Today, I'm 29 weeks pregnant, which means next Sunday I hit the 30 week mark. 30 weeks! This second half of pregnancy is going by just as fast as the first.
I had a doctor's appointment Thursday. I had to take the 1 hour glucose test. I don't know yet if I passed or not. Of course, I'm really hoping I passed it...unless I actually do have gestational diabetes. Then we need to find out as quickly as possible. It's crazy that it really has no symptoms. I'm hoping they tell me tomorrow or Tuesday if I failed or passed.
Other than that possibility, everything is going perfectly fine. My blood pressure was still normal, although it was slightly elevated for me. The nurse said the glucose drink can do that to some people. I got to hear Liam's heartbeat, and the doctor said it was good and strong at 135 beats per minute. I wish she listened to it longer. I could probably listen all day. I guess the good news is that I don't have to wait a whole month to hear it again. I have to go to the doctor every two weeks now! I guess my belly is measuring fine. She never comments on the size of it.
This past Wednesday, we started our Bradley method childbirth classes! The Bradley Method Our goal is to have a natural, non-medicated birth. We have to learn how to do that, so we're taking a class. I think it will be a great resource for us. In the first class, we learned the exercises I need to do everyday to prepare my body for it, a relaxation technique, and proper nutrition. Thankfully, I already knew some of that because my friend Crystal is a Bradley instructor and has told me some stuff, plus I've read Dr. Bradley's book, "Husband-Coached Childbirth." I'm taking it seriously and doing my exercises everyday. I'm getting 80 - 100 grams of protein everyday (on a balanced, vegetarian diet). I like it so far because Will has to be super involved as well. Liam is his child too and Will wants the best for him. I think Will would prefer I give birth at home with a midwife, but I'm not on board with that this time. I do have the "What if something goes wrong?" thoughts. Hopefully for the second child (God-willing) when I know more about how labor and delivery works, we can do that. We are thinking about hiring a doula for this birth. So I will be giving birth in a regular hospital. I know that will make it harder to get the natural birth I want, but it's not impossible. They can't MAKE me get an epidural. BUT, if it starts hurting really bad, I might want to cave and get one since it would be so convenient. That's where Will comes in to help me through the pain and help me stick to the natural decision we've made. A natural birth will be impossible without him. There will be pain. Childbirth is meant to be painful. Through this class, we'll learn how to manage the pain. I'm really excited about this class! Of course, there's always the possibility I will have to have a c-section for some reason. Some of them are actually necessary (not all, but some). I would be cheating myself and Liam if I didn't prepare for the best way, though. And I pray everyday that I won't have to have a c-section. But if it ends up being best for Liam and for me to have one, then that's how it will be.
Last night, we experienced the first time moms presale at Divine Consign, a huge baby/child consignment sale. I guess I didn't really know what to expect since I don't frequent consignment sales. I thought we had a leg up since we got to go to the presale before the general public, but those who actually put items in the sale got to start shopping 2 hours earlier. They pretty much bought all the good stuff. We were hoping to find a changing table, but no luck. Everything that was halfway decent already had a pink Sold sticker on it. There were people everywhere with carts and strollers and laundry baskets piled high with baby clothes and other items. It was overwhelming to me. Somehow we ended up buying 4 things: a pair of baby shoes, a tummy time mat, a gently used Baby Bjorn carrier, and a fabric sling that was only $7. The tummy time mat and Baby Bjorn were things I had actually registered for (I took them off the list), so it was not a complete failure. However, the long check out line almost made us want to give up before we even started.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Third and Final
Today marks the beginning of the third trimester!
I'm still feeling normal and pretty great overall. My belly is getting bigger everyday. Liam has been kicking a lot lately. He's getting bigger and stronger. Will gets to feel him kick all the time now. Liam even kicked Will in the head a few times the other night when he put his head on my belly and started talking to Liam.
I think we're both really excited that Liam will be here before too long! Sometimes when I stop to really think about what's about to happen, though, and realize that my life will never be the same again, and that it will no longer be just me and Will...it feels a little overwhelming. I don't know what it's like to not be just the two of us, and the unknown can always be kind of scary. I think it will be amazing, though. We just celebrated our eighth anniversary, so it's about time we had a kid, right?
I'm still feeling normal and pretty great overall. My belly is getting bigger everyday. Liam has been kicking a lot lately. He's getting bigger and stronger. Will gets to feel him kick all the time now. Liam even kicked Will in the head a few times the other night when he put his head on my belly and started talking to Liam.
