Update Extravaganza!

I'll elaborate more on these later, but here are some!
37 weeks today. At my appointment on Tuesday, I was still 3 cm dilated and he went from 50% effaced to 75% effaced. I tested positive for Group B Strep and negative for HIV (duh!).
Tuesday I drove all over Plano, literally. I got JT's car seat installed in the SUV. Once we receive our 2nd base, we'll get that one installed in the Jetta too. I drove around all day Tuesday with that child seat in the Kia and just imagine JT sitting back there. I cannot wait to be a MOM. I cannot wait to look back and see my little one sleeping or screaming his lungs off!
Yesterday Mr. Soup surprised me by getting hiring professionals to clean our carpet. I feel so much better knowing that JT will come home a virtually fur-free home. Yesterday, the dog groomer came by for a consultation and they're getting shaved on Sunday afternoon. No more long coats for them! We're also going to start transitioning them from sleeping in our room. Tonight they'll sleep in the hall for the first time!
Today my dad had gall bladder surgery. Not a major surgery, but anyone who knows my dad knows that he has been through a ton of surgerys in the past 10 years. Any and every surgery is still a little scary. He's recovering and should go home tomorrow. Continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers
Today is the five year anniversary of when Mr. Soup and I met at the DFW airport. Hard to believe it's been five years! So many good things have happened since then. It truly was a life-changing event for me!
One year ago today Mr. Soup and I closed on our first home. Homeownership hasn't been without it's challenges, but we absolutely love our home! It's not perfect, but it's the perfect home for us!
Tonight I'm going to a meeting to find out more information about a Ph.D program in Language & Literacy. I know, I know, what am I thinking? I'm going with an open mind. Just gathering information. It's something that I've always been interested in accomplishing and if they make it suitable for working teachers, I might be able to do it. Plus, if I have my way and only work part-time in a year or so, I could do it, right? we'll see. just gathering information at this point!
Mr. Soup has an interview for a new job. It's one he applied to before landing his current job, but they're just now getting back to him. We're crossing our fingers that he gets it as the pay increase would cover daycare and our travel fund! Of course, once he gets licensed, we'll be set as well, but nice to have more options especially once JT arrives.
Oh and JT's baptism date is tentatively set. We plan to have him baptized in August at the church where my mom, my brother and I were baptized! I'm so happy!
That's it for now!

36 weeks

So, I didn't realize how big of a deal being 3 cm dilated was until I found out that for some that is considered early labor. At 3 cm I could go into labor in a few days or in a few weeks. I'm thinking JT may arrive sooner than later. Here's why:
-when I asked my doctor if being dilated at 3cm was normal, she was kind of coy in her response. "It'll just make things easier." However, she did make sure to go over the "going-into-labor" procedure 3 times before I left.
- when I told my mom (a 30+ year OB/GYN RN and current NICU RN) I was 3 cm, her response was, "Well, I guess Mr. Soup was right. My grandson may come in May!"
-JT has definitely dropped and he's dropping fast
-one of my principals remarked, "On Tuesday you looked maybe 7 months pregnant and today (Friday) you really look 9 months pregnant. He's dropping fast"
-My head principal keeps saying to me, "we're just glad you're here another day."
-JT has run out of room. It now hurts me when he and Mr. Soup play
-our childbirth instructor said to me yesterday, "now when are you due again? this month, right?"
Fortunately, I haven't had contractions yet. If I did, I think I would be in official panic mode. Nevertheless, I am in somewhat panic mode. Here is a list of things we have to do:
-wash JT's clothes (did that on Friday night...just need to put them away)
-get carseat installed (appointment set on May 17th)
-get the dogs shaved (consultation on May 18th)
-put together Pack'nPlay
-put together glider
-put together crib
-bring in changing table from the garage
(if you notice all the ones that say "put together" are ones that Mr. Soup was/is supposed to do)
On top of that Mr. Soup is signed up to take his LMSW exam on July 9th. So not only will we have to adjust to a little one, but he will be studying for one of the hardest exams ever! He's trying to do some studying now, so that he can still help out with JT in June and July.
That's our life in a nutshell. We're waiting on Baby Soup to get here. I wish I could say I was ready, but is anyone ever really ready? I am ready to get him out!

Momma Mia

Well, I am 36 weeks! Whew! I have one month left carrying JT. Today was my 36 week appointment. I had the usual stuff done--blood pressure check, weight check, JT's heartbeat, etc. I also had the Group B Strep test and HIV screening. Looks like I'm about 3 cm dilated and JT is 50% effaced. Looking pretty good! It feels real now!
I loved being pregnant up until now. Month six and seven were good. That's when I first started looking pregnant and the bump was all cute and stuff! I could still wear cute shoes, I could walk without having to catch my breath, I went to the bathroom ten times a day instead of 20, and I could sleep comfortably. Oh, and I wasn't exhausted!! Month eight was brutal. My belly exploded! I have to wear tennis shoes or flip-flops. I can't tie my tennis shoes. I can't paint my toe nails. I really can't do any feminine things on my own....I can't sleep at night. I'm Hot all the time! I'm tired all the time. I have major mood swings. I have stolen food from people's lunches at work. Yes! I have. I know. I'm horrible. I can't believe it. I started crying because Mr. Soup didn't want to watch the Royal Wedding a couple of weeks ago. On Saturday, Mr. Soup and I went to our first child birth class. I cried through every birth video we watched. Most of the class was disgusted, but I cried. Yeah, so I'm definitely ready to get this boy out!
I'm hoping Month 9 will be better, but I have a feeling it won't. I guess I'm getting prepared for all the sacrifices I will have to make for JT. Giving up my body has been very difficult for me, but I know I will eventually get it back. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry about that and I haven't. I do feel kind of empowered being able to provide everything for my little man. I think it's so cool that my body was designed to carry him for nine....er....ten months!
I know there is no "right" time to become a mother, but I really think things have fallen into place for our little family. I feel like it's fate that we bought a house one block from the hospital at which I'll deliver. I feel like it's fate that we live four houses down the street from an ideal daycare provider. Even before Mr. Soup and I married, we knew wanted a Spanish speaking provider for any kids we had. We're so blessed that we found the kindest mother/daughter day care team. While I am not looking forward to the idea of leaving him next fall, I could not ask for a better set of women to look after my son. In fact, I think JT will get a better experience with them than if I were a stay-at-home mom. When Mr. Soup and I went on our daycare tour, I was in love. I do not remember my daycare being like that when I was a kid. I just felt a sense of warmth and family. I guess it truly does take a village.
My first Mother's Day was great, but also kind of sad. I received lots of gifts and everyone made me feel like I was a mother. In fact, I think I was one of the few mothers who had to "be a mom" on Mother's Day. All the other moms got the day off from their kids, but JT was with me all day long. I didn't get a break from being exhausted, gassy, swollen, uncomfortable, etc. My husband tried to make things better by doing my half of the household chores, but it was still hard. I think the hardest part was that all those moms who got the day off from their kids still got hugs and cuddle time at the end of the day. I long for that. I just want to hold my little guy. I have to keep telling myself that the mood swings, lack of sleep, exhaustion and other bad things are worth it, because in a few short weeks I will get to hold my SON!
I think what makes this so special is seeing Mr. Soup become excited about JT. He loves getting our weekly updates from the Bump. He loves talking to JT through my belly. He gets excited thinking about all the things we'll get to do with JT. We have so many things we want to share with him. I think being a parent is the best job in the world. I can't believe I was hired.

