Final stretch...

At 35 weeks my friend Nicole took some family pictures, Savannah's 3 year old pictures (not officially until the 14th), and some maternity pictures. She's just getting started but she's amazing and I look forward to having her do a lot more sessions with my growing family.
Today I'm 37 weeks and could potentially have this baby at any time. Yesterday my doctors appointment went great! He's still head down and I've dilated to 1 cm and I'm 25% effaced. I realize I could be like this for weeks, but according to the doc he thinks I'll be delivering by the 1st if not sooner- I consider this great news!! :) Depending on how much progress is made by my next appointment, the 21st, he said there are some things that he may try to help speed things along and get the party started. Hearing that was exciting and a little nerve racking as we are not totally ready for baby. Today was my shower- thank you Mara, Nell, and Mom. It was beautiful and amazing in every way. We now know exactly what we have left to get and plan to make the shopping trip tomorrow. I've got quite the to-do list for next week and I plan to tackle it head on first thing Monday!
P.S. Sorry for the delay in posting.. I'll try and be better these next few weeks! xoxo

8.5 Months Wooooo Hoooooo

My friend Kelly took some fun maternity pictures to document the baby belly. :) We're still going through them and doing the editing but so far these are a few of my favorites.

My doctor said baby is head down, but there's no guarantee he'll stay that way. His kicking is crazy hard and seems to be focused on my right side. I swear it looks like an alien has taken over when he gets going, even Ted gets weirded out sometimes. The active baby is strong enough to keep me up at night, and he's given me some fun back pain. For the most part I love everything about this bonding timed and I'm getting more excited to meet and hold him. The closer it gets the more anxious and nervous I become.

Our classes continue to be great and so helpful. Only one more week of the birthing class then it's all the other miscellaneous classes I've got us signed up for. I feel like time is slowing down a bit, but I'm stunned at how fast the past 8 months has gone by. I'm looking forward to the upcoming events this next month and half holds.

xoxo

Bring on the crafts and sunshine!

This last weekend I finally started working on some of my great craft projects. Thanks to my momma's help the crib bumper pads are DONE!

The bassinet is together and cleaned up in our room. It's over a hundred years old! My great grandma got it used for my grandpa and his brother when they were babies, it's since been passed down to my nana to use for her 4 kids (my dad the oldest of the 4), and all 4 kids have used it for their babies (me being the oldest of 9 grandbabies to use it). I'm feeling a lot closer to being ready for baby- as far as baby gear is concerned... lol!

The weekend was overall awesome. Saturday I was supposed to get a prenatal massage with my mom but they messed up on my appointment so I had to go back Sunday, lucky for me it was comped for the mistake! :) While I waited for mom on Saturday I treated myself to a nice pedicure (minus the foot massage). At the craft store I got the supplies to make a wedding stuff scrapbook, something I thought would be good for when my maternity leave starts, and I also got the stuff to make some oh so cute bibs. Sunday was so beautiful we went for two walks and ventured over to the park. I'm on the countdown for April 5th, the day my leave starts, spring fever is kicking in..

3lbs!! oh baby baby!

Baby can be compared to the size of a head of cabbage, weighing almost a full 3 pounds! I'm blown away by the developments he's making so quickly. Sleep is rough and not happening because I'm so uncomfortable, I guess it's good preparation for when baby gets here... 9 more weeks to go. I like saying 9 weeks because it doesn't sound as long at 2.5 months. I get more and more excited for baby as his movements get stronger by day. My tummy looks like an alien has taken over in the evening hours, words can't explain the weird flutter feelings.
We started our birthing classes and they're going great. I really like our instructor, she's been a doula for a couple of years and present at over 50 births. We're in a pretty big class with 13 other couples, I think 8 of us are having boys.. tis the season for boys! We watched a labor movie going through all the stages. Ugghh.. I don't think I'm ready for it. I've been having dreams about going into labor and doing things all wrong, not progressing the way I should be, baby not being in the right position, all kinds of scary complications... I need to cut it out! Worrying isn't going to do anything for me at this point. I look forward to the next several Tuesday nights. I think it's going to be good learning and preparation. :)

