Our Sweetest Lil Pea

Time flies when your having fun :-)

2011-08-10T15:35:00.007-04:00

Wow how the months just keep flying by. As usual so many new things happen in Kailyn's life each month. Too much for me to be able to remember or write about everything in the last few months since my last post. So I am just going to try and recap on a few important things I would like to have posted for memories, or what I actually still remember. lol

Breaking the Bottle

I wouldn't say this was hard to do, as we really didn't push it. I just don't want her to grow up too fast. But we have now packed away all Ba Ba's and she only has her sippy cups. She has only been using the bottle at night since she turned one. It wasn't until about 2 weeks ago that we tried the sippy and she did really well. She didn't finish all, but even now some nights she just doesn't want it all. And then others she does. It really seems to depend on how big of a dinner she has. This girl can eat and Sunday night after a huge plate of lasagna she just was too full for more than a few sips of her milk.

She also no longer needs rocked to sleep. I still miss those nights and probably will for a long time to come. :*( Even when I try now she just wants you to put her in her crib. She is great at self soothing now.

Too tired to make it through lunch!

Rear facing car seat

Not too much on this subject besides the fact that she is still rear facing. New studies suggest keeping them rear facing until two now instead of changing at one. After doing a lot of our own research on the subject we felt what was best for our daughter is to just keep her rear facing for now. It doesn't bother her at all. She doesn't know any different so why would it. Plus around her 1st Birthday we bought a portable DVD player that mounts to my head rest on my car. I have head rests on the back seats also so we just put it there for now, and when we turn her we will put it on the front seat headrest. She just loves watching her movies now in the car. It's really the only time she will pay attention to movies/TV. She just doesn't have the attention span for TV yet. Would rather be running around at home than sitting in front of the TV, which is fine by me.

But she is still constantly growing and her legs are starting to get a bit cramped. More so in Chris's truck than in my car. So I can't say for sure if we will keep her this way until she is two, but for now she stays rear. Also for those that have little ones that are still rear, you may know how it gets to be a bit difficult getting them in their seat as they get bigger and still being rear.

Watching her Word World

Talking, babbling

Since she started with sounds this girl loves to "chat". I mean she is a girl. ;-) She now has many words in her vocabulary. And the last month it's amazing how much she is starting to understand so much of what we say. She knows where almost all her major body parts are. She says various words and animal sounds such as duck, quack, dog, JD (one of our dogs), good ole Mama and Dada, Nana, Up, please, ball and a few others. We have these flash cards I just love. Baby's 1st words, animals, ect.. They are big, thick and sturdy so even when she tries to crumble them they really don't like the other thin ones. It was through these cards that she has learned a lot of her words. Show her the fish and she still won't say that word but will immediately make fish lips, dog she knows and will bark, cow she moos, cat she meows and so on. She had a little cold over the weekend and I said Eww you have boogies, so she starts picking her nose. I can give her a tissue and she will try to blow. After dinner now she likes to have a napkin to wipe her face.

Never a dull day with her, she will always put a smile on our face each day.

Swimming, water slides. Lot's of summer fun

Most kids I'm sure love the water, Kailyn is definitely no exception to this. Pool, water slides, water table, bath, puddles. If it's water she loves it. We had our first trip to a local water park with Kailyn's cousins and Aunt and Uncle. Of course she had a blast. Wanted to go down the slide without me! She also now goes down the slide by herself on the home water slide blow ups. My brother has a big one that we had at her birthday party and she loves going to their house to play on it. Her and her two cousins will play for hours on that thing. We just recently bought one for our house we found on sale. She has a blast.

In the bath now she constantly tries to kick, swim and float on her back. This she learned from her swim classes. She will definitely miss the water once it is winter again. Although our winters don't last very long so water fun will not be missed for long!

Having a popsicle with her cousin

Swim class w/Mommy

Those pesky dang teeth

Kailyn now has all her teeth except the four two year molars. She got in her four canines shortly after she turned one. Those were NOT fun for Kailyn or Mommy and Daddy. Up all night, horrible red butt, diarrhea and even low grade fevers. I even bought her an Amber teething necklace to try out to help with the pain from her teeth. Of course, not realizing how long mail take's from Europe to get here, I received the necklace two days after her last canine broke through. Oh well, we still have the 4 two year molars. I am sure the two year molars will start coming in soon, seeing she got the rest of her teeth so young.

Bumps,bruises and bloody lips

Shortly after walking then comes running.......or at least trying to! Kailyn started really walking right when she turned one. I say "really" walking because this is when she started to really take off on her own. She had been walking short distances a few weeks before that, but suddenly she got the hang of it and was everywhere. Then just a few weeks later she was trying to walk quickly, run. This is when the real accidents started to happen. She has had not one, not two, but three bloody lips from falling and her teeth cutting her upper lip. And boy do those bleed! First time Mommy freaked out. Second time I freaked out but not as bad. Third time I calmly took her to the sink and got out her Elmo boo boo thing from the fridge and handed it to her, which immediately stops the crying. I have learned she is a pretty tough cookie. I know this is just the beginning of many accidents to come, I just pray none are are too bad.

Some not so fun phases

Since Kailyn turned one we have started experiencing some not so pleasant "phases". Screaming. Everywhere. All day. Not exaggerating. I am happy to say this phase has ended for now. It lasted about 3 weeks and was not fun for a very stressed out Mommy and Daddy. I read a little about it and realize it had a lot to do with her wanting to express herself and communicate with us, but obviously not able to speak to us yet. It was so bad we didn't even go to dinner or anywhere we couldn't leave real fast. I think it also had a little bit to do with her teeth that were coming in at that time. Sometimes when she would scream she would try to shove her fist or any object in her mouth to bite on while yelling.

Taking off is another phase (not sure this is actually a phase) she is still going through. Anywhere we go now she wants to be down. She no longer likes to sit out to dinner. She used to be so good when we would take her as long as you had food in front of the lil porker. Now she wants down after 5 minutes. Same thing with going to the store or anywhere for that matter. Now that she is a very experienced walker she wants to do just that.....everywhere. She is a little girl on a mission somewhere everywhere we go!

Kailyn also can be so affectionate now. If you ask for hugs or kisses she will come and give you one. I just LOVE this. I have been waiting for this. She also now understands when she hits it can make people sad. So if she hits you and you make a sad face she will then rub your arm or face and try to give you a kiss. It almost makes you want her to hit you, it's so dang cute when she does that after. She is definitely not your mild tempered, sit like a good girl and behave type of toddler. She also is not the most horribly behaved child, but she is very determined and such a personality. And even though she can be such a pain at times, I wouldn't change a thing about her and love her just the same. We just try and hope our parenting skills mold her into a wonderful individual as she gets older.

Last piece of news is that Kailyn started preschool last week. She still cries every time I drop her off, but we knew this would take some time adjusting for her. Also going only three days a week it may take a bit longer to get used to. She loves kids but definitely takes some time for her to warm up to adults. She has never been the type to let someone she doesn't know just take her and hold her. She has to know you pretty well to feel comfortable being alone with you. She is getting better, though. She even likes for my brother to hold her now. :-)

Parachute fun @ The Lil Gym

Issa and Kailyn= too, too cute!

Told you I wasn't exaggerating when I said she takes off


Best Friends do everything together

Having fun with friends

Hanging with Daddy on the boat

C taking K for a spin!

C and K having a morning snack on the 4th of July

Practice makes perfect at The Lil Gym

Swim lessons, 1st shiner and more teeth!

2011-05-31T23:32:00.003-04:00

We recently signed Kailyn up for swim/survival lessons. I was hesitant at first, but after watching her the past 4 weeks (she goes 2x a week) I now wonder why any parent would not have their child in some sort of swim class. She really is doing great. I was amazed how she was already reaching for the wall after just two lessons. And she no longer swallows water when she goes under. This will be our last week for her private lessons, then in two more weeks we are going to do a parent/child swim class for 2 weeks, 3x a week. Then depending how things are, and also depending on money as the private lessons are great but not cheap, we may do another 5 weeks of the private lessons starting mid July.
*Click picture album below to see pictures*

Kailyn learning survival/swim

1st shiner :-(

Kailyn is now full throttle and all over the place....which has resulted in her 1st shiner. :-( Daddy was giving her a bath and she wanted to stand up, which is her new thing ALL the time! She was trying to stand up and down she went, her left cheek bone hitting the tub. This = immediate shiner. She really didn't cry that much. She is a pretty tough cookie. Then after that came a bruise/bump on her forehead @ the sitters, followed a few days later by a bloody lip! She is reckless and ruthless! lol She actually really isn't that bad, she is just trying to add speed to her walking and it's taking some getting used to.....with some bumps and bruises along the way!

Hanging out with her best bud ♥

Kailyn has now added another tooth to her mouth of many. ;-) Her top left canine. The top right is very close to cutting and the bottom two canines are not far behind. These have been REALLY hard on Kailyn. They have brought with them diaper rash, low grade fevers, a LOT of uncomfortableness and loose stools. Some of these symptoms I never even knew were related to teething until other Moms told me. I was shocked when she got this horrible diaper rash. She has pretty much never had one since she was born. I busted out the butt pastes but that didn't even help much. It was so raw looking! I was told that long ago mother's called the canine teeth the stomach teeth, because they mess with the babies stomachs by causing the loose stools and horrible rashes. Well I believe it because I have seen it for myself. Teething has never been super easy for Kailyn but these canines have been the worst by far! I would say even more so than when she got her molars.

Playing w/Bambi @ her friend Josie's Birthday party

We also had family pictures done the weekend after Kailyn turned one. Click album below to view them. If any of the family would like any please let me know and I can either print for you or send you the original without the photographers name on them.

fAMILY PICS 2011

Catching up

2011-05-17T13:53:00.039-04:00

Well seeing that I am over 2 weeks late of an 11 month post, I am just labeling this one as a "Catch up" post. I have been dreading doing this post, but have told myself I must! Seeing as Kailyn's baby book is now a long lost cause (empty after month 2), I told myself I must keep up with her blog. Especially as I am always asking my dear fried when she did this or that with her son? And her response is always, I'm not sure read my blog. I am finding myself already doing the same thing as the first few months are more vague now. Plus I loved reading my baby book my Mom recently gave me, so of course I hope Kailyn enjoys hers one day too.
So now, on to trying to remember all the many important things the last month and a half. And in your child's life of course almost everything is important that they do! I'll start with the basics. Sleep is still good. With the exception of a cold or teeth really bothering her, her sleep is still from about 8pm-7am. And I always stress ABOUT, as we too have those nights were she will be up 3-4 times during the night. Let's face it people, babies don't come programmed with 10 hours of sleep every night of every week! In our dream world...yes, maybe.

Well I obviously never finished this post as Kailyn is now our ONE year old daughter!!! One year and 2 1/2 weeks to be precise. lol So I am going to try to finally finish my first post in 2 1/2 months. First, here are Kailyn's stats as of her one year check up.

Playing on her B-day with her new "water park" from Uncle B & Aunt Mel

Height: 29 1/2

Weight: 20lbs 14 oz

Sleep: 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am

Teeth: 12- we now have added four molars to her other teeth

Food: EVERYTHING! This little girl is a very good eater. Everyone that goes to eat with us can't believe how much this little girl can stuff in that tiny belly! No more formula. She is now just having a little whole milk in the morning with breakfast and a bottle (still haven't taken the night bottle from her) She really wasn't drinking much formula the last two months. And the last few weeks before she turned one we took away the bottle (except night one) so she really wasn't drinking during the day as she hates milk out of a sippy. She drinks her water or juice from one with NO problem. Has a variety of cups and has never been picky about using certain ones. Just doesn't care for her milk in them. At at her one year check up I asked her Dr about this. He asked if she eats yogurt or cheese, I said every day. He said that is plenty of dairy. Not to worry. So our next challenge is to take away her last night time bottle. :-(

The past two months has brought so many firsts for Kailyn. We had our first trip to Disney the first week of April. I was in a very good friend's wedding which was held in Orlando. My Mom came with us so she could help out with Kailyn, as I was in the wedding party. We stayed the weekend at the resort for the wedding and then headed over to Disney area Sunday. My brother and SIL with my niece and nephew were already waiting for us at a town house we had rented. They had arrived the day before. We really weren't sure how Kailyn would like the parks, as she was just turning 11 months that weekend and some people (you know, the one's that like to give their opinions w/out being asked) said she may be too young. Well she shocked Mommy and Daddy how much she truly enjoyed the parks! She may not remember it, but at the present time she had a blast and that's all that matters to me. She LOVED the characters, which shocked me also. She hated Santa when she was 6 months, so I wasn't sure about her liking them. She even had a little tantrum a few times when we had to say goodbye to them. She especially liked Rafiki, the monkey character at Animal Kingdom. We went to Animal Kingdom one day also, along with Epcot and downtown Disney. We headed home on Wednesday, and by then everyone was ready! I felt like I needed another day vacation to sleep! lol

While we were on vacation Kailyn also started taking steps for my Mom! She was just turning 11 months that weekend we were there. She didn't become a full fledged walker until about 2 weeks later, but she would take 4-6 steps at a time. I couldn't believe it, I thought for some reason she would definitely not be walking until after her 1st B-day. Well by her 1st b-day she was definitely walking. And now 2 weeks later she is already trying to run!! I love the frankenstein walk of babies. It is so cute. And unlike what others have said, so far I like the walking SO much better than crawling. I know, I know. Wait until she is running, but whatever! It was just creeping me out. I'm a sanitary type of girl, so the crawling all over floors thing was getting to me. Especially when she would then stick her pacifier (her two middle fingers) in her mouth!! I couldn't follow her around with a wipe all day!! I actually was pretty laid back in Disney. I didn't even wipe the rides down when we went on them. ;-) Just too much going on to worry about that. We also used to be kinda strict......well I shouldn't say strict, we just had only fed her healthy organic food up until our trip to Orlando. At that point she was pretty much eating all solid foods. Wanted NOTHING to do with purees anymore. Well I couldn't very well pack my fridge with us on this trip. So I got to thinking that we may have to give her *gasp* fast food! Ok stop laughing some of you. Well we did and I'm glad to say she survived just fine. ;-) She had chicken nuggets and sandwiches and burgers. She did get a little constipated on the trip. I think because we always included a course of veggies for her daily meals, and while we were away she didn't get very much. Now a days Mommy is much more relaxed about what we feed her. I still give her lots of fruits and veggies. But occasionally we will have pizza or Taco Tuesday @ Tijuana. :-)
*You can check out a ton of pics from our trip by clicking this link ORLANDO TRIP. These pics are on my facebook as it is too much to keep putting all my pics on Picasa also. Just request me as a friend if you want to see them and we aren't already friends on FB*

Kailyn also had her first Easter last month. The day before Easter we went to Robins Lodge where we met my friends and their kids (Kailyn's friends ;-)), Josie and Mason. They had an Easter egg hunt, the Easter bunny, petting zoo and a few other things.

In petting zoo w/her friend Josie

Josie, Kailyn and Mason @ Robins Lodge

On Easter day we went to my brothers house for a little while during the day and then we went to Grammy's (chris's mom) house for dinner. It was a nice relaxing day. The weekend before Easter I also had some pics taken of Kailyn with a photographer I knew through a friend. She also just did our family and Kailyn's one year pics. Along with a few of my other friends and their children, she individually took pics of each child w/a real bunny and chic she had with her. Here are a few.
*Check out her 11 month album top left of blog to see more Easter pics*

Kailyn also went and had her very first haircut last month. We went the weekend after we got back from our trip. I had trimmed her hair twice before, but I don't do the best job and her hair was all in her eyes, ect.. So we took her for her first professional haircut at a child's salon. She HATED it! lol Screamed, cried the whole time. They gave me a piece of her hair, a certificate and also took an 8x10 photo of her. I thought for $20 that was a pretty good deal.

You can see many more pics of her screaming her head off during her first haircut by checking out her photos in her 11 month album on top left of blog.
Kailyn's 1st B-day came in went in what feels like the blink of an eye. Of course Mommy went over board once I started planning her very 1st party a few months ago. I spent a lot of time and put a ton of love into her party. With the help of her Aunt Olivia her decorations I made came out great in my opinion. I know I went a little over what I had planned, said I wasn't gonna go too crazy but of course I did! Anyone that knows me, knows I love to throw a party. And this was the most special one of all. My little girl's. The child I cried over many nights before she was ever even conceived. I couldn't help but try to make it the best. And again those people that like to give their opinions will say, but she will never even remember it. She won't, BUT she had a wonderful time AND thanks to her Auntie L's she has a gazillion pics to look at one day. These will definitely show her what a great party she had and how she was loved so much by so many. :*)
Ok before the flood gates open enough of that! Her party turned out great, the weather cleared up just in time. The kids had a blast and all the Moms told me later how the kiddos passed out once they got home. This was thanks to my brother for lending me his awesome inflatable water bounce house/slide. The kids loved it, along with two other pools we had for the littler ones. We had pizza and wings and some other goodies. You can check out all her many birthday pictures by clicking the album here

Kailyns 1st B-day

and more pics my friend Lauren took in her album here

https://picasaweb.google.com/LKEllison0281/KailynSFirstBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKqEke_Isv7H8QE&feat=content_notification#

For Kailyn's actual Birthday we both had the day off. We started the morning by finally giving Kailyn her Chica doll I had made. Chica is a bird from Sprout TV that Kailyn has loved since she was 5 months old. She doesn't really watch TV for more than a minute or two, but when this bird come's on with it's little squeeking noise Kailyn will stop what she is doing to waive hi. Here is a quick video from that morning.

After that we went to breakfast at the Original Pancake House. Then we took Kailyn for her first visit to Toys R Us! We got her a few things with GC's she had from her party.


At Toys R Us. Of course she liked all the big kid toys. Mommy told her maybe next year! lol

After that we went home for her nap. When she woke up we took her outside and set up her new "water park" play thing her Uncle Bruce & Aunt Mel got her for her B-day. She loved it! Later we had some of the immediate family over for dinner and cupcakes. It was a nice day. You can click the link below to see pics from her Birthday.

Kailyn's 1st Birthday

This Mother's day was much different than my very first Mother's day last year. I was recovering from a C-section, extremely swollen from fluid retention, had just developed a seroma on my incision area, had bloody boobies from breastfeeding a newborn that was tongue tied & feeling nauseated every time she was ready to feed again from the thought of the pain to come, living off of 2-3 hours sleep at a time from our strictly breastfeeding schedule and just basically trying to understand what was so "beautiful" about child birth. The lactation lady my Mom got me for Mother's day last year was the best part of that day for me. This year was MUCH different. I was able to spend a wonderful relaxing day with the most amazing daughter I could have ever wished for. Chris, Kailyn and I started the day off at the beach. It was beautiful out. We stayed there until her nap time. She didn't want to nap at the beach so we headed home. Later that day we went by my Mom's house for some BBQ dinner. It was a quite and relaxing day, I couldn't have asked for more. I was also surprised with my very first Mothers Day gift from Kailyn (& Daddy). A beautiful ring with my birthstone in it. I already have the pea pod necklace we had made when Kailyn was born with her birthstone, so Daddy and Kailyn thought I might like something with my own stone this time. They did SUCH a great job and I was very surprised.

Mothers Day 511

A few other things that have happened in Kailyn's life the past few months that Mommy can still remember. ;-) She is now down to one nap a day. This started a few weeks before her 1st Birthday and I have her sitter to thank for that. I like the 1 1/2 (sometimes even two!) hour nap much better than the 2-3 half hour catnaps she used to take.

She is now just having a nighttime bottle as I mentioned above. A habit we have to break still. :-( Mommy just love's rocking her to sleep. I have been giving her the bottle now while she watches TV and then rock her a little to sleep after. We will see how that goes. She has all four molars now. And update as of today I now see a canine tooth on the bottom about to break through.

Talks, talks, talks. She babbles constantly. I was like this too from what my Mom says. Chris says his ears are bleeding some days he watches her! lol Here is a video from last month of her babbling away & the one below it is Kailyn on her Birthday playing outside. I'm sure as usual there are many little things she has done the past few months that I already cannot remember. Just enjoying each day with our now "toddler" Kailyn.♥ Still can't believe the baby days have already come and gone....... :*\

Ears are clear!! But here's your problem.....

2011-03-04T12:46:00.024-05:00

Last week Chris took Kailyn to the Doctor yet again. She had finished her meds Tuesday of last week for the double ear infection she had. Then suddenly Wednesday we noticed her pulling at her ear again. Great, we thought! Medicine didn't work for her. :o(
We weren't sure so we decided to make an appointment Thursday after Chris was done teaching. Doctor started his exam, looked in both ears and was happy to see all was clear. No infection, no more fluid. :-)) Then he examines the rest of her. Looks in her mouth and says, well this here is probably your problem. Point's in her mouth to a molar about to pop out!! Just shy of 10 months old and our baby girl was already getting her first molar! He said they hurt like heck and make many babies very uncomfortable. Told us we can give her some Tylenol when she seems in pain. And boy that night was she. The next few nights were not her best. But she was a trooper. Only gave her Tylenol twice. The last few day's she on and off act's like her teeth are really bothering her. I tried looking in her mouth a few time's but she really doesn't like it and I just couldn't see if any molars had totally cut through yet. I felt around and couldn't really feel anything. So I decided to just wait and let the Dr look and see at her 10 month visit. Which was today. Here are the stats for our baby girl that just seems to be growing up WAY too fast for Mommy.

LOVES her scrambled eggs w/cheese!

Height: 27 3/4

Weight: 19lbs 6 oz
Sleep: 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am
Teeth: 8 - Both bottom central incisors and both top central and lateral incisors AND now a bottom left molar just about to cut through, right bottom not far behind
Food: Some of what we eat, Yummy in my Tummy Stage 3 and meals and Earth's Best meals. Favorites are scrambled eggs w/cheese and also loves her meats! Chicken, lean beef, ground or regular turkey. She has not wanted her fruits as much this month but still loves her peaches.

She is now on all formula. Similac organic, but getting ready to switch to the regular as it seems the organic may be getting ready to be discontinued. We have been looking everywhere for it! She also still drinks just the liquid. (refused powder when we were weaning off BM) We may try powder again, but with less than two months left it really doesn't matter.

Waiting @ the Dr's for what we thought might just be a tooth ache. Ended up being another (double this time) ear infection. :-(

@ the doctor again (meds caused rash)
Fix my ears, fix my ears!

With a now active & mobile baby, this month has been very busy. Also busy with many trips to the Doctor. Four visits in one month. :-( First time we thought her teeth were just bothering her until she started with a fever. Went to the Doctor to find out she had yet another ear infection. A double this time. Glad we went because that night she had a fever of 101.9, her highest temp since she was born. We started the Augmentin that day, which was the reason for our next visit. Thought I noticed a small rash under her PJs a few mornings later. Chris said it was probably just her new PJs bothered her skin. Well next day (wednesday) when I had off with her I gave her her morning dose of medicine and off to our class @ Nova we went. In class I discovered a now VERY noticeable rash had formed all over her back, chest, neck and other areas. Called the Doctor and went in for another visit. Ears looked much better, so the meds were working, but they still has some fluid so they gave us a new script for another med (Omnicef) which she had been on before. Took this medicine for one more week. Finished that medicine and then she starts pulling on right ear again!! So to be on the safe side took her again to the Doctor. And this is when we discovered beautiful infection free ears and a bottom molar starting to pop out! And then we had our 4th visit today. A well visit this time, just for her 10 month check up. Visit went great. Tested her urine for a few things. All was good. Gave her one shot, her final Hep B. By now Kailyn is NO longer a fan of the doctors office. She used to just love to sit on the table and play with the fun "paper". Now she wants nothing to do with anything in the place. Poor thing. Mommy was the same way growing up, as I was in and out of the hospital and doctors office often my first year. We saw our favorite Dr. today. We mentioned how Daddy took her last week, thinking her ears were infected again. He said he read that & that they were clear. Also said that the other doctor may have seen possible molars coming in. He says, she is kinda young for that. They usually don't start coming in until after one year. (almost like he thought the other doctor may have just seen some swelling) Then he starts the exam, Kailyn screaming the whole time until she is beat red. He looks in her mouth. Sounding a little surprised he says, yes indeed. Her left bottom molar is very close to cutting. Said it can still take another week, possibly two, as the molars are bigger and take longer to cut than the rest. Great! He also noticed the bottom right side was swollen, so this one may follow shortly after. So now Kailyn says, bring on the steak! lol

Celebrating Mommy's B-day

This month we had a few firsts. Kailyn's 1st time celebrating Mommy's birthday with her. We had a few people over the house for dinner and to also celebrate Daddy's new promotion to Captain at work. This was the same day we took her to the Dr and found out she had the double ear infection. Needless to say she was pretty miserable that day. I felt so bad for her that weekend. She just wanted to be held and snuggled. You could tell she just felt horrible. The pic below was when I put her down for a few minutes just to wash her bottles. Daddy was on shift and she wanted to be held every second of the day. When I put her down she whined and layed herself on the floor like that until I picked her back up. Poor baby. And this was shortly after an hour nap.

Kailyn also had her first Valentine's day. I was at work and she spent the day with Daddy. I did take a few pics of her at the park a week before to send out to some family and close friends. Here are two favs.

