Auntie Gifts

We got a special delivery this weekend from Auntie Kpie and Uncle Scott. Here is what my package had....

Moons, stars and clouds on a soft snuggly blanket. You never can have too many blankets in the house and this one is cute as can be. Warm and fuzzy hats for the little man's head. Which is a very good thing, since his chance of having lots of hair on his head is very slim, genetically speaking!!!

Auntie Kpie is not the only one sending prezzies to Fluff....Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby have sent some on over as well....

"M" is for.....Monkey, the year Cousin Ruby was born, and for Mikhail (I wonder what year he'll be born in) ...how convenient. This cute little shirt was a gift from Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby this summer, but Momma has been a slacker about posting pictures. Another Auntie Amy gift...a wonderful toasty fleece blanket with Turtles..cause Momma loves Turtles as much as Daddy loves Moose!!!A big "THANK YOU" to the aunties for such wonderful prezzies....Fluff is lucky to have you both!!

Gearing up for the big 200

I had my monthly 15 second physical on Friday. I currently weigh in at 192lbs. Which means, that by next month I will in all likely hood pass the 200lb mark. While I know that all this weight is Mikhail's fault, there is a psychological something that will go with watching that little weight slide from the 150 to the 200 marker on the scale. Bless Uncle Didi's heart for telling me I don't look like I weigh so much, it does a girl good to hear that...but it's there none the less.

Also at the appointment, I asked my Dr. about bottles. Her response "use whatever you like". She used Avent for her first baby cause she breast feed and the nipples are suppose to be most like nursing (but doesn't every bottle company say that?) The second time around she used the cheap ones from Target and they worked just as well. So basically, it all comes down to finances and preference. She did mention that I should stick with the Silicon Nipples (clear) over the Latex (brown) because they stand up better to sucking, are more sterile and easier to clean, but aside from that, they really are all the same. So, that being said, I"m going to stick with Avent. Mostly because Avent makes milk storage holders that work with the rings and nipples of the bottles. So I can pump right into them, stick em in the fridge and then Daddy, Nana, Auntie or whoever is feeding just has to stick the nipple on, heat and go and there is no trying to pour from the storage bottle to the feeding bottle and all that. We try to keep it as simple as possible.

Body Pillows and Cravings

This last week has been kind of tough. I have been having a really hard time sleeping. I can't find a comfy position and my beloved son finds great joy in doing the Electric Slide all night long. While commiserating with a friend, who is a mom, she told me that she had a similar problem and went out and got a SNOOGLE and it saved her life. Well, I took a look at it and read all the reviews and it sounds very nice, but $50 for a pillow is a bit much for me. So I spent two nights trying to arrange 4 standard pillows to work the same way...not so much. So I hauled myself down to the local Big Lots (by the way I highly recommend this store if you have one. You really can find great deals there. Some stuff it wikid ghetto, but there is some nice stuff too) and got a nice smooshy body pillow for $12. This thing is the BOMB. I can smoosh it into any formation I want. All the books say to sleep on your left side, something about more blood getting to the placenta or something. Well, I have news, when you have gained 15lbs, sleeping on one side all the time tends to cut off circulation to that side and make sleeping not so comfy. So I alternate sides and even.. *GASP* occasionally sleep on my back. All I know is since the pillow, I can get through the night and life is good.

While at Big Lots I also satisfied my first real craving. I mean I have been on some sort of wired friend chicken binge since I got pregnant, but I have yet to have one of those "I MUST HAVE NOW" cravings. Well, I got one. For some reason, I NEEDED to have Lucky Charms. Why Lucky Charms?? When I was a kid it was always more Capn' Crunch or Boo Berry. Not this time, I swore if I didn't get some purple horsehoes and blue diamonds someone, probably Daddy, was going to die. Luckily I was able to kill two birds with one stone as they say and every one lived to tell the tale. But now I need a new box!! ;-)

T.W.I.P 21

Fetal Development:
The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions

Maternal Changes:
Over halfway there, and you're probably showing now. Your uterus is about 1/2 inch above your belly button. The average weight gain is between 10 and 15 pounds at this point. If you're eating ahealthy diet, don't count pounds and calories too strictly. Emotionally, you're probably feeling more stable and comfortable.
Your ankles and feet may be swelling, particularly at the end of the day. Drink lots of water and rest with your feet elevated.

