On Saturday, I looked in the mirror and saw horrible gray stains on my teeth. I cried. Of all the parts of me that are getting stretched and otherwise mangled by pregnancy — not to mention aging — I thought I’d always have my smile.
Later that night I brushed my teeth really really hard. Now they’re fine.
I don’t recall crying on Sunday. That’s probably because I was sleeping. ALL DAY. Scott and I enjoyed a delightful half-mile walk down to the local diner for breakfast, and the slightly less delightful half-mile walk uphill on the way back. And that was it. One mile wiped me out. So I slept.
Monday morning I met with a potential pediatrician. She asked me about our plans regarding circumcision. I started to almost cry as we talked, waving my hands near my face in that way that one does (if I just get enough air, a nice breeze going, I won’t cry). She said she understood — that she cries when she talks about her kids and medical issues too.
And then I proceeded to have a long day, involving a lot of work. It’s good to have work, but still… At 8:00 p.m., I came home. I was tired. Worn out. Beat. I started to cry. Scott asked, “Why does being tired make you cry?” I wish I knew.
Even later that night, I decided I’d had it UP TO HERE with the mess of our house. The shoes, mail, packages, dishes, clothing, books, piles of papers, strewn everywhichway. We started cleaning at 9:30 p.m. I didn’t stop till midnight. Yes, cried a bit during that activity, because golly, if it isn’t just a little frustrating that the baby is taking over what used to be my office closet space (or will when he gets here), and I don’t have anywhere to put anything anymore?
No tears today. Perhaps a brief respite…
Some of this is hormones, right?
I couldn’t make this all fit on a Parenting comment, but I just wanted to let you know you don’t have to stress so much about the baby gear. I am pregnant with my fourth (in under 5 years), and I honestly don’t have as much baby gear as you described. You will find that you really don’t need most of it, especially at first.
We adopted our oldest. We got the referral MUCH faster than we were told to expect, and he was born only one week later. Then we had to stay in the state he was born in for the first two weeks until paperwork cleared. We were not prepared at all. In the beginning, diapers, wipes, clothes, something to eat (maybe a boppy to save your back), and a place to sleep pretty much does it. Oh, and a Baby Bjorn is wonderful, too.
Things we have gotten rid of/not used much/not used for their intended purpose? Our full sized swing almost never gets used (much prefer the portable one). We got rid of the crib when #3 was six months old because NONE of my kids ever slept in it. The pack and play is used as a time out spot until the kids learn to climb out (we co-sleep). My husband just tried to convince me to get rid of the bassinet (again, I’m pregnant right now). I barely ever even use the baby monitor.
As expecting moms, we get bombarded with all of the stuff that we “need,” but when it comes down to it, he’s not going to care about all of the baby gear. He’ll just want you.