Seven Months

Dear Peanut,

Mommy’s been a bad bad blogger. NOTHING posted since your 6 month update! I guess that means we’ve been busy busy.

After coming home from Thanksgiving up in PA your Daddy and I took our class to become Bradley instructors. It was 4 very loooong days but hopefully well worth it. Although we enjoyed our time in class ~ we missed you desperately. Grandma Jan came and stayed with you for a few days and then Grandma and Grandpa Alcantara came to stay. It was fun to share you, and a good daycare tester for Mommy, but I really didn’t like it. Along with 2 other babies, you spent a few mornings with us in class. These kids were cute and QUIET. You on the other hand were lil miss rambunctious. You’d see a marker ~ take off to eat it ~ wind up in someone’s lap ~ snuggle and play for a few ~ see another marker ~ take off to eat it…until you got hungry then you’d seek out mama again. It was funny, but tiring all the same.

Grandma Jan brought you this ADORABLE lil santa dress and I thought it would be just too cute to have you dressed up for a few pics. We were thinking x-mas cards, but with the dress and the hotel...it all looked a lil to Sears-y for Mama. Don't ya think?

THEN as if that weren’t tiring enough ~ the day after we finished classes we had to return to work, AND the contractors came to fix & paint the walls THAT DAY!. Although it took a week and we were without water for 5 days these guys did a great job and you were even better. How you managed to nap while they were here is beyond me ~ but not once did you seem overwhelmed by having to sleep in the living room on a blow up mattress, or by having 5 extra house guests every day.

You’re also becoming a bit addicted to mommy. I revel in the fact that it’s a known phase for this time of your life and don’t do a single thing to stop it.


Somehow despite stealing her toys and chewing on her tail when you catch her ~ Willoughby still loves you. It cracks me up how she actually plays WITH you. You’ll be happily sitting in the living room, playing with a toy or eight and she’ll come about 2 feet away from you (just out of arms reach to be safe). Then you’ll see her, squeal and take off after her. She’ll run and sit about 5 feet from original position. You’ll follow. You two will repeat this until she takes off into your room, which unfortunately is around the corner and thus out of view from Mommy.

May you always seek comfort in my presence,
Mommy

Six Months Old

Happy Half Year!!!

How can you already be SIX MONTHS old?!?! I’ve said it before, but these early years are just too darn fast. I think I’d like this baby phase to be twice as long and in return I’m willing to shorten bits of 13, 14, and 15. (Maybe) Although, if Gene Simmons has taught me anything, its that it IS possible to have teenagers & even pre-teens think their parents are cool and still want to hang out with them. Who woulda thunk he'd be a role model? ever.

Not too much crazy stuff has happened this month. Your biggest feat is crawling and standing. Still no butt in the air, but it moves ya places just about as fast as your daddy and I can roll off the sofa to catch you. Another great accomplishment for you is standing. Just days before your ½ birthday your daddy and I were fixin’ up your room a little more and just like that ~voila~ your hanging onto the side of the crib and bouncing up and down. As surprised and pleased as we were to see this, I have to admit, we would have been just as happy to wait a day or two as it was after 10pm and both of us were DYING to get to bed, not move the mattress down to its lowest setting.

I think my favorite part of hanging out with you every day is learning who my baby girl is. Your starting to develop a lil err ok – a BIG personality. For starters your goofy. You just love to make us laugh. Sometimes with the string you’ve pulled out of my sweatshirt or a ribbon from a gift. You love to chew on it and make silly faces.

You also still LOVE the outdoors. I remember you came into this world with crisp morning air to greet you and the sound of soothing rain falling outside. Each time we go outside you seem to grow a little older, a little wiser and far more peaceful. We took you on a hike with about 15 other people one weekend and just about everyone commented on how great you were, like a true Taurus, you just soaked in every ounce of the experience.


I’m soaking you in,
Mommy

Its the most wonderful time of the year!

Yesterday my me and my honeys went on a hike. It was approx 4 miles and though technically thats not far at all...it was a toughie! But the views along the potomac were well worth it. Seeing my lil peanut all bundled up and out in the fresh air was worth it, meeting the people we did and after for Pho was worth it. But feeling like the old Jenn & Peter, version 2.1 made it TOTALLY worth it.

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TurkeyRun_8872.asp

happy birthday to ME!

its the end of an "era"...the last of my 20's. Can you imagine?!?! How did i celebrate you ask ~ in only the BEST WAY POSSIBLE!!!

I went to the gym with baby in tow. Put her in daycare and went directly to the hot tub. From there I promptly went into the steam room. I came home to a FANTASTIC dinner prepared by my man.

The next day i worked ALL day. But unlike that job that pays the mortgage...this I LOVE. I had a photo session in Annapolis for a great couple that was a lot of fun, then another couple here in DC. Its awesome to know that there is something I could make a living from that i LOVE.

~ now to get that ball rolling!

Things I don't want to forget

*how when you begin to giggle - you sound like your gasping for air - and it scares the SHIT out of me.