Last weekend I went shopping with my friend Lauryn and her new baby. Emma's only 2 months old and had a total meltdown while we were standing in a gigantic line. I thought I'd take her and Savannah back out to the car and hopefully settle her down, but oh boy was I in for it. Savannah freaked out and got super jealous as soon as we were out of the store, thankfully Emma stopped crying and calmed down. It was horrible. She refused to walk so I had to carry her and push the stroller with Emma all the way out to the car. Suddenly the reality of having a toddler and new baby hit me.. NOT so easy! Savannah loves talking about brodder but I definitely think we're going to have some jealousy issues. Maybe not as bad as they are with Emma, but having to share the attention is going to be quite an adjustment for this stubborn little princess.

I'll keep the updates coming! xoxo

Floating baby

Doctors appointment this week went well. I saw my test results for the glucose test online and I think they came back fine. I guess I don't really know what I'm looking at, but if there's something wrong I'm sure they'll contact me. Doctor said everything looks good, baby is growing as he should be. He also said I was under weight for a while there, but since my last appointment I've caught up and I'm exactly where I should be. I'm just not allowed to make a jump like that again! haha No more sweets and giving into the cravings... fruits and veggies yum yum yum! He also said baby is a floater. Sometimes baby's head is already down but not my guy, he's still floating! He'll make that transition in the next few weeks, which means I'm that much closer to Delivery Day!! EEEK!
Our child birth classes start next week and I can't wait. I'm very much looking forward to them. I'm not sure what to expect or what we'll learn, but I'm excited. I've also been working on figuring out my maternity leave. What a headache!! My HR department has been NO help at all, the woman doesn't know what she's talking about or she's not explaining things very well. I've done lots of asking around and reading up on CA website. I think I have it figured out but haven't got an official approval yet. I'm planning to leave April 5th and return either July 23rd or August 25th. That's all for now.. <3

2 down 1 more to go!

I've been having the hardest time appreciating pregnancy for what it is. Instead I've been concentrating on the negative, the not-so-pretty things that happen or could happen, throughout these amazing months. So I've decided to make it a point to stay focused on the positive. I know I'll look back and either not remember or laugh at all the things I've been so worried about. Pregnancy is wonderful, but it's funny how it's soooo not what I thought it would be.

Baby is doing fine and growing well from what I can tell. Still no progress on the name, I swear we'll never find something we both like. I've started an online registry, but when I went to babies r us the other night to check out infant car seats it made me want to scratch the online registry all together. There is everything at that store!! I feel like there is no sense in registering both places, so I think Ted and I will be going this weekend.

Sleep is rough.. I have to get up a couple times a night to go to the bathroom and any time I want to roll over I wake up. I look forward to being able to sleep on my tummy again, but for now a body pillow seems to help. My dreams are nuts too. I have really bizarre and vivid dreams. The other night I gave birth to a litter of kittens and I remember being totally heartbroken that I went through all that work and I couldn't keep them because of my allergies!

My next doctors appointment is Tuesday, I have to do a glucose test. Hopefully all goes well, I have no reason to think it won't. Our classes still don't start until the following Tuesday, but I'm really looking forward to them. I've been doing all kinds of reading and googling ways to deal with labor so I can stick to the natural birth plan. I may look into having a midwife deliver me. I still won't get to pick the actual midwife delivering because with Kaiser it's whoever is on call when I'm ready to go.. I'm totally facinated with labor right now. I want to prepare myself as best possible, especially because I don't want to use any medications. I'm scared silly, but know I can do it. Our bodies were made for this!! :) xoxo

Nesting

Baby is going to be one well taken care of kid!! His wardrobe is already beginning to be established and his great aunties are giving him all kinds of great hand me downs- things mom is probably more excited about than he ever will be.

Last weekend I finally got the fabric to make the bumper pads, which also allowed me to make my final decision on which baskets to keep for the changing table. I'm anxious to start on my new project, my goal is to start this weekend- fingers crossed! There are all kinds of crafty projects on my list of to-do's.. it's just a matter of finding the time these days. I have kept our schedule busy as ever, which is probably best while I can be so busy. Once I get huge I won't want to be doing anything, and after baby gets here I know life will have to make a drastic transition to the slow lane.

