February 22, 2009

Wrapping Up the Weekend

I think I see the light at the end of this viral tunnel. I started feeling better yesterday, but today is the first day that I’m feeling human again. The sore throat is gradually disappearing, I’m no longer barking like a seal and alas, I can breathe through my nose. That right there makes me happy.

I hosted a Lia Sophia jewelry party yesterday afternoon. It was nice to hang out with my friends and family. Of course the topic of the day was my being pregnant, and my mother kicked off the conversation with baby name suggestions. Let me preface this by saying that I love my mother very much, but her taste does not mesh with mine. Some of her favorites were…..outdated. (That’s putting it nicely.)

Everyone had a great time trying on jewelry and talking about babies. Two of my friends shared their labor and delivery stories and I started freaking out in my head. This is going to sound crazy, so bear with me. In my mind, I knew that at the end of this pregnancy I’d walk out of the hospital with a baby, but I haven’t had the chance to really contemplate labor. I’m barely five weeks pregnant (my EDD went from October 23 to October 28 based on my BBT chart which shows delayed ovulation). I haven’t had time to think about the fact that a baby will have make it’s way through my vagina. I’ve been through this before, I know what to expect, but I still can’t help but freak out just a little. Totally normal, right?

After the party I had a few moments to relax with Doug and Dawson before going to my parents’ church fundraiser. St. Casimir’s church hosts a polka dance (once called the Paczki Dance, now known as the Sweetheart Dance) every February to raise money for the parish. It’s a ton of fun, and last night my uncle Michael’s band, Paper City Sounds was playing at the dance. We bought tickets for the dinner as well. The menu consisted of chicken dumpling soup, chicken, ham, roastbeef, stuffing, boiled potatoes (for the soup) and mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and desserts galore. It reminded me of my Polish wedding.

Dawson had never been to a dinner like this before, and he freaked out when I put a boiled potato into his soup bowl and followed it up with a ladle of chicken soup. This is a Polish tradition and it’s delish! Growing up in my family we learned to love it. I’ll have to work on teaching the Doodlebug all about his Polish heritage and customs.

After dinner the band started to play and I attempted to dance one slow polka (known as an oberek) with my brother. I was afraid to dance a real polka because I didn’t want to hurt myself or The Poppy Seed. Then the band played the polka called “She Likes Kielbasa” and I insisted on dancing to that one, too, albeit very slowly. We left shortly after that because I was feeling very tired.

Today I worked a double shift and then went to Mass. The Crossroads, our church choir and 3-piece band (piano, bass guitar and drums), was performing one last time before Lent (which starts this week on Ash Wednesday). I love this group. They are so talented and the music is very upbeat. I believe they call it Contemporary Worship music. Either way, it’s great.

After church I finished working and then went to my friend Melanie’s house. (Melanie is also expecting. She is 17 weeks pregnant with identical twin boys. We had a great time talking about babies and pregnancy.)

Melanie was having a Scentsy party and Dawson tagged along with me. Scentsy is awesome. A few weeks ago another friend held a book show, and I bought one of these warmers and some of the Scentsy bricks. This company has over 80 different scents and I’ve got a list of favorites. This is definitely “the hottest new thing in candles.” I love the Sun Kissed Citrus scent.

After Melanie’s party I came home to finish cleaning my house and doing the dishes. I also spent some time playing video games with Dawson (he loves to kick my butt in Mario Kart DS) and reading books to him.

Doug worked a later shift tonight and after he got home we watched the news and then discussed baby names. I know we’ve got 8 months to do this, but it’s fun to throw some choices out there. Also, we’ve made the decision (well, Doug did, I’m still thinking about it) not to find out the baby’s gender this time. He says he wants to keep the element of surprise alive. I see his point, but I’m so curious! It will be hard for me not to find out. So if we do in fact wait until delivery, we’ll need two name choices and I figure a head start is always a good thing. (And, we’ve actually agreed on a boy’s name. No, I’m not telling. We might change our minds.)

So, now I’m just trying to wind down before going to bed. It’s been a long and busy weekend. I hope yours was just as great!

Posted by Dana @ 11:22 PM • The Mommy Files