I can imagine a little bit what it's like to have a baby and just stare at it all the time as I spend a lot of time staring at my stomach these days.
It's especially cute when one of the babies (seems to mostly be Shadow Boxer) has the hiccups and it's so strong that my hand moves every time with every hiccup.
I can tell where their heads are which is crazy. They are both still breech and hanging out mostly on the right side. I've come to grips with the fact that I will more than likely be having a C-section and I'm OK with that. I will do whatever I have to do to get these babies into the world safely.
As someone who struggled for a long time to get pregnant, I'm always hesitant to voice any complaints because I know there are so many out there still in the struggle to get/stay pregnant. But, I feel like I'm in the final weeks now (7 weeks maximum) and there are some hard days/nights ahead. Last Wednesday was my roughest of the entire pregnancy. It made my worst day of the first trimester feel like a walk in the park. I felt miserable the entire day, from the time I woke up all throughout the day. Usually mornings are my best time. I would rather wake up earlier and have that morning burst of energy than to sleep later. I can always take a nap, but I can't get that morning feeling back.
This day however, nothing was going right.
When Chicken called that evening, I lost it and just started bawling. I had no idea just how overwhelmed and scared I was feeling and I don't think she did either. My strength is my fault because I can fool everyone--including myself.
I am not used to needing anyone. In fact, people (*by people I mean grown up's, not infants or children*) who are needy (generally) annoy the fuck out of me. This is probably why I'm a cat person. I like their aloofness and self sufficiency. Dogs seem so needy.
But right now, I'm a different person. I'm a person who very much needs others to help her from time to time and I'm terribly concerned that it's annoying behavior. I realized that I'm scared to be alone now. Scared of all the 'what-if's' that could happen when I'm by myself. I've spent half of my life alone and I've never felt like this so it's quite unsettling.
It's hard to go from being so capable to being so limited. The fact that 3 weeks ago I was walking 3 miles stuns me as I've now gone to walking about 6 blocks a day--IF I leave the house. I stopped keeping track of the days I haven't left the house. I'm so tired most of the time and I just want to chill.
My biggest challenge is taking care of the 3 cats by myself. Everything they need is on the ground--their food, water, litter box, the vomit they puke, the poo they leave outside the litter box, the pills they need to be given. Bending over stopped being a possibility a long time ago. Then came the squatting. Squatting worked until about 2 weeks ago and now while I can do it, it causes me a lot of pain. I've never been so irritated with animals I love until recently and I know it's just because they are causing me pain. I love them a lot more when Chicken comes home and I don't have to do anything.
Mostly, I'm ready for Chicken to come home. I don't mean I need her with me 24 hours a day, but just to know that someone will be here in the evening--my most desperate hours--just in case.
Thankfully, she did come home last Thursday, but had to leave again yesterday--only for one night. She'll be home late tonight and then for a few days in January to wrap up her project and then that's IT. She will be here until the twins are born! I've got my friend Fab C on call for the few days in January, so I feel relief. But it was SO hard to ask for her 'maybe' help. I felt pathetic.
I know I can do this. I know there are going to be good days and bad days and right now I am just thankful the good days are far outnumbering the bad.
Happy Winter Solstice. May all the days ahead be filled with more light.
11 comments:
I have trouble asking for help too! What IS that? I always feel annoying or bothersome
Staring at your wonderous belly is, indeed, good practice for staring at your babies in awe! Nature knows what she's doing! I just spent the last 2.5 hours looking at my babe sleeping on my belly - it doesn't get old! :-)
sorry to hear you are having some rough times. Don't be too hard on yourself, if ever there was a time to seek help, it is now. You are growing and carrying two new human beings! You are entitled to plenty of help!
I could have written SO much of this. From the pain to the hard days to doing what you need to do to get the baby(ies) here safely to - most importantly - the never needing help, and being annoyed by needy people. I drive myself NUTS right now and I hate it and I HATE needing people so much. I can't even sit up on my own, really, and I'm emotionally needy, too. Ooof. *hugs* I just keep telling myself, this too shall pass.
I thought pregnant women where to stay away from cat's litter boxes.
Oh Puff, it's so hard to be such a tough girl sometimes isn't it? I have the same issues sometimes and people just assume you can handle anything. Then to top it off, we perpetuate the myth by trying not to let others see. Let people help you girl, especially right now when you need it. This is the time, not last year when you were just you trecking around the world, not a few months ago when you were starting into this pregnancy thing - now. Now you deserve to let people help and they would probably be so honored if you let them.
It's so hard that Chicken is away too. You know I understand and I know the fear and the ache to have them near when you feel vulnerable. I wish we were closer so we could share some of that alone time chilling together. I hope the time until she is home for the long term flys by.
xoxofrom way over here Puffer
I'm glad that you seem to be coming to terms with these changes - the c-section, asking for help.. everything. It is hard, but that does take true strength. You can do this, and there's not much longer to go now. Yay for Chicken being home, I bet time is going to fly by now!
To anon - pregnant women can change litter as long as they are gloved and masked. If they are not gloved, they will need to wash their hands right away. It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and change the kitty litter all throughout. :)
To Pufferfish - Don't feel bad asking for help because right now is the perfect time to ask! You are almost at the finish line. Hang in there, you are doing a fantastic job!
I very much understand where you're coming from. There was a time when I started contemplating feeding the cats on a table. I didn't, but it was tempting.
It is so hard to suddenly be needy when one is normally so self-sufficient. I had a hard time with this too. Luckily, people are typically quite happy to help the pregnan women in their lives. I found that asking for and accepting the help was good practice for when the baby was born. I imagine you will find that to be the case too. Just try to go easy on yourself. It's not going to be much longer at all now.
Happy Solstice! xoxo
Randomly came across your blog using the next blog button! Wow twins, I can't even imagine what that could feel like, I've only got one in there and sometimes she feels like six! I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly!!
Of course you need Chicken. The last stretch definitely has it's ups and downs and I only had one.
I am 3 weeks post C section and feeling pretty good. I am getting stronger and can wrangle that baby no problem. I can do more and more everyday. I am very independent too. However you give birth will be just fine.
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