Body after Baby

So, I haven't really thought much about getting back in shape after the baby.  I've struggled with body image issues in the past, but I'm just really not worried about it.  At all. I know that my body will eventually go back to normal or will develop a new kind of normal.  That being said, I have planned on getting something called the Belly Bandit or something similar. 

A lot of cultures wrap a woman's stomach after childbirth to help muscles go back to where they were.  I know it's not going to help me lose 20 lbs, but that's not what it's for, either.  A few days ago, though, I saw something that you use to wrap your hips after childbirth.

Seriously? How many wraps do I need? The pictures in the ad (I know, I know, it's an advertisement) showed the before and after of a woman's pelvis with or without the wrap, and it's a pretty big difference. I don't know.  I don't want to feel like a mummy right after birth, but they say you only have about 8 weeks for these things to be super effective. Ugh. Who knows.  

I have been watching/listening to this all day....

yesterday and today....Seriously. I know it's Taylor Swift, but it's still sweet.

One Year Ago....

Lamine and I were married in a perfect, little ceremony in the early, autumn afternoon.  The only guests were my parents, my sister, and my grandmother.

We said the vows along with the justice of the peace, then exchanged our own in French.

After the ceremony, we shared a turkey sandwich in the back of my parents' car before returning home for the "reception."  We cut the cake and share our first dance.

And I threw the bouquet....

...which, between my grandmother and my sister, my sister caught.  All, in all, it was the perfect, intimate ceremony and after party.

I am so grateful for this past year. Lamine and I have had a more exciting year than anticipated-complete with baby on the way! But, it has been a wonderful year nonetheless.  Nkiema, Neeh Kanu ba ke le.

Look How Snazzy

my blog looks! I always do this with new bits of technology-ok, I know blogging isn't exactly new. I'm going to try to stick with this, though. Unlike my facebook page which has been sadly neglected for who knows how long.

after the baby....

For those of you who don't know (not that this needs to be public knowledge, I guess), this pregnancy was a big 'ol surprise.  In no place in my mind did I imagine that the past year would be so nuts. I won't bore you with all the details, but trust me. We've had quite the year.

All of this to say that last year, when I imagined this year, I did not imagine a baby.  I imagined that I would be working and applying to graduate schools and living happily with Lamine. So far, two out of three.  I still really want to go to grad school, though, and the deadline for applications is approaching in January.  I've been wanting to apply to the Masters of Social Work Program at BSU in Lewiston (only about 45 minutes away) because they offer a part-time program where you can take classes in the evenings and on weekends. Perfect!

Today, though, I e-mailed the site coordinator a quick question, and I found out that they won't be offering the part-time option until 2012 or 2013! If I wanted to attend the program in Lewiston or Coeur d'Alene, I'd need to have a BA in Social Work, which I don't.  I don't know what to do. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking this way, but I'm afraid that I'll feel like I'm standing still next year--like I'm not moving towards any of my goals.  All of this makes me feel about like this:

I should explain that I have this fear of settling...of becoming comfortable in the security of my job and being too afraid to take the risks that may be necessary in order to be truly happy...In the same breath, I'm also terrified of not being able to pay the bills and of not being able to provide for Lamine and myself and the baby and I just don't know how to find the balance between these two fears.

The issue of race....

isn't mentioned much in our house. We do, of course, realize that we are not the same color

but we've just never seen it as much of an issue.  We are aware of the stares and glances that we sometimes get walking down the street in small town Idaho, but we usually just brush it off. We love one another, and race honestly seems like the least of our differences when you consider that we are also from different cultural and religious backgrounds. 

Today, though, I was reminded that not everyone thinks the same way we do.  I was walking into my apartment building today while talking on the phone, and our upstair neighbor's window opened.  He yelled out "How you doin?" and I responded with a slight wave a roll of the eyes while I continued talking.  He then yelled out, "Don't hate me because I'm white."  I hung up the phone, entered my apartment, and started fuming and shaking.  I know he has seen Lamine and I enter the building together and that it wasn't a dismissive comment.  I went outside when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and I did confront them as calmly and respectfully as I could. They did apologize, but I still can't shake it.  This is the first time that anyone here has said anything directly to one of us. 

Lamine has been out with some friends all day, and he stopped by the apartment for just a moment before running out the door again. I gave him a big hug and told him how proud I am to be his wife. I didn't tell him what happened, and I might not ever tell him about this incident, but it makes me sad to think that there are people out there (and nearby) that think that way.  I am so proud, though, to be married to this beautiful, sweet, kind, generous, patient man. 