Feeling Blue

I don't know if it's been this crappy ass weather, the lack of sunlight, the shifting of the moon or what....but I have been in the oddest funk the last week or so. Last Monday was great, we had a great anniversary and we got to officially start calling Fluff HE....but it's sort of gone down hill from there. The rest of the week I have been hit with huge bouts of feeling blue. At one point I honestly felt like crawling under my desk at work and balling my eyes out. I know that pregnant woman have wild hormones and all that jazz, but this honestly sucks ass. I have had my share of moodiness, but this is ridiculous. I was curled up in a ball sobbing on Daddy worried that I was going to fuck up my son. I'm sure I will....or at least he'll go through a phase where he thinks I did....all kids do, but for some reason today, I don't know if it was going to the shower or holding our friends son Dylan (who will be a year older than Fluff) or the fact that Fluff is moving around so much more and making his presence known, but I just had a complete and total freak out. And for the record, 10:30 on a Sunday night is not the best time for this, not that there ever is one. Thank GODDESS for Uncle Didi who helped talk me down.

Let's hope these feelings pass....cause I hate being Eeyore.

T.W.I.P. Notes

For Week 20....

Fetal Development:
We're halfway through the pregnancy, and the baby has as much sleep and awake time as a newborn. The scalp hair begins to grow. If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop.

Maternal Changes:
Your uterus is at your navel now. You may experience some tenderness as your belly button becomes an "outtie" from the uterus pressing on it. The line between your navel (linea nigra) and pubic hair has darkened; it will fade after delivery.
You're probably feeling the baby frequently now as the movements become stronger. If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age, it will probably be scheduled around this time. It's a good time to look into childbirth classes.

Hey! You're halfway there already!

The Bottle Quizz

As a Librarian, one of things I do is gather information. I registered for the Avent bottles, and most people seem pleased with them, but some people say they are the work of the devil. I have been talking with people about the different bottles they use and have gotten about 600 different answers. I think the Platex Nursers are cool, but could be very expensive to buy all those drop in liners. So I"m asking you, my faithful readers, what type of baby bottle do you use.....

Fluff is...

Really, Really cute. Check out the big brains and all. The poor tech had to chase s/him all over the place trying to get all the info she needed, but she did get it all. I make cute babies don't I??????

But really, you all really want to know is Fluff a HE or SHE. Well, this is the first picture the ultrasound tech got. Full Moon in Mommy's belly. Guess my kid isn't shy at all!!!!!
So there it is...Fluff is officially a HE. Right now, we are liking the name Mikhail, but who knows what will happen between now and March. We have also started a registry at BabiesRUs, but that is also subject to change.

Week 19

Fetal Development:
Along with the lanugo, vernix caseosa forms on your baby's skin. Vernix is a white cheesy substance that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment ~ imagine how your skin would look if you sat in water for nine months! The placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby.

Maternal Changes:
You may be noticing several skin changes. These are hormone-related and will disappear after delivery. You may have the "mask of pregnancy" - blotchy patches on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Itchy skin is also very common. Your skin may be dry and flaky in certain areas and many pregnant women develop rashes, particularly on the stretched skin. You can't prevent stretch marks but lotions or oil can ease the dryness and itching. Drinking lots of water and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in reducing dryness.

Never say Never.....

Me thinks I doth have protest to much!!

I have spent a great deal of time raving against the evil that is BabiesRUs. I'm not a fan of the store, I never have a good experience there and find stuff off a registry is like trying to solve a quantum physics problem. Last night, I had to go to this den of evil to get a shower gift for Johnny and Lisa. Admittedly, it wasn't TOO bad. I had already looked online for what I wanted to I had some idea of what to look for. The woman at the desk was very chatty and helpful and we managed to get everything we were looking for in under 8hrs. So while we were there, Daddy and I decided to stroll around and get ideas for what we wanted. We did see a very nice Crib and changing table/dresser that we both really liked. So then Daddy says "Why don't we just come here and register on Monday after Fluff is revealed". "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" was the anguished cry from inside me. But Mr. Practical reminded me that everything was here in one place, it would be easier for us to remember what we'd registered for and it would be easier for people to go to one place and search. I hate it when he's logical. So despite all my ranting and raving...it looks like the Evil that is BabiesRus has snared another victim.

Does it make me a hypocrite that I"m not standing by my guns and refusing to bend???

Deal or No Deal

I went to the Outlets with Babcia this weekend and let me tell you, it was icky. It was cold and rainy and not the type of weather one would like to go shopping in. I"m sure if we had stuck it out there would have been some better deals, but in the few places we looked, not so much. Nobody in Conway, NH has maternity cloths. Not JC Penny, not any of the outlets (well , except the Gap but their biggest size was 4) not Wally World, no one. So I was reduced to getting a couple of cute onsies at Carter's and that's it. A very unlikely shopping weekend.

Another little sleep sac for Fluff. It's got Duckies (what is it with me and giraffes and duckies) and is a 0-9month so it should work for a while.


