29 Weeks

So I am the worst.blogger.ever but that's ok right?  It's so hard to remember to take a darn photo.  With the world of technology, it really shouldn't be that difficult but I just feel like I never look decent anymore...

How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain: +12lbs 

Maternity clothes? Oh ya... my pre-pregnancy shirts are starting to show a little belly when I wear them which is not a hot look! 

Stretch marks? No!  Still using Bio-Oil and Mederma daily with hopes that I will skip this part of pregnancy.

Sleep: I LOVE to sleep right now 

Best moment this week:  started 2 week doctors appointments which makes me feel like we really are getting somewhere
Movement: Oh ya! Lovin' every one! 
Looking forward to: Christmas

Food cravings:  No cravings, still have to eat small portions otherwise I feel way to full.  Can't drink any carbonated drinks anymore - it just makes me feel horrible

Anything making you queasy or sick:  not right now

Gender:  we do know but we are keeping it a secret for now...

Labor Signs:  no

Symptoms:  tired

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on 

And my furry little friends...

The Never Ending Lists....

I have a million lists.  To do, to buy, to make, to research..... I think there are so many that it makes me less organized than I'd be without them - sad but true.  I'm going to try to compile a 'master' list here and start crossing things off as time is going to fly by with the holidays around the corner.

Nursery
-  Buy Glider (finally bought one even though it's not what I wanted, it was a great deal.  I really wanted grey or white but ended up with black.  I'm going to hide it with pillows and blankets!  Friends of ours said that a recliner was a good option though and this has both, so hopefully it'll do the trick.)
-  Order Crib and Dress (Found them at sears.ca and they come in next week!)
-  Paint (Glad to have this project finished.  I am so happy with the outcome but sadly the photo makes it look brown.  It is definitely white and grey!)

-  Order curtains/drapes and rod (waiting to see if potterybarnkids.com has any black friday sales!)
-  Buy new knobs for dresser
-  Buy changing pad and cover for on top of dresser
-  Buy crib mattress
-  Buy crib sheets and skirt
-  Buy side table for glider


Baby Supplies / Feeding
-  Wash all clothes and hang/fold (need to find hangers...)
-  Bottles (went with Avent and Tommy Tippee)
-  Swing (ordered the Craddle 'N Swing My Little Snugabunny)
-  Blooming Bath (ordered in Ivory)
-  Diaper Bag (ordered this in Graphite.  I really wanted the Storksak but couldn't justify the price..) 
-  Diapers (how many does to buy?)
-  Formula (?)
-  Video Monitor  
-  Mattress cover
-  Bottle Warmer/Sterilizer?
-  Humidifier
-  Stroller
-  Carseat
-  Carseat Bundle Up/Cover 

Other 
-  Pack Hospital Bag (we probably have some time on this one)
-  Make rug for nursery

I'm sure this will get longer as I realize all I've missed! Let's see how much I can check off in the next few weeks before Christmas.

How far along? 22 weeks 

Total weight gain: 4lbs

Maternity clothes? Yep!  Love my h&m maternity pants.

Stretch marks? no.  Still have itchy skin though.. 

Sleep: lovin' it!
Best moment this week:  thanksgiving dinners and gatherings

Miss Anything?  not really
Movement: yes, lots!

Food cravings:  nothing that I MUST HAVE!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  no

Gender:  we do know but we are keeping it a secret for now, it has been very hard!

Labor Signs:  no

Symptoms:  none

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on 
Looking forward to: starting the nursery - might paint next weekend!

21 weeks - we are over halfway there!

(IGNORE MY BAD HAIR..)

How far along? 21 weeks 

Total weight gain: 3lbs

Maternity clothes? Pants, pants, and more pants.  

Stretch marks? no.  Still have itchy skin though.. 

Sleep: normal again, yipee!
Best moment this week:  all the movement, especially seeing it from the outside

Miss Anything?  nothing right now.
Movement: yes :)

Food cravings:  not really but I did just eat a waffle at 9pm eek.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  nope

Gender:  secret

Labor Signs:  no

Symptoms:  none

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on 
Looking forward to: shopping

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks 

Total weight gain: 0 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yup! Just bought 2 pairs of pants at H&M last night including some turquoise/mint green ones.  We'll see how much I wear them though I do think they hug my bum nicely ;)

Stretch marks? none.  My skin feels itchy all over though which is irritating.