Apparently, being a mom is totally cool because my baby girl, Maya wants to be a mom as well. I love watching her with her "baby dog." She's so caring to the baby. Although, at times she can be neglectful, she is quick to protect Baby from us and Sampson. Sam does try to terrorize Maya by stealing Baby. Hopefully, this is not indicative of what will happen when JT arrives. For now, I'll just enjoy watching them with Baby!

8 months....

Well it has been an eventful week!
Last weekend, Mr. Soup and I traveled to Wichita, KS for my baby shower. We were fortunate enough to visit one of Mr. Soup's cousins while we were there. He has known that he has a cousin living there, and last weekend he was finally able to meet her. I know it feels good for him to have family in Kansas besides my own.
On Sunday, I woke up with a sore throat, but didn't think too much of it as we headed to lunch with Abby and her family. It was really good to see her and hear about her life in her new city. However, it was disheartening to see how much she has changed since last summer. We couldn't help but think how great her life would've been if she were with us. I think we truly are worried for her health and well-being in the future, but all we can do is offer support from a distance. I will say that despite her circumstances, she seemed genuinely happy and care-free. She is really excited about her little brother arriving.
We also met up at lunch with my grandfather who was in town for the Shriner's Circus. It was good to see him as well. The last time I saw him was at Christmas and before that I think my wedding was the last time that I had seen him.
After lunch my mom and I headed to my baby shower hosted by my wonderful friends Jennifer and Katie! It truly was a shower of love and friendship! I saw old friends that I have not seen in years and I was amazed by how much love everyone has for JT! Katie and Jennifer really outdid themselves with the shower. I couldn't have asked for a better one!
My friend Amber, who is about 7 months along with her first child (a boy), was there and I got a little emotional seeing her. We've been friends since 2nd grade and I've known her husband since Kindergarten. Seeing us both enter this time in our lives together is truly a gift!
Mr. Soup even gave me my "push" prize early. I've been wanting an IPad or Kindle or Nook for a long time. He bought me the Samsung Galaxy and put some books on it for me as well. It's the perfect gift and I was so shocked that he bought it for me. While my mom and I were at the shower, he and my dad hung out most of the day. I knew one of them would come home with a new piece of technology, but I had no idea it would be for me!
We headed back to Texas and I still felt kinda icky. I decided I would take Monday off just to rest. Little did I know, I would be out for 3 days! I did not return to work until Thursday. I had some respiratory junk and there was nothing I could really take because of JT. Of course, JT makes my recovery rate a little slow. I'm still battling some congestion today, but I can say I'm close to 100%.
Mr. Soup and I also decided that we wanted to make the switch to a family-friendly vehicle. We knew that with JT coming we really couldn't afford a 2nd car payment, so we decided to trade in the newer of our two vehicles. Mr. Soup's car (09 Ford Fusion) has quite a few miles on it due to visiting Abby and commuting to school, so his was the obvious choice. My car (04 VW Jetta) is completely paid for, has relatively low miles and is still in good condition. So, Friday night we headed to the dealership to see if we could make some sort of trade and we are now owners of our parent-mobile: 11 Kia Sorento. We chose the Sorento because of the awesome warranty, redesigned model that now seats 7, fuel economy, and other family-friendly features. Mr. Soup was able to negotiate a good price in that he only pays a little bit more each month than he did before. Up until now, we had considered a mini-van mostly because of the cost; however, I think we both weren't completely ready to make the jump to a mini-van. I think if we planned to have more kids right away, we might've opted for a mini-van, but for right now it's the perfect vehicle for our little family.
On Saturday, we headed to Infant Safety/CPR class in our new vehicle. Of course, I had trouble doing CPR on our mini-baby (I couldn't get the chest to click during compressions). Mr. Soup was the best in class, of course. He probably could've taught the course. Luckily, we bought the mini-baby and DVD, so I plan to practice in the next few weeks! After our class, we headed for a late lunch at our favorite cafe in Dallas. We had plans to go to the Rangers game, but we ended up going home for a long nap!
Today, was a pretty lazy day. We didn't get up in time for Easter service at church. I'm still a little under the weather, so we spent most of the day in PJs before heading to a friend's house for an Easter celebration. After that we went and got ice cream and now we're listening to the storms outside. We are trying to enjoy our last weeks as a childless couple before JT arrives. Even though I am uncomfortable and big, I am truly enjoying this time in our lives. I love feeling my baby move and seeing Mr. Soup's face as he feels my belly. I love our quiet evenings with just the two of us walking around or watching a movie. All of this will soon change, so I want to savor as much of it as I can.
This week is another busy week for the Soups! Tomorrow I have to grade college essays, Tuesday and Wednesday is TAKS at the junior high, and Tuesday is my breast-pumping class. I also need to get an oil change on the Jetta and make my baby shower thank-you cards.

