Breathe in … breathe out … breathe in … breathe out. YES, I’m a little nervous. Hold on a sec, gotta just check my junk email, ‘cuz you never know if something important’s there….
‘Kay back.
So, yeah, I’m nervous about starting a new blog. New audience. New subject. Blank screen. Hold on a sec, I have to brush my cats — it’s been, like MONTHS….
‘Kay back.
Wait one more sec? neighbour’s outside. Simply MUST go talk to her about the weather…or, something…anything…. But, second thought, maybe I should skip that and just face the music. Put myself out there, again, in a new space, for new peeps. HERE I AM.
The name’s Haley. Otherwise known in Internet Land as Haley-O. I spend my days with my cheaty little monkey — my 22-month-old daughter (whom I call "the monkey") — and, at night I morph into a…wait for it:
MOMMY BLOGGER!!! Mwhahahahaha! hee!
That’s right, when the monkey goes to bed, I fill the pages of my personal blog, The Cheaty Monkey, and my celebrity blog here at Urbanmoms, Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip. So, yeah, with two blogs already on the go, you’d think THIS one would be a cinch. Ahhhh…not-so-much.
NOTHING is a cinch when I’m pregnant. EVERYTHING makes me NERVOUS. Most recently, my toothpaste, the guinea pigs at the monkey’s school, my hand soap, Fifth’s disease, and my blender have driven me to anxious insanity…. As many of you know from The Cheaty Monkey, I’ve suffered in both my pregnancies from "PREpartum Depression." It’s THE WORST in my first trimester when hormones GO WILD. For the first few months of this pregnancy, I, like, couldn’t get out of bed because I was petrified. I remember listening to the sound of people closing their car doors outside my house. "How do they do that?" I wondered, "How do they actually leave their houses?" When I realized I was too scared to leave my house, I decided to nip it in the bud and start making goals for myself.
TOMORROW: BUY CHEESE AND MILK AT GROCERY STORE.
TUESDAY: WALK DOWN STREET.
WEDNESDAY: GO TO GYM.
The goals helped a lot. And, it got easier. Now, I’m just a little insane….
This pregnancy has been especially challenging because I’m taking care of my little girl. And, finding the energy to entertain her is, well, challenging. You see, I’m really big. I’m (almost) 5’1" tall, so there’s nowhere for my tummy to grow but OUT. Seriously, no one can believe I’m only 5 months along; I look like I’m 11 months. (And, of course, people tell me that all the time, blah blah blah….) And, since I’m due in late September, I have the WHOLE hot summer to grow even bigger while chasing and lifting and playing and struggling to feed my (picky little) cheaty monkey. Weeeee!
Yes, I feel massive and way out of shape. And, I’ve had prettier days. And, yes, my self esteem has seen better days — I soooooo get that. Why can’t I be like some other pregnant women I know, who feel strong and beautiful and wear heels still…? Mind you, I don’t know any pregnant women like that. Do you?
TRUTH BE TOLD, though, I LOVE MY BELLY. It’s awesome, really. It’s gigantic and
miraculous and beautiful, no matter how lazy and exhausted and bloated I feel
overall. It’s also perfectly round…. Like a basketball, a sparkly disco ball….
And, I LOVE that I’m feeling so much movement from the baby now — as I approach week 23! The movement makes me feel so much more connected to the baby, you know? The little kicks and flutters are constant reminders of how amazing it is to be so perfectly close to him/her all the time…. LOVE!
The professional photos that were taken of me last month (by the GORJ Beverley Daniels) are a testament to the roller coaster of emotions that characterize my pregnancy: the joy, the fear, the giddy insanity, the peace, the love…. See that photo of me on the sidebar (to the right)? It’s a product of the shoot.
DUDE, I’m ALMOST NAKED! My DDDs in NOTHING but a WHITE CLOTH….FOR ALL TO SEE! EEEEEK!
The photos were taken for a commercial that’s going to be airing throughout the months of June & July on Discovery Health Channel Canada, as part of BABY MONTH (July)! You simply MUST check Discovery Health Channel Canada’s website for all the fab shows they have on — seriously. And, don’t worry, you’ll FOR SURE see the commercial, like, even if you live in Timbuktu, because I’ll post it right here for you as soon as I can.
