at all?

 

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Little Sisters Can Take Care Of Big Sisters

February 3, 2012 By 1 Comment

Bella Rose Fact: I have a BIG family. I am the oldest of nine children—six sisters and two brothers—we range in age from 28-13. We are very close, and if you cross one of us you cross us all. Seriously, we will argue with our parents defending one another. Being the oldest sibling sometimes felt like how I imagined being a parent feels. One of my sisters has insisted on calling me every Mother’s Day, since I moved out, even though I keep reminding her that I’m not a mom. Needless to say, I’ve always felt it was my job to be there for them. And it was… it still is… but now I’m pregnant and two of my sisters have already experienced this and are currently raising 2 of the most amazing toddlers I know. Today’s post is dedicated to the younger of the two.

Almost two years ago, my then 18-year-old sister called to tell me that she was expecting her first child. Out of our seven other siblings and parents, I was the last to know. I remember her saying that she was afraid to tell me, because she thought I would be in disappointed in her. Disappointed? Umm no. More like scared for her. She was 18 and had just started her second semester of college. I kept imagining myself at her age and in her position. My family is very religious, so whether or not she would keep the baby wasn’t even a topic of discussion. I thought about mentioning adoption to her, but refrained, because I knew that she was in for a long road, and there was no point in me making it any longer or harder for her. Instead I decided to just be quiet, listen, and be there for her. After all that’s what big sisters are supposed to do.

So, I decided to call/text to check on her regularly. I read random pregnancy/baby information and shared it with her. I encouraged her to breastfeed even though I had no children and had never been pregnant. And she listened because that’s what little sisters do. She sent me papers to edit and look over for her, since she had decided to take online classes while waiting for the baby’s arrival. I flew home for her baby shower, even though I could only stay for 48 hours; and I helped put together my first pack n’ play because I wanted to feel useful. Sadly, her due date fell during the end of the semester for me, and I did not meet my nephew until he was about three weeks old. Imagine my shock when my younger sister, whose diapers I changed by the way, was nervous about leaving me alone with him. It was in that moment that I realized she had become a mother. She was still my little sister, but she was also a mom.

Fast-forward two years and she’s currently balancing a 14 month old, a part-time job, college courses, and she’s not even 21 yet. She is blessed with a great support system—shout out to our parents and siblings, but she’s still doing more than I could have ever imagined at her age.

Now that I’m the one going through pregnancy and juggling multiple things, guess who has been my sounding board? My little sister. She calls just to check on me. If I have a meltdown on twitter, I can almost guarantee that my phone will go off as soon as she sees it. When my hormones have caused arguments/disagreements with our other siblings, Ash is right there to help bring us all together again. When I’m cranky and mad at my husband for no good reason, she always lets me vent and then tells me to be nice to him. I never imagined that I would call my younger sister to ask why my stomach is cramping? Why my boobs are so heavy? Or if it’s okay for me to take cough syrup in the 3rd trimester, because the doctor’s office is closed and I’m really sick. She reminds me that there are no perfect moms and that I can do this—she reminds me that it is okay to be vulnerable. I could not imagine going through this pregnancy without her support, and I’m just sad that she won’t be here when I go into labor; but there’s always Skype.

Moral of the Story: Support during pregnancy will come from the least expected places. When one support system falls apart, another one is right around the corner.

 

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Mamademics: Bella Rose the Mother

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In order to better introduce myself to everyone, I’ve decided to do a few short posts that represent the different categories you will see on Mamademics.

Quick Pregnancy Survey

How far along are you? I am 32 weeks pregnant, so I have 5 more weeks before I’m considered full term and 8 more weeks until my due date.

What are you having? I’m having a bouncing baby boy :) For the purposes of this blog, he will be Baby S or Sesame… until we come up with more nicknames lol.

How are you feeling? It really depends on the day, but lately I’ve gone from excited to scared to exhausted. The third trimester is a lot like the first trimester, but with a much bigger stomach.

What’s your baby like so far? Sesame is VERY active. I’m convinced that he’s practicing kickboxing, swimming, and soccer all at once. I can tell he’s growing a lot more now, because not only can I feel the difference on the inside, but he sticks out body parts and you can see him on the outside. He also responds to his dad’s voice and seems to be a fan of Jay Z and Kanye West.

What are you plans for delivery? I am having a hospital birth, but I plan to go au naturale. Yes, I’m scared to death of the pain, but I’m more afraid to be forced to remain in a bed while I wait for him to decide he’s ready to make his entrance.

Breastfeeding or formula? Breastfeeding… as long as there is nothing that prevents me from breastfeeding and my son is getting enough nutrients this is my plan.

Disposable or cloth diapers? Cloth diapers… I’m thinking we’re going with one size and we’re still deciding between Bum Genius and Fuzzibunz, so if you have any expertise in this area let me know.

 

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