I booked some of the preparing for baby classes I wanted to take through the hospital. The evening classes: infant care, breastfeeding, and late pregnancy/hospital tour only last a couple of hours, but the major one is over a 5 week span for a couple of hours one night a week. That's the one I'm most excited for! I'm in baby prep mode and totally obsessed.

Baby gets stronger by the day! Feeling the flutters, rolls, kicks, and punches makes me more and more anxious to meet and hold him. I love his movements during the day, it makes me feel like it's just the two of us and there's nothing in this world that can disturb those bonding moments. My updates tell me he's about two pounds now!! I constantly wonder if he's on my baby weight scale or Ted's and what he'll look like.
More updates soon to come. xoxo

Baby goes rollover rollover..

7 to 25 weeks!

I can't believe I'm already 6 months pregnant! 25 weeks just doesn't have the same sound effect as 6 MONTHS! My little prince is about the size of an ear of corn, or 12 inches, and weighs just a little over a pound. He's still slim but my newsletters say he'll start packing on the baby chub in the coming weeks. If he takes after me he'll be a hefty little guy, ouch!, but if he takes after Ted's side he'll be little. Ted and Doug were early and each weighed only 3.5 lbs, Savannah was full term but still only weighed 5.6 lbs- yes please! ;)

His brain is developing rapidly and taste buds may even be working by now. I've gained a total of 13.5 lbs as of my doctors appointment last Thursday, and I'm told I should be gaining a pound a week for the remaining weeks. Doctor says I'm right on track as far as my weight and size goes but I have to admit I feel huge. It's exciting to see a real baby belly, but a little challenging to see my wardrobe selection dwindling. I feel how tight my tummy is and realize how big he's getting, his movements are only getting more intense and more frequent throughout the day (and night). The soft little nudges and rolls are making all the challenges of pregnancy thus far totally worth it!

Ted and I decided no doula... Part of me still likes the idea and would like to have one, but with so much support and family close by I can't justify the cost. I'm planning on having my mom and Ted with me throughout the entire labor and think they will be great advocates for my birth plan. After talking to some friends that have recently gone through labor, I realize how "high maintenance" my requests are but feel that they are feasible so long as there aren't any serious complications. Everything about birth and labor is fascinating to me and I can't seem to get enough of it these days, but I'm absolutely terrified of personally going through the whole experience. There are no guarantees with child birth and I don't think I will ever be prepared.. but to do my best in attempting to get prepared, I've signed up for several classes through the hospital.

Holiday Recovery

Ted and I are still undecided on a name.. He likes one I like another so I guess baby 'two' it will have to be! lol I feel a little unsettled that we don't have even one name that would make us both happy but I guess there's still time..

I'm beginning to get the nesting bug BIG TIME. This last weekend we picked up the crib and changing table, assembled them, and have rearranged the kids room. I've been collecting my JoAnn's coupons so that I can get all the measurements and go get the fabric to start on the crib set. We have the bassinet at my parents so I'm sure that will be moving in soon as well.

This years annual family trip to San Francisco was a hit. Savannah had so much fun on the cable car going to the aquarium, playing with all the kids, and enjoying our English high tea. When we were going over the bridge, on our way home, she said "mommy I wanna do san cisco again!" lol The only downfall to the weekend was on the last day we had Cheesecake Factory for brunch and I got food poisoning. It hit around 4 that afternoon and was bad enough that it landed me in the hospital hooked up to an IV for a few hours Monday night. I'm fully recovered now and baby is doing great.

Movements are intense these days! It crazy how much I can feel him all throughout the day. It seems like all of a sudden, out of the blue, I'm able to feel all the action and I love it! Just the other day I actually saw the movement from the outside. It was the craziest thing!! Savannah doesn't have the patience to sit and wait for him to kick, but Ted usually falls asleep holding my tummy. :) My new year's resolution is to start doing my prenatal yoga regularly. Ted got me a DVD and we got a wii for Christmas so there's no excuses! It's time to buckle down and get some exercise!

