We've been discussing our jumping on the bandwagon by banking our baby's cord blood. This would be harvesting her stem cells for emergency medical purposes. After some extensive reading and research I'm actually thinking it sounds like a lot of money for something that we'll never use and will actually go bad after a relatively short amount of time. However, the option of "donating" the cord blood affords us similar liberties with our own donation, can also save other lives, but costs nothing. This is starting to look like a more sensible option. I clearly have more reading to do but I'm starting to think a lot of these for-profit cord blood companies are preying on parents' fears of "what if?" and "you only have one chance", etc. I was buying it for a while...but I'm not so sure anymore...
More on this subject to come.
By the way, I have a ballerina in my belly! Kick, leap, turn, plie! Unfortunately, Josh is starting to think this whole pregnancy is a rouse - every time I say, "quick, come here, she's kicking" he drops everything and runs in...to no avail. He's starting to wonder if I've fabricated this whole story. The ultrasounds, the weight gain, all an elaborate hoax. "Well, no honey, but damn if that doesn't sound like a great idea, a 9 month pregnancy hoax... I wish I would have thought of that. Brilliant." (rolls eyes)
;)
Monday, July 17, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Glamour Shots (and kicks)
Okay this is almost like one of those glamorous Demi Moore cover-of-a-magazine shots, but not quite... Frankly this picture is a little frumpier than what I would typically post on the internet, however, I needed to do something for posterity and what not. And this is not the former neurotically weight-aware person saying this but I actually think this may make my belly look a little bit bigger than it truly is, but it's a close representation. This is a shot at 21 weeks and 3 days. And it's clearly taken with the finest in photographic technology...I'll try and put my "good mom" medals on and get some real shots taken here soon (and no, they won't rival the recent Brittney Spears nekkid ones).
By the way, a milestone I must mark this evening - she kicked me. Hard! It startled me so much that I screamed. I screamed so much that the dog barked. It's a mad house around here! While it was a neat event and clearly a turning point in the pregnancy, I'm sure the baby activity, mixed with my screaming, and the dog barking is just a TINY little replica of the chaos that surely awaits! Weeeeee! Party party party!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
My refusal to participate
I'm not wearing any leopard print baby carrier cover thing. My little girl will not be dressing like a hooker in spite of her mother's best intentions.
Joshua
Joshua
Stuff that's neat.
Well here we are over half-way through week 21. They aren't kidding with that whole nesting thing. I guess in lieu of a new home to move in to, I've been a crazy window-shopping fiend. The stuff out there is just over-the-top. A Louis Vuitton (knock-off, of course) crystal binky? Necessary? Probably not. But it's the thought that counts and one which I whole-heartedly applaud. SO, the following bit of blather is just my way of remembering sites I think have something cute to offer.
But first, before we shop, a quick baby update (after all, she is the "reason for the season") - lots of movement. I'm actually starting to feel her from the outside. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I feel this. It's so funny! It's like her daily role call - just checking in! Very comforting. Oh, and I even think I'm beginning to discern one "end" from the other. On my right side I have a very distinct contour of something and on my left side it's like softer, there's nothing really solid behind it. However, I think up by my ribs on the left side I do have something else, perhaps the other end? I know she's still supposed to be taking advantage of all the room she still has, so I'm sure she hasn't committed to her permanent hang-out spot necessarily, but I think she's definitely scoping out the scene!
Oh, and I'm struggling with the logistics, but I'll be attempting my first self portrait posting soon. My belly button, I think, is in it's final hours as I once knew it -- we're about two clicks away from an outtie. Not even kidding.
Okay, first up adorable baby announcements...wait, do people still do this? Or have we been reduced to simply e-mailing the info to our mass mailing list. Be on guard...you could be getting one of these in the mail. Act surprised.
Some of the cutest baby/kids' clothes I've seen online. Mercy. Sickeningly cute.
Good heavens! This brand, Tralala, gave me a physiological tic just due to the sheer sweetness overload. However, it's entirely possible, I'm experiencing the information super highway equivalent of being "de-programmed". "...must coo at baby outfits, must coo at baby outfits..." (the main site a child's closet has links to other over-the-top kids' clothes sites)
Who knew cleaning up a poopy baby could be so chic!
I'm sure Josh will be using the baby carrier more than I will so this seems a little unfair to saddle him with this "fabulous-ness" but dang it if these aren't fashionable!
Now, I am in full support of a woman's need to address lactation/feeding issues in public places. HOWEVER, that said, it's always a little uncomfortable to see a woman in full view using no discretion or strategically placed blankie to hide the buffet. So, knowing I'd never want to be "that guy" these seem awfully cute, functional, and dare I say...hip! Oh, and please disregard the unfortunate product name that in one instance takes away all the "chic points"!