Sleep: love it!
Best moment this week:  finding out gender (it's a secret), feeling more movement and starting to shop! 

Miss Anything?  umm, my energy and paralyzers.
Movement: yup, mostly in the morning and at night. 

Food cravings: No but I'm more hungry everyday.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  not right now.

Gender:  we know!!!  

Labor Signs:  no

Symptoms:  Sleepy

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on 
Looking forward to: getting started on the nursery! 

No love for the camera

At our anatomy scan last week, the ultrasound tech told us that she could not get a good face photo.  I guess baby is shy!  She was able to tell us if it's a boy or girl though and we are super excited.  We're going to keep it a secret for now (even from family and friends).  

plans for the nursery

 As I was measuring out the room that will soon be the nursery, I took a quick photo of our first baby purchase.  I can't believe how small they are and can't wait to put them on baby!

I have a few inspiration boards that I've put together (seeing as I didn't want to Pin things to pinterest before as we hadn't told people).  

The things I know for sure:  

* I want grey and white striped walls (regardless of gender) 

* I want white furniture 

* I want a dresser with a change pad on top instead of a change table 

* I want a glider with ottoman 

Lastly, I want it to look pretty and feel calm. 

Wow, lots of 'I wants'!    

 Can't wait to start getting this all together....

boy or girl?

We have our ultrasound appointment at 1pm tomorrow and will find out if baby is a boy or girl.  We are SO excited!  Hoping that everything goes well and baby is healthy and if he/she cooperates we may know a name after the scan.

(Ignore the bad hair/face combo)  Also, turns out my Dallas Cowboys shirt isn't so lucky as they lost.... 

stollers & carseats

Seeing as I am PATIENTLY awaiting our ultrasound next week to find out the gender, I've been forced to shop for necessities and things that didn't need to be .blue or .pink.  So I began my typical google search of Best 2012 Strollers.  Well, turns out strollers and car seats are a hugemungo business with a bizillion options.

The first thing I looked at was Safety.  Honestly, they all meet Canadian Safety Standards so it's kinda tough to judge.

On my short list of features was:  lightweight, easy to fold, good in snow.

With those things in mind, I narrowed the search a bit then visited West Coast Kids to test them out and get some advice.  The first thing we decided between was whether we wanted to 'buy for the future' and get a stroller that can eventually hold 2 kids.  After checking both out, we realized that the biggest difference was weight and they were a LOT heavier.  I'm weak, so I need something light.  With that we decided to focus on the one baby and look specifically at 3 wheel strollers (easier in the snow).

Here were the finalists:

Baby Jogger City Mini 

details here.

The reviews that I've read at all very positive and is really smooth to push, lightweight, and looks cute!   Car seat adapter fits any carseat. 

Britax B-Agile

details here.

I'd say the reviews for this were almost perfect!  Most people really seem to like it.  Folding it down is pretty sweet, it's so easy and it's lighter than the City Mini. 

So after seeing both of these, which by the way are basically exactly the same price wise, we started talking about car seats.   Of course both fit any car seat with an adapter.  So we took a look at that and even though it's just one more step, it complicated the ease of each system. 

And then we were introduced to the..... 

Britax B-Safe 

details here.

The great thing about this (if you pair it with the Britax B-Agile) is the seemless snap in system.  It's so simple and easy.  

So I guess that made up our mind!  Now I just have to pick the color of the stroller - I'm thinking black?  Is that to boring?  It comes in kiwi, which could be fun and is pretty gender neutral.   And order away!   Any thoughts on our choices?????

18 weeks

How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain: 0 lbs

Maternity clothes?Seriously, to anyone who is contemplating waiting to purchase maternity pants - don't!  They are so comfortable.  I have a pair of jeans, one pair of black dress pants.  Other than that I'm pretty much wearing leggings, tunics, etc but now that I have a bit of a bump, it's fun to wear tighter shirts. :)

Stretch marks? nothing yet.  The advice I keep getting it to lotion, lotion, and lotion some more.