Now, for the record, I LOVE my belly, but I AM NOT COMFORTABLE SHOWING IT ON TV! And…no bra? Hello are you kidding me? Somehow, though, everyone at the shoot made me feel comfortable. I really enjoyed myself and, for once, felt kinda confident and beautiful-like! (And, yes, I was totally pretending I was on America’s Next Top Model — hello, of course?!) HERE I AM! Check it:
…Kay, back. I just finished feeding the monkey her lunch. WHAT KID doesn’t like mac n’ cheese, I ASK YOU!? Yes, it was an organic mac n’ cheese, with real cheese, but it tastes like Kraft! Hmph, cheaty little monkey….
Anyway, welcome to my new pregnancy blog. I hope you’ll participate in the comment area (see comment link below). You don’t have to reveal your true identity, so don’t be shy; but, do be nice! I hope you’ll request stuff, and talk to me about YOU, etc.. I’ll join in on the comment discussion. So, see you there? (By the way, once you comment, you’ll have to verify that you’re not a SPAMBOT by typing in some numbers, you’ll see — it’s totally easy.)
Next week: I’ve gone on this HEALTHY EATING KICK. Don’t miss my new plan to be super healthy and NOT to gain too much weight in the 2nd half of pregnancy!
For more on the first half of my pregnancy, and on everything from the monkey’s NEW SOOES, to my kitties, to makeup, clothes, TV, etc., do check The Cheaty Monkey (you can go straight here for all the posts related to this pregnancy, or straight here for all posts related to prepartum depression). By the way, if YOU are suffering from prepartum depression, don’t hesitate to contact me — email me at cheaty@urbanmoms.ca.
Of course, if you need a little escape, check Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip! LOVE!
xo Haley-O
Are those the picture you took for the show thing?? They are beautiful!!!
But, like you said, your boobs must hurt your back…
You look so beautiful pregnant.
and i love your pictures. I wish i would have gotten more pictures of my belly when i was pregnant, but i was always so self conscience of how i looked, but now that it’s over and my children are growing up, i wish i could have more memories of that time in my life.
Wow! You are beautiful! I was not an attractive preggo. Love the photos and I now have some serious boob envy!!
KATH — THANK YOU!!! 🙂
SCI FI — I KNOOWWWW! I’m one busy gal!!!
ANDREANNA — THANK YOU!!
MELISSA — No, YOU’RE awesome!
STEPH — THANK YOU!!!
SARAH — THANK YOU!!! It’s been a wild journey so far, yeah!
LISA — Let’s just ALL be thankful you can’t see my legs…!
ALI — #2 is exactly my fave, too — I’m so unphotogenic, and, that one ACTUALLY looks like me. 🙂 Love the SKINNY! (If only they could see me NOW!) 😉
MTM — TRUE — nice to not worry about the big tummy! But, the big butt is getting a bit worrisome…! 😉
BECKS — THANKS! ANd, that photo is cool surreal! I like it, too. 🙂
LES — THANK YOU!!!
LD — THANK YOU!!! Bev Daniels did a FABO JOBO! 🙂
LORID — You know I’m too short for basketball, though, right? And, I don’t think it’s recommended in pregnancy! 😉
SAM — THANK YOU, DAHLING! 😉
GWEN — THANK YOU! I’m happy to bring awareness to ppd. And, I’m happy to show you can get HAPPY when you have it! 😉
LINDZ — THANK YOU! I’m so glad you enjoy the blogs! yay! 🙂
MAMATULIP — THANK YOU!
ALLIE — Wonder what happened with that link! GLAD you made it! 🙂 And, thanks…. 🙂
TUG — THANK YOU!
DINA — THANK YOU! Hope YOU’RE feeling well — preggo buddy!
JEN — Awwww, you almost cried! Cried laughing? 😉
LARA — THANK YOU! I’m HONOURED to entertain you! When you get preggers, I’m here for support, of course! 🙂
LAV — THANK YOU!! 🙂
ERIN–THANK YOU!! 🙂
TRISH–THANK YOU!! 🙂
KATIE — THANK YOU, style guru! 🙂
BEV — It was a PLEASURE and JOY working with you! You’re AWESOME!!! 🙂 THANK YOU!
DREA — THANKS, babe! But, it’s not airing in the US… BUT, I’ll show you the commercial here, FO SHO!
MARIA — THANK YOU!!! 🙂 Don’t forget! THOSE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN AT 4 MONTHS (NOT EVEN!) I’M MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH BIGGER NOW — NO ONE CAN BELIEVE IT — SERIOUSLY!
ANNE — That is so sweet of you to say. I’m seriously moved. THANK YOU!
