Ask Me Anything!

I haven't done one of these posts in awhile and lately I've been getting quite a few emails with questions for me and I try my best to reply to them all but it's really hard! So I'm going to make an FAQ page and add the questions I get most.

It's okay if you don't have a common question, or want to ask anonymously. I'll answer all of them sometime next week in another post, and put any duplicates or ones I've gotten emails about on my FAQ page.

Thanks and Happy Saturday!

You Asked for It

Thank you so much for all of your advice in my Ask Me Anything post! Your questions were great too. I was going to answer them on my MomTV show but I got a lot of questions from the crowd so as promised, I'm giving my answers in a post! I'll also add my MomTV show to the bottom if you missed it so you can see answers to your other questions!

Talking with Tami said...

I wanted to know if you are a lil nervous about having a baby in today's trying times?

Answer: Yes! I get nervous every time I watch the news... And I WORK in news. I have learned you can't wait on others to make yourself happy though, so we're just being smart, and doing what we can to make our home and family as safe and secure as possible.

Aimee said...

I've been dying to ask this ... Why is the G in makin{g} in brackets??? I'm some what new to your blog and feel like I am the only one who doesn't know!

Answer: Oh yes, everyone knows THIS! How could you not know?! ...Kidding! I put the "G" in brackets because I registered babymakingmachine.blogspot.com but when I went to buy babymakingmachine.com it was taken, and I had to go with babymakinmachine.com so sometimes there's the "g", sometimes not, and so yea...
PS: I just bought babymakingmachine.com too!

Ashley said...

Oh I have one. :) did you "feel" pregnant before you found out or were you completely surprised when you took a test?

Answer: I was totally shocked. I didn't "feel" pregnant like some people say. I did before and was disappointed so I was in denial the second month. The ONE clue I had (TMI alert!) was creamy CM. That normally wasn't there that time of the month so I thought "Hmm, maybe!"

heather said...

My question is, when you find out the gender of the baby, will you tell us some names you have picked out?

Answer: When I find out the gender of my baby I'm not going to share it on my blog! Surprise surprise! You'll have to wait until Spawnie gets here! Yea, I may cave, we'll see. I don't think I'll share the names unless it's in consideration... Names I'm sold on I'll keep secret from the name thieves!

MommyJ said...

Okay... here's a question. What does the husband think of the blog? Does he cringe at personal info shared, or think it's great?

Answer: My husband has a love/ hate relationship with my blog. He loved it before we were TTC, but once we started trying for a baby he didn't want me posting about that. It was hard cause I'm very open and non-private. He's the opposite. The month off posting for March of Dimes was perfect cause he was happy and we got out of that phase! He likes is ok with me blogging about my pregnancy. Eventually I'll get him to do a guest post.

marfmom said...

1) My question was actually same as MommyJ's. Oh, but another is, do you think you'll use your child's real name on here, or come up with a pen name for him/her?

Answer: I think I'll use Spawnie for awhile, then use his/her real name, but mostly use Spawnie. Kinda like my name. I use it now and then, but usually go by "Future Mama."

Betty said...

Considering how your husband was a bit nervous about baby-making plans until recently, how's he enjoying your pregnancy now?

Answer: He actually is really excited about it. He's come to our appointments and enjoys seeing Spawnie and nagging me about prenatal vitamins and drinking my water. He's in it to win it.

Kelley with Amy's Angels said...

Here is one--Are the good friends you have, who don't have children, nervous that they're going to "lose you"?

Answer: Most of my good friends have children. We have a few couples... Ok one couple, we hang out with who doesn't yet, but I imagine they won't be too far behind us.

Mallory said...

Question: What names do you have picked out, if any? (I know someone else asked a name related question, I'm curious, too!)

Answer: Ok you pulled my arm! One name I like (but it's not my #1 choice) for a girl is Tatiana. And we'd call her Tiana for short. Hubby's not sold on that though, and he is on our #1 choice. I just thought I'd give you a taste of my taste. Oh hint though: In one of my OLD posts I have a list of names including our top choices ;)

~Mendie~ said...

How much time are you planning on taking off after the baby is born or will you stop working and be a stay at home mom?

Answer: This is a touchy subject for me right now. I plan to take 12 weeks off but I'm trying to see if we can work that out financially. It may be more like 6-8 weeks, but I pray I'll be able to do 12. I'd love to take a stab at being a SAHM one day but I don't see that in my near future.

Ashley said...

okay so I have been totally behind in reading blogs so Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you! I guess my question is are you going to work once the baby is born? I am sure someone prob. already asked but I didn't read any of the questions above.