Burn Baby Burn

People kept asking if I was getting any heartburn and I kept thinking I never would since I've never had problems with that before, but boy was I wrong! I had it really bad last Sunday from eating greasy food, and then again in the middle of the night Thursday from eating jalapenos. I guess I really have to be careful about what I'm eating these days.. Thank goodness the sickness is gone! I just have to stear clear of foods or smells that gross me out, but I'm not nearly as sensative as I was.

I had a customer this week ask me when I was due, I told her May 1st, her reply was, "Aren't you a little big?" I couldn't believe it! It wasn't just what she said, but the way she said it too! Just last week I had someone else ask if I was ever going to get a baby bump! lol I've popped a lot more and it's much easier to notice, even in some of my prego shirts, but I don't think I'm too big!

My doctors appointment today went great. Baby is growing as he should and the heartbeat is nice and strong. I really like my doctor but the problem with Kaiser is there's a slim chance he'll be the one delivering. It's whoever's on call that day which gives me a 1 in 7 chance, so I've started looking into a Doula. I've also started putting together my birth plan and talked to the doctor about some of my wishes, he seems to think it won't be a problem with or without a doula but does recommend one if possible. I'm also going to be signing up for our classes this next week. They won't be until I'm in my 3rd trimester but at least I'll get them on the calendar and get our spot reserved. The next sonogram is Monday since the last was a flop, can't wait to see him squirm all over the place.

I'm truely starting to enjoy this baby in womb bonding experience. The more I can feel him the more real it becomes, and I keep going back to his first pictures in awe. Women's bodies are truely amazing, such intricate design.. :)

Baby "Brodder"

Although Savannah LOVES her baby brodder "two", I'm realizing how much she doesn't really get what's truely going on. After seeing mama take belly pictures she decided she needed her's taken too... to show me the baby in her tummy. lol Then a few nights ago she was laying on "two" and she told me that she's the baby brothers mommy. I said nooo I'm the baby's mommy, and oh boy did that make her upset! It took a little bit of explaining that I'm her mommy AND the baby's mommy, and daddy is her daddy AND the baby's daddy, but that she gets to be the big sister. I'm not sure if she gets the big sister thing, but we haven't had another fit... I've still heard her try and tell people she has a baby in her tummy or she'll aslo try and tell them that her baby brodder hit her. lol It's amazing how such perfect little angels already have that lying nature buit into them.

As far as any updates on my end, I've definitely felt a few good nudges. Last night was a good strong kick that I'm pretty sure would have been felt on the outside. I felt a few more this morning, but still only when I've been laying down flat.

Squirmy!!

Monday's appointment was a flop but we got some fun pictures. The nurse that scheduled it made it too early, they need him to be between 19 and 21 weeks to get the measurements they need and I'm only a few days over 18. Plus he's measuring to be on the smaller side, but if he stays that way I'll be fine with that... the thought of labor is starting to terrify me when I really begin to think about it! My baby was too squirmy to get a good profile picture. His legs and arms were going crazy! He looked like he was swimming, it made my heart flutter with excitement. I also had an "oh crap.." moment. I haven't really had a chance to let being a wife set in, not to mention already having a toddler and then to be throwing a baby in the mix in just a few short months... Yikes!!

These past few days have been sooooo much better as far as sickness goes. I've been feeling great and back to normal, I'm just hoping it stays this way with the holidays just around the corner. I'm also feeling very crafty. I've decided I'm going to make the baby's crib set and I'm anxious to go pick out my fabrics.

Love to all and happy late thanksgiving!!

Baby named "two"

These past few weeks have been rough. Sorry for the delay in posting... I'll try and be better. I had it easy the first trimester which may be because I was too busy with wedding business to really think about anything else. All the sickness I thought I had surpassed has caught up to me and it's made life soo pleasant. (not!) I'm happy to keep any food down and if I can do anything come evening time I'm having a good day. Saltines are good and I try to drink ginger ale but I don't really like the taste of it.

