Work It: a blog for Working Moms

Pregnant and Counting, Part 3

Here I am -- 37 weeks pregnant and waiting. Last time I was induced at this point -- mostly because I was completely miserable and they thought I was going to have a gigantic child, which ended up not to be the case.

This is of course a time of excitement, anticipation, anxiety and a little bit of fear of the unknown. Despite going through the process before, every experience is different and I really don't know what "naturally" going into labor feels like. So, like many people, I have searched high and low on the internet for signs and symptoms. After reading, I've come to the conclusion -- I'll know it when it comes. I just hope it comes sooner rather than later. Last time at the doctor revealed that I am 1-2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I've decided that doesn't really mean a thing until you are actually in some sort of labor. I could be like this for weeks!!

I'm not in that miserable state just yet. I am still sleeping decent (other than getting up to pee a lot) and my spirits are good. I think it's my perspective. No matter how many times you become a mother, it truly is a miracle. That from one simple act and from two tiny cells, an entire human being can be created. All I pray for is the health of my new baby girl, whenever she decides it's her turn to enter the world.

Thanks to all of you who have wished me well throughout this journey. Now, would you please say a prayer for our health -- oh, and send some labor-inducing vibes my way too. I'm ready when she is!!

 

Pregnant and Counting, Part 2

By Vanessa

I now have less than 7 weeks remaining in my pregnancy and things have certainly started to get increasingly difficult. About two days ago, we started putting her room together. So far, this consists of taping off the room to begin painting and trying to clean out the closet. People always say that with your second child (and subsequent children after that), that you get more relaxed about just about everything. I always said I would never do that. Well -- I think I have already started.

With my energy waning and my toddler's energy forever on the rise, I have started assigning him tasks to help me prepare for the baby. He really seems to enjoy it, so I take advantage of this while I can.

Where is my husband? You ask? He's here. In fact, he works from home doing his own consulting business. Not only does he have a full plate of work, he's also co-authoring a book, writing a training class and constantly trying to fill his funnel to keep the work flowing - especially since someone has to pay the bills while I'm off work! He's really doing his best to keep available for me when I am home so that if I need to rest, I can.

My feet have begun to swell and I officially have what my co-workers call "cankles" -- when your calves and your ankles are all equal. Some days are better than others. Sleep has become increasingly more difficult, not because I have to pee (well...sometimes), but because I can't get comfortable. And when I do get comfortable, the baby begins to square-dance or my husband begins to snore.

Admit it -- you all have been there, done that. Why do we do it? Well, because it's a miracle and it's really an experience that can't be beat. Do I want it to be over? YOU BET! But not until she's ready.

Let's just hope we're ready when she is!

Returning to Work

By Vanessa

Withing my age group, my circle of friends there are many of us having babies. Some decide to stay home and others return to work. Most of my friends who return to work are riddled with guilt. Why is that?

Well, as a society, we are supposed to be the ones taking care of the children. But who decided it has to be that way? Aside from financial reasons, here are my reasons for returning to work and it doesn't mean I love my kid less. In fact, I feel like I'm able to give him more quality time and focus my energy on him when I am home. Staying home isn't for everyone and really is a choice each person has to make on their own. For me, I often felt guilty, but quickly recovered to discover the strengths it provides.

My reasons:

1. I need adult time. Sure, when you stay at home you can have play dates and all that fun stuff, but in my observations of play groups, the mothers are focused on their children and very rarely interact on a purely adult level.

2. Leave it to professionals. As a responsible parent, you will find the best options available and affordable for their child. For me, I think that the daycare that my child attends is top-notch. Most of the teachers have degrees in child development and education. They know (better than I do!) what is age-appropriate for my child and help him to explore things that I never thought he would be ready for. There are so many things, from making him drink from a sippie cup vs. bottle to artwork and such that I would have never pushed him to do. Turns out he is ready for those things and is a more well-rounded child because of it!

3. Social, Mental, Emotional Development. Not only does his day revolve around a pretty rigid schedule (which children NEED), but he is surrounded by all kinds of different personalities and he learns to adapt to each one - just like we need to in the real world. He also learns very early about sharing, caring and being sensitive to others' feelings.

