Unique Changing Tables

I came across these really creative ideas for some unique changing tables.  I love the yellow tool cart (post found here at Ohdeedoh) and I'll hopefully snatch up one of these for the nursery.

You can find these 2 Steel Service Carts from Harbor Freight Tools...here and here..for some reasonable prices (maybe even better than an actual baby changing table).

At Daddy Types, you can find another great idea for a changing table.  Check out this Stainless Steel Kitchen Cart from Ikea.

Now get this...a great DIY idea when your little one no longer needs a changing table, or outgrows it.  Instead of chucking it, turn it into a bar!  Here are the before & after photos from Ohdeedoh.

Gender Reveal Party {Idea 1}

I love the idea of throwing a "gender reveal party" once the sex of the baby has been determined.  I've already been tossing around a few ideas of how I'd like to do this with my family, friends and co-workers.  Check out Maddycakes Muse for a party that I just may borrow a few ideas from myself...like this voting board.

I also really like that neutral colors were used for the theme of the party and the photo garland of ultrasound pics is adorable.

Tiny TOMS

I had no idea that TOMS made shoes for toddlers!  I have a pair of grey TOMS wedges and I love them, and I think they are adorable for kids, too.  And in case you didn't know, with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

Shop at Toms Shoes for more great, adorable looks.

Baby Hats

Melondipity is an adorable baby hat boutique for newborns, babies and toddlers.  The prices are pretty decent, there are some selections on the high and medium end.  I love these 2 photos...precious!

Decorative Lights

These great build-your-own lights could work in a nursery or in any room in the house.  I love that you can custom make your own set of string lights...choose the length, number of lights and the mix of colors.

 

 

Visit Cable & Cotton to begin creating.

13 Weeks Pregnant {Peach}

Yesterday marked 13 weeks!  

• Nausea is continuing to slowly decrease...still hits me at some point each day, though.
• Food is slowly starting to become more appetizing
• Still easily out of breath
• Being on my feet/walking around for too long ends up exhausting me at the end of the day
• Still burping throughout the day, especially after meals
• I'm starting to win the battle of constipation, a wonderful side effect of pregnancy.
• I'm still not "showing" (I think only I can tell there's a LITTLE bump)...but still feeling bloated and chubby and BLAH!
• A friend of mine who had a baby about 4 months ago, has loaned me a handful of mommy books AND a Yoga DVD during pregnancy (looking forward to giving that a try)  Thanks Annie!
• A co-worker of mine was handed down some maternity clothes from one of our student's mom (who has great fashion sense and always looks cute)...and now that co-worker has offered to pass them along to ME!  Thanks Adriana!
• One of my good friends texted me this morning that if I can find a location, she'll offer to plan my baby shower...she's been brainstorming and has a ton of cute ideas!  Thanks Steph!
• I received a really cute basket of flowers in the mail from my future sister-in-law (Dom's sister) as a congratulations.  Very thoughtful, thanks Lisa!

Image from:  www.babycenter.com

Ok, my BabyBump phone app says that the baby is almost 3 inches and could be about the size of a peach.  "Up until now, your baby's head has been proportionally larger than the rest of the body.  But around this time your baby's body will start to catch up and grow more proportional to the head.  If you could peek inside your womb, you could see your baby's motor skills starting to work.  Your baby is able to move and flex the arms and legs."

The BabyCenter app says, "Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips.  Veins and organs are clearly visible through his or her still-thin skin.  If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries."

1st Trimester Testing

Monday, we had an appointment with a different doctor to screen for Down Syndrome and other birth defects.  The risk for Down syndrome increases as the age of the mother increases.  I am 28 and am not at high risk for this birth defect, but as a new parent, I'd like to do everything I can to better prepare for my baby.  A new test that examines features of the early fetus using diagnostic ultrasound, combined with the analysis of a blood sample, determines my individual risks.  *Fingers crossed* that the blood work comes back normal...the doctor did say that he didn't "see" anything off or wrong with the baby.

Now for the super cool part that I was SO anxiously awaiting...the most recent baby pics!  I know, it's a little creepy to see your baby look like it's been molded out of clay, but watching my child up on the flatscreen in the doctor's office (super fancy, btw) was just AMAZING.  It looks like the Tater-Tot is sitting "Indian style," or like my fellow teachers and I like to say "criss-cross-applesauce."  It's nuts to think that this little baby is only about 7cm long (almost 3 inches).  

I was told that I have "bilateral notching" which I guess translates to possible high blood pressure in ME.  To avoid any complications down the road, I am to take children's aspirin, or a low dose adult aspirin everyday until week 20, when I'm supposed to see this doctor again for another full fetal examination.

Dominic and I also got a DVD to take home, with the entire exam burned on it...everything we saw on the screen at the appointment, we can share with friends/family.  Oh, and we won't know the sex of the baby for another 4 weeks.  Eek!

12 Weeks Pregnant {Plum, Lime}

The Tater-Tot and I have finally reached a milestone...12 weeks!  That's 3 months and with the end of this week will be the end of the 1st trimester.  I'm that much closer to feeling almost normal again.  I'm still not an obvious pregnant woman, I just have a little bloated look to me, like after you had a big meal and can't suck it in all the way.  Not much has changed with me since my last update.  I'm still nauseous from time to time and a friend of mine recommended "Preggie Pop Drops" to help relieve the feeling.  I was planning on stopping by Bellies, Babies & Bosoms in Montrose, CA to buy some, but to my surprise, my doctor gave me a handful of samples that were sent to them in the mail.  Score!  I've tried a few and I love the taste and for me, they do relieve nausea for a short period of time.  I recommend giving them a try.

I am also wearing Sea Bands, which are another form of non-drug nausea relief.  While wearing one on each wrist, they have a bead that applies accupressure to certain pressure points.  I'm not sure if they're working or not, could be all in my head, but give them a try if you're desperate.  You can find them in a drug store or at Target by the Dramamine. 

Speaking of the doctor, I had my 2nd appointment 

with her a few days ago on Tuesday.  I was disappointed that we didn't get an ultrasound done to see the baby, but apparently she doesn't do one with every appointment.  Instead, she just used a device that listens for the heartbeat and plays it through a speaker.  Dominic and I heard our little Tater-Tot's heart for a few minutes, along with some occasional static...which was the baby moving!  I had a giant smile on my face.  I was so relieved that everything was alright and the doctor said that I should have nothing to worry about at this point.  Great, I can breathe now.

Image from www.babycenter.com

Now let's see what my phone app BabyCenter has to say about week 12.  "The most dramatic development this week: reflexes.  Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close.  His or her mouth will make sucking movements.  Toes will curl, and eye muscles will clench.  Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously.  In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it.  Your baby's intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity, and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into your baby's bladder.  Your baby's face looks unquestionably human:  His or her eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are right where they should be.  From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long and weighs half an ounce."