The wedding is 100 days off now. The initial RSVP deadline is tomorrow, but we set it so far away from the wedding because we figured we wouldn't hear back from some people until the last minute anyway. It means, however, that it's time for the next phase of wedding planning: sending specific details.
I've compiled a 4 page packet with general info about the wedding (schedule, clarification on in period clothes, reminder to book hotel rooms, etc.), but half of it is suggested driving directions. The ren fair website warned that there are discrepancies with mapping websites and the roads that are actually there. Having had my GPS take me on a few adventures (backroad down a mountain, to a graveyard, an address a mile away from the actual location... just to name a few), I can understand that technology isn't always to be trusted.
We're also going to be sending out invitations to the rehearsal dinner. I know traditionally that the rehearsal dinner is just the parents and the bridal party, but I feel bad about not being able to have catering at the festival. So we're making the rehearsal dinner into the big party. We're going to have nearly 50 people if everyone is going to be able to come. It's gonna be nuts!
Well, I have another OB appointment tomorrow, so I will likely have an update on baby then.
Baby and Wedding Countdown
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Marmar's Stitches
I've been working these past few days on my wedding dress with my bridesmaids. I've heard of the tradition of using your mother's wedding dress, but it is not only the wrong style but way too small for me. However, because my mom doesn't have any other daughters, she gave me permission to use parts of her dress in my own.
My grandmother was a seamstress, so when my mother was getting married, she made her wedding dress. The grandkids, including myself, always called her Marmar. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was 6 or 7 years old, so I didn't really get to know her well beyond a passing memory of her cooking and smiles. But these past few days, I felt like I got to see some other part of her I never got to know.
In order to use parts of my mother's dress, I've had to take a closer look at her seams and stitch work. She really spared no details for my mother's dress and trimmed all the darts and seams with a durable criss-cross pattern. I spent last night wrestling with gathering on parts of my dress, and this morning I got to appreciate the gathering and bunching she did on my mom's dress. She truly spared no detail for my mom's dress. She even went so far as to hand stitch lace decorations onto the dress.
It's bittersweet having to take the dress apart to use parts of it on mine. I'm nowhere near her level of expertise, but I feel more connected to my grandmother through the experience. I'm proud to be using not only portions of her work in mine but also concepts for seams and buttons in my own dress.
My grandmother was a seamstress, so when my mother was getting married, she made her wedding dress. The grandkids, including myself, always called her Marmar. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was 6 or 7 years old, so I didn't really get to know her well beyond a passing memory of her cooking and smiles. But these past few days, I felt like I got to see some other part of her I never got to know.
In order to use parts of my mother's dress, I've had to take a closer look at her seams and stitch work. She really spared no details for my mother's dress and trimmed all the darts and seams with a durable criss-cross pattern. I spent last night wrestling with gathering on parts of my dress, and this morning I got to appreciate the gathering and bunching she did on my mom's dress. She truly spared no detail for my mom's dress. She even went so far as to hand stitch lace decorations onto the dress.
It's bittersweet having to take the dress apart to use parts of it on mine. I'm nowhere near her level of expertise, but I feel more connected to my grandmother through the experience. I'm proud to be using not only portions of her work in mine but also concepts for seams and buttons in my own dress.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Don't even SHOW me that food!
8w 4d
At first, I thought I had lucked out on not getting full-fledged morning sickness. Little did I know, I've contracted a more annoying form of morning sickness that is more afternoon and evening sickness.
When I get hungry, I need food right at that moment or I'm not going to be able to eat anything. It's a 30 minute window, so we either have to catch it before it happens or get food ASAP. If I try to eat after that window, I can eat only a few bites before becoming unbearably nauseous. If we do catch that window, I can only eat about half the meal before becoming unbearable. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
This makes snacking difficult as well. I want to be eating something else between meals, but I just can't. I found this fact out the hard way when I forced down a bowl of chicken noodle soup before bed one night. I was craving it, and I was also slightly hungry at the time. Instead of stopping when I should've been done, I powered through it under the mental mantra, "My body needs this. My body needs this..." I won't get into the details, but my body had other ideas. It decided I didn't deserve to keep that soup. Ever since, I take my stomach's warnings very seriously.