*how much you love Willoughby and how it terrorizes you when she runs away

*how easily you can be put to sleep for each nap

*how much you love to snuggle right now

*how you have NO interest in eating if there is anything remotely exciting going on ANYWHERE else in the world.

Five Months Old

Happy un-birthday my lil mobile one!!!

This morning after your daddy changed your diaper and before he wrangled you in for a wardrobe change you got the urge to show off your latest and greatest skillz! At one point I think you may have actually done a proper crawl  For the past few weeks you scoot about doing what I refer to as the ‘seal’, but today you seem to have a new nifty mode of transport. The lift and flop. (Its similar to the bend and snap*, but waaay cuter says your Father) Its mirrors the inchworm approach that so many babies start out with, but well…yours looks a tad more painful and is definitely far more enthusiastic!
[video]
This month you’ve given up your predicable schedule in favor of random acts of sleepiness. I’ve been saying this for months now…its cause your teething. Apparently all moms have excuses and this is mine. I used to make fun of those moms…ok, I admit I still do. And I know I vowed I wouldn’t do it and I know I cringe every time I hear the words come out of my mouth (but)…I REALLY BELIEVE IT! You’ve even taken to wearing a bib during the good majority of your waking hours because as much as I don’t mind doing laundry and cleaning your cloth diapers, swapping a slobber soaked shirt every 30 min gets to be a bit much.

Speaking of laundry and all things dirty…I’m afraid I have bad news for the both of us. Now while I do hope you grow up and surprise me ~ I think you have a good chance at being the dirty kid.

Baby Girl you have toys. Granted not as many as most kids I’ve met your age, but clearly more than enough than you need as you’d be happy with the remote control, butt paste container, my pc, all the cords attached and DIRT. How is it at 5 months you can find the dirtiest spot on the porch and decide that looks like fun…lets eat it! At he Del-Ray Art-On-The-Avenue you found…dirt. Dirt, dirt, dirt.

As for food – even though you’re still a booby baby, you are sooooo into food. It may have more to do with the above paragraph (things you can’t have) but clearly your getting ready. Occasionally you’ll get a swished up bite of this, a smashed up finger full of that and if your REALLY lucky…you get some water out of a straw. Man those things are cool!

With everything that’s been going on the past couple of weeks: crazy work schedule, holidays looming, home no longer for sale, and oh yea…that whole water destruction thing ~ you remain my sunshine. When you laugh and giggle it makes all my frustration and sadness disappear.

Eternally grateful,
Your Mommy

Making Lemonade

Me - "Peter wake up, the toilet is overflowing"
P - "umm, no - water's leaking from the ceiling"
Me - "WHAT?"
P - "yea, its coming out of the vent from above us"

AHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

After 129 days on the market ~ our condo is officially tell us that it doesn't want us to go. EVER. In fact in its own sweet little way - i think its trying to tell us that it loves our little family.

Sooo making lemonade out of the lemons we're given...or perhaps mojito's from the limes - they're sour too right...i'm hoping to get the ceiling painted and new carpeting. Both of which could use a lil updating.

ahhh reflections

Last night I enjoyed a fantastic night dinner out with friends. Somehow Giuliane knew that this was a fancy restaurant and was on her beeeeeeest behavior, as there was hardly a peep heard from her all night! However for what – the second time this year – this post isn’t about her.

There’s something about fall weather that just reminds me of college and behaving badly. Bonfires and piles of leaves, spiced and spiked cider and Icehouse on tap. All day – everyday. Only to be replaced by loud thumping music and lots and lots of dancing at the end of the night. Ohh to be able to just have a taste of the freedom of those days again.

Fast forward to last night. Our table of four (and a half) was sitting next to a date-night table of two. The girl was over-dressed, over loud, had over imbibed, and most importantly soooo over the guy she was with. Course that’s presuming she was ever into him in the first place. But don’t hate ~ a girl’s gotta eat.

That was my phrase in my lower 20s. If someone asked me out and was remotely a passable date…why say no? ‘A girls gotta eat.’ And that was my life. I made enough at a non-profit to pay my bills and look uptown trendy. It was others responsibility to keep me well fed and the drinks coming. As I looked at this girl at the table next to mine I thought. GAWD ~ was I ever really this shallow, so transparent, so obvious, sooo obnoxious? Sadly, we all know the answer to this is a resounding YES!

For a second I felt ashamed, maybe even a little guilt. But as I looked at my husband beside me and took a quick glance at the happy baby on the floor beneath me ~ I no longer cared. I was who I was and its who led me to be who I am today.

I LOVE MY LFE.

Always have always will. That girl 10 years ago was very obnoxious, but she was fun and she loved life. This girl in her upper 20s might not be as ‘fun’ on the outside, but on the inside she couldn’t love her life any more.

Must - Not - Ruin - Surprise

So what do you do when you have a friend over, drink 4 bottles of wine and your daughter wakes up for her midnight meal?

Dress her up in her halloween costume and dance around the living room with her.

DUUHHHHH

(and yes, it was a frozen bottle of boob juice, no flames)

just can't believe it

4.5 mos and G's really gettin going. This past week has been so fun to watch her play. She scoots here - she scoots there - she's scooting everywhere - BACKWARDS. totally normal but it still cracks me up. Yesterday she got on all fours and took a good look around at everything should could break, chew, and generally destroy in 5 minutes.

we have work to do. lots of work to do.

Dr. Seuss for nursing moms

Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?

I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her ..till she’s full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy’s milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.

As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy’s milk is tailor made
It’s the perfect food, you need no aid.

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast’s the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!

We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There’s no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.

Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy’s milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can’t be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I’ll meet her needs, I’ll always try.
It’s not about what’s good for you,
It’s best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma’am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

non baby post (gasp)

please note that i did not say 'cool - non suburbanite post'

OUR CAT IS SOOO COOL.

Not only does she let someone pull her tail and ears for a min or two before cooly walking away...but...

She can open the screen door. I love it.

For some reason I've never minded a bug here, a fly there so we typically leave the screen door open when the air's off. But come nightfall - i get a lil leery of things that go bump in the night and always want at least the screen door shut. Sometimes kitty's not home from her rounds and like a true mom ~ i worry. Well worry no more, as she can now open the screen door with a few well placed scratches at the bottom of the rail.

Four Months Old

Dear Giuliane,

Personality is what I think of when I think of how you've changed this month. Your really starting to get one my lil peanut. I have to laugh at myself because when I think of you and your ‘big personality’ I’m reminded of your cousin Alyza when she was a baby and her videos that were sent from CA. ‘King Bubby’ always talked about how much personality she had while the rest of us just stared blankly at the television and a googly albeit cute ~ baby.


This month was highlighted with another trip to Pittsburgh / Ligonier. You finally got to meet your Uncles!!! I still giggle that Uncle Randy’s first comment was on your hairstyle ~ leave it to the hairdresser in the family to notice your lil fauxhawk.



Also important, your daddy and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. You went and hung out in Arlington with Miss Becky (and by default her kind roommate Erin). We had brunch at one of our favorite places, the Market Inn, then walked around the National Arboretum. It was so nice to just be the two of us for a few hours, but we couldn’t help but consistently think of the day when you’ll be able to stroll around with us and enjoy the flowers and big trees.

We also went to the Centreville Days fair, apple picking, and you got to enjoy your first ever Steelers game on TV. Clearly your quite at home with the Steeler crowd already.


But more about you... You giggle is still infectious. So much so that we had to video-tape it and sent it off to friends and family alike.

You’re also starting to get the hang of this sitting thing. You def like the comfort of being propped up on the sofa or in between our legs, but if given the opportunity you can hang on your own for a few seconds. In fact, just the other day, your lil Buddha belly proved strong enough to pull yourself up from a semi-reclined position into a full sitting one. THEN you even hung out long enough for me to run and get the camera and smiled for a picture.


Your also becoming very intrigued by food. You watch us eat it and love to smell smells. Especially good wine and fruits. But who can blame you there. I imagine that by the ripe ol age of 4 or so, you'll have quite the snobby palate. No chicken nuggets for you lil one!

But the best of all is that you really know how to love your Mommy and Daddy. I’ve just begun to feel comfortable leaving you in others care (be it the gym, church or with friends) For the most part you are great in their care, but its your sheer joy upon seeing us return that makes every moment being away from you worth it. It’s like coming to get you first thing in the morning all over again.

But don’t worry, I’m storing up these moments of great joy for when your 11 and can’t stand the sight of me.

I’ll never get tired of you,
Mama

What they don't tell you

is that you will go bald after having a baby.

Yes - everyone says you'll lose hair, but that doesn't exactly convey what REALLY happens. What REALLY happens is that you will run your hands through your hair and end up with a fistful that would make a lovely hawk home.

That folks ~ isn't loosing hair, thats going bald.

3mos is NOT a good age for pics :)

my baby's growin up!

So this weekend was the first weekend that I formally bagged the cloths & diapers that no longer fit. I got soo weepy. I can't believe that in this short time she's changed soo much. Couple that with the newborn video of a friends niece and i'm downright missing my newborn! I wouldn't trade the time I have with Giuliane for the WORLD ~ but i want to enjoy every phase of her, every day! That's not to much to ask, is it?

Three Months Old!

Dear Peanut
(as this you are called more often than Giuliane)

In two hours you will have reached 3 months. Well officially in 8 hours as you were born at 6am, but let’s not split hairs. I’ve just taken you from your crib beside the bed and put you in bed with me. Daddy’s at band practice and won’t be home for a few more hours and you fell asleep shortly after he left. We hardly got to play, so I’m getting my snuggles in now. I’m amazed that in 95 days – I still haven’t gotten tired of the way you smell, the way your lips fall open, the sound of your breath or that you look like a little smurf in your green jammies.

We have had SO much fun with you this month. Just the other night, you were snug in your Daddy’s arm muchin’ on a teething ring. Sad to say – Mommy said its 9pm and your tired, so I stuck you in your crib and said that’s that. Daddy went in and changed you, played with you and then brought you out and gave you a nice cool teething ring. That’s love.

A couple times this week something has come over you that neither Daddy nor I know how to handle. You just WAIL. It’s uncontrollable and you almost hyperventilate yourself – I worry to the point of passing out. Also sad to say…Mommy thinks it’s kinda cute. (I’m not doing to well here am I?) But timing in human development is quite magical as with this new found uncontrollable cry, you’ve also learned to wrap your arm right up around our neck and give us the slightest little hint of a hug. Equally adorable… When your not trying to raise the dead with you banshee imitation, you giggle. Forget giggle, your laugh comes straight from the belly just like you imagine Santa would do. I wish I could laugh with my whole body like you do just once a month, much less the 20+ times you do it a day.

I’m pretty sure in the past note or two I’ve mentioned what a cute lil thumb sucker you are, but baby…you’ve moved on to champion thumb sucker (declared by me). Nothing but net nearly every time you go for it. It’s amazing. Then you also have this way of using your left hand to cover the right – just to make sure something crazy doesn’t happen to that thumb – like it falling out or something. ;0

I’m doing ok. Aside from my hair falling out – I’m a lil bummed about the idea of you going to daycare. Its been 3 weeks since I went back to work, but since your Daddy and I work from home, we’re cheating and keeping you here with us. Its HARD though. Not only do you demand attention, but we want nothing more than to give you 110% alllll of the time! So it is with heavy hearts that we went and looked at the daycare up the road. I have to say – as far as daycare goes – this is a great one. The owner is crazy about teaching good manners and Miss Betty – the baby attendant – is sweet as pie. She’s totally a Grannie and has a great smile and a light in her eyes that is very important to me if your going to spend every day with her. I don’t want you to be influenced by the Debby Downers of the world. My sarcasm is enough for you to have to learn to deal with. Our home is still on the market, but it’s not looking good. So I’m interviewing in hopes of finding a better job and making the most of the time we have in DC. Besides, we’ve made a lot of good friends here that I’m not too excited about leaving.

Someday we’ll have a home big enough for toys in your bedroom and a garden out back. You will help me pick tomatoes and I’ll teach you how to fry the green ones.

Love,
Mommy

Work Sucks

Ahhhh its 4:56 and the end of day my second day “back at work”. I use the term back at work loosely because I’m working from home AND Giuliane is still at home with us. With both Peter and I working from home we’re hoping to save a few thousand over the next couple of months and of course….GET MORE BABY TIME! She sleeps 5 out of the 8 hours of a working day, so for right now its really not that hard.

We’re also recently returned from our whirlwind last month of activities. Tyler, Siena & Micah were in for their two weeks of the summer. As previously mentioned we went Hilton Head – had a wonderful time, came home to DC for 4 days. Then went to Ct to show all 4 kids off at Peters parents. Once we dropped the kids off at the airport we went up to Ligonier for a night – then to NEMICOLIN for a few days. Peter gave me the bestest relaxation smage EVER. TWO HOURS of heaven. Then we went back to Ligonier for a few days. I took my first ever fly fishing lesson and fished the next two days (no luck though). It was very very relaxing. However I am happy to be home.

Giuliane seems to like it too. She got a bit of a cold and seems to be sleeping it off. Hopefully she’ll wake up in time for Grandma Jan and Aunt Jude’s visit on Thursday!

First Vacation!

Can you imagine ~ your first plane trip at 7 weeks ~ what a lucky girl! Hopefully this is just the beginning of a lifetime of great journeys.

Mommy has to say, all things considered Giuliane was a great little baby girl on the plane. A few little 'pay attention to me whimpers' and some slight fussyness when we were taxing for takeoff as I wouldn't let the lil peanut eat till we were acutally taking off, but really...since we were on a small plane, i doubt anyone could hear her over the engine.

The flight was only an hour and 15 min long and the rest of the time, she giggled and coo'ed with the best of them. In short ~ she was ADORABLE!

A good lil Cuban

So its been awhile - and i have plenty of posts saved up in my PC, but i figured its time to properly begin blogging again. So much happens so fast in this household that i don't want to foget a single moment of it!

Snapshot:
Giuliane is 7 weeks old
We leave for the beach (first plane trip) tomorrow am
Condo is STILL for sale
I've submitted resumes to a few companies for indep contracting work
I have a photo shoot on Sun July, 15th - that dream is still alive :)

However I write today about going to the movies. Yesterday Giuliane and I went to a baby & me movie and saw - SICKO...yes, I went to see a Michael Moore (MM) movie and even more so...I really enjoyed it. Giuliane was her typical adorable self and coo-ed thought 99% of it.

During one part - MM takes a few 911 workers down to Cuba to receive their 'free' medical treatment. At one point they flash Castro on the screen and discuss how he's no all bad. Well apparently this lil one disagreed, because she let out the most blood curdling scream. It lasted EXACTLY as long as the Castro praise and once they were finished - so was she.

Grandpa would be so proud!

SHE'S HERE!!!

More details are sure to be posted, but I just HAD to get this picture up!

Mothers Day

Today is Mother’s Day and the anticipated arrival date of Baby Taurus. Things have been uneventful although I think Jenn has been having contractions…her belly becomes rock solid at times with the uterus completely contracting. Baby Taurus, you’ll have to tell me how the contractions felt while you were floating in your amniotic sac.

So a kind of depressing day, as we were hoping to have been at the birth center already and home with a baby…but the time is just not right…so we wait. It was a slow day…a mopey day…although we went to church and that was good. We came home and Jenn napped and then we were bored so went for a walk. We found a new spot…Cub Run Park…and found a creek with a quiet outcropping of rocks. The sun was just behind the trees and so we rested…I did some relaxation on Jenn and her cares went away and a brightness came to her eyes and face…she had been rejuvenated by just about 5 minutes of relaxation. It was awesome and I felt so much love for her at that moment. To know that I can bring such calmness to her and be able to encourage her with a few words and some gentle massaging. It’s amazing. So after the rejuvenation we came home to get ready for dinner and to relax the rest of the day away and had our first positive sign. Jenn’s mucous plug has softened. What a great way to end a long weekend…the baby we’ll be here soon.

Perhaps i'll be shaving in the not so distant future!!!

Simple Gifts

So today was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Its Mothers Day and also the baby’s official due date. I requested that we not celebrate as I’m a little leery of ‘counting your chickens before they hatch.’

However, like every weekend, I was treated to a wonderful dinner Saturday night (Scalini’s Eggplant Parm, spaghetti w/clam sauce and a lil fried polenta!) This morning we lounged around and went to church. A pastor of ours celebrated her first Mothers day in 7 years since she miscarried, and yet the realization of how truly lucky I am still was not enough to pull me from my funk. We came home, I napped, and then suggested we get out of the house. It’s a picture perfect day ~ 75, blue, and sunny with the perfect breeze blowing through. If I go back to work tomorrow and miss this day – I know I’m gonna be PISSED!

So we were heading towards Bull Run park, but turned around fearful of an entrance fee and made our way to a random path marked on the side of the road. Little did either of us know that it crossed a stream. The sound of water, the sun going down behind the trees ~ it was perfect. We trekked down to a perfect sitting spot and just enjoyed the silence. I began to feel a little better. Then Peter did some relaxation and I awoke re energized.
• It is BEAUTIFUL outside
• I am 40 weeks pregnant and walking around a path with a healthy baby in my belly
• I have a husband who I KNOW is as excited about this baby as I am
• I have a supportive family
• I have a beautiful home
• I have a safe car
• I have a secure job
• SHREK is on tonight at 8pm

With the weight of the world seemingly lifted from my shoulders we came home and I lost my MP. Be it hours or days…you are on your way!

Taking One for the Team

The baby beard…It’s been a week since the last time I shaved and that was when we were at 38 weeks so today I trimmed up my neck but kept the facial hair. I’ve decided that I will grow a baby beard…only shaving once the little bugger has arrived. My version of the “playoff beard”. This is serious work and I need to support my wife anyway I can. So today the “baby beard” is born and soon the little bugger will be born too…come on Baby Taurus…we’re looking forward to meeting you.

UNCLE!

Idiom:
cry/say uncle Informal
To indicate a willingness to give up a fight or surrender

More Homemade goodies

In addition to the BABY, cleaning products, crib blanket, etc, Peter and I decided to venture into maternity photography as well. While I LOVE the pics i see of other moms: the stretch marks, chubby body (though less now than before getting preg), and frugality of me ~ I just can't fathom spending the money on professional pics.

Peter has done so much to make me feel wonderful these past 38 weeks and topped it off with a truly pampering weekend. This was the first weekend that i truly felt sorta icky, but when he:
*makes a breakfast of prosciutto, melon, provolone, cafe con leche, oj, and orange & cranberry scones then
*makes the second round (hours later) of poached eggs, on a crab cake with holindaise & asparagus
*goes with me to get my nails done
*giggles with sheer excitement as i have some serious contractions at Wal-Mart.
*offers to take pictures to make me feel beautiful (and even absorbs far too much 'constructive criticism' from the family photographer...

You can't help but have a wonderful weekend

Bigger is better?!?!?

How come everything i read says that "by this point your weight gain and belly growth should have reached its peak" LIARS! Last week alone i gained 3 lbs and i OBVIOUSLY am getting bigger. Thankfully, i'm dropping. I still don't think the pics show it, but trust me...the view from above says otherwise.

The the yellow pic is 33w7d and brown pic is last night 37w6d. Ok, now that i write it out - i feel silly as its been 4 weeks. Man does time fly by when your havin fun.

Pregnancy cravings

Yea ~ That's about it. I'll admit: some days i get a random want of brownies, pizza, or mexican, but nothing really compares to my craving to wear a smokin pair of FMP's and go dancing. Last night was no exception. We went to "Catbo", now called Border Cafe, (tomorrow prob something else) to listen to my fav band out here.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61692706

I mean how can you go wrong when a guy can combine Prince, Otis, and Hootie into one set?!?!