I also took Kailyn to her first Renaissance Festival with my brother, SIL and her two cousins. Turned out to be an extremely hot day for mid February. So much that when we got home I got our her Elmo sprinkler to finally use. You can check out some pics in her 9 month album of her playing in the water.

We also went to the Orange Blossom with her last weekend. Mommy & Daddy wanted some funnel cake and I also wanted to take her to the petting zoo. She was not so sure about the animals at first, but then she wanted to pet the baby cow.

As far as milestone's, still just crawling. She has mastered standing and also cruising with her walkers, toys or using furniture. She also likes to stand up and then let go for a few seconds. She is so cute, such a little show off! We also go to the park several time's during the week after work. She loves to go on the swings and slides.

Do you think she is having fun?!? ;-)

Kailyn has become very fond of her days spent at Miss Pam's. She just loves playing with all her friends there. Especially a little boy Brayden that is about the same age as her. It is absolutely adorable to watch. When I get there with Kailyn, Brayden speed crawls over to her. Then they sit there and smile, babble and touch each others hands.♥ Miss Pam says how they play extremely well for being so young. So funny how she had such a hard time adjusting to daycare when she first started. Now when we come to pick her up, she pulls away from us to put her back down!! She doesn't want to leave! She even whines sometimes. Hurt my feelings at first, but now I'm ok with it. I have just been so used to her being such a Mommy's girl. She really is growing up too fast. And as her 1st B-day is approaching oh so fast, I find myself having anxiety when I think about it. No lie. As much as I am enjoying each new milestone, I just wish I could slightly pause things a bit. Also her growing independence from Mommy is something I am having a hard time getting used to. She now will occasionally pick Daddy or Nana over me. I was just so used to....well....being number one to her I guess you could say. Now that's not always the case. I know this is just part of her growing up, but I guess because it is also happening after I just stopped nursing her, I some how feel like she is punishing me. I know....I sound stupid, as Chris likes to tell me.

Well that about sums up what I can remember of this past month. As usual you can check out more pics in her album on left side of blog.

Sadly this past Friday we also lost a great man. Kailyn's Great Papa, Chris's grandfather. He will be greatly missed by many. :*(

No....No......No.....NO.....NO.....

2011-02-08T22:57:00.004-05:00

....NO KAILYN!! This is the broken record you will hear lately around our house. Sometimes you can repeat it 5-20 time's and you might just see a hint of recognition on her face. Other time's nothing and it's time to head to a different area as to avoid another 30 no's repeated. She really does NOT get bored with this game of hers! lol

It's crazy how in the past month our little "baby" girl is no longer so much baby but beginning to be more like a "toddler". *gulp*

Height and Weight:

Not sure as there is no 9 month Dr visit

Sleep: Started pushing bedtime to 8pm, usually sleeping until about 7am

Teeth: 8 - Both bottom central incisors and both top central and lateral incisors

Food: Some of what we eat, Yummy in my Tummy Stage 3, just tried some frozen Earth's Best meals. Also tried fish and egg for the first time this month. Seemed to like the fish and liked the scrambled egg with cheese but NOT a big fan of the hard boiled egg.

She has been taking half BM half formula for her bottles

Things have changed so much this past month. Mommy and Daddy are always alert as our now fully mobile daughter is on the go and into......you guessed it, EVERYTHING! As usual friends warned me this day would come sooner than later. Not complaining, I find each new stage some days difficult and then other days fun and exciting! Kailyn has taken her crawling to a whole new speed over the past month! lol When she wants something (usually something she can't have) she will speed crawl over in seconds! I really need to get a video of this before the crawling stage is over. I am starting to adapt more to this stage but was having major anxiety at first. Most of you that know me know I can be a bit of a freak when it comes to cleanliness. So the fact that my daughter now crawls all over the floors everywhere we go and then sticks those same hands in her mouth.....let's just say it was really freakin me out! We now vacuum every 2-3 days (at least) so that I don't have a chihuahua (what Kailyn looks like with all the hair) crawling around. And I have two short haired dogs! I have NO idea how we get so much hair in the house. Kailyn has also started standing all the time the last few weeks. Just the past week she has been taking a step here or there while holding on to something when trying to reach something else. (again, usually something that is not hers!) I was thinking once she was mobile it would be so nice because she could play better with all her toys and be more independent. Yeah, well she has the independent part down! But while Mommy gets ready in the morning, instead of staying in her play room with her toys where Mommy puts her she is off on a mission. Trying to pull out, or better yet chew on cords. Pulling out Mommy's many air freshener plug ins. Or trying to pull herself up on every dangerous thing she can find. Or playing on the dog beds. *gag* Pulling out DVDs. Grabbing and shredding magazines on coffee table. I could go on and on. Just when you think you did such a good job baby proofing. Yeah well you didn't! HA!

Playing on the dog bed *gag*

We are still going to our music class @ Nova together on Wednesdays. Kailyn loves class and just LOVES playing with other babies now. Miss Pam told Chris the other day how surprisingly well her and Braydon play together lately. She says surprisingly because usually at there age they don't always play well together yet as they are still learning how. Braydon is one of the little boys at her daycare. He is 2 or 3 weeks older than Kailyn.

Speaking of playing, that reminds me of another thing we have discovered this past month. Someone does NOT like it when you take something she is playing with away before she is done with it! lol I first noticed this a few weeks ago in music class when Miss Sue was collecting back the instruments they were playing with. Kailyn started yelling and waving her arms! I thought it was funny and just laughed at her. She has done this several times now. I usually just tell her to stop it and ignore her. She only does it for a second and then she is over it. Maybe because I ignore her? Who knows.
This past month we have been doing half formula and half BM. I started breast feeding less and less. Kailyn would still want more after nursing as my supply had decreased so it just didn't make since to nurse her and then give a bottle right after, as I would really have no idea how much to even give since you obviously have no idea how much they get while nursing. I really think if I could have stayed at home with her a week or two and just nursed, I could have gotten my supply back to normal. But this is not an option for us with my work. So I continued to pump my measly 3 ounces every 3-4 hours at work and home. This has been hard on the days Chris is on shift 24 hours as I need to still pump and then give her the bottle. Usually putting her in her jumper while I pump, which she does not care for now that she is mobile. I used to never pump on days I had off and would just nurse. Just easier, made more since, and at the time kept my supply going. The past few days I have just started weaning back my pumping's. I think by the next week, two at the most, I should be done with BFing and she will be on full formula bottles. This was a decision that to my surprise made me very sad. Two weeks ago while rocking her to sleep with her bottle the tears started flowing down my face and just wouldn't stop. I was remembering the many nights, pretty much every night the past 8 months, that I nursed our baby girl to sleep. The rooting, the little faces she would make, her little hands scratching me and rubbing my arm. It was the most peaceful beautiful thing. Me and her. Nothing else mattering in the world.....at those moments everything was perfect. Something I could never fully explain, but I'm sure many Mom's know exactly what I am trying to say. I really was a little surprised by this sadness. I decided on this. Bring on another head cold now, I just can't wait to down some NyQuil after 18 months! lol Or how about a night out with some drinks and coming home to crash in bed without having to pump and dump first! But I will miss it.....
The formula feeding is going fine. It's very convenient and easy. She is taking just liquid for now as both times we tried powder she was not a fan. I think once she is on all formula we will try again. Powder has a much stronger odor than the liquid formula. And breast milk really has no odor unless it has gone bad. Just like cow's milk.
Now that we have been giving her bottle's at night this has made it a little easier on me as she now let's Daddy put her to sleep too. So if I need to wash my hair or something after work I kiss her goodnight and Daddy gives her her bottle for bed. It's also a nice bonding time for the two of them. She also let's Nana give her bottle and put her to bed now too. If you remember from previous posts Kailyn used to only let me out her to bed. Otherwise she would just scream and cry and would not go to bed. Now Mommy and Daddy have been able to go out twice the past month for the evening! :o) Next goal is to try for a sleep over! To sleep in past 7am after 9 months I imagine would be heaven! lol
Hmmm....what else. Still babbling like crazy. This girl can babble! lol As many keep saying, just like her Momma! Among her favs are Mama, dada, baba, nahnah. She loves to make the noise with her tongue as spit goes everywhere. lol
So many new things we discover together each day. As usual I'm sure there are things I have left out in our daily changing lives with this beautiful little miracle of ours!!


One of her favorite places to be! LOVES bath time!

Kailyn's future BFF Issa, my BFF Danas daughter

Those eyes make my ♥ melt

First time eating a hard boiled egg. Hard to see but if you look closely you can see her gag reflex kicking in.

She LOVES her doggies

Riding the Choo Choo

**You can also click the picture of Kailyn top left of blog to see many new pics added to her 8 month album**

Another 1st came and went

2011-01-07T12:52:00.014-05:00

Kailyn's first Christmas, along with Halloween and Thanksgiving, has now come and gone. Along with many more firsts we have had already. First smile, laugh, mama, dada, sitting, rolling, now CRAWLING!! This month I felt a bit of anxiety when I realized Kailyn is now 8 months old. Where are the days going?? Where has my tiny little newborn gone?? I thought I would never miss those first few weeks. That felt at the time, like survival parenthood. Oh how I do!! (not so much the colic evenings, though) It is crazy. Just like with pregnancy, friends were right. Enjoy every minute because it comes and goes so fast. I don't want her to grow up!! BUT....at the same time I am enjoying all these new milestones SO much!! She is now so fun to play with, so interactive. And I have heard from many friends that it just keeps getting better. So I will shed a quick tear as each month flies by, but I will spend more time enjoying each little moment of this most amazing life with her.

Height and Weight:

27 1/2 inches and 17lbs 12 ounces

Sleep: She still goes down around 7:30-8pm, sometimes sleeping until 7am or waking around 5-6am to nurse, then back down until 7am-8am

Teeth: Both bottom central incisors and both top central and lateral incisors

Food: Still doing mainly stage 2, but we have tried some Stage 3. She is NOT a big fan of the canned Stage 3. She would prefer Yummy in my Tummy (homemade organic food from a local store) or whatever we are having. She is still on breast milk but we have just started adding an ounce or two of formula the past 2 weeks.

Yesterday we went for Kailyn's 8 month check up. We were curious to see her height and weight since we have not had a well visit since her 6 month check up. We had been to the Dr a few times since Thanksgiving for a cold she couldn't kick. We now are realizing with each front that comes through, that Kailyn may unfortunately have allergy issues like her Momma did growing up. For now we will just monitor her and see. We have started seeing a new Dr in the practice who we really like much better. He talks fast but is super informative and act's like he really cares. We don't get the, I wanna rush you out of the door feeling anymore. I think this visit was the longest we have ever been there!

The nurse started by coming in the room to do height and weight and then told us things would be a little different this visit. She would be taking a little blood from Kailyn's foot and then try to get a urine sample. Immediately I'm thinking, urine sample?? How the heck? Well they tape this bag around her vagina and then leave it there for the rest of the visit. Then at the end they check before we leave to see if she urinated.....of course she didn't. So we get to take a bag home for her next 10 month visit. And now we get to try and put this thing on correctly before we leave for the doctor! lol

Her blood test was to test her iron. We got the results before we even left and they were fine. Dr said how at this point her weight would slow down, that this was normal. I was kind of freaked out when we went 2 weeks ago (sick visit) and they did a weight check. She hadn't even gained a pound in just over a month!! This is my little girl who gained two pounds her first month of life!! Well at this visit she gained 1 pound since her 6 month check up. Which he actually said was still good considering she had been sick for over a month with a cold and also had diarrhea for a few days from that horrible stomach bug that was going around. She was 67% for height and 45% for weight. He said she would continue to only gain about a pound or so every month or two now that she is also mobile. So I will relax I guess. ;-) He also gave us the go ahead with table foods!! Yayyy! Kailyn has not liked ANY of the Stage 3 canned foods we have tried. (can't say I blame her) We have given her a little bit of what we are eating here and there, but not much as we weren't sure if this was ok. She also really likes the Yummy in my Tummy Stage 3 foods. Which is just like what we eat pretty much. Except it's all organic and cut up already into small pieces. So last night Kailyn had her Sweet Potato Happy Baby puree and one of our Raviolis we were eating for dinner. We also just tried one of the Gerber biscuit cookies the other night. Scares the crap out of me still! She just takes it and bites big chunks off with those big teefers she has already. Then Mommy freaks out as she watches her chew, hoping she will crunch it all up before trying to swallow. She has choked a few time's but gets it up. One time, of course when Daddy was on shift, she started choking and wasn't getting it up. So I hit her on the back and then reached in her mouth towards her throat. I fished with my finger, then hit her on the back again and she then vomited it up. Yeah....let's just say I pray that doesn't happen again anytime soon!! So the Dr said she can now eat pretty much anything. We are still to stay away from the high allergy foods such as peanuts and honey until she is one. Also he said he advices to wait until 10 months to try eggs. I did already give her a tiny piece of egg the other day to try, ooops. No reaction, though.

As far as milk, we have just started adding some formula to each bottle. About an ounce or two. We tried to give her straight formula 2 weeks ago and she wanted nothing to do with it. Then we tried the liquid, still spit it out. So then we started with one ounce added to BM. She did fine. Now we will do two formula, three BM. She drinks about 4 1/2 to 5 ounces every 3 hours. We have tried to do more and wait longer, like 3 1/2 - 4 hours. She wasn't having it. She still gets hungry again after 3 hours. So we stick to the routine she likes. After I had that horrible flu that was going around, my milk supply went way down! It has gone back up, but not totally. I pump every 3 1/2 hours and get 3-4 ounces average. Well she eats 5 ounces every 3 hours. You do the math. At this point I am comfortable with introducing some formula. I mean, girl's gotta eat! And I no longer want to stress so much about milk supply like I have the past 7 months. For now I continue to pump during the day and nurse her in the morning's, when my supply is enough for her to just nurse. People seem to ask me lately, when will you stop?? Well, I really haven't thought about it. I don't have a set date?? Does any woman really? I always knew I wanted to "try" to only give her BM until 6 months of age. I am happy I was able to do that. Sometimes I still let my mind wander and feel a bit of guilt for introducing formula. I think, but she only has 4 more months. But I know I am being silly. I think some of this has to do with how much we went through the first month. As many of you know, nursing did NOT come easy. I still remember very clearly those meltdowns of crying. Of feeling sick to my stomach when thinking about having to feed my daughter again because it was so painful. Contrary to what some will hear, BFing is usually NOT easy in the beginning. I have a few friend's who breastfed/feed. And all of them had a hard start for several different reasons. It is a lifestyle change and takes a LOT of effort, as many of you Moms already know. But once you get the hang of it, it was personally a wonderful thing for me. As my Hubby always reminds me, what she has gotten so far is great. And formula is not going to harm her. Shoot, I was formula fed! Now my husband may tell you different, but I think I turned out just fine. ;-) I mainly did it for the health benefits, so she would carry my immunities the first 6 months. And we made it 6 months with never being sick. Whether it was the BM or just luck, we will never know. But I like to think I helped with that. ;-)

(Any formula feeding Moms, please don't take any of this offensively. I think breastfeeding is TOTALLY a personal decision. It was something that I personally wanted to do. And either way, baby is going to get nourishment they need. This is a Mother's decision and I would NEVER judge one who couldn't or chose not to breastfeed. I give any mother credit for even trying. I definitely know it is NOT easy. I also know without the wonderful support of my family and especially my best friend Dana, I would have never been able to continue as I did.)

This past month Kailyn has also started saying Dada. Of course she still says Mama. She also says baba and nana. My Mom likes to think she is saying nana to her. lol I am still not sure if she really knows I am Mama and Daddy is Dada, but the other day it really seemed like she called him Dada. We are definitely realizing, although she may not look much like her Mama yet, she definitely is a blabber mouth like me! Even in my baby book my Mom wrote things like, Nicole loves to talk and sing all the time. Kailyn will already blabber your ear off at time's. And she only knows a few words!

The most excited new "first" for this past month is that we now have a CRAWLER!! For about a week she was our little worm. She really looked just like an inch worm. It was really pretty funny to watch. Then on Christmas Eve we were playing on the mats in the playroom. And what do you know, she started to crawl!! Like on hands and knee's crawling! It took about a week for her to fully master it, but now she is definitely on the go! The best is when she crawls to you. Melts my heart. Chris told me yesterday that when he got to Miss Pam's to pick her up she was sitting on the mats in the playroom. She saw him and immediately started to crawl towards him to be picked up.♥ I told Chris she was waiting until Christmas to give us our present from her. ;-)

Speaking of Christmas, we had a wonderful day. Chris worked Christmas Eve but got home at 8:15am Christmas morning. We had family over during the day and had sandwiches and some other foods for lunch. It was a wonderful first family Christmas together. And little miss Kailyn of course got too many presents. She did great opening them up, though! She ripped that paper right off! Only to then try and eat it of course.

Kailyn is also losing some of her people fears now. She doesn't cry whenever a stranger is around anymore. I am glad to see this stage come and go. She still will occasionally stick out the bottom lip at some people, but for the most part now she smile's and tries to show off! Chris went with her to the mall last week and said she was trying to talk to all the people walking by. She also definitely remembers people she sees often. If she sees you at least once every week or two, you will get a big smile when you walk in our door. And she loves playing with her cousins Cody and Hayden. She grabs at Cody's shirt and watches him. As soon as her other new cousin Kaydence gets a little bigger we hope to have many play date's too! She has a new fascination with kids in general. Anywhere we are, if she sees a baby/kid of any age she gets excited. Especially if they are walking, she can't take her eye's off them. She will sometimes even yell to try and get their attention.

First family pic 2011

For the New Year we went to our good friend Wes and Jamie's house. They had a few friend's over. Kailyn fell asleep when we first got there so I put her down on the bed in their spare room. We brought the video monitor so I set that up. About 45 minutes later I look at the monitor and no Kailyn! I get up to run inside from the porch, meanwhile zooming around with the camera to find her. She had crawled over to the pillows I had barricaded her in with. So after that when she fell asleep in my arms we just took turns holding her until the ball dropped. She then woke up to celebrate her first New Year with us. Here is a quick video right after the ball dropped. She thought the noise makers were just the funniest thing! lol

I think that about sums up the past month. As usual I am sure I am leaving something out in baby K's life. Something new every day! Oh so wonderful it is.♥

**New pics added to Kailyn's 7 month album on left side of blog. Also you can click Winter 2010 album to see pics from Christmas.**

Here is a quick video from last week. In just one week she is much quicker than this now!

Wishing you all...

2010-12-18T14:51:00.004-05:00

... a very Merry Holiday!! It's that time of year again! And this year we are especially excited to be spending our first Christmas with the most perfect little angel in the world!! (ok not always perfect but she is the BEST!) This year we decided to get a little bigger of a tree since it is Baby K's first Christmas. Yes I realize she doesn't know what is going on this year, but it is her very first X-mas and Mommy & Daddy are of course excited first time parents!

We also went to see Santa a few weeks ago. As I figured, Kailyn was not liking Santa! We told them, we gotta make this quick. Chris quickly put her on Santa's lap without turning her around so she wouldn't see. She slowly turned her head back and there went the face! She didn't really scream, but I'm sure if we tortured her and left her on his lap (hey I've seen it before) then she would have. Kailyn has this new anxiety with strange people so I had assumed Santa would definitely not be getting smiles out of her this year! ;-)

Last week we went to Lauren's house to make hand ornaments with baby Sophia and Carson. Carson and Kailyn weren't exactly thrilled about this but little Sophia did great! Kailyn wanted to touch the dough, but once you started pushing and holding her hand into it she acted like she was getting a shot! lol

I leave you with our Holiday card and wishes for a wonderful Holiday to everyone!!

**You can check out more pics by clicking our Winter 2010 album. You can also see new pics in Kailyn's 7 month album on left column of blog. **

7 months old...

2010-12-04T22:23:00.009-05:00

And already a world traveler! I have been trying to write a blog since we got back from our trip to Puerto Rico with no luck. Just not enough time in the day! So I am using this post to write about our trip and also the past month as Kailyn just turned 7 months today.

Height and Weight: Not sure because we don't have a Dr visit this month

Sleep: With the arrival of four new top teeth, one after another, unfortunately her bedtime routine has been a little sporadic this month. She still goes down around 7:30-8pm but there were more than a few times that she would wake several time's through the night. If you looked in her mouth you would understand why. :-(

Teeth: Both bottom central incisors and now also both top central and also lateral incisors!

Food: Breast milk and many fruit and veggie purees. We are now going to start trying some finger foods too!

This past month started with our trip to PR. Mommy was nervous (to say the least) about taking Kailyn to PR. Mainly the flying part, but also because we had never been and had no idea what to expect! Well Kailyn did AMAZING! Mommy and Daddy were SO proud! She was so good the whole trip! The flight there I nursed her (as many of you recommended I do, thanks!) when we took off. She fell asleep for a few minutes but then woke up when the pilot came over the speaker. After that we just entertained her with toys and stuff. The flight is just over 2 hours so it's not so bad. I couldn't imagine flying somewhere that is much longer than that. It was also a 2 1/2 hour drive to the hotel from the airport. She slept part of the way and didn't get fussy until the last 15 minutes. The rest of the trip she was great also! My arms were ready to fall off by the end of the trip, though! lol Everything is going up/down stairs since you are in the mountains. The hotel they had the wedding at where we stayed was also all stairs, no elevators in PR. Of course Kailyn was happy about this. Little booger LOVES to be held.

The weather was beautiful while we were there. We went to the beach Friday, which was the wedding day. This was Kailyn's first time at a beach. She wasn't so sure at first but ended up having a good time. And of course she LOVED the pool @ the hotel even though it was pretty dang cold. She just loves the water! (as you can see from this video from PR)

The wedding was also beautiful and they couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. Unfortunately I didn't really get too many pics because Chris was the Best Man and it's a little difficult to hold a 6 month old and take pictures with an SLR camera. They did have an amazing photographer who of course I'm sure got more than enough pics of everything. The flight home also went smoothly. Because it was a night flight right at her bed time she slept the whole way home. She did get a bit cranky on the car ride to the airport, but who can blame her. At that point I was sick of driving too! Click here to see Puerto Rico pictures

As I mentioned above, this month also brought many new teeth for Kailyn! Dr M was right at her 6 month visit. She was definitely getting all four top teeth in at once.

Look @ those teefers!

As you can see from this pic taken about 2 weeks ago, the top two right teeth had already broken through. The next central tooth came through last week and we are pretty sure the lateral top is just broken or about to break through. It looks like it has but I still can't feel it so I think it hasn't all the way yet. I have felt so bad for her this past month. I can't imagine it has been fun getting all four of her top teeth in in one month. But considering how uncomfortable it must be she really has been a trooper!

This month was also Kailyn's first Thanksgiving. Daddy had off and we went to Nana's for some Turkey dinner. Everyone ate way too much and we all had a great time. Kailyn had fun spending time with her cousins Cody and Hayden and at the end of the night she got to share a bath with her cousins.


Rub a dub dub, three cousins in a tub!

Kailyn started trying to crawl as soon as she turned 6 months. We thought for sure by 7 months she would be. Not so much. She has been able to get on all fours in the crawling position for weeks now, but then goes to move and falls flat into her "fish out of water" position, as we like to call it. Here is a quick video Daddy got of Kailyn a week ago. It's pretty funny to watch. And of course after she fall's she gets very pissy and wants you to sit her back up....were she then proceeds to do it all over again. Now I don't want to rush the crawling milestone, as I know when this happens Mommy and Daddy will really be on there feet. But this repetitive up down , up down has me wanting to pull out my hair! lol She now hates being on her stomach but yet ends up that way every time she sits down as she wants to crawl SO bad!

We also went to the Broward County Fair this month with a few friends. I attempted to take Kailyn on the Merry Go Round again and this time she loved it!

She kept smiling and making these faces. It was so funny. You can see a few more pics in her 6 month album.

We are still having the issue with Kailyn only wanting me at night. She screams at the top of her lungs if I am not there. This makes going out a bit difficult. We had Chris's Christmas party a week ago and my Mom came to watch her. She was able to finally get her to fall asleep after crying for 45 minutes. But then Kailyn woke up at 11pm and would not go back to sleep. So when we got home at 12:30am Mommy put her to bed. She has been waking up a few times after you put her down the past month from her teeth bothering her. Chris will go in and try to comfort her but she just screams and punches until I come in. She then buries her head into my shoulder and falls back to sleep. She doesn't even try to nurse, so it doesn't have anything to do with BFing. Hopefully this is just another phase and she will soon grow out of it.

Kailyn just got over her first real cold. We went for our first "sick" Dr visit this past Monday. She had had a green runny nose since Thanksgiving morning so we decided it was time to see the Dr.. He checked her out and noticed what looked like a possible infection starting in her left ear. He said there was a 25% chance it would go away on it's own, and because of her age he felt we should go ahead and treat her with an antibiotic. And since we didn't even realize her ear was infected as she was not pulling at it, ect., we thought it would be best to give her the medicine so it did not get worse. Our Vicks humidifier we got for our shower has been the best during the past week. I would definitely recommend for sick babies! Also saline spray is great and these boogie wipes my Mom had given me before she was born. They are just moist with saline water but also have a grape fragrance smell to them and help keep her nose from getting too raw from regular tissues.