If I'm eating out and smell something that my body decides is an aversion, I get nauseous. If D is sitting beside me and lets out a burp, I can smell it lingering on the air and just about loose my lunch. I want to be able to eat a full meal again because I know it's good for baby. I want to be able to smell other smells so we can eat out and snuggle. I want to be able to have company without needing to take a nap on the couch after every meal to sleep off the nauseousness. Perhaps I'm asking for too much from little parasite, but aren't I supposed to be gaining weight rather than losing it? I know I'm 50 pounds overweight, but I want to give baby every chance of being healthy by gaining some weight, even if it's just 10 pounds.
I can't wait for second trimester...
At first, I thought I had lucked out on not getting full-fledged morning sickness. Little did I know, I've contracted a more annoying form of morning sickness that is more afternoon and evening sickness.
When I get hungry, I need food right at that moment or I'm not going to be able to eat anything. It's a 30 minute window, so we either have to catch it before it happens or get food ASAP. If I try to eat after that window, I can eat only a few bites before becoming unbearably nauseous. If we do catch that window, I can only eat about half the meal before becoming unbearable. Damned if I do, damned if I don't.
This makes snacking difficult as well. I want to be eating something else between meals, but I just can't. I found this fact out the hard way when I forced down a bowl of chicken noodle soup before bed one night. I was craving it, and I was also slightly hungry at the time. Instead of stopping when I should've been done, I powered through it under the mental mantra, "My body needs this. My body needs this..." I won't get into the details, but my body had other ideas. It decided I didn't deserve to keep that soup. Ever since, I take my stomach's warnings very seriously.
If I'm eating out and smell something that my body decides is an aversion, I get nauseous. If D is sitting beside me and lets out a burp, I can smell it lingering on the air and just about loose my lunch. I want to be able to eat a full meal again because I know it's good for baby. I want to be able to smell other smells so we can eat out and snuggle. I want to be able to have company without needing to take a nap on the couch after every meal to sleep off the nauseousness. Perhaps I'm asking for too much from little parasite, but aren't I supposed to be gaining weight rather than losing it? I know I'm 50 pounds overweight, but I want to give baby every chance of being healthy by gaining some weight, even if it's just 10 pounds.
I can't wait for second trimester...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Honeymoon?
8w 1d
Today, D and I started talking about what we wanted to do for a honeymoon. Originally, we both liked the idea of going to some big amusement park. I'm dying to check out the new Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure, and we both love roller coasters. With recent developments, however, we've hit an obvious snag. I can't go on any of the rides! I'm going to be nearly 3rd trimester by the time we're married, so there's no way I could get away with riding roller coasters on our honeymoon. What are we to do?
I threw out the idea first that we could just chill at a beach resort. There'd be lots of pool swimming, calling in room service, and just chilling. It didn't seem quite as exciting to us though, plus I worried D would be entirely too bored just laying around on the beach. We might as well look into lazing about at a local hotel with a pool.
We've started looking at Sea World. It has rides I would be missing out on, but the majority of it is shows and a marine zoo. Still not as exciting as Islands of Adventure, but it's more interesting than just a beach resort. It's still expensive, but any Orlando trip really is. I think it's important that we get our honeymoon in before the baby comes, but it's just as important that we both have a good time.
I'm open to suggestions at this point. Sea World is fun (I went once in high school), but I worry it may not be the dream honeymoon we wanted. What to do...
Today, D and I started talking about what we wanted to do for a honeymoon. Originally, we both liked the idea of going to some big amusement park. I'm dying to check out the new Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure, and we both love roller coasters. With recent developments, however, we've hit an obvious snag. I can't go on any of the rides! I'm going to be nearly 3rd trimester by the time we're married, so there's no way I could get away with riding roller coasters on our honeymoon. What are we to do?
I threw out the idea first that we could just chill at a beach resort. There'd be lots of pool swimming, calling in room service, and just chilling. It didn't seem quite as exciting to us though, plus I worried D would be entirely too bored just laying around on the beach. We might as well look into lazing about at a local hotel with a pool.
We've started looking at Sea World. It has rides I would be missing out on, but the majority of it is shows and a marine zoo. Still not as exciting as Islands of Adventure, but it's more interesting than just a beach resort. It's still expensive, but any Orlando trip really is. I think it's important that we get our honeymoon in before the baby comes, but it's just as important that we both have a good time.
