Our Baby Girl: Week 28

I have mentioned before that I joined a site for pregnant ladies and moms.  Besides a little drama (pregnant ladies can definitely have that) I have really enjoyed the site.  I get to ask any questions I may have and share my experience with those who are first timers. It is nice to talk with ladies all over the world about being pregnant and raising kids. I learned that other countries get maternity leave for a year - so jealous!  Even though I would probably get a little stir crazy.  It seems pretty mixed with ladies who are SAHM (stay at home moms) and working moms.  So debates can come up to why people do which one.  For the most part the ladies are very understanding that each person's situation is different and what is right for one person is not necessarily the best choice for someone else.  I will still go back to work after my maternity leave with baby girl, unless something drastically changes.  The situation has worked so well for Colin and we did not miss any milestones with him (that seems to be a big reason some ladies choose to stay home).   We were there the first time he walked, we saw him smile, laugh, etc.  We also introduced all of his food first.  If he smiled for her (daycare lady) first, she was good about not telling us and that works for me. I do know that Colin is going to be a independent, self-sufficient boy and I think that will serve him well in school and life.  I am hoping the same situation will prove to have the same impact on our baby girl. 

My appetite is doing well!  The last few days I feel like my stomach is completely empty every half and hour.  So, I have been stocking up on little snacks (fruits, veggies, etc) which is working great.  I have gained 9 lbs!  One of the nurses at my OB's office thinks that my total will be around 15.  I can definitely deal with that.  My stomach has definitely grown in the last week and has become a little more uncomfortable.  I am feeling it when I bend down and when I need to pick up Colin.  Will is getting on my case anytime I do stuff like that now.  As you can see in my picture, I have been stealing Will's shirts since they are bigger than mine and a little more comfortable for the weekends.  I am trying not to buy too many maternity clothes and have been very lucky so far that a lot of my clothes still work. I think I have bought two pairs of pants and two shirts maternity (all on sale). I love the belly band such a great invention.  It allows me to still wear my normal work pants (I can just leave them unbuttoned).  I do wear a lot of dresses lately.  I want it to warm up so I can do so more often.  I am tired of winter, I want spring!

Ooh, we got the rug for baby girl's room yesterday!  So excited!  I am waiting on a few other things then hopefully I can take pictures to post.

A Day with Mama

Last Monday, Colin and I spent the day home together. We had so much fun and the holiday was perfect timing for us to catch up after my trip.  We had Colin's favorite breakfast, pancakes and yogurt and then watched his current favorite show (Animal Mechanicals) together.  He was so cuddly - I loved it!  Then we did a belated Valentine's art project that we are going to send to Grammie and Grandma Liz (I need to still do that!).   Next we played some games in his playroom before lunch.  Colin knows that lunch means "quiet time" comes next so he tries to stall.  He actually slept for a very long time.  Then we started dinner for when daddy got off work.  Mainly, I just wanted to share some pictures of our day together.  I had such a great time playing Colin's games with him.



Playing Colin's version of Connect 4




Playing with his bat cave




Colin put together the puzzle (mostly) all on his own.



κοριτσάκι : Week 27

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." - Aristotle

I am still a little behind on my blogs, but I am home so no I can play catch up.  I am currently 28 weeks but here is my 27 week update.  The title "κοριτσάκι" or koritsáki means "baby girl" in Greek and since my 27th week was spent in the beautiful country of Greece I thought it was fitting.  This was a dream come true for me and again, like Italy, was so neat to share this experience with my baby girl, even though she was still in the womb. 

She still moved quite a bit while traveling.  My bed was not as comfy at this hotel but luckily I have not hit a point of my body getting really uncomfortable yet.  I am getting a little tired of sleeping on my side but I can deal with that.  The ladies that we worked with made me feel good by being so shocked that I was this far along and so small.  The director actually did not know I was pregnant until the third day.  She was amazed that I hid it, even though I was wearing clothes that were definitely showing my baby bump.  The day she noticed (and made me blush) I was wearing a dress and for some reason dresses make me look bigger.  I can tell that my belly has grown since I left home 2 weeks ago.