We have been trying different foods still. We sometimes have difficulty getting her to eat for us. She just doesn't seem to want it sometimes. The weird thing is her sitter always says how good she eats for her. We just started giving her food when taking her to Miss Pam. And she eats more than half of what she would eat for Chris or I. Some days are better than others. It's all trial and error still. I still give her some home made puree, but also some organic store bought stuff too. Gerber, Happy Baby and Earth's Best are a few we have tried. We also just brought some Sprout food to try. And we are going to try some Yo Baby yogurt tomorrow morning!

As usual I am sure there are plenty of new things we have discovered this month with this most amazing little girl that I have left out. She may be a hand full at time's but not a day goes by that she doesn't bring a smile to our face and laughter in our home.♥

I would also like to say a quick Congrats to Kailyn's Uncle and Aunt on the arrival of their new baby girl, Kaydence Taylor Abramczyk. She was born Thursday, December 2nd. Kailyn is so happy to have another cousin to play and grow up with!

**You can click Kailyn's 6 month album on top left of blog too see pictures from this past month. You can also click here to see more pics from Thanksgiving in Holidays 2010 album

Happy half B-day Baby K!

2010-11-09T23:19:00.014-05:00

Height: 26 inches

Weight: 16 pounds 10 ounces

Food: Breast milk and we have now tried home made pureed carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potato, avocado, banana, applesauce, butternut squash and peaches. Also organic store bought prunes and pears.

Sleep: Usually goes down around 7:30-8pm and up to nurse at 5-6am, then back down until 7:30-8am

Teeth: Still just the bottom two but Dr. says not one, not two but FOUR more on the top very soon!

There is a quote that I heard many times during my pregnancy.

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

~Elizabeth Stone

For those that have children you know just how very true this is. Even while pregnant you can't completely understand the truth behind this until you have your little creation in your arms each waking morning. It is pure bliss. I now can't even comprehend life without her. Every day is something new that brings a smile to our faces. Our world revolves around her and makes you forget about the unimportant.

This past month Kailyn has perfected sitting up as I mentioned in previous post. She is now well on her way to crawling!! As much as I can't wait to watch how cute she will be when she really starts to bob herself around, I also know that means time for Mommy and Daddy to be on there feet! So I am not wishing to rush this new milestone at all! However she wants to be on the move very badly. She is constantly getting into the crawling position. One leg is still keeping her from all fours and moving at the same time. She gets up and finally drags the last leg out and BAM.....down she goes. This is when she gets really pissy that she now can't get the toy she was trying to get. Let me tell you, this little 6 month old already has quite the attitude! Uh, Oh! ;-/

This past month was also Kailyn's first time going to a carnival. We met my friend Lauren and her son Carson (Kailyn's future B-friend) there. We tried to go on the Merry-Go-Round with the kiddies but they weren't too thrilled about that! lol Kailyn screamed the whole time. She really wasn't in the mood for the carnival anyways. We didn't go until almost 7pm and she likes to have her bath and be in bed by 8pm. She thinks she is Cinderella. ;o) Can't complain most of the time about that, though. It is nice during the week to have her in bed by 8pm. Gives us a chance to do things we need to do or just relax and watch some TV.

Kailyn's 6 month check up went great. She got the flu vaccine since she will be going to Puerto Rico with us for Chris's brothers wedding. He said we should now start feeding her twice a day. She is still not a big fan of most things we have tried. She does love her Avocado. It is so funny how she acts when we feed her that and then how she acts for every other food. Some nights she will eat really good and then other nights you can barely get three bites in. We aren't rushing anything so we will just continue to try things each day. She is still getting most of her nutrients from BM. Dr. also told us we should start trying to practice with the sippy cup. I have heard from many friends that this will be trial and error. Every baby will take to a different sippy cup. You just have to try several until you find one they like. So we will see how this goes. Dr. M also said he sees four teeth that look like they could be coming through very soon. The past few day's since her appointment you can really see one that I am thinking will break through tonight or tomorrow. It is SO close. He also said she may look like baby Dracula for a little while as it looks like her "fangs" canines, might come in first! This is not as common but is possible. But he also said that as usual sometimes it will look like a tooth is coming and it could still be weeks before anything happens. All I know is Kailyn has ended up in our bed twice this week and she hasn't done that in months. These teeth are really bothering my poor baby girl. :-(

This past month we have tried doing a few sleep overs at Nana's house. This was because we originally were not going to bring Kailyn with us to PR. Unfortunately Kailyn has started this separation anxiety when it comes to me no being there at night. She screams (I mean SCREAMS) and refuses to eat. Even now at home when Chris tries to put her down she wants nothing to do with it. She will scream and yell until I take her from him. Then she immediately buries her head into my shoulder and starts to fall asleep. She is not doing this to be a brat, she is still just a baby. A baby who wants her Mommy. I don't necessarily think of that as a bad thing. I love her with all my heart also.

"The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected."

-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Of course I also realize we need to continue to have my Mom or Chris try to put her down to bed so that she can eventually realize that someone else can put her to bed and Mommy will still be there the next day. I just don't think a good time to try this is when I will be in PR for four nights and unable to just run home if things get worse. Plus I would also be miserable if I knew she is at home crying and not eating while I am so far away.

Kailyn has also started to say Momma the past week! She does not know what Momma means yet, but if you say it she will repeat it over and over again. She is SO cute when she says it too. She pulls her lips in to make the M sound and then it's Momma, Momma, Momma! I just LOVE it! The other day before I left for work all I hear is Momma, Momma! It is the best and I can only imagine will be just amazing when she is actually saying it to me when she wants her Momma. ♥ I have a video of her saying it but haven't had a chance to upload. I will try to when we get back from PR.

I'm sure as usual there is much I am leaving out as every day is something new with Kailyn. But I really must go get some sleep in case someone is up all night again with her teeth!

I leave you with a verse from a country song, "Little Moments" by Brad Paisly, that I think says it perfectly.

When she's layin' on my shoulder on the sofa in the dark
And about the time she falls asleep so does my right arm
And I want so bad to move it 'cause it's tinglin' and it's numb
But she looks so much like and angel that I don't wanna wake her up
Yeah I live for little moments
When she steals my heart again and doesn't even know it
Yeah I live for little moments like that

***New pics have been added to Kailyn's 5 month album. Click picture on left side of blog that says Kailyn 5 months. You can also see a few pictures in her new 6 month album by CLICKING HERE***

This time last year.....

2010-10-28T21:42:00.004-04:00

......I was entering second trimester and finally starting to show off a little baby bump! I was so excited I was exiting the, is she pregnant or just fat stage. And now I am overly joyed to be spending my favorite Holiday with my beautiful little girl! Unfortunately Daddy is on shift Halloween, so we will probably go Trick or Treating with cousins Cody and Hayden for a little while. I'm not expecting her to last long at this age. Just a quick stroll around the block. On Saturday we will be going to Countryside Shops for their annual Trick or Treating in the shops and also we will be entering Kailyn in the costume contest. *fingers crossed she wins!* Daddy will be able to go to that with us. And of course I wanted to show you all the rest of her picture's we had done together. Can you believe I had her outfit made for $30!! Found this lady on ebay who makes Tutu outfits just like hers, but of course pinks and purples. I had gotten the idea online from a boutique who wanted $70 for a witch tutu outfit similar to hers!! So I asked this lady if she could do the tutu in green, purple and black tulle and do the top black. I sent her a pic of what I had in mind. She wrote me back and said that would be fine and even said she had a hat she had made last year for a lady who canceled her order. So she gave me that too!
Then I came across an outfit on Party City that looked so similar to her witch costume. I ordered it for myself and it matched perfect. So THEN of course Mommy just had to get our pics taken together! I had a coupon for a really cheap deal @ JC Penny's and off we went.

So I present to you The Abramczyk Witches of 2010! :-))

**Click here to see all Witch Portraits

A few days ago was also Kailyn's first time in the big girl tub!! She just does NOT fit in her little tub anymore! She did pretty good but is still a little to unstable yet. When she starts going crazy with her toys she tends to still topple over. So Nana gave us her tub she had. We will use that for the next few weeks until she is a pro at sitting up all alone.

Another quick update. Unfortunately last week was Kailyn's last week with Miss Sara and her daughter Lily (Lily is one). My friend Sara has been watching Kailyn for us since she was 9 weeks old. Kailyn had grown very fond of her and we are sad to see her go. Sara will be introducing a new baby into the world very shortly so she will have her hands quite full very soon!
Kailyn also just adored her daughter Lily. Funny story, one day before I was leaving for work I saw Lily holding Kailyn's teether. Kailyn started opening her mouth and Lily was holding it for her to put in her mouth! So sweet. Anyways this past Sunday we were all @ Kailyn's Great-Grandparents house for G-Grandpas B-day. Cousin Cody grabbed Kailyn's teether and started waiving it in the air. And what would you know, Kailyn opens her mouth leaning forward like a puppy for Cody to put it in her mouth! So funny!! Anyways thank you again SO MUCH for everything Sara!! And best wishes to you and your "soon to be" family of four!

Another friend of mine referred to me the lady that watches her son. She actually runs a daycare at her house. Called Miss Pams Playhouse. She has a HUGE house and a big playroom with TONS of toys for the kiddies to play with. She is really nice and very organized and anal. Like I am which is good. ;o) Monday was Kailyn's first day with Miss Pam.....things did NOT go so well. She was there a full day because Chris was on shift. 8:20-5:30pm. She only ate 6 ounces all day!! (Kailyn is usually a very good eater) She kept crying on and off all day. :*( When I picked her up her little eyes were all red. BROKE MY HEART! I think I cried more that day than I did my first day back at work!! Miss Pam even called me at lunch to say she thought something was wrong with Kailyn. I think she thought I dropped her off sick or something. Could not understand why she was acting SO miserable.......until I arrived to pick her up. Kailyn started smiling. Then she gave me the two ounces that were still in the bottle she was trying to feed her. And she started gulping it down! Miss Pam says, I see how it is you lil booger!!! Your fine!! She just couldn't believe this little 5 1/2 month old had her fooled into thinking something was really wrong when in reality it was just that she wanted her Mommy. My little drama queen. Maybe I will put her into acting! lol Anyways the next day when I dropped her off she started to cry and push to get away from Miss Pam while she was holding her. But Miss Pam said after an hour she started to warm up and play with the other little girl that was there that day. When Daddy picked her up @ 2pm she was all smiles. Daddy also took home something Kailyn had made that day. It was art day (Miss Pam tries to do different activities with them) and Kailyn made Mommy & Daddy her first artwork! Here is a pic Daddy sent Mommy of Kailyn's artwork that now hangs proudly on our fridge.

When I dropped her off this morning, again she started to whine a little. Mommy gave her a kiss and told her she would be fine. Kailyn loves other babies so I know after a few weeks she probably will want to stay and play instead of coming home! (my friends son that goes there is like that) I mean the lady has a toddler roller coaster! Why would they want to come home?! lol

Lastly thank you again to Nana, Grandpa, Great Nana A. and Great Grandpa & Grandma M for Kailyn's 1st Halloween cards and gifts (I added to her piggy bank). She is one lucky little girl to be so loved!!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Halloween!!

Pumpkin Patch and another milestone

2010-10-17T21:55:00.005-04:00

Today we decided to take Kailyn for her 1st trip to the Pumpkin Patch. We went in the morning to try and get pics before the big crowd. I drove by yesterday during the day and there were cars lined up and down the whole street! We got there just before 9:30am and it was PERFECT. Not too many people. Kailyn was such a good girl, as she usually is in the mornings. At first she was very serious about the whole thing (as you can see in the pics) but then she had a blast. She kept wanting to eat the pumpkins! lol Cousins Cody and Hayden also met us at the PP. It was hard but we actually got a couple cute pics of the three of them together. And poor Cody had an ear infection so he was not feeling the best. You can check out many more pics of all the kids by clicking here for Pumpkin Patch pics.

Mommy and Kailyn took some pics together for Mommy's favorite holiday, Halloween. I haven't gotten them all back yet but here is one of them. We are both witches and our outfits ended up matching almost perfect. I had a coupon so I just had to go get our picture taken together! The portrait studio normally does not open until 10am but the lady was nice enough to offer to start @ 9:20am so that the pictures don't run into Kailyn's morning nap time. Unfortunately Kailyn decided to wake up at 7am instead of her usual 8am wake up time. So by the time we got there and started taking pics @ 9:30am she wanted nothing to do with any of it!! Not to mention she wasn't thrilled with wearing her adorable costume! ;-) That being said, we did manage to still get a few cute pics but nothing as good as we could have gotten as Kailyn is usually a much easier baby to get to smile.

The other big milestone is that Kailyn can now sit up all on her own!! She has been doing the "tripod" since she was 4 months. Just a few days after she turned 5 months she started sitting straight up with no hands. Every day she gets better and stronger. She still can't totally sit up from laying down on her own. But if you sit her up somewhere she can hold it very well! Some of her "big girl" toys now are so much more interesting now that she can sit up and play with them. And it is a lot more helpful to Mommy and Daddy now that we can sit her down somewhere when we go out instead of worrying about what we will sit her in. The other day I was outside watering the plants and I plopped her down in the grass. She loved it! She just sat there and watched me. Smiling and trying to get the dogs attention so they would come over to her. She just LOVES her doggies. When they start playing and wresting around she laughs and laughs at them.

**You can check out more pics of Kailyn sitting up and playing in her 5 month album**

5 month update

2010-10-09T22:55:00.003-04:00

Height: 25 3/4 inches (76%)
Weight: 15 pounds 13 ounces (71%)
Sleep: Goes down around 7:30-8pm, wakes to nurse around 5-6am and then back to sleep until 7:30-8am
Food: Breast Milk and just trying some food! So far Bananas, Avocado, Applesauce and Peas
Teeth: Still just the bottom two

Wednesday we went to the Dr. for Kailyn's 5 month check up. Doctor said she is doing great. When he came in Kailyn was sitting up on the table (Mommy had her hand right next to her ;-)). He said it was great that she was already trying to sit up. Some babies don't start trying to do this until the next month or two. She has been sitting up for the past few weeks. Never for very long and she also can't get to the sitting up position on her own. But she is making progress. We practice a little every day and she loves to be sitting up. Problem is that she starts to slouch over more and more as she gets tired and then ends up spitting up a little if you don't pick her up. She could care less about the spit up of course! lol

Kailyn only got one shot this visit and she was such a big girl about it! The nurse stuck her and then started to inject the vaccine. Kailyn was just starting to let out a little cry when the nurse said all done! She stuck a band aid on real fast and I picked her up and hugged her and that was it. No more tears and she started her babbling again. She is very talkative lately!

Some new exciting news, we started trying some food!! We started a few days before she turned 5 months. This is what we have tried up to today. Bananas, Oatmeal, Applesauce, Cantaloupe, Peas and Avocado. The cantaloupe we have only used in her net and she loves it! (you can see pics in her 4 month album)

We are waiting about 3 days in between each food. So far she has had everything home made except the peas. Those were Gerber organic peas. For those of you that would like to make your own baby puree I have found this website to be very helpful. Whole some baby food So far she loved the banana. Unfortunately it also made her not poop for 3 days which freaked Mommy and Daddy out! For some reason after trying oatmeal (didn't care for it) we decided to try banana. We had been use to her daily 3-4 times a day pooping. Now that we have introduced something other than BM that has definitely changed! The doctor said this was fine. That unless she seems uncomfortable it is actually ok if she only goes every 3-5 days! If she does seem uncomfortable we can always give her baby prunes or add an ounce of apple juice to a bottle of BM. After not going for 3 days she finally went right before we were leaving for her Dr appointment. We think she would have easily been over 16 pounds if it wasn't for this poop! lol Chris described it as mud with algae on it! OMG! Definitely not what we are used to! It's crazy how such a small amount of food can change her poop so much! ;-)~

So back to the food. She also seemed to like the Avocado which is the newest food we just tried. She was not a fan of the peas. She also wasn't sure about the applesauce. As of now we are only feeding her once a day. Usually in the evening around 6pm. I don't think we are going to start twice a day for another few weeks. Her Dr said textbook says baby only needs breast or formula the first 6 months of life. Since we started food at 5 months it's ok to just feed her some once a day. Once she is 6 months we should start twice a day feedings and then move to 3x a day. So for now it's just a little extra evening treat. And Mommy is feeling a little better that she seems to like a few things already. Now when we go to Puerto Rico next month she will be eating twice a day. This way it's more likely that I will have enough BM frozen for my Mom to give Kailyn, along with the food, while we are gone. I am really not able to put a side much BM anymore to freeze. She is eating as much as I'm producing now. My little porker.

This past month Kailyn has also been so much more coordinated with her hands. She grabs and holds everything now! If you have a drink in your hand, she wants it! Now when we go out to eat, if she gets fussy and one of us has to hold her, its a lot hard to eat! She wants to grab anything you have! I said to Chris, what happened to our little baby who would just lay in our arms and stare?!? She changes so much every day! Getting stronger and smarter. Her weird little noises she made are now turning into vowels and consonants. She also is getting a little bored with some of her younger toys and wants to play with the bigger girl toys! ;-) She loves to bang them so they make noise or light up. Mommy has been shopping lately for some of these new bigger girl toys. But I have also started putting things away as Christmas is right around the corner. Which we are extremely excited for her 1st Christmas!

As we were leaving her Dr he said, see you in a month for her 6 month check up. This totally blew me away!! 6 months?!? Where is the time going?!? And this is why every day I try to take in every little thing she does. As I have learned all to well that they really do just grow up way too fast!!

Also wanted to say HAPPY 1ST B-DAY to Kailyn's little boyfriend Carson! I can hardly believe he is one already. :*)

***As usual you can check out the many pics Mommy has taken of Kailyn. Click the 5 month album on my blog. You can also view all her pics in her 4 month album too***

New Crib and First Vacation

2010-10-03T22:47:00.016-04:00

I have been meaning to do a new post since our vacation last weekend but just haven't been able to find the time! And now our baby girl is going to be 5 months old already tomorrow! We go for her Dr appointment on Wednesday so I will update all her stats then.

Shortly after Kailyn turned 4 months old we decided it was time to try her out in her crib. She had been sleeping in our room in her pack n play. Of course I had a feeling this was going to be harder on Mommy than her, as many friends had told me. And it was. She did great! First couple nights she woke up a little earlier than normal but by the end of the week she was perfectly fine in her crib. And Mommy was doing much better too. ;o) Our video monitor has been GREAT with this new sleeping arrangement and I am not sure I could have adjusted so well without it. The first few night's I fell asleep staring at her sleeping. She makes a lot of noises while sleeping and if it wasn't for the video monitor I would have been up and checking on her way too many times. And probably waking her up in the process. I am very thankful for our friends that recommended this monitor to us. You can actually see her better on the monitor (it has night vision) than you can when you walk in to check on her in the dark.

We also went on our first vacation as a family of three last weekend! We went to stay at Hawks Cay resort in the Keys. They were having "Heros" special for all Firefighters, Police, Military and Nurses. The rooms that are normally very expensive were a deal we couldn't pass up. So we went and stayed Friday and Saturday night. We met our friends Wes and Jamie and also my little BIL & SIL there. It was a short vacation that ended WAY to soon! I'll admit, I was a bit nervous about taking Kailyn with us for her first vacation and also first time sleeping away from home. I had even tried getting my Mom to come to help out! lol I know, I know. But Kailyn did GREAT!! She was soooooo good! Daddy kept saying how proud of her he was. She of course loved spending the day by the pool. She is already turning into such a water baby.

Can't get enough!

She took a few little naps under the umbrella by the pool. Click here to see all the pics from our trip.

Some new things this past month.
She has started holding her own bottle.
She is now a pro at rolling over both tummy to back and back to tummy. Put her on her back and she rolls right on over!
She is starting to sit up a little better every day. Still not on her own, but one day soon.

She loves her jumper now and can actually bounce herself up and down.
She also loves her new exersaucer passed down to her from cousins Cody and Hayden.

She loves standing on the counter in our bathroom with Daddy talking to herself in our big mirrors and trying to walk on the counter. This has become a nightly routine before bath. As soon as you bring her in there she starts shrieking and babbling away.
We started using her food nets this month. We have put cantaloupe, banana, honey dew and ice in it. She loves it all. I think she also just really likes it on her gums. They have really been bothering her lately. We figure she will have a third tooth before we know it!

We have also started putting her in the highchair when we go out to ear. At first I think she was still too small and not able to sit up well enough. Each week, though, she is getting better and better. Just this morning when we went to breakfast she did great in it.
We still go for our evening walks. She loves our walks and I am not sure what we will do in a few weeks when the time changes. Mommy will just have to try and be ready to take our walk a little earlier. Maybe before dinner. 7pm will definitely be too dark very soon.
We just finished our first free 6 weeks of class at Nova. Kailyn really loves class and even smiles now when we walk in the door. She remembers things now and even some of the songs. Chris made me sing one of the songs to her that we learned our first class. (Everybody knows I love my toes) We learn a new song each week. Anyways as soon as I start singing this song she gets a big smile on her face because she remembers it. She also I think is starting to know her name. She is definitely at that age now where she is remembering things and especially people. Next week starts the remaining 6 weeks of class which we signed up for. We had to pay for these but it is well worth it as Kailyn really enjoys class.
This past month we were able to meet up with my BF Dana and her two girls who came down to visit. I only wish Dana lived closer so the girls could play together more. We also went to dinner with Aunt Olivia and Kelly for Kelly's 30th B-day. Just us girls. Kailyn had so much fun spending time with her Auntie Liv.
This past month we also thought Kailyn was catching her first cold. :-( She was horribly congested. We got out her humidifier. Saline spray and her nose sucker had become our new best friend! Poor baby would wake up from being SO congested! After a few days of this, however, we began to questions her runny nose. She was acting fine. No fever or pulling at her ears in pain. A few friends had said their babies suffered runny noses while teething before their top teeth came in. Her snot was always clear and we realized this new congestion may just be related to her teeth. She is constantly putting things in her mouth to bite on. Some days she is fine and others you can tell her gums are REALLY bothering her. It's funny because her first three months Mylicon was our best friend. Now teething tablets are! A few friends recommended the Hylands Homeopathic teething tablets and they are great! We prefer to use these but sometimes she has a really bad day so we will give her a little Tylenol which turns her into a new baby. I feel so bad sometimes. They say teething can be really painful for them at times. All my friends had told me how teething is NO fun. Well as usual they were right! But it's part of growing up and something we don't want to miss out on as horrible as it is at times. Things just pass by too quickly not to enjoy each moment.
That is all I can remember for now. I am sure there is so much more, as every day with her something new and amazing happens! I just can't even believe she will be 5 months old tomorrow!! She is at such a fun age right now as my Mom always says. She does something new every day that will have Mommy and Daddy smiling and laughing. I never knew the love of a daughter could be so strong before I had her. It really does make you appreciate your own mother so much more....♥
**You can click on Kailyn's 4 month album on the left side of blog to see all the many, many pics Mommy has taken of Kailyn this month**

Baby girl is 4 months old!

2010-09-11T22:21:00.002-04:00

Height: 25 inches
Weight: 14 pounds 13 ounces
Sleep: Goes down around 8-8:30pm, wakes to nurse around 5am and then back to sleep until 7:30-8am
Food: Breast Milk

Kailyn's 4 month check up was another good Dr. visit. She is doing great and was in the 70th percentile for both height and weight. He was surprised when he looked in her mouth to find her two new teeth! I told him she still is acting fussy the last few days and he said she is probably working on yet another tooth. She got four vaccines this visit. The same one's she got at her 2 month visit. Three shots and the Rota virus which is given orally. The first shot she didn't even cry but once the nurse gave her the second and then third she started to scream. Once the nurse was done Mommy picked her up she immediately stopped crying. Then she started babbling away! She also did great the rest of the day. Our appointment was at 9am. We were worried how she would be because after her 2 month shots she was super fussy that night and ended up in bed with us. This time she did great! She started to get a little fussy around 2pm so I tried nursing her. She pacified for a little until she fell asleep. Took an hour nap and then woke up in a great mood. We did give her some Tylenol right before this nap. Then around 6pm we took her temp and it was 99.9. This is still normal (anything under 100.4 rectally) but her normal temp usually is 98.4 so we gave her another dose of Tylenol just in case she was starting to get a slight fever. (this can happen from the shots) She went to bed that night at her normal time and was fine. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of our lil girl!

We also asked Dr. M about starting foods. He still suggests waiting. He said there is no reason to start foods now as the nutritional value of what she is getting already from the BM is best. He said if she was behind in weight or not sleeping well at night then he might suggest starting with a little cereal or oatmeal. So for now we will wait. Especially since I do agree with a few friends that it is probably best to wait until she is sitting up unsupported. BUT I think it is only a matter of time before that happens! As you can see from the pic below Kailyn is now a tripodin baby! lol She is sitting up on her own a little longer every day. We have to sit her up, though, so she still has a little ways to go. I'm not going to rush anything. She is already growing up too fast for Mommy as it is!! Dr. M also said if we did want to start with fruit and veggies that is fine but probably better to wait on that till 5-6 months anyways. So we will see.

This past month Kailyn went to the Firehouse to visit Daddy and the guys. You can check out a few pics I took of her with Daddy on the Firetruck. She is still too young but I can't wait to take her when she can really enjoy getting on the Big Red Engine!

