keeping ourselves going.

tbmadeamistake

Hi ladies. Its been a rough week and after the drive-bys yesterday and all the births, bed rests, etc, I thought it might be a good time to focus on ourselves for a minute.

What's one thing you can do today to make your life better/happier/calmer?

I sat in my car for 15 minutes, closed my eyes, and listened to my fave acoustic album before walking into work. It was a nice break from my toddler, husband, and coworkers and I definitely feel calmer and more able to handle my day. I also made myself a hot chocolate the minute I did walk through the door.

Gbseder

Great convo! Looking forward to calming myself by continuing baby prep so I'm less anxious as time goes on My husband and I just moved last week into a new 2 bedroom apartment so we're desperately trying to declutter and settle in. Tonight I will relax myself by assembling the crib and plotting out the baby room a bit more! This is the fun stuff I enjoy!

crhein26

Drink water!  Lots and lots of water!  

Also, the ladies here tend to cheer me up.  I would totally spend all day on TB if I could today, but unfortunately I have an all day meeting that starts in an hour and doesn't end until???

FAWKES81

I feel like if I let myself have a really good cry it would release some of the tension/anxiety I've been holding onto lately.  Crying is not something I do often as I see it as a sign of weakness.  Even with crazy pregnancy hormones I've been able to hold off for the most part.  The problem with the kind of cry I need is that I know I'll be asked "what's wrong", "are you OK", blah, blah blah when all I'll want is to be left alone to release and process. 

If I'm not able to find a quiet time/place to be alone and accomplish this I'll find time to spend in prayer to recharge.

 

P.S. I know it sounds crazy that a good cry would make me happier/calmer but I really do think afterwards it would!

steprozz

@FAWKES81‌ not crazy at all! sometimes you just have to let it all out and it really does make you feel so much better. a good cry and a little prayer can go a long way when you really need it. I hope you can find the time and place to let yourself release what you're holding on to.

I will be getting myself a giant milkshake after my OB appointment this morning since I will be all by myself for the first time in forever. it's going to be magical I'm pretty sure.

FAWKES81

Thanks @ stephross88.  A (chocolate) milkshake sounds pretty good to me too!

lest12

I'm home from work today and later this afternoon, I'm going to get my hair done.

Also, I'm not answering any annoying text messages, phone calls or emails. I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to keep up the pace and I can't do it anymore, so everyone is going to have to learn to live with it.

Gbseder

stephross88 said:

I will be getting myself a giant milkshake after my OB appointment this morning since I will be all by myself for the first time in forever. it's going to be magical I'm pretty sure.

Omg I want a milk shake NOW!!

steprozz

milkshakes for everyone!!

puttyeast

@lest12‌ - good for you! I know you were feeling stressed about not being able to do it all. Remember you are doing something so important -- growing a human being. And that is not easy.

By the end of tomorrow I want to have our condo unpacked and cleaned up a bit. I'm tired of having that hanging over my head and since DF is on vacation from work, I can get some help to get it finished.

jc51206

@FAWKES81‌--I'm with you!  I cut myself with a knife last night while trying to prep my lunch for today and I was shocked how much I cried!  I guess I really needed that cry!

I also echo the baby prepping/cleaning.  Our setup in the baby's room is close to complete now and I feel a lot less anxious.  I have a few things to do yet and will feel better once that's all figured out. 

I also planned out and was accepted for the remaining vacation days I have left before baby comes.  Looking forward to the much needed few days off from work too!

Ahug77

Sudoku. I have three books worth I've yet to finish. Forgot how much I liked it

babyglo350

Great thread! It's been rough because I'm starting to feel tired and i can really feel the heaviness of my body on my legs and feet. I'm currently working and in school and the pressure is getting to me. I have 2 weeks left to the semester and the thing that I'm doing today to make myself happy is telling my boss that I won't be picking up the days that I'm normally in school. I will continue 3 days a week until I give birth This will give me time to rest and continue to prepare. Just the thought of only having to rush around for 2 more weeks is calming. I hope you do something special for yourselves today. We all deserve it.

cMichelle0423

Babywear said:

I'm just not fitting 'me' in at the moment. I can't even find the time to think of a way to try... I'll work on it for tomorrow.