I think we're both really excited that Liam will be here before too long! Sometimes when I stop to really think about what's about to happen, though, and realize that my life will never be the same again, and that it will no longer be just me and Will...it feels a little overwhelming. I don't know what it's like to not be just the two of us, and the unknown can always be kind of scary. I think it will be amazing, though. We just celebrated our eighth anniversary, so it's about time we had a kid, right?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
My Childhood
It's been a little while since I posted anything, so I figured it was time to do so. Lately I've been thinking and wondering what kinds of things Liam is going to like when he's a kid. I wonder what the coolest toys will be, and if I'll have to deal with a child who begs for them whenever we go to a store. So that got me thinking about the things that remind me of my childhood. I'm talking about toys and games and TV shows and such. Things that when I see or hear mention of them these days, I get a little nostalgic. So growing up as a girl in the 80s, here are some of the things I quite enjoyed back then (in no particular order of importance or even in date order):
Barbies: I had a TON of Barbies, and played with them all the time. Fave: Peaches and Cream Barbie
Pogo Ball: Shaped like Saturn and tons of jumping fun
Ribbon Streamers: Great for twirling around and dancing with
Care Bears: I still have my Care Bears lunch box I got in preschool
Strawberry Shortcake: I loved anything Strawberry Shortcake
My Little Pony: My favorite one was pink with teal hair
Hula Hooping: In my adult life, I can't do it to save my life, but back in the day I could handle two at once and even walk around while hula hooping. Skills.
Popples: I had one that was a soccer ball when you rolled it up
Jem and the Holograms: I had books and dolls and watched the cartoon. I always wanted some big star earrings.
The Disney Channel: I stayed with my grandparents a lot and they had satellite TV, so I watched it all the time when I was there. Back then, the Disney Channel played old stuff so I mostly remember old Mickey Mouse cartoons and Disney movies.
Nickelodeon: If I wasn't watching the Disney Channel, I was definitely watching Nickelodeon. Double Dare, Inspector Gadget, You Can't Do That on Television, Out of Control, Looney Toons, Mr. Wizard, then later on-Pete and Pete, Salute Your Shorts, Hey Dude, Doug, Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, etc. Then you had the old shows they aired like Dennis the Menace and Lassie. My favorite was probably Clarissa Explains it All, though. I do have a fondness for old school Nickelodeon.
The Monkees: For some reason, Nickelodeon aired episodes of The Monkees TV show from the sixties. As a result, they were my favorite band when I was 7. I'm pretty sure I entered a contest to meet them.
Nick at Nite: Man, I sure watched a lot of Nickelodeon. I would watch Nick at Nite with my grandparents. I loved Mr. Ed, The Patty Duke Show, The Donna Reed Show, Dobie Gillis, My Three Sons, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Green Acres, etc. I also remember watching Laugh-In and Mork and Mindy. All that old stuff! I also asked them if the TV was broken since it was in black and white.
Dirty Dancing: Yes, I was allowed to watch this movie as a child whenever it came out. I remember dancing to "I've Had the Time of My Life" on the second grade playground!
Walk Like an Egyptian: This was my favorite song for a while when I was a kid, and yes, I walked around doing the Egyptian arms.
California Raisins: Remember when they were huge? I still have my California Raisins I got from all those kid's meals at Hardees in Homer.
New Kids on the Block: Around 4th grade every girl loved them. I remember being quite upset when I didn't get to go to either concert they performed in Shreveport. Then I remember the hubub dying down in 5th grade. Were they really that short-lived, or am I not remembering it correctly?
The Baby Sitters Club: I was obsessed. Lots of books, movies...the board game. You name it, I probably had it. That obsession lasted for years. Well, it lasted until I was 13, which is the same age as the girls in the books. Once they were no longer older than me, it was no longer cool. I have the same birthday as the author, Ann M. Martin, though. I was truly upset when I found out years later that most of the BSC books were ghost-written.
There you have it, some of the things that remind me of my childhood. There's so much more I could add, but I will stop there. Perhaps I'll get Will to post about his childhood since he's a boy and liked different stuff. This post was fun!
Barbies: I had a TON of Barbies, and played with them all the time. Fave: Peaches and Cream Barbie
Pogo Ball: Shaped like Saturn and tons of jumping fun
Ribbon Streamers: Great for twirling around and dancing with
Care Bears: I still have my Care Bears lunch box I got in preschool
Strawberry Shortcake: I loved anything Strawberry Shortcake
My Little Pony: My favorite one was pink with teal hair
Hula Hooping: In my adult life, I can't do it to save my life, but back in the day I could handle two at once and even walk around while hula hooping. Skills.