Some other new things this past month. Well you already saw from my last post Kailyn is the proud owner of her first two teeth. She also has started holding her own bottle! I haven't seen this yet as I very rarely feed her from the bottle. My friend Sara that watches Kailyn has sent me a few picture mails where Kailyn is holding her own bottle. Such a big girl! She is trying to hang with Sara's daughter Lily. She loves watching Lily and enjoys her days with Sara and Lily. She will be very sad to see them go next month. :*( Sara is expecting baby number two so unfortunately will not be able to continue to watch Kailyn. We have two sitters we are going to meet with to see about watching Kailyn. We are going to meet with the one lady tomorrow. She was referred to me by my friend Krystle. She watches Krystle's son and I think one or two other babies. So hopefully we like one of them and will start taking Kailyn there 2-3 days a week when neither I nor Chris can watch her.

We are still going to our class at Nova. Kailyn really enjoys it. I think it is great for her to interact with all the other babies and we do different activities each class. She is developing such a personality now. She laughs more now. I just can't get enough of her laugh. It is so weird how it is like the sweetest noise I have ever heard. I feel like I can't get enough of it. She also can be quite talkative at times. She will just babble away! She also is starting to recognize and remember people now. As soon as Sara and Lily come over in the morning she hears them or sees them and is all smiles! And of course the same thing when Mommy or Daddy come home. The morning is the best.♥ As soon as her little head starts to stick up I say good morning and she is all smiles. Or as Daddy always says, all gums! Well now he says, all gums and two teeth! lol

The breastfeeding is still going great. From the day I started I had no idea how long I would be able to do it. And I still don't. It is definitely now always easy but in the end so rewarding for her. Not a day goes by where I don't think how much easier it would be to carry around the formula and a bottle when we go out. Instead I try to feed her before so I don't have to breastfeed her in public. This is also getting harder now that she is older because she HATES the cover. A few moms that breastfed for at least 6 months or longer told me this would happen. I could always pump, which I do sometimes, but I try to nurse her as often as possible when I am not working to keep up my milk supply. The other day we went out on the boats and my Mom watched Kailyn. I had to bring my pump and pump on the boat!! Not to mention you can't exactly go out drinking for the night with friends. Sure I could always pump and dump but I hate to have to take from my supply in the freezer. She is eating a lot now and I am just pumping enough at work to keep up with her. I am rarely still putting any in the freezer. But as much as some days I just want to say enough I keep it up for her because I really am just not ready. It's tough but not that much of a burden to not be worth it for her. Plus I was just sick for the second time since she was born and again she did not catch my cold! So she really must be getting my immunities! Actually I think she is taking ALL of mine! lol I seem to be getting sick all the time now ever since I got PG!

I think I have covered everything.
Here are a few of her Love/Hates

Loves her evening walks in her stroller

Loves her new Sophie teether giraffe

Love/Hate relationship still with her car seat but she is doing much better now

Loves her bath time but...
Hates lotion after bath still! Chris tells her people pay for these kind of massages! lol
Loves watching her doggies play. She will just sit there and laugh at them
Loves to be outside. If she is really fussy we will just take her out back and sit on the patio and she calms down.
Hates to be ignored for more than a few minutes
Loves her new jumper
Loves to go in the pool
Loves wearing her shades outside so she can see better! :-)
Loves to watch her Baby Einstein

There are many more but it's time for Mommy to go to bed to get her own rest! Hope everyone has a great weekend and also Happy Grandparents Day tomorrow to all the wonderful Grandparents out there!
**You can click the album on left side of blog to see all her pics from her 3 and 4 months albums**

Kailyn's new addition"s"!!

2010-09-03T16:49:00.002-04:00

Yep that's right, two new teeth! One after another. And it looks like she may already be working on a third one!!! It does run in the Magrone family, though. Cousins Cody and Hayden had their first tooth BEFORE they were even 3 months!! She may look more like Daddy but has Magrone in her after all! lol
First one started coming in we think last Friday or Saturday. And now the second one just came through.
She did NOT want Mommy taking a picture of her new teeth! Took four hands but we finally snapped a pic this morning. First one is of us still trying to pry her mouth open and the 2nd pic is her teeth! Poor baby has been so fussy and uncomfortable. Sara (our friend who watches Kailyn) even made a comment yesterday that Kailyn was "testing her skills"! lol She can usually get Kailyn to take her naps better than anyone. But poor baby was so miserable again yesterday. She seems to be a little better today but there is definitely something else going on....maybe another very soon! Mommy is getting a bit nervous! lol She has nipped me a little but nothing bad so far, thank goodness!! Maybe we will have to re think starting foods along with the breast milk! lol We were going to wait until 5 or 6 months even though many Moms start @ 4 months. We will be talking to Dr M at her 4 month check up next week to see about skipping the carbs (cereal) and going straight to more healthy veggies and fruits. (Mommy plans to try making her own @ home) One of our friends did that so we will see! We will keep everyone posted as our little girl grows up "too quickly" before our eyes!

First day of class, first boat ride, first tooth Oh my!

2010-08-30T14:39:00.007-04:00

So many new firsts for Kailyn the past few weeks! First boat ride, first day of class and the biggest first...........a very first little tooth!!!!!!!!!!

Last week was Kailyn's first day of class. This is the one I mentioned awhile back that is @ Nova Southeastern and the class is called Learn Together Play Together. The group she is with is ages 6 weeks to 3 months. The next class starts at 4 months old to 8 months. They have this class available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Well the class was SOOOOO full they have now opened one on Tuesday and were asking us if anyone could switch to that class. Unfortunately we can't because Wednesday is the only day I have off besides the weekend. There was close to 30 Moms and babies at class last week!! I'm not even exaggerating! That is way too many. I can't even imagine what the Saturday class looks like. So we will see when we go to class again this week if it is any less crowded. Aside from that we had such a GREAT time! Kailyn was loving all the babies!! She didn't even want to play with any of the toys during free time. She just wanted to stare at what the other babies were doing. She was so happy the whole class. (it's from 2:45-4pm) Just staring around at everyone. My nosey little girl, gotta love her! Everyone introduced themselves, their baby and how old baby is. Then we sang a few songs together and then had some time to play with all the different toys, ect.. Can't wait for class again this week!

Kailyn also went for her first boat ride 2 weeks ago. (pics in her album) We just recently bought a boat from my husband's grandfather. He has not been able to use it for many years and it has just been sitting there. So Chris offered to buy it from him. We both grew up on boats when we were younger and really wanted Kailyn to have that opportunity! Not to mention we both couldn't wait to take it out! So we cashed a few bonds my Mom still had in the bank that were mine. Got a tune up for the boat and took it out for a spin! Unfortunately I think Kailyn was still to young for the boat. Also it was just too damn hot out!! Poor thing even got a little heat rash. So she will be staying with Nana when we take the boat out again Labor Day weekend. I think in another month the weather will be perfect and she will also be ready for another boat ride. (Btw we DID NOT take her out in the ocean people!! lol Just cruised down the inter coastal.)
And for the biggest first this month, Kailyn is now the proud owner of her first tooth!!!!! And another neighbor tooth looks like it is ready to break through any minute. (it's the two middle bottom teeth) My little girl is just growing up too fast! But it does run in the family. Her cousins both broke their first tooth before they even turned 3 months old! My poor little nephew Cody couldn't even hold the teething rings yet being that young. Luckily Kailyn has become more skilled at holding things over the past few weeks so she does pretty good with the teethers. And of course she just loves her new Sophie I ordered her! (it's a teething doll http://www.sophiethegiraffeteether.com/)
For the past month Kailyn has been drooling like crazy! I am talking about soaking up 3 or more bibs a day kinda drooling! We even said something to the pediatrician @ her 3 month check up about her possibly teething and he kind of tossed it off as some babies just drool a lot. He said she could be starting to teeth but that normally a first tooth will not come out until anywhere between 4 and 6 months. Sometimes even later. I then told him how my nephew just broke his first tooth at 2 1/2 months old and he looked at me like I was just confused! lol He will be surprised when he look in Kailyn's mouth next week and finds not one, but two shiny new teeth! (i'm thinking the 2nd one might have broke through by then) On top of the drooling, the past week or two Kailyn has been putting ANYTHING she can get her hands on in her mouth. Biting on things and making grunting noises. I thought I was just a new Mom jumping the gun thinking she might just really be teething. And then the past few days she had become really fussy. Wasn't even going down for bed easy all of a sudden. Again I just dismissed this as just some new cranky behavior. After all everyone tells you babies usually don't get teeth before 4 months. Well yesterday I was @ my Moms because I just had to get Kailyn out of the house. She was in such a mood and when she gets bored it is worse. While I was over there my Mom asks if I have checked for a tooth. I said not really. She goes and grabs a spoon (gotta love Moms being old school!) and a tiny flash light. Puts the spoon in her mouth and then her finger and says, Nicole she has a tooth!!!!! I didn't even believe her at first! But sure enough she shined the light and there it was, just breaking the skin. And you could see another ready to break through. I immediately felt horrible for thinking my little girl was just being a brat for nothing! So Moms here is a word of advice, sometimes you just got to believe in Mothers intuition. No matter what others tell you. Because yes, my baby girl is the proud owner of one tooth (and another any day) at the age of 3 months. Now I just pray she doesn't start biting while I'm still BF'ing her! Yikes!

Next Wednesday is Kailyn's 4 month check up so I will update everyone then. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

**Check out Kailyn's 3 month album to the left to see many new pics!**

WOW! Is our Lil Pea really 3 months old....???

2010-08-04T22:47:00.002-04:00

Weight: 12 lbs 14 oz

Height: 24 1/2 inches

Sleep: Usually goes down about 8:30-9pm until 5-5:30am (wakes up to nurse) then back down until 7:00-8am (she occasionally has a bad night but this is her usual schedule now)

Food: Just Breast milk

Kailyn had her 3 month check up today and everything went great! She is now 62 percentile for weight and 81 percentile for height. He said she is a very healthy looking little girl. He was laughing at her as she grabbed his sleeve and was pulling on it as he examined her. She does have a little cradle cap which will clear up and is common in babies. He told us what we can do to help get rid of it. Also at her visit today we decided to get her ears pierced!! We were debating on doing it at the Pediatricians office or at a jewelry piercing store in the mall. I am glad we decided on the Dr.'s office. Only because after he pierced her ears the nurse quickly gave her the Polio vaccination and she barely noticed since she was already screaming from her ear piercing. I quickly picked her up after her shot and she immediately stopped crying. So I am glad we got it all over in a few quick minutes instead of making her scream two different times. Her is a quick video Daddy was able to take while the Dr. pierced her ears.

*warning* Very loud screaming so you may want to turn down your volume! lol

Click here to watch Kailyns ear piercing

This month brought along many milestones. Unfortunately since I have been back to work since she turned 2 months I have not kept up with exactly what date each of these milestones happened. So I will just list some of the new things Kailyn started doing this last month.
She laughs now! It is like music to our ears! She is still new at it so she doesn't do it all the time but when she does it brings the biggest smile to Mommy and Daddy's face. Of course she still smiles her super big smiles. She is pretty easy to get to smile. She is a much happier baby than the colicky baby she was those first 7 weeks. Of course she still has her fussy times but all in all a happy baby.
She rolls over a lot more now. She has also has found her feet. She kicks them, stares at them, tries to touch her toys with them. I imagine one day soon I will find them in her mouth! Speaking of mouth she still loves to babble to you. She is usually not a shy girl once you get her going. She also likes to put EVERYTHING in her mouth. We asked the Dr. today about this and he said their mouth is like a 3rd hand at this age. They use it to explore. We told him how some people say it can be a bad habit to start and his response was, don't listen too much to what people have to say. So we will let her have her fun with her hands in her mouth for now. And speaking of hands, Kailyn can now hold her toys to play with them. She will grab her rattles or any smaller toy that she can fit in her hand.
Here are some of her LOVE/HATES:
Loves bath time still
Loves her evening walks (as long as you have her sitting straight up so she can see everything! nosey lil girl already)
Loves to watch TV! (i kid you not)
Loves her play mat
Loves to talk with you on her changing table
Loves to be held facing out so she can socialize with everyone
Hates to be cradled in arm like a baby
Hates pacifiers
Hates lotion time still after her bath (i find this so weird as many babies usually love massage time after bath)
Still has a Love/Hate relationship with the car seat
Loves all her toys now that she can play with them better. She will lay there and babble away to Pooh or one of her other favorite toys.
Kailyn is also starting to remember people now. Of course she loves to see Mommy and Daddy's face. She also is growing very attached to her new sitter, Sara. My friend Sara has been watching her on day's that we both have to work. She is a stay at home Mom and will continue to watch Kailyn until October. We would love to have Sara continue to watch Kailyn but she will soon be adding a new addition to her own family. She also has a one year old daughter Lily, who Kailyn loves to watch crawl around and play. I'm sure Kailyn will miss them both when they are gone. Starting in October we are pretty sure we are going to use this lady Debbie. She has been a sitter for many, many years. She was recommended to us by a friend. She also used to work for a preschool years ago. She currently only watches one other little boy who is 7 months old. She only watches him 2 days a week. We told her we will only need her 2-3 days a week also and she said that is fine. She was a very nice lady and I think things will work out great. It is better than having to send her to daycare so young. But of course I am still a little freaked out. I have been lucky to have Sara now. Someone I have known for years and trust. Who is great with Kailyn. But like I said this lady has a ton of experience and comes well recommended so I think we will be fine.
As the time goes by I just can't believe how quickly she changes every day. Each week this past month she is doing something new. Oh and I forgot to mention how she is constantly trying to sit up on her own. Sara said she want's to be a big girl already. Mommy says no to this! :*{ I have started putting her in the bumbo seat and she does pretty good but only for 5-10 minutes at a time. Soon this will change to I'm sure.
And if I didn't think I could love her any more than I did when she was born I was wrong. I love this little girl more than life itself. She has my heart and it will never be the same.
Yesterday was also an exciting day for Mommy and Kailyn. We had our first play date! My friend Lauren and I decided to put together a play date with other Mommies and babies. We will meet up once a week after work around 6pm. We order in and let the babies play and have some fun with other babies. We thought of this idea for two reasons. One because most Mommy and Me classes are held during the day during the work week. And unfortunately we are not stay at home Moms. Two the Mommy and Me classes can be pretty expensive. So we decided to create one of our own. And we had a pretty decent turn out for our first play date. We call ourselves C & K's play date! ;-) (her sons name is Carson) Lauren took a ton of pics but I still have to get them from her. Once I do I will put them under my albums. Until then check out a bunch of new pics I posted of Kailyn that you can find in her two month album. I will also be adding pics every week to her new 3 month album
Here is another video if you would like to check it out. It is sure to bring a smile to your face! :o)

Click here to watch Kailyn laughing

Update- 2 month check up

2010-07-07T13:02:00.010-04:00

Yesterday was Kailyn's 2 month Dr. appointment. She now weighs 11lbs 5oz and is 23 1/2 inches! She is 62nd percentile for weight and 86th for height for little girls. I told the Dr. when we first got there that I don't think she is taking after Mommy. He said, well you never know. Then he started examining her and says, wow she does have pretty big feet. Maybe she won't be taking after Mommy in the petite department! So we will see. As of now she is "growing like a little weed" as Nana says. He was happy with everything. He also said we can take her in the pool! Yayyy! Of course as long as it is a well maintained pool. And around 3-4 months we can use sunscreen. We just have to test a small area for a day or two to make sure she doesn't react to it.
Then after the Dr. did his exam and talked with us it was time for the nurse to give her all her shots. :o( She had to get three shots. D-Tap, HIB, PCV and Rota (this one is given by mouth). She actually did better with these three shots than she did with her 1 month Hep shot. She screamed for a second and then that was it. Now last night was a different story. Around 7pm she started SCREAMING on and off like she was in pain. We gave her generic Tylenol at 6pm and then again at 10pm. After trying once to put her in her pack n play Mommy and Daddy decided it would be better to let her snuggle in bed with us. Plus nursing her was the only thing that could stop her crying. So we crawled into bed with her and she fell asleep while pacifying on me. This was fine with me as it was a traumatizing day for Mommy as well. First day back to work and first time getting a full round of shots! I felt so bad for her. And I did cry for work and the shots. The shots only for a second because she did so good. Work I cried leaving and on my way to work. But we were really busy so that helped. My friends all tell me it will get better so we will see. Well my lunch break is over so gotta go. Until Kailyn's next update. Have a great week everyone! *picture above shows her booboos after her shots*
_____________________________________________________
********UPDATE*********
My boss said yes to me having off Wedsnesdays for a few months!!! Sooooooooooo excited!! Kailyn and I will be taking our first Mommy and me class next wedsnesday. =0)

2 months old & Happy 4th!!

2010-07-04T13:47:00.018-04:00

July 4th ~ 2 months old ~
sporting her 4th of July festive attire!

Falling deeper and deeper in l♥ve.....with the most perfect little girl.....our beautiful creation that we waited so long for.....little Kailyn Marie. She was quite a feisty fussy baby the first 6 weeks. Some say it was Colic, who knows. But the past few weeks she has gotten better and better. Of course she still has many fussy moments as most babies do. She also has her bad and good days. Now the difference is Mommy and Daddy can usually console her. No more hours of uncontrollable crying that NOTHING could stop. If you have or had a colicky baby I deeply feel for both you and baby. It was horrible watching her go through that. Gave our heart an ache that we couldn't seem to help her. But we all are getting the hang of things now and I continue to be amazed at how much I thought I loved her 2 months ago and how much more even now my heart has grown. She completes me..... So enough mushy babble, time to write about all her many changes the past month.
This last month there have been so many! We had Daddy's 1st Father's Day with Kailyn and also Daddy's 31st B-day. I wish I could start with weight and height. I'm dying to know how much our little girl has grown! But her Dr.'s appt. is not until Tuesday so I will update you with that info then. I need to write her 2 month blog now otherwise I'm afraid I won't get around to it since I start back work Tuesday. *tear, sob, tear, wail, tear* I have been trying not to think about it too much as our last days together have come and gone. When I do I feel as if someone is sitting on my chest. Like I can barely breathe. I am very grateful I will be able to bring her to work with me on Fridays. Also I am going to talk with my boss about working less hours for a few months. The other part time girl can work all day on Wednesdays so I am going to see if I can have them off. That would be the best news all year (besides her being born ;-)) if he agrees! So fingers crossed for me please.

So let's start off again with Kailyn's Firsts this month:

6/7- Rolled over for the 1st time!! I couldn't believe it. She was on the couch and had just woke from a nap and just rolled herself over. No more nap time on the couch!
6/13- First poop explosion! Sorry I had to put this. lol Daddy was changing Kailyn and started yelling for me. I run into the room & there is poop EVERYWHERE! He was just putting on the new diaper when she let it rip.....across her room!
6/14- I noticed she really is starting to notice she has hands. She will now punch at her toys & also your face when you put it close to her.
6/15- Put her down for a nap in her crib to find her rolled over again! (picture in her 1 month album)
6/16- We all slept on the couch because we were waiting for our new king bed to be delivered the next morning. When she woke up for her 5am feeding I nursed her on the couch with me and we fell asleep together as we often do. Then I woke up to see that she had a blow out in her diaper.....that got all over the couch and I also!! Thankfully I had put a sheet down on the couch!
6/18- First trip to the Fire station to visit Daddy and the guys
6/20- First Father's Day with Daddy (pictures in Father's Day album)
6/26- Daddy's 31st B-day we went to Nana's and went in the pool for the first time! She wasn't too thrilled. She prefers her warm baths. The pool wasn't cold but it wasn't as warm as she likes her baths. ;-) (pics also in her 1 month album) This was also the first night she actually slept in the pack n play until early morning!! Mommy and Daddy were SO proud! We had been trying for a week to get her to sleep in the pack n play as she was getting too big to sleep in the glider without being strapped in. She was also starting to outgrow the Miracle blanket length wise and also was acting like she really hated it. We think she was just getting sick of being wrapped since she was already 7 weeks old.
6/27- First time napping in her crib without waking up in 5 minutes. She slept for almost an hour. Normally we would try to put her in her crib for a nap once she fell asleep in our arms. She would usually wake up immediately. Only liked to sleep in your arms. Now at 2 months she is getting really good with naps in the crib. She still has her moments but we have definitely made progress!
I don't have an exact date but she has also started cooing and blabbing like crazy! She loves talking to you on her changing table. Or if you put her in her crib or on her belly time mat she loves talking to the "baby in the mirror". Also she has a few favorite "friends" (toys) that she likes talking to also.
We also opened a bank account for Kailyn this month. She now has some money in there thanks to Great Grandma & Grandpa M, Daddy's Aunt's from up north and also two of Mommy's relatives. She also already has three bonds from Great-Grammy & Papa B., Aunt Liz and also Nana M.. Thank you all so much again! This will all be very useful to her in the future.

Kailyn's "Love's and Hates"

Loves her changing table still

Loves looking at everything in her room

Loves looking at herself in the mirror

Loves bath time but.... Hates after bath when you put on her diaper and lotion. I'm not kidding, she SCREAMS the whole time! I have it on video for when she gets older! lol

She now finally likes to go for a walk in her stroller in the evening

She doesn't Hate her pack n play anymore but I wouldn't say Loves it either

Loves to babble with you

Love/Hate relationship with the pacifier. She will actually sometimes take it now.
She doesn't Hate her car seat anymore but I wouldn't say she Loves it either. Depends on her mood.
Hates when you try putting socks or shoes on her.
Loves getting into bed with Mommy and Daddy for her 5am feeding

Kailyn has been to several store's with Mommy this month. She has also been to Tijuana Flats twice with us for lunch. We still haven't ventured out for dinner yet. We also had two events this month that Daddy couldn't attend but Mommy and Kailyn went together. One was Uncle Michaels wedding reception up north . Uncle Wesley drove with us and was a big help to Mommy with Kailyn. We also attended baby Keegan's Baptism at St. Davids church. Mommy and Daddy were also able to go out together for the 1st time on Daddy's Birthday while Nana watched Kailyn. We went to the movies.
Lastly I am happy to say at 2 months old Kailyn is still just on breast milk. No formula. I am really hoping I can pump enough at work so I don't need to supplement some formula. I am going to discuss this with the Dr., though, just in case. Obviously she needs to eat so I want to get the Dr.'s opinion on formula just in case we had to go that route. I know that it is not horrible if we did have to. Many babies are just fine on formula. And believe me it would be SO much easier. But it is no longer about me the day she was conceived. I have been pumping like a crazy women the last few weeks to store in the freezer. And this little girl likes to eat so it's been hard. But so worth it when we hear she went from 6lbs 9oz (when she left the hospital) to 9lbs 1oz @ her 1 month check up. All on just Mommy's milk! Also after everything we went through in the beginning as the breastfeeding started off a little rough. I would like to be able to continue but will try not to beat myself up too much if for some reason I can't seem to joggle work and the breastfeeding. And that about wraps up the past month. I'm sure there is so much more but I'm also sure you or I don't have time for every little detail! =o)
Oh and one more thing, we are so excited that Kailyn will be getting another cousin this coming December! Now she will have three cousins to grow up with all around the same age! Not to mention her many little friends she has already.

HAPPY 4th of July everyone!!

**DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE NEW PICS OF KAILYN IN OUR ALBUM THAT YOU CAN FIND ON MY BLOG IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER. JUST CLICK ON THE LINK**

1 Month Old

2010-06-10T10:47:00.019-04:00

June 4th 2010

*You can see more pictures of Kailyn by clicking on the Abramczyk Family Photo Album link on the left top side of blog*

Weight: 9lbs 1oz

Height: 22 inches

I have been trying to post this entry since last Friday after Kailyn's 1 month Dr. appointment with no luck. I am now typing while she is laying in my lap. What can I say, she is a baby that likes to be held. At least while she is sleeping. But as many of you Mommies know, sleep anywhere, even if on you, is better than no sleep. We have had those day's where she will not take a nap and be up from 11am until 10pm. NOT good days! lol

So let's start off with Kailyn's Firsts this month.

Smile: 5/09 Although now that we have seen her real smile just recently we realize those first few week smiles were just from gas! ;-)

Hiccups: These pretty much started from day 1. She gets them all the time just like when she was in Mommy's belly. ♥

Lost her belly cord: 5/27 (i was beginning to think it would never fall off!!)

First real bath: 5/27

First time away from Mommy: 6/01 Mommy went to get her eyebrows waxed

First bottle: (breast milk only) I forget the exact day but she was about 3 1/2 weeks old and she HATED it. We tried Playtex VentAire slow flow nipple. This is what the Lactation specialist recommended in the beginning as to not cause confusion so she would still breast feed. We waited a few days and then tried again. She is now doing much better. Thank goodness because Mommy has to go back to work in less than 3 weeks. :*(

First time Mommy and Daddy ate out: Forgot exact date but she was around 3 weeks. We went to Olive Garden for lunch. I fed her in the car when we got there and she slept the whole time! We still haven't ventured out for dinner as that is when she gets really bad from what we think is Colic.

First Party: 5/30 One of the Firefighters Chris works with had his daughters 7th Birthday. Kailyn did great. She slept most of the time, then woke to eat. Then she started to get fussy so we went home.

