It's typical, though. It's pregnancy!
I turned to Andrew the other day and said, "Can you believe Michelle Duggar did this 20 times?!"
It's a self-less thing we ladies do. In all seriousness, it is an honor to carry my child.
People are very inquisitive when it comes to pregnant ladies, from what I've gathered. They want to know if you have an opinion on something and if you don't, it's a great opportunity for them to tell you how to do it... the right way. And if you do, your opinion might be in disagreement with what that person thinks. So then of course, they tell you how to do it...the right way.
Ah well. Isn't that how life works with other topics as well? People have their opinions.
Many of you, out of simple kindness, have asked me certain things dealing with pregnancy and baby and my thoughts on the matter. This doesn't bother me. I'm just realizing that I've never addressed them on my public blog. So for those who care, here are the answers to some frequent questions I've been getting.
Q: Do you know what you're having?
A: A boy! I was shocked at first, but now I am ready for all things boy. I'm eager to raise a son.
Q: When are you due?
A: August 7.
Q: Wow, I heard that Woman's hospital may not be ready in time for the summer. Do you know where you are going to deliver?
A: No. They transition August 6; I am, of course, due on the 7th.
Q: Gosh, it seems like you would want to be in the old hospital since they won't have their kinks worked out.
A: Yes.
Q: Gosh, it seems like you would want to be in the new hospital. I heard it's like a spa.
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have a name picked out?
A: John Henry Lee. We call him John Henry.
Q: Is that a family name?
A: Sort of. Andrew's grandfather's middle name is Henry as well as my mother's grandfather. Mostly, we just liked the name.
Q: Where's the link to your other baby blog?
A: I've decided to privatize it since I've made it so personal with notes and prayers to my son. I thought it might be nice to keep that for myself and for my husband.
Q: How are you going to decorate the nursery?
A: Hand-me-downs. My sister had everything I needed, and I'm making due with I have. It's actually just fine. The furniture is off-white with an animal toile fabric with blue accents.
Q: Are you going to breastfeed and for how long?
A: Yes, I plan to for as long as he wants. Just kidding. Haha. I plan to breast feed for 6 months and if I can make it a year, that'd be fabulous. Did you know it's free? They don't call it liquid gold for nothing.
Q: Have you read Babywise? Will you follow it?
A: Yes I've read it and plan to loosely follow it. People get so bent out of shape one way or the other when it comes to Babywise. The bottom line is this: I will participate in parent-led feeding, but I have a brain and plan to use it. I plan on making decisions day by day as I see fit. I don't want to be a slave to the clock, but I like a schedule. I don't plan on implementing any schedule right away. I am not bothered by babies crying it out for a reasonable amount of time.
Q: Oh dear, you have a cat! Aren't you worried about cat scratch disease while pregnant? Shouldn't you give your cat away?
A: No, I'm not worried and no, Aubie is not going away. I have not emptied the litter box since I found out I was pregnant. My doting husband has taken on the responsibility for me. I told my OB and vet that I was pregnant, and they were not concerned about me and the cat. I am; however, concerned about Aubie after the baby's here. We'll see how we adjust. She's taken a liking to his room already...
A: This is to be determined. We will raise him to love both schools and when he is a baby, dress him in Auburn attire when the game is played in Auburn and LSU attire when the game is played at LSU. It seems fair enough to me. This question seems ridiculous to me, and yet at the same time, it isn't.
Q: How are you feeling?
A: I feel great! I kept waiting for the sickness, and it never came! I was fatigued the first trimester, going to bed right after "Wheel of Fortune" and I've started to become a bit more tired during this third trimester. I've taken a few Tums these last 2 weeks for indigestion. I've also had the beginnings of Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm just a normal, pregnant person with little symptoms.
Q: What books have you read?
A: I've read plenty. I like to read for knowledge, so it's just my personality to prepare, but I'm glad not to base everything on a certain book. At the end of the day, I chose reason over contradictory books.
Calm My Anxious Heart- Nothing to do with pregnancy. Everything to do with the heart.
Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth- Ha! Good luck with that. "Keep me alive" is my plan.
Babywise- The infamous Babywise.
Bringing Up Bebe- Bringing common sense back to American mom's. Cute read.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: La Leche League- Oh La Leche League. Those people. This is my mom's book with a copyright date of 1950-something. It's completely opposite from Babywise, but I figured it would give me some pretty good tips on breastfeeding in general. I kind of tuned the book out when it talked of co-sleeping and child-led feeding, but I of course continue with the thought of "reason" in my fore-mind.
What To Expect When You're Expecting- Every scenario possible with the intent to scare.
Your Pregnancy Week by Week- I like this since we pregnant people count by weeks instead of months.
It should be noted that one of the best resources has been The Pregnancy Center App on the iPhone.
Q: What is your birth plan?
A: Keep me alive. Keep my baby alive. Give me drugs at the necessary hour. Avoid a C-section if possible.
Q: Will you work outside the home after the baby?
A: Other than Cherche', I will not be working outside the home. I'm glad to have a little side business that I love as a hobby but am trying to run as a lucrative business. I'm getting better as the years roll by.
A: Someone recently told me not to stress and don't worry about all those books. You're the momma. You'll figure it out. And there's the best advice from my mom: Make sure this baby fits into your life not the other way around. Amen.
Q: What do you hope for John Henry?
A: I hope and pray that my son comes to know Christ at a young age. Everything else, skill wise, will fall into it's place. I also hope he sees the depiction of Christ and the Church through my marriage with Andrew. I hope he sees sacrifice, dying to oneself, respect, and love every day.
I've got about 8 more weeks to go until those people at whichever hospital let me leave with a baby named John Henry. Please continue to pray for Andrew and me as we embark on this exciting journey of being first-time parents.
Hey Whitney! I've been gone for a bit with some transitions that we've had and totally missed your pregnancy! I am so excited for you guys! Sweet John Henry will have such fun parents! LOVE your birth plan. That was mine, too. Hehe. I remember all of the well-meaning advice that I received. My mom {as a pastor's wife} has always said, "Honey, with other people's advice I just listen and say 'mm hmm' and then do what I want." That has served me well! Praying for ya'll and this whole new world! It is such an exciting one, for sure...
ReplyDelete