Wednesday, July 9, 2008

My new ink.

Yup, pregnant and getting tattoo'd. Am I just ~really~ punk rock? Or slightly white trash? (that was a rhetorical question folks, no need for an answer. Although, if you ask me, I'm betting it's a little bit of both.)

Here it is in all it's glory ...





















The backside has to be done, but that will have to wait (more later), until then I have an appointment next friday to get the outline of my sleeve done (for non-tattoo people - that's a tattoo that goes from shoulder to wrist. Kinda self explanatory.).

Here's the reason the backside won't be getting done soon. Basically, I lucked out when I walked into the shop to talk about my lower arm (that I have a standing appointment for) to find the best artist twiddling his thumbs due to a cancellation. He worked on me for over 4 hours to redo the lower flower and to cover up the upper arm bullshit I had (friend was learning to tattoo and I let her work on me). Isn't that purple flower beautiful? Well, since I have 2 artists working on the same arm, they aren't going to work on each other's work - so I set my next appointment with the bad ass guy for his next available appointment, which is December 4th. Yes. December. 5 months away. Told you - he's booked. To get him as a walk-in? Incredible.

Well, here's the thing ... They don't tattoo pregnant girls. The reason? Simple liability. If you are having a high risk pregnancy due to high blood pressure, the pain of a tattoo can make it worse. Or a bajillion other things that can happen. So instead of saying "I'll tattoo you if you are having a normal pregnancy", they don't do it at all. This is very common in most shop's insurance riders. I asked my OB and he gave me the thumbs up, saying the ink does not go to blood level so no chance of ink poisoning. The only thing he'd be concerned about is skin infections due to dirty needles and I don't go to a dirty shop. I also handle tattoos very well - I don't get worked up and I sit calmly. So personally, I'm cool with it. You may not be, but I am and I'm the one who counts, right?

So. December 4th. I'm going to be showing a tad bit, being 33 weeks along and all, so I'll be cancelling that appointment in a few months. But, I still have my standing appointment with the other guy (whom I love by the way) on July 18th. I am definitely not showing under the right clothing, so I just will fail, yet again, to acknowledge being pregnant. God, this sounds actually quite terrible of me, but you've got to understand two things - 1) I've been pregnant 2 whole other times and I'm just not that scared anymore and 2) I've waited for outlines to be finished through pregnancies before and since OB gave me the okay, I'm going for it.

Can't wait until the 18th.

Mom is going to KILL me. Omg. And my dad. When they see me inked to the wrist. I'm almost 36 years old and scared of what my mom and dad are going to say. Heh.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow...that's cool. You are a brave woman. I am such a freaking chicken. I have a tat on my ankle and it only took about 20 minutes to do and I thought I was going to die sitting in the chair. Not such a hig pain tolerance for me!!! How the HELL did I make it through labor without an epiduural? You go you bad ass pregnant mama!hahahahaha
Heather
(webmd awaitingnangel)
http://mctoddlers2007.blogspot.com/

Simply AnonyMom said...

Your arm tattoos are beautiful. I love the color of the purple flower. Your sleeves are classy and not at all trashy. I also know you know your body better than anyone else and so I will not judge the tattoo while pregnant at all. (besides, its not like you are shooting up or smoking or getting drunk, you are simply decorating your skin)

I am sure your parents will think your new work is beautiful.

Congrats on scoring a great artist due to a cancellation.

Anonymous said...

I love tattoos...and love them on women (done properly). I've always thought your tattoos that I've seen in pics rock! This one is definitely no exception.

Of course there will be tons of people with opinions about getting tattoos while pergnant, but who cares. It's your choice and you have the thumbs up from your OB.

What is it about having kids (whether trying, gestating, or raising) that elicits so much assvice and judgement anyway? Ugh.

Io said...

Very pretty! And yeah, I feel you on the parent thing...my parents still know how to make me feel like a little kid.

Shannon said...