KUGEY — THANK YOU, rockstar! 🙂
JENN — THANK YOU, JENN! I never got the stripe in my last pregnancy. I doubt I’ll get it this time.
you look beautiful as always!
I love the pics, love the blog, love the writing, you’re always great!!
I can’t believe how smooth your baby bump is, mine was striped by that point. Love it!!
You’re so brave baring it on for us on the web and on TV, holy crap, you’re a star!!
congrats. The blog is great, the pictures are beautiful. You are an inspiration!
Haley you look FABULOUS!
I remember meeting you at the Mom’s Night Out event and you were not feeling your best but really you looked wonderful!
The photos reflect so many wonderful moods and you oooze confidence and a certain joy of life that I’m sure is a blessing to all who know you.
Bravo.
Anne Green
Publisher
Got My Kids Missisasuga
Pics are fabulous! You look tiny – not at all as big as you describe. Love your writing so I will be reading this blog. I loved being pregnant and this makes me think back with a big smile. Three blogs and a toddler – where do you find the time for all the TV you write about?
So your going to be on discovery health!?!! thats one of my favorite channels. I watch it weekly!
You look beautiful. I wish i live nearby! grrr… miles stink
any how ill add this to my blog roll 😉
Hi Haley,
Nice to see your pictures posted (I’m her photographer). Thanks again for a great shoot–you were so fun to work with!
Beverley
Beautiful! And beautifully written, as usual.
Fantastic photos! You look great!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
oh haley my friend you look so beatiful in all those pics.looking forward to seeing your commercial for discovery.which pic is your fave?
Haley – Gotta say I love your Cheaty Monkey Blog, your Celeb blog, and of course, this one. I’m excited to have more to read here at work! 🙂
Also, with us trying to get preggo for 3 years now and all, this stuff interests me. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! Also, GORGIE pics. 🙂
Hooray! So, so, SO exciting and the pics are glorious. I was at the shoot and yes, I nearly cried 😉
Wow! Simply GORJ!
Way to go. I can’t wait to read more about you and your pregnancy.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE PICS!!! You look absolutely AMAZING.
Yay! I finally got it to work…
You are looking mighty fine in the pics…completely gorg!! Be proud of yourself!!
Way to go!!!!!!!!
The pics are AMAZING!!!
I’ve been reading Cheaty Monkey for a while and love your sense of humor. I’m not at the having babies stage yet (but like any girl I think about it a lot) and being only 5’2”, reading your blog somewhat prepares me for what my bod will go through 🙂 You look amazing by the way, congrats!
For a first post this one hit it out of the park, or some other sporting analogy that I can’t think of at the moment. I love the pictures, and you look gorgeous. I know this blog will be really helpful to those women who are living through pre-partum depression and I applaud you for putting yourself out there. Yeah Haley.
OMG Haley!!!!! I totally LOVE it! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!
Your pictures are GORJ! I am so looking forward to reading this blog!!
Adding to my reader ASAP!!!
Great new blog, Haley. And the pictures! They are gorgeous… I LOVE the last one with the basketball!
I’m soooo excited about this new blog. I can’t wait to follow the pregnancy.
The pictures are truly beautiful. I really like the smiling/laughing pictures because that’s how I picture you in real life. The one of your looking down is beautiful too though.
Anyway, lovely 🙂
Love love love the pics! Simply gorg! Can’t wait for the commercial. Best wishes on your new voyage in the blogging world, I’m sure lots of your fans will be tagging along for the ride 🙂
Those photos are BEAUTIFUL! My favorite is the second from the bottom – gorgeous.
What a great post, Haley! Congrats!!!
I’m so glad to hear how much you LOVE your belly! It’s the one time in your life that you really and truly can love it and not worry about doing something about it 🙂
Can’t wait to see more photos and commercials!!!!
You look gorj as usual!!!!
#2 is my favorite. because that’s exactly what you look like 😉 also…they make you look hellar-skinny
Nice debut! I love the pictures but WHERE ARE YOUR LEGS??
Beautiful Haley! You are simply glowing .. very nice to see how happy you look, how far you have come 🙂
The pictures are stunning! Looking forward to following your third blog my dear!
AWESOME!!
You look great! Pregnancy is beautiful – looking forward to reading your new blog!
Three blogs, because, you know, there’s never enough stress when balancing PrePD and a kid and pregnancy… 😉
Great start, Haley. I really like the photos. Definitely put up the commercial when it airs.
Yay! More Haley! Can’t wait to follow your progress towards the birth of baby #2. Keep up the great work…love your writing, oh gorj one! 🙂