I'm open to suggestions at this point. Sea World is fun (I went once in high school), but I worry it may not be the dream honeymoon we wanted. What to do...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Mystery Medication
7w 1d
Yesterday, I got a call from the nurse at the OBGYN with my lab results. She said all the tests were negative, but I still had a prescription to pick up. I figured that it was for the prenatals that I knew they told me I needed to get. This nurse was talking so fast and was so hard to understand that I didn't really want to ask her what this prescription was for. It sounded like it was a second prescription, but I figured that I was just misunderstanding her.
When I got to the Wal-Mart pharmacy, as expected there were 2 prescriptions. I asked the pharmacist if it was a normal prescription for pregnancy. She said it was for a urinary tract infection. Surely there had to be a mistake. The nurse told me that all my tests came out fine. It isn't precautionary to need to take medication for something like a urinary tract infection. I felt it prudent to not start taking the medicine until I got a straight answer from someone.
This morning, I gave the OBGYN a call and spoke with a nurse who went through my records. Apparantly I did have a bladder infection and did need the medication. Either the first nurse failed to mention it or she was talking so fast that I didn't understand her when she told me. Either way, I'm glad that I know what this mystery medication is for. Perhaps some of the cramping I thought was normal in reality wasn't. I trust the tests, but I just wish they could be more clear with me.
Yesterday, I got a call from the nurse at the OBGYN with my lab results. She said all the tests were negative, but I still had a prescription to pick up. I figured that it was for the prenatals that I knew they told me I needed to get. This nurse was talking so fast and was so hard to understand that I didn't really want to ask her what this prescription was for. It sounded like it was a second prescription, but I figured that I was just misunderstanding her.
When I got to the Wal-Mart pharmacy, as expected there were 2 prescriptions. I asked the pharmacist if it was a normal prescription for pregnancy. She said it was for a urinary tract infection. Surely there had to be a mistake. The nurse told me that all my tests came out fine. It isn't precautionary to need to take medication for something like a urinary tract infection. I felt it prudent to not start taking the medicine until I got a straight answer from someone.
This morning, I gave the OBGYN a call and spoke with a nurse who went through my records. Apparantly I did have a bladder infection and did need the medication. Either the first nurse failed to mention it or she was talking so fast that I didn't understand her when she told me. Either way, I'm glad that I know what this mystery medication is for. Perhaps some of the cramping I thought was normal in reality wasn't. I trust the tests, but I just wish they could be more clear with me.
Monday, June 6, 2011
So Sleepy...
6w 6d
Now that we have seen the heartbeat, we've decided to take a reprieve from baby planning. I can't fully have a break from baby though as I'm still enduring the symptoms. The most crippling symptom to date is my extreme fatigue. I get tired standing for a long period of time, and this summer heat isn't helping matters much. Even if I spend the entire day taking it easy as much as possible, I'm exhausted by the afternoon and just want to curl up and take a nap. It's probably due to a combination of not sleeping well at night, the house getting warmer than it should, and coping with other 1st trimester aches and pains. I don't seem to have the stomach to keep my energy up with food because the nausea has set in. What's a prego lady to do?
At least I had the foresight to get most of the wedding planning done in advance. I didn't know I would end up in this state of little energy, but it's been most helpful now as the wedding day gets closer. I feel like all we need to worry about right now is our costumes. I still need to get the fabric for my dress, and fiance still needs to go visit his friend who is making his outfit. As long as that all gets started by the end of the month, I'm not too concerned. I've got most of the information packet sorted out that we're mailing next month, but there are a few details like who is invited to the rehearsal dinner that has to be figured out before that information can go out. At least we have time to sift through the guest list before rehearsal dinner invitations have to be sent out.
So, unless some crazy adventure happens, this week according to wedding and baby should be uneventful. We'll see if I have to swallow my words or not.
Now that we have seen the heartbeat, we've decided to take a reprieve from baby planning. I can't fully have a break from baby though as I'm still enduring the symptoms. The most crippling symptom to date is my extreme fatigue. I get tired standing for a long period of time, and this summer heat isn't helping matters much. Even if I spend the entire day taking it easy as much as possible, I'm exhausted by the afternoon and just want to curl up and take a nap. It's probably due to a combination of not sleeping well at night, the house getting warmer than it should, and coping with other 1st trimester aches and pains. I don't seem to have the stomach to keep my energy up with food because the nausea has set in. What's a prego lady to do?