Kailyn's "Love's and Hate's"

She hates her pack n play

Loves her changing table

Loves looking at everything in her room

Loves being on her tummy

Hated sponge baths but....

Loves real baths (she loves being able to sit in the warm water because she hates being cold)

Love/Hate relationship with her car seat. Sometimes she is fine and sleeps, other time's she SCREAMS!

Loves going on the patio or outside if it's not to sunny.

Loves to sleep on Mommy or Daddy

Loves to hear the vacuum, her white noise CD or the blow dryer

Hates everything in the evening. Poor thing is just so upset during these hours

Hates the pacifier

Kailyn's 1 month appointment went great. She got the second part of the Hep B shot. She screamed, Mommy cried again. I also cried when she had blood drawn at her one week check up. The doctor said twice how impressed he was with her head control! Mommy and Daddy were so proud. Mommy was also proud of her weight gain. Over 2 pounds in 1 month! So happy to know Mommy's milk is doing the job! At her 1 week check up she was almost back to her birth weighing 7 pounds. I decided to go for another weight check when she was 2 weeks and she weight 7lbs 9oz!! 9 ounces in one week! Dr. and Mommy were very happy with this. She does love to eat and definitely has a strong little mouth!! Her doctor even said at her 1 month check up she has powerful suck! (he put his finger in her mouth) I said believe me, I know!! Breastfeeding was very hard in the beginning and even now still have our days. She is tongue tied (tight frenulum) so she was making Mommy's nipples (TMI) a bloody mess!! My Mom paid to have a lactation specialist come to the house our 2nd day home. This was my Mothers Day gift from her. And boy was it worth it!! She was great and gave me renewed hope which is what I needed at that point. The night before I had a meltdown and could not stop crying. Breastfeeding is something I always wanted to be able to do for my baby and I was in such pain and did not know what to do. But this lady helped. She had me use nipple shields while my nipples healed and then I stopped using them as I taught Kailyn how to latch on as best as she could even with the tongue tie. The lactation specialist suggested getting her frenulum clipped. When we asked her Dr. he said he didn't feel we should, but if we wanted to he could send us to an E,N,T doctor. We decided not to. We have our good and bad days. If she hurts me I just use the nipple shield again for a day or two and then we start again. After hearing her weight gain at her 1 month appointment it really does make everything worth it! =o)

Things have been pretty hard at time's this first month. At exactly one week old is when the Colic started. What is Colic??

Colic is a term used to describe uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. If your baby is younger than 5 months old and cries for more than three hours in a row on three or more days a week for at least three weeks (phew!), chances are he's colicky. Colic isn't a disease and won't cause your baby any long-term harm, but it's a tough thing to go through for both babies and their parents.

Tough is an understatement! lol She usually starts her fussy time around 6pm and it lasts until bed time at around 9:30-10pm. The hardest part is that nothing we do can make her stop crying. And sometimes she will REALLY scream. She shakes her arms and kicks her legs. I have noticed she usually gets warm (probably from the crying and shaking). We have tried SO many different things people have suggested. Nothing works. Some things take her from a full scream to a low cry, but nothing really totally helps. As it says in books, Colic is an uncontrollable crying. Often my Mom will come over so we can eat or take showers. Otherwise we take turns eating. My Mom is great with her and Kailyn loves her. During the day my Mom has her smiling constantly. But at night even my Mom can't always console her. The only thing that can stop her crying is to pacify herself on me. Which ends up making Mommy VERY sore and we have been also told is a horrible habit to start. It's a shame she won't take a pacifier because I think that would really help soothe her during this difficult time for her. She will now take the pacifier sometimes during the day but still not in the evening. And yes we have tried EVERY brand. lol
List of things we have tried:
Gripe water
White noise
Blow dryer
Putting her on the dryer
Stroller ride
Colic cradle hold
Rocking her
Warm compress on belly
Car ride
Pacifier (she gags and spits it out)
If there is anything we haven't tried we are willing to try anything. Let us know!

During the day she is usually such a good baby!! Any of those things will calm her right down if she is fussy during the day. Colic usually goes away anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. It also usually starts around 2-3 weeks but with her it started exactly at 1 week old. So we are hoping that means it will be gone sooner. And yes I do watch what I eat. Plus during the day she is usually fine. If she shows signs that her belly might be upset we give her Mylicon and that usually helps.I think the only left I didn't mention is sleep. The most important thing! lol Well we had a rough start with that also, but we are happy to say she is now getting on a schedule.
She would only sleep on us the first few weeks. And since she was colicky once she fell asleep on us we would just leave her there. We even went out and bought a glider that a friend recommended since she hated her pack n play so much. No luck. She would nap in it during the day but that was it. I know people have mixed feelings about co-sleeping but once you become a Mommy, as many of you are, you will see you will be making your own decisions what is really ok for your baby. Even my Mom who was totally against co-sleeping ended up falling asleep with Kailyn on her chest when she stayed the night her a few time's while Chris was on shift. Then 2 weeks ago our friend Katrina suggested trying the Miracle Blanket. Now we had tried swaddling her many times but she would get right out of it. Even the Swaddle Me blanket she would get out of. Katrina brought us over this Miracle Blanket her daughter used so we could borrow it. So we gave it a shot. At that point it was getting really uncomfortable for me to only be sleeping with her on me. Not to mention I couldn't get into a deep sleep since I was constantly checking her. So we wrapped her up that night. You kind of feel bad because it wraps them pretty good. Almost like a straight jacket! Here is the video if you want to check it out.
http://www.miracleblanket.com/indexb.htm
It even says on the website great for Colic babies. She cried for about 10 minutes once we wrapped her and put her in her glider. And then she was out! For 3 hours!! And we had to wake her. Then at her 1 month appointment we asked the Doctor if we should wake her at night to eat. He said no. She will wake when she gets hungry enough. So we stopped and the next night she slept 4 hours. Then five!! She does still have to cry herself to sleep sometimes (Dr. said this was ok also) but once she is asleep she sleeps GREAT!! I would definitely recommend this blanket! Thanks again Katrina!! I would also like to thank my Mom again for all her help that first month. I only hope to be that helpful for my daughter one day. ♥
**You can also click this link to see mobile upload pictures of Kailyn**
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nicole-Magrone-Abramczyk/591022306?ref=search#!/album.php?aid=156221&id=591022306&ref=pb

Finally the end of Kailyn's birth story

2010-05-31T15:27:00.008-04:00

I can't believe it has taken so long to finish!! Having a colicky baby leaves little time in the evenings for anything but holding Kailyn while she cries (usually from 6pm until bedtime around 9:30-10pm) and trying to comfort her. Then during the day we try to get things done around the house, ect..
Anyways back to her birth story. After they gave me the Pitocin I finally started to get some real contractions. They were bearable for awhile but after a few hours they started to get very intense. They were also so irregular. Sometimes coming one after another only a minute apart! By 10am I was ready to give up. I could barely walk, talk. I was so worn out from the intense pain. But Chris and my friend Lauren (she was helping coach also) pushed me to wait until 10:30am when the nurse would be checking me again. Telling me maybe we were in transition (7-10cm) and this was the worst part. Finally after what seemed like a few more hours the nurse came to check me. Barely 5cm. Over 10 hours after my water broke and just over 7 hours after Pitocin was started and still only 5cm. I was so disappointed and also felt that I just couldn't continue like this for another 10 hours or however long it would take me to get to 10cm. So I asked for the Epidural. So the nurse put in a call for the Anesthesiologist. Finally she came in to put in my Epi. My mom and Lauren had to leave the room but Chris was allowed to stay. I was having such bad contractions at this point one after another I was so afraid I would move if I got one while she was putting in the Epi. But when you have a needle that big being put in your spine you DON'T move!! lol AND I barely felt anything!! Maybe it was because my contractions were so painful but I didn't think it hurt at all. Well turns out that was a good thing because they ended up having to take it out and put in a new one less than an hour later because the first one got in a blood vessel and I could feel everything again. After they finally got the second Epidural working the nurse told me to try and take a nap so I could restore some energy for when it was time to push. Since my water broke at midnight it had been over 24 hours since I had slept. Well after hours of the most intense pain I have ever felt I fell asleep instantly. The nurse came back an hour later to check me and then I was awake again. After getting the Epidural I started to dilate quicker. Finally I believe around 3:45pm it was time to push.
If it wasn't for having the best nurse ever I don't think I would have been able to try as hard as I did. She was so supportive. She turned the Epi off right before I started to push so I could feel a little bit to push better. Usually it can take up to an hour to wear off. She helped me hold one leg while Chris held the other. And I pushed...and pushed....and pushed!! After almost 2 hours of pushing the doctor finally came to check things. Kailyn still hadn't even made it past my pelvic bones. I was also starting to swell really bad. The doctor let me push one time while he was there and I started to yell a little during this push because by this time I could pretty much feel everything!! It had been almost 2 hours since the nurse shut off the Epi. The doctor said, can you feel this?? I said YES! At this point he told us that he felt it was best to do an emergency c-section. She just wasn't coming out this way and after pushing this long she should have been out already. So we agreed whatever would get her in our arms safe and healthy.
He then left the room to set us up for an OR. I then started crying. Just for a minute. A C-section was the last thing I wanted but I knew at this point it would be best. It had been 18 hours since my water broke.
The C-section was not painful at all. Of course they started a new Epi and also gave me some morphine. I was scared but it all happens so fast. And it's crazy how you can feel everything. (but not painful) I could feel when they lifted her out of me. Then they called Chris over to see her while they were cleaning her and started sewing me up. Finally they brought her over to me. I couldn't believe this tiny perfect baby was really finally in my arms. They they let me try to breastfeed her for a few minutes before she was taken up to the nursery and I was taken to recovery. As soon as she found the boob she knew what to do.
Chris went with Kailyn and they finished sewing me up and wheeled me to recovery. They make you stay in recovery until you can lift both legs and your butt off the bed. My one leg would just not cooperate and I started to get very upset! I knew she might be hungry at this point and I just really wanted to see her! I kept complaining to the nurse but they have their policies and would not let me go. FINALLY they said they were taking me to our room. It was pretty late at this time so just Chris and his Mom were in our room. Once I got to the room a few minutes later they wheeled our beautiful little girl in. Of course she wanted to eat! And Mommy finally got to hold her again. ♥
Such an ordeal with the breastfeeding also but that is a whole post in itself. I am happy to say after bleeding nipples and everything I am still breastfeeding almost 4 weeks later and plan to continue.
I have added some more pics to Kailyn Marie album under our album link on left hand side of blog. Gotta go baby girl is waking up again! Time to feed her again.

**Special thank you again to my wonderful Husband for being such a great supportive coach. Also to my friend Lauren and my Mom for being there and helping me through it! It was quite a memorable experience and it wouldn't have been the same without you three there to help!♥**

Labor and Delivery of our Lil Pea.....FINALLY! ;-)

2010-05-23T07:32:00.010-04:00

When friends said that a newborn will keep you busy they weren't kidding! And unfortunately they weren't kidding about the sleepless nights too! BUT the perfect beautiful little girl we created that I am looking at right now is all worth it! So let me get started before she wakes up again and of course wants to eat again. My new name is Mommy milk machine!
I will start with Monday, May 3rd. We went to have our post due date testing done @ the hospital. If you remember we were scheduled to go in Tuesday night to start induction and possibly have her sometime Wednesday May 5th. Little did we know Kailyn had other plans in mind for her delivery. We checked in to L & D triage area and I was hooked up to start the NST (nonstress test). Here is a pic from that day.

Next we went upstairs to Radiology to have the ultrasound done to make sure our Lil Pea was still ok in there. Everything looked fine, placenta was still good and I also still had a good amount of amniotic fluid. The tech told us her EFW (estimated fetal weight) was 8 pounds 9 ounces!! Of course that freaked me out! That's a pretty big baby. But of course we all know now that the tech was COMPLETELY wrong. They say they can be off by up to a pound. Well this one was off by even more! I should have known since the tech happened to be a man! lol
After that we went home and talked about what we would do last minute around the house on Tuesday during the day before we went to the hospital. Well Monday night I was on the phone with my BF until about 11:30pm. After we hung up I went to lay on the couch (at that point it was more comfortable than my bed). I was just drifting off to sleep finally when I heard a weird little "pop" noise. Then I felt a weird crampy feeling. I had no idea what that was all about! I even thought maybe it was my pelvic bone because she was getting so big! All of a sudden I felt like I really had to pee so @ 12:20am on Tuesday morning I got up to use the bathroom. Now for some TMI (I'm sure you knew this was coming! lol). As I was peeing it didn't stop! But I still felt like I was peeing and at the same time I knew there was no way I could be peeing that much. Finally I put my hand down there to see where this fluid was coming from. Maybe I was still half asleep, I don't know. That's when I realized this was NOT pee. That pop noise was my water breaking!!! And then I started to freak. I screamed Chris's name and can't believe he heard me as he was all the way on the other side of our house. He finally stood in the doorway half asleep still and saw me still sitting on the toilet pouring water out. Now there was water also on the floor too. I told him my water broke. And then his eyes popped wide open! Then he was gone and running around getting things ready. I had also text mailed my BF Dana who lives up north. She has had two babies recently and is one of my go to girlfriends for advice. She is also a nurse. She called me back and asked for my stats. I told her my water broke but my contractions were very mild. This happened to her with her 2nd child. She told me I should call my doctor but I might as well try to stay at home for awhile since she knew our plan was to try and labor at home as long as we could and then head to the hospital. She also told me our bodies continue to replenish the amniotic fluid so I would be leaking for quite a while. And boy did I! Before we left, Chris had to mop up the bathroom floor (he was a little grossed out!), I soaked up two bath towels AND 6 pads! Not too mention how much came out while I was taking a shower. Which I decided I needed to do before we go to the hospital. I had planned on washing my hair the next day before we went in for induction, which was obviously not happening now! So after washing my hair I started to blow dry it when I realized I wasn't feeling her move anymore. She went a little crazy after my water first broke but now she wasn't moving. Of course I freaked out. I had Chris get my Doppler which I hadn't used since I was probably 20 weeks pregnant. I didn't even know where to put it to find her. I finally found a real faint heartbeat and calmed down a little. This is when I realized we needed to go to the hospital. I was just too worried since my water broke and my contractions were still very mild that things weren't progressing as they should be after your water breaks. Also when I called my Doctors office the service said to go to Labor & delivery and then they will call the on call physician. So I still wasn't even sure what my doctor had to say about my water breaking. I finished getting dressed and we got all our bags together and headed out the door to the hospital.
Once we got there we went in through the ER (because it was 2am). They then sent us up to L & D triage where we had been just been the morning before. After they confirmed my water had broken they found us a room and sent us over to the Labor and Delivery floor. Once there the nurse's came in and took some blood. Then one of them checked me. Barely 2 cm dilated!! And it had already been almost 3 hours since my water had broken. She then said she would have to call my Doctor to find out the next step. She said they would probably want to start Pitocin. And this is when I had my first cry. Pitocin was the last word I wanted to hear since our teacher had told us to try and avoid this induction at all costs because Pitocin & Epidural often go hand in hand. This drug brings on contractions that tend to be very irregular and more intense and painful than natural labor. But because my water had already broken and I was still only 2cm dilated the doctor told the nurse to start me on Pitocin. And this is when the real labor began.

*More to come, time to feed and bath Kailyn*

She's here!!

2010-05-07T20:53:00.005-04:00

After almost 18 hours of labor Lil Pea finally arrived via Emergency C-Section on May 4th @ 6:19pm. Mommy and baby are doing great.

We are so happy to finally meet our daugher

Kailyn Marie
7lbs 3oz
19 1/2 inches

Our new family just got home today. As soon as we get adjusted Mommy will write all about her long crazy birth story. For now you can see a whole bunch of pics by clicking here for Kailyn Marie album.

xoxo.
Mommy and Daddy

40 weeks 2 days......and still waiting!

2010-05-02T17:02:00.007-04:00

**April 30th - 40wks Preggo - last belly pic and ready to pop!**

A May baby she will be!! April 30th (her due date) came and went but baby girl stayed right where she is! Comfy and cozy in Mommy's belly. Well I'm not sure how cozy as big as she is getting, but I'm thinking she is more comfy than me at this point! I think she didn't realize that was her last chance to be a diamond girl. Can't say Daddy is complaining about that! lol So Emerald it is.

Thursday we had our 40 week check up with my Doctor (friday was actually 40wks but he wasn't in the office that day). BP and urine were still good. I lost a pound. Probably from all this dang walking that doesn't seem to be working! This is normal in the end, though. So time for my internal AGAIN and what would you know......1cm. Nothing changed again. So at this point being at 40 weeks it was time to talk about our options.
My Dr. does not like his patients to go over 41 weeks as medical problems can start to occur. So the plan is on Monday morning (if she still didn't want to come over the weekend) at around 7:30am we will go over to Labor and Delivery at the hospital we are delivering at, Memorial Hospital West, for an ultrasound. This ultrasound that my Doctor has ordered includes NST, BPP and EFW. I'm sure most of you are wondering what the heck all this means! lol
A biophysical profile (BPP) is a simple, painless test used during pregnancy to assess your baby's well-being — specifically, whether he's getting enough oxygen in the womb. It's typically done if you've gone past your due date, or sometime in your third trimester if you're having a high-risk pregnancy. The test consists of:
• A detailed ultrasound to observe your baby's body movements, muscle tone (flexing of the arms and legs), and breathing movements (the baby's ability to move his chest muscles and diaphragm), and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding him.
A nonstress test (NST) is to assess whether your baby's heart rate changes when he's moving. For this, you lie on your left side. A technician straps two devices to your belly: One monitors your baby's heartbeat and movement; the other records contractions in your uterus. The technician listens to and watches your baby's heartbeat on an electronic screen.
And of course the Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW) to tell us approximately just how big baby girl is now!!

If all is still ok we will go home and then Tuesday the hospital will call us to tell us what time to come in to start induction. They usually have you come to be admitted at night between 8pm-Midnight. Once we arrive to Labor and Delivery they will first try to start labor by inserting a medication called Cervidil. This medication helps to ripen the cervix and may also stimulate enough contractions to start your labor. By morning if the Cervidil has not started labor they will start me on Pitocin. It's given through an IV and used to start labor or augment contractions you've been having on your own. If all goes well hopefully she will arrive sometime Wednesday at 40 weeks 5 days. There is always a chance of very long labor which means she could even possibly arrive Thursday but we are hoping for Wednesday.

I was a little upset after our visit with my Doctor to find out there was no progress and now Induction is a possibility. This makes our plan of natural childbirth much more challenging as we will not be able to do most of the laboring at home as we planned. Also we have been told by our Bradley teacher and friends that Pitocin usually will bring on contractions much stronger and quicker making it harder to refuse an Epidural. As it says in our Natural Childbirth book, a forced labor is an extremely hard labor. Along with several other things is says about it not being right and possible problems, ect.. Basically I could have done without reading that section about induction. It even made me start having doubts about inducing at all. But as the days go by there are also chances of the placenta problems, amniotic fluid and also the baby just starting to get too big increasing the risk of C-Section.
So after a quick cry and some thinking I have realized whatever gets her here healthy and finally in our arms is what matters the most to us both. I just want her here and safe. To finally cover her with lots of kisses from Mommy and Daddy.
We will continue to keep you all posted!! We still continue are daily multiple walks around the neighborhood that we have been doing the past 3-4 weeks. The last week we have even been going 2-3 times a day! My legs are getting pretty sore carrying around this extra 30 pounds! lol Our neighbors even stop to ask, still doesn't want to come out huh?!? I'm thinking she might just not really care too much about these walks, but either way the walking is good so we will continue the next few days. Either way we will finally be meeting our little girl within the next week. And we can't wait for you all to meet her too!!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy to Be!

A May baby??!

2010-04-26T21:34:00.016-04:00

Still here waiting....and waiting.....and waiting. And so far it looks like our little girl has decided she is not done cooking until she decides she is! My only hope is that she is just waiting until her EDD and is not wanting to hang out longer than that. The one thing I really still want to avoid is induction. Even if I did end up getting the Epidural I was really hoping to labor at home as long as possible and get as far as I could on my own. Obviously if I have to be induced all the laboring will be done at the hospital. As each day goes by I'm starting to get a little more worried about this. I think I may even call my Bradley teacher to get her opinion if Lil Pea hasn't arrived by the end of the week.
This past Wednesday evening after work I went to have an Induction Massage done. I was actually pretty excited as I left there because I had started to get pretty intense lower abdominal cramping the last 15 minutes of the massage. She said this was a good sign that it might be working as this massage is of course not 100% effective for all women. She said it usually takes 24-48 hours to start working and up to 3 days. Which was perfect because I had my 39 week check up appointment with my Dr. on Friday. And would be getting another internal to check my progress. If the massage had started to work I should be more than 1cm like I was at my 38 week check up. By the way I am a little happy that my Dr. doesn't start the internals until 38 weeks. For one they aren't exactly comfortable. Also I have learned from friends and my own experience you could be 1-2 cm dilated at 36 weeks and it can mean absolutely NOTHING. Another reason is if he did start them that early that would mean I would have already had 4 internals and another scheduled for this Thursday!! NO THANKS! lol So anyways back to the massage. It was definitely pretty intense as my friend Lauren had warned me. Nothing too bad, but not exactly a massage you would every fall asleep during! Oh well, at least she seemed to rub out some stress spots in my upper shoulder/neck area that she said she could feel. Obviously Lil Pea could care less about that massage because when I went to see Dr. G Friday I will still exactly the same as the week before. 1cm and posterior. :-(
So we talked about what was next. We hoped I would maybe go into labor over the weekend as he was on call. If not even if it happens this week and he is around he would still come. He is only on call Thursday. If she hasn't arrived by Thursday we have an appointment and we will have an ultrasound and a few other tests done to check some things as I will be 40 weeks. Then we will schedule induction as he does not like his patients to go over 41 weeks. Which I understand. I'm not sure how well I can hold up past that!! I'm almost scared to hear her weight if we do get that ultrasound. After all she was approximately 6lbs 3oz @ 36 weeks. Maybe she has been on a recent diet? lol Don't get me wrong, of course I want her to be a healthy lil chunker. But 7-8 pounds sounds healthy to me. 9-10lbs I'm just not so sure! And I would like to try and avoid C-section.In the mean time we still go walking every day after work. I am still working but Wednesday will be my last day as Thursday our appointment is in the middle of the day and Friday is her due date so I think that will be it for me! ;-)
People still like to tell me different things to try but honestly I have never been a big believer in all that crap! I figured I would give the massage a shot but I just feel at this point she will come when she wants. I do think the walking is definitely good. I just think it also only does so much. After all, I know women who have went into early labor after being on bed rest with no help from massages, tea's, walking, sex. So it's really just up to your body and baby. My friend Dana did ask the L & D nurses at her hospital if they notice an increase in births around a full moon. And they said yes. So we will see as there is a full moon Wednesday, just two days before her due date.
I have still been getting a lot of the Braxton Hicks contractions the last 2 weeks but not sure if they are even doing anything. They don't hurt, just sometimes a little uncomfortable. I still also have been swelling a lot but Dr. said Friday my BP and urine are still great so it's nothing to be too worried about. I just have to remember I have an extra 30 pounds of pressure wearing down on me. With that said Saturday morning I woke up and found out the swelling was no longer just in my legs/ankles/feet. I could no longer fit my wedding rings on. So I got out my chain and now have them hanging around my neck. I can only imagine what this weekend will bring if I pass my due date and 40 week mark!! Yikes!

So that's it for now. With 276 days down and 4 days to go, we will very soon see what happens. Hoping our little girl wants to come meet us this week!! ♥

(never took a belly pic so here is one from my friend Megans's Baby shower on Saturday. 39 weeks preggo. Can't wait for Baby D to meet Baby A in person!!)

My last pregnancy post??!

2010-04-18T19:38:00.008-04:00

*The "three" of us @ Chris's brothers wedding. 13 days to go and ready to pop!!*

12 days to go!!! Will this be my last pregnancy post? We shall see!

How Far Along? 38 weeks & 2 days

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 28-29lbs, depending how swollen I am that day

Sleep: Last night was actually pretty good. Still get up 4-5 times but actually was able to sleep until 8:20am!! Was a bit exhausted after Chris's brother's wedding the night before.

Best Moment of the Week: I guess actually finding out I am 1cm dilated at my appt. Friday. I know that is like nothing and also could mean nothing but I honestly thought I was not going to be dilated at all. I've never noticed any kind of contractions at all, even braxton hicks. Now I have definitely been feeling a few different things just over the weekend!

Movement: Yes, all the time. She hasn't slowed at all. Such a strong little girl, this can sometimes now be a bit painful!!

Labor Signs: finally starting to feel some contractions. Nothing consistent, though. Also I'm pretty sure she is dropping some as I have had some new swelling in "that area" that tends to come and go!

Belly Button: Still half in half out! Not sure how much more it can take, though!

Stretch Marks: none that I have noticed, but I can barely see anywhere around this belly anymore!

Wedding rings: still on!

Exercise: We went walking every day last week. Yesterday we had a wedding and today it has not stopped raining!! Which kinda stinks cause I was looking forward to a walk today. We did walk around Walmart for awhile if that counts? lol

What I miss: I can't wait to just fall on my bed or couch on my stomach. Even if it is just for a quick nap, I really have been wanting to do that the past few weeks. Whenever I used to be really tired I would just fall onto my bed on my belly and catch a few minutes of sleep!

