UPDATED ~~ 16 and pregnant

UPDATED ~~ I'm back in front of MTV again on this Thursday night and I'm watching this show.again. Folks...let me tell you, it's only getting worse. This week's episode features a 16 year old who is pregnant for her boyfriend of one year, with whom she lost her virginity, who is moving in with her and her family after she dropped out of school. Here's the kicker...she lives with her mom who is also pregnant and they both live with her grandparents in what seems to be a trailor home and so far, everyone seems pretty happy. This just isn't getting better. Hopefully for her sake it ends better than it has started BUT...I have a feeling that it's not. This just might be the episode that serves as a deterrent!!!


As you know, I'm an MTV junkie, so in true form I am watching a marathon session of "16 and Pregnant". I must admit that I usually enjoy all MTV reality shows, but I'm really wondering about this one.

The show chronicles a teenager (16-17) through her pregnancy. They start filming about 5 mounts into the pregnancy and then the show follows the girl through birth until a few months after birth. The stories attempt to show the emotional roller coaster that these teens are on and it highlights some of the struggles that they endure (wondering about the boyfriend and their future; questioning whether they are going to prom; trying to figure out what they're going to do with their life etc.), but I don't think it shows enough struggle to really be a teen pregnancy deterrent. It might actually glorify teen pregnancy in a subtle way.

Maybe if they started filming in the third trimester and spent more time after birth, that might serve as a better deterrent. Having a baby doesn't really hit you until the baby actually arrives - that's when you realize that 4 hours of sleep is a luxury; that you just can't get up and go out anymore; that colic is real; that you will not be able to figure out why the baby is crying for the first 2-3 months; that that baby's life depends on you 100% - so that might be a better strategy for them, that is, if they ARE trying to be socially responsible.

Oh My Aching Back

This last pregnancy really did a number on me. The first time? Cake. No aches or pains. I breezed through 9 months with virtually no complaints. Then the second time it was a teensy bit rough towards the end, mainly because of my pelvis issue. This time? Man, I feel like I was run over by a truck. I'm 9 weeks postpartum and everything hurts! I've even been going to physical therapy sessions. The worst part of it all is that I can't get started on my weight-loss program because it hurts to do anything more than walk -- and I can't even do that for long periods of time.

Today I tried a yoga class. It was called "Yoga for a Healthy Lower Back." The class was good, but it was pretty much me and a bunch of senior citizens named "Mort" and "Millicent" (I'm not kidding). I'm hoping the aches and pains will subside in the next several weeks, but until then, I'm a wreck!!

The funny thing is that the physical therapist strongly advises against any sudden movement, or deep bending or heavy lifting. Umm, hello? I have THREE KIDS.

Wish me luck.

The Novelty Has Worn Off

Ok seriously. I'm so pregnant right now it's not funny. I'm gi-mongous, hot, heavy, achy, exhausted, and cranky. I think it's about that time! Plus my belly is so tight right now that it's uncomfortable. And don't get me started on the Braxton-Hicks.

So it could be any day now! I just need the little guy to give me the weekend so that we can wash his clothes; pick up and assemble the furniture; and pack my hospital bag.

Oh and, it would be nice if I could get my hair and toes done. Call me vain if you want to, but it's before the baby comes or not for another 2 months!

Oh and I need gifts "from the baby" for Chatterbox and Giggles. I heard that goes over big time.

Alright baby, give Mommy until Monday, m'kay?

Scene & Heard 3: In the Elevator

Scene:
This morning in the elevator on the way to my office floor, Starbucks cup in hand.

Heard:
Woman: "What are you doing drinking coffee?" Flashes fake smile.

Me: "Actually it's not coffee - it's decaf tea." Flashes fake smile.

Woman: "Actually, tea is just as bad as coffee." Flashes fake smile.

Me: "Not if it's decaffeinated." Flashes fake smile. [Thinking: Why are you all up in my cup??]

Woman: "Good luck with your pregnancy, dear!" Flashes fake smile and waves.

Maybe I need to start looking mean. Apparently my demeanor gives people the idea that I'm approachable and they can just tell me whatever they want!

Seeing Double

Two completely unrelated things:

(1) I found out why the nanny needed to take yesterday off - she was interviewing for a part-time nanny position that she will likely accept. The catch? It's from 6pm to 12am, 4 days a week! I immediately felt horrible. As a WOHM, I am completely sensitive to the how moms feel when they are forced to sacrifice quality time with their kids in order to pay the bills. She must feel terrible to have to miss the evenings with her 12-year-old daughter. And her daughter must be upset too. Not mention that her days will be exhausting. How I wish we could pay her more so that she wouldn't need to work a double shift.