Answer: Yep, read above :)

joanofalltrades said...

Are you going to buy/rent a doppler to listen to the heartbeat at home?

Answer: I have a friend who says she'll sell me hers so I may take her up on that if my hubby lets me splurge. Maybe it can he his Christmas present? Tehee!

http://www.blogger.com/profile/13040156793081625893 said...

Hello! I just started following along with your blog, and am in love! I went on a rampage after I found out we were expecting, and came across your blog... I had no idea we were so close with our pregnancies... I'm 9 weeks 2 days today, due on June 20th, 2010. We also have our first appointment to hear the heart beat next tuesday! I'm looking forward to following along with you, and now on to my question:

Have you already started thinking about nursery decor and such, or are your waiting until later to keep your mind busy?

Answer: Congrats on your pregnancy! I've started thinking about it. I know I want to make a name wall-hanging decor thing with scrapbook paper and wooden letters. Just need to know what colors/name to make!

Fernanda said...

Hi There!

I was soo happy to find your blog as a thinking about TTC, but not infertile blog. I like you were before you got pregnant, congrats by the way, am very into learning as much as I can about being preggers, babies and children before even trying to conceive. I am soo glad to now be seeing your journey through pregnancy! Please give us all the candid, insider perspective you can on pregnancy!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

While Preggers:
1. Body Image, and how that changes for you as the months progress.
2. Labor Fears and Birth Plan
3. Maternity Clothes: Creative Alternatives or what you found works best

After Baby is Born:
1. What you feel towards baby and how it is similar or different from what you imagines.
2. Post Partum Recovery
3. Labor: how was it compared to how you expected it to be.

Answer: Ha! I'm going to have to answer these all in individual posts along the way! Great questions. I have been thinking a lot about body image, and labor fears lately so I'll start with that soon!

Oh, and as for maternity wear. I discovered Moody Mamas! They have a line at Target too! Affordable and cute!

Emily said...

What is your favorite childhood memory? What memory do you most look forward to making with Spawnie once he/she is here?

How is your DH reacting to your preganancy? What do you think some of his fears are about having a baby? What are your fears?

What has been the hardest part so far of being pregnant?

Answers:

My favorite childhood memory: The one that comes to mind right now as I'm sitting in my livingroom next to the glow of the festive Christmas tree I decorated is celebrating Christmas with my family. I loved decorating the tree with my siblings and getting up in the middle of the night to see what Santa brought us. We had a lot of fun holiday traditions with Easter and Christmas.

Memory I look forward to making with Spawnie: I look forward to doing things together as a complete family, with Snoop and all. Going to parks, on picnics, making cookies, having family night once a week and family prayer every night. I think I'm so excited to see this child we've made mold into a wonderful person and teach him/her so much! I'm also really excited to cheer for Spawnie at sports cause I already think we've got a little athlete growing!

My husband and I don't TALK about the pregnancy that much right now. We have a crib already (unassembled and in our hallway) and we talk about my sickness, and laugh about my cravings but don't talk about the "what ifs" that much yet. I just bought a book I hope will help with that, it's called "Pregnancy Journal: A Guide for Expecting Parents" (thanks Baby Dickey for the recommendation!) it is a diary we can fill out with prompts and stuff, I think it will help us get more excited for Spawnie.

We aren't really vocally SCARED (I am sometimes) but I think our fears are just "Ok, how EXACTLY is this all gonna work out?"

Hardest part so far with being pregnant: Deciding who to tell and when. I was excited to post about it on my blog but nervous to tell everyone else. Family was elated and while I haven't made an announcement on Facebook or anything, people I hardly know at work have asked me about it. I've chalked it up to over-excitement and have gotten over it. I think a Facebook reveal may come after New Years.

I also had a hard time with worrying all of the time about miscarriage. It has sometimes been hard for me to really enjoy this pregnancy because I keep waiting for the ball to drop. I'm trying to enjoy every day though so if there is a tragedy, I won't have regrets.

Dumb question from a commenter yesterday:
"What would you do if your kid was ugly?... You're rude, yada yada."

Answer: If my kids was ugly I'd ask the doctor to put it back, or ask one of my friends if they wanted it. ... Are you kidding me? My kid won't be ugly, that website is stupid, and it was all fun and games!

Oh, and to all of my red-headed friends out there. I LOVE red heads! Even dated one once! I think we just joke about "read-headed kids" cause sometimes it's like "where did that come from?!" Hey, I'm black, my hubby is blond. I'd be shocked if our kid had red hair! ... They'd still be cute though.

