As we begin the holiday season with Thanksgiving, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of supreme felicity. I do not remember a Thanksgiving in my life that I felt so content. This year I want to remember every single moment of this season. This is my first year as Mrs. Cotti and John and I could not be more excited about our new family on the horizon.

I talk to Charlotte all the time; I tell her how she changed my life the moment she was conceived. I tell her that I have never been so happy, so scared, so fascinated, so anxious, so excited and so in love. I tell her how much I love her father for helping me, loving me, taking care of us... I tell her that I cannot wait to meet her and grow with her.

This time next year our little girl will be here to celebrate with us- can you believe it?!

Is anxiety a normal part of pregnancy?

The more I read, the more I realize that anxiety is a common symptom of pregnancy. I also have learned that my level of stress and anxiety is not good and can effect the baby. I need to slow down.

I have been researching (which is actually one of the first things that these websites tell you not to do if you're feeling anxious, but if I didn't keep reading, I'd never know...) and found that levels of anxiety do increase while pregnant. With all the aspects of a new life that have to be considered before it arrives, who wouldn't be nervous? Mine, however, is getting to the point of poor sleep, poor appetite, and perseverating over every detail of our lives. If John has to hear one more time about how I'm worried about having so much to do at work or how expensive going to the movies is, he's going to flip his lid. I need to take action, and the first step to my recovery is admitting to the world that I have a problem and structuring a better routine to hopefully decrease my high level of anxiety. I am going to need other people to tell me that this is a good plan and that I do not have to feel guilty. I need to keep in mind that anxiety causes preterm birth and low birth weight and that anything I can do to make life better for Charlie starts before she's born.

Here's my plan:

Step 1: Keep attending prenatal yoga. I feel like a million bucks when I leave the studio. I did a little bit of a routine this morning and immediately I felt better; I'm going to keep it up!

Step 2: Learn how to tell people at work, "No". It's okay to not have complete control over every little thing and I do not have to please everyone (I need to learn that some people are never satisfied). I have always been a person to give 110%, I can run on 80% and I'd still be doing a hell of a job.

Step 3: Stop reading so much. I'm like my father in this way, I will get interested in something and I will learn as much as I can and teach myself how to do things, to the point that these interests aren't hobbies, I become obsessed. Pregnancy and parenting has become one of those subjects that I read everything I can get my hands on. I'm going to stick to some light reading before bed and skip the constant Internet research on everything from blankets to Boppies (even as I write this step, I know this is going to be the hardest).

Step 4: Take breaks. I should not be going from 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m without a few hours to rest. I trick myself into thinking that some activity is just as restful as actually laying and zoning out for a little while, apparently it's not, because if it was I wouldn't need a step 4.

Step 5: Exercise. The gym was a huge part of my routine before I was pregnant. I was exercising more frequently in the first 12 weeks, but I've been so wrapped in a world of babies lately I haven't taken the time to workout. It's time to add it back into the routine.

Step 6: Take a little while each day to enjoy Charlie. I listened to Charlie kick and move the other night before I went to sleep and I didn't wake up feeling anxious at 2:00 a.m and stay up worrying 'til 5:00 a.m. I am going to make this a part of my routine, because it will make me a happy mama!

These are my anxiety-reducing guidelines. Only a 6-step program, so already I'm following step 2 and I'm working at 80%. As always, I appreciate your input. One of the best parts of this blogging experience is hearing what other people have experienced.

Brewing a Baby Diva

We're getting to the point of being "really" pregnant. John can now confirm that Charlotte is "actually in there"; he felt her move for the first time yesterday and that was his response, "She's actually *in* there." She is kicking and spinning. The doctor tried to hear her heart beat today and she kept moving away from the little wand, I have a feeling she's going to be a child we're going to be chasing a lot.

She's already just like her father. She moves the most when she hears clapping and cheering. She's going to come out running right for the nearest stage. (Keep your fingers crossed there's no pole involved! :-P)

The doctor has informed me that I need to start exercising as much as possible while I can still move (her words) and I need to avoid sugar and carbs. I have become a big consumer of cake and cake-like goods, so this will be difficult. Fruit juices are now a no-no and no candy (which I actually do not have a problem with). I am getting to the point where my body will metabolize food differently and my body will use only the nutrients it needs, no garbage. However, I'm still going to get bigger 'cause it's Charlie's turn to start growing. I have to remind myself that big is beautiful and necessary now.