At least I had the foresight to get most of the wedding planning done in advance. I didn't know I would end up in this state of little energy, but it's been most helpful now as the wedding day gets closer. I feel like all we need to worry about right now is our costumes. I still need to get the fabric for my dress, and fiance still needs to go visit his friend who is making his outfit. As long as that all gets started by the end of the month, I'm not too concerned. I've got most of the information packet sorted out that we're mailing next month, but there are a few details like who is invited to the rehearsal dinner that has to be figured out before that information can go out. At least we have time to sift through the guest list before rehearsal dinner invitations have to be sent out.
So, unless some crazy adventure happens, this week according to wedding and baby should be uneventful. We'll see if I have to swallow my words or not.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Living pincushion
6w 3d
We rolled out of bed especially early this morning. Grumbly and snippy, it wasn't nearly as exciting leading up to the visit as it would have been had the appointment been at a more functional hour. Even at such an unfunctional hour, we knew how important this appointment was. We would know if we were having multiples, a guess how far along we probably are, and if the baby is even alive.
After spending about an hour going over family medical history, I got to pee in a cup and be a living pincushion. Have I mentioned that I don't like needles? It hurts, it's uncomfortable when it has to stay in my skin, and I get slightly weaker just seeing the blood pumping out of me into little vials. It isn't a pleasant experience, and I cringe at the thought that this is going to be a routine part of my visits to monitor my hormones and such. Joy....
After some more waiting and a quick exam, the moment of the morning had come. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the gestational sack, and then I saw the indistinct blob that could only be our baby. A tiny part on the blob was pulsing regularly, a tiny heartbeat. It took me a second for the reality of it to really hit me. That was a baby inside of me with a beating heart! It just made it that much more real.
We aren't as far along as the health department claimed. Baby measured about 6 and a half weeks instead of the 8 weeks the health department predicted. It puts the due date even closer to our birthdays at the end of January. It will certainly make remembering birthdays a lot easier in the years to come. Here's to hoping what the pregnancy boards call "a sticky baby", a baby that sticks and doesn't miscarriage. Can't really argue with a beating heart though...
We rolled out of bed especially early this morning. Grumbly and snippy, it wasn't nearly as exciting leading up to the visit as it would have been had the appointment been at a more functional hour. Even at such an unfunctional hour, we knew how important this appointment was. We would know if we were having multiples, a guess how far along we probably are, and if the baby is even alive.
After spending about an hour going over family medical history, I got to pee in a cup and be a living pincushion. Have I mentioned that I don't like needles? It hurts, it's uncomfortable when it has to stay in my skin, and I get slightly weaker just seeing the blood pumping out of me into little vials. It isn't a pleasant experience, and I cringe at the thought that this is going to be a routine part of my visits to monitor my hormones and such. Joy....
After some more waiting and a quick exam, the moment of the morning had come. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the gestational sack, and then I saw the indistinct blob that could only be our baby. A tiny part on the blob was pulsing regularly, a tiny heartbeat. It took me a second for the reality of it to really hit me. That was a baby inside of me with a beating heart! It just made it that much more real.
We aren't as far along as the health department claimed. Baby measured about 6 and a half weeks instead of the 8 weeks the health department predicted. It puts the due date even closer to our birthdays at the end of January. It will certainly make remembering birthdays a lot easier in the years to come. Here's to hoping what the pregnancy boards call "a sticky baby", a baby that sticks and doesn't miscarriage. Can't really argue with a beating heart though...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
D saves the day!
When we got up this morning, D, my fiance, was determined to get me seen sooner rather than later. The pregnancy forum I visit put the notion in my head that there was an unspoken understanding among all the OBGYNs and midwives that a low risk pregnancy has to wait to be seen. I had no risk factors after all since I am in my mid-twenties, haven't had any troubling symptoms, and have had no previous miscarriages. Who was I to expect a doctor to give me the time of day before the second trimester?
It's why I proceeded to roll my eyes at D as he called planned parenthood who gave him a list of local OBGYNs. He would start each conversation with, "Hi, my fiance is 7 weeks pregnant, and I'm trying to find someplace willing to see her within the next couple of days." I could hear from his overly loud speaker a rendition of, "We would be happy to schedule an appointment... for a date in the next few weeks." I felt triumphant in my more accurate knowledge, yet I couldn't help feeling despondent with him. He was technically doing all this for me, and he knew I wanted to take a peek at baby's progress as much as he did. I was just more resigned to the fate of waiting than he was.