Strawberries

So, I'm guessing JT must love strawberries. I have never been the type to get super excited about fruit. I love vegetables and meat. I could eat zuchini, carrots, peppers, and other vegetables all day long! Since becoming pregnant I crave fruits. I drink grapefruit juice daily (never did that before). I used to eat oranges everyday twice a day, but now I stick to bananas and strawberries. Man, there are some huge, plump strawberries at the market lately. I absolutely love them. I could eat them all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm wondering if that means that JT will like strawberries? I wonder what foods he will like? What toys will be his favorite? What things will make him happy? mad? sad? As I'm nearing the end of my pregnancy (8 months on Thursday), I start to wonder about what it will be like to have him here. I'm not looking forward to the feedings every three hours, the crying, the diapers, taking an hour to get ready to go somewhere, etc. However, I am looking forward to the feedings because it means I get to hold him close. the crying? I'll get to soothe him and hold him. I can't wait to kiss his little toes. I long to hold his little hands and look in his eyes.
I think what makes this so special is how excited Mr. Soup is too. Today he woke up and told me that while I was asleep, he spent some time talking to my belly and feeling JT move around. He also has been nesting quite a bit. Fixing things around the house and now he's decided that we should install hardwoods in the family room before JT arrives (why didn't he think of this a few months ago?). We've kind of been going back and forth on daycare. Bummed that our ideal daycare is so expensive, but not sure what to do. He keeps reminding me that the values at the daycare match ours. If we're going to have someone else watch our little man during the day, they need to be the best. Thinking about daycare makes me kind of sad already. I think I will cry when I have to go back to work in the fall. He's just a special little guy and he's already captured our hearts.

JT update

So this week has been one for many JT/mama-to-be updates ---Last week I received the results of my glucose screening: No gestational diabetes! Woo-hoo! I don't have to take the 3 hour test, thank God! No syphilis (I know you all were worried!). I am slightly anemic, but I can aid that by taking an OTC iron pill each day with my prenatal vitamins. So, nothing major from last week. ---Yesterday I went to the doctor. All is well with JT. He's growing as he should each day. His movements are more frequent and boy are they stronger. I think he must roll around quite a bit because I swear, I feel an alien moving in there. Okay, not an alien, but when I see my belly move I am reminded of the movie Aliens. Is Joel going to shoot out of my belly? ---So, I went to the doctor and she harped on me about my swollen ankles. Apparently, some of my varicose veins are now visible and she's afraid they will burst. So, now I get to wear the lovely support stockings! Yeah, Sexy! They're incredibly hot (in the literal sense)...which brings me to my next pregnancy must-have purchase....Aveda Rosemary Mint body lotion. It really cools the skin like none other. When you're pregnant you are hot all the time. However, you still need to moisturize your skin. Aveda's lotion is light-weight, moisturizing, invigorating and cooling. Oh and did I mention it smells great? So, if you are pregnant or sweat profusely, invest in this lotion. So worth it! Okay, so that's my plug! ----One area in which my doctor has not harped on me is my weight gain and I think she needs to do that! I have now gained 25 pounds and I'm only 31 weeks. I was doing okay, but I have gained 5 pounds since my last visit. Eek! Fortunately, my best friend (who happens to be a doctor and new mom) told me I won't gain too much these next 9 weeks, but still. It's not like I can lose weight during pregnancy. I just need to manage it better. I didn't do a good job of picking healthy snacks the last two weeks. My appetite picked up and I would eat whatever I could find. This weekend it's back to more health conscious shopping. It's also hard when your handsome husband has successfully dropped 12 pounds in the last month and counting. I am very proud of him because I know he wants to be in shape for when JT arrives, but it's weird that we could weigh the same amount in 10 weeks if he keeps this weight loss up!!!! He promised to help me lose the baby weight after JT arrives and I'm holding him to it. Oh and just to brag on him a little bit---he cleaned out the garage this weekend and did some repairs around the house! He's nesting! ---Last night I attended a breastfeeding class. Boy was that interesting. First, it's weird to see other people's boobs. No we didn't expose ourselves in class (some women brought their husbands), but we did watch a 20 minute video full of breasts in all shapes, sizes and colors. I guess since I'm used to seeing only my boobs, it was interesting to see how other women's boobs look. Does that make me weird? One thing that seems like a blessing when you are first pregnant is the increase in boob-size. I've always had sort of average boobs, but pregnancy has made them huge. Last night I learned that they will get even bigger when I feed. I almost fainted when I heard that. I seriously cannot imagine having boobs bigger than what they are now. I no longer envy the girls with big boobs or fake ones. Underwire bras are now uncomfortable and boob-sweat is common. I can't believe that for the next year I'm going to look like a porn star in almost every shirt I wear.... ---Tonight, Mr. Soup and I visited our first in-home daycare. I'm kind of still on a high from this visit, but we've scheduled some more in the next few weeks. This was/is our first choice because of the proximity and the alignment with our values and expectations. The in-home center is 4 houses down the street from us. It is operated by a mother/daughter team. They speak Spanish to the children and also teach basic sign language. When we went there, I had my list of 30+ questions to ask. By the time the tour was over, I think they had answered all but 2. I felt a good vibe from them and felt that my baby would be not only safe and well taken care of, but also loved. They are by far the most expensive provider we've contacted, but we would save a ton because they provide diapers and wipes...oh and we wouldn't spend money on gas. Visiting their home showed me how much daycare has changed since I was a child....no sitting in front of the TV all day. They have days jam-packed with activities. It just seemed like a very active and nurturing environment. While our goal is not to have JT in daycare all day (we're really hoping Mr. Soup gets licensed as a social worker and will have more flexibility with his job), we still want him to go to daycare at least part-time. We still have some other in homes to visit though. We both feel strongly that he needs socialization, routine, etc. There are some downsides to the daycare...they don't offer part-time hours or drop-in hours. Another bummer is that during the summer we would have to pay full-price to hold our spot. If we end up going with this daycare, it means no new car for me for a while. I'm actually okay with it because even though my car is small, it's in great condition. I can easily fit a carseat into it and it is a very safe car. I wasn't really sold on getting a mini-van. I tried to tell myself that I was, but I kept fantasizing about 7 passenger SUVs. This way we can either save more for an SUV or wait until I'm fully ready to make the dive into becoming a minivan mom. Plus, maybe having a smaller car will be good birth control? Mr. Soup is already convinced that I'm going to want another little one soon...I can honestly say that is not true. I think it's going to be difficult enough to balance my new role as mother with all my other roles. I honestly just want to spoil JT with love and attention all the time, but I know I can't do that. I know in order to be a good mom, I've got to make time for myself, my marriage, my dogs, my family, my friends, traveling, etc. Who knows maybe I will want another one soon. for right now I just want semi-spoil him (okay, who am I kidding? I'm going spoil him with so much attention. He'll never learn to walk because he'll be in my arms!). So, that's it for JT updates. This weekend, Mr. Soup and I are doing a date night (finally) except we changed it to Sunday...why? I'm BABYSITTING! I'm babysitting my best friend's 2 (almost 3) year old daughter on Saturday! I'm pretty excited! So, Mr. Soup and I are going to church on Sunday, then to lunch with the TNT (twenties n' thirties) group and then dinner and a movie Sunday night. Should be fun. He and his brother are going to the Dallas car convention on Saturday. He's trying to get in his boys' time before JT arrives. Fun times in the Soup house!

