Growing in every way

This week the Little Man has discovered the joy it brings me (and possibly all women) when a man (big or small) brings them flowers. He officially picked his first “flowers” from our back yard and proudly presented them to me. Of course, they were weeds that have little purple flowers on top, but they immediately went into a vase on our kitchen table. Since then he’s constantly trying to pick flowers to bring me and I love it. This is his first gift that has given of his own free will without any prompting from anyone else. That kid has the biggest heart and it’s amazing to see him growing into a person who understands that other people have feelings and that he can influence them…positively and negatively. We’re also talking a lot about not pointing at people or talking about them. Like I said, positive and negative.

LM’s love of giving me flowers has blossomed so much that last night as he and Dr. F were coming in our front door; he tried to rip out some of the flowers we have planted next to our door. Dr. F quickly stopped him reminding him how hard we all worked to make them look so nice, but our sweet sweet boy started to tear up saying he just wanted to pick flowers to give to me. Our hearts completely melted. Dr. F felt terrible, but I couldn’t blame him for not wanting our new flowers torn out and one never can tell what a 3 yr old’s true intentions are. We all snuggled and Dr. F told LM that they would find other flowers to give to Mommy. All was quickly right with the world as the boys played some basketball and I got dinner together.

Last night was also interesting because after dinner I was completely laid up on the couch with painful contractions 4 minutes apart for almost 2 hours. OH that was fun. It actually might have been “fun” if I wasn’t only 36 weeks and Dr. F didn’t have his exam this weekend. At least it gave me a lot of practice breathing and relaxing…and I didn’t do a single dish and watched American Idol guilt free. It also got me thinking about just how exciting it is that we’ll be meeting SB soon. And SB will soon have a name! And I won’t get the random comments in the elevator at work begging me not to go into labor. Seriously, yesterday some guy who works on another floor just had to check to make sure I wasn’t due any second. It’s a 20 second elevator ride, dude. Calm yourself. My co-workers also demanded that I put my Dr.’s #, my parents’ and Dr. F’s phone numbers up in my cubicle…you know, just in case I go into spontaneous labor and am rendered unable to communicate… of course, most of them haven’t had kids and are totally freaked out about the possibility that I’ll have this kid right here on the floor of my cube. And I kinda go along with it, just because I get a kick out of watching them freak out a little J     

    

Happy Thursday!

Questions

1. LM: "Mommy, when the baby comes out of your belly, will your belly break?" Me: "No, my belly will just get smaller again (I hope!)" LM: "Oh! Good! Then we can snuggle in the daddy chair again!"

2. LM: "Mom, why do I have nipples?" Me: "That's the age old question, kiddo. I have NO idea."

3. what waddles like a penguin, grunts like a weight lifter, and moves slower than molasses in winter? ME.

I was 35 weeks yesterday and between the baby shifting down (oh holy pubic bones) and the amazing (warm) weather, my feet have started to swell and I am having trouble walking. I've even been having a ton of contractions, and they are way stronger than I remember with LM, at least this early. I actually had one that made me nauseous and another one that was so strong, it woke me up in the middle of the night. I know this is all good because that means my body is gearing up and we're getting so anxious to meet Stranger Baby, but I'm hoping (yes, despite the increasing discomfort!) that this doesn't mean SB is planning to make an early appearance... Dr. F has his big nasty exam next weekend, he's got evening lectures the following week, and then my dr. is on vacation the week after that. Basically, the next 3 weeks are a no go, after that, game on.

Happy Friday!!

Ready for my close up!

Yesterday we had our last ultrasound for Stranger Baby. It was amazing! I've never had a 3D ultrasound and wasn't expecting it at all, but suddenly the tech flipped a switch and the most perfect little face appeared! SB's hand is even resting under his/her chin in the Thinker pose.

We also got the great news that the baby looks perfectly healthy, has a full head of hair (no surprise there!), is head down (I already knew that thanks to the copious amount of kicking directly to my ribs) and weighs almost 5lbs already...that last part isn't so fabulous. I mean, its great, but also means we're looking at another 8+ pounder. UGHH.

Dr. F thinks the baby looks like a boy, and I kinda think he's right...but who can really tell? I resisted the (enormous) temptation to find out if the baby is a boy or girl and now there is no way we will know until SB is born. I even read the report just in case I "accidentally" came across the sex, but to no avail. I'm kicking myself. Despite the cute yellow outfits I bought, I really just wish I knew. At least we've settled on our boy and girl names...and even started talking about names for baby #3. Dr. F even initiated this conversation! Let's get this one here first, ok babe?

