Be Prepared, Dad

Ok, first of all...the cover of this book is so perfect.  This pretty much embodies all that is my fiancè!  He basically lives around "being prepared" for anything and everything.  He loves to hike and camp and I definitely consider him a "man's man"!  We even have one of those baby backpacks on our registry.  This book, Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook For New Dads, was written for him, I just know it.

He has pretty much read through this whole book already, and really liked it.  He found it to be helpful, easy to read and really informative...he actually feels more prepared.

 I flipped through a few pages and liked the manner in which it was written...straight forward with a little comedy thrown in the mix...no sugar-coating here.  This is one of my favorite pages that sums up the style of this book.

I didn't even know this is what your baby will really look like when it's born!  YIKES!  I'm glad I saw this, because when the time comes in a few months, I might have thought she needs a little more time in the oven.

 

Choco-benefit

  Chocolate used to be my weakness.  I got pregnant, then hated even the thought of it.  I'm past my 1st trimester nausea phase.  Chocolate and I are friends again...and are getting even friendlier now that I've read this article in the Dec/Jan 2012 issue of Fit Pregnancy magazine.

"Enjoy chocolate daily.  Regularly eating chocolate during pregnancy may buffer a fetus from stress and improve his temperament after birth.  One study found that pregnant women who ate chocolate every day gave birth to babies that laughed easily, soothed readily and responded well to novelty.  The effect may be due to pleasure-producing or stress-relieving properties in chocolate compounds in it that prevent the breakdown of pleasure-producing chemicals in the fetus's brain.  The sweet stuff also reduces the risk of preeclampsia. Dark chocolate is the healthiest and least fattening type."

 You don't have to tell me twice that eating chocolate has baby benefits!  I've already started eating one square a day of Ghirardelli's Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72% Cacao.

Mmmmmmmm :)

20 Weeks Pregnant {Small Cantaloupe}

 Baby Mia and I have reached 20 weeks, Friday...the halfway point of pregnancy!!!

{Average measurements: 6.5 inches from crown to rump, 10.6 oz}

• I've still only gained about 5 pounds.
• I actually WANT to wear maternity pants.  There's less pressure on my belly when I sit.
• My baby bump...is most definitely that.  I've got a bump!
• I'm doing well with laying on my left side when I sleep.  It's the side I prefer anyways...but I could totally use one of those body pillows to cuddle and also rest between my legs.
• I'm still working on my baby registry.  I've got 3 different registries going and man they take up so much time.  There's thousands of items and products to browse at these baby sites.
• I recommend using MyRegistry.com for items from stores that don't have registries of their own.  You can add whatever you want, it's super easy and convenient.  I even uploaded the sites app to my phone along with an app that scans bar codes, so now I can add stuff to my registry ANYWHERE from my phone!  I've already added a book from Barnes & Noble and a lamp from Target, using my phone.  How cool is that???
• We've decided to make Mia's nursery a Garden Theme...more like a spring flower garden, with bright colors...NO pastel colors.  I think bright colors will make my life easier when it comes to finding more decor since I can choose from more colors.  The Garden Theme also allows us to throw in ladybug, bee, snail, bird, caterpillar, floral, and butterfly toys, prints, decor, bedding, etc.
• I found some great, cheap curtains (on sale at Urban Outfitters) that match perfectly with the colors and theme of the Garden nursery theme.  Check them out HERE.   

Now for the greatest update of all (as far as I'm concerned)...I've FINALLY begun to feel Mia move!  At first, I wasn't sure if it was her.  The best way I can describe it, is that she feels just like a heartbeat, but in my uterus!  It's still so very subtle and soft, so I only notice when I lay down (usually at night for bed).  I'll feel the smallest "pulse" or "heartbeat"...and then maybe 30 seconds later, another one.  Pretty cool, huh? :)

Photo via www.babycenter.com

My BabyBump phone app says, "This week your baby's skin will become covered with a waxy-like substance called vernix which will protect her skin from becoming scratched or chapped.  Your baby is also starting to produce meconium, the result of digestion, which will accumulate in her bowels and eventually pass during delivery or in her first diaper.