Nonetheless, I just had to sit there any enjoy. No dancing for me these days. However I do have to say THANK GOD for this band, else i would feel like i've slipped into Pregnancy oblivion.

M-I-C

Awe Mickey...your so cute. But do you see those HANDS??? Now add a finger. Yes, perhaps just a pinkie there on the end. And voila...that is what my hands look like these days.

I swear I wake up in the middle of the night with club hand. It progressively gets a lil better come morning, but these lil sausage fingers may never be the same.

P.S. - baby's dropped a lil and i can BREATH...but...gotta go pee ;)

YES!!!

Ok - i'll admit. I watch videos of EVERYTHING online...ok I skip the yucky mean things, but everything else is pretty much free game. And with this, I typically watch, form an opinion and quickly forget them.

This video - i don't ever want to forget.

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~tm322203/Midwife/

I want to share share share it with everyone i know. The sentiments in this video are MINE and I couldn't have said any of it any better, much less found/created more perfect imagery to go along with the words. The video was placed on another blog I often read (http://thelactivist.blogspot.com)

Its not about or done by the midwives that we're seeing. And though we'd love the opportunity to deliver at home, we'll be at a birth center (for insurance purposes). Nonetheless, its a beautiful video and I too, wanted to share.

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite

You'll notice that this post also falls under the rainy weather, crafty...what to do time frame as the previous.

For the past 8 mos (well prob only 6 or so) we've been looking and looking and looking for baby bedding. What is a simple chore for some, has been sheer torture for me. For starters, the baby's sex is a surprise. This immediately takes away 80% of the commercial bedding on the market. Next, I'm not a huge fan of anything overly cutesy...yes I do have a pink poodle purse, but i SERIOUSLY draw the line at anything Disney. Then I have this thing for softness. At age 5 I 'borrowed' a blanket from my grandmother because it was the perfect level of worn and soft. NONE of the baby blankets i have found even come close to what I want.

Now I know that you don't use these blankets in the beginning and some don't even use them at all, but...to me not having one verged on sacrilege, so i had to do something.

Thankfully I have a very understanding and encouraging husband who actually got excited when we found the perfect fabric and convinced me that YES - I could make the blanket myself and we could easily pick up the other pieces to match. And so I did...well a teeny tiny teddy bear size prototype at least. The rest/best is yet to come.

She's Crafty...

Oh how i wish I could have the Beastie Boys playing in the background while this post is being read, alas...the idea will have to suffice.

Baby Brewing and rainy weather are a dangerous combination. What started with wanting a natural ~ i.e. drug-free and midwife attended birth ~ has lead down a slippery slope of hippie-dom. We slowly progressed to organic eggs and rBGH-free milk, since i was consuming so much of the two it just made sense. Then we decided we wanted to cloth diaper, as we practice 'leave no trace' when we camp...shouldn't we do so in our lives as well? And on and on - up to today - I mixed up my first batch of homemade laundry soap. Why??? Well it too just made sense. Why purchase that special 'baby soap' when we can make our own completely natural product.

Laundry Soap
2c borax
2c washing soda (a little hard to find - we bought at a pool supply store)
2/3 bar grated castile soap
Mix it all in a glass jar and use 1-2TBSP per load

Of course - peter had to take a pic for posterity’s sake.

31 days...is that legal?

Its hard to imagine that in 31 days (+/-14) that there will be a baby...here...on my lap. And it will *gulp* my OURS.

I'm trying my hardest to keep working (though i really don't have anything to do) but all i really do is sit on the sofa and daydream. My two favorite to-be moments in my head are (1) singing happy birthday on your real "birth" day here at home, and (2) soaking in the tub with a little wiggly you, exploring just how far those arms and legs can really reach.

Enjoy your last few weeks in there. I know I am.

Dear Baby Taurus... Love Dad

Baby Taurus - your name for now - to be revealed the day you are born. You are for now a mystery hidden inside your mommy. Safe, protected and well loved. We're so excited to meet you.

For the past 34 weeks you've been growing: developing a brain, a nervous system, a heart and circulatory system, lungs and a respiratory system, a stomach and digestive system, a pituitary gland and endocrine system, bones and muscles, and skin to protect it all. All this growth and development - all this genetic work inside mommy, a mix of Alcantara and Sapp to produce you, baby Taurus.

Our baby, our joy. What a miracle for when you are born you will know us without knowing what we look like. You will know, because it is written inside of you - every cell - and you will know us by our voices. This amazes me. For you are not even physically with us, yet you are already learning. You are amazing.

You may arrive very soon. Estimated date of arrival is in 5 weeks...May 13 ~ Mothers day! And you have an amazing mother. I'll tell you more about her later. But for now, know that she loves you very much and is looking forward to meeting you.

Holy Pressure Batman

So last night - i think i may have over-done my yoga'ing. Well, perhaps not 'overdone'. Perhaps I've done exactly what i should be doing, but just don't like it.

Somewhere between the bazillion swats i did and the other hip opening postures I think that i've just dropped, well rather ~ baby Taurus has just dropped. Yes, yes, yes ~ I KNOW technically it isn't something that happens immediately, but try telling that to my body. All i know is that when i went to yoga i felt ok. When i left i felt like crap. (Its like I've been doing a spilt for 3 days then immediately got up and tried to run.)

Now I'm actually trying to think of another option instead of just getting up and walking to the bathroom.

Estimated time left:
5 weeks 4 days = 38 days = 912 hours = 54,720 minutes

Types of boobs

So typically when one thinks of having babies, at some point one beings to think of boobs.

From the days of conception, sore boobs in the first trimester, big boobs in the third, to ginormous feeding vessels after the baby is born.

However - there is also a rarely discussed species of boob out there that most don't dare discuss. Its in Webster's dictionary as "She who lacks faith in her family and friends, and continuously throws pity parties for herself. See also ~ Jenn"

This rare variety of "boob" was spotted at her SURPRISE baby shower this past Saturday. For MONTHS Yujin among other friends and family have been watching me suffer at the idea of just not being loved enough and trying my best not to be/act selfishly. But man it has not been an easy road, and man is it embarrassing when you confide (constantly) in your best friends.

Alas, under the guise of getting pictures taken on the mall during the cherry blossom festival, i was (thankfully) all cute and spiffed up. Becky had told me a few days prior that the decorations were still up from Yuj's surprise birthday party, so i didn't suspect anything immediately when i walked into their appt. BUT something did catch in the corner of my eye. People - lots of People, and they were people that didn't belong in this space. I was very confused and then got the big "surprise!"

I couldn't believe it. My best friends from DC, my family from Pittsburgh and Peter's from CT. ALL here. FOR ME (oh and that baby of course). Finally i could STOP worrying about not having ANYTHING and i could feel a little better about why Peter was sooooooooo pase about the NEED to go shopping. (doesn't he love me, doesn't he love this baby?)

Its great to be LOVED...even if you are a boob of course.

technical stuff

So last night i was feeling particularly crappy. Post-nasal drip and all. BUT i did have a huge break through with the lil one.

In a moment of genius we had a lil chat. We both agreed that no one wants another Gemini in the family and that all would be best, if it would try to come on time. After all - we hadn't been calling the baby - "Baby Taurus" for NOTHING.

Then I asked if it wanted to play a lil game. It kicked a yes, so i proceeded. Kick once if your a boy and twice if your a girl. Then immediately - BAM

Isn't science wonderful?

Could this be the begining of the end???

So this past weekend I went home to pittsburgh. I felt a little under the weather, but deemed it to mostly self pity. Before we left I updated my baby registry, and noticed a few gifts missing. So i foolishly expected a surprise shower. I was previously told it was a bad weekend, due to St. Patty's day, but really...adults & St. Patty's day??? I suspect it revolved more around March Madness then anything else. Stupid stupid me. There was no celebration. I did however learn that my dad & stepmom got a nice 'pamper-me' basket for their neighbor who was preg. Me - i haven't even gotten a card from them. Its nice to know where you stand i guess...but damn depressing at the same time.

So after all that it should be no surprise that all i wanted to do was sleep while i was there. But then i get home and all i still want to do is sleep. AND i find more sniffles and aches and pains to accompany me. I HAVE 8 WEEKS LEFT it can't get bad yet. CAN'T you hear me - i won't accept it!

On a good note, Aunt Jude booked her flight for May 25 - 28 to come and meet baby. Let's hope your here by then ;)

I've got Belarus on my belly

Is it possible that 8 months into this i am still finding surprises around every corner?!?! Is it possible that my nose will ever stop? Is it possible that in creating a lil human I sometimes fear i am just hosting an intergalactic kegger in my belly? Is it possible that my latest and greatest addition looks JUST LIKE BELARUS???


So lets talk about stretch marks. The good, the bad and the WHOOOAA what IS that? So like most first time moms, I took a memory glimpse of my mom's belly and though a lil whimper might have escaped, its NOTHING compared to some of the battle scars i've seen. So when a few months ago the first 6 appeared (3 on each side of my belly button) I almost thought they were cute. A few weeks later another set of six crept in. Now the other day after stripping off a rather tight waisted, low-rising pair of pants - i was rubbing my poor lil crease lines in hopes of making it all go away. When - hmmm that's not quite the same vertical streak i've been rubbing. I bend over to take a look. HA! Impossible. So i waddle over to the mirror to take a closer look. I actually have to LIFT up my belly to get a clearer check and there is it...BELARUS.



EVERY stretch mark i've seen has been just that ~a longish stretched piece of skin. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES OF BELARUS? For a few days I held out hope that perhaps it was just a bruise, but nope. Its a BIG, round, country shaped stretch mark. Please don't let this be a sign of things to come.

Sunny Sunny day

Today looks BEE-U-tiful outside. Its breezy and i want nothing more than to take our blanket - a big glass of iced tea, a good book and go bask in the sun. It looks like one of those days where just when you begin to sweat a lil and wish for the cool days of fall a cold whisp of air blows almost right through you and instantly you wonder if you should run inside for a sweater. However, there is still snow on the ground and at best - it might be 42 degrees f.

