Can I get a trophy or a medal for being healthy and (mostly) sane for 10 months?

[Sterling1113]

Phew... I don't understand how women who used to smoke can go through the most stressful 10 months of their lives while providing for another human growing inside of them without breaking and having a smoke. I quit before I even knew I was pregnant but now if I'm around people who are smoking I have to walk away or else I'll go nuts!
Spent the first chunk of the day at my dad's with Yoshi, just sitting around. Seeing my dad stick his hand in Yoshi's cage is enough in itself to send me into a panic! I don't care if he gets bit, because I've warned him, but I don't want him stressing out my poor baby!! Dad doesn't seem to understand that stressed Yoshi=stressed Ashley and yes I *can* tell the difference between a happy bird and a stressed bird. But that's why I have a lock on the door when I'm not there.. :54:
Came back to my apartment a couple hours ago even though I hated leaving Yoshi there, but my conures cage needs cleaning.. got that done, gonna return the cage I impulse-bought from petsmart (Laughing at their return policy, great company, my store near me is awesome, but I'm returning it in BETTER condition than I got it in since it was all dusty when I brought it home.. and now it's been cleaned. Lol) and ordering them a larger cage online so they'll be okay spending more time in the cage. Some more toys and perches too, of course. My poor birdies have been so patient with the crazy, hormonal stressed-out me. I'm glad they don't hold it against me haha.
It's gonna be fun in June when *everyone* gets to spend more time in their cages since crazy parront-momma doesn't trust ANYONE except parront daddy to let them out when I'm not there, and he may or may not be moving us out of our apartment while I'm cooped up in the hospital on bed rest.. so the second half of June is going to be a test of patience and will for EVERYONE in our human/animal family.
Also hoping the birds don't forget who I am or hold a grudge for leaving for two weeks(ish) then coming back skinnier and different looking.. hah. It's about a half hour from my apartment to the hospital I'm going to, so my poor boyfriend will be making several back-and-forth-trips between me and town so I don't go nuts about the birds being left alone for extended periods of time.. heh.
I'm glad I get to do this for the lovely couple I know even though it was unplanned and even though it's not the worst time, it could have happened at a more convenient time span, but I'm just ready to relax again! It's hard finding stuff to keep me busy all day every day without going nuts. I've lost interest in painting/drawing for now and I don't want to sculpt anything.. so I'm focusing on the birds for now. They seem to appreciate the extra attention anyways.(Even though Brad might not appreciate the most recent bank statements..)

Anyway.. rant over! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Are you a surrogate? Having a sister who can't conceive (sadly, both her and her hubby have problems), I think surrogacy is one of the most noble and kind things a woman can do. :respect:

You deserve more than a medal!

 

[Sterling1113]

Well, not on purpose haha.. It was an unexpected, but not unwanted pregnancy. My boyfriend mentioned the idea of termination early on when we found out in November, and I don't blame him. Parenthood at an early age when you can hardly support yourself is a terrifying thing. But I wanted to go full term, even though in my mind I knew we weren't prepared. So we found a lovely couple who is going to happily adopt our son and give him the love, support, and spoils that we can't provide right now, they just unfortunately cannot conceive. Luckily my boyfriend would never push me to do something I don't want, and has supported me fully throughout, hormonal mess or not. It also helps we know who will be adopting him ahead of time, so we don't have to have the fear of the foster-home horror stories you hear about.. that would absolutely eat at my heart till the end of time. My doctors visits and hospital stays are fully covered with my insurance, so all we have to do is show up, and that's nice too.
Plus, yknow, the "expectant mothers" parking spots at the mall and at the doctor.. Hehe!! It just is a huge strain on my mind. I tend to stress easy as it is, so it's been a bumpy road. But on the bright side I've never gotten morning sickness or anything like that.. so I guess it evens out, yeah?

 

[MomtoPercy]

I applaud you for what you're doing. It must be incredibly hard to give up a baby but you're so brave and strong for choosing what is best for the little one. And the couple adopting him will be forever greatful for your sacrifice. Bless you!!

My sis and her hubby are also now adopting - they're adopting a little black baby boy (we're white) and although we are all incredibly excited and can't wait to meet our new baby, they're struggling with the idiotic racial prejudices from some people But, we are ignoring them. I may have a nephew by May!! So excited to get to know him! Its been 17 years since I've changed a nappy/diaper

 

[Sterling1113]

Hehe I bet everyone is really excited! I somewhat understand (On the flipside) the couple we're adopting to is somewhat Hispanic, enough to tell the difference in skin colour but not an accent or anything, so I'm sure one day he'll look at a family album and know he's adopted since I'm german and he's irish, so we're pretty pale... hehe. But when the time comes if he wants to meet his biological parents we'll be here to answer any questions. And we won't intrude onto his life, we'll let him come to us if that's what he wants.
I agree that people can be idiotic, but people will always be idiotic about one thing or another. The best you can do is turn your head and ignore them, because it's their loss in the end.

 

[Betrisher]

Sterling1113 I have a suggestion for you. While you're at a bit of a low ebb, why not learn how to sew? It's a skill you'll have for the rest of your life and you'll be able to mend and alter clothing as well as make things for your home. When my kids were little, I made all their clothing and saved a huge amount of $$$. Baby clothing is among the easiest to make and I remember having two delightfully awful pregnancies made a bit happier by being able to concentrate on sewing layettes. LOL!

I learned to sew by buying a pattern one day and following the instructions. Over the years, I learned the refinements, such as 'pinning is not equal to pulling out your toenails with hot tongs' and 'ironing seams after you sew them makes a much nicer-looking garment'. Today, I regard myself as a competent seamstress and have taught many, many people how to sew. That would include my best friend, who happens to be a man: he lives hours away from me, so most of the lessons happened by phone.

Let me know if you'd like to take up sewing and I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can!

 

[mtdoramike]

Well sure, haven't you heard that everyone in the US gets a trophy whether you win or lose.

 

[Sterling1113]

Well sure, haven't you heard that everyone in the US gets a trophy whether you win or lose.

LOL that made me laugh.. I'll get a tacky aluminium thing that says "Participation award" Haha

I've learned the basics of knitting.. but my joints are so bad lol. Too much time on the computer, eh?
It would be nice if I could fit a piano in my apartment. I'd love to play more.

 

[JennyB]

Good for you, Sterling! A couple years ago my mom, who smoked since high school (it was cool then) finally quit. Living so far away, I didn't witness her struggle first hand, but I do know that everyone in the family got crocheted granny-square afghans for Christmas that year!!! I also have terrible joints, have had carpal-tunnel surgery on both wrists (it went from bad to terrible during my first pregnancy), and had to give up crocheting and playing the piano... Anything you can do to keep your hands busy is bound to help, besides eating! Photography, stamping, making toys for your birdies?!!! Anyway, good for you, and best of luck! Sounds like you've got your head on straight and a lot of good stuff happening!