New Beginnings and Such
I’ve been trying to get a post up here for months now. I’ve started a few, but it just hasn’t happened as I’ve struggled with how to express the whirlwind we’ve been experiencing here from my miscarriage last spring to where we are now.
So let’s just get this out there once and for all and save the deeper post for another day:
This was Baby Fabio a.k.a. Zee Bean at a wee 10 weeks back in March:
It’s probably the cutest ultrasound photo we have of him/her — the machines here in my local hospital are leaving something to be desired so far as getting good images to share — no super cute face photos and the like, and certainly no 3-D! Also, this photo is clearly the origin of Zee Bean’s nickname.
And notice that “him/her?” That’s because Zee Bean hasn’t been cooperative in turning the “right” way for us to get a good look at, well, the goods . . . so we’re still looking at a surprise on D-Day at this point (though we may still find out the sex in a subsequent ultrasound during these last several weeks of the pregnancy).
Without going into too much detail on my horrible first trimester (well, four months, but who’s counting?!), I’ll just say I’ve been feeling pretty darn good throughout the pregnancy since then. Sure, I have had nasty heartburn since the nausea stopped and now, with the heat, some feet-swelling from time to time, but overall, I’m feeling *very* lucky to be having a fairly uneventful pregnancy.
I also feel quite fortunate that despite two nasty heat waves, this Calabrian summer has been one of the mildest in many years. We even had rain the other day, which is virtually unheard of in August around here. It’s still rather warm, of course, but manageable with fans, cool cloths, cool foot soaks and showers, etc., so grazie mille, pregnancy gods on that one!
I can honestly say at this point that I lovelovelove being pregnant — and if you had told me during my first four months that I’d end up saying that , I’d probably have slapped you. Literally. Oh, hormones!
We are looking at a late October due date, so I’m nearing the 30-week mark now, which means we’re spending lots of time getting things ready for the arrival of Zee Bean as well as enjoying our last several weeks as a twosome. Needless to say, we’re getting very excited to meet the little one who is about to change our lives a gazillion times over.
What does this mean for Bleeding Espresso? Well, your guess is as good as mine, but your best bet to keep up with me is to like the Bleeding Espresso Facebook page — I anticipate continuing to post there much more often than here at least in the short-term. And of course you can always contact me via email or contact form.
For now, I want to thank you all so much for being faithful readers and for all your support over the years! I hope to be back writing here in some capacity in the future, but I make no promises as to frequency or even content as I simply can’t know what my thoughts will be like once I’m knee-deep in the wonderful adventure of motherhood. Though I can’t wait to find out.
Buon Ferragosto a tutti!
74 Beans of Wisdom to “New Beginnings and Such”
Recipes
No wisdom, just thanks fro all the great writing and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and wonderful family life!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Thanks so much, Adri!
Sounds like you have got through the worst of it all , the sickness etc , and the heat too,,
I don’t the machines are too blame for the scan picture lol , I think it is the little bean 🙂 so I think you are going to have a surprise in the end ..
You know we will all be here to find out , but take your time ,, you will need it , and happy that you are having time being just a twosome LOL LOL
You might have what we call “the baby brain syndrome” my daughter in laws got it ,, memory goes LOL take care xo
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Thanks Anne! Looks like it really might be a surprise 🙂
Been “following” you now for several years and I understand completely how the blog writing has a tendency to drop off over time. I tend to go braindead these days over topics to write anything about and the same pretty much applies to figuring out what to cook since I’m just cooking now for me! (Grandkids have moved with their Mama now down to Middletown so at least I don’t have to worry about pleasing their often very finicky tastebuds.) Here’s hoping the rest of your pregnancy will be as easy -and comfortable -as possible and like everyone else, I’m really looking forward to sharing in your big and very life-changing event in October. Peace, my friend.
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Thanks so much, Jeni!
Wishing you all the best in the coming weeks and looking forward to reading more!
Take care. 🙂
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:33 am
Grazie Marsha!
So glad to hear things are going well. You are going to be such a wonderful mom!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Thanks so much, Teresa! xx
Oh Michelle! I am thrilled for you and your hubby! Little Bean is going to have the best life, you will be an awesome Mom, and if you get a chance, post a photo or two of LB when time allows. You are a delight, an inspiration, a joy, love ‘knowing’ you, darling girl! God bless, and a safe, easy delivery, btw! ??