4. Routine. Kids thrive on routine and schedules (just about any parenting magazine, book, website, doctor -- whatever will tell you that). If I stayed home with my son I know that I would have to have a rigid schedule of napping, playing and activities planned otherwise we would all go insane. I honestly don't know if I would have the discipline to spend the time needed without feeling that I need to do those other things around the house (e.g., laundry, cleaning, talking on the phone) and not really spending the quality time. In other words, I think I would easily be distracted.

Still I do feel guilty. But at the end of a long day, nothing beats coming home from work to a smiling happy kid who missed you almost as much as you missed them and snuggling up on the couch together and talking about the day. In the end, I know I did the right thing for me and my family.

Pregnant and Counting the Days

by Vanessa

Pregnancy certainly is a blessing, but I think I want to ring the neck of whoever says "I love being pregnant!" REALLY?

Don't get me wrong. My husband and I did put ourselves in this predicament by choice. But LOVE being pregnant? I don't think so.

I'm resolved to the fact that my body does not like having a little visitor. With my son, I had all-day-long-sickness for 22 weeks. This time around only 15 weeks, which included medication for nausea. Thank God for that! In addition, I have had random bleeding issues since the beginning, which caused my stomach to sink and my heart to pound each and every time. Luckily, nothing major, but ya never know.

As I sit here with 10 more weeks in my pregnancy with a sweet baby girl (we call her Baby Wow) all I think about is her health - is everything OK in there? I assume so. I do all the things I'm told to do, take my vitamins, etc. As I suffer through swollen feet, hands, boobs, and just plain not feeling so attractive, people ask me, 'How are you feeling?' And my general answer is "Hanging in there!"

The reality is I feel tired, excited, scared, anxious, a little helpless and uncomfortable. Par for the course. I just want it to be all over so I can hold my baby girl in my arms and bring her home to a family waiting to love her.

So, for those of you who LOVE being pregnant -- you get a gold medal. For me, it's all about the result. Either way, nothing beats being a mom no matter how many times you do it!

Did you enjoy pregnancy?

Nutritious Meals Can Be Fast

by Vanessa

After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is cook -- especially if you are 26 weeks pregnant to boot. It's so easy to just open a can, defrost a meal, or throw some spaghetti on the stove; but in my efforts to try to eat healthy, I find myself coming up with new (and super easy) ways to make a nutritional meal. Thank goodness for grocery stores that has already-cooked, cut, or otherwise partially prepared foods. I was quite proud of tonight's dinner menu.

·      Rotisserie chicken (take off the skin to be super extra healthy)

·      Green beans

·      Caprese salad (tomato, basil, cheese, evoo)

Chicken was already cooked; I just had to cut it off the bone. The green beans are fresh and come in a steam-ready bag. Just poke some holes in the bag and pop it in the microwave for 4 minutes. While that was cooking, I cut a couple plum tomatoes and sliced some mozzarella, sprinkled some olive oil and added some basil leaves. All set and on the table in about 10 minutes. It was yummy and colorful to boot. My husband and son both loved it.

Score:

Mom 1

Family 0

What are some of your quick and healthy dinners?

Important Lessons

by Vanessa

Ok, so one of the biggest struggles of a working mom is how to balace work life and home life. You want to be the best you can be in your career, and then switch to being the best mom you can be. It's not easy, but I've learned two very important lessons:
1) You can't expect everything to go as planned
2) Roll with the punches

Once you got that all figured out, it all becomes a lesson in time management. Modern technology is great, but I find that writing down all appointments/activities/errands in one master calendar (I keep on my desk), I can plan my time accordingly. This means, planning every day, from when to grocery shop to hair appointments. BUT, if you refer to lesson #1, you must remember to be flexible.

As I was preparing to defrost dinner, I realized we didn't have what we had planned on eating. Of course! So, I refer again to lesson #1 and find something else. Pork chops in the oven (shake n' baked with some sort of seasoning). As those baked in the oven I made onion rings in the toaster oven and mashed potatoes in the microwave. Dinner was ready in 25 minutes -- I really can give Rachael Ray a run for her money-- and I have modern conveniences to thank.

What would we do without microwaves and such? Well, back in those days, women didn't work.

Today's blog is tributed to: Dr. Percy Spencer - inventor of the microwave