You've officially reached the halfway point of your pregnancy!  At this stage your uterus is even with your bellybutton and you may have gained 10-13 pounds.  You'll likely have your second major ultrasound soon where your doctor will check on your baby's development."

Status Change!

What a pretty amazing Thanksgiving holiday.  I'm still basking in all of its glory.  I was given so much more to be thankful for and I cannot wait to face all of life's surprises and challenges that are in store.

Not only did Dominic and I find out a few days before Thanksgiving that we are having a baby GIRL (Mia Rose), but I was able to reveal the news to co-workers (see previous post) and our families at Thanksgiving dinner.  As if that weren't enough, we also had the pleasure of announcing this...

It was great getting to share TWO wonderful surprises.  Of course, everyone was overjoyed and the "congratulations" kept coming all evening long :)

Dominic proposed to me the night before Thanksgiving where we had met, about 5 1/2 years ago.  He wrote his speech down and read it to me because he was nervous and didn't want to forget anything.  After he asked me to be his wife, he handed the ring to me.  I kindly reminded him that he's supposed to put it on my finger..."oh yeah. Sorry, I'm nervous."  His hand was shaking while he slid it on...that was my favorite part.  I can still make him nervous ;)

I am now Dominic's fiance.  That has a nice ring to it...and I have a very nice stunning ring to show for it, too.

Baby Mia, your mommy and daddy are engaged...the seams of our family are coming together!

xoxo

The SWEET Gender Reveal!

About a month ago, we had an appointment with my physician and she told us she was about 70% sure that Dominic and I are having a baby GIRL!  She said it was still early to be certain, but she couldn't find a little "rocket ship."  Well, 2 weeks later at our next appointment with a different doctor (who has better 3D sonogram equipment), he confirmed to us that we are having a girl.  I'm thrilled!  Funny thing, for the past year or so, I've been dead set on wanting a boy first.  As soon as I found out I was pregnant, that feeling changed within an instant.  I didn't even have to think about it, I just knew that it had to be a girl, and that I wanted a girl first.  When browsing online for cute nursery themes and clothes, I didn't even check out the boy stuff!  Crazy, right?

Now, a "gender reveal" was in order.  I have over 50 co-workers and had to come up with a cute idea to reveal to them what I'm having.  I searched online for ideas and decided to go with this....

First, I tracked down as many co-workers as I could and had them vote by adding a tally mark under boy or girl, whatever they thought I was having.  Then, I gave them a cupcake that I had made.  After taking a big bite, pink frosting was revealed inside...GIRL!  If they didn't want a cupcake, they could choose option #2, take a peek in the box to see her precious little shoes and her name :)

Two days later at Thanksgiving dinner, I would reveal to Dominic's and my family the gender of our little baby.  I didn't want to repeat the same cupcake idea, because bringing cupcakes to the greatest food holiday there is, is an insult to such a delicious menu!  It was my responsibility to make the sweet potatoes this year, so I used that in my reveal.  I dyed the marshmallows that topped the potatoes...pink :)  At first, no one caught on to the subtle hint, but after I kept mentioning the strangely colored pink marshmallows and pointing them out to everyone, a few "light bulbs" went on and everyone figured it out.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the potatoes!!!  So bummed :(

So there you have it...I'm creating a precious baby girl, Mia Rose, right here in my belly.  We all love her.

19 Weeks Pregnant {Heirloom Tomato}

 Our little Heirloom Tomato has reached 19 weeks!  Almost to the half way mark.

