Stanley Family...in the making

Our Easter

2011-04-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

Easter for us was low key, relaxing, and wonderful! Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous--not a cloud in the sky! We started the day off by going to church. Easter service was uplifting, even though neither of us could fully enjoy it thanks to a VERY squirmy girl who was tired and hungry. After church we ate lunch and then Sophie and daddy both took naps while I slaved away in the kitchen all day :) Ok, not really. It's not really hard work when you love to cook for your family! After an early dinner, we enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood and some quiet family time until bed. Like I said--quiet and wonderful.

The salad with parm crisps

Ham with tangerine glaze

Tangerine ham and carrots, grilled asparagus, and scalloped potatoes. I forgot to photograph dessert, but it was delicious!

Hello? Anyone out there?

2011-04-22T22:48:00.000-05:00

So...it's obviously been awhile since I last posted. Sorry about that--I don't really have any excuses! I just want you all to know that we are healthy, happy, and having a lot of fun over here!

Life has been busy since Sophie's 1st birthday. Daddy's been busy with work and yard stuff, I've been preoccupied with caring for Sophie, the house, and Junior League duties, and Sophie's been growing like crazy. This age is so much fun! Here's a rundown of what little miss is up to at 13 months of age (as of yesterday):

-has been walking for about six weeks
-can say Dada, Mama, Dog-dog, Bath (ba), Uh huh, and Uh-oh
-understands "who's here?", "are you done with your milk?", "where's ____?", "do you want to take a bath?", "give that to Mama", and many other simple instructions
-still waves hi and bye and can clap
-likes to feed herself and tries to use her spoon to do so
-drinks solely from sippy cups
-still nurses twice per day
-sleeps 12 hours straight per night (and can put herself to sleep!)
-loves to give hugs and kisses
-can point to her ear, eye, and nose if asked to do so
-favorite foods include string cheese, grapes, mandarin oranges, and red beans and rice with sausage :)

Now, how about some pictures?

A pic I snapped a few weeks ago in the back yard.

Two weeks ago we went to the zoo. This was Sophie's second or third trip there, but it was definitely the most fun trip because she's really interested in all the animals now. Every four-legged, furry animal she saw she'd point and say "Dog dog!" Ha!

And here's Sophie "talking on her blackberry". I noticed awhile back that she would pick up certain toys that resembled cell phones and walk around the house with it up by her ear, babbling and laughing as though she's on the phone! Talk about imitation. Eventually I dug out M's old blackberry and gave it to her to play with (don't worry, I took out the battery so she wouldn't get sick). Now she carries this thing with her EVERYWHERE!

These last pics are from the tulip festival last weekend. We had a blast playing at the city park!

This is (sadly) the best shot we could manage in front of some tulips. Obviously, it was naptime!

Happy Easter, everyone! We hope you get to celebrate His gift of love and life with your own families!

My baby is ONE!

2011-03-22T23:05:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday Sophie! Today my baby turned one and I can't believe it. One year ago today I met her for the first time and fell in love. Now she's not a baby anymore but a curious, rambunctious, hilarious, and sassy toddler! She's growing up so fast, sometimes I wish I could freeze time for a little while...

Saturday M and I had a little party for her. Just some family members, snacks, present opening, and of course, cake. Here are some pictures of the festivities:

Sophie the morning of her party. I just had to document her bedhead. Actually, she sports this 'do all day. We call it her "Kate Gosselin" 'do. Ha!

Here's a shot of her outfit. I could just kick myself for not getting a picture of her bloomers. They said "birthday girl" on the tush.

Sophie and her auntie Kaci.

Party decor all set up in our dining room.

The invites. By now I'm sure you're noticing the theme. I used a baby birdie theme in cherry red and pink.

Sophie's smash (cup)cake made by yours truly. I just didn't see the point in spending a lot of money on a professional cake for her when it would just be eaten/destroyed anyways. This gigantic cupcake turned out well, I thought (except for the icing that kept sliding off!)

Aaah! Can you believe it? A picture with all three of us in it???

By the way, I just love the "happy birthday" banner hanging from the mantle. In fact, I may keep it there for awhile :)

My girl trying out some of her cake. I was not surprised when she refused to lose all inhibitions and dig into the cake. She's rather prissy when it comes to getting food on her hands. Hmmm, wonder where she gets that? :)

All in all it was a great day. Thank you to all the family members who came up to celebrate with us!

(End note: looking at these pictures I now realize how grainy they look. I REALLY need to read my camera manual and learn how to use it properly. Maybe I'll take a photography class this summer?!)

Sophie is 10 months old!

2011-01-29T14:10:00.000-06:00

Only one week late this time! Yesssss, I'm getting better at these monthly birthday posts:)

In addition to all her old hijinks, Sophie's learned to do a lot this month. Here's a rundown:

Loves to hand me things. She'll pick up a toy or food or whatever she can hold on to and then I'll say "give it to momma" and she politely hands it to me. Adorable. When she gives me her food, she likes to put it in my mouth. Also adorable.

Now says "momma", "dada", and "dock-dock" which means dog-dog (aka Roxie).

Has been standing unassisted for a few seconds at a time.

She's developed the best sense of humor! She loves to suddenly throw her hands up in the air and scream "ahhhh!" and then fall back on the bed giggling.

She's also been pointing at EVERYTHING and then waiting for me to name it. Like the other day she kept pointing to my ear and I said "ear" and I swear she tried to say it.

New foods tried this month include strawberries, blueberries, ham, turkey, and pasta.

She's slooooowly learning to put her self to sleep at night. We'll be working on this one for awhile....

Is loud! This kid has some serious pipes. In fact, her new nickname reflects her loud, rough-and-tumble attitude--we affectionately call her "wild thing".

Is the most fun, sweetest, prettiest baby we know!

Waiting....

2011-01-11T21:53:00.002-06:00

She's waiting....

And watching...

And ready for her doggy to come inside and play!

Snow Day!

2011-01-10T21:10:00.001-06:00

This morning we woke up to our first snow of the new year. I've been waiting for it to snow all winter, and this first one didn't disappoint! We got about 6-7 inches last night and today and should get another 1-2 tonight.

Here are some pics of the unblemished snow in our backyard.

Roxie had a blast frolicking in the white stuff. She's definitely a snow dog!

Sophie stayed inside with Momma today and kept warm by the fire while I cleaned. Speaking of cleaning, say hello to my (new) little friend:

I got myself a new Bissell steam and mop. LOVE this thing. It's so much easier to clean my hardwoods with this thing. (Sidenote: isn't it sad what floats my boat now?) Guess what Sophie was doing while I used it?

Busted!

9 months old (2 weeks late, again)

2011-01-09T21:55:00.000-06:00

It seems I'm setting a trend with getting these monthly birthday posts published late. Actually, I'm taking my time doing everything lately! Laundry is a multi-day affair, it took me nearly two weeks to get all my Christmas decor down and put away, and don't even get me started on cleaning the house! Blech...life with a 9 month old is busy and exhausting!

Anyways, Little Miss turned 9 months old on the 22nd of December. I can't believe it! She's been an "outside" baby for longer than she was an "inside" baby. She's up to all sorts of things this month. Here's a rundown:

weighed 18 lbs. 2 oz (37 percentile) and measured 27 inches long (32 percentile) at her appointment on the 21st
has two bottom teeth, but the top front two have just broken through
can wave "hi" and "bye"
can clap and play peek a boo
crawls, pulls up, and cruises all over the place
can climb stairs
is a great eater! She's moved on from purees to soft finger foods and cereals. She's sampled nearly all the stage 1 and 2 foods and is getting ready to try meat soon
likes drinking water from her sippy cup
still nursing 5-6 times a day

Christmas recap

2011-01-02T22:31:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! I hope the Christmas season was a blessed one for you and yours. I know this one was especially sweet for us because we got to see Christmas through the eyes of our daughter for the first time. What fun!

Christmas day was low key for us this year. We woke up early and after I got the ham in the oven, we ~~tore into~~ opened our gifts.

Then we skyped with my bro and his wife and then with M's sister.

I did the majority of the cooking this year. Everything turned out well, I have to say. We had ham, Carla's potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, mac n' cheese, baked corn casserole, sauteed green beans, roles, and german chocolate cake and pecan pie for dessert. Mmmmm... M photo-documented the food for you all:

After dinner baby girl took a spin on one of her new toys. The verdict? She loves it!

New years eve was uneventful but nice. While we had a few invitations for parties, we decided to just stay in and enjoy each other's company (those moments are few and far between with a baby in the house!). And on New years day we just peetered around the house all day in our pj's. We topped it all off by watching Inception in M's new "media room". That was his Christmas gift to himself this year--a new "daddy-sized" recliner and large flat screen tv for the man room.

Overall, I'd say this Christmas and New Year's holiday takes the cake as my favorite yet. I can't wait to see what next year's will be like!

Wednesday Whatnot's

2010-12-15T12:08:00.000-06:00

Hello internets! I'm started my morning off right over here with a strong cup o' joe and some blog reading. Ahhhh. This little A.M. relaxation time was definitely needed, as I have a very full schedule today with a lot planned to keep me busier than one of Santa's elves. And I warning you: this post will be very full and busy as well. My brain is all over the place today!

So last night was night two of operation CRY IT OUT. Since Thanksgiving, Sophie's sleeping habits have been horrific. She's been waking up several times a night wanting to nurse and then not wanting to go back to sleep afterwards. M and I have had it--I mean, she's nearly 9 months old and isn't sleeping through the night yet!!?? Last night wasn't too bad. She woke up at 12:30 and cried for maybe 15 or 20 minutes and M only had to go in there to comfort her once. The first night, however, it took her about 40 minutes and several visits from M to calm her. We're all hoping tonight will be the best night yet...including this poor girl in the background, who requires the most beauty sleep of us all!

And by the way, do you see the babe's Christmas pajamas in the above picture? I just adore them. I wish they came in my size!

I have officially finished my Christmas shopping! Yippee! I still have to wrap everything (one of the items on my To Do list today) but I really enjoy that part.

I bought some fabric yesterday. I have big plans for it. As soon as I finish it, I'll be sure and post pics for you all to see.

And lastly, I am linking up my Christmas decor post from the other day to Kara's blog, Elements Interiors. She's hosting a link-up party today and invited me to join in on the fun. Go check out Kara's blog for lots of inspirational photos!

That's it for now! Have a great Wednesday, everyone!

Christmas Home Tour 2010

2010-12-13T23:32:00.002-06:00

Welcome to our home all dolled up for Christmas!

This is my "fancy" tree in the living room. This year it's decorated with maroon, gold, and green ornaments.

The tree is a nine-footer I got a few years back. Thank goodness our ceiling height is sufficient!

Here is our mantel. The branches with berries are from the backyard. And I plan on getting the stockings monogrammed soon.

See the reflection of the tree in the mirror?

There are 4 stockings in total (daddy, mommy, Sophie, and Roxie).

I have my nativity scene arranged on the dining room buffet. It was a wedding gift from a good friend.

Santa hangs from the dining room hutch.

And ornaments fill my glass jars on the dining room table. See that tree in the background? That's our "family" tree full of treasured ornaments from my and M's childhood.

I have many favorites hanging from it, but these three are among the most beloved:

M's first ornament from 1980.

Mine from 1979. Ack! I'm really showing my age!

Garland hung from the staircase.

And lit up at night.

Do you see the Christmas puppy?

I hope you enjoyed your tour!

I am linking up at these parties.

Christmas card photo rejects

2010-12-10T10:15:00.001-06:00

I'm so proud of myself! I actually planned ahead this year and ordered Christmas cards! Sophie Claire sat like a professional model for me as I took about 100 pics of her (I was trying to get the "perfect" picture of her to grace the card). I had originally planned on taking a family photo, but do you know how difficult it is to have all four of us (including the doggie) dressed, awake, happy, and ready to smile for a few pictures at the same time? Nearly impossible if you have a daddy who likes to work a lot, a mommy who will wear a ponytail and too-short yoga pants for days on end, one baby who starts getting REALLY cranky everyday at 5:30, and a dog who has been spending most of her time upstairs in my bed chewing on her new bone (because that's the only place she's safe from said baby).

So while I wait for the cards to arrive sometime this weekend or early next week, I thought I'd show you some of the pictures I chose not to use for the front of our card.

"Mommy, please stop taking pictures. I'm getting hungry!"

"Mmkay. I'll eat my hand. I swear I'll do it!"

"How's this pose for your &%^$# card?"

"That's it! I'm done!"

Be sure to check back later this evening as I hope to have some pics up of our Christmas decor.

How is your decorating going, dear friends? Almost done?

Tiny little details

2010-12-05T14:37:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking a lot recently about how fast this is going. Sophie's growing up quickly. Everyday she looks different or learns a new skill or makes a new sound. It's hard to keep up. And I find myself saying "you need to remember this", but I know I'll forget a lot of the little things. I've already begun to forget what she looked like and smelled like when she was a newborn.

This weekend I've been fretting about all the chores I've been neglecting. And just when I'm getting over-anxious about cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, and Christmas shopping, I feel the need to remind myself to slow down and savor these early moments in motherhood.

I guess that's a lesson I should apply to life in general, right?

To relish those tiny little details...

8 months old

2010-12-03T13:12:00.000-06:00

So this post is only about 2 weeks late :) Sophie turned 8 months old on November 22nd. Not a whole lot changed this month--here's a rundown of what she's up to:

She still says "momma" and "dadda".

Has eaten just about all Stage 1 foods and has tried cheese and egg yolk (Stage 2 foods).

Eats three solids meals per day and nurses 6-7 times per day.

Has 2 teeth, but the top front 2 teeth are about to break through any day.

Crawls all over, pulls up on anything, and is starting to cruise.

Loves to chase her doggie and play with her toys.

Takes 2 naps per day.

Stranger anxiety has improved--somewhat.

Wears size 3 diapers, 6-9 month clothing, size 2 or 3 shoes, and weighs about 18 lbs.

*Not sure why her eyes look brown in some of these pics?! They'll actually a bluish-green. If anyone can give me some tips on how to remedy this in Photoshop Elements 9, it would be appreciated!!

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-30T21:50:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. November has been a very busy month. But I'm back and I've got some news! I got a new camera! M got it for me on my birthday on the 23rd. It was a total surprise (as we had agreed that he was to NOT buy me any gifts) but I was so excited when I opened my gift. It's a Nikon D3100. I have A LOT to learn, but the photo quality is so much better. I'm currently researching which photo editing software and lenses I want to get. We're leaning towards Photoshop Elements 9. Any suggestions?

I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was relaxing. Ours was definitely nice. We spent it at M's sister's house in Omaha. Good food, great family time, and a five hour shopping excursion at Nebraska Furniture Mart--what could be better?!

Ok, how 'bout some pictures? Sorry for the photo overload, but I want to show you some examples of what my new camera can do!

Peanut in the sink.

Sophie and Grandma Pat

Sophie and her Auntie Jackie

Three generations of Stanleys

Grandma Carla with her girl

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T20:21:00.000-05:00

Halloween--seriously one of my favorite holidays! Today was just a perfectly beautiful fall day here in Manhattan. We started it off with homemade waffles and fried eggs, enjoyed some football (Chiefs--you gave us a good scare!), made some Italian sausage soup, and visited our neighbors so they could see Sophie all dressed up. Sophie was a little lamb for her first Halloween. I can't say she was thrilled with the costume, but she was VERY interested in the pumpkins.

Finally, a smile!

Oh, look at her little tail!

Happy Halloween, everyone. I hope you have a safe and fun night!

Homecoming!

2010-10-30T22:19:00.000-05:00

K-State played their homecoming game today. We Stanley girls proudly wore our purple and cheered for the Cats from home (until naptime, that is)! Sophie looked so cute in her little cheerleading uniform, I just had to snap some pictures for everyone to see.

My best rubber spatula = her favorite toy.

M thinks Sophie looks a lot like him in this one.

And here are my lame attempts at a self portrait! Ha ha!!

Oops...Roxie snuck in this one. Not surprising because she's ALWAYS hovering around Sophie and me.

Baby says "thumbs up, Mom!"

Sophie is 7 months old!

2010-10-28T13:20:00.001-05:00

If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you might be able to see those 2 teeth!

Here's what you're up to:

Sleeping through the night from about 8pm to 7:30am most nights. Nursing every 3 hours. You have two bottom front teeth and are working on the two top front teeth. Eating one solids meal per day (tomorrow we will try to move you up to two meals a day). You've had bananas, avocado, sweet potatoes, yellow squash, butternut squash, carrots, applesauce, and oat and rice cereal. Today we will try plums for the first time. In the next few weeks we'll try green beans, peas, peaches, pears, and nectarines. Mommy really loves making all your food!

Babbling and screaming all the time (we've tried coaxing you to say "mama" or "dada" but you're not quite ready for that yet). Lately you've been rolling your "r's" like your trying to speak in Spanish. It's hilarious! You love to crawl all over the floor--especially when you are crawling towards poor Roxie so that you can pull up on her and yank on her hair! You are pulling up on everything in site--I bet you'll be an early walker, too.

You love to wave "HI!" to everyone, but you are still quite shy around others. We need to join a play group so that you can get over this stranger anxiety! Naps are getting a little better; usually you take one hour-long nap around 10:30 every morning and a few 20-30 minute naps in the afternoon. I believe this is because you aren't in currently in pain from those two teeth!

You are still on the small size--I'm estimating around 16 lbs.--but that' OK. You are wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 month clothing.

Baby must-haves

2010-10-17T21:41:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine got me thinking the other day about what "things" you need to have when you're preparing to welcome a new baby into your home. I thought maybe I would compile a list of must-haves (and nice-to-have) items for a new mommy.

Nursery: Crib, at least 2 sets of crib sheets, mattress pad, video monitor, some sort of changing table w/ pad, 2 changing pad covers, diaper genie, night light, fan or white noise machine (this helps filter out other noises and helps the baby sleep MUCH more soundly), lined curtains or light-blocking blinds, and a rocker/glider.

Breastfeeding: Breast pump, freezer storage bags, set of bottles (I never used formula, but it was nice to have a few bottles so that if I was away for a few hours, M could feed her pumped breast milk), boppy pillow, breast pads (I tried them all, and the best are Johnson and Johnson), and burp cloths.

Bathing/grooming: grooming kit with nail clippers, nasal aspirator, thermometer, and brush or comb. Desitin or other diaper rash cream, shampoo and body wash (I prefer Aveeno--J&J's was too drying), baby Tylenol, Mylicon or Gripe Water, alchohol wipes for the umbilical cord stub, baby bathtub, and washcloths and towels.

Clothes/Diapers: At least 3 footed pajamas, several onesies, several pants, several socks, newborn and size 1 diapers, wipes, bibs (both cloth and disposable). Don't worry about buying blankets, hats, shoes, and clothes yourself--people will most likely gift you with all you need and more! Also, don't buy too many "newborn" sized outfits or diapers. Babies outgrow this size VERY quickly!

Miscellaneous gear: A moby and/or Baby Bjorn (no slings--too dangerous), swaddlers, pacifiers (I liked Nuk), a pack 'n play with changer and infant "napper" if the baby will be sleeping in your room early on, baby swing, play mat, stroller, diaper bag, toys, infant carseat, mirror for the backseat to watch your baby when they are rear-facing. And don't forget a nice camera and/or video camera to capture all those precious moments!

Things to buy at about 4 months: Jumperoo, bumbo seat, sleep sacks (keep the baby warm after you stop swaddling), sippy cups, baby spoons/forks, high chair, Beaba babycook and BPA-free ice cube trays if you'll be making your own baby food.

Things to buy at about 6-8 months: Shoes (not needed before baby starts walking), convertable carseat, "baby proofing items" like outlet plugs and baby gates.

Books: A baby book, What to Expect When You're Expecting, The Nursing Mother's Companion, What to Expect the First Year, and a sleep book like The Happiest Baby on the Block or The No-Cry Sleep Solution.

What to pack in your hospital bag: basic toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, facewash, and deoderant. Contact lenses and/or glasses. Underwear, pads, loose-fitting clothing that you'll be comfortable in and that you can nurse in, nursing bras, slippers, and something to wear if you're planning on laboring in a hot tub. I-pod, camera, video camera, baby book for the baby's footprints, and boppy pillow. Stopwatch or other device to time contractions with, and snacks (they won't let you eat when you're in labor--so it's nice to bring a few things to snack on).

What to pack in the diaper bag: diapers, wipes, an extra outfit for the baby, an extra shirt for you, breast pads, nursing cover, blanket, burp cloth, pacifier, a few toys, hand wipes, changing pad, and diaper cream. If you won't be carrying your purse, you'll also need room for your wallet, keys, and personal items.

Family photo fun

2010-10-06T17:18:00.000-05:00

I realized yesterday that all the pictures we take are only of Sophie. M and I need to be better about including ourselves in some of them from now on! So, yesterday we did a little impromptu family photo session out on the deck. A gorgeous fall afternoon, Sophie in a good mood, and I was having a good hair day = pretty good pictures!

A crawling video

2010-09-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

Thought ya'll would like to watch a video of Sophie crawling. (Ok, really I just want to brag about my daughter, but what else is new!)

And another, just because :)

Crawling, two teeth, bananas, and other tidbits

2010-09-27T09:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday morning, everyone! I hope your weekend was as beautiful and relaxing as ours was. We got to eat out, enjoy family, have some down-time with Sophie, and revel in our first real fall weather. And the cherry on top? Victories for both K-State and the Chiefs! Does it get any better?

So what else is happening 'round here? Sophie's growing into such a big girl these days. It's like she turned 6 months old and a switch was flipped.

Sleeping (mostly) through the night? Check. Crawling (but still wobbly)? Check. Teething (not one but TWO teeth)? Check. Starting to get this whole "eating solids thing"? Check.

Ok, so maybe she's not totally into eating purees, but we're working on it!

How about you? How was YOUR weekend?

1/2 year old

2010-09-23T10:11:00.000-05:00

Yep. I can't believe it. Six months ago (yesterday) I gave birth to a helpless baby who can now sit on her own, interact with people, and who is just on the cusp of crawling.

It's so true. Time really does move more quickly when you're ~~an old fart~~ a parent.

Here are my girl's stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 8 oz   42nd percentile
Height: 25 1/2 inches   43rd percentile
Head circumference: 42 1/2 cm   55th percentile

And some pictures. By the way, please excuse the poor picture quality. It's nearly impossible to take an in-focus picture of a perpetually in-motion 6 month old.

Sophie, here's what you're up to lately:
1. Can sit completely unassisted.
2. Has tried bananas, avocado, rice and oatmeal cereal, and butternut squash. Hates EVERYTHING except bananas.
3. Still nursing about every 2 and 1/2 hours.
4. Is now (mostly) sleeping through the night. (Thank you, Jesus!)
5. Can get just about anywhere by "scoot-crawling". You're working on the logistics of actual crawling and I am sure you'll have it downpat within the month.
6. Still wearing size 2 diapers. You have moved up to 6-9 month clothing, though.
7. Is enthralled by Roxie. I caught you stroking her front paw the other day and babbling away at her as she lay on the floor sleeping. SO CUTE!
8. Loves our morning walks.
9. Enjoys it when you're wrapped in the Moby for housework. You are such a momma's girl!
10. When you're really tired and upset you cry and say "dadadadadada".
11. Napping once in the morning and usually twice in the afternoon/evening. You are still a cat napper and don't nap more than 45 minutes at a time, but it's slowly getting better.

Sophie, you are such a joy to your momma and daddy and we love watching you grow. We're excited to teach you more and more new things as you grow into a lovely little lady!

Monday morning miscellany

2010-09-20T08:28:00.000-05:00

Good morning all! I was hoping to wake up to a beautiful September morning today. But apparently mother nature wasn't feeling very cooperative--it's still pretty warm 'round these parts. It's still getting up into the 90's and I'm feeling a little miffed. Where's my gorgeous September weather? I think I should just smile and thank the Lord anyway (besides, in about 3 months I'll be wishing for the winter doldrums to go away!).

Baby girl is playing quietly by herself as I type this and drink my coffee. She's been doing that a lot more lately--playing by herself. I think it's good that she's feeling more comfortable being independent.

The sleep situation has been SO much better in our house the last few weeks. We've been blessed with several 9 and 10 hour stretches and a handful of nights where Sophie only woke us up once or twice. Thank you, Lord!

I'm waiting ~~impatiently~~ patiently on my mums to bloom. Maybe the warm weather is delaying the blooms? In addition to the four mums I currently have in planters, I would have had 6 others getting ready to bloom from last season that I planted by our front walkway. But M pulled them out last spring thinking they were weeds. Grrrr....

Our sports teams are off to a great start this year! The Chiefs are 2-0 and the Wildcats are 3-0, but my poor Cardinals aren't lookin' too hot. Blah.

I think I'm going to have my hair stylist cut me some bangs at my next appointment. What do you think?

Mom is going to help me with a few sewing projects I have planned. Yes, I have a sewing machine. And I figured that since I'm now in my 30's and a mom, it's about time I started using it!

Sophie and I are still in our pj's. Wanna know a little secret? Most of the time when we go on our morning walks, we both just go in our pj's. I have yet to run into anyone I know (crosses fingers this trend continues....)

The ugly greenish-yellow color in our dining room is about to go bye-bye. Yes! It's getting painted (hopefully) this weekend. I feel confident in the color I chose--but only because I bought and tested eight (EIGHT!) different samples from 2 different stores before deciding. Pictures to follow later...

I'm also hoping to dust off my 30 Day Shred workout this week and start up again. I'll let ya'll know how that works out ;)

"Jumped" out

2010-09-14T15:41:00.000-05:00

If you follow this blog, by now you know that my girl loves to be in her jumperoo. She's a jumperoo-aholic. And the older she gets the more she seems to enjoy being in there. So it was no surprise this last weekend when Auntie Jackie and Uncle Phil were here that Sophie had to show off her jumping skills.

Exhibit A--Baby jumping and jumping and jumping........

And then, a few minutes later (the really hilarious part)

Exhibit B--

Weekend recap (nearly 2 weeks late)

2010-09-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

Two weekends ago we packed up the car and headed down to stay my brother and his wife. We were visiting (as a surprise to my bro) for his 28th birthday--although I'm pretty sure he knew we were coming anyway! We had a great time at his "surprise" birthday bash--as did Sophie. It seems she was the life of the party!

The birthday boy with Sophie.

Sophie and her auntie Kaci. I think Sophie's expression in this pic is hilarious.

Me and my girl. She's already prettier now than she was in this picture. For reals!

Check out that tongue! She did that all weekend long. And the funny thing is she had never stuck her tongue out before, and hasn't done it since. Go figure. Maybe this was her way of showing off?

There she goes again.

Sophie: aka Gene Simmons.

Thanks, Kaci and Darryl for hosting us. We had a blast!

Disclaimer: Thanks also to Auntie Kaci--I totally copied these pics from her facebook page.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T18:27:00.000-05:00

Fun with the Grandparents

2010-09-06T18:22:00.000-05:00

M's mom and dad were here this weekend for the first K-State game of the season. We had a lot of fun at the tailgate, but I think the most fun we all had was sitting around and playing with Sophie! Luckily, she was in a good mood for the most part and we got some good pictures.

Here's a little video of Sophie's latest "trick". She's learned how to wave!!

We (ok--I) survived!

2010-09-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

Sophie has successfully slept in her own crib in her own room for two nights now. I was so nervous about putting her in there for a number of reasons. First, her nursery is at the other end of the hall from our bedroom, so I was afraid that I wouldn't hear her if she cried. Second, up until a few nights ago, M and I were still getting up to comfort/nurse her SEVERAL times per night--so I wasn't too excited about having to get up and walk to the other end of the house every two hours to tend to her. Third, I was worried about her being all alone in her big girl room without me. How could she possibly make it through the night without me laying next to her???

But you know what? My little ~~stinker~~ peanut surprised me by only waking up one time last night for a 3 am feeding and twice the night before (although the night before she decided that she wanted to nurse/talk/play from 3 am until 4:30!). What?! Evidently she was just ready. Ready to be in her crib, in her room, without all the noise of Roxie itching and scratching and Daddy ~~snoring~~ breathing all night long.

So she survived, well, er, I survived without her...

Here are some pics of her playing and babbling in her crib after waking that first morning.

This is the "face" she's been sporting for a few days. I swear she does have lips.

Now on to a completely different topic. Do ya'll mind if I brag for just a moment? Do you see the jeans I'm wearing in this picture?

They're from three and a half years ago! I gained 40 lbs when I was pregnant, so the fact that I can now wear all my old clothes because I've lost nearly all the weight is very gratifying (even if they don't fit quite the way they used to). Yipeeee!

What took me so long?

2010-09-01T21:54:00.000-05:00

So Sophie has pretty sensitive skin. She gets dry patches on her back and face quite often, and we've battled rashes on her chest since she was a newborn. Lately, especially since she sleeps on her belly now and rubs her face in the sheet a lot, she's had a terrible rash/dry spot on her face. I've been trying all sorts of things to alleviate it--to no avail. But yesterday I had a stroke of genius. I picked up some Aveeno baby wash and Aveeno lotion for excema and used them on Sophie last night. Voila!!! Today her skin looked and felt soooo much better. I'm now a believer in this stuff--I'll never use Johnson and Johnson's products again--they are just too drying.

Also, tonight we are going to try putting Sophie in her own room (not in the pack-in-play in our room). Wish us luck!

"She likes to move it move it"

2010-08-27T09:57:00.000-05:00

One of the best baby items we've bought is Sophie's jumperoo. She absolutely loves it (and so does Mommy, because it frees up Mommy's hands so she can actually GET stuff DONE). She usually plays in it when I'm eating my cereal and drinking my 1 cup-a-day coffee limit or when I'm making dinner. Check out this video of my girl "boucing it out".

How cute is she?! Now do you see why I think she's going to be dancer/singer?

5 months old

2010-08-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

Sophie turned five months old on Sunday. I could say all the cliche things like "it's going so fast" or "I can't believe she's getting so big" and they would both be true. Instead, let me show you some pictures of my girl:

I'm guessing you weigh between 14 and 15 pounds (still a peanut) but you are quite long. You're still wearing some 0-3 month clothes, but can fit into the 3-6 month items too. Sophie, you LOVE to "sing". You lay there and sing in a high voice and it sounds like you're warming up your voice to perform a song--it's so funny! You are quite the roller and can get from point A to point B by either rolling or scooting. You're even starting to get up on your knees and hands and rock back and forth (especially in your sleep). So I don't think it will be long before you're crawling.

You love watching your doggie and love it when daddy comes home at the end of the day. You're also laughing more and you always fake cough or fake squeel to get my attention! Sophie, you enjoy listening to music and dancing around with mommy, and you've started imitating my voice when I sing along with the music. Maybe you'll be a dancer and singer?!

Naptime is going a little better, but most afternoons I have to lay down with you to get more than 40 minutes out of you. Nighttime, however, is still a nightmare! You're waking up every 2 hours after midnight and we're all sleep deprived because of it! However, we love you because you're such a happy, healthy little girl. Happy 5 month birthday!

Early morning Sophie, part two

2010-08-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

Here's my girl (I took these pics a few weeks ago). First thing in the morning, watching me make some coffee.

I just love that smile. But notice the huge scratch she gave herself in the middle of the night.

Here's a little video of her "talking". Listen for something unexpected at about 14 seconds into it!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

Three years ago today...

2010-07-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

I said my vows and made promises to my one and only.

I cut our cake and drank champagne,

celebrated with family and friends,

and danced in my new husband's arms.

I thought I couldn't possibly love you more than at that very moment.

But as the newness wears off, daily life grows mundane, and bills, work, schedules, routines, and responsibilities get in the way, I know all I have to do is look in your eyes and see the man who has made all my dreams come true.

Love you, baby. Thank you for loving me (and all my flaws/insecurities/shortcomings) for these last three years. I am truly blessed to be your wife!

4 months!

2010-07-26T17:53:00.000-05:00

Sophie turned 4 months old last Thursday. I must say, this month has been my absolute favorite so far. She's reached so many milestones in the last four weeks--it's completely exciting watching her become more aware of her environment and seeing her discover things about her surroundings and herself!

Her are her 4 month stats (still long and lean, and it seems the peanut head has returned--she is her mother's daughter):

Height: 25 inches   80th percentile
Weight: 12 lbs 14 oz   35th percentile
Head: 40 cm   25th percentile

Here's a rundown of what Sophie's been up to:
1. Rolling around from front to back and back to front over and over again.
2. Babbling constantly. She finds it completely thrilling to imitate mommy and daddy.
3. Using her hands. She discovered her hands about 3 weeks ago and she never looked back. She uses them to put EVERYTHING in her mouth.
4. Sophie loves her Sophie giraffe. She especially likes to nomnomnom on the giraffe's face.
5. Laughing out loud! We've been able to elicit a few more giggles since the video you've all seen.
6. NOT napping consistently. She's been fighting me on her naps. I'll nurse her, she'll fall asleep, I'll put her down and get four steps down the hall when I hear "whahhhahaaaaa!" Obviously, both Mommy and Sophie have been suffering because of this latest development.
7. Going to bed earlier at night. For the first 3 months of her life, I couldn't put her down until 10:30 or 11:00 pm most nights. But she started showing signs of needing to go to sleep earlier, so we've moved bedtime up to between 8:30 or 9:00. This is getting better every evening. Sleeping for more than four hours at a time, however, is not!
8. Stranger anxiety has set in! If she's not being held my mommy or daddy you better watch out!
9. Her hands (see #3 above) have officially discovered her feet. She loves to hold onto her toes and stick her feet straight out.
10. She's moved up to size 2 diapers and wears mostly 3-6 month clothing. Although, it's all very big on her. In fact, she fits into size 0-3 month clothing a little better, save for the length.

Love you, sweetie. Can't wait to see what next month brings!

Rolls (of a different sort)

2010-07-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

Does this post even need any of my incessant blabbering?

Seriously! Those rolls are out.of.control. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Oh my!

Rolls!

2010-07-23T10:48:00.000-05:00

This little girl is defintely a mover and shaker. She learned to roll over from her belly to her back about 1 month ago--and she hasn't looked back since. Rolling over is ALL she wants to do now. Rolling over when playing on the floor, rolling over when I'm changing her diaper, rolling over when I'm dressing her, rolling over in the car seat. And you'd better watch out if she can't roll over when she really wants to--she squeals and whines with frustration!

I don't really think it will be long now until she starts to "crawl". She's already starting to push her little tush up in the air and scoot with her legs. **sigh** Why can't she stay small and helpless forever?

Here's a video I took of her several weeks ago the day after she rolled over back to belly for the first time. Don't you just cringe when you hear your voice on video? I know I do!

Belly laughs!!!!

2010-07-17T20:31:00.000-05:00

Guess what we caught on camera today? Sophie decided it was about time that she gave us some really good belly laughs. It just so happens that the day she decided to laugh out loud for the first time, M was home, so he got to see it, too!

Please excuse my appearance, this is what you look like on a daily basis when you're a stay-at-home mom.

We love our Moby

2010-07-17T17:04:00.000-05:00

I really love all my baby carriers and wraps. I did a little research before Sophie arrived and knew one wrap I HAD to have was the Moby. Yeah, it's a little cumbersome at first, but the versatility of the wrap and all the different carries you can do with it are awesome. Plus, daddy has grown to love it as well--as evidenced by the pics below:

And don't get discouraged if at first your baby freaks out when you "wrap" her. The first few times I put Sophie in the Moby, baby Belle, and our Baby K'tan, she screamed bloody murder. But we just kept on trying and now she sort of grins with delight when I'm positioning her in. In these pics we're only showing the basic kangaroo carry. There are DOZENS of carries it can do (just visit You Tube for instructional videos and ideas).

Here I'm using the Moby while I get our kitchen chairs ready for painting. These are now white!

Happy wrapping!

One year ago today...

2010-07-14T10:43:00.000-05:00

I saw this:

We knew this was going to be the beginning of a wild, exciting, sweet, and unexpected nine-month ride. But we had no idea how truly sweet life would be after those nine months were over and a new ride began!

We love you, Sophie, and can't imagine where we would be without you in our lives!

Bath time Sophie

2010-06-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

Sophie just loves her baths. She coos and smiles the entire time. If only I could get her to stop peeing everytime...

Early morning Sophie

2010-06-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

A whole bunch of randomness

2010-06-07T17:11:00.002-05:00

Summer is in full swing around these parts. Daddy's patient load has slowed down (sort-of), the weather has been beautiful, we had our neighborhood picnic last Saturday, and Mommy has her first sunburn--ouch! Here's the lowdown on what's going on here in Manhattan:

Sophie: growing so big! She can now sit in her Bumbo chair unassisted for about ten minutes at a time and actually rolled over twice today from her belly! She's cooing more and more and is much more aware of her surroundings. Her current favorite activity? Laying on her playmat and watching Roxie--she just laughs and laughs and laughs...

Ooops. This is life, people--it's not perfect!

Daddy: working hard everyday, playing on his summer softball team, and getting excited about some family weddings coming up.

Mommy: really enjoying staying home with her little peanut :)

A few weeks ago my azalea's came alive with a magnificent display of flowers. It was so glorious, I had to snap some pictures.

Her first major blowout

2010-05-27T18:34:00.000-05:00

The victim. Notice the grimace on her face.

The offense. If you think this is bad, you should have seen the couch. Ewwww.

The offender. Immediately after getting cleaned up. Notice the smirk on her face and the middle finger.

You think she's tryin' to send me a message?

2 months!

2010-05-27T16:43:00.001-05:00

Sophie just turned 2 months old and is growing like a weed! I swear each day it seems she's developed a new skill. I just love waking up in the morning and seeing what new thing my girl can do.

These are her stats:
Height: 23 1/2 inches        86th percentile
Weight: 10 lbs 10 1/2 oz   42nd percentile
Head: 38 1/2 cm               50 percentile

It seems she's going to be long and lean--at least she's gotten rid of her "peanut head"!

Sophie can now smile, coo, raise her head to a 90% angle while on her belly, follow objects 180 degrees, turn her head to the sound of Daddy and Mommy's voices, bring her hands together, and sleep for about 4-5 hours at a time. Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

A family visit...

2010-05-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

M's uncle and cousins were in town two weekends ago and stopped by for a visit. Sophie was in a very good mood and enjoyed meeting some more of her large extended family!

Is it evident that they're K-State fans?

Tummy time fun!

2010-05-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Sophie generally dislikes tummy time--she usually cries during it. But last week she enjoyed it enough that I was able to get some great pictures.

Oh my gosh! That hair! Love it...

Some Mother's Day pics

2010-05-12T17:54:00.001-05:00

My first Mother's Day was a good one, thanks to my wonderful husband! We basically lounged around in our pj's all day long--which was just fine with me! Of course, I used the opportunity to dress Sophie in her special Mother's Day onesie and to do a photo shoot...

Count to ten, then breathe.......

2010-05-04T15:48:00.001-05:00

I had plans for an elaborate post today, but Sophie has other plans.

This child is seriously trying my patience today! In fact, she wouldn't even let me take a decent picture!

She's not taken any naps today and won't let me set her down for more than two minutes at a time without crying horribly. No--crying isn't the right word--it's more like screaming, hyperventilating, and then choking because she's so mad. While her outbursts sound horrible, I sometimes wonder if they are the epitome of "crocodile tears" because when I go to her to pick her up she immediately starts smiling and cooing at me--even while she "cries".

*sigh*

Better go...have to change my shirt for the second time today...I smell like sour milk because of baby spit-up!

Whoa!

2010-04-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

Sophie says "Whoa!?"

"It's Friday already?!"

This is how she rolls...

2010-04-28T22:10:00.000-05:00

Many days, after nursing, this is how Sophie likes to nap on Mommy.

Sophie (or Butter bean, Noodle, and Woogie--as we affectionately call her) just loves being wrapped up in her blankie.

Sophie says "Later"!

She's got him wrapped around her little finger...

2010-04-23T19:18:00.000-05:00

And that's just fine with him.

One month old!

2010-04-23T12:59:00.001-05:00

Yesterday Sophie turned one month old! I can't believe how big she's getting...time definitely flies.

We will try to remember to take Sophie's picture every month by her bunny so we can watch her grow!

Big thanks to my friend (and fellow blogger) Courtney for the monthly B-day signs. Check out her blog (on my blog list to the right). She's a domestic goddess extraodinaire and mommy to THREE little ones--including a newborn baby girl just like me. How does she do it?

We had our one month Pediatric appt. on Tuesday. Here are her stats:

Height: 21 1/2 inches (69.4 percentile)

Weight: 8 lbs. 10 1/2 oz. (36.8 percentile)

Head Circumference: 36 cm (25 percentile)

BMI: 13.13 kg/m2

M called her "long and lean with a peanut head". Tehehehe And I was happy to see Sophie's gained nearly 2 pounds since leaving the hospital. It just reassured me that I do indeed have enough breast milk for her and that she is thriving!

Happy birthday, little girl. We love you!

Newborn must-haves (a new mommy's list)

2010-04-10T15:53:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking lately about all the things I have that have made life with a newborn a little easier. Here is a short list of MY must-haves for the first few weeks with a baby!

1. Carter's zippered sleepers.

These are great! 100% cotton, light weight, soft, and best of all--easy access to poopy diapers. (Which is especially helpful for those middle-of-the night changes.)

2. Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle Swing

This puts Sophie to sleep EVERY TIME. She loves the gentle motion and music. This machine has also enabled me to be able to shower, use the john, do my hair, etc.

3. Burp cloths (Gerber brand)

Does this really need an explanation? Have a lot of them around--you'll need them!

4. Mylicon drops.

I just recently started using these right before I feed Sophie before she lays down for a long nap or right before she goes down for bed. They're a life saver and keep her from waking up time and again in the middle of the night with gas pains.

5. Pack-n-plays.

We've got two of these: one in our bedroom with a changer and an infant napper (bassinett) and one downstairs in our living room with a changer. It's been great having one on each floor of our house so that I don't have to go up and down the stairs all day long to change her. Sophie also sleeps in the bassinett in our room at night (which gives me peace of mind to have her so close). Make sure you get one that vibrates, too. The vibration soothes Sophie and helps put her to sleep at night.

6. Water

Yes, this one seems out of place in my list. But here's why I've included it: you must drink plenty of water while breastfeeding! I made the mistake of getting REALLY dehydrated last weekend and nearly passed out from it. Also, staying hydrating will help preserve your supply. So drink up!

7. Pampers Swaddlers (newborn size)

I love these diapers. They're soft, gentle, absorbant, and (for the most part) protect against major blow-outs.

There you have it: THIS new mom's must-haves for surviving the first few weeks at home.

Nursery pictures!

2010-04-08T18:12:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know I promised I'd post these photos long ago, but you know how life goes. Busy, busy, busy! Anyway, I took these weeks ago and have a few minutes while Sophie naps. Enjoy!

Some quick pics...

2010-04-04T18:55:00.001-05:00

Hungry, cranky baby...

Happy, fed baby...

She's here!

2010-04-03T20:38:00.000-05:00

Please meet our precious daughter, Sophia Claire!

She arrived promptly (on her original due date of March 22nd). On that day, I started having contractions at 2:45 pm. They were fairly mild at first, but were timeable and coming every 8-10 minutes.  Because I was sooo ready to be done with the pregnancy and to meet my daughter, I decided to get labor moving along by doing some laundry, washing dishes, finishing packing my hospital and diaper bags, and picking up the house.

The contractions continued to get more intense and and closer together as the day progressed. By the time M got home at 5:45 pm, the contractions were about 3 minutes apart and lasting about 30 seconds each. At this time I also started experiencing back pains. Poor M--I think he was nervous because he kept asking me when we should go to the hospital--he was afraid he'd have to deliver Sophie himself! At 7:30 I told M it was finally time to go because I had had my bloody show and the contractions were still 2-3 minutes apart and lasting for 45 seconds each.

After getting to the hospital and getting checked in (I was dilated to about 4-5 cm), I decided I wanted to start walking the halls of L&D (walking helps labor progress).  It was about 9 pm. Four steps down the hallway from my room, I felt a pop and a warm gush of fluid run down my legs--my water had broken all over the floor, right by the front desk! I won't lie, there was A LOT of fluid, and it wasn't clear because Sophie had made a bowel movement already. So much for walking or getting in the hot tub now--the nurses made me get back in bed and hooked me back up to the monitors. I was checked and was dilated to a 5. Things definitely changed after my water broke--I went from being a happy camper to being cranky and in pain VERY quickly. I began vomiting and shivering uncontrollably. The contractions immediately became more intense and were coming right on top of one another and I felt like I couldn't get a break in between. I labored until about 10 pm and then requested the epidural. When I asked for it, it wasn't so much out of the pain I was in, but was instead about the pain I was afraid was coming!

I got the epidural (which really wasn't painful at all) and was checked again. I had progressed to 7cm! I was really pleased with my quick progress and we were all hopeful that by early morning on the 23rd we would have a baby! At about 11:15 I started feeling intense pressure and told the nurses. One of them checked me and was just as surprised as I was that I was a full 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced.  I had progressed from 4 cm to 10 cm in about 3 hours! Time to start pushing!

Pushing was WORK. But luckily I didn't have to do it for long. After about 20 pushes and 20 minutes, our sweet little Sophia Claire was born at 11:36 pm on March 22, 2010. I was surprised at how MUCH I felt, even with the epidural. My left leg was numb, but the epidural didn't really work on my right side, so I still felt the contractions and I felt her head and shoulders being delivered. But it is true--immediately after giving birth I forgot about the pain and was completely focused on my baby! She was perfect in every way. 7 pounds, 4 oz., and 20 inches long.

Finally I got to hold Sophie--what an emotional moment! Suddenly in my arms was MY child. The child my husband and I created--50 percent him and 50 percent me. I was completely overwhelmed by God's gift!

Right now we're all healing and getting to know each other at home. Sleep deprivation has set in and the house is a mess, but we're trying to cherish these first precious days at home with Sophie while she's still so new.  I will continue to update often with pictures of Sophia!

Full term! What?!

2010-03-05T15:05:00.001-06:00

On Wednesday I hit the 37 week mark. So that means we are full term, baby! These last nine months have gone so fast. M and I are getting more and more excited everyday to meet her and hold her and see what she looks like. However, I think we are also "grieving" our fun and fancy free, child-less lives. Don't get me wrong, we feel very blessed that we are about to welcome a child into our lives, but I think we are both going to miss (just a little bit) the three years of marriage we've had where it 's been just the two of us. Anyway, I digress...

M has been pretty cute lately. I think his nesting instinct has hit, too. (do men get the nesting instinct?) Last weekend he cleaned, finished some projects in the nursery, put together the pack n' play and diaper genie, cleaned my car, and swept out the garage! I think the false alarm we had last Friday really shocked us both into reality and made us realize that the baby really could come at any time.

How far along?: 37 weeks 2days
How big is baby?: According to the ultrasounds, about 6 and 1/2 lbs.
Total weight gain: Not sure? Maybe 25-30 lbs. I think a lot of it is due to fluid retention because my feet and ankles are very swollen. None of my shoes fit!
Maternity clothes?: Check.
Sleep?: Lots of tossing and turning.
Stretch marks?: None.
Other weird pregnancy side effects: Thigh/hip pain and numb legs in the evenings.
Food cravings?: Water, citrus, apples, and pasta.
What I miss: Nothing, actually!
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting our daughter.

Look for some nursery pictures this weekend!

Wanna see some pictures?

2010-03-02T20:41:00.000-06:00

I had to get an ultrasound a few days ago to check on the baby's size and also on my fluid levels. The tech was nice enough to "sneak" a few free 3D pictures for us!

We love her chubby little cheeks and big lips. But neither one of us can tell who she looks like. What do you think?

Did my water just break?!

2010-03-01T10:52:00.000-06:00

This is what I was thinking on Friday afternoon. We got back to work after lunch on Friday when I felt a big gush and then trickling. I swore my water had broken, but I wasn't having any contractions, so I called my Ob and promptly headed over to her office for a check.

Turns out my water didn't break (phew!). But, she confirmed I was already 2 cm dilated and that "the baby's head is right at your cervix". (So I'm assuming zero station?) It was nice to know all the discomfort I've been feeling lately hasn't been for nothing. However, don't get too excited (MOM). It could still be weeks before baby Stanley arrives. If I had to make a guess, though, I think I won't make it to my due date on the 22nd. Today we have an appointment with the ultrasound tech to check on my fluid levels and the baby's size. Hopefully she'll give us a few 3D shots for free!

M and I worked a little more on the nursery last night. It's *almost* finished. We just have to hang a few pictures and I have to finish the bedskirt and steam the drapes. We will try and take some pictures later this week and get those up. I have to say--I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Also checked off my to do list this weekend: house is cleaned, laundry is done, bottles are sterilized, hospital bag is packed, and the diaper bag is ready. If this baby comes soon, we'll be ready!

35/35!

2010-02-18T17:38:00.000-06:00

Today marks a milestone in our pregnancy: the 35/35. This means that I am 35 weeks along, and have about 35 days to go until the end! Or not. I had my bi-monthly appt. with my Ob on Monday and she's a little concerned the baby is measuring a few weeks ahead. So she wants to do an ultrasound at my next appt. to get accurate measurements on Baby Stanley's size.  What does this mean? If she is indeed measuring ahead, either our due dates are off and I'm further along than we think, or she's just a "healthy" girl and I might need to be induced early. Either way, this means I need to get my behind in gear and finish the nursery!

How far along?: 35 weeks
How big is baby?: She's clocking in at around five pounds (we'll know more after the ultrasound) and could be as tall as 20 inches by now.  She can also recognize and react to simple songs. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day.
Total weight gain: About 24 lbs.
Maternity clothes?: Check.
Sleep?: Ok. I think last night I got up 5 times to pee.
Stretch marks?: No, not yet.
Other weird pregnancy side effects: Lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. Sometimes I get a little nervous because they're so strong. We've also felt baby hiccups a few times in the last few weeks. I love it when she gets the hiccups because I can pinpoint exactly where her head is--and I'm proud to say it's down--so she's not currently breach. REALLY bad swelling in my hands, feet, and calves.
Food cravings?: Water, oranges, grapefruit, and peanut butter.
What I miss:  Not waddling. And my mind. Where did it go? All I can think about lately is baby stuff.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting the finishing touches on the nursery done.
Milestone: Our ultrasounds this weekend in Wichita!

Here I am at 35 weeks:

Oops, wrong picture. Here ya go:

Guilty pleasures

2010-02-03T14:25:00.000-06:00

I've been contemplating motherhood lately. M prompted this deep-thinking the other night when he innocently asked: "Do you think you're honestly ready to be a mother?"

I don't remember exactly what I said, but I'm sure it was something like, "yes and no".

But his question got me thinking--am I REALLY ready to be a mother? And by this I don't mean am I ready to give birth, live on no sleep, change endless amounts of poopy diapers, and breastfeed. What I mean is this: am I really ready to give up the selfish habits, guilty pleasures, and self-absorbed behavior that I've had 30 odd years to develop and hone?

I guess right now I have to say no--I'm not ready. But is anyone ever really ready to change until they're forced to? I may not be ready right now, but I think that when the little one arrives I will have to be!

Speaking of guilty pleasures, I'm so stoked my favorite TV shows are back:

Hopefully I'll have time to watch them after the baby arrives!

Does that sound selfish?

I have an addiction.

2010-02-01T14:04:00.000-06:00

To etsy. It's seriously out of control. The sellers make such cute stuff and the prices are great! Plus, it's nice to buy things that you know not everyone else will have. Below are some photos of a few things I considering purchasing for the little one.

stocking cap by Mad About Colour

tutu by sweetmarguerite

flower headband by Dolce Vita Mia

These girly little things will look so cute on the babe when we get her newborn pictures taken. We are planning on using local photographer Beth Meysenburg for the pictures. Check out her site at http://www.meysenburgphotography.com/. She's so talented!

Long time, no blog

2010-01-29T09:22:00.000-06:00

Yep, I'm still alive (and pregnant). Sorry for the absence, but things around here have been incredibly busy. But, I'm back and I promise I will be better about updating this blog more often (with pictures, too!!)

We had a great Christmas and New Years. Lots of relaxing, visiting with family, present-opening, and eating. It was a much-needed break from routine.

Here's a picture at Mom and Dad's house. Notice the bellah (I'm about 27 weeks in this picture).

And here we are with our dogs. We love our animals, and they love us (although you can't tell from this picture--the dogs look pissed!)

Speaking of dogs, I think we might have a slight problem with Roxie. Let me preface this story with a little information: Roxie is our FIRST baby. She has been since the day we brought her home from the breeder at 7 weeks old. We even call her "the baby". She's used to getting her way, and she's become accustomed to having a lot of toys around that belong to her and her alone.

Yesterday I started putting the nursery together. I spent a few hours arranging and then rearranging clothes, pictures, baby gear, and stuffed animals until I had everything *just* perfect. Of course Roxie was enthralled with all the activity, especially with the stuffed animals--she wanted them SO BAD. She even attempted to snatch a few and run off with them, but I scolded her and told her that they were for the REAL BABY.

Fast forward to one o'clock in the morning--M had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room well after I (and I thought the dog) had gone to bed. He wakes up and finds himself buried in toys of hers (balls, chew toys, etc.) and THREE of the stuffed animals from the nursery. One of which was actually IN the crib. I have no idea how she got it out of there--but I am a little concerned now that I know she's capable of snatching things from the crib!

So what's on tonight's agenda? Washing golden retriever slobber off the toys!

Speaking of the nursery, it's coming along well. The walls are painted, the bedding is all in, as is most of the furniture. Let me tell you, I am SO PLEASED with the nursery furniture. I was nervous about ordering something sight-unseen, but the quality is super, the color is perfect, and I got a Pottery Barn-esque set for about 1/2 the price. I love bargain shopping ;) I still need the glider, curtains, and rug. My goal is to have the nursery completely done and ready by February 20th, because I have a weird feeling this baby girl will arrive early.

One more thing before I go--we have narrowed our name choices down to two names. This is what I'll say about them: they're not family names, we've never mentioned them to anyone before that we liked them, and don't try to get it out of us before she's arrived, because...

we ain't tellin'!!

The furniture is ordered!

2009-12-19T11:22:00.000-06:00

We ordered the furniture a few days ago. It should be in next week (hopefully we can get it delivered and set up before Christmas)!

This is the crib. It has the capability of being converted to a toddler bed.

This is the dresser, chest of drawers, night stand, and mirror from the same set. We'll use the dresser as a changing table/dresser combo for now, and the mirror we'll put on top of the chest. We didn't want "baby" furniture per se because you only use it for a limited time. This set should grow with the little girl and last for many years to come!

Lastly, this is the glider/rocker we ordered. We ordered it in a light pink chenille fabric. The chair is slipcovered, so it's easily removable and washable. Also, we hope to use it for other children we'll have in the future, so if we ever have a boy, we can just have a new slipcover made.

What do you think?

24 weeks = Viability!

2009-12-04T11:13:00.003-06:00

Wow! We hit the 24 week mark on Wednesday, which means that Baby Stanley has made it to another milestone: Viability! If she were to be born now, she would have a fair chance of survival. However, we want her to stay safe and snug for at least another 14 weeks.

The baby is now about 11 1/2 inches long and weighs about 1 1/2 lbs.  Her skin is becoming more opaque as the fat starts to pack on (about 6 ounces per week). And, thanks to the formation of small capillaries, her newly thick skin is taking on a fresh pink glow. By now, that face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair.  And right now her hair is white since there's no pigment yet.

How far along?: 24 weeks
Total weight gain: I'm up about 11 lbs. now (gasp). This is the most I've weighed in my entire life! I admit, it's hard to step on that scale and see that number, but I know I'm supposed to gain weight.
Maternity clothes?: Pants-yes. I can still wear regular tops, but some of them are getting a little too short, so I have to put long T-shirts under some of them.
Sleep?: Pretty good, getting up twice a night to pee.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Other weird pregnancy side effects: Melasma on my face, and heartburn and indigestion so bad I've nicknamed myself "THE FIREBREATHER".  And....ok....I'll fess up....intermittent, terrible, constipation.
Food cravings?: Water and carbs!
What I miss: My energy. And girly alcholic drinks.
What I'm looking forward to:  Going to Kansas City with M in one week for some Christmas and baby shopping.
Milestone: Making it to Viability day.

Let's switch gears for a moment. I've been promising various family members that I would share some of my favorite winter comfort-food recipes. So, here they are.

Paula Deen's Pot Roast
Courtesy: foodnetwork.com

I've made A LOT of pot roasts in my day--from incredibly involved, ingredient-heavy ones to really simple ones--Paula's version whoops them all.

1 (3-pound) boneless chuck roast
1 1/2 teaspoons House seasoning, recipe follows
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 bay leaves
3 or 4 beef bouillon cubes, crushed (I use the crushed beef bouillon--it dissolves faster than the cubes.)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup Chardonnay (Since becoming pregnant, I've switched to chicken stock--it works just fine.)

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months

Sprinkle roast on all sides with house seasoning (I really coat the roast--nothing like a crunchy, delicious coating of spices on the outside of a tender roast). Using a skillet over high heat, sear roast until brown in oil. Place roast in a slow cooker, and layer onions, bay leaves, crushed bouillon cubes, garlic, and cream of mushroom soup. Add the Chardonnay and cover with enough water to cover all of the ingredients (I only add enough water to reach about half way up the roast). Cook on the low setting for 8 hours.

Mom's Meatloaf
Courtesy: Mom!

2 lbs. hamburger (I use the 90/10 meat--cuts down on the fat you have to pour off during cooking)
1 small yellow onion or 1/2 med. yellow onion, minced
2 eggs
3-4 slices of bread, toasted
1/2 c. milk
8 Tbsp barbecue sauce (don't use anything too tangy or hot--it will overpower the dish)
Salt, pepper, Accent salt to taste

Topping:
2 Tbsp brown sugar
4 Tbsp ketchup
Mix ingredients together in small bowl.

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. (I use my hands--the best kitchen tools a cook has). Don't work the meat too much or it will toughen up on you. Mound meatloaf in a well-greased loaf pan. Add topping to loaf. Bake at 375 degrees for about one hour, 15 minutes total, pouring off fat once or twice during baking time.

I serve this alongside a veggie or salad and roasted potatoes (dice up about 4 larger red potatoes--no need to peel them, toss with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, olive oil, and any other seasonings of your choice--I like rosemary). Bake along with the meatloaf at 375 for about 45 minutes.

Notes: The recipe I've include here is doubled, but you could easily halve it to feed a smaller crowd. Sometimes I have to use more milk or barbecue sauce depending on how moist the meat is (nothing worse than a dry meatloaf). Also, don't go too light on the seasonings--salt and pepper are a meatloaf's friends! Lastly, you could add shredded carrot, green pepper, or any veggie you like to this loaf to make it your own. I never do, because frankly, how can you improve upon perfection?

Ultimate Coffee Cake
Courtesy: Paula Deen from foodnetwork.com

This is actually more of a monkey bread recipe instead of a coffee cake recipe. However, I would've named it "pure deliciousness" if I had come up with it.

16 to 18 unbaked frozen dinner rolls
1 (3-ounce) package regular butterscotch pudding mix, not instant
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted

The night before place frozen rolls in well greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle dry pudding mix over rolls. Sprinkle brown sugar over pudding mix. Sprinkle chopped pecans over brown sugar. Pour melted butter over all. To prevent the dough from forming a hard crust while its rising overnight, cover with a damp towel or tightly wrap with plastic wrap. Let rise overnight at room temperature, about 8 to 10 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Turn pan over onto a serving platter to remove. Serve by pulling apart chunks with forks.

Notes: I always use 18 rolls. I also use one and a half packets of pudding, a little more than 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and a little more than 1/2 stick of butter in order to COMPLETELY coat the rolls with gooey goodness.

Hey, don't judge. I didn't say these recipes were healthy. I said they were comfort food! Sorry about the lack of a belly picture today. I will get some up later today or tomorrow!

Look at what I found!

2009-11-21T10:10:00.002-06:00

Here are some cute nursery/baby decorative items I've come across while browsing. Enjoy!

Customizable birth poster by Etsy seller Chaiv

Birth announcement by Keepsake Designs

Handmade mobiles by Etsy seller PinkPerch

Pom poms by Martha Stewart (these would be so cute hung from the ceiling above a crib or changing table)

Letter cards by Etsy seller artandphilanthropy

Wall decal by Etsy seller LeenTheGraphicsQueen

Wall decal by Etsy seller DaliDecals

Zodiac onesies by Gap

Birdy pillow by Etsy seller PennysbyKristy

Hat by Etsy seller baparsell

22 weeks and some cuteness!

2009-11-18T19:59:00.001-06:00

It's time for yet another weekly update. Today baby GIRL (it feels so weird saying and typing that) has reached the size of a papaya!

Baby's settling into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. Also this week, our little girl weighs in at a whopping pound and measures about eight inches from crown to rump, about the size of a small doll. But this doll is a living one who can now perceive light and dark and can hear both my voice and M's.

How far along?: 22 weeks
Total weight gain: I'm up about 9 lbs. (I put on over 2 lbs. in the last 10 days!)
How big is baby?: She will grow to over 8 and 1/2 inches long by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Mostly pants, though.
Sleep?: Pretty good, getting up twice a night to pee. Oh, and Roxie has decided she can no longer sleep on her dog bed. So every night it's M, me, baby, our 60 lb. golden retriever, and my snuggle pillow. Ugh.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, fruit, starch/carbs in general.
What I miss: My energy.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting the bedding delivered in the next few weeks and ordering the nursery furniture soon.
Milestone: Making it to month 6!!

So, I went shopping yesterday. I have been waiting to buy anything baby related until we found out the sex. But yesterday while out running errands I found the cutest little onesies and sleepers. I've found myself drawn to clothing and nursery decor that has both pink and blue (see pics below). These colors will both be present in the nursery. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for some sneak peak pictures of the nursery as it starts to come together! Side note: ignore the rogue puppy. She's been desperate for attention lately.

These two are my favorites. I just love the little birds....hmmm....maybe we'll go with a "bird" theme in the nursery?

Bedding options

2009-11-12T13:28:00.001-06:00

Here are some crib bedding options I've been contemplating. What do you think?

This is the Candy Patchwork line from Target. The colors look a little muted online, but in person they're much brighter. If I went with this set, I'd probably do a soft blue on the walls. Oh, and you can't beat the price.

This is a custom-made set from a seamstress off of etsy. I just love how girly it is. If I were to go this route, I'd probably change the colors to a light pink and light blue color scheme.

This is a set by Glenna Jean. No pink!

It's a.........

2009-11-06T19:40:00.001-06:00

Girl!!

And we were shocked, to say the least. For a variety of reasons, both M and I were sure this baby was a boy. But there's no guessing now--this one is definitely a girl. We also found out that she's completely healthy, growing like she should, and quite the swimmer! The tech got a lot of good shots of her kicking her feet, stretching, rolling, and changing positions. Poor M--he just kept lamenting about now having to pay for a wedding (um, I think you've got a few years to save for that, honey)!

Here are some pictures of the little gal. FYI: the 3D pics will look a little odd because at 20 weeks, babies don't yet have much fat on their little bodies. Of course, M and I both think she's absolutely beautiful ;) Oh, and based on her measurements, or due date has moved from the 25th of March to the 22nd!

Here's her profile. You can see one hand up by her chin (the other hand is at the top of the pic). The worm-like structure is part of the umbilical cord.

Obviously a foot and 'cheeks' refers to her bottom!

Long, skinny legs and her little pot belly.

Here she's lying on her stomach. See her spine?

Looking at bottom and her girl parts!

Asleep

We are so blessed!!

Half Baked!