Popples: I had one that was a soccer ball when you rolled it up
Jem and the Holograms: I had books and dolls and watched the cartoon. I always wanted some big star earrings.
The Disney Channel: I stayed with my grandparents a lot and they had satellite TV, so I watched it all the time when I was there. Back then, the Disney Channel played old stuff so I mostly remember old Mickey Mouse cartoons and Disney movies.
Nickelodeon: If I wasn't watching the Disney Channel, I was definitely watching Nickelodeon. Double Dare, Inspector Gadget, You Can't Do That on Television, Out of Control, Looney Toons, Mr. Wizard, then later on-Pete and Pete, Salute Your Shorts, Hey Dude, Doug, Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, etc. Then you had the old shows they aired like Dennis the Menace and Lassie. My favorite was probably Clarissa Explains it All, though. I do have a fondness for old school Nickelodeon.
The Monkees: For some reason, Nickelodeon aired episodes of The Monkees TV show from the sixties. As a result, they were my favorite band when I was 7. I'm pretty sure I entered a contest to meet them.
Nick at Nite: Man, I sure watched a lot of Nickelodeon. I would watch Nick at Nite with my grandparents. I loved Mr. Ed, The Patty Duke Show, The Donna Reed Show, Dobie Gillis, My Three Sons, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Green Acres, etc. I also remember watching Laugh-In and Mork and Mindy. All that old stuff! I also asked them if the TV was broken since it was in black and white.
Dirty Dancing: Yes, I was allowed to watch this movie as a child whenever it came out. I remember dancing to "I've Had the Time of My Life" on the second grade playground!
Walk Like an Egyptian: This was my favorite song for a while when I was a kid, and yes, I walked around doing the Egyptian arms.
California Raisins: Remember when they were huge? I still have my California Raisins I got from all those kid's meals at Hardees in Homer.
New Kids on the Block: Around 4th grade every girl loved them. I remember being quite upset when I didn't get to go to either concert they performed in Shreveport. Then I remember the hubub dying down in 5th grade. Were they really that short-lived, or am I not remembering it correctly?
The Baby Sitters Club: I was obsessed. Lots of books, movies...the board game. You name it, I probably had it. That obsession lasted for years. Well, it lasted until I was 13, which is the same age as the girls in the books. Once they were no longer older than me, it was no longer cool. I have the same birthday as the author, Ann M. Martin, though. I was truly upset when I found out years later that most of the BSC books were ghost-written.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Can We Get a Clear Shot of It?
You already know Liam's a boy, but I want to share with you the video of the exact moment we were told he was a boy. Will recorded it with his cell phone. I'm so happy we have this moment on video!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Liam Update
I finally had my doctor's appointment this past Thursday. It was supposed to happen the previous Tuesday, but was canceled due to weather. So it had been more than 5 weeks since the last one. Thankfully, I was able to go after work and not have to take off any time in my first week. The appointment was very quick, but once again everything checked out fine and normal. My blood pressure was normal, and I got to hear Liam's heartbeat. It was 143 beats per minute, so it is getting slower over time. My next appointment is in less than 3 weeks, and I will have to do the glucose test then. At that point, I will be in the third trimester and have to start going every two weeks. Let's hope I can schedule most of them for after work!
Speaking of work, I started a temp to hire position at Cigna this past week. My background check and paperwork went through faster than I expected, which is great. I work on a "team" of 16 or so people, which I think just means we sit in the same general area and are under the same manager. I have my own cubicle and computer and such. I basically do whatever they tell me. It's all admin/office work. I've caught on quickly and kept busy the first week. I enjoy the people around me as I've gotten to know a few of them better. Most of them are temps as well. I also enjoy getting up every morning and going to work. That may sound crazy to some people, but I really do. I also like getting paid, which will happen every week starting next week. I think this job will do quite nicely until the baby comes. There's a filtered water and ice machine on the floor and I drink water all day long and no one bothers me about going to the bathroom ALL THE TIME. No one has said a word about my baby belly, and I've only told one person I'm pregnant, a temp who started just a few weeks ago. I'm sure they can tell, though. I definitely can't hide it any longer, not that I would want to. I did find out that when it's time for me to have the baby, I will still be in the "temp" period and working through the temp agency. My temp agency's policy is that if you miss 5 days, they replace you. So I will not be able to keep this job once Liam is born. That's ok. I will figure out something else to do after he is born. As long as I can work until May, that will be great. I really am thankful to be working!