What I'm looking forward to: meeting her! :-) Maybe this week?? We will see. Since I went to the Dr. on Friday and I am at least 1 cm dilated I have scheduled my induction massage for Tuesday evening. Some swear this worked for them, others say no. We will see!! I also just bought some Raspberry Leaf Tea that a few people swore put them in labor also. I am going to wait until Tuesday for this also, since Chris is on shift tomorrow.

Other NEW news this week: As I mentioned I went for my 38 week check up Friday. This was my first internal. I let my nerves get the best of me of course! It was definitely not comfortable AT ALL, but really wasn't horrible. It's over pretty quick. He said I am 1cm dilated and posterior. I had forgot exactly what this meant. I remembered talking about this in Bradley class but just couldn't remember. When I asked him what this meant he just said it was why the internal exam was a bit more uncomfortable. (because your cervix is more directed towards your back) Not like I've ever had one to compare it to!! Once I looked it up at home posterior means she is still facing out and you DO NOT want this once it's time to deliver. They call this delivery sunny side up. And it can be very painful as it cause back labor. So I have been doing pelvic rocks every day now as this can help turn her towards my back. They say they can still turn even during actual labor so we will see. I'd prefer if she would turn soon as back labor is the LAST thing I want! I'm trying to do this with no epidural as I have mentioned. But I also had lots of back pain during the days I had my last miscarriage so I know how "not fun" back pain is. And that is nothing compared to actual real back labor I can imagine!

Weekly Wisdom: I can now fully understand just how uncomfortable women that carry full term are in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy. At just over 38 weeks there is not much left to do but walk. Sitting and laying down just aren't even really comfortable at this point either! Everyone tells you to stay off your feet. At least me because of the swelling. Which at this point I'm sure every women has. And I do agree standing is no good for the swelling. But I think the walking is great. It doesn't get rid of my swelling, but walking is supposed to be good for circulation on a normal basis. And I really think it may be helping move things along.

All in all I am still very nervous about the whole L&D. Even about actually having her here. So weird to go from just the two of us to the three of us in just a matter of hours (hopefully! ;-)) But I also can't wait to meet her and kiss her all over. I think I will just want to stare at her for hours at first. And as nervous as I am about L&D I know we can do this! I am so grateful to have Chris as my coach. And am thankful that Lauren will be able to come over and help us at home with early labor so we can do as much laboring at home before we head to the hospital. Also I will have my Mom there for just Mommy support as I hope to one day be for our little girl.
I will keep everyone updated and next week you will either get another pregnancy blog or one from the new Mommy!! ♥

Full Term!

2010-04-10T21:20:00.013-04:00

Yesterday I got my weekly emails from my three pregnancy websites. I had signed up for these in the beginning of my pregnancy. Each week tells you what is going on with baby, your body, ect..
This weeks all said something along the lines of :

Hi Nicole,you're 37 weeks pregnant!

Today brings two beautiful words: full-term. Now, whenever baby's born, he's likely to thrive!

WOW! And to think this time last year I thought I might never be able to hear those words. And now we will be welcoming our lil miracle into our lives any day now!! And this "best lil thing in life" was well worth the wait!!

So Thursday we went for my weekly check up. Everything is still going great! BP and urine were both fine. We spoke with my Dr. about a birth plan. He basically already knows most of our requests and said we can bring one to the hospital but to be honest with us, sometimes the nurses will label you as a bit crazy when you come in with this. And he knows we are not one of those crazy couples. So we discussed with him again our plans for natural drug free birth. About strictly wanting to breastfeed. If everything is fine with Lil Pea to hold her and bond with her while waiting to birth the placenta. And a few other things. Chris and my friend Lauren that will be there during the labor and birth know all of these things so they can speak up for me when it might not be possible. My friend Lauren took the same Bradley classes as I did and will be coming over as soon as I start to go into labor. We have been taught the best thing is to stay home as long as possible were you will be most comfortable. We told my Dr. we were going to do this and he said that is great and very true. But as soon as my water breaks to call or come in. And obviously we will be timing my contractions. So we will see what happens!! I am also very realistic in a sense that I know I cannot control or predict how my labor will be. And if I do end up needing an Epidural then I will get one. But I am going to try to do without and if not at least without as long as possible. I am also aware that things could turn where I would end up needing a C-Section. And if that means getting our little Angel out safely, then so be it.

So Friday I go for my next check up and my first internal exam. Yayy!! lol I will be 38 weeks. My Dr. does not like to start internals before this because they can be uncomfortable, too many can risk infection, and even if you are dilated you can be for weeks and still no baby.
After having catheters shoved up my cervix during our Fertility testing I'm hoping to leave there thinking, Wow! That wasn't so bad. If I am at all dilated I will then schedule an appointment for an Induction Massage. Some people swear by these. It is an intense massage hitting all your pressure points to induce labor naturally. Since I am trying to have a drug free birth the last thing I want is to go over my due date and possibily have to be given Pitocin to induce labor. As our Bradley teacher told us, Pitocin and Epridural are best friends. Not that it still can't be done, my BF Dana had both her babies with Pitocin and no other drugs. But most women cannot handle the intensity of the contractions that Pitocin causes. Or start getting too worn out to be able to push so need to have the Epidural.

I am still very nervous about everything but I am ready to meet our little girl. This past week we have gone walking every day so I hope it really helps like they say. At this point you are just so uncomfortable, as many of you that have been @37 weeks pregnant can relate. I never truly understood friends that would tell me this at the end of their pregnancy. It still amazes me that there is a little baby I am carrying around all day in my belly that is the size of most newborns, if not bigger! She already possibly weighs more than 2 of my friends babies (at birth) since our last week scan. No wonder I am so swollen and waddle everywhere! lol But if she feels she needs more time to cook in there, I can handle it for her. ♥

*new pics of my "Full term belly" can be found in Lil Pea album*

6lbs. 3oz. (approx.) @ 36 weeks

2010-04-04T21:44:00.005-04:00

How Far Along? 36 weeks & 2 days

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 25 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Of course, I'm huge @ this point!

Sleep: I've added another pillow to the bed so this is actually helping a little. I am soooo exhausted just the past week or so now.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing our "not so Lil Pea" one more time during an ultrasound before we get to meet her face to face. She weighed approx. 6lbs 3oz!! Was not prepared for that. I was thinking maybe 5lbs?! The lady did say this is just approximate. She said on thinner women it does tend to be a bit more accurate. I don't know who she was addressing the thinner comment to. lol Lately I am so bloated it's unreal. My thighs and feet are like sausages! But our little chunker looked great, the tech even said I still have a great amount of amniotic fluid. I put two new pics of Lil Pea in Our Lil Pea Album.

Movement: Oh yeah! It's quite a sight to watch now that she is so big & strong. Punches to the bladder are not so great, though.

Food Craving: The past few weeks I have been craving sweets. And I am not a big sweets person. No wonder she is getting so big. (& me!)

Food aversions: Not really

Morning sickness: Still gone, thank goodness!

Gender: Confirmed again on Friday, it is still def a GIRL!

Labor Signs: don't think so, maybe just some braxton hicks

Belly Button: ugh! Halfway out now.

Stretch Marks: still none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on, but my fingers have been getting a bit swollen @ times so we will see.

Exercise: still yoga but that's about it. And trying to get more nightly walks in. Now that I know how big she is I need to start some serious WALKING! ;-)

What I miss: I heard the horrible heartburn/indigestion goes away immediately. I can't wait for that!

What I'm looking forward to: At this point my weekly visit which will be Thursday. I was supposed to go Friday after our ultrasound for an appt., but my Dr. was out of town. And his partner who I was supposed to see instead got called out to an emergency surgery. So now I wait and go Thursday. And of course meeting her very soon!!!

Other NEW news this week: hmm..well already mentioned the ultrasound. Also got the results of my Group B and it was negative so that's good even though it's not a big deal either way. Also started the perinial massage with the help of my wonderful hubby. Was not prepared for it to hurt so much!! Feel the burn!! lol This kinda freaked me out even more about my natural vaginal child birth we are trying for. But I am going to do this every night so we will see in another week if it's getting less painful.

Weekly Wisdom: If you are pregnant get your rest while you can in the first and second trimester. By the 3rd there is no more "resting before baby get's here" as people like to tell you. At this point you are getting up to pee 3-6 times a night and NO position is comfortable even with your different many pillows. And baby is so big & strong a swift kick can wake you up in a heartbeat! Just like her little cries will soon enough.....♥

**Hope everyone had a HAPPY EASTER!!**

32 more days?!? gasp

2010-03-28T22:01:00.017-04:00

Tomorrow will be March 30th. Lil Pea's DD is April 30th. And the days continue to fly by!! My anxiety level, it can get pretty high lately!! I try not to focus too much on what I still need to do, but many of you that know me well.....let's just say easier said than done for me. lol
I also try not to allow the many thoughts that run through my head bother me too much, as I read in my pregnancy books that these are common and normal thoughts to start having as your DD approaches. But I still get them. I am a bit of a control freak. And we are about to be faced with MANY things I cannot & will not be able to control. Like labor. And how she will be and how we will be as parents. Sure we can control these things to an extent. But we have no idea how my labor and delivery will be. As I have learned the past few months, every woman's L&D is SO different than the next. And we also won't know how she will be or how we will be as parents. All these unknowns have my anxiety level a bit on the high side lately.
Also as uncomfortable as I am getting I think I am going to miss having her in my belly. Or maybe not since I will actually have her in my arms?! It is still a bit surreal that she is a real little baby in my belly. All the videos we have seen and yet I can't imagine one of those coming out of me?? Okay so maybe that sounds weird or maybe you felt this way before you delivered too? And my newest symptom is a sore spot on my belly. Actually two spots. I started getting nervous but two of my friends said they felt this towards the end of their pregnancy. It kinda feels like a bruise would or sore muscle. It's probably cause this little girl is already so strong and can really punch sometimes!

So this Friday I had one of my now weekly visits with Dr. G. Everything still looks good. They did the Group B test. Didn't know they were doing that but hope things looked ok down stairs! lol I need to get a mirror for the shower! ;-) I cannot see there at all anymore!!
I also expressed to him my nervousness about labor, but mainly about getting a 4th degree tear. (Warning: If you are or want to become PG DO NOT google 4th degree tear. It can cause nightmares) I used to work for a colo-rectal surgeon years ago, and unfortunately learned a bit too much info on this. And as uncommon as it is I do know of two women that have had it happen to them. Both ended up having to have an additional surgery to repair it. This is so horrible and really freaks me out! I just want to enjoy her once the pain of delivery is over. I don't want to have to be on pain meds and worry about an additional surgery. Isn't being a new mother and getting over the trauma of just giving birth with no drugs (if I can do it) enough?!? lol Ok enough about that. No need to work myself up again. Repeating to self and what Dr. G said, this is very uncommon and will hopefully never happen to me. But just in case we are going to start doing the perinial massages, even though they are not proven to be 100% helpful. Like Dr. G said, it can't hurt. We learned about these in my Bradley class. Anyone else hear of this, done this or had experience with it possibly helping during delivery?? They also do this during delivery to avoid tearing, but say it can be done the last month before delivery to help also.

Some exciting news, we put the car seat in!! Here is a pic I took with my phone. Also started putting together my bags for the hospital! Just need to go get some PJ's. I don't have any that are button down or loose straps for easy breastfeeding. Going to get that this weekend and then I will have everything!

Friday I will be 36 weeks. We also have our weekly check up. It will be with another Dr. in the practice because Dr. G is out of town (so that means no coming out this week Lil Pea!). We also go Friday for our last visit @ the perinatal office to have our last ultrasound of her. This ultrasound will be to check her position, and also to check her growth and see about how much she weighs!! Of course I feel like she is huge but she will probably be a little peanut. I will also be asking the Dr. about my new sore belly. But I am sure she is going to say this is normal and part of the end of your pregnancy. Funny cause I could never fully understand why most pregnant women would complain so much the last month for it to just be over. I always felt being pregnant is such a blessing. Why rush it and not enjoy it. I have enjoyed this pregnancy. Even through 16 weeks of horrible 24 hours nausea. And even with this new all day uncomfortable feeling from just being too big. But this last month you are just so big there is no way you could just stay like that for very long. And this is why we go into labor. Some of us sooner and some of us later. Let's wait another 2 weeks and see what I am saying. I still haven't gotten to that point of, Please just let her come out!! But I think that's also because I'm so dang nervous about it all. And this will probably not go away so I guess we will see.

As far as her name, NO we still have not decided on one of the three we have picked. (located on upper right corner of blog) Chris has a favorite out of the three. But his favorite was actually different when we first found out I was PG again. (it was still one of those three) So I tell him he is just as confused as me! I'm actually not confused. I love all three names. I just really don't have a favorite out of the three! Not for her. I am really thinking I will know when I see her what it will be. And if not guess I will have to decide real quick either way! lol

This past week was also a very sad time. One of my best friend's mother passed away last Monday after fighting a long battle with cancer. She was young and it is such a sad situation. I am so sorry for my friend and her family. I can't even imagine her pain and hate that I can't do anything to help take it away.
Still thinking of you every day and I am here ANYTIME you need me.♥

**you can check out new pics of my HUGE belly by clicking our Album top left corner of blog, then go to Lil Pea's album**
*also special thanks to Jodi for my new header! ♥ it!*

34 weeks! Only 42 days to go!!

2010-03-19T13:56:00.007-04:00

How Far Along? 34 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 22 pounds last visit

Maternity Clothes: Mainly all maternity, I even had to buy a pair of maternity scrub pants!

Sleep: Pretty much sucks! lol It's just to hard to sleep good waking up several times to pee, not to mention the 20 something pounds laying on top of you!

Best Moment of the Week: Finally getting my Glider. Wish I could take it to the movies with me tonight. We really want to see Alice in Wonderland, as our movie nights will be limited once she is here. But those damn movie seats SUCK when your pregnant!!

Movement: Yes, all the time.

Food Craving: I was craving a piece of this banana dream cake from Too Jays last night (thanks Amy). So we went there for dinner and what do you know, they are f'in OUT of banana dream cake!!!!

Food aversions: No.

Morning sickness: Disappeared around 16 weeks, thank goodness!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button: Still kind of in, maybe it won't pop.....hmmm, doubtful....

Stretch Marks: none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on

Exercise: I'm not gonna lie, I'm just NOT in the mood anymore. I need to get my ass walking more so Lil Pea doesn't wanna stay in there forever!

What I miss: my feet! lol They now look like sausages every evening. Oh the cankles! ;-)

What I'm looking forward to: Dr. visit next week, should get another ultrasound to check her growth and see how much our Lil Pea weighs!!

Other NEW news this week: We had our breastfeeding class on Monday and holy crap!!! There were over 50 people in this class!! We were expecting to be of the very few. I am sooooo glad we took this class. It was from 6pm-8:30pm. We saw over 50 different boobs (chris jk's he was disappointed in the selection! Men!) and a bunch of videos. Plus so much information. I definitely feel more confident about breastfeeding. Still nervous but definitely happy that we took the class.

Favorite item bought this week: Just returned a bunch of duplicates from our shower and got a bunch of other stuff that wasn't bought. That's about it, this lil girl already has so much! She did NOT however, get any bathing suits, so I am thinking of going to Macy's tomorrow to buy this VERY CUTE lil two piece I saw there 2 weeks ago but wouldn't buy until after the shower.

The belly is definitely getting bigger by the week now. I can't wait to see how much she weighs. I'm a little scared. lol She will probably only weigh 5lbs and I'm thinking like 7lbs already! ;-)

I really waddle now. Probably funny to watch. I think I resemble one of those weeble wobbles.

And I drop everything!! Which means it need to be picked up. UGhhhhhhhhh!!!!

As uncomfortable as I am getting I'm still not ready for this to be over. I'm sure in 2 more weeks I might be saying different. I told Chris I must start my bag packing this weekend. I still need to go shopping for a comfortable set of pant PJ's. I did get a nice comfy robe. I actually didn't have one. Got it at Macy's a few weeks ago on sale. Pink. ;-)

Such a great week!!

2010-03-11T15:26:00.015-05:00

Such a busy few weeks I haven't had time to do my weekly blog!

Let's rewind to the weekend before last when we had our Maternity pics done on Sunday. As predicted a cold front came through. It was freezing AND super windy. I was feeling disappointed but our photographer, whom my friend Sara referred to me, was so nice!! She actually works full time and does photography as a side job. She just started getting into it so gave us a great deal compared to every other photographer I called. It's a bit more expensive to do location shoots than just go to the studio. Which I was beginning to think I should have done since the wind was throwing my hair in my face every second driving me crazy. Along with the fact I was freezing. BUT I love outdoor pics and even with all that the pictures came out amazing!!! We love them. I only wanted like 4 or 5 good shots of the two of us and just me and the belly. She definitely got 4 and more! She took almost 400 and sent us a CD with 84 edited pictures that came out great. If you would like to check them out click here. This is the website as I still haven't had a chance to download them all from the CD she mailed to me.
The password is babygirl

The work week came and went last week pretty quickly as I couldn't wait for our shower Saturday! Which turned out PERFECT!! The weather, the place, everything the girls did!! It couldn't have been better. As most know we had a co-ed shower. And we had quite a turn out! Now I have my 55 thank you cards to start writing! lol The Grandmothers & Aunts to Be did such a great job on everything. The weather was so nice. Not a cloud in the sky and cool out but not too cold. And I love the patio area at Tree Tops park, which is were we decided to have it. I've been to two or three party's there and it's a nice spot. Thanks to my two photographers for the day (Lauren & Olivia) we have over 200 pictures from the shower! If you would like to see them click here for Our Baby shower album. Be warned, there are a lot!! lol
Out of all those pics I do not have a picture of a gift that was made for us by a friend. We have been a bit of a support system for each other as we were both seeing Fertility doctors together. I have known her for many years and we happened to start seeing an RE doctor at the same time. She just posted a new blog and has a picture of it on there if you want to check it out click here. It was very thoughtful and super cute! As were so many gifts Lil Pea received!!

Yesterday I had my monthly checkup with the Doctor. Everything is still going great! I now start going every 2 weeks!! How the time is flying!!! I get a bit anxious when I think we have less than two months (7wks) until she will be here!! (give or take)
I made sure to ask him if he will be in town around April 30th. He laughed and said yes. I will get on him some more when I go back in 2 weeks. My friend Lauren was able to talk her way into him giving her his cell number so that even if he wasn't on call (he has 2 other partners) he would still come deliver her baby as long as he was in town. I plan on trying to get this also. We love him and really just don't want anyone else to deliver her.
Some new symptoms........lovely cankles!! lol It just started happening about 4 days ago. And now they are there every night. Not too bad, but noticeable. Of course doc said this was normal as I already knew from others who have had this in the end. Also every day I just can't imagine I have over a month of growing still!! When I walk now I some time's feel like my stomach will fall off! I have been trying to wear my SIL's belly belt for support if I go for a walk. It does help.

Last night (chris was on shift of course) I had cramping all over my belly until I fell asleep. Even when I woke up to pee it was still there. But when I woke up this morning it was gone. So I asked my friend if she thinks I should call my doctor and she said probably not. All they will say is to monitor it. So we will see if it comes back. I do get my IBS cramps but this was all over, not just lower. So I'm pretty sure it was not that. I'm thinking it's my body slowly preparing.

I did have my first dream about her. Which was totally weird of course. I have soooo many weird dreams lately. Anyways in my dream I had that feeling in my stomach, like when the baby rolls when they still are small and have room to do that. For those who have been PG I'm sure you know this feeling. As I felt her roll I yelled and suddenly she came out of my stomach like in the movie Alien! I told you, so weird!! There was no blood and guts though. She was very tiny in my dream. Looking like a 30 week preemie would. And she had dark hair. Like I did when I was born. Which is weird because at our 3D the guy said it looked like she had no hair as of yet. And that is all I remember. We will see what tonight's dream brings. lol

And lastly before I end this post I would like to announce our top 4 names we have for the many of you who keep asking. My Mom swears we have a name picked out and just won't tell. WE DON'T!! But this is our top 4. And we are still going to give the dreaded baby name book one more look over soon.
PLEASE keep negative comments to yourself as we do not want this to sway our decision. This is mainly why we haven't given these names as people have been asking. We want this to be our decision.
I'm just putting them in alphabetical order.

Emery
Kailyn
Miley
Skylar

and I would love to say we have a top 5 with Novalie added to this list but Chris hate's it!! (just couldn't convince him Lauren ;-))

Less than 9 weeks to go!

2010-02-27T18:18:00.008-05:00

The countdown continues....and anxiety kicks in. I am very thankful we did take our Bradley classes. They really did teach us a lot and give me more encouragement that I just might be able to do this.....BUT.....it also taught us sooooooooo much more about childbirth. And when I actually think how in two more months I have to birth this quickly growing little girl, yeah I get anxiety!! Does anyone not?!?!? And not only anxiety about having her, but about her actually being here. I have read books, but I'm also not naive enough to think this is something you could ever totally prepare for. I have no idea how she will be, how I will be!!! Will I be able to breastfeed??? I know I will give it my all to supply her with the best. You just never know. Just like every childbirth is so different, every baby is too. Not to mention the mothers. I can only try to be the best I can for her.
Ok subject change before the anxiety starts again! lol I notice new things every week now. Such as the ever growing belly. Also I have started to notice a very faint line starting. Linea negra. And to think I thought I might not get one. Just like I thought (actually hoped & prayed) my lovely little BB would not come out. It hasn't.....yet. I say this because there is no way in 2 more months that it will still be in. It gets closer every day. And I now search every day for a stretch mark. I can sometimes feel my skin stretch and it freaks me out. My mom didn't get any stretch marks with me or my brother. They say it's more hereditary. But my Mom also never had 16 weeks of nausea either. So who really knows. Honestly I would much rather a few stretch marks as long as my skin all shrinks back after baby girl is born. Working for a plastic surgeon I have seen how sometimes some women will go back to pre-pregnancy weight. Or even skinnier. And yet they have this flap of skin that just hangs there. Like a pancake. Now if THAT happened I would cry. Call me vain if you want, but what woman wants that! So your probably thinking, you work for a plastic surgeon so just get a Tummy Tuck. Have you every seen one performed?!? Not to mention it is a serious surgery and a VERY painful one at that! I'd prefer not! Weird because I never thought these things until the last few weeks as I have watched my belly grow like I never thought possible. It's just so crazy! I think each week, it just can't get bigger. And yet each week it does! And as my friends keep saying, it will only get bigger! Thanks girls! lol This little girl is so worth all this, but I still freak a bit. This is such a transition for your body it is totally amazing and freaky at the same time. And my soft little baby is turning into bony strong knees and elbows. She really catches me off guard sometimes!! Sometimes a strong punch to my bladder will have me give a little yelp! ;-) While I'm on the subject of bodily changes I have also noticed at the end of the day my tiny size 5 feet will start to resemble sausages. I haven't really started swelling, just noticed they are a bit puffy at times. I can't blame them having to support this extra 20 pounds every day now. I have also been getting some cramps I guess you could call them?? Not sure if it is Braxton contractions. It has happened twice now in the evening. Very similar to when I get my IBS pains, but this is a bit different. Also my lower back usually aches a little with them. So I don't know!
Tomorrow we go to take our Maternity pictures. We are having another cold front come through this evening so now I have no idea what I will wear tomorrow! And one more week until our Baby shower!! So exciting! And crazy how everything is coming and going. This has all gone by so fast!!
Friday we finally went by our Fertility Doctors office. After he discharged us the girls said to make sure we come by to show off the belly. So we picked up some donuts along with a Thank you card I had bought and stopped by. It was weird being back there. How much time we spent there for 6 months. Usually twice a week I would be at there office for exams or just blood draws. It was nice to see them all and they were happy we came by! And of course they want to meet Lil Pea as soon as she gets here.
If you go to our album Baby Girls Bedroom you will see I added a few new pics of her bedroom that is now just about complete! I am still waiting on my glider that is taking FOREVER! They said it can take up to 12 weeks and I guess they weren't lying!! It's been over 8 weeks now! I did call last week and they said it should be here in 2 more weeks. I hope because there are some nights I already feel I might want to just sleep in it. ;-) Anyways if you look at the pictures you will see Lil Pea's new awning for over her window that her grandmother (Chris's mom) just finished sewing for her. So cute! Everything couldn't have turned out more the way I wanted it to!! I'm so happy with her room and hope she is too! Especially since she isn't allowed to change it for at least 5 years! lol
Here is a quick video of the song they play every week at the end of yoga class. Long Time Sun. The teacher has us sit Indian style and hold our belly's as we sing out loud. (they usually only play about 30 secs) Every time I play it Lil Pea starts moving around. I think she recognizes it after the many weeks of yoga class. First time I heard this in yoga I wasn't sure but now I really like it. Very peaceful.

Only 68 days to go! Let the countdown begin!!

2010-02-21T16:54:00.010-05:00

And the feet are going, going......

How Far Along? 30 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 20 pounds

I'd like to stay around 30 personally, but want baby girl healthy. So we will see!

Maternity Clothes: Of course I'm still wearing them!