Thanks so much for all of your questions! These were fun! Here's my MomTV show if you missed it, with more answers! PS: Leave my face out of it.

****

Winner of the $50 Giftcard from Baby Laylah Boutique:
Random.org says: Commenter #55 Kaitlin. Congrats!! I'll email you your promo code!! Congrats!! And thanks to everyone for entering!

Thoughts from 2 days past BFPs

Did you miss my pregnancy announcement? I'm now going back to the drafts I saved from before I told you.

Written October 17th but saved for today.

About a week ago... Several days before I knew I was pregnant (I was thinking I wasn't) I wrote this in my journal:

"I believe there a reason for everything, but I'm still quite confused about one thing.

When I was on birth control I wanted to wait until I was emotionally, physically, and for the most part, financially ready to have a child. I was almost fearing it would happen right away because I was a little unsure if I felt completely READY. In the mean time though I felt a good feeling deep within that this was the right thing for me to do right now. I felt good about it, felt that even if I wasn't 100% sure I was ready, everything would fall into place.

In the mean time, through all of my preparations I fell in love with the idea of having a child... And I felt at peace... Even a prompting to move forward.

So now my question is, 'If not now, when?' and if then... Why start trying now? Why did I get the feeling that the time was now if it's not now?

I wish I just knew when I was really suppose to become a mom so I could save myself some grief. ... Or maybe my grief is all a part of the plan, I don't know."

A couple of weeks later, and two days after my BFP I'm thinking "Wow." That's one word to describe the million and one emotions running through my body.

It's all a part of the plan right? I wouldn't have tried to raised $1000 for a charity had I not been so upset after the first month, maybe that was part of it? I'm sure it's 1. To show me I'm not in control, and 2. Maybe to help someone else in the process?

I don't know all of the answers, and I'm afraid to guess because who knows what's around the NEXT corner.

The SAHM Pt. 2

Ok I'm changing the beginning of this post because of the last sudden ANONYMOUS comment I got on my last post. I don't like to respond in the comments section because I'm not sure everyone would be able to see it so I'll respond at the top of this post. The following was the anonymous comment (they left another one after but I'm just posting the first one):

"Honestly. I want to give you credit for having the nerve to even post something so ludicrous.
You don't BUY it? Give me a break.
A whole blog to decide if you want a baby or not? You know you aren't going to do it right now. So, just stop talking about it every day before you do decide to do it. Come talk to us when your pregnant and then when you're a working or WAHM or SAHM.
Until then, your opinion of being a SAHM doesn't matter."

Ok first off... Ouch. Really? You're going to come and tell me my opinion doesn't matter on my OWN blog? And who is "us?" Well thanks... But apparently not many others agree with you. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to plan before hand and actually asking mothers experiencing things I may one day experience how they handle it. I'm completely honest here and I'm sorry if that offends you but in my post I point blank said I welcomed disagreements because "I'M OPEN TO BEING WRONG" so sheesh... don't get offended lady! Obviously you have a little insecurity or something because I'm not saying I know everything, I'm just stating my opinion. Take a chill pill! I also didn't just say I didn't "buy it" I asked what was so hard about it... And if you noticed, several women actually answered the question on "what is the hardest part about it" rather than just bashing me. Plus, you said you agreed with Jacyee... Well guess what? She has 6 KIDS! Four of them are quadruplets... I'm not saying that's not a dang hard job! And I can understand her for being a little ticked about my post ;o)

Oh... and several people in the comments section said they love being stay at home moms and it's not as stressful as some people make it out to be... I really think it comes down to the person... And YES... maybe one day when I have kids my mind will change completely and I'll do a 180 and think "wow... this is a lot harder than I thought, put be back to work" but that's the fun of this blog... it's a "journey" my journal of expression, and if you've read any other posts you'd realize that I change my mind often :o)

Ok... sorry do go off on a tangent people, I just wanted to get that out of the way. Has anyone else dealt with meanies? I see why people moderate their comments now. I never thought I'd want to erase a comment but yeesh! Anyway... Back to the show:

You all have been great in my quest to determine why being a SAHM is so difficult, by leaving responses here. I've baby sat for a woman a few times who is a stay at home mother. She always seems slightly stressed or uptight when I go over to her house. Seeing the way she interacted with her children was always endearing and interesting to me, but seeing what she puts herself through just made me think "I couldn't do it." At least not like that.