Sleep: haven't bought my snoogle yet but I'm sleeping better so maybe I won't need it...
Best moment this week:  feeling baby!  I'm pretty sure at least, its kind of like bubbles popping

Miss Anything?  Energy still...
Movement: Yes!  Little pops here and there.  Mostly when I'm laying on my back and it's quiet.

Food cravings: Not really.  Still liking dessert and fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not right now!

Gender:  Find out on monday at our ultrasound - we might keep it our little secret though!

Labor Signs:  no.

Symptoms:  Decreased energy

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on
Looking forward to: finding out gender and then shopping!!!!!!!

best find ever

So let me start by telling you that I swear I'm not an alcoholic.  For real.  I just really enjoyed paralyzers.  For those of you who may not have experienced this deliciousness, it's usually made with 1/2-1 ounce vodka, 1/2-1 ounce kahlua, coke, and milk. Before I was pregnant, I would probably have 1-2/week with supper and I'd never have them with vodka, just the kahlua.  It wasn't about the alcohol, it's just the taste.

Now that I'm pregnant, I refuse to drink or take a sip of anything at all.  I know some people think a bit here or there is fine but I am not willing to take any chances so there has been and will not be any drinking for this girl.

During a recent trip to Winners, I came across this fancy little bottle.  Kahlua flavored syrup.  Ya right!

After my hard day of shopping (tough life, I know), I take this home and prepare for a delicious non-alcoholic paralyzer.  Well, I hate to say it but it just wasn't the same.  Perhaps we haven't got the mix right yet but it was very 'coffee' flavored.  I'll continue to try to duplicate that great taste but at least I can say that this little thing was the highlight of my day! 

my furry loves

I'm looking back through old photos and came across these.  These guys make me smile until they bark.  Then I'm angry but it's a great feeling until that noise hits my ears.

Meet Pez, my little yorkball.  Loud and anxious. Actually, come to think of it, he's kinda like me!?

 And little Tex, the licker.  Ugh.  He's sweet and calm, kinda like his papa. Haha nothing like comparing my dogs traits to us.

Maybe one day they'll actually love each other.  For now, I'll call it a work in progress.  They tolerate each other and might even be playing together though it to hard to tell when all you can hear is bark, grunt, groan, growl.  Their tails are wagging though?  

Wonder how they'll be with a baby?  If anyone out there has training tips, make sure you send them my way.  We need all the help we can get.

I WON!

I'm talking about fantasy football.  I told you I like to win and I won!  Well, it was only the first 'match' (is that what you would call it?)  but whatever, it's a great start. 

Nothing better than seeing Team Jeberle 1-0-0

Oh and what's almost as great, the cowboys won last week which means a happy husband for the week!!

Small successes I tell you.  This week, I had a couple decisions to make so I need everyone to cheer for Peyton Manning and the Patriots.  And of course, Go Cowboys!

the new age, video baby monitors

I love shopping, like most women.  But more than that, I love the process of researching and finding the best product then getting the best deal out there.  I'm going to share a few of my first purchases and one day when baby is here, I'll be able to determine whether or not we made good decisions.

Video Baby Monitors 

I've had multiple friends tell us that investing in a good video monitor is totally worth it.  So I began my search for the best video monitor out there.  Turns out, it's not quite as simple as googling 'best baby monitor'.  Every has a different experience and opinion but after reading a crap ton of reviews, we've decided on the Summer Infant Baby Touch Screen Monitor.

A few things that were important to me:

-  handheld unit that can be carried around with you

-  decent battery life

-  scanning/zoom functions 

In Canada (where everything is more expensive), it is priced at $299 almost everywhere.  I found it at Sears for 20% off but then found out that Babies R Us has it on as part of their BabyFest Sale for $199.97


http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=4411137&ab=BRU_HOTDEALS_3_090712_babytouch#showReviews

There was a free shipping offer, so we got it for $209 with tax.  Let's hope it works well!

better late than never? 17 weeks

I figured it would be cool to look back and see all of this documented but it's hard to remember to do it and take a darn photo.  Oh well, we'll try now...

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain: -2 lbs

Maternity clothes? I bought a pair of jeans, one pair of black dress pants, and a couple shirts.  But mainly I'm living in leggings for work and sweats at home.  Sexy, I know.

Stretch marks? none yet! Here's to hoping.  I'm bio-oiling often.

Sleep: ugh. I can not sleep through the night or get comfortable.  I'm debating trying out one of those pregnancy pillows - the snoogle.  I hear great things so maybe I'll just bite the bullet and spend the $70 (everything is more in canada..)
Best moment this week:  eating again and actually enjoying it.

Miss Anything?  Paralyzers and my energy - where is it?
Movement: Nothing yet though I've been told we are getting close to the 'flutter' stage - can not wait! 

Food cravings: None but I definitely don't eat like I used to.  The thought of fast food is repulsive, which I suppose is a good thing.  I am enjoying sweets!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nothing! Can you believe it? I can't.

Gender:  Not sure but we can find out at our ultrasound later this month.  Haven't quite decided if we will find out, not find out or find out and keep it to ourselves

Labor Signs:  Hope not!

Symptoms:  Decreased energy

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on
Looking forward to:  shopping for baby! 

first trimester = vomit city

Well I'm nearing 13 weeks now and since week 5 I have literally done nothing.  Sleep, eat (not because I want to but because I have to), and throw up.  Whoever called it morning sickness was so so wrong, it's really all day.  

I realize everyone's pregnancy is different and some women have ridiculously severe morning sickness - so bad that they are hospitalized, so I probably shouldn't be complaining but I'm going to anyways. This sucks.  Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited about baby but I'm just not a good sick person.  

For as long as I can remember I've had this fear of throwing up..  can't do it, can't hear it, can't see it.  If I come close to it, I basically have a panic attack.  I never drink enough to make myself sick and I like it that way!  After almost 8 weeks of this nausea and vomiting, I can say I think I'm 80% cured.  Haha might as well find the positive!  

It's been such a vicious cycle everyday where my life revolves around food though I hate it.  The thought of it, the smell of it, the taste of it is enough to make me gag but it's the only thing that makes me stop getting sick.  Strange right?  

I've been put on diclectin which I think may be helping - at least I sleep through the night peacefully without incident.  I wonder if I'll ever be able to enjoy food again?  Or go sit in a restaurant?  Here's to hoping they say the second trimester brings some relief. 

Ultrasound photos to come.  For now, just a photo of my 13 week tummy.... couldn't include my face as the second I get home from work I put on pyjamas and don't move from the couch. Ugh.

How far along? 13 weeks 

Total weight gain: same as pre-pregnancy, 106lbs

Maternity clothes? No way, the thought of going to a mall with all those smells is like my biggest nightmare.  On the positive side, I'm saving money not shopping!

Stretch marks? no.

Sleep: the only time I feel good. 
Best moment this week:  Sleeping

Miss Anything?  Eating food and enjoying it.
Movement: to early I think

Food cravings: Ugh....

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Yes, everything!

Gender:  ?

Labor Signs:  no.

Symptoms:  nausea, vomiting, no energy

Belly Button in or out?  in

Wedding rings on or off? on
Looking forward to:  feeling better

two pink lines

june 5, 2012 = two pink lines

What a crazy, beautiful moment that I'll never forget.  I always knew I'd have a family one day and my husband and I had just started trying and wham bam, two pink lines. 

I hear these cute stories of how some women tell their husbands but I didn't have that opportunity seeing as he looked before me and had to convince me that it was positive.  Although I had a pretty good idea based on some strange physical changes that had occurred, I just couldn't believe it cause I'd already had a negative blood test at the doctors.  Guess we were just to early.  Josh would tell you that he knew for a while because of my INSANE sense of smell. 

I think I tested 3 or 4 more times that week - the line kept getting darker and darker and darker... Bring on the baby!