Yay for Candice :)

Serious for Once

I think everyone in the bloop is well aware of our stance on religion but I don't think I've ever talked that much about it in a serious manner. Usually just snide comments here and there, which are oh-so-fun for me to do. :)

But now, there is a little one on the way, and I've been thinking a lot lately about how we are going to answer her questions about church, holidays, etc. and at first, it really stressed me out, but you know what? I realized today that Cory & I are going to be great parents and we are going to raise our daughter with a few fundamental beliefs that we share: think for yourself, always ask questions, be kind to others, have an open mind and an open heart, embrace education. If at some point, she comes home and says she wants to go to church, we will honor that. But since it is not a belief that Cory & I share, we aren't going to be hypocritical about acting like we believe it just to make other people happy. We have no intention of baptizing her, which is likely going to create some waves in our families.

Of course, if they can come up with a good reason for doing so, I'd be open to it. I just don't think there is one.

I'm also going to face "Why don't you have daddy's last name?" to which I have a reply ready as well. I had to consult a good friend who shares my liberal views and is a Mom herself, and she had the best response... "be honest."

I guess that's what Cory & I hope to do as parents: be as honest as we can and hope that our daughter grows up respecting our opinions and beliefs. And I hope she realizes that if her beliefs are polar opposite of ours, that's ok. We'll love her anyway. :)

20 Weeks

Had another appointment today. She just listened to the heartbeat and set up our next appointment. They'll be drawing me blood again and I have to do the glucose test where I drink a bunch of syrupy orange crap. That sounds fun.

I was thinking today... if women would really tell all the gross truths about pregnancy, I don't think as many women would be so anxious to get knocked up. I mean, seriously. There is nothing romantic, sexy or even sweet about this process (in my humble opinion). Today, the doc told me to get little pads for the inside of my gargantu-bra because I've started to leak this yellowy-orange gunk called colostrum and if it gets worse, it can stick to the inside of the bra and I can peel layers of nipple-skin off when I remove my bra.

Now, isn't that hot?

There is more, but I'll keep it to myself for now. Oozing nipples is gross enough for one post.

---

On a much more pleasant note, my tummy has arrived! It really pooches now, and I waddle. I saw myself in the reflection of a glass door today and realized the waddle. The tummy, I can't remember when exactly this week, but wow, it was like overnight or something. My pants officially no longer fit and it just sticks out. Before, it was like I was bloated all the time but now, this is the real thing. :)

Everyone keeps asking what we are going to name our baby girl. Well, just so you know, even when we do pick one, we won't be sharing it until she is born. There's got to be something kept as a surprise...

Two of my high school students who are pregnant are having girls. I bought them an outfit and a little stuffed bunny. It's fun to buy baby clothes. They are so cute and tiny and cheap. I really want to try to help these girls as much as I can financially with things because I know they will not be getting help at home. It's frightening to me that they are having babies. Not because they are so young, but because they come from the type of home that isn't going to provide much, in the way of support or finances. I don't even know if they have a room for the baby. One of them lives in a crappy apartment (40 North, for those in the know). I just want to rescue them all.

Anyway, the baby is telling me she wants some orange juice and sleep, so...

Who Knew?

I started registering online for Baby Girl Cheney this week. Man, we are so clueless. Nevermind the actual parenting, we don't even know what we need! Luckily, we aren't the only ones, as both Target and Babies R Us have a "new parent checklist" type of thing to help us along. Everything is so expensive. I'm guessing that's why people have told us we won't need to buy any clothes... it's really the only thing normal people can afford to buy for new parents! Thank goodness for families who feel obligated to make the bigger purchases. Hint, Hint. :)

My appetite kicked into overdrive this week, methinks. I got up late today so instead of a bowl of cereal or something I grabbed an apple on the way to the school. By the time I got home, my stomach was rumbling so loud I'm surprised you didn't hear it. My stomach has really started to look pregnant too. :D Soon, very soon, it will stick out further than these melons.

We have a "down" weekend at last. Cory finished the magazine and only has plans for Saturday night so it looks like we might be able to get caught up around the house and maybe start working on the nursery. Or, we might spend the whole weekend lying around, doing nothing. Either way, it's what we need. :)

Hope you all have a great weekend.