Stomach virus or Contraction

So I took my little brother to Laguardia Airport. He came for my baby shower and spent some quality time with me before school resumed. I was too hyped to see him cause I hadn't seen him in a while and he thinks hes all grown up.

On my way back from the Airport I decided to stop by at Chatime to get my favorite Iced milk Bubble Tea (Yummy) I got home and all of a sudden my belly started hurting. I wasn't sure if it was cramps or a stomach virus. First, i shouldn't be cramping and secondly, i had no reason to have a stomach virus because I hadn't eating anything that could irritate my stomach. I went to the toilet back and forth (TMI) and i assumed it is/was a stomach virus and maybe it was from the bubble tea i had. I told myself that to make me feel better although, some part of me did think it could be my first early sign of contraction.

 I honestly have been looking forward to getting a contraction. I mean i'm 4 days away from clocking 9 months and i have so much energy. The other day i walked with my little brother from 14 street union square to 42nd st Time Square just because we felt like it. I mean we were shopping around also. I mean, i feel like it was high time i got a contraction.

My belly is still cramping a little and as usual, out of curiosity i did my research...From reading a bunch of baby websites and reading other people's experiences/blogs, even though they say "Labor/pregnancy is a box of chocolates and you never know which one you're going to get."

I came to a conclusion that i am actually experiencing my first contraction YAY or maybe not. and it does feel like the cramps you get with a really bad stomach flu. it doesn't last long though. it comes and goes. No pains at all.. just the usual stomach flu cramp. The only annoying part is that I keep visiting the toilet (TMI) and i'm hungry and nervous to eat

#peace

Culture or Barbaric

I am very perplexed as to what happened today. I mean I understand that every culture has its way of doing things but what I heard today left me speechless and I honestly can't believe such barbaric act is still practiced. I could be exaggerating but I think i'm just in shock or  maybe I'm just unaware of that part of the culture.

I am a 100 percent Nigerian and I believe I know most but not all the culture.
Straight to the GIST!

I went to see one of my aunt today. shes one of my mom's friend's daughter. she in her early 30's so I did not believe what I heard. If I heard it from someone in my grandma's age range,  I honestly would not be surprised. Actually it would be expected.

Red Oil

"The aunt" asked me who was going to bath my baby. My mom isn't going to be around till a month after the baby is born so I already told myself I was going to bath my baby myself. (If i am not mistaken, according to the Yoruba culture in Nigeria. The grandma is supposed to be the first person to bath her grandchild.) However, some weeks ago, at my breast feeding class, I asked the midwifery to show me how to bath a baby. she was extremely helpful and patient while using a baby dummy.

Local Sponge 

I told "the aunt" I was going to bath the baby myself and I learned how to from the hospital. All of a sudden she took it personal and started saying No way, that an older lady has to. And I made it clear my mom wont be around and she insisted she would find someone else to do it for me (On top of my property)

To add salt to the injury, she said to bath a new born bab
y according to "The Culture" "Her Culture i presume" we would use:

•  Palm oil
•  Dried back of coconut skin (popularly known as Local sponge - how barbaric)
• Epsom salt
• Soap
• Warm water

The last time i checked a baby's skin is extremely tender. She said we would soak the local sponge inside the red oil and scrub the "TENDER" baby's skin to remove the dirt that i honestly don't know where it could be hiding on a new born. After that you take a towel and soak it inside the warm water mixed with Epsom salt and wipe the red oil. Then, you use another "local sponge and soap to scrub the baby's skin  AGAIN.  Then finally rinse the baby with Epsom salt again and towel dry the baby.

This sounds mean to me. A baby's skin is too tender for all that roughness. I could be exaggerating or maybe just unaware of the culture. But in my opinion, my baby isn't going through all that stress. There is no way in this world that would ever happen.

Less I forget, out of curiosity, i asked why that was a necessary act and she said it drives away body odor and if its not done the baby would have a bad smell. BIG FAT LIE I SAY. BLOODY SUPERSTITION.

I got home, called my mom and  told her. Oh Lordy, she took it too personal that words honestly cannot describe her reaction. she was very upset, highly disappointed and begged me to go on deaf ears as to what "the aunt" said. I mean my mom dint have to tell me that.

THE END.

Trimester Pictures, YaY

I know I should have started blogging months ago because I had or have a lot to talk about. I just couldn't bring myself to commit to it. I like to be physically and mentally ready to do stuffs if not I tend to bail out in the middle. But I think I'm ready for this challenge..

I woke up weak this morning because I obviously could not get enough sleep. Lulu (my baby's pet name) seemed to have picked a favorite spot. she loves kicking and putting so much pressure on the right side of my rib which is so not convenient at all. It actually hurts. I honestly cant wait to pay her back for all the pains & inconvenience shes putting me through. Part of the reason I decided to blog about the pregnancy phase is because, when shes a bit grown and I decide to send her on all the errands possible, if she even attempts to complain by an inch, hmm, I would just nicely direct her to the blog.

I am going to be posting my FAVORITE PICTURES from my different Trimesters.  Pardon me because I would be cropping my face out.

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

The Journey

I have 4 weeks and 3 days left till the delivery of my little princess and I still don't believe I'm pregnant. I am fully aware of the angel living inside of me because I feel her move and kick every now and then but it all still feels like a dream.

Obviously the pregnancy wasn't planned like most people say "It comes whenever" Mine was definitely not planned. Even when I realized I was pregnant, I lived in denial for months. After the third month, I finally decided to register at a hospital for the regular prenatal care.

This pregnancy phase has been the longest yet shortest  period of my life. Feels like everything seems to be going too fast. I remember the missed period in January, to telling my man we were expecting and he has been too hyper about it. More excited that I am, the morning sickness in February and when I broke the news to my Mom who has since been more than supportive, the hospital registration in March, Disappearance of the morning sickness in April, and telling my closest friends. In May, I Broke the news to my older brother who is like a dad...so imagine the fear. Then, I told my only sister who kinda knew I was pregnant and was waiting for me to tell her like she claimed like she has some magical powers.

In June, Almighty June, I eventually told my Dad. I think I died and resurrected. I literally almost peed in my pants. My dad and I talk once in a while. I  mean, we check up on each other once in a blue moon so we obviously do not have that father-daughter relationship. Growing up, he was very strict so imagine having to tell him that the little girl who used to make him breakfast every morning did the undo-able and was carrying a "mini her" in her belly. Dreaded feeling ever. Moreover, My mom made me believe she was going to tell my dad I was pregnant which gave me peace of mind. SHE LIED. You have to do the telling, he's your father, she said. From a legit African home, when things like this happen, the first thing you think about is " OMG, how would i tell my parents, what would they say, you would wish the world would end  and the list goes on & on" However, my dad took it so well, his reaction was unbelievably unexpected that I was in shock for a minute. I screamed my lungs out till i realized what had happened.
Thank God.

More gist on the next post!

I stopped blogging years ago because I had a lot going on but Its feels exciting to be back again. I enjoy writing so this is fun for me. This blog is going to be a journal about my experience before and after the delivery and hopefully my motherhood experience.