My Better Half

It's week 15, which means we are into our second trimester and loving being pregnant more than ever! The morning sickness has subsided and some energy has returned. The latter of which is relative : )

My friends have been great, especially lately, and I want to say a few special thank you's to them. First of all, to Becky (my neighbor) who told me the other day I have that pregnancy glow. Wow - what a compliment! Up to that moment, I was pretty sure the pregnancy glow fairy had skipped right over me.

Also, thanks to my chiropractor who asked if I had lost weight. The answer is (or at least it was) a resounding yes, many thanks to the first trimester morning sickness.

Thanks to Jessica at work, who today told me I look "so cute." I've said this to many pregnant women in my life, but it's so different when you're the one enduring your clothes not fitting and seeing your body changing so much. I don't feel cute, but Jessica, you still made my day!

Last, but certainly not least, I want to publicly thank my wonderful husband for being so supportive, even when I'm a little pscyho and emotionally unstable. He's been absolutely great and I encourage him to teach a Husband 101 class. Not once has he invalidated my emotions...when I get upset because I didn't get the popcorn popped just right, he tells me it's all going to be okay and refrains from blaming meltdowns on the hormones. He tells me I look good, even when I know I don't. He's patient when we're out running errands and I have to pee, again. But most of all, he has been so involved in this pregnancy. He's been to all of our doctor appointments, cried with me when we first saw our baby in the ultrasound, has kept up on the baby's growth in our week-by-week pregnancy newsletters and has developed immense faith through all of our worries. He's prayed for the health of this pregnancy and this baby numerous times, for which I'm so grateful.

James, you are my better half. I'll love you for forever and a day.

Via Con Dios, Grandpa Charlie

Yesterday, the Rouse family lost "Grandpa Charlie," a man we loved and respected with all of our hearts. It was not a loss for relatives alone, but for a community.

After a weekend spent battling a massive intestinal infection, Grandpa peacefully passed from this Earth to his eternal Heavenly home shortly after midnight on Monday, Oct. 13.

The remainder of Monday was spent making arrangements for his memorial service in Hamilton, MO, where Grandpa raised his family, worked, attended church, perfected his game of golf and was laid to rest.

It was amazing to visit this town, which is about an hour Northeast of Kansas City. Everywhere we went - the funeral home, florist, Rosa's Restaurant - people knew Charlie and had so many wonderful things to say and stories to share. I think it was therapeutic for the family and community members to share memories with each other of this man who touched so many lives.

In the weeks, months and years to come, Grandpa Charlie, please know the lessons you instilled in us will be passed along to this baby and used to shape our family. We are so honored God lended you to us for 88 years.

As you so often told us after holiday, birthday and other visits: Via Con Dios, Grandpa Charlie. Your spirit will live on forever in your family and in each of the lives you touched. We love you.

Baby Rouse in Mommy's Tummy

12 weeks pregnant, but a lifetime of worry

Six weeks ago when I found out I was pregnant, I was on Cloud 9...for about two days. Then reality hit and I began to worry.

"Was that too heavy for me to lift...What about those drinks I
had with the girls last week...I had X-rays taken at the dentist two weeks ago..."

These were just some of the thoughts that began to consume me.

As the days went on, I began to believe I would worry less once I was out of the ever-so-fragile first trimester. So here we are, entering our second trimester, and guess what - the worrying hasn't disappeared but it has shifted. I'm not so concerned about the couple of drinks I had before finding out I was pregnant, but what was that my doctor said about those tests we need to run next month? Am I making the right decisions?

Then it hit me - Welcome to Parenthood. Worrying is par for the course and like it or not, it's here to stay.

For now, I'm focusing on the fact that I know where this child is at all times and that it's being taken care of to the best of my ability : )

We're almost 12 weeks along and man, have I learned a LOT! Maybe I'm a little sensitive, but I propose the following rule of thumb:
If you wouldn't say it to a non-pregnant woman, don't say it to a pregnant woman.
This includes all comments referring to "getting big," and all personal questions (e.g., are you constipated? can I see your tummy? how much weight have you gained?). While I am certain many of these comments and questions are simply a way to relate to the pregnancy and perhaps share your own experiences, we are still women, we may not want to share all of our business and our feelings do get hurt (hormonal or not, no woman in her right mind wants to be told how much bigger she's looking).

It is especially difficult as we read information about what is and isn't "normal." For example, I just read a newsletter that said at 12 weeks you "shouldn't" be in maternity clothes yet, and I've been in them since about week 7 (they're just so much more comfortable than my regular pants!). That said, I've only gained a couple of pounds, but when I wear the A-line shirts and dresses, I look very pregnant. Between reading about the "norm" and hearing the "getting big" comments, a girl's head is liable to explode, and that doesn't even factor in the hormonal surges.

So, on behalf of all the pregnant women out there, focus on the positive comments about how glowing she looks or what a good mommy you know she's going to be. Also, don't scare her with horror stories about your hairdresser's friend's terrible delivery. Again, I understand this may be just another way to relate to the pregnancy, but with all the bad news in the world, surround this little miracle of life with positive thoughts and energy. I guarantee every pregnant woman you ever run into will appreciate it!