Liam has been growing lately. I came home Friday from work, looked in the mirror and told Will that my belly was bigger than it had been that morning. He agreed. It is a gradual process, but I swear my belly pokes out more and more every day. For a few weeks now, I've been able to feel his kicks on the outside of my belly and occasionally see my belly move if I'm paying attention. So cool! What's even better is that in the past few days, Will has been able to feel and sometimes see some of Liam's kicks as well. Before, if he was kicking a bunch, I'd get Will to put his hands on my belly, but Liam would usually stop or Will would say he couldn't feel it when he kicked. But every evening the past few days, he's been able to feel some of them. Will tells him to "Kick me as hard as you can," but that doesn't really work. He does not kick on command. I've noticed that Liam is more active at night. I barely feel him for the first few hours I'm awake, and then I feel him off and on throughout the day. The activity picks up at night, though. I wonder if that's any indication of how he'll be outside the womb. If he's night owl, he'll have his daddy to blame. I used to be a night owl, but having to get up early for work and then being in pain in the morning makes me go to bed earlier and wake up earlier these days.
Being pregnant has been great so far. I haven't had much to complain about at all. I feel perfectly normal pretty much all the time. The only time I'm in pain is first thing in the morning. I have to sleep on my sides, of course, and that puts a lot of strain on my hips these days. So I flip from side to side throughout the night when the pain of a hip hurting wakes me up enough to let me know it's time to flip. As a result, both of my hips hurt every morning when I wake up. Sometimes my legs even hurt down to my knees. Once I manage to roll (literally) out of bed and walk around some, the pain goes away. I probably need one of those pregnancy pillows, but I"m afraid of spending the money on one and then it not working. So really, that's my only pregnancy pain complaint. It's not so bad, but I do need to find a solution soon.
I'm 26 weeks today! Fourteen-ish more weeks to go. Yesterday, we ordered our Chicco Travel System, so little man will be able to go places in style. Last week, we got a bouncy seat for him. I can't wait for him to get here and use it all! I think the weeks will fly by now that I'm working. He'll be here before I know it: ready or not.
Speaking of work, I started a temp to hire position at Cigna this past week. My background check and paperwork went through faster than I expected, which is great. I work on a "team" of 16 or so people, which I think just means we sit in the same general area and are under the same manager. I have my own cubicle and computer and such. I basically do whatever they tell me. It's all admin/office work. I've caught on quickly and kept busy the first week. I enjoy the people around me as I've gotten to know a few of them better. Most of them are temps as well. I also enjoy getting up every morning and going to work. That may sound crazy to some people, but I really do. I also like getting paid, which will happen every week starting next week. I think this job will do quite nicely until the baby comes. There's a filtered water and ice machine on the floor and I drink water all day long and no one bothers me about going to the bathroom ALL THE TIME. No one has said a word about my baby belly, and I've only told one person I'm pregnant, a temp who started just a few weeks ago. I'm sure they can tell, though. I definitely can't hide it any longer, not that I would want to. I did find out that when it's time for me to have the baby, I will still be in the "temp" period and working through the temp agency. My temp agency's policy is that if you miss 5 days, they replace you. So I will not be able to keep this job once Liam is born. That's ok. I will figure out something else to do after he is born. As long as I can work until May, that will be great. I really am thankful to be working!
Liam has been growing lately. I came home Friday from work, looked in the mirror and told Will that my belly was bigger than it had been that morning. He agreed. It is a gradual process, but I swear my belly pokes out more and more every day. For a few weeks now, I've been able to feel his kicks on the outside of my belly and occasionally see my belly move if I'm paying attention. So cool! What's even better is that in the past few days, Will has been able to feel and sometimes see some of Liam's kicks as well. Before, if he was kicking a bunch, I'd get Will to put his hands on my belly, but Liam would usually stop or Will would say he couldn't feel it when he kicked. But every evening the past few days, he's been able to feel some of them. Will tells him to "Kick me as hard as you can," but that doesn't really work. He does not kick on command. I've noticed that Liam is more active at night. I barely feel him for the first few hours I'm awake, and then I feel him off and on throughout the day. The activity picks up at night, though. I wonder if that's any indication of how he'll be outside the womb. If he's night owl, he'll have his daddy to blame. I used to be a night owl, but having to get up early for work and then being in pain in the morning makes me go to bed earlier and wake up earlier these days.