Normally, I'm not a fan of buying "newborn" sizes..cause they don't get used for very long, but these two were cute and something stupid like $2 each, so I figured why not.


Cute little onsie (I know, more green) So that was the sum total of the Maine purchases. We came home early and went to the Kohl's here and grabbed a few more pairs of pants (thank you Babcia) and now it's off to find a Tailor, because I'm short.

Upclose and Personal on Week 18....

Fetal Development:
Our little one is nearly half a pound now and very human looking. Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is accumulating within the bowel. If your baby is a boy, his prostate gland is beginning to develop.
If you notice your belly making jerky movements in sync, don't panic; your baby may have the hiccups!
Maternal Changes:
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint are normal during pregnancy. These symptoms aren't harmful unless they occur frequently or severely. "Postural hypotension" is low blood pressure due to a change in position and happens frequently in pregnancy because your cardiovascular system doesn't react as fast.
Your uterus is just below your belly button now.
If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age or for other reasons, your careprovider will probably schedule it between now and 20 weeks. It's often possible to determine your baby's sex at this stage, and you'll be able to tell arms from legs and all sorts of delightful details!

M Cloths and New Friends

We had a very good weekend. We're a little slow in posting because Mommy has been battling cold/allergies and hasn't been feeling up to much of anything.

First off, we are sending a HUGE "Thank You" to Babcia for taking us M cloth shopping. I tried to put it off as long as I could, but Fluffernutter is getting bigger and my pants were just getting uncomfortable. So off to Target and Khol's we went and I got very comfy pants, a cute skirt and some comfy tops.

Also, a "thank you" to Auntie Amy who donated a couple of comfy nightshirts that make sleeping a dream.

While visiting Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby, Ellie Dog made a new friend. She had the BEST TIME chasing Miss Ruby around the house, eating some "dropped" Cheerios and basically basking in the attention of someone her size. I wish I had my camera with me cause they made a cute pair!

Also this weekend I dragged Daddy to Burlington Coat Factory to starting looking at "stuff" since many people have started asking about a registry. Of all the bedding the building, Daddy's favorite was Noah's Ark. This may change after we find out what Fluff is on the 6th, but for now that looks like our bedding.

Off to THE OUTLETS this weekend, so look for some cute Fluff outfits early next week.

What's instore for week 17...

Fetal Development:
This is a period of rapid growth as the fat begins to form underneath the baby's skin. Baby and placenta are about equal in size now. The tiny heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood a day! The reflexes are probably in place now as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks.

Maternal Changes:
Your uterus is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches below your belly button. The baby is going through a growth spurt and chances are, you may be gaining too! Average weight gain is between five and ten pounds at this point.

Doctors Visit

Today was another nonexciting Dr. visit. We heard the heartbeat, I'm healthy, everything is on course and all is right in the world. I asked her about dying my hair , cause I'm having issues from hell about not being able to do so much, and she said "Not so much". There really is not evidence one way or the other about if it's bad for you or not, so she tends to air on the side of caution. Anything that your body absorbs could be bad, even the supposedly "all natural" stuff. So blonde I will stay...but keep me away from those clippers cause I"m so mental right now I could end up looking like the "stop the insanity" chick. I also got a flu shot. I normally don't get them, cause I"m paranoid that I"ll end up with the flu. But I asked what she thought and Dr. said that since I would be very pregnant in high flu season, it may be a good idea. So I sucked it up, got the shot and now a cute little Snoopy band aide. And no flu yet.
We made an appointment for our ultrasound. November 6 , our 2yr wedding anniversary ( all together now..AWWWWWWWWWWWW). We could have done it a bit soon, the 27th was the first official day (and in time for the trip to Maine) but Daddy wanted to wait an extra week "So everything can fall into place so to speak". So this means any shopping I do with Babcia in Maine will be for me (the shock) or cute neutral things. I did start looking at M cloths, and let me tell you, they are either EXPENSIVE or ugly as sin. Wish me luck on that front. So it will be 3 long weeks until we know if Fluff is SHE or HE ( if s/him cooperates), until then I will try to keep you all entertained.

I'm off to tangle needles over my bump.

Almost...but not quite

So I'm almost at 17 weeks. I have my next dr. appointment tomorow and I"m starting to relax in my pregnancy for the first time, just a bit. I"m not rushing to the phone to call 911 at every twinge and cramp. Apparently, Fluff is in a growth spurt given the amount of stretching going on, I"m either going to give birth to a super model or an NBA center!!! But it's nice to be able to be more secure. The good lord knows I have more than enough in my life to stress about, so I've been just sort of learning to relax and go with it. If something was wrong, my body would know.
Tomorow is my dr. appointment, so I"ll let everyone know how it went. Then I"m going out with my dad who is coming to pick up some doors. I mentioned in passing I wanted to get rid of the icky hollow core doors in my condo, my dad calls last night, he "knows this guy" who will cut doors to fit and hang hinges....cool!

well, I'm off to work...more tomorrow....

