Aches and Pains

I'm convinced that the third trimester exists (not
just to finish growing the baby) but to make you so
unbelievably uncomfortable that all of your potential
fears about childbirth just melt away because you just
want this kid out of your body.

In the mornings it feels like being sore from a rigorous
yoga class where all you did was hip opening poses.
When walking anywhere further than 10 ft it seems
like that is exactly when the baby decides it's a really
good idea to just snuggle into your bladder or to
put so much pressure on your pelvic region that you
are sure he is trying to escape.

Overall I've enjoyed being pregnant, it's far exceeded
what I ever imagined it would be.  I can see my early 20's self
rolling her eyes and totally not believing that statement, but it's
true.  It has been magical to feel so connected to the universe
and to my body.  To feel tiny kicks in my belly and to know that
I am growing a human without even really trying.
I feel lucky to have this gift.

And that my friends, is the Jekyll and Hyde part of the third trimester.
Where your body is endlessly uncomfortable but you still manage
to find the silver lining about your pregnancy. It's crazy but true,
so many feelings run through your head all at once, some are sad
some are happy, some don't make any sense. But I rest easy
knowing that all of my feelings are important and that they are
keeping me present in this process.

Showered

Last Sunday my Mom and sisters threw me the most
wonderful nautical themed baby shower.































 It felt so good to celebrate the peanut
and to get so many amazing women in one room together.
The best part was that I didn't have to sit there and open presents,
so I actually had time to catch up with people.

There were so many special little touches, like seeing the
Shelly Family out on display.  My godfather got these for me
circa 1986,  I named the biggest one Shelly Turtle,
then we have Sister Shell,  and Baby Shell.
Somehow my mother managed to keep these
in amazing condition! Hopefully the peanut
will love them just as much as I do.

It was such a great day, and now I think we are pretty close to
being ready for the peanut's arrival- at least in terms of
baby gear.  Hopefully by next weekend his room will be
all set up for him.   Here's some more photos from
the shower.

This last picture is a perfect example of how
we can't go anywhere without dressing somewhat alike.
Either through patterns, color schemes, or exact articles of clothing.
Our trip to Charleston was laughable, we all wore
black blazers, scarves and skinny jeans and we all had bangs
at the time.  Then in Berlin, Meghan and I both brought
houndstooth dresses to wear to see the symphony.
Never gets old. Love these gals.

8 months

Here we are, a rare selfie.
32 weeks and counting.

The realization that he could actually be born before
his due date has caused me to start to get my act together.
The hospital bag will be packed soon, the house will be
stocked with things for labor, and the baby's room will
be ready (hopefully by the end of the month).

A lot of shopping, reorganizing, and list-making are about
to take place.  Amid all the mounting chaos I still find
myself stopping to wonder what date he will choose for his
birthday or what his little face will look like.

Biggest focuses now are mentally and physically preparing
for labor.  Lots of positive thinking, meditation, mantras,
yoga and whatever else will help me along this journey.

Mama Inspiration and a Dusting of Snow

There's something magical about waking up
to a pristine snowfall.



















It makes the house feel extra cozy and
seemingly makes the usual morning hot
chocolate taste even better.

Today I wanted to share something my friend
Kelly sent to me.  She just had a precious little
baby back in November and she has been
a wonderful support and and inspiration for me
through my own pregnancy.  This comes from
the site MysticMamma, but it's not just for Mama's,
I think anyone can read some of these posts and
take things away from them.  It's very uplifting.
Happy Friday, Lovebunnies.

oh to become a M O T H E R….

such a rite of passage

such an extraordinary experience…

like nothing else in the entire world…

your whole universe expands,

your heart grows bigger than you could ever imagine

and your existence shifts, dramatically, powerfully.

go with the force that pulls you open

and surrender to the newness that opens up in front of you.

commit to having no fear

surrender to the passage

and trust that

“all is unfolding exactly as it should”