That is really beautiful! I'd love to get another one done, but I just can't decide what I would want.

Yours do look very nice though. I'm sure your parents will get used to them, just like everything else us kids do. Hah!

Jamie said...

Beautiful tattoo!! I have a couple and would love something larger.

My mom sent out one of those emails that was a quiz about yourself. You were supposed to answer all the questions, then send it back to the person who sent it to you and five other people or something.

Anyway, one of the questions was "How many tattoos do you have?" I answered it and sent it out not thinking. My mom emailed me back with "You have two tattoos?!?!"

I have never tried to hide them, just not really mentioned them . . .

Sara said...

Yeah, I am still scared of my parents when I get new tatoos. But oh well...I guess that is part of being someone's child!
I want another one, but I didn't know if I should so close to ttc. I may ask my doctor about it!
Love your sleeve - very nice!

jenn said...

Looks great! I love the colors!

I have my dream tattoo I have been waiting to get- after buying the house & now going through IF there is never any money for something as 'frivolous' as a tattoo, but when I do have some extra cash I am there.

It's funny how parents can reduce us to children and make us feel like we're sneaking around despite the fact we pay a mortgage!

Jenera said...

I got a tattoo while pregnant so it's not out of the usual in my perspective. I can't wait to get my next one but it won't be until after we have the baby and get the first footprint done. I have my son's on my right foot and baby #2 will go on the left foot.

Valerie said...

That tat is simply beautiful.

The Captain's Wife said...

You are a badd ass punk rocker!!

ROCK ON!

It is beautiful..

Jen said...

Beautiful artwork! And Jeramy's mom was totally not happy with his tats either being mormon and all. So he tried to make up for it with a heart with the word "mom" in it. It helped...a little.

chicklet said...

I'm totally jealous. I'm dying for a new one, DYING!

Anonymous said...

The tattoo is beautiful. I have seen many women getting tattoo'd while pregnant. I want so badly to get a full arm done dedicated to the Nightmare before Christmas. I know what am I 3.LOL I just love the move, Tim Burton and the art work. I am too afraid of what my family would think, more of what my husband's family would think. His mom's absolutely hates tattoo's and gives me a look everytime she see's mine. She saw my new one recently (japanese symbol for family on my back) and was asking Mike what it was and kind of rolled her eyes.

I can't wait to see the finished product. :)

Amy

Jen said...

Just wanted to say that your tatoo is beautiful. Love all the bright colors.

I'm too chicken to get a tatoo, I've gone twice and left both times. (cluck, cluck)

Chastity said...

Goodness, December 4? He better be good.

Topcat said...

You. Rock.

I'm getting a new one soon ... NOTHING like that, though.

Fucken yeah xoxox

Morrisa said...

I love it! I watched the show LA Ink and I love watching them do tatoos. Maybe I will get brave enough to actually get one.

Anonymous said...

I'm too much of a poop to get a tatoo - the thing is I have a really high pain threshold but I am terrified of getting one! Yikes! Yours is stunning though :)

Anonymous said...

I like them! They're super vibrant! :)

I have a gecko tattoo on my lower back that I got when I was 18 1/2. My mom told me when I got pregnant, it would turn into a komodo dragon. So far so good. :)

Debz said...

I lurve the new ink - got 5 myself. If I were pregnant, I would not be scared to do it either. I thought the pain was minimal and the risk even less so. So...have at it.
Although, it is funny how we still worry what the parental units will say about things completely unrelated to them, isn't it?

CJ said...

WOW! You are brave! I don't have have a tattoo on my body and scared to get one.

Very nice though.

Sarah said...

I think it's really pretty! You are brave. I have always thought it'd be fun to get a small tattoo, but I'm too chicken! I don't belive my sisters-in-law when they say it feels like mosquito bites. It seems like it'd hurt so much more!

Anonymous said...

Why would you set an appointment with a guy so in demand that you couldn't possibly keep? You are keeping someone else waiting who wants this guy. Just set it for when you can actually make it.

nancy said...