• The pain that I mentioned I had in the 18 Weeks post is still present.  I'm feeling it more throughout the week and have to readjust how I sit often, especially in the car.  Boo! :(
• I still have NOT been getting any exercise which, I know, is HORRIBLE!  This holiday week has been pretty hectic, but no more excuses.  The baby and I need it!  I'm actually going on a walk today :)
• I have purchased 2 more pairs of maternity pants from Sears.  If you live in So-Cal, the Sears in the Pasadena area has an okay maternity section.  It's hard to find stores that do...and that are cheap.
• I bought my diaper/baby bag from Sears also.  It was on sale for only $30!  It's cute, it matches the new play yard that my mom ordered for us yesterday, and it's not too girly so that Dominic can carry it.
• My belly is growing!!!  Still, it's not very big, but more noticeable than last week :)

 I know, the baby looks like it's made out of clay...or like it's melting!  But it's still not done baking yet.  Once you get past that, notice the arms?  You can see the elbows sticking out because this little "heirloom tomato" is sitting back, relaxing with its hands behind its head.  Stinking CUTE!!!

Photo via: www.babycenter.com

My phone's baby app, BabyBump, says "Many of your baby's senses are developing as specialized areas in the brain are being designated for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch.  Millions of motor neurons are continuing to develop in your baby's brain allowing more controlled and conscious movement.

Your growing belly is probably obvious to others around you and you may feel the physical effects of it too.  Most pregnant women experience backache at some point during their pregnancy.  You may notice discomfort in your posture as your center of gravity shifts forward putting more strain on your back.  Hormonal increases also contribute to abdominal pain by relaxing the muscles around your waist allowing the uterus to grow."

My BabyCenter app says "Some research suggests that your baby may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to him or her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 oz and measures 6 inches, head to bottom.  The arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the body now."

Teething Jewelry

I was checking out today's Zulily deals and found this idea to be pretty brilliant.  I wish I would have thought of this...and marketed it...and made some pretty $ :)

Sonny & Reed has created some beads for moms to wear while giving the baby a chance to teeth instead of gnawing on the GOOD jewlery!  The cool thing is...I think these pieces can pass as real jewelry instead of teething necklaces or bracelets.

Bracelets: $11.99, Necklaces: $17.99

THIS Zulily sale ends on 11/20/11

18 Weeks Pregnant {Sweet Potato}

The little "sweet potato" has made it to 18 weeks!  It's about 5.6 inches and weighs about 6.7 oz.

• I went for a walk down a steep hill...and then of course to get back, up a STEEP hill.  This was really hard for me, I could feel a sharp discomfort in my chest and my body struggled most of the way.  The next day, I had lower back pain for a few hours when I woke up, that shot down my leg also.  I iced it when I got to work.  I'm betting I bothered a pinched nerve that I got when painting a fence a few months ago.  Just great...I'm sure this nerve will only get worse as I grow bigger.  Oh what fun to come.
• I've started applying Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula to my breasts, stomach, lower back, thighs, and any other area that I think might stretch...hopefully minimize the stretch mark side effect of pregnancy.
• I'm feeling increasingly HEAVIER.  Although I have much of my energy back, I still feel sluggish and clumsy-like.  I need to start moving around more, going on walks or checking out the pre-natal Yoga DVD that I have.
• I'm beginning to feel the need for maternity pants.  Using a hair band or rubber band to fasten the button to the hole isn't cutting it anymore on a few of my pants.  I don't like any added pressure or tightness around my stomach.
• I'm anticipating our next doctor's appt. in a few days on Monday.  We'll be having a 3-D ultrasound done and we SHOULD be able to find out the sex of the baby!  FINALLY :)

Photo via www.babycenter.com

My phone's BabyBump app says, "Many of the bones in your baby's body are starting to harden.  Among these first bones to develop is the inner ear which is part of the reason why your baby might e able to hear sounds such as your heart beating or your tummy growling.
As you settle into your second trimester you'll likely gain your appetite back.  Eating healthy and getting enough protein is important at this stage as your body needs approximately 300 extra calories to help your baby develop.  Equally important is continuing with exercising; keep moderation in mind and do not begin any new, strenuous workouts."