My Little Man

This weekend, Mr. Soup and I did the whole 3D/4D sonogram. It was kind of a last minute decision. At first, we weren't going to do it, but then we found a place having a spring sale. We really couldn't pass on the low cost. Plus, who doesn't want to see her son one more time before he arrives?
I had already gone to the doctor this week, so I knew he was doing pretty well. He's perfect in his size for how far along I am. His heart rate was perfect too. I'm awaiting the results of my glucose screening (gestational diabetes). Really hoping I don't have to do the 3-hour one! Also waiting on my 2nd Syphilis test. haha! No, but the state requires every mother to be tested for Syphilis twice during her pregnancy. At first, I was like WTF, but my doc said it was required. She said of all the people she's tested only one came back positive the 2nd time. That would've sucked!
So, yeah, the 3D/4D was totally worth it. At first I was a little skeptical because there are no refunds. We couldn't see JT very well because he likes to put his foot up by his head. He just likes to hold it near his face and occasionally put it in his mouth. In fact, he was asleep holding it next to his head. We tried and tried to wake him up, but he's a stubborn little guy. He finally moved long enough for us to see his little face. He is a cutie! I know I'm biased, but I just think he's going to be the cutest little boy. Heartbreaker!
The best part of the sono was finding out that he looks just like me! He has my nose and my lips. When I sent my dad the pics, he remarked at how much like me looks. I've attached my 1st baby picture so you can see the striking resemblance.
I just can't wait for him to get here. Did I mention JT already has a girlfriend? One of Mr. Soup's friends from grad school is an expectant father as well. His wife is a week behind me and they're expecting a little girl. We're already planning play dates, proms, weddings, etc. J/K sorta! The couple is interracial like us (he's white and his wife is Korean), so if our children did get married, we'd have some pretty cool-looking grandchildren!
Other updates:
one of my friends from college came to town, so a bunch of us Dallas Jayhawks got together twice this weekend. It's weird because we've all changed in so many ways, but we can still reminisce and have a great time. We went and watched the KU-Richmond game in Uptown Friday night and then barbecued last night. Lots of fun.
KU lost today to #11 seed VCU. I'm pretty much depressed about that. enough said
we're rethinking the minivan purchase....Kia has a new Sorento out and guess what....it has an optional 3rd row so it can seat 7! It's also in our price range! So I may not have to become a mini-van mom! However, I may not be able to get it in the fall like we thought. I'm thinking of taking some more time off to stay home with JT in the fall which means our income would be significantly smaller.
Mr. Soup has decided to sit for licensure exam. I'm so glad that he's doing it because this means that I can stay home longer. Right now we live pretty comfortably with his new job, but if he becomes a licensed social worker, he could pick up PRN shifts at any hospital which would almost double his income. I already planned to take off a few weeks in the fall, but now I can possibly take off a couple of months unpaid and we'd be okay. This would help tremendously because then we wouldn't have to put JT in daycare until he's almost 5 months. We'd have our routine down and I could breastfeed comfortably without having to pump as much. I just think the closer he gets to a year before officially entering the real world the better. Luckily, with Mr. Soup's current job he can be home some too, so JT won't have to spend 8 hours 5 days a week in day care anyways.
I'm really hoping and praying that:
-Mr. Soup passes the licensure exam (it's a beast! a lot of people fail the 1st time)
-The licensure exam is not on the same day as our childbirth class (we've already had to reschedule and I really don't want to go to it alone)
-he can get a PRN job at a hospital so that I can stay home a little longer
If none of this happens, we'll make it work. I don't doubt that JT would be okay going to daycare at 3 months. Some moms get less time at home. I'm extremely blessed that I get all this summer time with him and that my husband works a flexible job. I don't necessarily think that it matters which parent is home with the baby, and I don't think that daycare is bad for a baby. At this time, I just want to be able to spend as much time with him as possible and get him good and ready for the "real" world.

things you should not do/say to a pregnant woman

I'm sure I will have more to add to this list, but I think I need to post this now to help everyone who is not pregnant:
1. do not touch her bellybutton (this goes mostly for my students...they think it's funny now that they can see my bellybutton)
2. do not talk about Happy Hour in earshot of a pregnant woman. today i was at my doctor's office and I could hear the office staff talking about drinking. I love the girls that work there, but I felt like they were bragging. LOL. Just remember a pregnant woman still has to go to work each day and at the end of a long week, we cannot partake in Happy Hour. Yes, we can still attend, but it's not the same. Luckily, I have replaced my weekly, relaxing glass of wine with reading a couple of chapters in a chick lit book (guilty pleasure...do not judge). And I actually don't mind the taste of non-alcoholic beer.
3. do not say things like, "awww!!! you're getting fat." or "look at how round your face is."
No, I'm not fat you a-hole! I'm knocked up! Yeah I put on 20 lbs in the last few months, but that's because I have a life inside of me. My ass isn't any bigger, it's my belly. My uterus is stretched beyond belief. One lady told me she stopped making fun of fat people after she got pregnant, because she understood what it was like to be hungry all the time. What? That is wrong on so many levels. 1. she made fun of fat people before getting pregnant and saw nothing wrong with it. 2. when you're pregnant you're not hungry all the time. sure you need more food, but it's not like you can never get full. 3. being pregnant and being obese are totally not the same.
4. Do not say,"Are you sure you should be doing that?" I am sure or else I wouldn't be doing it. I do have common sense. I'm not handicapped, just pregnant. I can still work-out, I can walk my dogs, I can bend over, I can open a 2 liter bottle of soda, etc. I'm not helpless, just pregnant. Let me do things here so that I can go home and complain to my husband and make him do all the work. That's my motive!
okay so here are some things you should say to a pregnant woman.
1. "your boobs look great!"
2. "I'm bringing you wine and sushi as soon as you give birth"
3. "Wow! you look so small. I can't believe you're _____ months."
4."Wow! I can't believe how strong you are. You must have the strength of a grown woman and a fetus."
Actually, I don't mind being pregnant at all, but there are days that I'm like, "really?" I find that instead of being annoyed by 75% of the world's population, I am annoyed by 99% of people I encounter. The only person who does not annoy me is....yep, you guessed it....JT! I look forward to Mr. Soup and I's nightly belly-time. Mr. Soup loves to push on my belly and feel JT kick/punch back. I love feeling him toss and turn too. I guess I can handle all the annoying people who have no tact when interacting with a pregnant woman if it means that I can experience all the joy that JT brings!