My camera is also dying a slow and painful death... the lag time is unbelievable between pictures, and that's if it decides to actually take a picture when the shutter is pressed. I really didn't want to spend the money because we're trying so hard to save money...but we can't be a few weeks away from having a new baby with no camera. I read a ton of reviews and ended up going with this baby:

                                         

It got fantastic reviews on image clarity and shutter speed: two things I am really looking for in a camera. What I really wanted was a fancy DSLR camera, but that is no way in the realm of our budget, even a cheap one, so I need a quality point and shoot. I can't wait to get my hot little hands on it! And of course, I had a coupon for $10 off and opted for in-store pick up to avoid the shipping charges. Never pay full price for anything!! :)

Ramblings

Ok, so I have been majorly neglecting my blog lately. I even managed to let February go by completely without a single post. Brilliant. I guess so much has been going on around here that I've not managed to finish one of the 50 million posts I have sitting in my drafts box. Well, it is a quiet day at the office (shhhhh, don't tell!) and I have enjoyed reading everyone else's posts so much...so here goes nothing.

Yesterday my office building opened a gym in our building and it is only $10/mo! and you only pay for the months you use! HOLLAR!! They were supposed to open back in Jan., and I've been stalking them since because this momma needs to move. I used to be a total gym rat back in my single girl days in DC and I miss it like whoa. Obviously, there are more important things going on in my life, but that bit of self-indulgence and me time at the gym... anyway...enough whining. I hit it up yesterday and I felt AMAZING.  I can't push myself too hard or I start having contractions and/or pee my pants (TMI, youre welcome), but the boost in mood alone was worth it. I even slept better than I have in months.

Speaking of sleep and contractions, I'm getting very little of the first and very much of the latter. This happened with Aidan as well, including a 2hr episode of braxton hicks contractions every 10 min when I was 33 weeks along. Yesterday I hit the 32 week mark (and could theoretically deliver in 5 weeks!!!) and this bambino has taken to squirming and jumping and hiccuping right under my ribs. Although, this time my heartburn is much less and my swelling is significantly lower. I am actually still wearing my wedding rings, which is nothing short of a miracle. For any future children, I will demand that I'm only pregnant in the winter! I'm sure having my thyroid levels carefully monitored and regulated by meds isnt hurting either :)

2 weeks ago I also broke down and bought a boy and girl "coming home" outfits. I couldn't contain myself any more and I've started packing my hospital bag. I know I know, I still have some time, but not knowing if this baby is a boy or girl (I've secretly started calling him/her "stranger baby"), I haven't prepared the way I did with Aidan. So I'm doing all of the gender non-specific things I can think of to satisfy my inner planner. I also had to force myself not to buy any extra girl clothes, but they are all so damn cute! And I did make myself buy some yellow and green clothes, but it was not fun. I will never be surprised again, this is miserable despite the fact that Dr. F is loving the surprise. Enjoy it this time, buddy.

This is the back of the girl onesie. Ahhh so cute!

Of course, I also snagged a big brother shirt for the proudest big brother. 

In other pregnancy news, the honeymoon trimester is soooo over. I am trying my best not to waddle and I think keeping up with Aidan has been very instrumental in keeping me mobile. But let me tell you what, I am ready to get some mobility back. I'm thrilled with how my body has handled this pregnancy as far as weight gain  goes (I've also not indulged in quite the number of bagel breakfast sandwiches this time...) and I'm all belly. However, I'm pretty over the massive effort it takes to simply get myself out of bed in the morning. I also really miss being able to really hug Dr. F. I felt this way with Aidan too and it was one of the things I craved the most when I was expecting him...full body contact with my hubby! It sounds silly, but try hugging your man with a beach ball in between you...its like middle school dances at Catholic school where you have to "leave room for the Holy Spirit." 

My cravings have also been pretty mundane. I had the usual insatiable appetite for cheese in my second trimester (namely queso and brie), the need to consume mass quantities of cold milk and felt like pbj sandwiches were delicacies (usually I like them, but this was more like liking them). Lately I've been trying to control myself where chocolate is concerned. I have only a modicum of self-control in the chocolate department and that is being generous.

If you made it this far, I'm impressed :) The flood gates have opened and I'll have to post more soon about Downtown Abbey (Amazing!!), couch dates (Moneyball was so good!) and even a belly shot or two... Happy Friday!

Going Granola

Recently I've been doing a lot of reflection on my birth experience with the Little Man and how much it just wasn't what I wanted or hoped for. Of course the ultimate objective of bringing home a healthy baby was accomplished, but the actual process of delivering him was in a word a clusterfuck and a experience I have no desire to repeat in anyway shape or form. 

When I was expecting LM, Dr. F was in the throws of the worst part of his 3rd yr of med school and I was mid semester of grad school. I was more cavalier about giving birth than I usually am about anything. I figured that women have been giving birth for thousands of years and I can do it too. What I didn't count on was being left feeling like giving birth happened to me instead of being an active participant. This time I'm determined things will be different. I've started doing a lot of reading on natural birth, breathing exercises and exercises to ease labor and delivery. I came across this great DVD set

Generally I consider myself pretty well educated, but I learned so much from the first dvd and I'm becoming more and more convinced I want to go as naturally as possible with this delivery. My list of NO's was pretty long before I started researching (ie. no induction, no episiotomy etc), but now I'm becoming more and more convinced I want as few interventions as possible. Now, I'm not about to have a home water birth, but I'm seriously considering a birthing center attached to a hospital just in case. 

