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! 

football season = busy husband

Well, it's here!  The time of the year when I lose part of my lovely husband to the NFL.  More specifically, the cowboys.  He is a very smart man though.  I'm not a football fan really and don't have much interest but I am a competitive person.  I'm sure he knows both of those things and with that, he created a 'fun' fantasy football league for family/friends.  I'm forced to care a little more because I, like most people, don't like to lose. 

So, Go Cowboys! 

roadtrippin'

Well, it's about that time again where we should be leaving on a vacation.  Since being together we have traveled ALOT and I've loved every minute of it.  We went to Mexico in March and decided that may be our last trip for a while as we'd probably start thinking about babies.  So instead we decided to plan a little mini road trip.  We were invited to a wedding in Victoria, BC so we decided to take a week off and go for a drive.  I was VERY concerned because when you are not feeling well, long car rides and restaurant food may not be the best ideas but luckily my morning sickness has been slowing down.  i.am.so.thankful! 

So we spent our first night in Kelowna.  Our toilet didn't work in our room.  So housekeeping attempts to fix it, no go.  That coupled with a busy hotel resulted in a penthouse suite.  Woop woop!  Great start to the trip.

On our way to BC, I spent a bit to much time googling and realized we were pretty close to the border and there was an outlet mall nearby.  After a couple GPS adjustments, we were in the USA.  We bought our first baby related item at Carters for cheap.cheap.cheap.  Then we found our way to the Coach Outlet where I got an early birthday gift :)

We spent a couple nights in downtown Vancouver then got on the ferry to Victoria.  I was a little nervous (like always) as I don't really love boats and the sea sickness thing but this was easy peasy.  We stayed at a great hotel in Victora called Inn at Laurel Point which I would highly recommend.  The wedding was BEAUTIFUL.  Oh and if you are in Victoria, make sure you visit The Empress Hotel for High Tea - it was really neat, but make sure you go hungry and The Stickey Wicket Pub which has a rooftop pub and volleyball court - to cool!

Overall, a great trip.  I felt well, had enough energy to make it through and enjoyed the break.  Now back to our brand new house and my little pups who I've missed soo much.

pez made my day.

I walk upstairs today because I haven't seen Pez in a while and usually that means he's creating some kind of mess or causing some trouble.  Instead, I find this.  Ignore the gross laundry mess that I should really tackle.  How sweet is he.  Wrapped up in a laundry basket full of dirtiness.  Agh, I just love him.

photography and babies

I love photography and I have a small photography company on the side.  One of the biggest requests this year has been cake smash sessions.  Typically done around their first birthday.  I've been busy feeling gross and editing photos and I look back and these and just love them all, so I thought I'd share as a reminder to myself when baby is born to document everything and DEFINITELY do a cake smash session.  I guess it helps that I have the cutest clients.  Ugh, love them all.

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