Then, D struck gold. He found an OBGYN that was more local who started immediately asking for my information. The phone was eventually handed to me to finish giving them my personal info. I figured I was being signed up for another OBGYN who would eventually tell us it will be a few weeks, so without much hope for a positive answer, I asked, "So when would we be able to get an appointment?" "Oh, we can get you in tomorrow morning!" Who cares that the only time slot is way earlier than D is used to being functional? We're getting an appointment! More than that, they are going to give me an ultrasound! We can finally get some visual proof that there is indeed a little person growing inside me and causing all these crazy symptoms. I was even willing to silence the stubborn voice of defeat that I was wrong and D was right. This is what we have been fighting to achieve for the past 3 weeks.
I couldn't help being in a better mood all day because of it. It was as if I lost my reason to be morose that I had all week. I didn't realize it, but some part of me didn't want to wait so long to see a doctor, and it was making me moody and snippy. Now I have every reason to hope to have some good news to shout from the mountains, some tangible proof to show everyone else when I tell them we're having a baby! Now I just need to draft up some questions I want answered from the doctor, set the alarm clock for an ungodly hour, and go see my baby.
It's why I proceeded to roll my eyes at D as he called planned parenthood who gave him a list of local OBGYNs. He would start each conversation with, "Hi, my fiance is 7 weeks pregnant, and I'm trying to find someplace willing to see her within the next couple of days." I could hear from his overly loud speaker a rendition of, "We would be happy to schedule an appointment... for a date in the next few weeks." I felt triumphant in my more accurate knowledge, yet I couldn't help feeling despondent with him. He was technically doing all this for me, and he knew I wanted to take a peek at baby's progress as much as he did. I was just more resigned to the fate of waiting than he was.
Then, D struck gold. He found an OBGYN that was more local who started immediately asking for my information. The phone was eventually handed to me to finish giving them my personal info. I figured I was being signed up for another OBGYN who would eventually tell us it will be a few weeks, so without much hope for a positive answer, I asked, "So when would we be able to get an appointment?" "Oh, we can get you in tomorrow morning!" Who cares that the only time slot is way earlier than D is used to being functional? We're getting an appointment! More than that, they are going to give me an ultrasound! We can finally get some visual proof that there is indeed a little person growing inside me and causing all these crazy symptoms. I was even willing to silence the stubborn voice of defeat that I was wrong and D was right. This is what we have been fighting to achieve for the past 3 weeks.
I couldn't help being in a better mood all day because of it. It was as if I lost my reason to be morose that I had all week. I didn't realize it, but some part of me didn't want to wait so long to see a doctor, and it was making me moody and snippy. Now I have every reason to hope to have some good news to shout from the mountains, some tangible proof to show everyone else when I tell them we're having a baby! Now I just need to draft up some questions I want answered from the doctor, set the alarm clock for an ungodly hour, and go see my baby.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Battle with Insurance and a Midwife
We knew my insurance didn't cover maternity. I did make an effort to get maternity, but my provider didn't even offer it. D's insurance does have maternity, but when we got that plus sign, we decided we were going to try for medicaid. Because we weren't married yet, I'm still classified as single and unemployed. Surely they would take pity on a single, unemployed pregnant lady.
We found out that our county's health department is quite a drive away. Never mind that there were perfectly acceptable health departments literally 10 minutes away. Because we lived on the corner of the county, we couldn't go to the closer departments. Someone on the phone for medicaid told me we needed to go to our counties health department, so we made an afternoon trip of it. It involved a lot of waiting. D wasn't allowed to go back with me, but I had to wait even longer in a back waiting room. I filled out a form with a nurse then was told to wait. Then I peed in a cup and waited some more. A nurse took me to her office to give me the piece of paper that I was pregnant, then I was back to waiting. At last they let me pay my $10 and go home. D had little time to chill before he had to go to work. Even though we already had a blood test from my doctor, we had to go out of our way to get a health department form saying I was pregnant.
Once we had the official piece of paper, we went to a branch social services office with all our paperwork. We expected to be able to go through all our paperwork that day and be on our way, but the one lady at the center just gave us a form to fill out that would have to be mailed in. We insisted on staying and filling it out there and giving it to her, and this is why I think we got a meeting with someone at the big social services a few days later. So we drive back down to the out of the way bigger city in the county. I was anxious because I was already 6 weeks along. I had pregnancy symptoms, but I wanted nothing more than to make sure that baby was still there, to verify that a life was inside of me. We sat in silence for about an hour while she worked on the computer, but the waiting paid off. Instead of having to wait the 45 days for it to process, she was going ahead and filing it so we could see a doctor right away. I was elated! But it was right before a holiday weekend, and she warned me that I won't be able to have my number verified by a doctor until Tuesday.