Baby Shower: Part II

Ok, I'm following up with some pictures.  First of all-check out how cute the shower was set up: 

And, as promised, the fabric that Heather bought us.  I think I forgot to mention that this is traditional West African Wax fabric that you see all over the place in Senegal-where Lamine is from.

It's so beautiful, and I can't wait to turn this into a blanket for le petit capitain.  And the onesie that Dominica bought us:

Apparently there is an ice cream shop in Whitefish, Montana where they sell all sorts unique ice creams (and apparently baby clothes) such as chocolate with bacon???? It doesn't sound too great, but the next time we're in the area, I'm going to have to try it out.  Here's one last picture with some of the wonderful items we received at the shower.  Thanks, everyone!

Baby Shower! Part I

So, on Saturday, My lovely sister Melissa:

threw me an AWESOME baby shower! The shower was originally supposed to be in Nampa, but after the car accident, I really wasn't up to driving six hours on Friday night and then another six hours on Sunday.  Melissa was so sweet and flexible and willing to improvise the shower.  We just had a few close friends (i.e. Heather and Dominica) come over, and we ate some delicious cupcakes and hung out at Melissa and Bryce's apartment.  The whole thing was just adorable.  Melissa set out baby bottles filled with M&M's and jars filled with sunflowers and wrapped in colorful cloth diapers.

She also bought me these beautiful gifts:

yes, it's in French!  which-for those who don't know, is the language that Lamine and I spoke (and still usually fall back on) when we were falling in love in Senegal and over the phone.  And....

and this is to give you an idea of what she did with the baby bottles-so cute!

My friend Heather, also got us this AMAZING fabric that I'm going to use to make the little guy's crib comforter.  This isn't the exact fabric, but it has the same colors, and I'll post an exact picture tonight. 

So pretty!  And Dominica got us the sweetest little onesie.  I'll post more pictures tonight, but I just had to give a little taste!

vanishing ribs

This morning, I attempted to show Lamine how the baby was kicking me in the ribs.  "He's kicking me right here," I said, "right beneath my ribs." I tried to poke the lowest part of my ribs only to discover....they have completely vanished underneath my pregnant stomach. Fun times.

My friend and co-worker Mary Ellen and I found out we were both pregnant when we were both about 10 weeks along (well, we knew we were pregnant, but we discovered the pregnancies of one another).  Our due dates were five dates apart (hers five days before mine), and we have been able to discuss the oddities of pregnancy along with the excitement and anxiousness that comes along with this process.  Last week, Mary Ellen was admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure and she delivered a beautiful (well, I'm sure she's beautiful) little girl yesterday evening.  Everyone is doing well, and although their little girl will need to develop a little while longer in the hospital, she seems to be healthy.  I've received all of this information off of Mary Ellen's blog early this morning, so I hope she doesn't mind me announcing her news.

I am so happy that everyone is doing well, but I am also struck by the fact that she actually has a little baby girl....right now. I know logically  that at the end of this whole pregnancy deal I will have a baby, but sometimes it's difficult to really wrap my mind around it.  I can't believe that someday not too far off I'm going to meet this little creature who is busy kicking me in the ribs and who has recently discovered how to stick random body parts out of my stomach to create odd bulges and bumps.  Pretty crazy.....

And....Look how cute!

So, I had an ultrasound yesterday to make sure everything was ok with the baby and....Look how cute he is!

Ok, forgive the pictures of pictures, but it was amazing how much detail we could see. And I apologize if I'm already turning into one of those people who think that their ugly baby is the cutest thing in the world.

The last two are of his face, by the way.  My mom said these pictures were scary-looking, but I'm not buying it.

The Beach

Well, Lamine and I had a nice time at the beach.  It was beautiful.

We were lucky and had good weather the whole time.  I'll have to write more about this vacation later, because it really was great. 

On the way home from this fantastic vacation, though, Lamine and I were in a pretty serious car accident.  Short version:  We were driving down the freeway at about 65 mph.  Our car (our beautiful, new car) flipped five times up an embankment and back down. I won't write much about this right now because I'm still pretty shaken up, but we are both doing well, and the baby is doing well.  We both realize how lucky we are that we are all ok.  I've been an emotional wreck the last few days. I was in a serious accident (a rollover as well) in my freshman year of college, but it was so different this time.  I keep thinking what could happened to Lamine or the baby. Thank god we're all ok. I feel so blessed.

 I'll  leave things on a happier note with more pictures of our vacation.

Me. There's fudge and a candied apple in that bag. Yummmm....

The Pacific!!!!

Eating out together.

Well, that's all for now.