I officially have to rig my pants with rubber bands and wear loose fitting, long shirts that cover my handy work. People tell me I'm still tiny for how far along I am, but I feel gigantic! Maybe I do a good job disguising my real size, or maybe I should just be thankful I'm still considered small... I think I've been able to feel a few movements when I've been laying down flat and held still, I can't wait to feel him moving around more and see a little foot jabbing me in the side. :)

Since finding out that it's a boy I've been getting more excited and ready to start bringing in the blue and green! The kids will be sharing a room but right now it's all pink and green for Savannah. The rug has some light yellows and greens that I'm going to pull for the baby's half. She says she's ready to share her room but she doesn't want him to cry. She also loves laying on her baby "brodder" and wrapping him in her blankie, and when we ask her what she wants to name him she says "two!" Where she got that- I can't tell ya, but it's pretty cute.

We've also started thinking of names... I created a list and was taking votes, but we've since narrowed it down. I'm pretty sure we're going to go with one of four: Conner, Cole, Logan, or Jackson (or Jaxon) and call him "Jax". His first name is going to be William after my dad and grandfather, but like the tradition will go by his middle name. Ted really likes Logan, but I like the idea of Jackson because it would be after Teds grandfather. Our baby would then have family history behind his names. If you have any suggestions we're still open to them, just e-mail me!

Our next appointment is Monday and we'll have another formal sonogram. I can't wait! I'm sure all his developments are just going to be mind boggling.

Will post again soon, promise! <3

The urge for salty!!

Salty anything is heaven sent! Sometimes it's sweet and salty, sometimes it's that sour saltiness... salt salt salt! My food issues haven't fully gone away but I find that I'm constantly going towards things with salt. White chocolate covered pretzels are genius and salt and vinegar chips are addictive. I'm also loving milkshakes, mmm.. just the thought of one makes my mouth water! Healthy diet right?! I've been good about eating plenty of fruit, it's the vegetables I'm having a hard time with.
My body is adjusting to the baby growing, which is giving me lovely stomach pains. At first I thought it was indigestion but I'm getting the intense cramps or stomach aches at all hours of the days] whether or not I've eaten anything. I can't feel any movements yet but I know he's in there squirming around! I just keep thinking of that fast little heartbeat and little skeleton I saw moving around last week, it makes everything worth it.
I'm also getting dizzy spells. I almost pasted out at work the other morning, but as soon as I ate a banana and drank some water I was feeling much better. I'm keeping snacks in my purse and a water bottle near at all times, that little episode freaked me out.
That's about all for the updates so far, until next time! xoxo

It's a boy!!

Wednesday I had my FIRST prenatal doctors appointment. I know it sounds terrible, but with getting married my insurance was in the process of changing and it was a bit complicated to get in any earlier. We went in thinking I was just about 16 weeks, but the doctor wasn't measuring the same. He had a hard time with the 'routine' sonogram so after hearing the heartbeat and trying to say I was only 12 weeks, he ordered a more detailed sonogram to get an accurate reading. Hearing the heartbeat was amazing, it brought tears to my eyes and made everything so real. The details we saw in the second sonogram were mind boggling. Technology is just amazing. We could see his mouth opening and closing, his little arms, and his crisscrossed legs. The technician said she could clearly see the gender and asked if we would like to know.. Ted was beaming from ear to ear when she said it was a boy. I was a little shocked but just thrilled! We found out super early because she measured me to only be 14 weeks 4 days. Words just can't describe this experience, we are so happy and excited to be having a little boy due next spring! You can see in the picture that I'm beginning to pop out more and more. I must do a pretty good job disguising it, because several people have been amazed that I'm "so tiny" for being 15 weeks now. I don't feel tiny, and I don't feel very cute pregnant either! I'm hoping as I begin to pop more I'll start feeling better, but I have a feeling embracing all these bodily changes isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

I'm an emotional rollercoaster...

Somedays I feel like I have multiple personalities.. Silly things that never would have made me wanna cry now do. It doesn't matter if it's something happy, goofy, sad, or frustrating every emotion seems to end in me feeling like I'm about to burst into tears. Ted's been a trooper and has dealt with my ups and downs like a pro, but Savannah's at the lovely age of 2 1/2 so sometimes it feels like her joy in life is pushing mom to her limit.

Sleep is beginning to get a little bit better, but still not sleeping through the night. I'll wake up somewhere between 3 and 5 and be fully awake, debating if I should get up and get a head start on a productive day. I have yet to actually get out of bed that early, it seems like I fall back aleep right before my alarm and then I have the hardest time getting out of bed ontime. It's funny how that works..

