Babies Just Wanna Have Fuuuun...

All the time I find myself wondering what it is the baby does for fun in there. What keeps him/her entertained?

Well this post is to give you some ideas on keeping your baby in the swing of things!

--Bust out those big headphones and turn on the Toddler Pandora! The reason I say to use headphones is because, that way you won't have to hear your ABC's 100 times before your baby gets here. Trust me when I say at first it will be fun, but after the third time your listening to children's songs without a baby present it will get old. Switch it up sometimes! I like to let BabyBite listen to Mozart, Erykah Badu, Floetry, Gold Panda, Kid Cudi, Mos Def, Tupac, Beethoven, The Peanuts Soundtrack, RENT, Chanting Monks, and sometimes I even sing little made up songs! Don't turn it up too loud though, those are still baby ears! 

--The above tip also works with kid shows! I like to kick it old school personally. Blues Clues, The Wiggles, The Big Comfy Couch, Bear in the Big Blue House, Reading Rainbow, Puzzle Place, Arthur, Franklin, Little Bear, Little Bill, etc. All that good stuff that teaches them the fundamentals, develops their mental growth, and are all around good shows!

--Pull out that book you loved as a kid! Lately I've been reading A Wrinkle In Time to BabyBite! Reading a book introduces them to your voice! Plus once the baby gets here a lot of parents are going to start that baby talk thing. Right now is your chance to introduce them to real words.

--Have your mom, dad, partner, and best friends talk to your tummy! Your baby will hear those voices the most, most likely. So go ahead get the baby ready for them. Let them tell stories, or just say 'Hey'. Sooner or later your baby will start to respond, and you family and friends will love it! It'll be like having a conversation!

--Show that belly some affection! Get to rubbin a few circles around where you think your babies back is. Specially when he/she is sitting around just gangsta leanin on your bladder. Maybe rub a little cocoa butter for the stretch marks. Your baby will cuddle into your hand, and feel the love. Plus it has to be soothing. How many times do you remember your mom or dad rubbing your back? How comforting and loved did it make you feel? Exactly!

--Dance! I don't mean like get down and party. I mean do a little pregnant jig. I do all the time! At work, home, on the train, walking down the street, etc. It not only boosts your mood, but it gives you that outwards appearance of sheer happiness! Who wants to see a sad pregnant woman? No one! Plus all of those happy vibes you give out, you're also giving to your little one! They might even begin to move with you, and do their own little jig! I will warn you though, the bigger you get the less movement you'll be able to manage. 

--Lastly, tell them about all the fun things you can't wait to do with them. I tell BabyBite everyday that I can't wait to take him/her to the park, go to amusement parks, have birthday parties, etc. Get the baby excited to be out in the world. Let them know that there is more to life than just the womb. At this point in life they have to know that you're not in there so there must be something else, but they don't know what it is. It's like having little conversations with your baby. Ask them what they want to do. Now of course you won't get an answer but I'm sure they'll appreciate the thought!

Of course there are other things you can do, but each baby is different. Try new things. if you find something that works for you, feel free to comment! 

Enjoy ladies! 

Have Fun!

---MamaBite---

So you're a little cranky...happy...sad...

Sorry Ladies, there is almost no way around this one. I have yet to meet a pregnant woman who's said that they got to skip this. 

In my experience it's always good to eat a lot of fresh fruit. And get a lot of oxytoxins.

DING DING DING - Word of the post!

Oxytoxins are those toxins your body lets out and takes in when you get a hug, kiss, or have sex. They're like happy toxins. Everyone needs em. When you don't get enough you can become depressed. Why take pills when you could just take hugs!

Any who, one moment you will wake up and the sun will be shining and the birds are chirping, and then your partner rolls over and yawns his morning breath in your face and to you it's cloudy outside, you think it might rain and you are utterly angry. Now of course you know that he really can't do anything about it, short of getting up every 2 hours through the night and brush his teeth. DO NOT SUGGEST THAT! Remember he has feelings too. There will be a lot of little things you wish you could change that you can't. You have to keep that in mind! You can't change everything, but you can look on the bright side.

Sometimes fresh fruit can bring up your emotional level. It's something about the sugars. But I'm no chemist so I really can't tell you why. Just try it. For me Blueberries and Raspberries (two fruits I've never had much of a taste for) always cheer me up! Try new fruits that are in season. You might find that it'll get you through morning sickness also. Also hugs in the morning are good for a quick pick me up. Sometimes if I see my partner through out the day I will ask for another. You can never have too many Oxytoxins. Ask your mom, friends, co workers etc for hugs when you feel a little down. If they look at you like you're crazy don't get mad just move onto the next person.