I have little work to do today. I should be reviewing past reports for errors, but really...not going to happen. I also could be doing laundry and cleaning as we're having people over for a Chinese New Years dinner on sat, but instead i'm daydreaming about shamrock shakes, driving with all the windows open and sitting outside in sunny spots. Well that and expensive designer maternity jeans that cost $265. Can you imagine?!?!

In one month and 1 day i am photographing a friends wedding. I am very excited and only starting to get a lil nervous. My biggest fear is what to wear. Do you really think professional photographers care about this kinda crap? Of course most of them prob aren't 8 mos pregnant when they book their first wedding.

Babyland is good. The heartburn has subsided for the past few days which has been nice, only to be replaced by my need for my 5pm nap. Again ~ really not so bad. I got a few cute new clothes from Old Navy, which keeps me happy. Now if i could only muster up the $40 to get my nails done...i might acutally feel like a lady again.

Itchy, Bitchy & Bloated - the lost Dwarf.

MAN ~ i have had the ugliest cold for the past 5 days or so...or so i hope its a cold, cause then that means it will GO AWAY - right?!?!? I've had a 'cold' since about month two of this lil expidition called pregnancy, but the past week has been soooo muuuuch woooorse. So i'm wishin and hopin and prayin that it will go away. Cause it WILL GO AWAY. Interestingly enough, i learned last night that the 'cold' symptoms are just my sad lil body's way of not knowing where it needs to put the extra mucus. It knows it needs some, but unfortunatly we're not developed enough as a species to put it EXACTLY where it needs to go - so it goes EVERYWHERE. Fun.


In other news. I hosted a living room luau on sat night. I think it was quite the success. Peter needed to be celebrated and i needed a vacation.

i'm leaking

nuff said.

is there another one in there?

This weeks latest flux of emotions have me wondering a few things:
- could there really be another baby?
- who's body is this???

As for the first - my rump is HUGE. Now its been no where near small in recent years, however a recent glimpse of my derriere in the mirror over the weekend has me worried that there indeed could be another fetus growing in my ass. How else might you explain its size in direct proportion to my belly when my weight gain for 24 weeks is ONLY 6 POUNDS?~?~ Fetuses Timmy - Fetuses - that's how.

And for the second mind altering realization. This isn't MY body. I can no longer do what i want. I've been cool with being nice to my body for awhile now. I only have A drink on occasion and i will add - it ins in a measurable glass - not the whole bottle for those familiar with my habits. I don't smoke - even occasionally and i eat my plethora of protein and workout (though not as much as i should).

However despite all this good behavior - i keep getting kicked - LITERALLY. I really just want to go sit in the hot tub for HOURS. Screw the 5 minutes every other week or so. I WANT TO NAP IN A HOTTUB...ohhhhh sleep. I can't imagine a good nights sleep.

They tell me its worth it - and well...it damn well better be cause in the grand scheme of things. I ain't got it 1/2 bad.

Please don't tap the tank

This is my new motto. Unless you played a part in conception - consider it rude to ever touch a belly that isn't yours.

That being said - yesterday we had our first meeting with one of the midwives. I am really happy we made this decision. I love that we get to come home and recover hours after the birth. I love that our birth assistant will come to our home at 36 weeks to check our home and see how i'm doing. I love that she'll come back after the birth and that our midwife will stop by the house and check us out as well. LOVE LOVE LOVE. The only thing i didn't LOVE was being scared half to death that i might not be able to deliver at the birth center due to the placement of my uterus. In case of post-partum hemorrhaging they need to be able to vigorously massage the uterus. Thankfully its ok - but it is something that they will need to reassess at each appt. But I have confidence. We have worked too damn hard for this for it to fall apart now.

Bradley classes are cool - just had week 2 and am still happy with the 'investment'. If only for the relaxation stuff that peter and i are learning.

I'm still trying not to complain, cause this has been the best text-book pregnancy ever, but but but...HATE THIS COLD / or these allergies / or the hormones drying out my nose. But ~ again ~ not complaining. Really...I promise...

22w 2d

So far soooo wonderful. This past few days i've really been feeling like i'm going to be a mommy! I'm hot - hot hot hot all the time. And yes, in all ways possible. I also have a recognizable belly and its not just chub anymore. Still feeling great which is amazing, but man I can feel my appitite increasing. I just want to eat all the time now ;)

A few weeks ago we went for the 'big' ultrasound. We didn't find out anything 'officially' but I think we got a shot and Baby Taurus is just about as modest as daddy (and I think has the same parts) Even Peter has jumped on the boy bandwagon.

This weekend we went to the Velvet Lounge and that sucked. But all was not lost as we played Disk golf on both sat and sun. It was amazing on sat - around 70 degrees and just beautiful. Sun was much cooler, but almost a better day because of it. Sunday i met some internet mommy & mommy-to-be buddies at Firehook on the hill. It was nice - i got a good baby fix.

Tonight is our first bradly class and ohhhhh I CAN'T WAIT!