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:39 am
Thank you, Marie!
auguri michelle! it is such a journey – all of it – and continues to be so once they arrive and at every new stage they reach. somedays are blissful, others add more grey to your head, but every moment of it allows you to expand into all the many facets of motherhood and the beauty of that. of which, i know from here, what a wonderful mother you are/will be to your wee one. sending blessings…
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:39 am
Thanks so much…looking forward to this journey for sure 🙂
Auguri, Michelle — I was so happy to see this post from you. I have been reading your blog for a long time now and am very happy to see such exciting things on your horizon 🙂
Know that you’ve got some solidarity back in the states … my husband and I were married in Rome on January 8, 2013 – and expecting our first baby on October 7, 2013. A little Roman Holiday stowaway it seems, haha. Much luck to you and your husband in the weeks ahead! We’ll be sure to follow you on Facebook 🙂
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
How wonderful, Kelly — hope all continues to go well for you!
What wonderful news you have to share Michelle. I hope the pregnancy continues to go well and that delivery is easy. I’ll be waiting to hear all about it in a future post or FB and I know you’ll have interesting knowledge to impart on being a young mother in Italy – even though those days are far behind me. Auguroni.
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:42 am
Grazie mille Linda!
congats michelle! i wish the two of you stress-free weeks as you prepare for your little one. i am so happy for you and look forward to “meeting” zee bean! auguri!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:43 am
Grazie Stacy!
OH thinking of those glorious first days as a new Mum and the total fog we were in for some time. I’m so excited for you all. Little sleep and total confusion, now our little girl is eleven and people tell you the time will fly and yes it really does. Enjoy it all and love to zee bean, what wonderful parents you’ll make xx
ciao ciao love lisa and family
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:19 am
Grazie mille Lisa 🙂
Cara Michele,
Auguri!! I’m so happy for you! Keep us posted with your beautiful words and looking forward to hearing more about your journey! warmest, maria xo
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Grazie Maria!
My warmest congratulations. It’s a new experience full of twists and turns. I wish you all much happiness. Auguri
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:18 am
Thank you, Judith!
Congratulations on your pregnancy Michelle, blessings as you move forward!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
Grazie Marie!
I am absolutely thrilled for you, Michelle! Congratulations! Although we have never met in person, I feel as if I know you cause of how you share yourself thru your blog. It sounds like you can expect either a wee little Scorpio or fellow Libraen babe, depending on when he or she decidesto peek their head out into the light, so to speak. I do look forward to further updates as you have time. All the very best! Kathleen
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
Thanks Kathleen! Yes, most likely Libra or Scorpion…stay tuned!
I know this will sound contrived but…..Truly, earlier today I was thinking about you and your Italian town and was thinking to myself that maybe the reason she has not posted for a long time is that she is pregnant!
That is wonderful news! Good luck! All of us will be waiting to at least hear when baby bean is born.
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
Great instinct, Caterina! Thank you for thinking of me 🙂
Yay! So excited for you 🙂 Wishing you well over the last few weeks xx
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Grazie Gill!
I’m with Caterina (above). I suspected that you might be expecting and am delighted to hear the good news.
Don’t worry about posting, Michelle. Just take care of yourself and zee bean. P is on his own for now 🙂
Best wishes.
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Haha P has been so great throughout the pregnancy — definitely picking up a lot of slack I’m leaving behind 🙂
Who knows, maybe you’ll end up turning bleeding espresso into a mummy blog!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:04 am
Haha…doubtful but mai dire mai I suppose 😉
I recall the heartburn…sometimes a glass of milk helped, sometimes it didn’t. It got so bad in the end I was taking a small teaspoon of bi-carb soda with water which was disgusting and, seeing that this was a year ago, I can’t even remember if it worked!
You’ll have much more important things on your mind (and in your hands) than blogging and we will ‘see’ you on Facebook!
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:04 am
My magical cure is Gaviscon. I should have bought stock in the company 😉
I love zee bean because zee bean already has a good sense of humor (not only because of that). Ah, this baby will have such an interesting, beautiful life. (S)He already has such an interesting, beautiful mother and father. xo
michelle Reply:
September 15th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Mwaaaaah xx
congrats! god bless you!
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Thanks Amy!
Congratulations to you and Paolo! I am really happy for you two.
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Thanks Gil!