This... especially since DH is prepping for finals. He's literally gone at work and school from 8 in the morning to 10:30 at night, plus once he does get home he has to cram as much studying and homework in as possible before going to bed to get up the next day and do it all over again... leaving me with DS all day and night. I'll be lucky if i find time to shower today... which lately seems to be the only "me" time I can get. But maybe I'll get lucky and get an hour to myself this weekend?

kimmyberly26

I just bought some wonderful smelling lotion that I lather up with every night now and just try to breathe. I'm also getting my hair done this Friday and can't wait.

BabyCurtiss2014

This is a good thread! I'm 35 weeks today and I can definitively say that I feel more hormonal. When I start to stress or get upset I try to remind myself it's the hormones...and then eat a big chocolate or something else sweet food! I crave sugar and I know it's not the best but I immediately feel better. I try to eat protein too to "balance it out" lol
Also I try to go outside and get some sun every day and I think it does help your mood and Vit D is good for baby! 15 min or so is all you need. Here in TX it's already in the mid-90s so I couldn't handle longer anyway lol
Also reading books and washing some baby items make me feel more prepared. We did a breast feeding class last night and I thought it was helpful. And I try to just think of my little man and it puts me in a better mood! ">

Edit: I also just got done w my birth plan

babygabe614

For me, it is always running. A lot of days I don't feel like it, but afterwards all those endorphins do so much for my mood. I tend to think a lot of things through and work out problems in my head during my solo runs, or if it's the weekend, I talk it out with my running buddies.

k318

Dh has been getting up with ds and letting me sleep in lately. This has been wonderful especially since I have been having so much trouble sleeping lately.

I may just go run errands by myself and stop for bubble tea. The ten extra minutes awake in bed just me and the dog helped a lot this morning.

pinkchloe

Great thread, thanks for starting @Lilygrace48! Taking time for ourselves in the home stretch is so important.

I took the day off of work to relax and recharge and the only thing on the agenda is a prenatal massage

k2k2tog

Today is rainy and gross, so I'm feeling extra exhausted today. Definitely might need some me time. Perhaps and nice long, warm bath tonight after work, complete with candles and a good book. Until then, I shall sit at my desk in a zombie state, refreshing the board every 15 minutes.

brooklyngirl46

I'm totally on board with crying. I just need a moment to myself to cry.

hjl050308

This is a great thread, especially for me today. I'm super stressed and need to settle myself and put things into perspective. Although I don't have immediate things today to make me feel any less shitty (I may put on my iPod and zone out at work) but this weekend I'm getting a mani/pedi with my sisters while DH and the boys have a boys day.

BMaidPlanner

I have tickets to see a play tonight with one of my closest friends. I'm tired, nauseous, it's cold out and it's going to rain, but I KNOW it will make me feel better if I go. I'm already pre-worrying about how little I am going to be getting out of the house soon for things I love to do and how much my life will change in June.

Rosebud2587

Well I have an OB appointment today and after that I plan on going shopping all by myself (DD is in daycare today). Going shopping without a kid in tow is so relaxing. I want to get a few more little things for Pipsqueak and some more flowers for my garden. 

I was never into gardening but now that I'm a home owner I want to have a yard that looks nice and that I'm proud of. I've also found gardening to be very therapeutic and relaxing. There's something about figuring out what to plant and where, pulling weeds, watering plants, and watching them grow and bloom that relaxes me. 

kbellizio3

I haven't really thought about what I can do for "me" recently. I'm coming down with a head cold, that my dad desperately tried not to give me this weekend, so this morning sleeping in with the dog was very nice. Maybe tonight I'll soak in the bath for a while too.

I had a good cry yesterday, felt so much better after it.

snowpants

I'm a list person and today I'm going to make baby related lists.  (I realize this might sound nuts to many of you, but it's calming for me and helps me focus and organize which I desperately need to do.)

I've started a "To-Do" and a "To-Buy" list and am just brainstorming everything I need to get done in the next month-ish.  Everything from pulling baby stuff out of the basement, to packing the hospital bag, to buying newborn diapers and breast pads is getting listed so I can feel accomplished when I cross them off.    I'm also blocking out the next couple Saturdays for things like making freezer meals and organizing baby stuff.

Brittnic531

I've been struggling with depression because of all the crap going on in life... DH and I can't seem to catch a break. I've become so overwhelmed that I'm just ready to give up... So today as I walked from the parking garage to my office, I started listing all the blessings that have occurred in the past 8 months. Refocusing my thoughts to things that I am thankful for has done wonders for my mood. Looking back, things may not be ideal but I have a lot of good things going on too.