Being pregnant has been great so far. I haven't had much to complain about at all. I feel perfectly normal pretty much all the time. The only time I'm in pain is first thing in the morning. I have to sleep on my sides, of course, and that puts a lot of strain on my hips these days. So I flip from side to side throughout the night when the pain of a hip hurting wakes me up enough to let me know it's time to flip. As a result, both of my hips hurt every morning when I wake up. Sometimes my legs even hurt down to my knees. Once I manage to roll (literally) out of bed and walk around some, the pain goes away. I probably need one of those pregnancy pillows, but I"m afraid of spending the money on one and then it not working. So really, that's my only pregnancy pain complaint. It's not so bad, but I do need to find a solution soon.
I'm 26 weeks today! Fourteen-ish more weeks to go. Yesterday, we ordered our Chicco Travel System, so little man will be able to go places in style. Last week, we got a bouncy seat for him. I can't wait for him to get here and use it all! I think the weeks will fly by now that I'm working. He'll be here before I know it: ready or not.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Trapped in the Apartment...Day 3.5
So Monday night/Tuesday morning, freakishly cold air along with precipitation combined to make the DFW Metroplex into one large ice skating rink. I don't like ice skating...perhaps because I tried it once and absolutely sucked at it. That's my story with pretty much all skating, though, except on the carpet at the skating rink in Minden, Louisiana back in the day. I totally did fine on the carpet. But anyway, this is NOT about skating.
It IS about what I've been up to the past few days. I live upstairs in an apartment. We access our apartment via outside stairs. Those stairs have been iced over since Tuesday morning. Since I really don't have a place to go, and I would rather be safe and warm, I have not ventured down the stairs. That means I have been stuck in my apartment for three and a half days, with no plans to go anywhere tomorrow either. It's supposed to snow tomorrow and maybe get up to 32 degrees, which means nothing will melt.
How have I not gone crazy yet? Here are the reasons I'm still of sound mind:
1. Will has been home the whole time as well! He's been working from home, so I'm not by myself all day long. It also means I don't have to worry about him getting safely to and from work. We don't get on each other's nerves, and I honestly wish we could spend every day ever together...so this is nice.
2. I've had some work to do. I recently started doing some data entry work from home. Each morning, I've gotten up and done 2-3 hours of work. It makes me not feel completely useless and lazy. Making a little bit of money is better than making NO money.
3. I got notice that I will start a full-time job next Monday! I was originally told I would start Thursday (as in today), then it got pushed back to Friday, and then again until Monday. Fine by me. I was scared to death at the prospect of driving in the mess tomorrow morning. It also means I haven't had to be looking for a job. If this job were not on the horizon, I would have had a throw-away week where I couldn't really apply for jobs (except from at home) or do any temp work. Since I'm at home, I was able to complete a mandatory orientation call this afternoon for the new job.
4. My kitchen is clean. I cleaned it Monday, and I've been able to keep it that way with all this extra time on my hands. I've cooked too. Monday night I made a big pot of lentils and we just finished it off today at lunch. I really have a strong urge to bake, but I don't have any butter and the milk situation is about to become dire.
5. Watching 30 Rock on Netflix streaming while eating lunch with Will. Funny stuff.
6. Feeling Liam kick. Dude must have heard I ratted him out in my last post about not being able to feel him kick from the outside. It seemed like overnight he grew and got stronger. Now almost all of his kicks can be felt from the outside and he's expanded his territory to above the belly button, so I feel kicks and punches all over. My belly has gotten bigger this week as a result of his expansion. I was supposed to go for my monthly check-up this past Tuesday, but it was canceled due to weather. I will have to wait until next Thursday to see how Liam is doing. I'm thankful my doctor does extended hours on Thursdays so I will not have to miss work for the appointment. I figure that's a really good thing for my first week.
One good thing we figured out in the past week is where we will be living when Liam is born. I don't like our current apartment, and the layout wouldn't work very well with having a baby. Our desire was to move to a house or duplex, but after looking around, we decided against that. We're comfortable with the amount we pay for rent now, and we'd have to go way up on that to get a place we deem decent enough. So as much as I don't want to be THAT person in the apartment complex with a screaming baby, we have decided to move to a different apartment complex. We decided we were attached to our neighborhood and our lovely park, so we're just moving down the street to a nicer and newer complex. We will have another 2 bedroom place, about the same size as this one, and the rent will be about what we pay now. It actually is cheaper than what our rent would be if we stayed here because the rent never goes down here, only up. We're all about downsizing, so we will be getting rid of even more stuff before we move. That way we'll have room for baby stuff. Liam will have his own little room and I can already imagine it being soooo cute. We won't move until the middle of April, though, so pray that Liam is aware that he's not due out until at least May 22. It is another upstairs apartment, but the stairs are inside and carpeted so they give the place a kind of lofty feel. The wall that is by the stairs is only a half wall, though, which does concern me a little once Liam is mobile. We will HAVE to get a baby gate to put at the top of the stairs and not put anything that can be climbed on by the half wall. But we will probably only live there for about a year, so he'll be about 10-11 months old when we move again.
It IS about what I've been up to the past few days. I live upstairs in an apartment. We access our apartment via outside stairs. Those stairs have been iced over since Tuesday morning. Since I really don't have a place to go, and I would rather be safe and warm, I have not ventured down the stairs. That means I have been stuck in my apartment for three and a half days, with no plans to go anywhere tomorrow either. It's supposed to snow tomorrow and maybe get up to 32 degrees, which means nothing will melt.
How have I not gone crazy yet? Here are the reasons I'm still of sound mind:
1. Will has been home the whole time as well! He's been working from home, so I'm not by myself all day long. It also means I don't have to worry about him getting safely to and from work. We don't get on each other's nerves, and I honestly wish we could spend every day ever together...so this is nice.
2. I've had some work to do. I recently started doing some data entry work from home. Each morning, I've gotten up and done 2-3 hours of work. It makes me not feel completely useless and lazy. Making a little bit of money is better than making NO money.
3. I got notice that I will start a full-time job next Monday! I was originally told I would start Thursday (as in today), then it got pushed back to Friday, and then again until Monday. Fine by me. I was scared to death at the prospect of driving in the mess tomorrow morning. It also means I haven't had to be looking for a job. If this job were not on the horizon, I would have had a throw-away week where I couldn't really apply for jobs (except from at home) or do any temp work. Since I'm at home, I was able to complete a mandatory orientation call this afternoon for the new job.
4. My kitchen is clean. I cleaned it Monday, and I've been able to keep it that way with all this extra time on my hands. I've cooked too. Monday night I made a big pot of lentils and we just finished it off today at lunch. I really have a strong urge to bake, but I don't have any butter and the milk situation is about to become dire.
5. Watching 30 Rock on Netflix streaming while eating lunch with Will. Funny stuff.
6. Feeling Liam kick. Dude must have heard I ratted him out in my last post about not being able to feel him kick from the outside. It seemed like overnight he grew and got stronger. Now almost all of his kicks can be felt from the outside and he's expanded his territory to above the belly button, so I feel kicks and punches all over. My belly has gotten bigger this week as a result of his expansion. I was supposed to go for my monthly check-up this past Tuesday, but it was canceled due to weather. I will have to wait until next Thursday to see how Liam is doing. I'm thankful my doctor does extended hours on Thursdays so I will not have to miss work for the appointment. I figure that's a really good thing for my first week.
One good thing we figured out in the past week is where we will be living when Liam is born. I don't like our current apartment, and the layout wouldn't work very well with having a baby. Our desire was to move to a house or duplex, but after looking around, we decided against that. We're comfortable with the amount we pay for rent now, and we'd have to go way up on that to get a place we deem decent enough. So as much as I don't want to be THAT person in the apartment complex with a screaming baby, we have decided to move to a different apartment complex. We decided we were attached to our neighborhood and our lovely park, so we're just moving down the street to a nicer and newer complex. We will have another 2 bedroom place, about the same size as this one, and the rent will be about what we pay now. It actually is cheaper than what our rent would be if we stayed here because the rent never goes down here, only up. We're all about downsizing, so we will be getting rid of even more stuff before we move. That way we'll have room for baby stuff. Liam will have his own little room and I can already imagine it being soooo cute. We won't move until the middle of April, though, so pray that Liam is aware that he's not due out until at least May 22. It is another upstairs apartment, but the stairs are inside and carpeted so they give the place a kind of lofty feel. The wall that is by the stairs is only a half wall, though, which does concern me a little once Liam is mobile. We will HAVE to get a baby gate to put at the top of the stairs and not put anything that can be climbed on by the half wall. But we will probably only live there for about a year, so he'll be about 10-11 months old when we move again.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Favorite Things
I'm now almost 24 weeks pregnant, the sixth month mark. Time is going by fast. I can't believe January is almost finished. Then February will be a short month. Then our Bradley classes start at the beginning of March. They continue through April. Before I know it, Liam will be here. Well, he's already here close by. I just can't get to him yet.
