On Their Own Time

One thing that I have learned being pregnant is that everyone, woman or not, parent or not, is eager to share her story, her friend's story, her co-worker's story, or her friend's of a cousin of another friend of a neighbor's story of childbirth. It is insane really, the sheer volume of "advice," "words of wisdom," or my favorite "horror stories" that bombard you as an expecting mother. At times I want to scream, "you or your friend or that one girl you sorta know had your time...this is mine." At the same time, I have come to understand that pregnancy is the most beautiful time in a woman's life and, like with weddings, you want to relive those moments as often as possible. They are so precious.

Though I have tried to listen with an open ear and simultaneously filter out the junk (for lack of a better word), it isn't always easy. Sometimes the littlest words cling to me like the cat hair on our corduroy sofa. Those words wedge themselves uncomfortably into my mind and no matter how hard I try to clean them out, there are reminants left behind (picture spilled glitter if you will). This has happened to me most recently with the thought of our baby boys moving in the womb. And for those of you who aren't caught up yet, yes I did say boys, there are two...Amos and Owen...not double trouble please but twice as nice! Anyway, I am currently just over 24 weeks and the boys have started having a constant dance party...but only two weeks ago this was not the case. Person after person was asking me if I could feel them, and so naturally I began to panic because though I liked to think my stomach growls and shifting gas bubbles were my boys, I knew in my heart (and gut) that they weren't. I have been blessed with a patient and easy going husband who calms my every nerve and settles my fears, but still, I called the doctor. She too temporarily eased my mind reminding me that every woman's experience was different, but the concerned looks on people's faces when I told them that no the boys weren't doing much moving still caused my skin to tighten.

At our last doctor's appointment, July 19, we heard both heart beats and they were strong. One was intertwined with mine so I know there is a mamma's boy in there! My heart and mind were settled because as time would have it the little guys started moving more shortly afterward. Right now I am away from home at Ashland University for two weeks working on my MFA in creative writing. It is heart wrenching to be away from Matt (and the dog and cat)...but I feel like I have taken our sons away from their papa and it kills me. Before I left, Matt held me next to the open car door (of our new Dodge Journey...a real mom and dad car!) as I sobbed in his arms and told him I didn't want to go. Then he rubbed my belly and told the boys that they better start moving lots and lots because their mom is a little crazy and was going to need comforted every day! Well they listened, and now only two days in they have started taking turns punching and tumbling. It's cute really, I like to think they are in there saying to each other, "Listen there isn't enough room for both of us to move so you go crazy now and I will next." They're sharing, they're best friends, and they listen to their papa...all good things, and all on their own time, not the timeline of some girl somewhere that someone I know is related to who happens to be also be pregnant. It's funny how my unborn babies have taught me such an important lesson in patience, one day I will return the favor.

Welcome to Our Journey

The other day Sam insisted that we start a blog about our life together. I thought it was a cheezy idea to be honest. I thought to myself, "are we going to be 'that' couple?". And after thinking it over, I realized that it's actually a wonderful idea. Mainly because Sam is a great writer. Everything I read of hers I think could honestly be published and why not share that with the world?! My contributions will have more typos than a 9th graders critical critique of "Romeo and Juliet" and honestly, she'll probably edit everything I write because that's what high school teachers do. We hope you enjoy our thoughts, stories, mishaps and blunders as we journey through this new area of life called "parenthood". Thanks for journeying with us.
Cheers,
Matt