At night when you're feeling down try cuddling. It'll make you feel all warm and tingly 9 times out of 10. I'm not gonna lie some nights you'll be so hot you don't even want to be touched. Some nights you'll just be too cranky to want to cuddle. That's okay, but if he does don't get upset with him, he's only trying to help. Let him. Get creative. Try holding hands, laying with you back to his, or arms against each other. His skin will probably feel much cooler than yours for a while. 

Don't be surprised if with all the movement in your tummy you get a little frustrated at night. It's normal. Do not feel bad if your hormones make you temporarily upset with your baby. Just remember that the baby doesn't know that it's bed time, and sooner or later he or she will fall asleep. It might make you move a little more in your sleep though. Like sometimes I tend to climb all over my partner in my sleep. Drives him nuts...

Either way ladies there's really no real way around your hormones. And that's okay. Just remember that it's really not your fault, but that you can do a few things to up your mood.

You can do it ladies. And last but not least tell the people you love that you love them every chance you get. The words I love you are powerful. On that note

I love you all, be blessed.

Sea Turtle Syndrome...

After you get big you will go into what I call Sea Turtle Syndrome...think of a turtle on it's back trying to roll over. It will be just like that. You will rock back and forth every now and then tring trying to reach your most comfy side, just to be greeted with the realization that ytou now have to work for it. Think of it this way, getting up is like a small victory!

You won't be able to roll over, or sit up very easily. 

Tying your shoes is gonna become a hassle. (In my next post I will give you a list of things that you will need to get in order to make this a little easier.)

This will all be hard ESPECIALLY if the baby is moving at the time. 

Now of course as I told you all before, each pregnant woman is different. So maybe you might not go through exactly this, but I can promise you some form of this will happen. I only say that because your baby is going to grow thus you are going to grow. Trust me when I say I feel your pain when you really have that nothing fits moment. No matter how hard you try and prepare, at least once it will piss you off that you can no longer fit a damn thing. I'm sorry but it's inevitable. 

Never fear that's why they made the elastic waistband!

Do not be discouraged. It's kind of fun the first two or three times. After that it gets a little old. Don't worry the baby won't get too upset with your new methods to get up. Just DO NOT roll onto your stomach! It's not only uncomfy but it's most likely gonna anger your little one. 

Few tips?

First: Sleep with a pillow rolled behind you if you're not snug in your others arms. 

Second: When you have to get up, angle your feet off the bed first. 

Third: Wait until you're fully awake so that when you get up your balance isn't so badly affected. 

Fourth: Don't rush it.

 Fifth: Have a goal in mind!

Finally: Swallow your mommy pride and ask for help...

Good luck Ladies!

---MaMaBite---

Tips...

For when you feel 20 degrees hotter than the surface of the sun...

Take 2 rags and soak them in cold water. Then place one at the lower half of your back and the other on the back of your neck. Lay down and relax. The cool water should help.

If it's summer time while you're pregnant always bring a cold wet rag with you. You can put a little ice in it if you'd like. But wipe yourself down with it every now and then when your feeling especially hot.

And of course, lots and LOTS of refreshing water!

Lets tell Mr. Man

Depending on your situation this could either be awesome...or scary.

For me it was scary, and not just for me. I literally came in, handed him the card saying how far along I was thought to be was, and went to the potty to hide out...and to pee. As I was walking out of there, having lost patience in waiting for the dots to connect, he came into the closet and look completely confused. Can you blame him? Of course, I told him I was pregnant and went on this rant about how I could do this on my own if he didn't want it and how I was keeping it no matter what he said. Turns out my speech wasn't even necessary. It ended up with me in tears, him trying to cheer me up, and the real beginning of my journey. 

Moral? Keep your calm ladies! He could respond better than you thought. No need to get all crazy and upset. Give him sometime to think about it. If he's not excited give him some time to let it set in. He's not carrying it. (That doesn't give him excuse not to try to get into the swing of things though). Of course if he's not at all into it, this could be unsettling and hard to stomach. Of course he may still change his mind and come around. Just try to involve him and make him feel as close as possible to the baby. Watching you grow tends to give the baby a more physical presence. Watching/Feeling the baby move from one side or the other, kick, or get the hiccups is good for a laugh and bonding! If he makes a weird face or is shocked just take it in jest and giggle. He means no harm.