Sleep: This is beginning to suck! I just can't seem to get comfortable. I assume by 35 weeks I really will be sleeping in my reclining Glider. Just like the guy said before we bought it. Now if only it would come in already!!

Best Moment of the Week: 3D US of course :)

Movement: Yes, all the time. She scares me sometimes how strong she already is. She is gonna seriously be able to hurt me by 40 weeks!!

Food Craving: Nope.

Food aversions: No.

Morning sickness: Still gone, thank goodness!

Gender: As you can see from her 3D's, it is definitely still a GIRL!

Labor Signs: No. Let's keep it that way for at least 8 more weeks!

Belly Button: Getting flatter and definitely changing, but still in there.

Stretch Marks: none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on

Exercise: yoga Tuesday, my Bradley exercises daily and also walking again now when I can

What I miss: Honestly?? Well you know me so I'll be blunt. TMI, but normal bowel habits. Pregnancy has really stopped things up and slowed them down! Ughhh!!

What I'm looking forward to: Having maternity pics taken of Chris and I on Sunday. Also our Baby shower the following Saturday!! :-)

Other NEW news this week: On Monday I found out I passed my one hour glucose test I had done the week before. Yay!!

Saturday we went for our 3/4D ultrasound of Lil Pea!! Soooo exciting!!! She has chubby cheeks now and everything! The tech said she is a very active baby, I said believe me I know!

Of course she wanted nothing to do with picture time. She had her hands up on her face the whole time. We were able to get a few good pics when she would move them real fast or I push on her to move. But then her cord was also floating right in her face because of the way she was scrunched up. So we didn't get some of the awesome shots I saw on their website of some babies, but it was still amazing to watch this little actual baby playing around inside my belly! So crazy! I can't wait to meet her and stare at her for hours.♥

You can see her pics by clicking here for Lil Pea 3D.

My SIL came over this week also and we were able to finish the flowers we were painting on her wall. Her room is just about done now! I just have to put up the butterflies, ladybugs, birds, ect. that I bought from Michaels. I am going to put them up with double sided adhesive. Also we just need to put up her awning for her window that her Grandmother (Chris's mom) is sewing for her. Then I will take another pic of her whole room done.

Also some more TMI, but did any of you ladies have breast leakage during PG?? I mentioned before I started leaking a few weeks ago and I still have it every day. So I wear my breast pads in my bra every day. Does this go away before birth?? I'm assuming it stays because it has been happening for a few weeks now. Guess I better just go buy more breast pads! ;-)

We also finished our 7 weeks of Bradley classes. We will go in March to one class that we missed those 2 weeks I was sick with bronchitis. We learned so much during these classes and I am sooooo happy we took them. She taught us so much not only about natural childbirth, but also about nutrition, exercise, breastfeeding, labor in general with or without drugs, things to expect once you go to the hospital, and just so much more it would take too long to type about! If anyone is interested in a birthing class besides the much less informative one the hospital gives in one day I would recommend our teacher. She was recommended to me by a friend and I'm glad we went. It was hard taking the time to go after work every Monday for 7 weeks, but well worth it.

Weekly Wisdom: I've said it once but I'll say it again! Try and enjoy every minute, I swear to you it goes SO quickly!!

Favorite item bought this week: I have really been wanting to buy stuff for her lately. I have actually been really good this whole PG and have barely bought anything besides stuff for her room to decorate. But I still stop myself because our shower is less than two weeks away. After that I'm on a mission. lol So I guess for this week it would be her 3D ultrasound we bought.

**I also posted a few new belly pics in album Our Lil Pea if you wanna check them out.**

30 isn't so bad after all

2010-02-14T19:28:00.011-05:00

This past Wednesday was my 30th B-day! (gasp) I'm not sure if I really thought I would feel different but.....of course I don't!! I do still think it will be a little weird the first time someone asks me how old I am and I have to reply 30. Oh well, baby steps. lolol
On Wednesday after work (I was able to leave @ 2:30pm) I went to dinner @ one of my favs, the Cheesecake Factory. Chris, my Mom and my brother, SIL and the kids came. It was nice. Nothing too crazy for the preggo! ;-)

On Thursday we went to my OB for my monthly check up and also to take the 1 hour Glucose test. The drink itself actually didn't taste bad. I got the red flavor. However it was very sweet, and after two big sips the last thing you want to do is drink more. But I was able to finish in a few minutes and then we went in to see the Dr.. I had a list for him this time with a few ?'s I wanted to ask. I was very happy with all his answers. He does not practice routine cutting (episiodomy) which I was happy to hear. If everything is going ok with baby and I, then after delivery it's baby to belly. And I can try nursing while trying to birth the Placenta. Also was happy to hear this. We have learned these are all good things in our Bradley class and also from a few friends. I also asked him why she seems to be playing so low all the time. He measured my belly and felt my uterus and said everything was perfect. She just like to hang out there! :-) He felt around and said it's still too early to tell if she is breech or what position she is currently in.
After answering all our ?'s we went back in the waiting room to wait an hour to have my blood taken and to get my Rhogam shot. (I'm A-) Lil Pea is usually sleeping in the morning, but after that sugary drink (i never drink stuff like that) and the doctor shaking up her home, she was up and going crazy! lol
Finally an hour went by (wasn't too bad) and I went and had my 3 vials of blood taken and my shot. Now I just cross my fingers we pass round 1 and DO NOT have to do round 2 which is 3 hours and lots of blood draws in between!!

Everything else has been going good still. Well except my bowels. TMI, but they have taken a severe halt I guess you could say. I have been drinking Prune juice and Benefiber every day now. The prune juice works but is sooooooo horrible. But like I said, it works, so I take my shots of prune juice every day. ;-)
Sleeping is also becoming more and more uncomfortable. It's still not horrible, but I can imagine by it may get a bit worse as I still have 10 more weeks to grow. Speaking of 10 weeks, can you believe that's all we have left (give or take a few days)!!!! Because I can't!! Honestly I still find it hard to totally process in my head. Chris keeps saying he wishes she was here already. Me? I said I'm not ready yet! Well I still want her to fatten up more of course, but I also would prefer to have her after we actually have stuff in her room besides just furniture & decor!! Less than 3 weeks until our shower. Then we can finish getting all her necessities.

Yesterday Chris had a party for me @ our house for my 30th B-day. We originally talked about going to Vegas for my 30th. I have been twice but Chris has never been and I would love to go with him. But instead I am getting an even better gift for my 30th year. And she is sooooo worth waiting on Vegas. Maybe next year. The party turned out great, though, and even big and preggo I had a wonderful time and great 30th B-day. And the best part was....I'm not hungover today!!!!! Although I do have some back pain from standing in heels most of yesterday. Chris and my Mom were yelling at me for wearing them. But c'mon! Gotta look good as the preggo 30th B-day girl! lol It was a great time, though, and I think everyone had a good time. We had some of the family over and close friends.
I also went before my party and got a new hair do. Needed a new look for my 30's. My friend Jodi referred me to a guy she goes to which happens to be right near our house. He did a great job and finally got rid of the orangy color I had in my hair. Thanks again Jodi!
If you want to check out some party pics look in my album Nicole's 30th Bday . There are also a few pics I had my friend Lauren take of Chris, Lil Pea and I before the party. So baby girl can see she was able to share my 30th Bday with us.

Today we just hung out and relaxed around the house for Valentine's day. I'm not really into waiting hours for a table going out to dinner. So we had left over pizza from my party for our dinner tonight. Chris had beautiful flowers delivered to my work for Lil Pea and I on Friday for Valentine's Day. My friend Lauren was going to take a few pic for me yesterday of an idea I had for a Valentine's day picture, but it was freezing out so we never did them. Today it started to warm up a little so I had Chris take them for me. Click here to check out V-Day belly shots.

I also wanted to say Congrats to my friend Jen who had her 2nd baby Friday. She was scheduled for a C-section this Tuesday as baby was breech, but he decided he couldn't wait any longer and she went into labor Friday so they moved her C-section up. Congrats Mike and Jen on your beautiful new baby boy!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

3rd Trimester!

2010-02-07T18:10:00.017-05:00

How Far Along? 28 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 18 pounds - WOW! I'm starting to feel this extra weight. I always tell Chris I just don't know how really heavy people do it! The stomach already gets in the way of everything!!

Maternity Clothes: Heck yeah! Don't think my size 1 & 3 jeans are gonna fit for a loooooong time! Unless I get lucky and the baby weight just melts off. *fingers crossed*

Sleep: Some days better than others. Starting to get a little uncomfortable.

Best Moment of the Week: Finally starting to feel better after my nasty cold that lasted 2 weeks! Working on her room yesterday with Lil Pea's Auntie Mel, Auntie Liv and Nana (my mom). Cousin Cody even came. Should have taken a pic of him napping in her flowery crib. lol

Movement: Oh yeah, all the time!! She is such an active strong lil girl!♥

Food Craving: Nope

Food aversions: Nothing in particular

Morning sickness: Gone since 16 weeks thankfully!!!

Gender: It is a GIRL!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button: Definitely changing every day but still an innie. And still sporting the belly ring. ;-)

Stretch Marks: none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on

Exercise: Ughhhh! None the past two weeks while sick. Even missed yoga! But so excited for yoga again Tuesday! Then the "BIG" birthday Wednesday but maybe a nice walk Thursday and Friday.

What I miss: Oh I know this one! NOT having little "leakages" every time I sneeze or cough. Sooooooooooooo annoying!! Really caught me off guard since I have never even had any bladder problems. And being sick the past 2 weeks I am totally over it! lol

What I'm looking forward to: 3D/4D ultrasound scheduled for February 20th! Also maternity pics scheduled for the 28th! Can't wait!

Weekly Wisdom: Well my weekly "surprise" wisdom has to do with more leakage. Let me explain.
Friday I got my weekly emails of what baby and my body are up to this week. One from Baby Center and another one from The Bump.
This is the one from the Bump -
You're 28 weeks pregnant!
Week 28
Sprung a leak? Those thick, yellow drips (called colostrum), are the precursor to breast milk. Try a pair of cotton breast pads and make sure to change them whenever they get damp to avoid the dreaded chafe. Still milk-free? That's normal too -- some women just don't leak.

I read that this morning thinking, sucks for those women. But would also be a nice reassurance that I won't end up being in the 3% of women who for medical reasons can't breast feed.

So I was about to jump into the shower and was standing in the closet talking to Chris while taking off my top and bra and suddenly did a double take. My bra had two little stains on each cup. LEAKAGE!! I never even felt it!! Of course Chris started laughing & goes now you pee your paints & have leaky boobs!! hahahaha
So I'm now ready to supply baby girl with what she needs when she is ready to arrive! :-)
Guess I better get out those breast pads my friend Katrina gave me already.

Favorite item bought this week: Just bought a few decorative things for her room such as paint for the clouds we sponged and also some butterflies, birds, ladybugs, ect. I still have to put up.

We also have our check up with my OB and the Glucose test this Thursday. *fingers crossed* I pass 1st time! Wednesday is my 30th B-day (yikes) and we are having some close friends and family over Saturday to celebrate. Originally before we got PG we were going to possibly go to Vegas for my 30th but now that will have to wait. Lil Pea is better than any b-day, gift or trip anyways. Plus I've decided I'm gonna stay in my 20's for another year or two so we can go to Vegas next year. ;-)

Saturday my SIL, good friend Olivia and my Mom came over so we could put up the tree and also sponge some clouds onto baby girls walls. I have never done clouds before but my SIL has. The clouds actually weren't as hard as we thought they would be, BUT for anyone who is doing them you do not need to add as much glaze to the white paint as they say. We had to do 5 coats and they still came out really light. But I like them. They look more natural and not bright white and fake. The tree, now that was quite some hard work to get up! But I think we did a great job. Came out perfect! Put a few new pics in her Bedroom Album.

All in all things are still going great and I still can't believe we are in the 3rd and last trimester!! It's crazy how in the beginning it seems like full term is so far away. Yet how quickly the months fly by!! She will be here before we know it!! And NO, we still have not picked out a name. And NO we are NOT just saying that because we really do and are keeping it a secret. We do have 4 names we are considering but we honestly just still aren't sure which we like for her. Like I've said before, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't decide until the moment we meet her. I think then we will know.

One of the worst days of my life...

2010-02-04T22:30:00.006-05:00

One year ago today I woke up with a horrible feeling of fear. I had experienced cramps before I went to bed that just didn't seem right. At the time I was supposed to be 7 weeks so I tried to tell myself they were just more growing pains. After seeing our lil beans heart beat a week earlier I finally was trying to let myself relax as everyone had been telling me to do. I started to also believe what everyone kept telling me, that my 1st miscarriage was just a fluke and that everything would be fine this time. That I need to stop worrying so much. And so I did. I started to believe that we were actually going to have a baby. And of course I fell in love after we saw that little flicker anyways.
But that morning I knew something just didn't feel right. Sure enough I got up and went to the bathroom only to find a light brown spotting on the toilet paper. Looking back it was then that I knew, but still tried to remain hopeful. Chris and my mom told me to try not to worry and just call the doctor once they opened at 9am. That many women experience spotting in their pregnancy. Which is true. But spotting for me has only meant something bad. Even with this pregnancy I never had any spotting or blood. Only implantation spotting before I knew I was even PG.
So I went to work and called their office once they opened. The nurse took my information and said she would call me back after talking to my doctor. My doctor knew I was worried in the beginning of this PG because of my previous miscarriage. So I wasn't surprised when the nurse called back to tell me my doctor said I could come in around 2pm for a quick scan to make sure everything was still fine.
By the time I left my office to go to the doctor the spotting was still there. Chris met me at the office. I felt like a statue sitting there as we waited to be called back. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long. The ultrasound tech at their office called us back. She had done my scan the week earlier when we were able to see our lil beans heartbeat. She asked me to empty my bladder (since we were doing a vaginal ultrasound). I went into the bathroom and when I wiped there it was....red blood. Still just spotting but now bright red. I didn't even need the ultrasound. I knew. I walked out of the bathroom and told Chris before she came back in that I was now bleeding and we had lost our baby. At that moment the tech walked back in and started the scan. I kept my head turned the whole time as I knew what she was about to find. Or not find. She found our lil bean, but unfortunately there was no longer a heartbeat. And apparently hadn't been for a few days as lil bean measured only 6 wks 3 days. The rest of the visit was a blur to me at the time, yet I still remember it so well. She asked if I wanted to see and I said no. She apologized and said she had to ask as some women want to see for closure. I just couldn't do it. At this point tears were already streaming down my face. She then put us in a room to speak with my doctor. When she came in she said she was very sorry. That she really thought this was a good pregnancy as my numbers had been so great and heartbeat had been perfect last week.
And yet my littlest Angel grew wings. A friend sent me this shortly after. Every angel gets their wings, some just need them sooner than we are ready for. So very true. Today, my littlest angel, I just want you to know Mommy and Daddy will never forget you and loved you very much for those few short weeks you were with us. You may not have been a perfectly formed baby yet, but we saw your tiny little beating heart. The heart of the life your Mommy and Daddy created. And we know if you can see us now that you are so happy you will have a sister soon!! And we can't wait to meet her!!! She will already have an angel looking out for her as soon as she is here. You my littlest angel. We love you. ♥

The plague & goodbye 2nd trimester! :o{

2010-01-31T14:46:00.007-05:00

Last Sunday started out the week horribly. After just getting over a cold last month I woke up with what felt like glass pieces in the throat, horrible congestion and the worst (for me) chest congestion. I say the worst for me because I grew up with chronic bronchitis and daily breathing treatments. BUT I assumed I finally outgrew that as I have not had bronchitis or had to do a breathing treatment in probably 4-5 years.
I just couldn't believe I had everything in a matter of hours. Usually I start a cold with the sore throat, then as that starts to fade the nasal congestion. Which usually ends at that since as I said I haven't had a cold go into my chest in years. Not so lucky this time. Monday I went to work for a half day and came home and did my first breathing treatment. I was waiting to call my Dr.'s office to be sure I could use the Albuterol for the treatments. He said that was fine and to call back if it didn't help. So for the rest of the week I did a breathing treatment twice a day and used my saline nasal spray. I did have a slight fever Sunday and Monday night but it never got over a 100 which is what they say you have to watch for when pregnant. Being allergic to Tylenol I was not able to take that either. So I just used cold compresses and tried to sleep

By Thursday I was still not doing much better so after much harassment from my Mom and Chris I called my Dr. again and made an appt. for Friday. Which I'm glad I ended up doing. Apparently they don't take bronchitis mixed with pregnancy lightly. He started me on an antibiotic and said to continue the breathing treatments. If I get worse over the weekend go the the ER. Well as of today I am still wheezing but I know from the past that bronchitis doesn't go away over night, even with treatment. So I continue my meds and breathing treatments. My last dose of antibiotic will be Wednesday. My Dr. had asked what I used to take when I would get bronchitis and I said I honestly don't remember. It had been so long. He smiled a little and said that's what pregnancy can do to you. I'm beginning to understand. I haven't had a cold this bad in years!! And I take my prenatals every day!! I now completely understand why doctors wanted their pregnant patients to get the Swine flu vaccine and am so happy I did. If I have gotten this sick from just a common cold/flu I would for sure have ended up in the hospital if I would have caught the Swine, being that it is horrible on the respiratory system.
I really was upset about having to take the antibiotic,though. It's just there is nothing that is really 100% safe to take during PG. Category B just means safer. Even Tylenol, although most Dr.'s will tell you is ok to take, is not 100% proven to be fine. It's also Category B. But like my Mom said, I will be hurting baby more if I end up in the hospital with pneumonia. And I know she is right, I just still hate that I got sick and have to take something. :*(

We missed our weekly Bradley class Monday which stinks. We will have to catch up as we can during tomorrows class. I also missed my yoga class and might not even be able to make this week's class either if I'm still wheezing bad. Love my yoga class & hate to miss it. :-[
So this past Friday marked week 27 of pregnancy and according to one book, What to Expect When Your Expecting, this is the last week of the 2nd trimester. Yet another of my book says week 27 starts the 3rd trimester. Either way I can't believe we are in the final trimester!!
Lil Pea has become so strong. She makes my whole belly move when she is active. I showed Chris the other night and said she is playing the drums. One side of my belly will pop out and then the other. Jam session! lol I love poking back at her to see if she is in the mood to play and kick back.

27 weeks also means only 3 more weeks until we get to see her again during our 3/4D ultrasound!! They say the best time to get these done is between 28-32 weeks before baby get's too big. I have to friends who went at 30 weeks and said it was perfect.
I am sooooooo excited for this. We haven't seen her in 3D since she was 7 weeks old @ the RE's office. And then it was too early to really see anything. I am so excited to see her lil nose and lips.

This week we also have an appointment Thursday evening for the Hospital orientation. It was the only class we could make that Chris wasn't on shift until the end of March. By then I would be over 32 weeks and we wanted to make sure we did this class before then. Just in case.

I really hope for my next post I can tell you all I am feeling great and have finally ridden myself of this plague! ;-} For now I will continue my meds, breathing treatments and saline nasal spray and hope for NO MORE SICK DAYS during this pregnancy. I mean seriously, twice in one pregnancy is enough!

26 wks & A different kind of survey

2010-01-22T12:58:00.016-05:00

*New pics also added to Baby Girls bedroom album which you can find when you click on Nicole & Chris's Albums on blog*

Q/ Less than halfway to go! How have you liked being pregnant?

A/Well the first 16 weeks weren't as good as some women I know have had it. Unfortunately I had nausea 24 hours a day. But for me it was like my security blanket for knowing Lil Pea was still growing strong, so I would have to say the nausea part is really not bad for women who have suffered early losses. Also I only actually got sick twice and have two friends who had it A LOT worse so I count my blessings.

Now everything to me just seems so amazing, especially feeling her kicks & movements every day. Things have changed as we get closer & closer. I feel like time is flying by now and I need every second! There's just so much to do before the baby comes. And we can't wait to meet her!

Q/Has there been anything that really surprises you??

A/ The changes your body goes through. It's scary and amazing at the same time! The whole experience is just incredible. I really just still can't wrap my head around it, that there is a tiny baby living and growing inside me.

Also the heavy responsibility's you feel before the baby is even here. Like whether to get the swine flu vaccine. Working in the health care field I got mine right away. Is anything safe even when they say it is approved?? Some things still even say to avoid Tylenol yet your Dr. tells you it's fine. Can I eat that Laspadas Sub or will I really get listeriosis?? She really seems to want one! ;-) All these decisions before she is even here! I'm already beginning to truly realize that is what being a parent is, never again waking up without worrying about something.

Q/What have you been doing for exercise during your pregnancy?

A/Honestly not as much as I thought I would. I always said when I got pregnant I would still work out 4-5 days a week. Well that was before 24 hour nausea came knocking on my door! During those 16 weeks I would go for occasional walks. I also did a few pregnancy workout DVD's. I did start last month going to yoga every Tuesday. I love it! Also hit the gym for the first time in forever this week. Just to do the elliptical and catch up on some baby magazine reading. I have been trying to walk and do little things here and there as much as I have time for now.

Q/And how do you plan to get back into shape afterward?

A/I have definitely already thought of this. But realize after my plan didn't work so well during pregnancy we will see what motherhood allows. Plus, since unfortunately I will not be able to be a stay at home Mom, I want to spend as much time as I can with her when I'm not at work. I can't wait to put her in a jogger and go up to the park for an hour of walking! And Mommy and Me classes, can't wait for that either!

Q/Let's talk about food: Have you had any strange cravings or aversions?

A/Aversions?? In the beginning with the nausea there were A LOT! Now things haven't been as bad. I still have horrible indigestion that I have had since 10 weeks so I do try to avoid a lot of certain foods that make this worse. As far as cravings I honestly really haven't had any. Does chocolate milk count? Ever since I became pregnant I have to have my cup of chocolate milk a day. Literally. I always liked milk, but just plain milk. Now it has to be some chocolate milk also. And of course the subs that I try to avoid but have caved and had a few.

Q/Is having children something you always wanted?

A/No. When I was younger I used to think I might never want children. I wasn't one of those girls that grew up with her whole wedding planned and names picked out. Which is probably why she still doesn't have a name. ;-)

Once I met Chris and we got married we knew we wanted at least one child. And then after everything we had to go through the past year to be here with a little 2 pound baby growing in my belly, it's just everything I realized I ever wanted.

Q/What kind of Mom do you think you are going to be?

A/Such a serious question. lol One thing I know for sure, she is going to be SO loved this little girl. By her Mommy and Daddy. Chris and I are as ready as we can be. Parenting is quite a job. Your handed this perfect little baby and your job is to keep her safe and raise her to be the best person she can! So yes I'd like to think I will be a good Mom.

Q/Do you have a birth plan?

A/My goal is to go as natural as possible. The Bradley classes we are taking now I am hoping will really help make this possible. But I am also very realistic. I have several friends and family who have recently had children. Advice I have been given and realize is to have a plan, then be prepared to let it all go. Every women's body and every baby and childbirth will never be the same. So we are open to playing it by ear.

Q/Will you breastfeed?

A/Yes. It has never crossed my mind not to at least try. I have read and heard from other mothers what a great bonding experience it is, as well as being something so great that you are giving your baby. I also have read and heard from several mothers how truly hard it can be in the beginning and how much of a life style change it can be.

It is a very individual decision, but for me I'm convinced to give it my all.

Q/What about going back to work?

A/Ahhh!! Thinking about this already gives me anxiety and she is not even here. But unfortunately I do have to go back to work. At 6 weeks. I am lucky enough that I will be able to take her to work with me for at least the first 6 months on Thursdays and Fridays. So I guess that is kind of like going back part time for a while. I hope those stay at home Mommy's realize how lucky they are! I would love to do the Yoga with baby class along with several others but unfortunately can't as those classes are during the work week. I am glad to learn from a friend that there is a Mommy and Me class on Saturdays at a place right near our house!

Nothing else new really. We do have some exciting stuff coming up, though! We scheduled a date to have our Maternity pics taken. February 28th! Now I need to find something to wear! We are going to a park to take them. Also next month is my 30th B-day!! Yikes!! We are just gonna have a few people over the house for some pizza and beer. Well, no beer for me but I surely will have some pizza! :-)

Also since I am now 26 weeks we are going to schedule to have our 3/4D pics taken soon of baby girl. I have been told by a couple ultrasound techs that the best time is between 28 wks and 32 wks before baby gets too big and squished to get good pics. So we will probably have that done the end of February too. Such an exciting month coming up, I can't wait. Also our shower is just around the corner. March 6th. So exciting!!!

**Don't forget to check out new pics of her room. It's really coming along just how I wanted it too! I hope she loves it cause we do!**

WOW! Somebody push pause!

