kimstewart's blog

People ask me how I'm doing with this whole pregnancy thing and if I am prepared for the new arrival.  Well, I am sailing through this pregnance easily and have no real complaints at all.  On being prepared, do we EVER really know if we are ready until the event arrives??  I feel that I am and there are many reasons and resources that have helped me along the way. 

Many woman have asked my advice on what I am finding to be helpful resources and here's my list for them:

I love the books "Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy" and "Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer: Harvey Karp"

On classes to take at the hospital:  Breastfeading 101, Infant Choking and CPR, AND the DVD Sheri Bayles: Laugh and Learn About Childbirth.  I really enjoyed all of these learning resources and even bought additional copies to give to my other pregnant girlfriends.

I am sure you have heard of the concept "less clutter equals less stress", right?  I personally enjoy looking at my home when the clutter is hidden away and the counters actually have space.    The art or concept of Feng Shui is all about how clearing that space for a healthier mental perspective.  I know my husband wishes I'd become a huge fan of this art ANY day now! ;) 

Well, have you ever looked at your inbox for your email (or several email accounts) and felt overwhelmed?  I do this all the time.  I am sure I have emails saved from years back simply because I "might need it" again.  COME ON!!!    I've heard of people just clearing out their inbox and starting fresh, but I think I might die if I were to do that.  This same concept is true for my photo files folder, my audio files...etc!!!  Uggggggggg.

We've heard this forever, but a reminder will do us all a little good.  Each and every day striving to put at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies into our bodies will help us to live a whole 14 years longer.  Thay also say to drink alcohol in moderation as well as exercise and DON'T smoke. 

Sounds simple, but when we haven't been in this routine it can take some time to tweak the daily schedule to fit it in.  I bring in cut up fruit and veggies to the show every morning.  I only started doing this once I read this study about a diet where you could lose a dress size in a week.  Well, I tried it and it worked!!!  Their main focus was on all the fruits and veggies we need to consume and THAT was where I became trained to prep my "good for me food" the night before the show.  Since I can just grab 'em on the way out in the morning, I never forget them or run out of time to prepare them.  It's kind of fun to be known for the healthy food I'm packin' at work.  When folks need a few fresh bites of cucumber or a slice of orange in the morning they come to me. ;)

So how about the crazy weather here yesterday?  That hail storm was reported to be one of the worst in history and my husband and I pulled through it together.  We were both home with 1 car in the driveway and 1 in the garage.  As soon as I heard the hail start, then get heavier, and HEAVIER I ran downstairs (in only sweat pants and a bra top with my preggo belly popping out) yelling "cover up the car, cover up the car!"  If you've seen the IKEA commercial with the woman saying "Start the car!! Start the car!!", it was alot like that! ;) 

I know when the weather starts to change and we get to wear our fun lighter and brighter colored clothes it gets exciting!!!  I am looking at this spring as a way to turn over a new leaf (so to speak) and get my life together before this baby comes in June.  My husband and I have been doing some much needed sprucing up around our home.  We recently replaced our torn up gazebo so that we can spend more lovely time hanging out in the back yard.  I planted some new flowers and livened up the decor in general.  I hear when the baby gets here we won't get to leave the house very often so we want it to be a fantastic place to be "stuck".  I also love to entertain so I've been looking for ways to get old friends together to hang out and just celebrate life in general!!!

Today is my birthday!!  Reflecting on another year, now in my  mid-thirties (35), I look around at my family, my friends, my job, my hobbies and realize how lucky I really am.  I am truly excited about my BIG gift arriving in June which is our BABY BOY!!!  I have no idea how much my life is going to change and I welcome it with a very open mind and heart!!  My husband Justin and I are very excited to say the least.

I look at this day as a way to start fresh for another year.  So for my birthday wish, here is what I want to change by my next birthday:

I am absolutely beside myself because today is the day I sort of meet my son!!!!  I have a 4D Ultrasound scheduled today at 4pm and they say that when you see the baby it's an EXACT picture of what your child will look like when he arrives!!!  I am so thrilled and am hoping that when we see him we'll come up with the most perfect name!!  We are just completely stuck on what name we should pick from the zillions  that are out there.

I'm 27 weeks along and this pregnancy has been a breeze!!!!  I cannot believe that the baby will be here on June 2nd and life as we know it will be different in the best way ever! ;)  Getting registered for little cute socks, strollers, diapers, burp cloths...etc...is AWESOME!!  I'm constantly going Awwwwwwww.  The fact that I get to SEE him today is just unreal for me to grasp.  My parents and hubby will be along for the fun as well.  I wonder who will cry first!! ;)  It will indeed make it VERY REAL that this is all happening quickly so ready or not here comes baby!!!!

I hate that saying, but it really is TRUE when you think about it.   In 1 situation MORE than 1 person can be correct in how to handle things.  That isn't always apparent to us though and that's where issues start.  

My example came up EARLY this morning with our morning show producer, Mo, and her electricity outage.  She could not get her car out of the garage because it goes up when you push the button WHEN the electricity is on.  She called me on her cel and asked me what to do to solve the issue of this complete darkness.  Well, I told her she needed a flash light (which she'd already searched for) or candles.   After that we were out of ideas and she was going to have to wait til the sun came up or me to show up with some light source!!  ;)

I was recently faced with this question at a luncheon I was attending.  Man, nothing like being put on the spot! ;)  I really had to step back and evaluate my answer. 

When problems come up, how do you react? Do you look for blame, or do shoulder what you can and try to repair it? Do you throw up your hands and look for an easier way, or do you learn, adapt and keep pushing?   I wish I had a solid answer, but the truth for me is depending on  the situation.

There's a lot of talk nowadays about ‘personal responsibility'. That's great. But it's usually brought up only in finding fault. It's true that to show ‘responsibility' is to own up to MY role in the problem's cause. We don't often hear about the other side of responsibility - an obligation to be part of the solution.

Well, I've been trying to think of a unique way to show the people in my life how much they mean to mean to me this season.  I know after years of reading this fact that I am going to try to implement it this time.  This fact is:

The very BEST gift for someone special is an unforgettable experience vs a typical gift!!!

When you think back to the very best times in your life aren't they full of great memories and events?  I know that the most exciting stories I'm told are about a wonderful surprise or moment shared.  My friend Julie will never forget the trip she and her mom took to Hawaii for their birthday celebrations.  My family will never forget us all going to the Rockettes this past Christmas.  My elderly neighbor will never forget the day a child came over to salute him and thank him for being a Veteran of war on Veterans Day.  See how great these things enhance our lives and in many cases they can cost very little if you are creative.

I've thought of some unique Valentine's gifts for this season for anyone: