Friday, September 30, 2011
"Memmy Memmy"
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Baby Shower
So about the baby shower...
My mother planned it as a surprise. They had me going, too. They were playing it off as a family and friends preview type party for a bar and lounge my dad is opening. My mom insisted Nate make sure he gets that weekend off because it's very important to my dad that we be there. We bought that story without thinking about it much.
Then, the day Hurricane Irene hit NJ, NY and CT my mom insisted I call my grandfather (dad's dad) who lives in Manhattan and hadn't evacuated. It seemed a little strange that my mom was telling me to call and check in on him and not my dad, but I did what she asked. And after chatting a few minutes he apologized that he couldn't see us, wasn't sure when he'd be able to see us, not able to make it to the baby shower on the 17th. It sounded a little something like this:
Monday, September 26, 2011
Freshly Picked
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I really should be sleeping...
Whatever the cause, the moral of the story is the same. I can't sleep. I just realized that at this moment my sister is probably dancing at a club dressed like a hoochie (a classy one) with Ronnie of Jersey Shore. Well, not "probably"... That's what she's doing. What a different life we lead!
Today was my surprise baby shower for Owen. As in "Surprise!!! I knew about it!" (My grandfather had spilled the beans weeks ago). I felt bad- they tried so hard- and I wasn't going to tell them I knew, but the could tell. Guess my "act surprised" skills need work. I'll throw a Baby Shower post up with pictures and a gift list in a couple days. Right now is random-thoughts on my blackberry time.
So apparently my feet are swollen. I had no idea. They look and feel the same to me. But my grandma loves to point out how big and pregnant I am, and not only that- but biggER and pregnantER than last time. Yay! Self esteem boost anyone? Not to mention nate laughed at my poor over-stretched belly button a few nights ago. When Nate comments on my pregnant state I can hear the love and pride behind his voice, so it doesn't bother when he chuckles and says "whoah you're huge!"
Ok my random 3am thoughts have now shifted to Oliver- God! I love that little boy! He is so stinking beautiful. Such a perfect little gift from heaven! There are moments during the day where I catch myself thinking "I hope I don't forget to steal these brief moments of hugs/cuddles/tickles/kisses/goofballing with him once Owen is born." I am already making myself promise that I will remember to stay Oliver's mommy too. I think we all wonder as we wait for the second how we can split ourselves for both children, but I think most moms worry they won't have as much love for the second as the first one. My fear has been whether I will stay as obsessed with Oliver as I have been for the past 19+ months, and not become too wrapped up in newborn love. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it- but that's the best I can do at 3am.
Well I think I will try to silently sneak back into bed (the king size bed we get to use at my moms which Nate decided not to share well tonight...wtf!? Get on your side... Alllllll the way over there!). Thanks for being there blogger.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Friday, September 16, 2011
It's all in the bag!
Well whenever he comes we need to be ready, and that means.... packing for the hospital!
Today we received an unexpected package from my brother and sister in law. It really was perfect timing because along with several other very practical gift items (practicality is very much appreciated the second time around) was the most amazing diaper bag. This thing is intense! I'm so excited to organize it! It's going to get packed up for the hospital and after that there should be a pocket for just about everything two boys could possibly need.
For any first time moms wondering how to pack for the hospital my advice is to consider what you would use at home. You're most likely to be in the hospital only 2-3 days. In that short time do you need this particular item. For example, with Oliver we brought our laptop with us. We did use it but I think it will stay home this time. As much time as I spend on my laptop I think I can survive two days. If you choose not to bring something and find yourself wanting it you can always have someone bring it to you, since chances are you will have lots of people in and out to visit.
Pack light. You won't be in the same room the entire time. The book I read to prepare for Oliver recommended a smaller bag for labor and delivery, and sending for a second bag once you're moved to your own room. We did decide not to carry Nate's stuff with us while we were in L&D and recovery, but I don't know if a separate bag is necessary even for mom. I had a small duffel bag that made the entire trip with me. Then there was Nate's bag and the baby bag. This time it looks like baby and I will share a bag and Nate will have his small bag.
I didn't need a single thing out of my bag in L&D. I had packed a book but it never left the bag, (I do think I will bring my nook this time anyway. I was so wrapped up in what was going on- staying calm, trying to rest, and..o yeah! laboring!... that I never opened that bag. Hardly even watched TV.
As conscious as I am attempting to be NOT to over pack...it's what I do, I'm sure I'm bringing more than I'll need for the baby in 2 days.
*Two nursing bras (one comfy one with no support so I don't now why even bother with it, and one that's more bra-like to wear to move around and come home)
*Big momma panties (it's all about comfy, not so much fashion! you want something you won't mind being ruined too)
*Burp cloths (but now that I think about it these probably aren't necessary because baby will most likely be on a colostrum diet and have very little milk to dribble or spit)
*Two nursing gowns (this time I just got two cheap nightgowns from Sears that have buttons instead of the maternity nursing gowns that are more expensive and didn't survive long last time anyway)
*Coming home outfits for mom and baby (remember socks and a hat for baby, and for mom I recommend yoga pants and a nice shirt for pictures- any dressier than that is your own choice, comfort is my #1 priority)
*Baby clothes and socks (really a coming home outfit is all that's necessary but you may want to dress your little one in something other than the too-big hospital onesie)
*Boppy pillow (brought a body pillow instead for Oliver, a regular pillow works just as well to prop up your arm and the baby while nursing so this isn't completely necessary either but the boppys are good to prop baby up for pictures)
*Blanket (I'm not bothering with a swaddling blanket because you will have hospital ones to use, but a heavier fleece lined blanket is nice to have to help baby regulate his body temperature and stay warm on the trip home)
*Camera & camcorder (remember extra batteries and/or charger unless you plan on having everything freshly juiced ahead of time...I'd probably still pack extra because all the pictures you'll take may drain it faster than normal)
*Nook (already mentioned how this probably is one of those things I won't need, but I'd like to have it with me anyway)
*Toiletries and make-up (you don't need your full arsenal, but keep in mind there will be lots of cameras and lots of pictures and you will want to like them...so look nice or at least nice-ish)
*Cell phones and chargers
Other things to consider:
*Extra pillows or blankets for hubby (he won't get the best sleep in the hospital so if he's picky to begin with these might be worth bringing in once you're settled down)
*Extra bags for gifts/ stuff you'll take from the hospital (the nurses will most likely give you plastic drawstring bags if you really need it, plus you can send things home slowly with visitors).
*Snacks/cash (the hospital I was in had really yummy food, but you will most likely be up and hungry before breakfast service starts...Nate doesn't think it is totally necessary to pack stuff because there is a dunkin donuts, a subway, and a walgreens just outside our hospital... ok by me!)
*A bathing suit for dad if you plan on a water birth or standing in the shower while laboring.
Things you'll take from the hospital: (pretty much whatever you can!)
*As many diapers and wipes as they'll bring you
*Formula samples
*Aspirator
*Some sexy gauze underwear (you probaly won't need them by the time your home but take them just in case...I still have like 8 pairs from when I came home with Oliver)
*Nipple cream
*Gauze pads and petroleum jelly (for circumcized boys)
*Squirt bottle (it's for cleansing yourself "down there" and is pretty soothing when you're swollen and afraid of even wiping believe me! plus it's great later to use on laundry to almost to powerwash baby's poo leaks off the onesies)
*Swaddling blanket (you probably have cute ones at home, but for sentimental reasons you will want at least one of the hospital ones to come home with you)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Addiction
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday Tummy Time!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Bringing Home Baby
It was kind of sad leaving the hospital. It was like we had been in our own little bubble, our own private world. Nate had stayed the whole time with me and the baby was in our room the whole time too, only being taken out when they weighed him and checked stats each night. Leaving the hospital was like going back out into the real world were we had to take care of ourselves and protect this precious baby from everything out there. (Not to mention I was going to miss the room service!)
Getting close to Baby Owen's due date has us thinking about how things went the first time as we make plans for the hospital and coming home. Nate mentioned getting Owen's coming home outfit and I had him get Oliver's out of the basement where it was put away with other outgrown clothes. I had always figured each kid would get his own, but for some reason I automatically answered Nate that I had to wash Oliver's for Owen. Which led to last nights yo-yo decision: Reuse? Get a new one? We see positives in both. Very close friends of ours used the same outfit for all three of their kids. But there's was neutral so having a girl after two boys wasn't a problem for them reusing it. In our case, if the next baby (YEARS down the road!!!) were to be a girl, there is no way we would bring her home in a blue outfit, so is it fair that she would get her own? And wouldn't it be nice to one day give each kid their outfit to use or not use as they build there own families? But the emotional impact of seeing both of our boys in the same beautiful outfit calls to me too. Plus, it took forever to find this outfit that we liked for Oliver to come home in.
One more thing- we got this outfit at a consignment store. Does the fact that a stranger-baby wore it once make it less special? Sometimes I feel like I can't really say "This is Oliver's special outfit," because they are second-hand (even though I don't know whose hand came first).
I think we've made our decision, but what's your opinion on the matter?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Happy Birthday to My Old Man
Nate is so amazing I want to make his day special...but with my SAHM budget and achy pregnant body I'm already off to a bad start. I couldn't even pull myself out of bed to make him breakfast, good thing he loves cereal. It may take me all day, but I WILL make him dinner tonight! I WILL I WILL I WILL!!!! Even though I just want to lie down with pillows propped under various body parts and read. Dinner tonight will be Aji de Gallina... when I was pregnant with Oliver for whatever reason I wanted spicy Peruvian food and learned how to make this. It's a hit with Nate, so...I will make it for him because he deserves it!
The Little Stinker inside my belly doesn't seem to understand that on Daddy's birthday we need to get things done. He is literally weighing me down! Since Tuesday it has been sooooooooo hard for me to move, and his movements are getting really uncomfortable and painful. I thought I'd go early with Oliver, but that was more wishful thinking. I really feel this time there's more of a chance I go early...but what do I know, I may snap out of it in a few days. I'm actually kind of nervous to go early this time. I'm 35 weeks 2 days and I really want to make it to 37 weeks before I say, "OK baby, get out here!" I'm sure I will, but I've been miserable so the thought's crossed my mind. We've still got quite of bit of getting ready to do. Take it easy on me Baby, so I can finish getting ready for you!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Puddin' Head
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday Tummy Time!
Here's what it looks like at 35 weeks:
Monday, September 5, 2011
Freezer Meals
Given my aversion to cooking I should really be doing this mass cooking regularly so I don't have to make my way grudgingly the stove every day. If I could focus my energy into a weekend cooking spree every once in a while I'd be all set.
A google search brought me HERE and I thought I'd share. Here's whay I plan on trying out- they seem so easy, how can I screw this up?
Cranberry Chicken
Cornflake Potato Casserole
Dr. Pepper Spaghetti
Anyone else have any freezer recipes to share? In a few months I'll be looking for baby food recipes so get ready to share those too.
Happy Labor Day
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Testing
Speaking of- here is a crappy cell pic of the bump at 34weeks 3days.
Someone comment and let me know if this worked :)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®