Finally, tonight I watched The Business of Being Born. 

I totally get that it has an agenda, but I'm feeling more and more strongly. Now I'm just not sure I can actually make it through labor and delivery without the drugs. I want to, but I'm scared. Have any of you given birth without drugs or had a particularly good experience with a particular book or dvd series? 

Dear Target, your customer service needs an attitude adjustment

LM is still under the weather so I'm home with him again and you know, I can't wait till I get to be home full time with my kiddos in a few months. I really miss being a SAHM, even when its tough I know I'm doing something that really matters. Call me crazy, but scheduling meetings and answering phones just isnt my idea of fulfilling work. It pays the bills, but it sure isn't what I'd call my life's work.

Of course, I'm also remembering how much I need to have some structure to the day otherwise things drag on and that is no good for me me or the little man! This morning he was doing well enough to head to Target to pick up some new big boy underwear. You've never seen excitement on a kid's face until you've seen a 3 yr old pick out Mr. Incredible underwear. It was pretty stinking cute. While we were there I also snagged a new bottle of nail polish and we were both set to head home happy. That is until we were going to have a special treat of a soft pretzel from the Target cafe....

I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well when the girl behind the counter was more interested in talking to one of her coworkers and wouldn't make eye contact with me, the ONLY customer in line. Then she must have sorta microwaved a soft pretzel. I was skeptical but LM and I headed to the tables. I took one tiny bite and realized this chick didn't heat it up, it was totally raw and covered in oil in salt. I told LM he couldnt eat it because it was raw....commence crying and I had to find the employee to complain. She was chatting again and not even at the cafe counter. I walked up to her and said "This isn't cooked at all" So what did she do? Took it from me, threw it out but didnt bother to help me pick up the pieces that had fallen on the floor and said she'd refund my money. OH YA THINK? I'm 7 months pregnant with a crying sick child and you are a lazy piece of crap. You know the best part...she actually gave me change with a Canadian penny and I just didn't have the energy to deal with her.

Tonight we're having homemade pizza, one of my specialties and making it is a fun activity to do with the Little Man. I even broke out my new Kitchenaid mixer (aka the best surprise Christmas present ever) and made some rocking whole wheat dough with enough left over to try my had at homemade soft pretzels. Of course, I had to try one right out of the oven and it was soooo good!

Take that Target.

bullet point post

So it has come to this...I have to be home with a sick Little Man to get the time to write a blog entry. Wow. I'm also going to ease myself back into the blogosphere with a bullet post cause I need to make the most of his nap time. Here goes:

1. I'm 27 weeks. That means we could have a full term baby in 10 weeks. 10 WEEKS. OH Sh*t! I would also like the people in my office who keep asking me when I'm due and how I'm feeling with that annoying concerned look on their faces would go away. Let the verbal preggo diarrhea start.

2. We painted our dining room 2 weekends ago and LOVE the new color. It was quite red and is now a beautiful battleship grey. Ah-mazing! I really had to fight tooth and nail for the darker color, not with Dr. F, who was pretty agreeable with trusting my vision...but with my parents who actually said to me "You are not painting the room that color. It is too dark." Ha, my house guys, I'll paint it what I want. Guess what... they loved the final product so much, my mom now wants a grey room in her house.

LM and my dad painting. LM couldn't have been happier to have a "little boy brush"

The finished product

3. One of the things I love about Dr. F is that he's so not a cave-man guy. I mean, there is nothing un-manly about him, but he encourages our son to do traditionally boy jobs and girl jobs. It was even his idea to get LM a little kitchen for his new kitchen gadgets. We scored the perfect kitchen at Bed Bath and Beyond for 1/2 price and then my two guys whipped out the power tools while watching football to put it together. Power tools, football, and a kitchen set all in 2 hours? Love it!

In a word: perfect

4. We are big Giants fans in our house and the last time the Giants played the Patriots in the Superbowl, Dr. F and I were dating and he and his childhood friend won the annual Groundhog's day beer pong tournament. This year we'll be watching with our 3 yr old and baby. Life has changed so much in the last few years, but one thing we're hoping won't change is the Giants beating the Pats again. Dr. F even suggested we name the baby Eli if the G-men win and its a boy... he was kidding...I think...
     *side note: I just tried my hand at homemade queso dip. sooooo good. all you need is a can of rotelle, 16 oz of velvetta (which comes in 2% so its not soooo bad for you) and a crock pot. hot damn its good!*

5. I'm feeling really good so far with this pregnancy, with the exception of the unreal tailbone pain. Sure I had the typical pubic bone pain that is also starting to make an appearance this time around too, but holy tailbone batman! I couldnt even snuggle on the couch with Dr. F this weekend it hurt so badly. I actually had to lay on a separate couch...so much for a netflix couch date! :( This is also making it pretty tough to be at work where I sit all day. Has anyone else experienced this, and if you have, any suggestions for relief? I'm allll ears!

6. and now for a gratuitous cute picture: