I am a wife to a wonderful Hubby, a mommy to a fur crew and a pediatric oncology nurse to some of the best kiddos on the planet. I love pancakes on Sunday morning and pizza on Friday night. I love sappy romantic movies. I love my family, my friends and my furkids more then anything. I am excited to see what’s in store for my future.
Yes I am well aware I have been M.I.A., my bad. Between working full time, going to school part time and being preggo full time I'm freaking exhausted, please excuse my absence.
I have been taking weekly pictures, I have not been filling out the questionnaire, fail. I will post the pictures sometime next week.
Today I had an ultrasound, you know, THE ultrasound. Without further ado, I have some new baby pictures from our ultrasound today:
In big news, introducing Colin Wilson:
Our due date was moved to July 2, because this little man is measuring big. Ending this pregnancy a little early is A ok with me. :)
(FYI, this is a bit long, if anyone can hang in there I'd appreciate your tips/suggestions/etc.)
The biggest complaints I hear from moms (not just new moms but experienced moms as well) is bedtime woes. Horrible stories about how their babies don't sleep and in turn how they don't sleep. Let me tell you, I don't do well with no sleep--I will be a bad mom if I can't get sleep. I understand in the beginning things will be tough and I can suck it up for a little while, but honestly, it will be a very little while.
Here are a couple of examples of the horror stories I hear.
One of the nurses I work with (she has a 7 year old little boy and a 13 month old little girl, so not a new mom by any stretch of the imagination) has not slept through the night since her ;ittle girl was born. The baby wakes up not once, but twice if not three times a night, she gives her a bottle and then she goes back to sleep but heavens! I am not waking up three times a night with a kid older then 1 to give them a bottle, it is unnecessary (not to mention, this mom is EXHAUSTED!). Anyways, she is going to try getting her to sleep through the night by doing a bunch of things such as moving her into her own room (she is still in their bedroom), getting her a sound machine and honestly, I hope she lets her cry it out a night or two (but I cannot imagine how hard it would be to let your baby cry it out).
A friend of mine has a beautiful little girl, she is probably about 4 month old now and she is having the roughest time at night. Apparently her little girl is the happiest little girl during the day and then at night she turns into a terrible, unhappy, miserable baby. I feel terrible for my friend because she has this fantastic baby all day and then she turns into a different baby at night time. She is at a loss as to what to do. I contacted another friend who just got her 8 month old sleeping through the night to see if she could give my other friend some advice. We'll see where that goes. Hopefully it helps her.
As for me, being a first time mom, I have no idea what to expect. I mean I've been a nanny before, I've done the bedtime routine, but it was only once in a blue moon that I did the overnight thing. I think I am in for a shock doing this mommy thing 24 hours a day. I am making a list of things that I plan on doing to make night times as perfect as possible. Here's what I've got so far, please comment with any additions you have to my list. :) TIA!
Baby's own space--my parents will be in town for the first week of baby's life so they will be sleeping in the nursery in turn baby's pack and play will be in our closet, as soon as they leave baby will move back into his/her nursery. I know it may be harder for me at first but I think baby being in their own room is important to the overall sleep, not to mention, I don't want to have to worry about the cats trying to get into their pack and play.
Sound machine--this baby is used to noise, if not me working at night, to hubby and I talking, to the dogs barking, to even when it is quiet my tummy growls. I also think the baby getting used to the sound machine will help when we are out of town or even just when we are home and they are napping it should help drown out the dogs barking or the vacuum running or whatev. This is not a silent house. ;)
Black out curtains--I want the baby to learn they sleep at night. When the baby is awake, we will open the curtains and let the light in at night time or nap time the curtains will be drawn closed. Not to mention, early bedtimes 1/2 the year lead to the baby going to sleep when it is actually still light out.
Routine, routine, routine--Tentative bedtime routine, feeding, bath time, massage, story time, swaddle them and then them laying down to sleep.
Tete, paci, binky, etc.--The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends tetes as a way to help reduce the incidents of SIDS, I kind of baulk at them but with that being known, I think I'll definitely try it. I think a couple of useful tips for them are to use the soothies because they are soft and if the baby rolls on them it wont hurt them and a wake them up. Another tete tip is to take it out of their mouth once they are fast asleep before you go to bed because the baby will learn to sleep without them and most importantly, they will not wake up in the middle of the night when it falls out!
Dreamfeeds--it is a cute little term to describe waking the baby before they wake to eat. Basically you put them down at bedtime, then 2, 3, 4 hours later (depending on how old they are) you wake them up give them a bottle, the boob, whatever to satiate them before they wake up ravished.
Bedtime--I am a big fan of early bedtime. I am pretty sure we will do a 6:30 bedtime. With that bedtime, it will insure I'll be able to feed the baby and do bath time (which I love, love, love) and then hubby can finish out the rest of the routine when I leave for work.
Alright, that's all I've got for now. Let's try to prevent me being a frazzled, sleep deprived mom (and nurse), any tips you have are greatly appreciated!
Sorry I have been MIA things have been so crazy around here, with the holidays, traveling, working, etc. But I'm back and I've missed everyone. I just posted most of my weekly posts because I definitely missed those, whoops. Other than that, the hubby and I are doing lovely, the puppies are fantastic and the baby bean is growing!
Size of baby: According to babycenter.com the baby is about the size of a grape. This is what babycenter.com has to say about Gummy Bear's journey:
How your baby's growing: Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not quite sure but it's more then 5 lbs. I have an MD appt this coming week so we'll find out.
Maternity Clothes: Yep, hubby bought me jeans that I love love love! (Thanks honey.)
Gender: No idea--we'll find out on Valentine's Day!
Movement: Nope, not yet, but I'm excited for that to happen.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Sleep: Much better, but this time I've gone to the opposite end of the spectrum. Hubby made a joke about me hibernating.
Symptoms: I'm still peeing a lot and a bit nauseated by smells (which is not so kosher when you're a nurse)!
Cravings: Nothing really, I am eating a bit more then usual though!
Best Moment this week: Just knowing my little bean is growing!
What I am looking forward to: Our MD appt and ultrasound next week. I can't wait to see the little guy/girl again!
Here are the pictures of little Jelly Bean and her/his incubator for the next 9 months:
Size of baby: According to babycenter.com the baby is about the size of a kumquat, but we had an ultrasound this week and the baby was supposed to measure at 1.25 inches and our big baby measured in at 3 inches! This is what babycenter.com has to say about Gummy Bear's journey:
How your baby's growing: Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained 6lbs at my OB appt this week. I feel like I've gained a heck of a lot more then that. I feel like a whale!
Maternity Clothes: Some, mostly not though, but I love my maternity jeans!
Gender: No idea--we'll find out on Feb 10. We do have names picked out for each sex!
Movement: Nope, not yet, but I'm excited for that to happen.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Sleep: Good, I'm really good at sleeping, lol.
Symptoms: My main symptom is my hyper sensitive gag reflex. If I cough I gag--it's disgusting!
Cravings: Nope not really. I like to eat, mainly comfort foods but no cravings as of yet.
Best Moment this week: Getting to see little Gummy Bear on ultrasound this week--it was awesome! It actually looked like a baby, so exciting!
What I am looking forward to: The main thing I am looking forward to is finding out the baby's sex, I can't wait to find out if it is a little girl or a boy!
Here are the pictures of little Jelly Bean and her/his incubator for the next 9 months (I forgot to get a pic this week :( but we did get a pic of baby!):
Size of baby: According to babycenter.com the baby is about the size of a fig. This is what babycenter.com has to say about Gummy Bear's journey:
How your baby's growing: Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained 6lbs, as of my last OB appt 1 weeks ago. I feel like I've gained a heck of a lot more then that. I feel like a whale!
Maternity Clothes: Most of what I wear is not maternity besides the jeans but we are going to be buying a bit more maternity clothing in the near future because I am not fitting comfortably into non maternity stuff.
Gender: No idea--we'll find out on Feb 10. We do have names picked out for each sex!
Movement: Nope, not yet, but I'm excited for that to happen.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Sleep: Good, I'm really good at sleeping, lol.
Symptoms: My main symptom is my hyper sensitive gag reflex. If I cough I gag--it's disgusting!
Cravings: Nope not really. I like to eat, mainly comfort foods but no cravings as of yet.
Best Moment this week: Getting some maternity clothing and baby gifts for Christmas. This is going to be one spoiled baby!
What I am looking forward to: The main thing I am looking forward to is finding out the baby's sex, I can't wait to find out if it is a little girl or a boy!
Here are the pictures of little Jelly Bean and her/his incubator for the next 9 months:
Size of baby: According to babycenter.com the baby is about the size of a lime (mind you, our baby measured larger then the estimated 2 inches at our 10 weeks appt--I may or may not be giving birth to a toddler!). This is what babycenter.com has to say about Gummy Bear's journey:
How your baby's growing: The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder. Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained 6lbs, as of my last OB appt 2 weeks ago. I feel like I've gained a heck of a lot more then that. I feel like a whale!
Maternity Clothes: Yup, aside from sweat pants almost everything I wear is maternity. I need to order maternity scrubs.
Gender: No idea--we'll find out on Feb 10. I do have nursery themes and names picked out for each sex!
Movement: Nope, not yet, but I'm excited for that to happen.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Sleep: Good, I usually wake up about 3 and a half hours after I fall asleep to pee and then another time before I wake up but I figure that isn't too bad.
Symptoms: My main symptom is my hyper sensitive gag reflex. If I cough I gag--it's disgusting!
Cravings: Tacos! I had my first craving this week and it was for tacos--I made the poor hubby get up at like 11:30 pm to take me to go get tacos he was a little unhappy to get up and go out when it was freezing but he loves me so we went!
Best Moment this week: Finally finding the baby's heartbeat on the doppler we bought. I love hearing the little bugger.
What I am looking forward to: The main thing I am looking forward to is finding out the baby's sex, I can't wait to find out if it is a little girl or a boy!
Here are the pictures of little Jelly Bean and her/his incubator for the next 9 months:
The Christmas Quiz Many thanks to the fabulous Cole for letting me borrow steal this quiz!
1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate no questions asked! Eggnog has raw eggs and that just majorily grosses me out. The only issue I have with hot chocolate is that since I didn't grow up drinking anything hot I have a hard time judging when it is too hot or just right and generally burn my mouth. I guess I'd change my answer to warm chocolate, lol.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa wraps everything in our house and in the Hubby's house growing up Santa didn't wrap anything so we have had that talk lately since Santa will be coming around next year for the little jelly bean--guess what Santa is going to do....Santa is going to wrap everything. :)
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored in our house. Actually our tree we do orange and blue lights (Go Gators) and then multicolored elsewhere. I do love the look of white lights, they just look so classy but we tack it up with colored lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No but I need to find a pretend mistletoe after Christmas this year to hang up next year.
5. When do you put your decorations up? I think decorations deserve to be put up the day after Thanksgiving. I did not do that this year, I still haven't decorated--I suck. No questions asked next year the decorations are going up right away!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I don't have a favorite holiday dish...
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Hm...we spent Christmas one year in Cocoa Beach and that was a lot of fun. Another favorite was when we spent a Christmas in Canada, I was really young but I remember skiing for the first time up there, I was so cold out there on the slopes so my Daddy bought me M&Ms and hot chocolate--I love my Daddy!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember I was probably 10/11. But up until I moved out of the house there were always presents under the tree from the "Big Guy in the Red Suit."
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We only open presents on Christmas Eve when we spend it with our family. If we do dinner at my Aunt's house we do presents from them and to them but that's it. Traditionally no.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Fantastic ornaments. My hubby and I have gotten an ornament ever Christmas we've spent together and then we have odd and end ones from friends and family.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it because the only time I see it is when I am vacationing. I think if I lived in a place that it snowed I'd hate it!
12. Can you ice skate? Yep, I haven't been in a while but I usually love it!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I love all the gifts that I get. I can't think of a favorite though. I'm pretty sure I've gotten some fantastic dolls as a kid that I loved as well as some sports stuff. I think I got a Mia Hamm jersey one Christmas and that was pretty awesome!
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Getting to spend time with my family is probably my favorite thing about the holiday time. Phillip and I live 4 hours north of my parents and sister and it is so nice that we get to spend it together. This Christmas we are going to spend a week in the mountains and I am so excited about it!
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I love holiday cookies. I think that is the only real dessert I associate with holiday time.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I love seeing houses decorated with Christmas lights. I need to find the neighborhood in our town that has the best lights, I have yet to find it. We used to have this thing called the festival of lights in South Florida which was amazing, you would drive through and look at all these incredible decorations.
17. What tops your tree? A Gator, duh!
18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Giving, I usually do a good job Christmas shopping so I love when I give the gifts--this year I haven't done as great of a job so I'm not looking forward to it as much.
19. Candy canes: yuck or yum? Yum, but I'm a purest--I like the traditional flavor the best.
20. Favorite Christmas show? I love watching "Babes in Toyland," it is so old--made the year I was born but I loved watching it every year.
21. Saddest Christmas song? The Christmas Shoes, easily the saddest Christmas song.
22. What’s your favorite Christmas song? I love most of them! The hubby and I always listen for Trans-Siberian Orchestra and JAM out. Here is a fab video (do not watch if you are prone to seizures):
I just got back from shopping for Christmas pressies! I did not do a good job planning for Christmas shopping this year, I usually got with lists and am so organized, this year...I just wandered aimlessly. I did get some shopping done.
I bought something for Phillip, for my Mommy, for my little sis and for Phillip's oldest sis. That's it. I really need to make a game plan and try again. I still have to buy for Phillip's Mom, his other sister, my Dad and I need a bit more for Phillip--oh and I need to do some stocking stuffing for him.
On another note, I still have not done any Christmas decorating, man I suck this year. I need to finish straightening up around the house and then get the Christmas stuff out of the attic. Hopefully we can get all the Christmas stuff up this weekend, I think that's a lovely goal (mind you it's been my goal for the last 2 weeks but you know, try and try again).
Lastly, once we get the Christmas decorations up, we need to do a Christmas picture of the hubby, myself and the two pups. I want to send a Christmas card out next week after my next OB appt where I get an ultrasound, wouldn't that be cute?!?!