I found out there are absolutely NO birthing centers in the area! How could there not be a single birthing center in all the towns we live near? Also, there was only one place with midwives that came up on a search. Even they are giving me the waiting game! I'm going to be nearly 9 weeks before my first appointment, and I'm not even going to be seeing a midwife yet. I'm going to be giving my information to a nurse on that first appointment, then I can make an appointment to get my preliminary blood work done. They won't even do an ultrasound until around 18 weeks!
I can only dejectedly accept it. I'm not high risk, so they won't do a visual, tangible test unless I've had something go wrong before. Is it too much to ask that D and I just want proof that baby is there? Cravings and soreness aren't tangible for him, and I need to know it isn't for naught. The battle for monitoring will continue probably throughout. I may even cave and insist on a home doppler just so we can know it's still there and alive. Can you blame me for being a worried mother?
We found out that our county's health department is quite a drive away. Never mind that there were perfectly acceptable health departments literally 10 minutes away. Because we lived on the corner of the county, we couldn't go to the closer departments. Someone on the phone for medicaid told me we needed to go to our counties health department, so we made an afternoon trip of it. It involved a lot of waiting. D wasn't allowed to go back with me, but I had to wait even longer in a back waiting room. I filled out a form with a nurse then was told to wait. Then I peed in a cup and waited some more. A nurse took me to her office to give me the piece of paper that I was pregnant, then I was back to waiting. At last they let me pay my $10 and go home. D had little time to chill before he had to go to work. Even though we already had a blood test from my doctor, we had to go out of our way to get a health department form saying I was pregnant.
Once we had the official piece of paper, we went to a branch social services office with all our paperwork. We expected to be able to go through all our paperwork that day and be on our way, but the one lady at the center just gave us a form to fill out that would have to be mailed in. We insisted on staying and filling it out there and giving it to her, and this is why I think we got a meeting with someone at the big social services a few days later. So we drive back down to the out of the way bigger city in the county. I was anxious because I was already 6 weeks along. I had pregnancy symptoms, but I wanted nothing more than to make sure that baby was still there, to verify that a life was inside of me. We sat in silence for about an hour while she worked on the computer, but the waiting paid off. Instead of having to wait the 45 days for it to process, she was going ahead and filing it so we could see a doctor right away. I was elated! But it was right before a holiday weekend, and she warned me that I won't be able to have my number verified by a doctor until Tuesday.
I found out there are absolutely NO birthing centers in the area! How could there not be a single birthing center in all the towns we live near? Also, there was only one place with midwives that came up on a search. Even they are giving me the waiting game! I'm going to be nearly 9 weeks before my first appointment, and I'm not even going to be seeing a midwife yet. I'm going to be giving my information to a nurse on that first appointment, then I can make an appointment to get my preliminary blood work done. They won't even do an ultrasound until around 18 weeks!
I can only dejectedly accept it. I'm not high risk, so they won't do a visual, tangible test unless I've had something go wrong before. Is it too much to ask that D and I just want proof that baby is there? Cravings and soreness aren't tangible for him, and I need to know it isn't for naught. The battle for monitoring will continue probably throughout. I may even cave and insist on a home doppler just so we can know it's still there and alive. Can you blame me for being a worried mother?
Not your mother's wedding
The zaniness of our wedding is enough to keep anyone occupied! The original plan of going small has gone out the window, and so has the traditional white dress and tux. Our wedding will feature a jousting tournament in our honor, toasting goblets, and a visit from the king and queen. Yes, we are having our wedding at a renaissance festival!
Involved Fiance
I really lucked out with D. He actually insists on being a part of the wedding planning! However, he is desperately oblivious to wedding traditions. He didn't go to many growing up, and they were all Jewish and had a different set of customs. I have to explain some common sense ideas to him, such as that wedding guests will come expecting food and a wedding cake. He didn't even understand the symbology behind the bouquet toss. He doesn't want to do anything without a purpose, so I have to explain everything and put my foot down on a few things I consider important. Although I'm grateful he isn't sitting back and just saying "yes dear", I wish he just understood some basic wedding traditions.