Nursery

Most of the rooms in our house are white or beige. I guess that's the cardinal rule when selling a house. Paint it white or beige. I could not have my baby sleeping in a white room, but I wanted something that would be neutral enough that all Soup babies would like it. Since I'm the oldest child, I decided that the big sibling will get a new room each time there is a new baby. So, if/when there is a 2nd Soup baby, JT will get a new room. New paint, big kid furniture, the whole nine yards! The new baby will get his old room (maybe some new accessories). I figure this is the most economical thing to do and it will make the big sibling feel special! So, JT's nursery will forever be the Soup Nursery.
Yesterday, with the help of friends, JT's white walls turned into Aqua Waves! I absolutely love this room now. It is my new favorite room in the house. I can't wait for the beach them to come together! I've snapped some pictures of the room before and after painting. I also put a picture of some of the accessories (sea shell curtain ties, crib sheets made by my mama). Enjoy some during pictures! I will post more once his nursery is complete!
It's amazing how one little room can make you feel closer to being a mom. The room is so relaxing. I can picture myself in here with my little man. I think of all the memories our little family will have in that room.

Spring Break 2011

This is the first spring break that I have been in Dallas since moving here in 2005. Well, I take that back. I was here part of spring break in 2008 and all of it in 2009. However, I was getting married in 2009, so it didn't feel like I was really "here." Ironically my spring breaks prior to moving to Dallas were, in fact, spent in Texas. Crazy, huh?
Let's recall:
March 2004 Padre, TX (crazy times. college spring break locale. need I say more?)
March 2005 Dallas, TX (visiting friends and looking for a job)
March 2006 Wichita, Lawrence, and KC (spent part of it with my parents and part of it with my brother in Lawrence. I crashed on his couch and partied from sun up to sun down like I was in college again. don't know how I survived. Also visited friends in KC)
March 2007 Wichita, KS visited family
March 2008 Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX (my friend Christina and I went to visit our friend Himee who was living in Atlanta at the time. Abby came to spend spring break in Dallas with us.)
March 2009 Dallas, TX we got married! Friends and family started arriving a week before we got married, so we were pretty busy.
March 2010 Gulf of Mexico- our one year anniversary cruise
So what's in store for Spring Break 2011? Mr. Soup and I had planned to take a babymoon/2nd anniversary trip to KC. However, then we decided to make it a staycation here in Dallas. Then we found out that Mr. Soup was to be inducted in the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame, so it threw everything for a loop. This would also have been the first year we could've attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dallas. It's basically a drunken Irish fest, but one that would've been fun to attend! However, Mama Soup is not drinking while pregnant!
While we could go next year, I think our priorities will have changed by then. Plus, I'm really hoping that we can take JT to the beach for the first time next year. I'm hoping we can make it a JT's first beach/3rd anniversary trip. I know it seems weird bringing your baby on an anniversary trip, but I can't imagine leaving him with someone for that long (I'm already getting nervous about leaving him with his own father when I go on a girls' trip next spring...trying to convince myself not to back out). Plus, I think it can still be a romantic trip and a new experience for my little boy. So keep your fingers crossed that nothing pops up over spring break 2012, so that we can take our first official family vacation!
Okay, so what's in store for spring break 2011? lots of relaxing. I'll be able to watch endless hours of NCAA basketball (I'm watching Bracketology as I type this). I'll get caught up on my grading. I plan to sleep, clean, exercise, and hang out with friends. Oh and get JT's nursery ready for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (my favorite part of this spring break!) My least favorite part is that my husband has to work and that he's leaving next Friday for New Jersey. He will come back on Monday (our 2 year anniversary). I'll miss him dearly, but I'm excited for him! I know he'll have a great time and I'll get by without him. He's nervous to leave because his friend from grad school's wife went into labor at 25 weeks last week. Fortunately, they were able to keep baby inside. The whole situation has been weighing on Mr. Soup's mind lately. While I feel great, it would be hard to go through that without him here. I pray that everything goes smoothly while he's gone.
so that's our spring break 2011! funny how a baby changes everything. I can't say that I'm not excited by it! I love how JT has changed our lives and he's not even here yet!