Old Wives Tales

In one of the parenting magazines I have, I found this chart that shows if I'm having a boy or girl based on these old wives tales.

According to the chart if :
- My left breast was bigger than my right
- I crave sweets or fruit
- My hair was getting a reddish highlight
-I gain my weight in the hips and butt

I'm having a GIRL

On the Other hand if :
-if my nose looks like it's getting wider
- I crave salty or sour
- my feet are always cold
- I have to shave my legs more often

I'm having a BOY

So according to this list....Fluff is a Boy!

Hopefully we'll find out by the end of the month, cause I"m already sick of waiting and it's only 16weeks in!! I need to learn some serious patience!

Where I am

Since I have had so many questions on how I'm feeling and what Fluff is doing, I will try very hard to update once a week on what's going on. All this information is taken from Stork.Net if you want to go check it out. They have some pretty cool stuff for Mom's and families.

Without Further Ado...here is what's going on for Week 16.....

Fetal Development:
If you haven't already, you may begin to feel movement as the baby's bones harden. If you are somewhat overweight, have a thick uterus, and/or if this is your first pregnancy, you may not be feeling baby yet or feeling baby regularly. Don't panic! You will soon. The legs are now longer than the arms, and s/he is moving those arms and legs frequently, especially since there's still lots of room to move within the uterus.
Fingernails and toenails are growing too. In fact, some babies need their nails clipped right after birth!

Maternal Changes :
Do you have a stuffy nose or nosebleeds? As mentioned before, your blood volume increases 40% - 50%. This affects your estrogen levels which in turn swells your nasal membranes. This increased blood volume also causes your heart to work harder to support your pregnancy. This isn't a problem for a healthy heart.
Your ligaments continue to stretch, and you may be feeling achiness and pain in your abdomen. If you're planning to have an amniocentesis, it may be scheduled between 16 and 18 weeks.

The Lysol Shield

Sorry I have not posted much, but not a whole lot has been going on. I'm starting to feel better, still have the occasional freaky dream, but all in all things are on the up beat.

HOWEVER....this weekend I spent the bulk of my time curled up in a ball on my couch with kleenex glued to my nose praying for death. WHY...because I had a cold. There has been a cold going around my work and for some reason, all the sick people felt the need to come see me and tell me how sick they were. This conversation usually ended with them saying "So I'm going to go home and take some NyQuil and feel better" Well isn't that just ducky for YOU. I can't go home and talk to the Giant Q. I can go home and take FREAKN TYLENOL...but that's about it. So while you are drooling on yourself in a nice toxic green induced slumber, I"m going through my 15th box of kleenex, my 32 package or cough drops and my 23rd voodoo doll of all those who COULD have made me sick.

Here's a little tip for all those of you who work with a pregnant lady. If you are sick, think you may be sick or have been around someone else who is sick....STAY AWAY FROM THE PREGNANT LADY. There are wonderful new technologies such as email and telephones that should allow you to communicate with pregnant woman with out getting up close. Cause I have news, you do NOT want a sick and pregnant lady coming in to vent her very hormonal wrath on you for getting her sick.....I can promise you will cry.

For myself, I have decided to introduce a few new rules to my interaction with my co-workers and the general public. First, before talking to me, all people will be sprayed down with Lysol, (should take care of some of the nasty BO while I'm at it). Secondly, all people feeling compelled to talk to me MUST wear a mask (you know like those doctors wear). At first I thought I would wear the mask, but I"m not freakn Michael Jackson, so the rest of you all can wear it instead...I'm pregnant damn it!

I'm gonna go take another nap and try to pull my shit together before I have to go into work.

Sweet Dreams are Made of....well....I'm not sure...

Having entered my 2nd trimester I'm starting to feel more like myself. I have less of the crushing exhaustion that I had before, and I'm generally feeling more peppy. The down side...Insomnia. I can't sleep. I'm exhausted, I get into bed and......BING!!! WIDE AWAKE. I try reading and I can't focus. I try listening to music and nothing happens. Watch TV and I just lie there. When I finally do pass out....I have all these creepy as acid trip/pink flloyd wanna be dreams. I mean don't get me wrong, I'd rather have this than the falling asleep at my desk tired and all that fun 1st trimester stuff...but HONESTLY, I'd just like to be able to get on a normal sleep pattern....guess I better get used to this!