Food Debacle
The first major problem we encountered was the rule that no outside food was allowed into the festival, meaning no catering! I couldn't cope with the idea of inviting 100 people and telling them that we can't feed them! I tried everything to negotiate with these festival people. 'Could we bring cold appetizer food?' 'Could the festival provide food at the reception?' 'Can the caterers provide their own portable hotplates to keep the food fresh?' All denied. I still think it's tacky as hell, but we compromised on buying food coupons for people and encouraging them to bring festival food back to the reception area. It's still better than telling people they are on their own for food at a wedding, but I cringe at the thought of it. It has been a source of disagreement between D and I.
Not a White Dress
Wedding stores don't exactly sell renaissance attire. Besides, I've sewn costumes for over 3 years! There was no way I was going to buy my wedding dress; I'm going to make it instead. IN the next couple of weeks actually, I am going to spend some time with my bridesmaids so we can all finish our dresses together. I'm still figuring out how to adjust for the 5 month baby bump I will have, but we agree it's probably best to make the bulk of it before I'm too far along to even bend.
These are just a few of the challenges we are dealing with concerning this wedding. There are of course more details, but it isn't what this blog is about.
Involved Fiance
I really lucked out with D. He actually insists on being a part of the wedding planning! However, he is desperately oblivious to wedding traditions. He didn't go to many growing up, and they were all Jewish and had a different set of customs. I have to explain some common sense ideas to him, such as that wedding guests will come expecting food and a wedding cake. He didn't even understand the symbology behind the bouquet toss. He doesn't want to do anything without a purpose, so I have to explain everything and put my foot down on a few things I consider important. Although I'm grateful he isn't sitting back and just saying "yes dear", I wish he just understood some basic wedding traditions.
Food Debacle
The first major problem we encountered was the rule that no outside food was allowed into the festival, meaning no catering! I couldn't cope with the idea of inviting 100 people and telling them that we can't feed them! I tried everything to negotiate with these festival people. 'Could we bring cold appetizer food?' 'Could the festival provide food at the reception?' 'Can the caterers provide their own portable hotplates to keep the food fresh?' All denied. I still think it's tacky as hell, but we compromised on buying food coupons for people and encouraging them to bring festival food back to the reception area. It's still better than telling people they are on their own for food at a wedding, but I cringe at the thought of it. It has been a source of disagreement between D and I.
Not a White Dress
Wedding stores don't exactly sell renaissance attire. Besides, I've sewn costumes for over 3 years! There was no way I was going to buy my wedding dress; I'm going to make it instead. IN the next couple of weeks actually, I am going to spend some time with my bridesmaids so we can all finish our dresses together. I'm still figuring out how to adjust for the 5 month baby bump I will have, but we agree it's probably best to make the bulk of it before I'm too far along to even bend.
These are just a few of the challenges we are dealing with concerning this wedding. There are of course more details, but it isn't what this blog is about.
Weddings and Babies and Intros, oh my!
Welcome to my blog! Our situation is hardly unique, but it needs explaining nonetheless.
In February, my fiance became my fiance. There isn't a romantic story behind the proposal, but our entire courtship is a romantic story. When we decided we wanted to get married, we also decided that we were ready for kids (or as ready as anyone can truly become). So therefore, when the news came 2 and a half months later, we were pleasantly surprised but not thrown off kilter.
D, my fiance, has a stable job doing data entry work 2nd shift. I just graduated with my associates, so I'm still on the job hunt (although I admit a half hearted one due to the lack of energy). We've already had a wild ride planning our wedding and figuring out the insurance so I can see a doctor and check on dear little parasite. I've kept a hand written journal of the experience, but I will do my best to convey it to you, my readers. The real interesting bits will probably come from my weekly updates on the situations and trials of planning a nontraditional wedding with a baby bump.
In February, my fiance became my fiance. There isn't a romantic story behind the proposal, but our entire courtship is a romantic story. When we decided we wanted to get married, we also decided that we were ready for kids (or as ready as anyone can truly become). So therefore, when the news came 2 and a half months later, we were pleasantly surprised but not thrown off kilter.
D, my fiance, has a stable job doing data entry work 2nd shift. I just graduated with my associates, so I'm still on the job hunt (although I admit a half hearted one due to the lack of energy). We've already had a wild ride planning our wedding and figuring out the insurance so I can see a doctor and check on dear little parasite. I've kept a hand written journal of the experience, but I will do my best to convey it to you, my readers. The real interesting bits will probably come from my weekly updates on the situations and trials of planning a nontraditional wedding with a baby bump.
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