(2) Speaking of double, I swear that when I looked in the mirror today I saw a DOUBLE CHIN. I almost fainted. I just asked my co-worker and she says I'm seeing things and that I'm wearing the pregnancy very well, but she's clearly lying to be nice. I. Saw. It.

Ugh.

It's A Boy!!

Hubby is so excited.

And, of course, so am I :)

Girl Time

Hubby is leaving on Friday for his annual 'Boys Weekend' with friends. Each year they try to get together and go on 2 trips - a shorter long weekend trip and then a longer one somewhere tropical. They've been to Puerto Rico, Rio de Janeiro and this year they are slated to go to the Dominican Republic. Anyway, this weekend is their long weekend/basketball/dominoes/Superbowl extravaganza. I think it's great that they make time to hang out with each other and that hubby gets his "man time."

But...that leaves the girls and I at home for 4 days without Daddy's help! I'm tired just thinking about it. Especially since I'm really feeling the pregnancy fatigue (and pelvic/hip pain!) these days. It'll all be just fine, I know. I'm gonna try to plan something special for us to do on the weekend because us girls just wanna have fun too!

I Hear Three Is the New Two

Baby Number 3 is on the way!

As you can imagine, I've been in an exhausted, nauseous, excited whirlwind the past few weeks. I'm almost 4 months along and with any luck, the hardest part is over (well, besides the birth, I mean). Without going into the nitty gritty details, I was on a brief period of bed rest, experienced a reaction to the high altitude while flying on a business trip, and am waiting patiently for my marginal placenta previa to resolve itself. Fortunately, according to the sono, everything is just fine.

In light of all this trouble, I've decided that it's gotta be a boy.

Beignets & Po' Boys & Shrimp Creole, Oh My

I am just so excited. In exactly 10 days hubby and I will be going on our trip to the Essence Music Festival. Alone. By ourselves. Sans petite filles. It will be our first trip alone together since May 2004. Seriously. Ah yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. Well, I would remember it if I didn't have Mommy Brain. I can barely remember yesterday. I do know that at the time I was 6 months preggars with Chatterbox. I missed the Ladies' Getaway that year because I figured that it wouldn't be much fun for anyone to have a big, tired, pregnant person (i.e. no mixed drinks) tagging along on a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas. As it turned out, the joke was on me because by the time the weekend of the cruise arrived, 2 of the other ladies also were pregnant. We're just a fertile bunch I tell ya. So hubby and I decided to take a road trip to Philadelphia. It was perfect - even my pregnant bladder was able to survive the 2-hour drive and we were able to relax and enjoy each other's company while taking in the sights of the city and of course, the food. Don't you just love the eating freedom that comes with pregnancy? I mean besides the fact that everything gives you indigestion, heartburn and gas. I remember eating my heart out that trip. Cheesesteaks, Italian Hero subs, Pasta dishes in Little Italy. Pastries from the Reading Terminal Market. Everything on the menu at Warmdaddy's. Really, eating good food is my number one favorite thing to do when I'm on vacation. And New Orleans has some of the best cuisine in the country so you best believe I'm already planning our dining options. And how did this post end up being about food?

Getting back on track. In addition to the food (dammit) I am also very much looking forward to spending quality time with hubby. We deserve it! And yes, there is a little voice deep down inside that is making me feel just a tad bit guilty for leaving my babies behind, but I know that they will be in great hands with their grandmas. And their mommy and daddy will come back after 4 days, refreshed, relaxed and...full.

Oh yes indeedy.

A Must-Read...

If you can manage to steal a few moments for yourself this weekend, grab a cup of tea, a container of Pringles, or whatever makes you happy and settle in to read about Jen & Ryland's love story. It's the stuff dreams are made of! Well, maybe not dreams. But definitely movies.

Side note on the Mama Code Post...

I came across this blog, FPMama, about a month ago and I think it is worth mentioning. The blog is written by an OB who tells the story of the mothers that she meets in her journey as their doctor. Of course all identities are kept confidential, but some of the stories are really gripping. Read the post on Scary Baby. Frightenting. Anyhow, as I read some of the posts, I could totally relate to some of the mothers. I had three complicated pregnancies and their stories brought back many memories.