I think some of the same women who said things like "if my husband would watch the kids instead of watching TV yea, maybe he could be a stay at home dad" are some of the ones who also maybe, possibly, put too much pressure on themselves at home (but who am I to assume?).

I have however witnessed so many women (especially while I lived in Utah) who felt like their house had to be put together neatly at all times. The kids had to be cleaned up after almost immediately, the rules and regulations in the home were strict, and so were the schedules. It made me want to just grab them by the shoulders and say "it's going to be O.K. calm down!" I imagine if I'm going to do it my husband will have to clean up the mess we all make when he gets home from work... (Hey, whatever keeps me from taking Xanex, ok?) But really, I'm not a neat person anyway, so maybe that's why I feel that way. I can't imagine being my messy self then having a messy bunch of spawn on top of that!

By all means, if cleaning and cooking is what makes you happy go for it, but if being at home with MY children turns out to be extremely stressful, perhaps some rearranging should be done.

My grandmother is in her 50s and she looks AMAZING! I asked her how she hardly has wrinkles and she told me: "I don't stress." And she gave me some advice I don't think I'll ever forget... "If you have a problem you don't like, fix it, and if you can't fix it, get over it. Because stressing is only going to give you wrinkles."

There really are so many women out in the world who would LOVE to be at home with their children but can't afford to. Regardless if it's the world's hardest job or not... If it's a job you got to choose then it's a privilege. It may not pay monetarily but if the rumors are true, you're rewarded in much better ways.

If I ever have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom I hope I can remember this lighthearted advice I'm giving right now... And can really embrace it and make the most of it. I imagine it would be easy to get bored (with one) and go crazy (with several) but I hope that I can keep the cheerful spirit I have now and enjoy that time with my kids (and not eat my words).

I hopefully will at least get three months at home with the first and get a taste of SAHM life... Then I'LL be the one to judge if it's REALLY all that hard ;o) especially compared to a job like I have now, or worse... A job like I have now PLUS being a mom 24/7.

But regardless, I'm sure it's all not peaches and creme, I know it's 24/7, and really... I'm not trying to downplay it. Just trying to get a feel for what it's really like for you, in all honesty.

The SAHM

After seeing those 4 letters repeatedly on several blogs I read I realized what it stood for. My perception of a stay at home mom is growing. I'm not going to lie and tell you how difficult I think it is and how it's the hardest job in the world cause... Well I'm not sure if I completely believe that.

I'm not saying the job isn't difficult, I'm just saying I think there are other jobs in the world a lot more difficult and, well... That's that. Here's my envision of what a stay at home mom job is like. I've never experienced before so tell me if I'm right or wrong.

Day:

-You wake up when baby/child wakes up. If you're lucky, you have a kid that sleeps in and you get to sleep in a little too.

-You watch the kid, make sure it doesn't kill itself and try to teach them a thing or two.
-Clean, feed, entertain, nap it, etc.

-Clean around the house, do laundry, dishes, that kind of stuff (unless you have a spouse/maid that chips in with that stuff)

-Make food for everyone

Here is what I think is difficult about the position:

-Not much adult interaction

-Not much desire to get all dressed up and feel "important"-and by that I mean it may be difficult seeing friends get all dressed up for business and working to make money while you're working hard as well but not making any money.
-You constantly have kids on your heels. I mean, I hear some people don't even have time for showers.... Really?
-I imagine that all added together can drive a person to madness or sheer glee, depending on your personality.

Here's what I think is nice about the job:

-You're doing everything everyone has to do anyway but you don't have to worry about a 40hr a week job on top of that! Isn't being a mom a 24hr job regardless if you work or not?

Ok, please don't get angry. I know a lot of you women are SAHMs but I just wonder REALLY, what's SO hard about it? I mean, if you didn't like it couldn't you get a nanny, or a part time job or something? I'm guessing the good outweighs the bad. I mean, why else would you continue to do it? It's not like you don't have a choice in the matter, and at the end of the day many say it's the best job in the world. The best?... Maybe. The hardest?... Not buying it.

But I'm open to being wrong. Divulge me! Really, feel free to let me have it! Or admit I'm right ;op

The Love Factor-- Things I'm Going to Miss Part 3

Well, it's Valentines Day. Happy Valentines Day! And I figure it's a good time to pose a question and concern I've been thinking about.

As I was babysitting two young girls last night so their parents could go out and celebrate Valentines Day, I thought how grateful I am that at a drop of a hat my husband and I can do whatever... Go out, make dinner together... And so on.

I got my dog Snoop last year for Valentines Day and I noticed how having a small puppy around kind of affected... Routines we'll say. It really bothered me. Eventually I got over it and things went back to normal but it was quite annoying at the time.