I really got my exercising in by all the walking I did.  I really enjoyed exploring the harbor that we were staying near.  Such a beautiful area.  I am definitely taking it easy once I get home. 

Baby girl seemed to enjoy all the food.  We had Greek salad (yes I did enjoy some cheese but I limited the amount), we had baklava, tzatziki and pita, gyro, Greek yogurt with honey and fruit (delicious) and I even had some fish that was caught locally.  I never did find my hummus but I will get into that in my traveling blog.  This was my last trip until after baby girl gets here.  Traveling really wore me out so I am not complaining.  I am excited for the uninterrupted time to spend getting the house all fixed.  Will, Colin and Bill painted the nursery and Colin's room while I was gone.  They turned out so cute!  Pictures to come. 

First Lady for Breastfeeding

Found an interesting article that I wanted to share with all of my baby mamas! 

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/14/michelle-obama-to-promote-breast-feeding-as-irs-gives-tax-breaks/

La Nostra Bambina: Week 26

My pictures are not so great for week 26, but I took them in my hotel with my phone and it was probably too dark.  I am also a little behind because now I am 27 weeks getting closer to 28!  Crazy!  I spent my whole 26th week of my pregnancy in the wonderful and beautiful country of Italy, which explains my title for this blog.  La Nostra Bambina means "our little girl".  I am excited to have shared this trip with my little baby, even if she does not know it and obviously will not remember it.  It is a special experience for me as a mom.  Plus, she benefited from the amazing cuizine.  I thoroughly enjoyed the food. Delizioso! Italy is a pregnant lady's dream come true.  I even had to try a few sips of wine (less than a quarter of a glass)...I mean you cannot go to Italy and not at least try the red wine.  No worries to anyone who might think that you should have no alcohol while pregnant.  My doctor says "everything in moderation".  So a few sips is not going to hurt my baby girl. I will go into more details about the food in my traveling blog and the wine I brought home for Will and I (once baby girl has made her introduction).

It was nice being in an area where I can wear clothes that show I actually have a baby bump.  It has been to cold back home so wearing my jacket no one can tell that I am pregnant.  People still had to ask and were surprised when I told them how far along I was but the belly definitely has grown since I left home. 

Baby has become a little mover since being "on the road".  She has been kicking a lot more and doing little flips.  I also started experiencing Braxton Hicks a lot since I left home.  I am guessing it is due to being tired and I probably need to drink more water.  They would happen while I was training - annoying!  I thought it interesting that very few women experience Braxton Hicks when pregnant with there first.  My doctor said that it is extremely rare.  I did not have them with Colin but have been with baby girl.  Not so much until I started traveling this time.

Italy was a great place for providing motivation for exercising!  I walked a lot and was able to just enjoy the scenery.  People were so friendly and the language is one that you can pick up pretty easy.  Well more to come about Italy in my traveling blog.  I am a little behind but I will get to it eventually and post pictures.

Just a few pictures of Colin I took on my phone before I left.  He was helping daddy clear our front path.  So cute.

Ciao, la mia bella amici e familiari!

(Bye, my beautiful friends and family)

Our Baby Girl: Week 25

Our Little Gymnast

This has been such a busy week with school, work and life in general.  Little girl is doing great though!  Her lack of movement causes stress at times but that is just because her big brother was the complete opposite so it is not what I am used to.  My doctor (whom I love to death) is wanting us to become more familiar with baby girl's movements and habits.  Since Colin's lack of movement is how we knew he needed to be induced a week early.  So, now after each meal I lay on my side and count how many movements (any movement) I feel in 5 minutes.  There should be 10.  If there is not 10 then I have to wait an hour and make sure there is some additional movement.  I also need to keep track of when I feel movements throughout the day.  I have learned a lot.  She actually moves more than I thought but they are move like spins rather then kicks.  I will not complain about her not being a kicker!  Even though she did get a really good kick to my ribcage last night while Will and I had a date night (we went to Bonefish - delicious).  The kick actually made me feel a little sick, thankfully it was at the end of the meal.  So, Little Bean (well now she is too big to be called that) has been referred to as "a little gymnast" each ultrasound that we have had.  She apparently likes to flip and keeps her feet curled up by her head.  I have also learned that she usually flips at least once an hour and is active after meals or if I wait to long between meals (she likes food).  She also likes to be the MOST active at 3 am.   Not cool...but I like the reassurance by her movement so all is forgiven. 