good-bye strappy sandals

So, yesterday my back was killing me. This is probably because we gave a simulation test for three hours. I basically sat at my desk while the kids tested. I'm pretty sure that's what did it. I also still wear my strappy sandals. To be honest, they are not uncomfortable. When I wear them, my feet don't hurt at all. At the end of the day though my feet are huge. So, I guess it is time to retire them for a while. Today I wore my Nike sandals and I feel a lot better. My feet are also a normal size.
Ever since I got pregnant, I've been in such a weird fashion mood. I care more about what I look like and I've put extra care into perfecting my wardrobe. Lucky for me I didn't spend a fortune on maternity clothes (not even $200), but I felt this sudden sense of pride in my appearance. I started taking extra time to put on my make-up, curl my hair, and pick out clothes. You'd think I'd wear ponytails everyday, but nope! It's weird how being a mom-to-be has changed me into a fashionista! Usually it's the opposite!
I guess being in love does that to you? I remember when I first met Mr. Soup, I dropped 20 lbs. He didn't recognize me the next time he saw me (we had a long distance relationship). I think the same can be applied to being a mom. I'm so proud to be JT's mom and I want him to be proud of me as well. I'm always finding ways to show off my bump and still look my best.
so good-bye strappy sandals....I'll see you in June!
having a baby has also helped me reevaluate my career goals. Mr. Soup is really encouraging me to look into starting my own business and I really just need to stop being a pansy and do it. I also want to pat myself on the back because I always wanted to teach at a community college and I'm now doing it. I love it almost as much as I love teaching junior high. why? because I have total curricular freedom! It's so freeing to be able to teach what I want to teach. I also love the flexibility of teaching at a community college. As I prepare to become a mom, I'm really appreciating that. If I have a doctor's appointment at the junior high I have to take a day or find someone to cover my class. I can't stand to think of what it will be like when JT has Halloween parties and other events. I can't miss those! So, yeah I'm not going to be a SAHM, but I am trying to put the pieces together to become a WAHM or at least part-time WAHM and part-time community college professor. This website has given me lots of inspiration WAHM
It's funny how pregnancy changes someone. Fashionista, Entrepeneur, College professor! I like the new Mrs. Soup....ahem....Mama Soup! I'm totally welcoming the revamping of me!

hair update and my baby is so smart!

so, I caved in last night and relaxed my hair. yep, no more frizzy roots for me. to be honest my curly hair had become pretty unmanageable. I would comb it each and every day and my roots would still be knotted or frizzy. Even straightening my hair with a flat iron didn't work because the knots were so bad. I tried using an olive oil concoction that I made. It softened my curls, but in a few days I was back to knots. I do feel somewhat defeated, but not really. I know you're not supposed to relax your hair while pregnant, but I bought a mild, all-natural kind of relaxer and made sure the bathroom was fully ventilated. I do not think I could've gone to a salon because of all the fumes, so doing it at home worked best. In addition, most doctors say that one can return to dyeing and using other chemical processes on one's hair once she hits the second trimester, so I feel pretty safe about it. Plus JT is kicking and moving around as I type this. So, he hasn't been harmed. Plus, I wanted to do it now when my hair is strong from all the prenatal vitamins and junk. Once JT arrives my hair will be depleted of nourishment.
So, what did I discover in my 7 months of having chemical-free hair?
1. I do not need to relax my hair every six weeks. While my roots weren't straight like they are now, they were manageable for a good four months. So, I propose relaxing my hair once every season.
2. my hair grew really fast. this could be because of the prenatal vitamins, but I think a large part of it has to do with not being exposed to chemicals every month and limiting the amount of heat I put on my hair. My hair is down my back now. It's never been that long before.
3. i can have relaxed hair and still wear it curly. most people with curly hair have rather tame roots and a curly shaft. my situation was the opposite. I can still make my shaft curly with my Mixed Chicks products, but I need something to keep my roots wavy/smooth
4. it's okay to use chemicals on your hair. I really wanted to be this earthy, crunchy granola mama (I still do). I think it's okay to admit that my hair is not going to be tame without some sort of chemical on it. Just like eventually, I will have to dye my hair (I haven't seen a grey hair yet, but I don't doubt that motherhood will cause them arrive)

okay, so now onto my baby. did you know that June is the month for smart babies to be born? Mr. Soup really wants our baby to be born in May. I sort of do to, but that's just for work reasons. I'd rather start my maternity leave early than take time off in the fall. That's another story though. However, more kids with high IQs were born in June. I believe this to be true because--
1. JT only kicks or moves around a bunch when I'm not at work. It's like he knows I have to deal with crazy kids and is saying, "don't worry, mama. I'll just sleep." okay so maybe it's just because that's when he wants to do some of his 12-14 hours of sleeping. In my book it's genius.
2. he knows who we are! well, he knows who his daddy is. he doesn't really respond to my voice, but let Mr. Soup talk to my belly or even just walk into the room and have a normal conversation with me, and JT goes crazy!! He starts kicking and moving. He gets so excited to hear his daddy. I think it's something about Mr. Soup's deep voice. I hope that's the case because I really can't stand to think of us talking in high-pitched baby talk. *shudders*
other updates:
-painting JT's nursery 3/19. We've got so much stuff for his nursery! I can't wait to post pictures. It's going to be so cute! i'm having a painting party with my girls while Mr. Soup is out of town.
-the next couple of months will be devoted to JT. birthing classes, infant safety classes, breastfeeding classes, breast-pumping classes, etc are all on the calendar. we're trying to throw in some fun things for us as well.
-we've narrowed down our new car choices to Honda Odyssey (most expensive, but best mini-van on the market), Toyota Sienna, and Mazda 5.
-we've completed a sibling set of names. not sure why we feel the need to have a sibling set completed, especially since we don't know if we'll have more kids after JT (I know, I know...how could you say that, Mrs. Soup? right now I can't imagine loving another kiddo as much as I love JT. I know that will change, but right now that's how I feel) and we probably won't be having 4 kids! I've posted our names before, but now we have a second girl choice. we didn't notice this trend, but all our potential kids' names have four letters. that helped us narrow down a 2nd girls' name.
Joel Tariq - our first boy. Joel in honor of his grandfather and deceased uncle. Tariq means Morning Star in Arabic.
Adam Le0 - Adam and Joel seem like siblings and Leo is in honor of his maternal grandfather and uncle (both their middle names are Leo)
Lena/Lina Elise - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this name! I better have one freaking' girl!
Skye Francesca - we both love Skye for a girl and Francesca is in honor of Mr. Soup's deceased grandmother Frances. I know there are no girl names from my side of the family in this set, but there is literally nothing I would consider using. nothing at all. I know Skye is not a classic name, but it is actually a name and it's simple. I think pairing it with a classic girly name like Francesca makes it work well. The spelling is unique without be yoo-neek (see my previous posts on purposely misspelled name)