I think it's so important to continue to have couple time together, date nights and time to... Ya know, practice making babies and stuff.

It just seems that once kids come along that priority goes to the back burner for some, or it just becomes more difficult. What in the world do you do to fix that? Get ear muffs? Sedate the kids? Drive away and leave them for a night and hope they survived through the next morning?

I was reading a parenting magazine last night (funny I know, but it was just sitting there on the table ok?) And one of the articles was about women being angry at their husbands for not helping around the house, turning off the lights, understanding their children etc. To me it just seemed a little ridiculous and like a bunch of depressed and nagging women. I don't want that to happen to me!! I still want to be a happy woman and wife, as well as a happy mom. Some of the women complained that their husband's drive to have a love life went down and I kind of judgmentally thought 'Boy I wonder why!' That article is a discussion for a whole different topic but I'll use that part for example's sake.

Do you try to keep date nights together? How often? Right now every night is literally like a date night with me and my Boo and I wonder if it'll be a hard transition when we lose that one day.

This year we're keeping the holiday low key. I want a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's, some chocolate covered strawberries (my favorite) and a movie to snuggle up and watch. What are your plans?

The Questions, Questions Anyone?

I almost didn't post today because my internet was getting transfered ahhhh! But alas! My computer is connected to Ethernet at the moment and I will soon find and unpack my wireless modem. Anywho...

Lately I've been noticing a few questions in the comments section. Usually I'll answer them directly in an email but then I was thinking "Hey, maybe someone else has the same question!" So, the next day or two... (Or forever until I get a bunch to answer), I'll open it up to questions??. If there's something you want to know about me, ask away! I don't believe in TMI, but others out there may, so maybe I'll leave the "possibly TMI" ones at the end or something as a warning to those who may not want to know that detail. So from my favorite color to my magic number of children, I'm game! I'll compile all of the questions into a post like this one but hopefully there will be more questions :o)

I'll start with a few questions I've already gotten so I don't forget:
1. Don't Be a Slut and Jaime have a similar question: What does your hubby think about your baby obsession?/ I'm just wondering how your husband feels about all of this baby talk?

Answer: As far as baby talk pertaining to the blog: He's happy I have a ventilation system. He knows I love to write, and he's glad that I'm excited to have a new avenue to write in. However he's a VERY private person so he does often say "Why did you write about that? Who cares?" As far as baby talk in general: It has toned down a lot since I started blogging about it. He knows I'm excited to have kids and that I like to blab about it a lot. He sometimes teases me about it but I think he thinks it's cute :)

2. From Anonymous commented on my Trip Part 3 post.: I'm certainly not trying to judge - but I got a little confused by seeing your wardrobe choices on your vacation. You did get married in the temple, right?
I just didn't notice any garments in several pictures. I am curious as to your opinion on this matter since you seem to be so open minded and willing to answer questions honestly.
I really hope this doesn't bother you, I am just curious!

Answer: I am very open (hopefully not too much) :o) Well, 90%... No, more like 99% of the trip I was wearing a bathing suit. I usually don't wear my Gs while I'm wearing bikinis. I wore cover-ups over my bathing suits which, while it made me look covered up for beach wear, it still is technically "immodest." The other 1% of the time I was either 1. Naked or 2. Throwing a dress and shrug over my bathing suit. Not much underwear wearing on my trip! ...I never said I was perfect.

As far as my opinion on the subject matter in general, I of course believe you should wear them all the time, I love mine! And that's really all I can say. I'm the LAST person to ask someone else about their garment-wearing situation. I don't really feel like it's any of my business. If I happen to notice someone isn't wearing them I can honestly say I don't assume the situation, I just really don't care.

3. And a few were wondering how my husband didn't know about this Blog.

Answer: He just joined Facebook, doesn't really understand blogging, and I'm just getting into it myself. I know he's private and he was already teasing me about things I'd write in our family blog so I just didn't tell him for awhile. I thought I'd tell him about it one day, maybe when we were expecting... But I guess he knew more about Facebook than I thought cause one day I mentioned something about a "baby bucket list" and he mentioned seeing it already here! I was a little embarrassed at first but now I'm so glad he knows cause I tell him all about what I'm writing and what yall say and write about!

***

Ok so that's all of the questions I can remember for now! I may or may not be as elaborate in other questions you may have. Ask anything, really! And if you want you can ask anonymously. Meanwhile, I'm thinking of some questions I have for you all as well, to answer for me in another post!