These are general ideas of the bedding I am drawn to - click here and here. I believe my mother, Betsy Ross, will be stitching the unique designs that will ultimately be our baby bedding. She is a. outrageously crafty b. a terribly fabulous "Mimi" already and c. (luckily)as obsessed as I am about our bedding! OH and d. determined to have a chandelier in the nursery.
And while we're on the subject - this is the crib we're hopefully going with. It's round - I love that!!
Love this! - cute AND functional. As you can see our carseat is kinda "boy-ish" it's navy and light blue BUT it was one of like TWO jog-type strollers (not that I'm a jogger of course, in fact the thought makes me snicker, but they're a bit more rugged for any terrain from parks, to streets, to hikes, etc.) SO whatever we can do to cute up this rig, I'll take it!
Oh goodness, this is too much cuteness and germ-free-ness. I want to ride in this!!
Great stationary!
Okay, I'll keep adding to this post as I find little goodies. I need to keep my e-thoughts organized :)
But first, before we shop, a quick baby update (after all, she is the "reason for the season") - lots of movement. I'm actually starting to feel her from the outside. I can't help but laugh out loud every time I feel this. It's so funny! It's like her daily role call - just checking in! Very comforting. Oh, and I even think I'm beginning to discern one "end" from the other. On my right side I have a very distinct contour of something and on my left side it's like softer, there's nothing really solid behind it. However, I think up by my ribs on the left side I do have something else, perhaps the other end? I know she's still supposed to be taking advantage of all the room she still has, so I'm sure she hasn't committed to her permanent hang-out spot necessarily, but I think she's definitely scoping out the scene!
Oh, and I'm struggling with the logistics, but I'll be attempting my first self portrait posting soon. My belly button, I think, is in it's final hours as I once knew it -- we're about two clicks away from an outtie. Not even kidding.
Okay, first up adorable baby announcements...wait, do people still do this? Or have we been reduced to simply e-mailing the info to our mass mailing list. Be on guard...you could be getting one of these in the mail. Act surprised.
Some of the cutest baby/kids' clothes I've seen online. Mercy. Sickeningly cute.
Good heavens! This brand, Tralala, gave me a physiological tic just due to the sheer sweetness overload. However, it's entirely possible, I'm experiencing the information super highway equivalent of being "de-programmed". "...must coo at baby outfits, must coo at baby outfits..." (the main site a child's closet has links to other over-the-top kids' clothes sites)
Who knew cleaning up a poopy baby could be so chic!
I'm sure Josh will be using the baby carrier more than I will so this seems a little unfair to saddle him with this "fabulous-ness" but dang it if these aren't fashionable!
Now, I am in full support of a woman's need to address lactation/feeding issues in public places. HOWEVER, that said, it's always a little uncomfortable to see a woman in full view using no discretion or strategically placed blankie to hide the buffet. So, knowing I'd never want to be "that guy" these seem awfully cute, functional, and dare I say...hip! Oh, and please disregard the unfortunate product name that in one instance takes away all the "chic points"!
These are general ideas of the bedding I am drawn to - click here and here. I believe my mother, Betsy Ross, will be stitching the unique designs that will ultimately be our baby bedding. She is a. outrageously crafty b. a terribly fabulous "Mimi" already and c. (luckily)as obsessed as I am about our bedding! OH and d. determined to have a chandelier in the nursery.
And while we're on the subject - this is the crib we're hopefully going with. It's round - I love that!!
Love this! - cute AND functional. As you can see our carseat is kinda "boy-ish" it's navy and light blue BUT it was one of like TWO jog-type strollers (not that I'm a jogger of course, in fact the thought makes me snicker, but they're a bit more rugged for any terrain from parks, to streets, to hikes, etc.) SO whatever we can do to cute up this rig, I'll take it!
Oh goodness, this is too much cuteness and germ-free-ness. I want to ride in this!!
Great stationary!
Okay, I'll keep adding to this post as I find little goodies. I need to keep my e-thoughts organized :)
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Baby Overloads 'R' Us
Okay, housekeeping issues first: I officially require a pillow pyramid to sleep comfortably at night and even then I can't say the process is exactly dreamy. Secondly, lots of baby movement. But man, is she fickle - one minute she's moving a ton and loving it, the next minute, she's refusing to do anything. It's like I already need cheerios or something to sweeten the deal. "Dance, monkey, dance!"
Now on to our top story --- The Baby Registry! Well, we did it. We spent about 5 hours yesterday polishing up our baby registry. Luckily, I have good friends who have all taken this leap prior to me so I enlisted their help and best consumer reports. This made for more advised decision-making while in the throws of RandomBabiethingsRUs. However, that said, this was by far the most overwhelming experience of the entire baby having process. I had no idea that we would spend an hour in one aisle of the store examining latex nipples. Who knew?? A year ago if someone said "latex nipple" to me, I would have had horrible, inappropriate images. Now, they're the bane of my existence.