Here are a few of my favorite pregnancy related things so far:
Favorite Foods and Drinks: I pretty much stay hungry or at least in a pretty constant state of "I could eat." That doesn't mean I eat constantly...but I do eat often. Some of my favorite things to eat are steamed broccoli, cheese, Honey Nut Cheerios, Target brand strawberry fruit bars, Annie's brand spaghettio's, and things dipped in BBQ sauce. I also really like to eat a whole wheat tortilla with cream cheese and strawberry jam on it. My favorite things to drink are milk and water. That's pretty much all I drink with the occasional glass of orange or prune juice thrown in for good measure. Early in pregnancy, I craved Taco Bell fresco bean burritos, but that craving has gone away...although I do still have one from time to time. I don't want to jinx myself, but my stomach has behaved itself since early November. Of course, I like to eat out. I really like veggie Chinese food (always! Richardson is blessed with two vegan Chinese places: both on Arapaho) and veggie bowls from Chipotle. Genroku is one of my favorite restaurants to go to for the veggie bento box. I am sticking to my vegetarian ways and I still manage to get 80-90 grams of protein a day ( I do eat dairy and organic eggs).
Favorite Maternity Clothes: I admit I have a basic maternity wardrobe. I wear everything I have, so there is no riff raff. I got a giftcard to Motherhood Maternity for Christmas, and was able to get a few things. Here is a link to my favorite maternity shirt (I have two of them and I wish I had more).
3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck Top
My favorite maternity jeans came from Kohl's and they were on sale. I think these are them. All I know is they were less than $20 when I bought them!
Maternity Jeans
My favorite black work pants were actually $8 at Burlington Coat Factory. No link for them.
All in all, maternity clothes are comfortable and awesome. I'm totally used to not having a zipper on my pants anymore and it will be strange to go back to that one day. I'm still able to wear some of my non-maternity shirts that are long enough.
Favorite Stretch Mark Remedy: Ok, so I know there's no way to prevent stretch marks. Some people are just prone to get them, and seeing as how I have a few that are at least 7 years old...I am one of those people. So far, though, I only have one new one (as far as I can tell). Go me. I read that coconut oil can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks (lighten them), so I decided to go that route and hopefully curb the appearance of the stretch marks, since I can't prevent them. Therefore, twice a day, I rub organic coconut oil on my belly. I like that it's all natural, it makes my skin soft, and it makes me smell like a giant coconut macaroon.
Favorite Clothes for Liam: These Beatles onesies. Yes, The Beatles are my favorite band, and a baby wearing Beatles clothes is one of the cutest things ever! Therefore, my son will be sporting Beatles gear from time to time. The black one came from Target ( I still love it even though the song "All You Need is Love" is from 1967 and the Beatles pic they chose to use is from the White Album in 1968, so it doesn't match up, but oh well!). The Yellow Submarine one is from Old Navy.
Favorite Place to Buy Books about Parenting: Half Price Books. I got some great deals on Baby 411, a book about feeding my child organically (once he starts eating real food), and I got the Babywise book. A few people have recommended it even though people are pretty evenly divided on whether the system is whack or wonderful. It was cheap, so I will give it a read and possibly try it out once Liam gets here. Any other book suggestions? I still have everything to learn about being a parent.
Favorite Website to Look at Baby Stuff: Oompa I've loved the stuff on this website for years, and have ordered a few baby gifts for other people from there. I created a wishlist on a bored day at a temp job once, and I really hope I'm able to purchase some things from there. I especially like the natural, wooden toys. Locally, Buy Buy Baby has been the only place I've seen all natural, wooden toys. I also love colorful toys...really anything colorful in general.
Favorite Experience: Feeling Liam kick. I'm sure any pregnant lady would say this, but it's so true. I've been able to feel him everyday for about a month now. It's not constant, and the amount of movement varies day to day. Some days he's really active and others I may only feel him a few times. I admit, after he's had a couple of days of kicking a lot and then there's one of those days where I barely feel him at all, I worry some. I know he's always changing positions and some of those positions result in me not being able to feel him. I suppose he also sleeps a lot too. But there is SOME movement everyday, and I figure that's most important. I still have not been able to see or feel his kicks from the outside. Sometimes if he's kicking a lot, I put my hand there to try and feel it, and he immediately stops. Little stinker! But I love all his kicks because it's my little reminder that he's here and growing.
Update: A few minutes ago I was laying down on my left side and Liam was kicking my right. I put my hand where he was kicking and I totally felt my skin move! So I have felt at least one kick from the outside.