My doctor is also paying closer attention this pregnancy because of my placenta issues with Colin, which is part of why he was induced. Apparently, I had with Colin what they call a "smokers placenta" even though I was not a smoker. This means that my placenta looked old due to the blood vessels being calcified and partially obstructed, which means it was not doing all it should for Colin. With a "smokers placenta" you have to worry about placental abruption which is when the placenta separates from the uterus wall during the time the baby still needs nutrients and oxygen. This can also lead to bleeding, premature birth and fetal distress among other things. Not to be a downer, but any prayers that my placenta stays "young" are appreciated!!


On a more positive side: I am feeling great!  Still tired but what can you do.  I do not really have strange cravings...even though Will would say that eating a pickle and then having a cookie right after qualifies as a weird eating habit.  I also have to have my glass of orange juice every morning, which I love since normally I can not handle the acidic drink in the morning at all.  My normally sensitive stomach has become an iron stomach when pregnant.  I can drink milk, eat breakfast, etc.  I love it!  My belly has really been showing lately!  I am thrilled!  I am still low on my weight gain but my doctor does not seem worried because I have been eating so much. 

B Family Update

Well it is snowing a lot and is not expected to stop until 4 am or so...I am thinking I will be working from home tomorrow.  I have plenty of things I could be doing right now, like organizing the nursery, gathering our Good Will piles, or homework (of course) - but here I am writing a blog.  Terrible. So, time for a...

~~~ B Family Update~~~

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessings" - Unknown

Mommy B update: I am taking the class Sociology of Developing Countries. So far this class has been very manageable and enjoyable.  There is a lot of reading involved, which can prove to be difficult with what I call "pregnancy brain".  I have been reading aloud to Will so that I focus easier.  Will cracks me up.  After I have read a bit he turns to me and ask, "what are we learning about again?".  He of course is playing Wii or something as I am doing this, which is fine because reading aloud just helps me to stay focused.  The discussions can become very interesting in the class.  I love the teacher!  He has lived all over the world, retired military, has been dean of a prestigious college, etc, etc, etc.  Crazy life.  I am also trying to reread one of my many mythology books.  This one is one of my favorites.  It is a world mythology book but I am just focusing on Roman and Greek mythology for my upcoming trip.  Cannot believe I am getting so close to going to Europe for the first time!  This book is very cool it is like a text book it gives you background on mythology in general (the purpose, background, etc) and then it gives you summaries of the different myths in a story-like form.  So, it has the creation myth all the way to The Odyssey, which as you know is one of my favorites. I am supposed to be reading a book for book club also...haha. So many books!  I love to read but lately it makes me very sleepy.

Daddy Update: Will signed up for a class today to get his PMP (Project Management Professional) certificate.  I am so proud of him for doing this.  It is a great thing to have.  He will have a couple of classes to take then he has to take a big test.  He is still playing in his band.  They usually are able to rehearse once a week.  He is always helpful around the house but he has even picked it up a notch with me be preggers and not always feeling up to doing something.  He has been cleaning, cooking, doing laundry.  My Super Man! He definitely takes care of me and Colin and now little girl as well.

Master Colin Update:  He is becoming such a big boy.  He weighs about 32 lbs now.  He still eats like crazy.  His favorite food right now is pancakes (which includes pancakes, waffles and french toast).  He LOVES them! He told me that my waffles the other day were the best breakfast he EVER had!  Such a sweet thing to hear.  On a very hungry morning he can eat 3 normal size waffles.  He ask for more but I usually cut him off afraid he will get a tummy ache.  Then I offer him a banana a little later.  We usually let him watch a show while we are making dinner. He is starting to move away from his younger ones and likes Battle Force Five (a car thing). He recently had his cousins over and watched Despicable Me.  He loved it.  I love it when he says despicable.Very cute!  The vocabulary Colin picks up just amazes me.  