ETA: when I say "give up", I mean just stop trying and let what happens, happen... Not keep fighting to make things go right.

sparklenshine_89

I'm also a "to do" list kind of person...makes me feel so much better.

deedee830

I plan on finally figuring out how we can afford daycare once my leave is done. It's been stressing me out and I just need to tackle it so that I can stop worrying about it.

 

*Edit to remove spending time with my pal. Didn't happen. 

ChristineBaker23

My daughter is watching Thomas the train on my kindle in the living room while I cut up mangos in the kitchen drink my coffee. I don't know how long she will be quiet but I'm going to enjoy the crap out of it while it lasts. This will be my me time.

ricecakes1216

After my appointment yesterday, I am feeling overwhelmed. I am an over anxious person to begin with and now my anxiety is through the roof. I am mad at my body for always having to do things the hard way. I constantly compare myself to my SIL who had the perfect pregnancy and is currently having the perfect pregnancy again. It's annoying. 

Then I feel guilty because a good friend of mine was just diagnosed with Lymphoma and started chemo yesterday. She has an amazing attitude and is so positive. So, I know what I am going through is super trivial and ridiculous I need to get over myself. 

Today I have a lot to catch up on for work so I am going to sit in the back away from everyone and get caught up. I also won't have to deal with the crap that goes on in our office, drama everyday. Then Thursday I am getting a pedi. I get off early so I will have the afternoon to myself. I can't wait! 

katekat8721

I'm usually very good at taking me time, and I don't feel guilty or selfish for taking it. I had to come to terms with the fact last week that I needed to be taken off work, and honestly that transition went a little rougher than I thought it would. Like @lest12 it was admitting that i just couldnt do it all and needed help. As hard as it is, ultimately I have to take care of me and these two little ladies.

Today my mom is coming over to help with nursery organization and this weekend I'm planting my garden. I'm very excited about it!

vv826

FAWKES81 said:

I feel like if I let myself have a really good cry it would release some of the tension/anxiety I've been holding onto lately.  Crying is not something I do often as I see it as a sign of weakness.  Even with crazy pregnancy hormones I've been able to hold off for the most part.  The problem with the kind of cry I need is that I know I'll be asked "what's wrong", "are you OK", blah, blah blah when all I'll want is to be left alone to release and process. 

If I'm not able to find a quiet time/place to be alone and accomplish this I'll find time to spend in prayer to recharge.

 

P.S. I know it sounds crazy that a good cry would make me happier/calmer but I really do think afterwards it would!

All of this! Crying and prayer is definitely my outlet

vv826

@jujuberry1110‌ congrats on your last final. My husband has a year left after this semester and I see how stressful and hard it is on him!

lellymine

Honestly, it's been a huge help knowing I'm not alone in going through difficult things with this pregnancy. It's been so much harder than I imagined. Having other women on here that have similar problems help me not get too discouraged and blame myself for having a dumb body.

The best thing I've done though is hire the housekeeper. It's amazing how a clean house boosts my mood! Especially when I'm on modified bed rest and was going nuts watching my house get dirty! It is a little uncomfortable sitting around and watching her clean though.

tbmadeamistake

I am definitely a member of the good cry club, and the list making club!! I cried twice on Friday and slept like a baby, once last night and again slept great. I might have to start watching sad movies before bed if crying is the only thing that helps me sleep!!

babygabe614

@snowpants I am a list-maker, too! The checklist app on my phone gives me so much satisfaction, and I tend to keep multiple versions of my lists (paper ones in my wallet, digital on my phone, and sometimes another handwritten version on a calendar) and will add things to them just so I can cross them off. It is a liberating feeling for me and definitely a stress reliever!

ChristineBaker23

I am also drinking my smoothie like this this morning so I can pretend it's alcoholic

ahopkins0419

Im ditching everything today and watching all the tv shows even Jerry Springer!!!!

MissBHaven1024

Tonight I'm planning on taking a bubble bath, while reading a book and drinking sparkling cider!

rastrau

What a great thread! 

My favorite thing in the world is to get my hair done, so I booked an appointment for that in mid-May. My second favorite me-time is a pedicure, so I plan to get at least two more before LO arrives. 

The baby's nursery is stressing me out (in that it is currently just a pile of crap on the floor) so while DH has a dude fest out of town this weekend, little sister has offered to come over and help me out. She's an organizing maniac and will have me in tip-top shape in no time. She then graciously offered me a pre-natal massage (she's a massage therapist) when we're done. I love my little sister!