Another spot we spent a significant amount of time was the one housing the little mini baby bathtubs. None of these looked comfortable! Would I want to be bathed in one of those? What about the one with massaging jets? Necessary? What kind of stress could this child possibly need to have "melted away" by the "soothing jet action"? We actually ended up going with a tub that has a separate sprayer nozzle thing. You see, my only experience with bathing a living entity involves something of the canine persuasion. Typically an old Big Gulp glass has proven sufficient for circulating the water over their mangy locks. I'm assuming this is grounds for dismissal from the Mother of the Year club, so we went with the sprayer nozzle thus sparing the child from the ritualistic baptism with the recycled soapy water.
And finally, we (after leaving to fuel up on a much needed and very late lunch and ultimately regaining consciousness) got to the "gear" section. This section afforded us the opportunity to browse the many ways to transport your cargo. We had high chairs (ick), car seats, strollers, "travel systems", play yards (the contraption formerly known as "Play Pins"), swings, entertainment centers (huh?), exercisers, bouncers AND jumpers! Like the nipples weren't enough! Now I'm bombarded with a section that should be entitled "places to sit your kid". Because that's precisely what this area entailed. Yeesh. Oh, and apparently an exerciser is key to good parenting. I had no idea. I had really planned on going with the baby elliptical trainer, but apparently this little saucer contraption is paramount in burning that troublesome baby fat.
Ultimately, we finished our registry and made all of these life-altering decisions with no disagreements or emotional meltdowns. I thanked Josh for enduring this retail torture because I really would have crumbled without him. He was not only a nice, calm voice of reason, but he was also immeasurable comic relief. Had it not been for him, I would have been one of the many whaling cries echoing throughout the aisles of the store. (That place is crawling with children - now I realize the name is "babies r us" but after I give birth I can't imagine going there at will!) It was a taxing day and for now, we can rest easily (pillows and all!) knowing we have all of these critical decisions made for our little bundle. Hopefully she can fully appreciate the textured, water resistant changing pad we chose for her...... it's really nice.
:)
Week 20. Happy 4th of July!
http://www.babiesrus.com
We're registry #98922357
Now on to our top story --- The Baby Registry! Well, we did it. We spent about 5 hours yesterday polishing up our baby registry. Luckily, I have good friends who have all taken this leap prior to me so I enlisted their help and best consumer reports. This made for more advised decision-making while in the throws of RandomBabiethingsRUs. However, that said, this was by far the most overwhelming experience of the entire baby having process. I had no idea that we would spend an hour in one aisle of the store examining latex nipples. Who knew?? A year ago if someone said "latex nipple" to me, I would have had horrible, inappropriate images. Now, they're the bane of my existence.
Another spot we spent a significant amount of time was the one housing the little mini baby bathtubs. None of these looked comfortable! Would I want to be bathed in one of those? What about the one with massaging jets? Necessary? What kind of stress could this child possibly need to have "melted away" by the "soothing jet action"? We actually ended up going with a tub that has a separate sprayer nozzle thing. You see, my only experience with bathing a living entity involves something of the canine persuasion. Typically an old Big Gulp glass has proven sufficient for circulating the water over their mangy locks. I'm assuming this is grounds for dismissal from the Mother of the Year club, so we went with the sprayer nozzle thus sparing the child from the ritualistic baptism with the recycled soapy water.
And finally, we (after leaving to fuel up on a much needed and very late lunch and ultimately regaining consciousness) got to the "gear" section. This section afforded us the opportunity to browse the many ways to transport your cargo. We had high chairs (ick), car seats, strollers, "travel systems", play yards (the contraption formerly known as "Play Pins"), swings, entertainment centers (huh?), exercisers, bouncers AND jumpers! Like the nipples weren't enough! Now I'm bombarded with a section that should be entitled "places to sit your kid". Because that's precisely what this area entailed. Yeesh. Oh, and apparently an exerciser is key to good parenting. I had no idea. I had really planned on going with the baby elliptical trainer, but apparently this little saucer contraption is paramount in burning that troublesome baby fat.
Ultimately, we finished our registry and made all of these life-altering decisions with no disagreements or emotional meltdowns. I thanked Josh for enduring this retail torture because I really would have crumbled without him. He was not only a nice, calm voice of reason, but he was also immeasurable comic relief. Had it not been for him, I would have been one of the many whaling cries echoing throughout the aisles of the store. (That place is crawling with children - now I realize the name is "babies r us" but after I give birth I can't imagine going there at will!) It was a taxing day and for now, we can rest easily (pillows and all!) knowing we have all of these critical decisions made for our little bundle. Hopefully she can fully appreciate the textured, water resistant changing pad we chose for her...... it's really nice.
:)
Week 20. Happy 4th of July!
http://www.babiesrus.com
We're registry #98922357
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