2010-01-15T10:18:00.005-05:00

The last week or two things seem to be happening really fast! It might also feel this way because of my new busy schedule. I also think that now that the holiday's are over I am realizing we have a little over 3 months until we bring our little girl home!!! So of course now I am frantically trying to make sure everything will be done. You know me. ;-)

Monday was our 2nd Bradley class and I am really enjoying it. We also watched our first of many natural child birthing videos. This one was a home birth. Mind you the lady was not screaming. Bradley is big on focusing on relaxation and my teacher said you will usually never see one of these women screaming like in the movies. BUT as this women was pushing the shoulders got a little "stuck" and she did say a few times, Get it out!! in a firm voice. YIKES!! lol
But then when the baby finally literally popped out after the shoulders were free they placed the baby on Mommy's belly and I cried. Chris thought it was nice how emotional I got. He loves the emotional part of my pregnancy as I am usually not at all a crier. Well I'm just not sure if I was crying from the thought of that being me seeing this little perfect human we finally created for the first time. Or from watching the labor! lol
I think it was a little of both. Childbirth is just such an extraordinary experience. They let the baby try to latch on as the lady still needed to birth the placenta. This often helps. Also they really like the immediate skin to skin contact after childbirth. This is one of the questions I will be asking our hospital. Some will let you hold the baby for a bit while trying to birth the placenta before they take the baby to be checked out, washed, ect..

Tuesday I had my 3rd prenatal yoga class and I still love my weekly yoga sessions. I would highly recommend prenatal yoga to any pregnant women. I love it and also my friends Lauren & Katrina who took it while they were pregnant loved their classes. Such a nice treat for yourself every week and really gets you ready for birth in mind, body and spirit. I had only taken one yoga class before but this class is totally different to me.

Yesterday we had two doctor appointments. I had my monthly check up in the morning with my OB. Everything is still looking great. Weight gain is now 13 pounds and I feel this new gain every day on myself. I did have a tiny frame. lol And the thought of another 10-15 pounds makes me realize how truly uncomfortable I will soon be. Normal weight gain for someone that was of normal weight pre-pregnancy is around 25-35 pounds. Unless you were over weight before, then it is less. Or vice verse. That seems like a lot more to carry around! lol
My doctor also told me to call the hospital and schedule our orientation soon. So we will do that. There is also a breastfeeding class that MHW offers we might take. There is some breastfeeding discussed in one of our 7 Bradley classes so we will see if I still feel the need to take this other class. I also have a great book I need to start reading soon that was referred by a few friends. It's Breastfeeding book written by Dr. Sears. I have been a bit overwhelmed with all these book I'm supposed to be reading in the little time I have left! But I realize whatever I can get to will be fine.
After work we had an appointment to meet with a Pediatrician that was referred to us by a few friends. His office is in Plantation very close to our house. He was very nice and pretty much covered all our questions before I even was able to ask them. I think we are going to meet with one more doctor but so far we really like him and his office seemed nice. My friend Lauren made a good point, though. They ended up only meeting one doctor before their baby was born. (which happens to be the Dr. we just met) They liked him and decided until they actually brought their child in to see him they wouldn't really know if they liked how he is with their baby or how is office really is. But 3 months later they are still happy with him, so we will see.

Yesterday I also received a phone call that Lil Pea's furniture came in early!!! It wasn't supposed to be in until the end of the month at the earliest. Chris and my Dad are going to get it today and set it up. Of course I can't WAIT to get home to see it. I am also happy because now I can start decorating her room. We were waiting on her furniture to get here before we decide were we will put the little picket fence, a tree we are going to either have my friend paint or buy a vinyl decal I found online, her window/mirror along with several other things. Needless to say I am glad we can start this all now with the furniture arriving.

I have also been feeling baby girl kick and move all the time now. I also find myself talking to her more and more. At first it felt weird but now I like the bond we are making. Even if she can't understand me. I read in one of my emails that sometime's around 25 weeks if Daddy puts his ear to your stomach he can hear the baby's heartbeat. So last night Chris tried with no luck. He did find it amusing that both times he tried Lil Pea kicked him in the face. She was saying, Watch out Dad! I'm coming soon!!

This weekend will also be a busy one. On Saturday I am going to a Mommy and Me class with my friend Lauren and her 3 month old son Carson. It's at Nova southeastern in Davie. I would really like to do this class with Lil Pea once she is here so Lauren invited me along so I can check it out. She love's the class and so does Carson.
Then on Sunday my Mom and the Aunts to be are coming over so we can start working on stuff for our Baby shower. I am excited about this. And we will order some pizza. Yummy. My SIL will be bringing my 2 year old niece and 2 month old nephew and Lauren will be bringing Carson. So we told Chris he can watch them all and get some practice. I think he might wake up that morning with a sudden high fever! lol

So that is my busy week. Next week we have Bradley class again on Monday and then I have yoga Tuesday. And then I hope to have the rest of the week open so I can go for my evening walks that I have so badly wanted to start doing again. They also recommend this in Bradley class. Walking is great preperation for childbirth.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I will be sure to post pics of her furniture very soon!!

24 weeks

2010-01-09T23:43:00.009-05:00

**New belly pic in Chris & Nicole's Albums on blog. Then look in Lil Pea's album**

How Far Along? 24 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 12 pounds. YIKES!

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and I have quite a selection thanks to friends Katrina and Dana for letting me borrow all their many tops & dresses.

Sleep: Still pretty good.....some issues with reflux at night so I sometimes tend to fall asleep sitting propped up on my pillows.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing Lil Pea again during an ultrasound we had done Friday @ the Pediatric Cardiologist office. Since my niece was born with VSD (ventricular septal defect) they consider that a family history of genetic defect. So we had baby girls heart checked out just to make sure. And it looks perfect so far! And she looked so cute!♥ At one point she looked right at us and you could see her cute lil face. No longer looking like a skeleton. Crazy how much she has changed since our 20 week scan. The tech said now she has been packing on the fat. This is why they say to wait until at least 26 weeks before getting a 3D/4D ultrasound done. This scan lasted for 60 mins! The whole time the wand was on my belly. I actually thought I might have some bruising later. They push hard @ certain points to get all the views they need of the heart. The tech said baby girl was being good in the beginning, but then she decided she'd had enough and turned around to face my back. Then they couldn't get the last pic of the left side of her heart. A certain area they needed. Finally after the tech practically was on top of me with all her weight with the wand she got a pic the Dr. was happy with. My Mom said, are you sure that is ok for the baby?? For her, yes she is very cushioned in my uterus from what I have read. Me, ouch! lol Oh and Lil Pea was breach which is completely normal still this early. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VfNWbal0FDsu2U2BatrVoA?feat=directlink (pic from scan Friday. we weren't supposed to get any but the lady was really nice and printed one)

Movement: Yes, all the time now. I'm starting to learn her schedule now. She is always up throughout the night.

Food Craving: Nope.

Food aversions: Garlic!! Used to love it being Italian. Now I HATE it and what it does to me. Also still avoiding coffee even though I would LOVE an Iced Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. The caffeine just kills me.

Morning sickness: Still gone thank goodness!

Gender: It is a GIRL!

Labor Signs: No. Let's keep it that way for at least 12 more weeks!

Belly Button: Still in, although it is definitely growing and stretching!!

Stretch Marks: none (whispered with fingers crossed)

Wedding rings: still on

Exercise: Yoga on Tuesdays and starting back walking next week. Also doing my three exercises my Bradley class teaches you to do daily. One is a squatting exercise (20 per day). Another is done on all fours were you arch your back down and then pull back up even to shoulders. (20 per day, twice a day) Last one is done with your coaches help. Sitting down with your legs in front of you bent. Feet together. Then your coach puts pressure to keep your knees together as you try to push them out as far to the ground as you can. (20 per day)

What I miss: There is a lot you start to miss about your "old" body before pregnancy, but that will come back in due time. Chris promised I could get a trainer! ;-) I think I just want a jogger stroller and my ankle weights so I'll still be with baby girl.

What I'm looking forward to: Wow, so many things. Our shower March 6th. Our 3/4D ultrasound that will be scheduled sometime between 28-31 weeks. (this is the time I have been told by many is best) Lil Pea's furniture to come in. Decorating her room. And of course meeting her in about 3 1/2 months. WOW!

Other NEW news this week: It has been freezing here!! South Florida & 30-40 degrees! Don't get me wrong, it's a nice change from the heat we had Christmas, but I'm running out of warm clothes that fit!! Most of the maternity clothes friends gave me are shirts and dresses. Thinking of going to buy another pair of leggings tomorrow.

Weekly Wisdom: I've said it before but enjoy every minute, it goes too quickly.

Favorite item bought this week: Finally ordered our Glider. Sooooooooo comfy. A bit expensive but I was told by many friends if I am going to breastfeed to get a good comfy glider even if it's a bit pricey. So I used my bonus and got the one I had wanted. I might just be sleeping in it my last few weeks of pregnancy! We also found a mini picket fence @ Lowes which I think will be perfect for her room. For those that don't know we are doing her room as an outdoor garden theme. The fence just needs sanded and then painted white. (i put a pic of it in her bedroom album in Chris & Nicole's Albums)

Making it to 24 weeks is so wonderful to me. It actually brought tears to my eyes when I thought about it Friday morning. If god forbid something was to happen were Lil Pea had to come early she would have a fighting chance of survival now. 24 weeks doesn’t really “mean” anything in the sense that it’s a guarantee of exactly, well, nothing as far as outcomes go. But she would be given a chance by health care professionals to help her survive.
I plan to keep cookin her for many more weeks, though, and it looks like she does too! :-) It's just nice to know this after everything. We really will be bringing a baby home in a few months. And hopefully have an at least semi smooth delivery!!
(this is a frame my BF's Mom gave me. she put the pic of Lil Pea @ 12 weeks in it. PERFECT, thanks again Judy)

6 months preggo!

2010-01-03T19:18:00.008-05:00

This past Friday started our 6th month of pregnancy!! Wow how the time flies by! Thankfully still not having any back pains. Just that one night I got the horrible leg cramp! My calf felt like a rock. That has NEVER happened to me & freaked me out. Of course Chris was on shift. I woke up howling and the dogs jumped out of bed. My books had not prepared me for what these felt like. Basically my calf was solid as a rock and frozen like that. When I jumped out of bed that was even worse as I couldn't straighten my foot back from pointed position. I sat back on my bed and just started massaging my calf and it finally started to loosen up. So weird. And your right Lauren, it was sore for about two days after that! I have been trying to eat a banana a day and lot's of fluid and fortunately have not had this happen again. Also I read (of course the week after it happened) in one of my book that when you stretch always point toes up, never down. My friend Lauren also told me that is what she heard as she unfortunately had a few nights of the leg cramps. My yoga class told me to eat the bananas as well as my SIL.

Speaking of yoga I loved my class last Tuesday. I go again this Tuesday and hope to continue to go every week until Lil Pea's arrival! And for those of you who haven't asked already, no we still do not have a name. This will probably be a decision that is going to take awhile to make. And if we have a few we are stuck on we may just wait to see her cute lil face to decide.

Tomorrow will also be our first Bradley class! I am excited about this. Lauren recommended the lady to me who was recommended to her by two friends. She said the class is great! This class will be every Monday for the next 7 weeks. And then we may go to one or two more classes right before our due date if we need refreshing. She does her classes by sessions & her next one doesn't start until March & ends like on my due date so this one was better to take which starts tomorrow. So my weeks are starting to get busy! Mondays birthing class & Tuesdays yoga. I also want to get back into my walks after work as I know this is great preparation for childbirth. We just renewed my gym membership since it's already dark out by the time I get home so I will probably do my walking @ the gym. At least I can catch up on some of my many books I still have to read that friends have given me. So many. Yikes! lol If anyone is looking for good pregnancy books I really like The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy my friend Dana gave me. Also the common one most women have which is What to Expect When your Expecting. Also for those giving natural childbirth a shot my teacher recommended Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I also highly recommend a class too, though. As the book does also. And then there's Your Pregnancy week by week that I like too.

Saturday was an exciting yet exhausting loooooong day! We went to register for Lil Pea. We registered @ Target and Babies R Us. And we finished it all in one day! It became a little less exciting towards the end. We were just so overwhelmed & exhausted after a long day. But we are glad we finished both places in one day. We still have a few things to add on that we need to decide on. A swing is one of them. But for the most part we are pretty sure we got the essential items needed. (there are a lot! lol) Thanks to the help of my SIL & good friends Dana & Lauren for their lists of important items not to forget I'm happy with our registry. And for whatever we don't get as gifts at least we will have on a list for us to get after our shower. I think Daddy wasn't quite prepared for how much baby girl was really going to need! ;-)

Hope everyone had a safe and healthy New Year's. I think this may just be our best one ever!! We actually ended up spending the night @ home together New Year's Eve. I think this is the first time I have ever done that! It was nice, though. Chris was on shift New Years day so he didn't really care if we went out that night. And of course it wasn't like I was totally upset about not sitting around watching everyone catch a buzz while I sip on my water. ;-) The best part of this New Year was just as we were watching the ball drop on T.V. Lil Pea started kicking up a storm to let us know she was happy to be bringing in this New Year with us! :-))

Happy 2010 to everyone!! We hope this new year is as great for you as it will be for us!!

Talk about Emotions!

2009-12-28T13:25:00.014-05:00

New nephew Cody Michael

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was very nice this year. We went to my brother's house for the earlier part of the day to see my whole family. Then we went to Chris's Grandparent's house where his family was and we had dinner. We mainly just got money and gift cards. Chris really needs a new laptop since his is literally falling apart and I (well both of us actually) would like to get a camcorder before the baby gets here. Picture with Chris's family on christmas

As sad as I am to see the holidays leave I am also a bit relieved! It has been a bit hectic planning Lil Pea's arrival on top of the normal Christmas chaos! But I am happy to say her room is coming out great!! Chris had finished the painting and chair rail the last two weeks, so on Sunday my Dad and Chris's brother Michael came over to put down the laminate wood floors. And they look GREAT! Today Chris put the baseboards on. Click here to see a few new pics added in album Her bedroom/bath. We got a good deal on this wood and it came out looking great!

My Mom and I also went this past Saturday to order her bedroom furniture. We went with the Pali Collection called Trieste in the Cherry wood color as I mentioned in an older post. Should be hear in about 6-8 weeks.

So now it is my turn to start on her room. Right now it looks like a little boys room! Everyone keeps asking, are you sure you are having a girl??! lol But there will plenty of pinks added to her room shortly. We are trying to decide if we are going to paint a white picket fence or buy a vinyl one from Lowe's and nail it on the wall. It is only going to go on one or two of the walls. This is another thing we must decide. Also my friend Olivia is going to help paint a tree on one of the walls. She is going to come by to help decide where that will go. And then there will be the little things like flowers, butterflies, love bugs, ect.. I try not to overwhelm myself talking about it! ;o)~

As for my emotions they have been crazy the past few weeks! Usually I'm not much of a cryer, but it seems like every time I get mad or upset lately it ends in tears. And then this makes me cry more! Why can't I just be mad!! lol Chris will say, "don't cry babe." And I'm like, believe me I don't know why I am!!!

I have also started having those feelings I have heard about. The OMG I am going to have a baby here 24 hours a day in like 16-17 weeks!! And I am going to birth her (at least try) with no drugs!! YIKES!! We do start our Bradley classes next Monday and I know these will help put me at ease a little as my friend Lauren has told me. I also have started reading the book my teacher wanted me to read before class called Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. This book has been really helpful and really makes you feel like a drug free birthing really is possible with the right training. And of course if your body and baby cooperate as nature intended. So we will see.

I'm also going to take my first prenatal yoga class tomorrow which I am excited about. My body really needs a good stretch and some stress relief once a week now! It's so crazy how up until about 16-17 weeks you just don't even really feel or look pregnant and then BAM!! After 20 weeks you definitely start looking and feeling preggo. And let me tell you, those calf cramps don't play around!! ;-) I'm going to buy that white grape juice after work Sis. Hope it works.

This weekend we are going to register!! How exciting and scary at the same time. There is just SO much stuff. And also so much you really don't need. But I am going to have my BF and also my SIL look over our list online once we are done and tell us anything we should take off that we really won't need or add on something we really will need that we didn't put on. They both have two babies under 3 at home so they are pros. lol

We decided to register @ Babies R Us and Target. Not sure if we will do both Saturday. I think we will do Target first since they don't have as much and register for the rest at BB R Us if we are up for it. I was actually surprised Chris wanted to help with the registry. But I have seen a lot of Dad's on my trips to the baby store's lately so I guess this is common now. We will see how it goes!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year!!

21 weeks

2009-12-18T10:30:00.007-05:00

**New belly pics were added to our Lil Pea album.

Just click on Chris & Nicole's Photo Album

located to the left**

How Far Along? 21 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 8-9 pounds (depending on time of day ;-))

Maternity Clothes: Mainly wearing maternity clothes but can still wear some of my stuff too.

Sleep: pretty good

Best Moment of the Week: This week I have been sick. Started with a horrible sore throat Sunday & is now just sinus congestion and a cough. Feeling like crap but feel her move more than ever this week, which always brings a smile to my face. :-)

Movement: More than ever the past week. Usually when I am sitting or laying down. She usually starts up around lunch time I have noticed the past few days, too!

Food Craving: Still none, just the chocolate milk

Food aversions: Nothing new

Morning sickness: Gone, thank goodness!

Gender: It is a GIRL!

Labor Signs: No.

Belly Button: In, my bb is an innie....still really in there. But I have noticed it may be time to purchase one of those pregnancy belly rings my friend Sara told me about.

Wedding rings: still on

What I miss: nothing really. Just enjoying this pregnancy that is starting to go really quick!!

What I'm looking forward to: Hopefully seeing lil sweet pea again 01/08 when we go for a fetal echo @ the cardiologist. (my niece has VSD, so this is just a precaution to check baby girls heart)

Weekly Wisdom: stay AWAY from anyone sick while pregnant! You can't really take anything when you get sick (yes Tylenol but I am allergic so that's a no too for me) and it sucks! My Dr. gave me a Z-pack which I took the first night. This caused severe stomach pains which had me up every hour from 12am until I got up for work @ 7am. Similar to my IBS pains I have gotten before but even worse. So I called the Dr. and he said to discontinue the meds and see if my body can get better on it's own.

Milestones: Less than halfway to go!!

This week Chris also started working on her room. We also finished painting her bathroom. (also put some pics in our Picasa. Look in album called Her Bedroom/Bath) As most of you know we never did anything with that room when we moved into our new house 1 1/2 years ago. So it was just my exercise/junk room. We yanked the carpet out when we moved in because it was the original and kind of nasty. So I just had mats on the floor for when I worked out. Chris should finish the painting today and we are ordering the laminate wood flooring we picked out tomorrow. When that come's in he will start the floors.
I still feel like crap today and my cold is now in my chest so I stayed home from work. I'm hoping the Robitussin does it's job. I have a Nebulizer and usually start breathing treatments as I have always had chronic bronchitis, but cannot do these treatments while pregnant. So lot's of rest today and hope that clears this nasty cold out!
**Also put some Christmas pics in our Album so check them out!**

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Such a wonderful & exciting week!

2009-12-11T22:06:00.009-05:00

This week has certainly been a great one! Tuesday night we went out to dinner with Chris's family for his brother's birthday. Happy Birthday again Michael!!
On Wednesday my SIL was induced and my new nephew was introduced to the world!

Cody Michael Magrone

Born 12/09/09 9:15am

7lbs 9oz & 20 1/2 inches

Mommy and Cody were able to go home today and are doing great! And big sister Hayden is starting to realize her new "baby" is here to stay. ;-)

Thursday was also a wonderful day. We went to our 20 week anatomy scan to see our lil sweet pea again!! And boy has she grown! She finally looks like she is packin some meat on her arms and legs that looked so skinny @ 12 weeks. Her weight was approximately 11oz. which the tech said is very good. I put the pics in our Album on my blog and you can see her arm in one of them. The tech also got a good pic of her foot but for some reason didn't print that one for us. :-(

She also said everything looked fine. Of course my Dr. will still get a copy of everything to review. This is all becoming so real. After so long of wondering if and when we would have our baby now it looks like we will...and very soon!! This week also marks our halfway point!! We officially have less than halfway to go!

The beginning of this week was also exciting. Monday night Chris got to feel her kick! It is still very light for someone else to feel but he said he felt her. I pretty much feel her every day now, some days more than others and not that often yet. When we had the scan Thursday she was up but I wasn't feeling her. I think the tech woke her up because she was only really moving her hands. She kept putting them near her mouth. It's so amazing just to watch her. Even though I feel her now I still can't believe she is actually in me! Maybe because the kicks are still very light? It's just so crazy to think that little baby is in my ever growing belly. Which my books all say is really gonna start growing now every week. Yikes!! I'm a tiny girl so this freaks me a little. Some days my stomach feels so tight. Then other days it's ok. I have to take a 20 week belly picture but Chris was on shift today. The belly is definitely growing!! ;-}

The guy also came this week to remove the popcorn from the ceiling in her room and put knockdown. So next week Chris is going to start painting her room! We still have to get a few samples of the colors we like before we decide on one. And then once the painting is done he will put down the wood flooring we picked out. I will definitely post some before and after pics once this is done.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Growing pains

2009-12-06T19:57:00.009-05:00

Today was a very productive day. We went this morning and purchased lil sweet pea's bedding. Click here to see the one we picked. We want to paint her room in the next week or two before Chris starts putting in her wood floors. So I wanted to buy at least the bedding part of her set to help pick out paint colors. I will order the mobile, ect. later. We also looked again at the Peg Perego stroller while we were there and we are about 99% sure this will be the stroller we will get.
After that I went with Chris's Mom and also his brothers Fiance to Woodstock. It's an Arts and Crafts festival. I got baby girl a cute little tutu with bow set that is used for when she is born to take her first pictures in. Here is a pic.

We also met my friend Lauren there and we finally got to share our funnel cake we have been wanting for many, many months! ;-)
After that we went to Home Depot and got our Christmas tree along with helping both our Mom's pick out their tree's. We also got a sample of two different colors we liked for lil Pea's bathroom and decided which one we liked best when we got home. Chris is going to paint her bathroom on Wednesday. Also the guy is coming tomorrow to take off the popcorn on her ceiling and put knockdown. Then we are going to start painting her room!! It's so exciting now that it is all becoming so real!

I had my 4 week check up Friday with my OB. The did the normal urine sample and weight check. I've gained 8 pounds!! Which they said is perfect for 19 wks.. Not too little, not too much. (feels like a lot to me! ;-))
He listened to her heartbeat and said things sounded good. He also said the girls would give me a pamphlet before I left that has all the classes the hospital we are delivering at offers. So we can start looking into which one's we want to do. I also discussed with him about wanting to try natural child birth. No drugs. I am not totally against an Epidural, I just figure it's at least worth trying to do without it. He said he has a lot of patients do this (not sure how many pull it off). I also got the name and number for the lady my friend Lauren went to who has private Bradley classes she offers. Her classes are for 7 weeks, once a week. She takes only 6 couples at a time. She sounded very nice and discussed with me a little of what she goes over in her classes. They are not only all about childbirth (including c-sections and epidurals if you did end up having that) but she also goes into nutrition and exercise. My friend Lauren loved her classes and I think these will be a little more into detail and personal than the one childbirth class they offer at the hospital. So we signed up and our first class will be January 4th!! Class is every Monday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. As my coach, Chris will go with me to every class he can but if he is on shift at the station my Mom will go with me.

I'm sure you are wondering the reason for my post title. Well the past week baby girl must be really growing because I have been having aches and pains like never before. Not unbearable just new to me. And my digestive track has been really giving me a hard time. Having IBS does not help this situation at all. After sitting for awhile when I stand up sometimes it literally feels like my Uterus is trying to fall out!! And then I get these little sharp pains. Of course this just started happening immediately after my Dr. appt. Friday. But my friend Lauren said she had these same feelings start happening when she started really growing. And I just listened to baby girl with the Doppler and she doesn't sound at all bothered by all this. I did notice she is much higher now than last week. Found her heartbeat closer to my belly button now, where as before she was always so low near my hairline. I'm also pretty sure I'm finally feeling her kick! I thought I felt a kick Thursday night while laying in bed. Then again this morning when I woke up @ 3am due to horrible stomach pains from my bowels. She only does it once or twice so it's hard to confirm it's her, but I'm pretty sure.

This coming week is a busy week. Tuesday we have dinner with Chris's family for his brothers B-day. Then Wednesday we should be welcoming into this world my new nephew!! (my SIL is being induced) On Thursday I have my much awaited 20 week anatomy scan. Yayyyy!! And then this weekend we are going up to my Dad's to get a few tools he is giving Chris since he is moving. We are also going to visit and stay the night with my best friend who just had her new baby girl that I mentioned in a previous entry.
Busy, exciting week/weekend ahead!! Hope everyone has a good week!!

18 Weeks

2009-11-27T20:46:00.005-05:00

How Far Along? 18 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? 6 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Just bought some & can't wait to wear them!! :-)

Sleep: Not as good as I used to but not bad yet either

Best Moment of the Week: Turkey day and having a four day weekend!!!

Movement: I've been feeling something weird lately, just not yet sure if it's really her.

Food Craving: Well not really a food craving but this girl LOVES some chocolate milk!!

Food aversions: still a quite a few

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: Hopefully no time soon!

Belly Button: Still in and hoping it stays that way. I do need to get a preggo belly ring soon to replace mine.

What I miss: Not having indigestion after everything I eat!

What I'm looking forward to: 20 week scan in less than 2 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: The belly really does pop over night and everyone carries differently so don't listen to everything people try and tell you.

Milestones: Finding out the sex & finally being able to buy her a thing or two (or three! ;-))

Here is a picture of me and my SIL. We finally remembered to take a belly shot before my nephews arrival very soon! She is 38 weeks & me 18 weeks. 20 weeks apart.