Here are a few of my favorite pregnancy related things so far:
Favorite Foods and Drinks: I pretty much stay hungry or at least in a pretty constant state of "I could eat." That doesn't mean I eat constantly...but I do eat often. Some of my favorite things to eat are steamed broccoli, cheese, Honey Nut Cheerios, Target brand strawberry fruit bars, Annie's brand spaghettio's, and things dipped in BBQ sauce. I also really like to eat a whole wheat tortilla with cream cheese and strawberry jam on it. My favorite things to drink are milk and water. That's pretty much all I drink with the occasional glass of orange or prune juice thrown in for good measure. Early in pregnancy, I craved Taco Bell fresco bean burritos, but that craving has gone away...although I do still have one from time to time. I don't want to jinx myself, but my stomach has behaved itself since early November. Of course, I like to eat out. I really like veggie Chinese food (always! Richardson is blessed with two vegan Chinese places: both on Arapaho) and veggie bowls from Chipotle. Genroku is one of my favorite restaurants to go to for the veggie bento box. I am sticking to my vegetarian ways and I still manage to get 80-90 grams of protein a day ( I do eat dairy and organic eggs).
Favorite Maternity Clothes: I admit I have a basic maternity wardrobe. I wear everything I have, so there is no riff raff. I got a giftcard to Motherhood Maternity for Christmas, and was able to get a few things. Here is a link to my favorite maternity shirt (I have two of them and I wish I had more).
3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck Top
My favorite maternity jeans came from Kohl's and they were on sale. I think these are them. All I know is they were less than $20 when I bought them!
Maternity Jeans
My favorite black work pants were actually $8 at Burlington Coat Factory. No link for them.
All in all, maternity clothes are comfortable and awesome. I'm totally used to not having a zipper on my pants anymore and it will be strange to go back to that one day. I'm still able to wear some of my non-maternity shirts that are long enough.
Favorite Stretch Mark Remedy: Ok, so I know there's no way to prevent stretch marks. Some people are just prone to get them, and seeing as how I have a few that are at least 7 years old...I am one of those people. So far, though, I only have one new one (as far as I can tell). Go me. I read that coconut oil can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks (lighten them), so I decided to go that route and hopefully curb the appearance of the stretch marks, since I can't prevent them. Therefore, twice a day, I rub organic coconut oil on my belly. I like that it's all natural, it makes my skin soft, and it makes me smell like a giant coconut macaroon.
Favorite Clothes for Liam: These Beatles onesies. Yes, The Beatles are my favorite band, and a baby wearing Beatles clothes is one of the cutest things ever! Therefore, my son will be sporting Beatles gear from time to time. The black one came from Target ( I still love it even though the song "All You Need is Love" is from 1967 and the Beatles pic they chose to use is from the White Album in 1968, so it doesn't match up, but oh well!). The Yellow Submarine one is from Old Navy.
Favorite Place to Buy Books about Parenting: Half Price Books. I got some great deals on Baby 411, a book about feeding my child organically (once he starts eating real food), and I got the Babywise book. A few people have recommended it even though people are pretty evenly divided on whether the system is whack or wonderful. It was cheap, so I will give it a read and possibly try it out once Liam gets here. Any other book suggestions? I still have everything to learn about being a parent.
Favorite Website to Look at Baby Stuff: Oompa I've loved the stuff on this website for years, and have ordered a few baby gifts for other people from there. I created a wishlist on a bored day at a temp job once, and I really hope I'm able to purchase some things from there. I especially like the natural, wooden toys. Locally, Buy Buy Baby has been the only place I've seen all natural, wooden toys. I also love colorful toys...really anything colorful in general.
Favorite Experience: Feeling Liam kick. I'm sure any pregnant lady would say this, but it's so true. I've been able to feel him everyday for about a month now. It's not constant, and the amount of movement varies day to day. Some days he's really active and others I may only feel him a few times. I admit, after he's had a couple of days of kicking a lot and then there's one of those days where I barely feel him at all, I worry some. I know he's always changing positions and some of those positions result in me not being able to feel him. I suppose he also sleeps a lot too. But there is SOME movement everyday, and I figure that's most important. I still have not been able to see or feel his kicks from the outside. Sometimes if he's kicking a lot, I put my hand there to try and feel it, and he immediately stops. Little stinker! But I love all his kicks because it's my little reminder that he's here and growing.
Update: A few minutes ago I was laying down on my left side and Liam was kicking my right. I put my hand where he was kicking and I totally felt my skin move! So I have felt at least one kick from the outside.
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