21 weeks pregnant & glowing, meet Pure Barre Dallas Mommy To Be (and Barretender) Ashley Epstein!
Hi my fellow Pure Barre enthusiasts!! I am so thrilled to be sharing a bit of my “First Baby Journey” with you all! Some of you know me as one of the girls who sits at the check-in desk and most of you know me as, Ashley. I love being a part of the Pure Barre family and if it weren’t for my full time job as an RN, I would be up there everyday! Pure Barre has most definitely changed my focus and my self-confidence. It is the first workout experience I have had that incorporated realistic goals for my overall fitness and a strong mind-body connection. Now that I am on my way to becoming a mom of a little GIRL (!!!), I am so thankful to share this influence and example in her little life.
So, yes, my husband, Chris, and I are expecting our little girl to arrive around January 13th 2014. I am in the middle of my 21st week of pregnancy (about 5 months) and have experienced my body changing in ways I had heard and read about, but I had really no idea. A small list of those changes is as follows: weight gain, appetite changes, nausea, weight gain, spreading of the hips, veiny boobs, weight gain, extreme fatigue, peeing every 15 minutes, forgetfulness, turrets-like outbursts, weight gain, and a belly button that has become the size of a crater. It’s been awesome. (wink-wink)
It is quite an adjustment to suddenly have to think of yourself as a two-person being. I mean let’s be honest; I had lived 30 years of my life eating, drinking, and getting involved in anything I wanted without hesitation. Now – realizing that everything I do could have an effect on this innocent life was a big “Holy S*#%” moment. (I have decided I should start finding creative ways to express myself so as not to teach Little One un-ladylike behavior – spelling words out and unknown hand gestures are becoming two of my favorites).
Anyway, what I have gathered in wisdom from other moms and soon-to-be moms is that this is not only totally normal, but also just the beginning! I have experienced a shift in my brain’s ability to make decisions based solely on my own person. I worry about her, I talk to her, I sing to her, I work out with her experience of my movements in mind, and the list goes on and on. No wonder women are so amazing! I have started multitasking my brain’s natural processes without even the blink of an eye! (We are geniuses and it took a baby for me to finally get it!)
I have learned to listen to my body, trust in those I love to support me, and have grace with myself as I adjust. I still have so much to learn and experience, so many adventures ahead of me that are unique to motherhood and it is all terrifyingly fantastic, however, I must remember how far I’ve come already. So, my point is this: Regardless of where you may be in your life and the titles you have earned thus far, ‘Woman’ may be the greatest of them all.
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