(as it says in the desiderata)

a wonderful new world is about to open up

or perhaps already has,

and you are stronger than you ever knew!

and your coming into fUll blOOm

and this is your greatest gift!

seize it!

x

pure magic.

pregnant mammas are magical!!!

two souls in one

your aura is magnified

you are glowing

enjoy it

take sweet good care of yourself

rest

sleep

sleep some more

don’t worry

nothing is more important

than what you are going through

a new life is growing inside you

a new soul has come to you!!!!

chosen YOU

as their mother

you are birthing new life

you are a divine channel

what a gift

take good care mammas

and don’t worry

let nature take it’s course

your body will know what to do

just relax and be happy

trust

trust

trust in the perfection of the universe~~~

infinite blessings

Latest Obsessions

*Cat Shaped Marshmallows
Why do these not exist in NYC so I can
have kitty festive hot chocolate?!
The cutest things always come from Japan..
if I lived there I'd probably start looking like this.
Which really is not the worst case scenario for me
but I have a feeling the husband might not dig it.

*Chez Hortense Creperie

*Trying to squash the travel itch
This year feels unpredictable, with a new addition
to the family it's not likely that we'll be taking a crazy trip
this year. But that doesn't stop me from dreaming about
visiting Japan, or of escaping back to Iceland and floating
around the blue lagoon,  or heading to France for some
wine adventures.  There is always next year, right?

*Friends on Netflix
I have to admit that I've been binge watching.
It's hermit month for me so it's all about staying at my house.
The husband get stir crazy but I rarely do, so it's been
all about revisiting the 90's, staying cozy, and going to
bed at 10:30.  There's no taming my wild spirit in January..

*Chocolate
Give me everything, cake/cookies/hot chocolate
it's just all I've wanted.

*Seeing the Matisse exhibit at MoMA
I will get there. oh yes, I will get there..

So This is Nesting..

Yesterday I spontaneously cleaned
the kitchen counters and reorganized them.
I cleaned out all the crap from the fridge
and threw away unnecessary things.
Today I cleaned the bottom of the fridge,
drawers and all.

At some point in the cleaning madness I thought
to myself "oh, so this is nesting..", the point in which a
very pregnant mother feels the urge to prepare her
house for the new baby.  Or is it more with the
knowledge that you just won't have the time to
do such thorough projects after the baby is born?
Either way- it's happening.

The baby's basket of things in the back room is
beginning to overflow with stuff,  larger
baby shower gifts have started to be delivered.
This is real. This is actually happening.
Someone else will be living with us soon.

Sometimes I feel totally cool with that fact,
other times I feel as though just the thought of
it could make my brain explode.

As a die-hard planner my biggest issue with this
whole situation is the inability to see past the next
10 weeks.  But I suppose this is a good lesson in
letting go and embracing the unknown.

New Year.

It was an unusual New Year's Eve at the Costanzo house.
The husband had a fever, so I took care of him as best I
could but I'm still recovering too so I didn't want this
cold (or something worse) to relapse.

We spent the night in separate rooms, watching different
movies/shows and wishing we could be near each other.
The highlight of my night was hearing him laugh hysterically
from our bedroom while watching Raising Arizona.
I was asleep by 11pm- needless to say it was one of the more
uneventful New Year's Eve's that we've had.

Now here we are in 2015,  a big year to say the least.
I'm about 10 weeks away from my due date and the
reality of what's happening is really beginning to set in.
I've never been a big fan of resolutions, but here is my
list of hopes for the new year.

*That my birth process will be smooth and healthy
for both of us.

*That I will find boatloads of inner strength to deal with
labor pains and just let my body do it's thing.

*To be a good mother, not compare myself to others,
to take each day as it comes and live in the present.

*To use this new chapter to see family and friends more

*Continue creating things, whether it's gluing, doodling,
or just baking biscuits. Using the time that I will have
to make something wonderful.

*To accept changes with patience and grace.

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone who reads this a
very exciting and prosperous 2015 :)