I keep telling myself I should write it down...next time I will have a list.  He also has some cute phrases...Off the top of my head I love his phrase "same as".  He uses that if you have something matching like, if he and I are both wearing gloves he will say we have the same as.  Just love my little guy!  Colin's book collection is out of hand, but I love that.  I am so glad he has such a fondness for books.  I hope it stays.  Our little guy also loves to sing.  He is pretty good at remember lyrics too.  We usually sing the Winnie-the-Pooh theme song during story time.  He also loves Yellow Submarine by the Beatles.  We are still working on potty training.  He does not have an issue going, he knows what to do it is more just getting him to want to stick with it.  We are motivating him with stickers.

Mom - I got the dress!  Thank you I love it.  It will be making the trip with me to Europe.  I think it will be great!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!



I had my first person ask me at work if I was expecting a little baby!  I have been wearing dresses the last few days which seem to make me look more pregnant.  Plus, my belly has been getting a lot more noticeable this week.  YAY!  I am still able to wear most of my pants but they just sit right below my belly and that can be uncomfortable.  Dresses are lovely...even if it is snowing!

Well I was so sleepy last night I had to wait until this morning to post this.  I was afraid of typos!  I am home with Colin today.  We are having a lazy day.  I think I have been pushing myself too much and need to take it easy for a bit.

Our Baby Girl: Week 24

Changes this week....umm...I think I am losing my temporary like (or maybe "need" is a better word) of meat.  I am getting back to my normal self where looking at it and the idea of it makes me feel sick. I am OK with this as long as little girl is getting enough protein.  It could be a fluke since I have been sick off and on the past few weeks.  Only time will tell!

I was starting to gain weight but it went away again since my appetite went bye-bye the last week or two.  I know that it will come on at the end but I want my belly to be a little bigger.  I can hear some ladies saying, "be careful what you wish for"! As you can hopefully see in the picture though my belly is slowly getting bigger.

 So some stats:

• I am 24 weeks pregnant.
• 110 days to go until my due date of May 14th.
• I am 170 days pregnant.
• Technically, about 5.6 months pregnant but it is my 6th month of pregnancy.

I am still in my 2nd trimester until Februrary 19th, which is coming soon!  Crazy!  When I get back from my final trip before baby's arrival I will be close to starting my 3rd trimester!  This pregnancy has gone by so quickly.  A lot quicker than with Colin's.  Probably since I skipped the morning sickness part!

The nursery and Colin's room will hopefully be painted soon.  We picked up some sample paint and Colin is soooo stoked!  He keeps asking when we will paint. He thinks that he gets to help. Such a funny little guy.

I have probably mentioned several times but I really have a sweet husband!  When we found out we were pregnant he decided he wanted to give up his beloved man room!  At first I told him not to worry about it, but he really wanted to.  So, we took out his drumset and all of his "man" things and started moving in all of the toys (mostly all Colin's now).  It is set up really cute.  Colin will have to learn to share everything when baby girl gets here, which will be such a joyful experience I am sure. 

Here are some baby bump pictures and some of Colin's playroom.



Belly is kind of hard to see this view while wearing black



24 Weeks



Colin's train corner.





His "studious" section





Colin all tuckered out after a day learning and playing hard



The Cuteness that is Colin

I have to share two quick stories. This morning Will and I were cleaning upstairs and Colin wanted to come up and join us.  He wanted to bring up a certain toy that had a few parts to it as well.  This is the conversation.

Colin:  "I am coming upstairs too"
Will: "OK, we are in mommy and daddy's room"
Colin: "Can I bring my game?"
Will: "Yes, you can bring it"
Colin:  "Can you help me?"
Will: "Colin, you can do it"
Colin:  "I can't!  I can't daddy...I have a baby in my belly"

We started laughing so hard!  I have been having to tell Colin that when he ask me to carry him upstairs for bed time.  We usually are on the lowest level so that is like 3 sets of stairs and I do not trust my balance lately.  Plus, he is 30 lbs!  At least I now know that he understands what I am saying!