My tummy has popped! :) I noticed a bump two weeks ago and it's gradually getting bigger. The thought of how big I'm going to get is starting to make me worry. I gained about 6 pounds in the first trimester which isn't too bad, but the baby books are saying a pound a week for the next two trimesters! I like having something I'm familiar with to compare the baby's size to and my weekly updates tell me he/she is the size of a lemon!

I'm off to play kitchen with missy Lou so stay tuned for more updates soon<3

Week 13

This picture was taken back at week 8, Savannah was trying to feel the baby. Her fits of outrage and jealousy whenever Ted or I go near another child are beginnig to get a little better. As she plays with her dolls she's starting to say things like "this is my little sister" so it's giving us hope that this may not be quite as bad as we thought it would be. She's still extrememly possesive and the only way I'm allowed to hold another baby is if she's holding it with me. We've told her a few times that there's a baby in mommy's tummy but she doesn't really understand, she just says "Is it crying?" lol

So far I've had it pretty easy with this pregnancy. I think the hardest thing has been the fatigue, especially because I'm not sleeping well. I started waking up several times throughout the night and chalked it up to being worried about spilling the beans to my parents. Now that that's over with I SHOULD be sleeping better, but I'm not! I'm beginning to wonder if we need a new mattress, which may be the case, but it seems silly that it would be affecting me this early. I may try drinking a warm glass of milk to see if that helps, YUK, but we'll see if I can keep it down!

I'm also getting a little pickier with my food. Certain things sound good one minute then terrible the next! I'm also getting grossed out a lot easier by foods and their textures. I've always had wierd things about certain textures but it seems to be worse now. If it wasn't for fruit and chocolate milk I'd be starving! Salads and garlic bread have been a few other things that seem to top my list at the grocery store.

I need to go make beds and get ready for the day, will post again soon! xoxo

Surprise!

To our delight and surprise we have recently found out that we are having a baby!! This was NOT planned, but we are very excited and want to share all the details! I'm about 12 weeks now which makes me at the end of the first trimester, and puts the due date just a week or so after Savannah's birthday. Luckily I only had a little bit of morning sickness over a short three week span and it was before all the wedding events, so we managed to keep our little secret. I've been working on better managing my diet, getting all the necessary nutrients and lots of water. However, Dr. Pepper is my biggest downfall! It sounds good 24/7 and to keep myself from caving completely I have to give into a sip or two when Ted gets one!

Baby is said to be about the size of a lime, 2 inchs long and weighs about 1- 1/2 ounces. The reflexes are beginning to develop and will soon be able to open and close the hands and curl the toes.

Will stay in touch and post again soon! All my love <3

Wedding Bliss

I feel so funny blogging, but thanks to some friends I have realized that this can be such a great tool in communicating with so many loved ones out there!

The wedding craziness has come to an end. October 2nd was a day I will never forget! It was the most gorgeous, perfect day of my life. It was everything I have ever wanted and so much more! I married a wonderful man, and had the wedding of my dreams! So many family and friends came from all over to support and celebrate with us which made the day that much better. The whole experience felt like a fairytale and as excited as I am to be married, I'm almost sad that it's over. A years wort of anticpation and excitement for that one big day is now over. Although, I'm now looking forward to seeing all the pictures and video, hoping it captured some of those small details I was too busy for and missed out on. I fought back tears all day long and managed to keep my makeup in tact and eyelashes on! :)

We just got back from our honeymoon in Tahoe and it was fabulous! We were there for Tahoe's first snowfall of the season, which made for a chilly weekend- but lots of snuggling and hot chocolate made it perfect! Our house is coming together and is starting to feel more and more like home sweet home. Savannah LOVES her new room, it's pink everywhere! I'll try and get pictures of the place up soon. Ted and I have felt so incredibly blessed this past year from all the family and friends that constantly surround us with their love and support. We're excited for the many years to come, and are looking forward to the upcoming holidays and this next years events.

Thank you cards are waiting, but I'll be back soon to post some more! <3