Anon, not that I really have to explain myself to you (seriously, you took the time to ask me such a question?) ... My husband is going to take my appointment. Are you happy now?

And believe me - even if I didn't have a plan for that appointment, someone very lucky would get that spot.

But really. THANK you for taking the time to give me a comment about the appointment making rules you have. I find myself self-fulfilled now that I have your knowledge of how to make appointments. Whew. I was afraid I'd go to my deathbed without understanding the concept of making appointments.

Birdee said...

I need to get my tatoo touched up, but I am too chicken durring pregnancy. Only because I'm a bawl baby. I was actually getting ready to call and make my appt. When I got my surprise. Oh well, nothing that cant wait.

Tara said...

I also have a sleeve, and tried desperately to get it finished before I did my last IVF cycle. However, because of how difficult it is to get into a GOOD artist I have the top half of my arm almost finsished and the bottom half is inked in but yet to be colored.

I've beeing going to the same guy for years and asked if he'd work on me when I was pregnant and of course... he said no. Now I'm wishing I had thought to keep my big mouth shut about the whole thing and let him keep working on it for a few more months.... hey I could just be gaining a little weight, right??

I HATE having a half finished sleeve and hate it when peoople comment "Oh, it's beautiful! But it's a work in progress, right?" Eff off!

So as soon as baby arrives (in December) I'm heading into the shop to get more done and hopefully get it finished!!!


Your latest looks great. Great colors.


PS: Even the dreaded WTEWYE says that you can get tattooed when pregnant because the ink doesn't actually go into your bloodstream. Although, of course, they DO NOT reccomend it... ha... sissys!

..Soo.See.. said...

Ooh that's pretty!! I've been thinking getting another too that I was going to get in the middle of IVF and if it wasn't one thing or another, it didn't get done. However, its my friends shop and idk if he'll do it knowing I'm pg. and btw, I'm 27 and I care what mom thinks and says too. Can't wait to see your outline!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous tat Nancy!! I was actually wondering if you could get tat'd while preggo but never bothered to ask because I decided to just wait until after baby comes.

Christina said...

I love the flowers you got, they're so pretty! My next one is going to be some sort of flower. I still haven't even told my parents about the one I just got. They just aren't into tattoos...

Mrslady1975 said...

OMG! Your tat is simply beautiful. The color is so vibrant too. What do you do (or don't do) keep the color looking so new?

BTW, I agree that if you are going to a clean, reputable place, tattoo away, pregnant or not.

Mommyof2boys said...

Wow,it's awesome ! Your right,the artist is really good !!! I love it,now if only I wasn't too big of a wimp to get one myself HA

Catie said...

You are a far braver woman than I, a sleeve is a lot of freakin work but so worth it in the end huh? I can't wait to see it in its final form.

heavenlytini said...

that is so pretty!!! ive got 3 but none of them look like that. i love it!!! now you've made me wanna get one maybe next payday woohoo!!! btw your appt. for the fouth that's my b-day didn't relize i'll be 26 in less that 5 months yikes!!!

Kaci said...

That looks great. Can't wait to see the finished product! I'll join the crowd of wimps when it comes to getting one myself though.

Searching said...

That's hilarious about your parents and worrying about what they will think. :)

Those colors are beautiful!

tobacco brunette said...

Ooooh. Love it. Funny about your parents. My mom is actually jealous of my tats.

docgrumbles said...

Anonymous is a douchebag!

Alison said...

Ooo, love it!

Wordgirl said...

As a general rule I think sleeves are super sexy -- there was a student at my college once who took off her sweater to reveal this gorgeous work of art...I probably will always hold that moment in my head as a moment of heart-stopping beauty.

COOL!


Pam

Anonymous said...

That looks beautiful. What made you decide to get sleeves in the first place? Do you have to keep covered at work?

I'm way to chickenshit to have visible tattoos. They look cool on other people but I'd look like a dickhead.