Also, today is a milestone!  Our little boy went pee pee in the potty!  This morning we stayed on our middle level that has the hardwood floors and let Colin pick out a pair of underwear to wear.  So for a couple of hours he wore those while we ate breakfast and hung out.  He was pretty nervous at first and was a little whiny but we kept telling him that he just needed to tell us if he needed to go pee pee.  So, after he ate 3 small waffles he said, "OK, I sit on the potty now".  He pulled is underwear down and we had his potty in the living room and he sat.  He still seemed a little nervous so I asked if he wanted to read his Once Upon a Potty book and he got really excited.  After a few minutes we heard him going!  We acted overly excited and he was super happy! 

We have been very relaxed on the potty training with him.  When he turned 2, I started traveling and did not want to have two big major changes come at him at once.  So for Will's and Colin's sanity we waited.  He asked for a potty on his own, which we bought but he just liked to look at it.  Then he asked for underwear a few months later.  So we bought them but he never asked to wear them. Then a couple of weeks ago, during bath time he said he needed to go potty.  He sat on the potty but was crying.  He started telling us about the potty book. He has also been telling us right when he goes poo poo that he needs his diaper changed. Now that he is 3 and seems like he is definitely ready for it we decided to step it up a bit.  So far so good!  It will be nice with another one coming to only have to worry about one set of diapers. 

Our Baby Girl: Week 23

This pregnancy is going by so fast!  I still feel great, besides the fact that when I bend down I am starting to notice that it is not overly comfortable.  I think I may grunt when I do it sometimes because Colin started bending down one day and does this funny grunt.  He was doing it when he was putting his toys away before story time.  Cracked us up!  Then I realized he was probably mimicking me.  Being mocked by a 3 year old who does not even understand the concept!  I have also noticed that I am getting a little more forgetful.  I have to take detailed notes at work so I remember everything I need to do.  I am glad I have worked with these people for a while so they know I am not always like this.  At work the other day I wrote my initials on my food, put the pen in the fridge and my food in the drawer.  I also walked out of my office two times in a row and forgot where I was going to go.  The second time I went into a friend's office to "chat" just so I did not look like an idiot!  I am losing it!

Baby Girl's bedding came in the mail the other day!  It is so cute.  Her room was originally going to be pink and yellow (with yellow walls) but now that I have seen the bedding I am going to use yellow and green (still yellow walls).  It will be more me and it will be so cute!  There will be some pink thrown around in the mix I am sure but my favorite color is green and the two together are so cute.  Still girlie though!  The bedding is Winnie the Pooh and I want to mix in bumble bees (the bedding has them on it as well).  I think I want the curtains to have bumble bees and the mobile.  I want to use Winnie-the-Pooh characters but not an overwhelming amount. 

I am in love with the store Pumpkin Patch.  The girl styles are more me than some other stores I have been to.  I made Will and Colin go there with me today. 

Something I did differently this pregnancy was join a pregnancy site.  A couple of friends of mine had heard of it and my doctor even knew about it.  So, a few of my friends and I joined together.  I love it!  I only have one or two friends with kids near me and none that are currently pregnant so it is nice to meet and chat with ladies going through the same stuff.  It is broken up by weeks in the pregnancy forum and months in the baby forum.  So you get to follow the same ladies through the whole process!  I am so glad I joined. 

Well, the rest is the same old as each week.  I eat a lot but still try to keep my normal 6 small meals a day routine.  I have increased the amount of food each meal compared to before I was pregnant but it works out well.  I may have also added a meal (snack) in there!  I have still not gained to much from my pre-pregnancy weight.  I weighed the other morning and it was 3 lbs so I am guessing maybe 4 now.  I did lose 10 lbs the first few months so if you count that then I have gained 14 which sounds good!



23 weeks - work clothes




23 weeks - lazy weekend clothes




Baby bedding - not our actual stuff (from website)

 Well back to cleaning, organizing, baby projects and homework!  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.