thoughts at 6 and a half months

Most days I wake up and think to myself, "what the hell am I doing?" I seriously wonder sometimes if I am fit enough to be a mother. I also wonder if it is the right thing to bring a child into this effed up world. While I am happiest I've been and I feel nothing but love for JT, I still wonder if I am doing the right thing. A little late for that, right? Growing up I did have a desire to become a mom, but most days that was quelled by what seems now to be selfish desires. And while I'm thankful to have "grown up," I still have those nagging questions. Will I be a good mom? Are we financially secure? Is this world safe enough for my baby?
This week and others has really helped me to feel better about this world. So many people have given us so many things, that we hardly have to buy anything brand new for JT. I get excited thinking about the stories behind each and every item we have for him. My mom and dad have used their funds and talents to furnish his nursery and provide essentials such as a carseat, stroller and high chair. My mom has made his crib sheets and is making his curtains. Our neighbor generously gave us her son's old clothes. Not only that, but countless people have volunteered babysitting services. I've kept track of all that we have received:
-maternity clothes
-breast pump (awesome, right?)
-crib
-pack n' play
-crib sheets
-curtain tie backs
-baby boy clothes
-stroller
-car seat
-high chair
-toys
-babysitting services
maybe this is a sign that I am ready to be a mom? people believe in me? people believe in us as potential parents. the generosity overwhelming. I feel like people are genuinely excited for JT and excited for Mr. Soup and I as we embark on this journey. I feel that even though Mr. Soup and I are far from family, JT will be surrounded by love. love from our family here in Texas which consists of friends and neighbors. I feel good about the world in which we are bringing JT.
While I absolutely love being pregnant (minus the weight gain and pre-teen acne), I am ready to welcome our little man into the world. I want to hold him in my arms. I want to share him with this great world in which we live.

Soups 2011

who are the soups? when I started this blog we were two very different people than we are today. now as we prepare to welcome JT into our lives, i reflect on the way we were. last night Mr. Soup and I were watching a movie and I go, "aren't you glad we've had two years to ourselves before a baby arrives? What if we would've gotten pregnant right after we got married?" he goes, "I would've been thrilled. Plus, kid or no kid. I'ma do me and we're gonna do us." Cute, right? well sorta. I love the idea that no matter what Mr. Soup and I will continue to enjoy our lives and our marriage. I never want to be a hover mom and I never want to be so consumed with JT's life that I forget about myself. Plus, Mr. Soup won't let me. Sure we won't be able to get a babysitter every single weekend, but we will make it priority to have date nights, dinner with friends, girls' weekends and guys' weekends. Fortunately for us, so many people have already volunteered their babysitting services. We are so lucky!
Mr. Soup is sort of a slob and he's proud of it. So when he says, "I'ma do me." he probably means he will continue to be a slob. I was kinda hoping he'd give that up for JT. I guess I have 3 months to break that habit.
So, yeah who were we in 2009? Who are we now? Well, in 2009 Mr. Soup and I were both in school. I was getting my 2nd master's in administration and he was getting his 2nd bachelor's in social work. I was teaching 7th grade Language Arts. I was coming off the high of planning a wedding. I loved paper crafts and still do. We both loved to have people over for dinner and we loved dinner dates with just ourselves and/or friends. Besides summers with my stepdaughter, our only parenting experience came from loving our two spoiled dogs!
Who are we now? Well, we're both heavier than we were in 2009. I'd like to say all my weight comes from JT, but I hadn't shed the marriage/love weight before I got pregnant. I've gained 15 lbs since getting pregnant and I know I have gained more than that since 2009. Mr. Soup's weight goes up and down. He lost five lbs. just last week just by cutting carbs. I'd be lucky if I lose a pound and a half from cutting carbs.
I finished my 2nd master's, but have no plans to become an administrator (not like I'd be able to find a job anyways with budget cuts). I continue to teach 7th grade Language Arts, but I also teach a writing class once a week at a community college. Mr. Soup finished his 2nd bachelor's and his master's degree. He will start his new job next week and hopes to sit for the LMSW exam this spring/summer.
I still love paper crafts, but I've sort of replaced that desire with finding old furniture and putting it in our home. oh, yes, we're homeowners now. we found a cute, old home that is perfect for our growing family. We still love to hang out with friends, but I am now the sober one. Our dogs are still really spoiled. Some of our weekend dates take place at establishments like Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby.
So, here we are Soups 2011. I leave you with a JT update. He has learned to take his fist across my belly and to kick and hold his foot out. So cute!

Who will JT look like?

So, from his 5 month sono we've determined he has...
daddy's legs and feet
daddy's head
mommy's nose
daddy's lips
mommy's fingers
mommy's ears
Mr. Soup and I resemble each other quite a bit, so I imagine that it will be hard to distinguish all the features; however, I think he'll look more like Mr. Soup than me and I'm fine with that. Abby looks more like Mr. Soup than her mom. I have my heart set on a little baby that somewhat resembles my family though. the one thing I do not want to pass down to JT was my jaw, but we won't be able to tell if he inherited that until he's older. It's a dominant trait in my family. I get most of my traits from my mom's family (eye shape, nose, think lips, and jaw) and our jaw is one of them. My grandfather, great-aunts, mother, brother and I all have some form of the Parks underbite. Luckily, Ryan (my brother) and I had ours corrected. I'm hoping JT won't have to endure the dental, orthodontic and surgical work that we had done. And Mr. Soup? Well, his family has soft teeth. We're both hoping JT doesn't inherit that. Despite all our concerns, and no matter what he inherits, he'll be a beautiful baby! So, I leave you with a picture of Mr. Soup at 6 months. It will be interesting to see what JT looks like at six months. maybe I'll set up a similar picture!
oh and on another note: Mr. Soup got the job he wanted! Woo-hoo! We'll be able to eat once JT arrives!