2009-11-05T09:07:00.000-06:00

Yay!!! We've made it halfway! I can't believe this pregnancy is halfway done. Let me tell you, for those seven or eight weeks of morning sickness hell, time dragged sooooo slowly. Now I find myself sitting here typing this post and thinking about our ultrasound tomorrow and about the last few weeks of the second trimester. Ack, reality check--baby will be here in 4 and 1/2 months!

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe! He/she gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, our baby will love apples, french fries, and red meat sauce (sometimes consumed in one meal).

How far along?: 20weeks
Total weight gain: Still holding steady at 6 lbs.
How big is baby?: He or she will grow to 7 inches in length by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Mostly pants, though.
Sleep?: Pretty good, now getting up twice a night to pee.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, fruit, starch/carbs in general.
What I miss: My energy.
What I'm looking forward to: Our 20 week appt. and ultrasound tomorrow!
Milestone: M feeling kicks on Halloween night.

This week I made another baby-related purchase on Ebay (I think I may be addicted to that site). I bid on and won stroller clips for our diaper bag. I got them for a great price, and also got free shipping. Can't wait to use them!

Wedding picture

2009-11-04T10:34:00.001-06:00

Here's a picture of M and I at the wedding two weeks ago (18 weeks along). Can't even tell we're prego, huh?

Trick or Treat!?

2009-11-01T19:18:00.000-06:00

We had a great day yesterday here at the Stanley household. M and I carved pumpkins, I roasted the seeds, and we decorated the porch for all the trick or treaters we had. We weren't sure how many visitors we'd have because this was our first Halloween in the new house, but we were pleasantly surprised at the number and creativity of the kids (and parents) who stopped by. My favorite costume of the night? One kid was an I-pod.

M got his own special treat last night--he felt the baby kick for the first time! I've been telling him for about a week now that I could feel the kicks from the outside, but each time he'd put his hand on my belly, our stubborn baby would stop moving. He was able to feel the baby kick several times and thought that was cool.

Next milestone? Finding out the sex very soon!

Ughhh...

2009-10-31T09:32:00.000-05:00

I never thought I would say this, but this 'constant eating thing' is getting old. I'm tired of having to eat something the minute I get up so I don't pass out in the shower, or having to eat every two hours so I don't get dizzy and cranky. What's really making it worse is the fact that all I want to eat is crap--french fries, cheeseburgers, mac 'n cheese, ramen noodles, etc. etc. I can't remember the last time I ate something green. I told M I wish he would just hook me up to an IV and start pumping apple juice, liquid french fries, and black bean soup through my system. That way I wouldn't have to think about it. Ughhh...

19 weeks and more shopping

2009-10-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 19 week point. ALMOST half-way there (assuming I make it to a full 40 weeks). The belly is still relatively small--oh well. Hopefully this means I won't get ginormous in the end and will bounce back quicker after giving birth. I got a lot of weird looks from family and friends last weekend at my bro's wedding. It seems nobody can believe I'm really 19 weeks along?! In fact, one friend actually pointed at my (little) belly and laughed hysterically at me!

Since M has been gone the last few days on business, I found myself lonely and with nothing to do. So, what's a girl to do when she finds herself bored and with no husband around? Shop!

I went to the mall with the intention of getting body scrub at Bath and Body Works (my skin has been SO dry and scaly lately) but I found myself in Penneys. Thank goodness I went in because they were having a sale on maternity clothes. Buy one item at regular price and get another for only 88 cents! I got three tops and a pair of slacks for work. Major score!

Baby's now the size of a mango! Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

How far along?: 19weeks
Total weight gain: Not sure, haven't weighed myself since my 16week appt.
How big is baby?: He or she will grow to over 6 1/2 inches in length by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Those elastic waistband pants are devine.
Sleep?: Pretty good, still getting up once a night to pee.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, fruit, starch/carbs in general.
What I miss: My energy.
What I'm looking forward to: Our 20 week appt. and ultrasound on November 6th!
Milestone: Feeling a ton of movement, some kicks, and baby hiccups!

18 weeks and ebay madness!

2009-10-22T08:23:00.000-05:00

Today I'm 18 weeks along. Time really seems to be flying by! Things around here are going to be very busy the next week or so. My brother's wedding is on Saturday, so we'll be traveling home for that (I'm the MATRON of honor--sounds so old), and then M will be in Dallas next week for meetings.

Baby's now the size of a large sweet potato! Baby's become amazingly mobile--passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. Your uterus, now about the size of a cantaloupe, is causing your body's center of gravity to shift, pulling the lower back forward and pushing the abdomen out. On top of all that, joint-loosening pregnancy hormones are wreaking havoc on your muscles and ligaments, adding up to one big ouch!

How far along?: 18weeks
Total weight gain: Not sure, haven't weighed myself since my 16week appt.
How big is baby?: He or she will grow to over 6 inches in length by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Those elastic waistband pants are devine.
Sleep?: Pretty good, although Roxie uses my Snuggle pillow more than I do!
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, fruit, starch/carbs in general.
What I miss: My energy.
What I'm looking forward to: The big wedding this weekend. I'll post some pictures later.
Milestone: Feeling a ton of movement and some baby hiccups!

In other exciting news: I got my diaper bag! I've looked at several places and fell in love with one by JJ Cole. However, the online reviews were not good. Every reviewer complained about the zipper breaking after just a few uses. So, I caved and bought a brand new Petunia Pickle Bottom bag on ebay. I got it at a great price and can't wait until it gets here. It can be used with the shoulder strap or as a backpack, has a detachable changing pad, four bottle pockets, a pacifier pocket, a detachable dirty diaper pouch, and comes with a hard-shell wiper case.

We also decided on the BOB Revolution 12" for a stroller. Hey Baby here in town can order it for us. We're planning on ordering at the end of the year, right before the 2010 models come out, so that way we can get a good deal.

17 weeks and movement!

2009-10-15T21:33:00.000-05:00

Last night after I crawled into bed I felt something that I've never felt before--the baby move! I was positive that's what it was. It did feel like butterflies fluttering around in my lower abdomen on the left side, and it went on for several minutes. I felt it several times today at work and while in the car, as well. How amazing! Nothing before this has really made me feel pregnant. Not the morning sickness, the slightly larger belly, or even the ultrasound pictures. This whole pregnancy and baby thing is finally starting to seem real! Now if only M could feel it...

Baby's now the size of an onion (or the size of my palm)! Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints. He weighs about five ounces, and his heart is now regulated by his brain. Finally, he is practicing sucking and swallowing as he gets ready for the real thing.

How far along?: 17weeks
Total weight gain: Well, according to the Ob, 6 or 7 lbs., but my scale at home says 4 lbs. So I'm going with 4 lbs:)
How big is baby?: He or she will grow to over 5 1/2 inches in length by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Just some pants, though.
Sleep?: Pretty good.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, apples, breakfast sandwiches, and icees. (Pepsi ones, yum.)
What I miss: My energy.
What I'm looking forward to: My mom coming up this weekend so we can shop, eat, and hang out!
Milestone: Feeling movement for the first time.

Here are some pictures taken of me last night at 6w 6d. I think the belly has reached a plateau. I don't notice much change in the last three weeks.

Gender predictions

2009-10-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

I started saying very early on that I thought this baby is a boy. 99 percent of the time I refer to it as "him". However, of the eight gender prediction quizzes I've taken, seven of them say it's a girl! (yes, I have a lot of time on my hands)

http://www.babygenderpredictiontest.com/ 79% GIRL
just mommies gender prediction test 75% GIRL
http://www.babygenderprediction.com/ 60% GIRL
http://www.parents.com/ BOY
the bump's chinese gender prediction test GIRL
Madame Zaritska GIRL
Old Wive's Tale Test GIRL
Heartbeat above 150 bpm all the time GIRL

We find out in just a few short weeks. But in the meantime, wanna make your prediction? Boy or girl??

The Great Stroller Debate of 2009

2009-10-12T14:46:00.003-05:00

The planner/list maker in me has reared her ugly head the last few days.

Those of you whom know me well know that I can take forever to make decisions because I tend to be very analytical. I have to make pro and con lists and thoroughly research everything before I feel comfortable making a decision. So it's only natural that these tendencies would arise when making furniture, stroller, bedding, etc. choices for the baby.

So this weekend I decided I needed to really sit down and figure out which stoller we would invest in. It literally took me four hours on the laptop yesterday to narrow our choices down to two strollers. Thus began...

The Great Stroller Debate of 2009

Contender #1: Bumbleride Indie

3 larger wheels (perfect for walking off trails and jogging)
sturdy, well-made, will last for several children
only holds 1 child/baby
rain/wind/sun shield? yes
cup holder for momma? yes
forward-facing only
large storage area for bags, snacks, etc.
45 lbs. weight limit
stroller weight: 20 lbs.
seat reclines 180 degrees (so a newborn can ride)
car seat adaptable with several Gracco, Chicco, and Peg Perego car seats
NO infant tray (nowhere for toddler to put his/her toys, drinks, food)
5-point safety harness
easily foldable
Totally cute--I love the color.
$459.95 price tag

Contender #2: BOB Revolution 12"

3 larger wheels (perfect for walking off trails and jogging)
sturdy, well-made, will last for several children
only holds 1 child/baby
rain/wind/sun shield? yes
cup holder for momma? yes
forward-facing only
large storage area for bags, snack, etc.
70 lbs. weight limit
stroller weight: 22 lbs.
reclines 70 degrees (So not infant-safe unless you use the car seat adaptor.)
car seat adaptable with several Gracco, Chicco, Britax, and Peg Perego car seats
Infant tray? yes
5-point safety harness
easily foldable
Cute, but not excited by the color.
$399.00 price tag

It looks like from the green (pros) and red (cons) where these two strollers differ, that I'm leaning towards the BOB. M and I tried one out at Hey Baby and really liked it. However, I would like to try out the Bumbleride Indie before we purchase. For those of you who have experience with these (or other) strollers: would you mind giving me your 2 cents?

Heartbeats, weight gain, and worry, OH MY!

2009-10-11T21:05:00.001-05:00

Friday we had our 16week appt. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat again--how amazing! Our Ob. found it right away and she said it was a strong 164 bpm. In addition to hearing the beautiful "whoosh, whoosh" of its heart, we could also hear a strong swishing sound (like ocean waves). The doctor said that the swishing sounds were the baby moving and wiggling around in my belly. In fact, she commented on how active and loud the movements were (as you can imagine, I was beaming from ear to ear with pride at my 'acrobatic' little one!). She asked me if I was feeling movement yet, but I told her I didn't think so. I do feel quickening or 'bubbles' often, but I've always had a "rumbly tumbly" (as M calls it) so I'm not sure if these feelings are the baby or if it's just me digesting!

