Since about halfway through my first trimester, I've grown accustomed to sleeping until 8 or 8:30. Pregnancy tends to be rough on anyone and, when you add in chronic health issues, it's all kinds of challenging and exhausting. One of the areas I've given myself grace in is sleeping late.
But lately my body and Emery (oh yeah, by the way, it's a GIRL!) have decided between 4 and 6 is an excellent time to be awake. Often I can manage to sleep off and on for 2-3 more hours... No such luck this morning! Emery was doing all kinds of martial arts in my belly and then apparently that made her hungry and I had to get up and eat.
I'm on breakfast #2 at the moment. Yup.
I've had George Straight and Justin Timberlake streaming on Spotify this morning. I don't usually listen to either of them, like ever, so this morning is just strange all the way around. I even ate peanut butter toast with the hubs before he left for work. That never happens. Ever.
But amidst feeling like a walking zombie, I'm also still on cloud nine with super woman feels from yesterday. Guys. I CLEANED MY WHOLE HOUSE. Well, except bedrooms. But seriously. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED IN FOUR MONTHS!
I organized and decluttered and dusted and vacuumed and mopped and scrubbed garbage cans and sinks and the toilet and washed all the rugs and the tablecloth and blankets.
I'm over the moon.
My stress level has gone down about a hundred degrees. It's amazing how much our surroundings can affect our mental and emotional health.
My mother reminded me last night that I need to pace myself. One good day/week doesn't mean I should go all crazy woman.
But i do. And she knows that, thus the reminder, which I needed.
Right now i should be doing the budget, organizing & filing papers, making the bed, and taking a shower.
However, Mom said to slow down, so I here I sit.
I have acupuncture at 11 and my bestie & her kiddos are coming over around 1. My plans today are to enjoy my clean house and do as little as possible. I'm comforting myself with the fact that I did enough work yesterday to make up for a whole week.
Pregnancy is so cray cray. You just don't know what to expect from one day to the next. On a Tuesday I might barely be able to drag myself out of bed at 9 to be to work by 10. On Thursday i might just clean the whole dang house. On Friday I might be awake shortly after 5 and completely energy-less.
I might be nauseas and I might not. I might have super painful heartburn even when I ate just right and I might not even when I eat ice cream at 8pm. I might have a splitting headache and barely be able to function and I might be freaking super woman and do all. the. things. My leg might be numb and it might not be. I might have panic attack anxiety and i might be feeling super happy and goofy. Who knows...
Oh, the joys. I wouldn't trade this journey for anything. Feeling my sweet baby girl and all her kickboxing moves is the most amazing thing in the world. Watching our marriage grow through the already difficult parenting decisions is beautiful. Painful (trust me) but beautiful.
That's all for now. Just a short little random Friday update on the life of the Monsters. Happy weekend, friends.
I really do need to go shower.
I had another acupuncture appointment this morning and then I ran to the grocery store quick and now i have strawberry shortcake in the oven. A Valentine's Day tradition of a homemade red & white dinner at home will be continued tomorrow and strawberry shortcake is on the menu for dessert. I'm a tiny bit excited.
Little miss Emery is kicking away this morning. I don't know how many times a day I thank God for those kicks and punches and barrel rolls. It brings such joy (even when uncomfortable).
The past several days the pregnancy anxiety has been slightly off the charts. I could write this post all over again. In fact I just read it again and realized how much i wrote that post because I needed to read that post. It is hard to stay consistent with the healthy habits and routines that can help. It's much more natural to curl up in the fetal position with a bowl of lucky charms and Netflix.
It's easier to clam up and withdraw than it is to reach out for help and prayer. But reaching out in honesty and humility is by far the better choice. So thankful for praying besties and incredible momma support groups online and a loving hubby.
My final thought today is an encouragement for anyone who is struggling... Reach out to someone and ask for prayer. Ask for practical help if you need it. Share what is on your mind and heart. I am here and ready to pray for anyone and everyone who needs it. Send me a message and I'll lift you up before the Father. I am 100% serious when I say that I don't know if/how I would have survived the past four months without the prayers of so many who love me and little Emery. I am eternally grateful and my desire is to be able to do that for many others, no matter the struggle or battle they/you are facing.
Also. Take notice and find joy in the little things. Whether it's one of your favorite candles for $5.49 instead of $15.99 or baking an obscene amount of chewy homemade chocolate chip cookies. Notice, breathe, give thanks, journal them in a gratitude journal. Turn on worship music. This is an artist that is a new favorite of mine, especially her album of Psalms.
Enjoy your Tuesday, friends. I'll be back soon with a post on marriage and pregnancy, sometime during this week of Valentine's Day.
XOXO