 If he still isn't feelin it, then it's his loss and don't stress yourself trying to make him feel something. It'll end up bad. Don't force him just encourage...he'll take interest at his own pace. Remember slow and steady wins the race. Trust me!

If you you start to get scared or nervous, don't think that just because he isn't big into it you can't go to him. Something made you like this guy. Maybe he won't tell you everything you need to hear, but I'm sure he'll tell you something. Be nice, even if he doesn't get it. He will never fully understand what it's like to be pregnant, so 9 times out of 10 hes pulling at straws with trying to tell you what to do or make you feel better. Give the man a break for effort. Don't rip his head off his shoulders! 

If you're no longer with this guy or he doesn't want to be in the babies life, I'm sure you have a good friend that can help you instead. If they're really a good friend they'll be there for you!

Either way, don't let it get you down. Keep your hype! Stay proud! There's no way to grasp what he's feeling, just like he can't grasp what you're feeling. So you're both starting off at a bit of a loss. 

Stay Strong my ladies! He'll come around!

---MaMaBite---

So you're having a baby...

Hello there to the wonderful world of expecting mothers!

When people ask me "Are you excited" I'm just like the rest of you quick to smile, say yes and rub my belly. Never thinking twice to add that I'm also scared, worried, and probably losing my mind in the process. 

Who wants to hear that?

No one...

But we all feel it. And we feel it just about as hard as the little kicks that come with our growing little ones. Let me just tell you now...it's perfectly normal. I know your doctor probably told you that too, or that you would get used to the idea, but it's always easier to hear it from someone going through it and not someone who only read books on it, or it's their job to tell you so. Sometimes the person going through it with you is your best friend for the next 9 months.

When I first found out I was pregnant I went to the doctors thinking I was gaining weight because I had gotten diabetes. Now that I look back on hindsight, I should have thought that out a little better. Either way my doctor, who had recently just had a baby, came in toke a little drop and blood, politely asks if she can screen me to see if I'm pregnant, and goes on about her job leaving me to ponder the 10 pounds that I had gained. Low and behold she comes back in with THAT look on her face. The one that says "this could be worse than you thought." Immediately I'm thinking 'welp no more cupcakes for me, hellllooo insulin!' So you can understand my utter confusion when she lead the conversation in with "Well you don't have diabetes" and ended it with "but you are pregnant." said in one breath as though I might explode. I sat in shock for what felt like a good 20 minutes, but was probably only 30 seconds, mouth all open eyes all wide. She gave me a second to collect myself, asked the necessary questions, and told me all would be fine and she'd be right back. Then came the tears, and the hurried text to my best friend. No more than 3 seconds later she was calling me. Her first words weren't 'so what are you gonna do?' or 'Are you gonna have it?' It was a happy and giggling "Are you serious?" When I told her dead ass, she told me "Congrats! I can't wait! You're gonna be a great mom!!!" and the tears stopped. The fact that someone, other than my mom of course, thought that I could do this and had so much faith within the 5 mins that I knew, told me everything I needed to know. 

I was gonna be someones mommy, and I was happy about it!

I think I might have given my mother a heart attack though when I made it out to the car, smile on my face, and new found joy in my heart. I handed her the prescription for prenatal pills, my contact sheet for a OBGYN and the card that told me just how far along I was thought to be. She kinda just stared at them all, then at me. Then I announced "You're gonna be a grandma!" Ever since I haven't gotten to to stop baby talking my belly! I love my mom.

At that moment I thought 'I may be pregnant but no one ever complains about it so it can't be that bad, right?' Now I'm not saying being pregnant is bad but it sure as hell isn't what people and movies make you believe, they only got the basic. "Oh you might have a little morning sickness and your feet might swell a little but you'll be fine!" If you're looking for a blog that will tell you that, you might want to keep looking because I'm gonna tell you the truth of what might happen. Not just my stories, but the stories of people I know who, now that I'm expecting, have told me the real deal. 

Through out my blog I will share with you the ups, the downs, those middle moments when your not quite sure what to feel and my own thoughts on the matter. Also I may include a few tips from my mommy and other mommies alike. The name of the blog is simply to make you laugh. I do not find pregnancy to be a horrible thing, or some big laughing matter. I find it to be wonderful even if exhausting. Which I will tell you now it is! But it's gonna be worth it ladies...hang in there! Even if you have no one else, I can promise you...you have me.

It's Baby Time Ladies!