I was also weighed. It looks like I've gained about seven pounds since becoming pregnant. Not too shabby! Our next appt. is November 6. At this appt. we'll have an ultrasound and anatomy scan, so we'll be sure to post those pictures!

Early this morning I woke up and could not go back to sleep. I just laid there worrying. I was worrying about EVERYTHING!! My mind was going a mile a minute thinking about everything from work to all the things we need to buy to get ready for the baby, to the weather, to what I was going to make for dinner.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore so I woke M up and asked him to reassure me. His reply?

"You're pregnant--worrying is what you do."

I can't say this response really put me at ease. (Poor guy, I know he wants to reassure me, but sometimes men just don't know what to say.) We eventually got up and went to church--and that seems to be the medicine I needed to cure the worrying bug. Oh, and the apple dumplings I made tonight. We enjoyed them with vanilla ice cream whilst watching the Colts game. YUM!

16 weeks and a shopping spree

2009-10-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

It feels like I just got done writing the week 15 update, now here we are at 16. Time is flying by! So baby is now about the size of an avocado.

Tiny bones are forming in the baby's ears, which means he/she can now pick up my voice. A few more minuscule changes: eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming, too. His/her tiny muscles, especially the ones in his back, are gaining strength, so he/she can straighten out a little more. And those eyes are finally working, making small side-to-side movements and perceiving light (although the eyelids are still sealed).

How far along?: 16weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure. I haven't weighed myself in a few weeks. We'll find out today at our appt.

How big is baby?: He or she will grow to over 5 inches in length by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes. Just pants, though.
Sleep?: Pretty good.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Water, apples, mac 'n cheese, and icees. (Pepsi ones, yummy!)
What I miss: Hmmm, surprisingly, I'm drawing a blank for this category today.
What I'm looking forward to: My 16 week appointment today, and setting up the next appointments to determine the baby's gender. I'm lucky because not only are we having my Ob's office do the anatomy scan/ultrasound in a few weeks, but my wonderful (soon-to-be) sister-in-law has offered to do an ultrasound and to be the one who tells us the sex. So we'll get to see the baby twice in the coming weeks!
Milestone: Buying my first maternity clothing and pregnancy related items last weekend.

So this weekend we went to Wichita and ventured to Babies.R.Us for the first time. M was mesmerized--it was so cute--at all the baby related items the store had. I bought a Boppy pillow and some cocoa butter cream for the belly. I know a lot of people say rubbing your belly with lotions and oils doesn't prevent stretch marks, but I'm still gonna do it regardless. Hey, it's worth a try?!

I also bought some maternity pants to wear to work and a pair of maternity jeans from Motherhood Maternity. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they fit and how good they looked. I was also happy they were long enough (they actually had up to a 34" inseam). I told M that after wearing the elastic banded pants, I may never go back to normal clothes again!

Pigging out!

2009-10-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

I have developed the weirdest food habits. Yesterday morning all I wanted were potato chips. By 10 am I had eaten over 1/2 a huge bag of Baked Lays. Last night I made the hubby pick me up an icee at 10 pm. Today I sent him to Sonic at 9 am for a BLT. I literally ate it in three bites and it was SOOOO GOOD! *sigh* I'm starting to get nervous for my appointment tomorrow and the dreaded weigh-in. Anyone wanna guess how much weight I've put on?

Nose bleeds, sore gums, and movement???

2009-10-05T15:55:00.000-05:00

I swear, my child has been reading What to Expect When You're Expecting (WTEWYE) in the womb. I say this because everytime I read in my book about what symptoms I might feel or what changes might happen in my body that particular week, I end up getting those same symptoms that week (and I don't think it's psychosomatic). This week it has been nose bleeds and sore gums.

Now, on to more exciting and less graphic symptoms: I *think* I felt the baby move last night! I was sitting on the couch with the laptop when I felt something on the right side of my belly. It sort of felt like bubbles or fluttering that went in a straight line. After the first time, I thought maybe it was just gas or digestion, but when it happened two more times in about the same area, I starting thinking that it might be the baby.

WTEWYE says movement can first be felt anywhere between weeks 14 and 22, but most usually in weeks 18-20. I'm still not convinced that it was actually the baby. So I'll keep ya'll posted. In the meantime, those of you whom have been pregnant and know what early movements feel like, leave a comment and tell me what it felt like for you and when you first starting feeling the "fluttering". Laters!

15 weeks

2009-09-30T22:21:00.001-05:00

Yet another week has passed, and I'm exhausted. We've been putting in long hours at the office all week. Poor M didn't get home last night until 2:30. I'm really impressed with his drive, but I'm torn because one part of me wants to be there helping him, while the other part of me knows I can't run myself ragged trying to get everything done all at once. After all, the last thing we need is for me to get sick!

The baby's legs now out-measure his arms, and all four limbs have functional joints. He is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though I probably won't feel the movements just yet. Also, an ultrasound might show the baby sucking his/her thumb.

How far along?: 15weeks
Total weight gain: Holding steady at 4 lbs.
How big is baby?: He or she will grow to about 4 1/2 inches by the end of the week.
Maternity clothes?: No, but I'm ~~loving~~ tolerating my Bella Band.
Sleep?: As a whole, Ok, but last night I tossed and turned like crazy. I think when we go to Wichita this weekend I'll pick myself up a snuggie. ...squeee...
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Fruit, water, apples, and mac 'n cheese.
What I miss: Hmmm, surprisingly, I'm drawing a blank for this category today.
What I'm looking forward to: My 16 week appointment and quad screening in ~~two~~ one week!
Milestone: I realized last Friday that we have 3 months until Christmas and 6 months until the baby arrives. That thought absolutely terrifies me!

Here's a picture of me at 14weeks 6days and also the picture from 13weeks. I may be mistaken, but I think the belly actually looks bigger in the week 13 photo. However, it may have been the large meal I ate a few hours before the photo session!!

Dreams...

2009-09-28T15:57:00.000-05:00

I've been having some really vivid dreams the last few nights. Last night's was no exception. I dreamed that immediately after giving birth, my Ob asked if I wanted a tummy tuck. Here was my reply:

"No, thank you. But I will take liposuction--my thighs only, please."

I remember in my dream that I said this in the sweetest and calmest voice ever. Also, I looked really good (like, my hair and makeup were perfect, even though I had just given given birth). What?!?

So she gave me lipo, and I was ecstatic with my new, super skinny thighs.

Wierd, huh?

OUCH!! Can you imagine?

2009-09-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

"An Indonesian woman gave birth to this 19.2 pound bundle of joy, the country's biggest baby ever." for more visit gawker.com.

14 weeks!

2009-09-25T10:17:00.001-05:00

We're movin' right along with this pregnancy, yesterday marked 14weeks along.

Baby Stanley (who is the size of a clenched fist) is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

How far along?: 14weeks 1day

Total weight gain: About 4 lbs. over my pre-pregnancy weight.

How big is baby?: He or she will grow to about 4 inches in length by the end of this week. I think the baby is getting ready to go through a major growth spurt because the last two days my abs have been pretty sore and I've had some major round ligament pain. For those of you who aren't familiar with this term--the round ligaments support the uterus and are located along the bikini line. I feel the sharp pains whenever I rise from a sitting position or whenever I sneeze or cough.
Maternity clothes?: No. But I am leaving my pants unbuttoned.
Sleep?: Pretty good, but I'm getting up two or three times a night to pee.
Stretch marks?: Absolutely not!!...well, none that are pregnancy related ;)
Food cravings?: Fruit, water, and apples. I'm averaging two apples and at least two glasses or organic apple juice per day!
What I miss: My pre-pregnancy pants fitting well. I'm in a conundrum because I'm not ready for maternity stuff yet, but none of my pants fit. So, do I go buy maternity now and hold it up with a bella band, or do I buy normal clothes in larger sizes??
What I'm looking forward to: My 16 week appointment and quad screening in two weeks!
Milestone: Safely making it to the 2nd trimester.

On a slightly different note, M and I had the following conversation a few days ago:
Me: Honey, in your opinion, what's been the most difficult thing for you concerning this pregnancy so far?
M: Keeping you fed. It's seriously a full-time job. (He says, with a completely serious, straight face.)
POOR GUY!!

And lastly, this is what happened to M and I on our way to work yesterday:
He was driving and I was eating my breakfast--which is the norm. As we were driving, I started to feel nauseous and began gagging violently. As M pulled into the parking lot, I jumped out of the car and vomited on the sidewalk just as an innocent pedestrian was walking by!! The funny thing was, I wasn't nearly as embarrassed for me as I was for her!

Another symptom?

2009-09-21T21:13:00.000-05:00

I think I've developed a new pregnancy symptom (and let me tell you, it's not pretty).

For days now I've been dealing with dry patches on my face. I have them at the corners of my mouth and in arches that follow my nasolabial fold (from my nostrils to the corners of my mouth). So, couple these nasty, dry, scaly, flaking dark spots along with the extreme case of acne I've been sporting on my forhead for two months, and you've got ONE PRETTY PICTURE! Here's a picture so you can see for yourself what I have become:
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Um....where the heck did this come from?!

2009-09-17T22:33:00.001-05:00

Yes. This is me today at 13 weeks. Please forgive the awful look on my face--we took these today at 10:30 pm (which is past my bedtime) and I was exhausted. I considered cropping out my face, but then how would ya'll know the pics are of me?? Usually I wake up with a fairly flat stomach, but it grows exponentially bigger by the end of the day. However, the last two days I have woken up with this and it definitely does not go away--and I can't button ANY of my pants anymore. On some levels I'm sad but also elated about this. I'm sad because a lot of my cute pants aren't fitting my belly anymore (or my arse--don't get me started). But, I'm grateful to have made it this far with a healthy, growing baby.

Here's a rundown of Baby S's growth:

At 13 weeks, Baby's now the size of a peach and about 3 inches long!

The baby is forming teeth and vocal cords, and he has already formed his own unique fingerprints. He or she is approaching normal proportions, with his head now only one third the size of his body. All the teeth have formed and are waiting (teething is yet to come!). And intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy -- much more convenient.

How far along?: 13weeks

Total weight gain: Not really sure, about 4 lbs. over my pre-pregnancy weight.

How big is baby?: He or she will grow to over 3 and 1/2 inches in length by the end of this week.

Maternity clothes?: No. But I am leaving my pants unbuttoned.

Sleep?: Pretty good, but I'm getting up twice a night to pee.

Food cravings?: Fruit, water, french fries, and SALT!!. I haven't stooped to licking a salt block.....yet.
What I miss: THIS:

Fruity, girly, cocktails. M and I went out to dinner last week and I REALLY wanted a cosmo. Maybe Shirley Temples will hold me over for the next six months??

What I'm looking forward to: Starting work on the nursery after we find out the baby's sex.

Milestone: I'll officially be in the second trimester on Sunday! (40 weeks of pregnancy divided by 3 is 13weeks, 3 days per trimester.)