Yep. It's a Mommy Blog.

So... in the interest of being ""Just Another Mommy Blog" here are things that I have learned and/or been surprised by during my first seven and a half months of being with child. I am definitely an optimist but I think that you will see a trend throughout this list that I am also a little bit delusional. I don't want to say (um, admit) that I thought pregnancy would be a piece of cake. HOWEVER, I will cop to the fact that every negative side effect of pregnancy was met with an "Oh, that won't happen to me" reaction. Well, all of them except I was totally prepared to gain 50+ pounds. For some reason I totally thought that would happen (and it hasn't... yet).

1. Morning Sickness. I was really surprised to have any form of morning sickness. I think I defaulted to the fact that my mom never had it and so I thought I would get to avoid it, too. I wasn't too sick but I was definitely not my best self for my first trimester. And I had the odd (once or twice weekly) sick "episode." My personal favorite morning sickness moment was when Mary Helen was in town and we got back from being out and about and I got sick in the backyard because I couldn't even make it inside. Greer let me know she was in charge pretty early on...
2. Baby Kicks. I first felt Greer rolling around at about 16 weeks. It was awesome. It really did feel like butterflies. And I guess I expected it to continue to feel like butterflies. Um... yeah, that is definitely not the case. Greer does not let me forget she's there - I swear I feel her moving around for about 75% of my waking hours. And she is strong. A couple of times I have told her out loud that she cannot actually push her way out into the world through my stomach. I LOVE feeling her move around but it does hurt at least once a day - I think that's when she just gets irritated and elbows me with all her strength.We'll just have to wait and see if there's a strong personality to go along with that strong little body.
3. I'm Not Superwoman. Yeah... it turns out I'm not Superwoman. I really went into pregnancy thinking I would be one of those women who didn't have to slow down just because I was pregnant. Yeah right. I'm sure everyone who has had a baby just laughed out loud at me. Two weekends ago I cleaned my house and this is how it worked - clean a room, sit on the couch for thirty minutes, clean the next room, another thirty minutes on the couch. Then I finished the house and took an hour and a half nap. Yesterday we drove back from Little Rock. Apparently sitting in the car wore me out - I napped from 2:00 - 5:15 and then went to bed at 9:00. I'm not exhausted all the time but I definitely get worn out a lot easier.
4. Impatience. I literally have to remind myself daily that it would not be best for Greer to be born today. I really like being pregnant but I am SO ready to see and hold this baby. Really I just want to see her. Maybe I'm really shallow and care too much about what she looks like. But more so I think it's that I'm just incredibly curious. Will she have dark hair and eyes and look just like Will? Will she look like me and make Will question her paternity with blonde hair? ;-) I just want to know! No kidding. I've literally daydreamed about being able to look at her and then putting her back inside my body. I am aware how embarrassing that is but I'm just being real.
5. Missing Work. I am incredibly blessed to be able to stay home full time when Greer is born. I let my office know a couple of months ago that the end of October would also be the end of my time there. Being a stay-at-home mom is something that I have always wanted to be. I have enjoyed the things that I have learned about business and about myself through my job in the last four years. But I am also so excited to start this next phase of my life... mostly. I have to admit I have been really surprised how nervous I am to exit the office working world. It's all that I've known since college and while I have not always loved the schedule or the stress, I do really like the sense of accomplishment and pride I get from my work. And it is scary to let go of that. But I just keep reminding myself that once I get to see this sweet girl's face my world will never be the same anyway. 

So, that's my list for now. I know that I will continue to learn lots about myself and about Greer over the next couple of months. 

From an update standpoint I had a doctor's appointment today and everything is going well! We had a slight blood pressure "scare" last week which caused some extra bloodwork, a small amount of stress, some added rest this past weekend and an extra appointment (today). BUT everything was right back to normal today. The only bummer news we did get today is that the Arkansas/Alabama game will officially occur without our presence. My doctor just doesn't want me to push it in the heat and with all the hills in Fayetteville. But I still have my Little Rock shower that weekend, which I am REALLY looking forward to! Also, I promise that some of my posts will include pictures. I'll post about the nursery and some other house updates and  I'll have pictures from the shower so... I know you're ALL looking forward those! Haha... until then!