Wishing you much happiness in the next stage of your life adventure as a family Michelle.
Oh congratulation! I have been a reader for awhile and I just wanted to say Yay! How exciting!!!!!
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
Thank you Michelle!
Michelle,
Congratulations on your pregnancy. I did not know about your miscarriage last spring. I cannot imagine how difficult that was. I think it is exciting that you do not yet know the sex-there has to be a reward at the end of labor. Will the baby have an Italian name?
Michele and bambina/o:
I just discovered your site a mere 6 weeks ago as I was researching reasons as to ‘why blog?’ Seeing all the connections: mio babbo Calabrese, those goats! and of course a love of dark-roast brews…I enjoyed perusing all your site has to offer-which is alot! Now that I am close to launching my own long-thought-about website/blog, I notice your impending retirement from blogging as you begin building your family. That’s as it should be: ‘la famiglia e tutto!’ both in heaven and on earth. peace
I have just discovered this blog now and I wish I had seen it sooner. First and foremost congratulations. I will never forget my first pregnancy….those first three months of horrible nausea followed by 6 months where I was so filled with happiness and energy I couldn’t be stopped. My next two pregnancies were more or less the same. Like you, I just lovelove loved being pregnant. I wish I could turn the clock back and do it all over again because I love babies too! I just sent my oldest off to University in Holland yesterday and it is a sad, odd feeling. I am so proud of him, but it seemed like just yesterday I was staring at that little sonogram photo– carrying it around in my wallet, pulling it out on the bus just to check it out one more time. Well goodluck and enjoy every moment.
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Thanks so much, Trisha! Glad you found me 🙂
Congratulations to you and P!!! Motherhood changes a woman’s life forever. Enjoy every minute of it. Wish you a safe delivery and looking forward to your posts on FB
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Thanks so much, Hannah!
Congratulations! Your post just put a big smile on my face. I had a feeling the next post you made would be baby news. I, too, experienced a miscarriage my first time getting pregnant and now have three wonderful children. Wishing you cool weather and an easy labor!!! I’ll be checking in…
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Thanks so much, Lark; the summer continued treating me well indeed…I’m so very grateful!
Hi Michelle,
As you know, I’ve been following you and reading your blog since…2007? (in your blogspot days) and I’ve been secretly waiting for this to happen hee hee
Glad you are having a fairly uneventful pregnancy. And congratulations, again!
Here’s hoping you will have a safe and QUICK delivery (don’t be like me – laboring for 40 hours!). Maybe Zee Bean will share a birthday with you? That would be doubly awesome!
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Thanks so much, Grace — and yes, let’s aim for far fewer than 40 hours of labor hee hee….full moon on the 18th, so you never know! 😉
How exciting. Best wishes for an easy delivery and a healthy little one.
Barb in Minnesota
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Thanks so much, Barbara 🙂
Congratulations on your great news!
I just came across your blog. I am new but wish you all the best. Enjoy and take the time with this beautiful and blessed bambino, that is about to change the way you think, act and yes sleep. Take your time to come back we will all be here waiting for a peek of your sweet baby. Paulette
I am just catching up on blogs – and so happy to hear your news! I am an October baby myself and I am rooting for 10/10. Libras are fantastic! Best to you.
michelle Reply:
September 14th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I’m also an October baby, Michelle (18th)…hoping for a Libra too! 🙂
Congratulations! I used to read your blog every day back in 2007 when my husband, my dog, and I were in the process of moving to Siena. We’ve since moved backed to the US and had our own little bambina on July 4th of this year. Best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!
Ciao Ashley! Auguri on your little one, and thanks so much for your long-time support 🙂
Thanks so much Paulette, and welcome!
Thank you, Sally!
Ciao Laura, welcome, thank you, and best of luck on your blogging adventure! It’s been a very rewarding path for me so far…looking forward to more great things in the future in some way or another 🙂
We’re not 100% on the names yet, so stay tuned! Could go either way 😉
Grazie mille LLM 🙂
Michelle – I’ve been busy with work, home, and some traveling and just getting caught up on my blogs. CONGRATULATIONS!! This is just exciting news and maybe your little blessing has already arrived.
I’m so happy for you both. There’s nothing better than motherhood, my baby is 29…
Linda
Hi Michelle,
I left Facebook, so I don’t know what’s happening. I was thinking of you and your bean today, and I hope all is proceeding well. Do let me know.