Still bitter

Since I'm pregnant, I feel like I can be bitter about some things. I deserve to vent a little, right? I don't mean to sound unappreciative, because I'm not. I have a wonderful life. Caring, devoted husband. beautiful home. 2 gorgeous dogs and did I mention a PERFECT baby boy on the way? so why am I down in the dumps? like most Americans....the economy.
I planned to stay at my job for one more year. My reasoning? I didn't want to start a whole new routine once JT arrives. I just want to be comfortable at my job, so that I can fully adjust to becoming a working mom. However, I really want to be able to work full-time/part-time and still attend his events and be part of his day as he gets older. I've never desired to be a stay at home mom and I probably never will, but I want to be able to be part of my child's school day like my mom was with ours. I know I'll miss major milestones his first year working full-time, but I can make it a priority when he's older to find a more flexible job. So, the plan has been stay at current job for the 2011-12 school year and then switch to a more flexible or part-time job once he's one.
However, all these budget cuts have got me stressed out. Thank you, Gov. Rick Perry! I thought he was all about balancing our budget, but lo and behold we have to cut a % of the budget from where? EDUCATION. Dallas ISD plans to cut 2900 staff (teachers and counselors included). My school district may issue a salary freeze (some have even said that they may issue a salary decrease). Grand Prairie ISD is cutting all library media specialists positions. It's just craziness. You know who suffers the most? the kids. I can't help but worry about what type of school JT will attend in the future. We moved into a "good" neighborhood so that our children would get the best education. However, the fate of public education is unknown. We've discussed private school as an option, but never thought it might become the necessity!
So, it all has me wondering if I should start looking for something else? When I entered the field of education, I felt secure that I would always have a job and a paycheck. Everyone needs to be educated, right? Apparently not in Texas. We're creating a society that places little value on education. Students already idolize the stars of Jersey Shore and Real Housewives more than scientists and other scholars. As Texas (and our nation, for that matter) continues to sink on the totem pole in success in mathematics and science, other countries rise to the occasion. we're content creating cooks and not working to create chefs. If students see that policymakers think education is unimportant, then what's to stop them from choosing a life of crime? It's a sad state in education.
The economy is still hitting my little family hard. It's been almost two months since Mr. Soup graduated with his master's and he still can't find a new job. He's filled out countless applications, been on 2 interviews and one callback. I know he's feeling the pressure too. Just like me, he never envisioned that he wouldn't be able to find a job in social services. I know his worries include, "how will I support my family?" and "why doesn't anyone want to hire me?"
the one thing that keeps us sane is JT. I feel him kicking around in there right now as I type and I think of what a little blessing he is. Mr. Soup and I decided to start our family last spring and when we didn't get pregnant right away, we were really depressed. I started resenting my friends who got pregnant one month after trying. I really went into a dark place and it didn't help when Abby was ripped from us. I really began to hate her mother because I felt she got to reap all the benefits of being a mom, but didn't really take her role seriously. I started to feel that way about a lot of moms and I started judging who was "fit" in my eyes to be a mom. I really started to become a different person. I just wanted God to tell us if we were going to be a childless couple or not. However, just when we were about to give up on becoming parents, we got word of JT (after some false negatives). And while being pregnant is not a cure-all for all my problems (let's face it, I can still be a judgmental bitch sometimes), it does fill me with joy to know that my little man is in there growing and exploring. As we approach viability, I am excited for each week that he's in my belly and look forward to delivering him (close to full term!). I know people laugh when I say he's perfect, but to me he is. I know he'll do stuff to piss me off, but he truly is a symbol of the love his father and I have for each other. I can't wait to hold him!
I guess in a way I'm still bitter about quite a few things, but mostly because I worry. I do worry about the world I'm bringing my son into, but I'm hopeful that we'll raise him to be an agent of change. Mr. Soup and I will do our best to make sure he gets a great education no matter what happens here in TX. And even though things suck with both of our careers, we'll figure out a way to weather the storm. Maybe, just maybe I'll be less bitter...

23 weeks

23 weeks and counting. Notice a big difference from week 22 and week 23? yeah, me too! JT is supposed to be the size of a papaya. He definitely feels bigger than one. JT is supposed to sleep 12-14 hours a day. I think he sleeps maybe 4 hours. He's a ball full of energy!

22 weeks

my little man is growing so fast! I'm thankful that I'm all belly. I've gained about 9 lbs. total and it's all in my boobs (thanks) and belly! My face is a little chubbier, but that's to be expected, right?
JT and I are enjoying all the snow days. I feel like I'm able to get caught up on rest and eating for two! Although, I fear my pantry is going to be empty soon!

Mini-van Mom

So, each day I can feel the coolness seeping out of my body. I totally embrace it. Why? Because I'm going to become a mom. Moms are not cool. No matter what type of mom you are, you're not cool. Soccer-mom, working mom, MILF, etc. NOT COOL. I know because my mom just became cool a few years ago. Now don't get me wrong, she did lots of cool things over the years (she let me pierce my ears, took me to fun concerts, etc.), but she was a mom. She also did some things that were cool to her, but no one else (shop, visit craft shows, etc.) Mr. Soup and I are fully embracing losing our coolness, so much so that we're seriously considering buying a mini-van. We're thinking this fall, because in between the doctor's bills and new baby stuff, we haven't been able to save really. Plus, we want to try to buy one cash or put down a lot of cash so that our payments are low and short. So yeah, why a minivan and not some cool crossover SUV? Price and Function. A brand new or used 7 passenger SUV would cost us around $40,000. A 7 or 8 passenger mini-van between $20-30,000. My dogs can easily move around in a mini-van without injuring or killing my baby. I will be able to get my baby out of the car seat easily. I will be able to take furniture and clothes shopping to a whole new level. Mr. Soup is more excited about the mini-van than I am. I think he'll drive it more than me! ha! Honda Odyssey is our top choice!
Yeah, so I never really envisioned myself as a minivan mom, but I think it fits. I will be one of those moms who teaches her child rap verses instead of nursery rhymes. My child will probably wear a number of inappropriate onesies (already the proud owner of a kelly green"Pimpin' Ain't Easy" onesie). I will be the mom who invites over her friends for dinner and girly drinks so that they can embarrass JT with hugs and kisses. All these things will be totally uncool to my kid, just as driving a minivan is uncool to most Americans. I embrace it.
I try to picture myself as a mom, but I also keep trying to imagine what type of baby, kid, teen and adult JT will be. Will he learn to crawl and walk early like his dad and sister did? Will he be a dare-devil who isn't afraid to try new things? Will he love to read and write like his mama? Will he be scared of Sam and Maya or will he cuddle with them as we do? What will he study in college? Will he go to college (he better!)? All these things and more I get to learn over the next lifetime with my baby boy! I will also drive him around in a minivan while I learn it!

JT's first movie!

Mr. Soup took this video of JT! He wasn't as active as he was before the camera was rolling, but you can see him move a little! Did I mention he's so cute?