I'm so excited to become a 'mommy'

Dreaming of the Good Times

Christmas is right around the corner, and i'm so excited because December 25th is not only my favorite holiday; it's extra special this year because it marks one calendar month from my due date. The anxiety and anticipation of experiencing labor and the subsequent exhaustion from becoming new parents is an ever-looming theme in my mind these days. That being said, I try to think about the positive. 
I'm so thankful to be in a place in my life where i'm starting this journey of parenthood with an amazing person in an environment fostered with stability and love. I know so many people who struggle in their relationships or as single parents every day and I can't help but feel blessed to not have to deal with those worries. I see Matt come home from work and take his first few moments to give love and attention to me and our pets before he does anything else. I see him smile and laugh when he helps me out at school functions for my work and I know he's going to be a natural.
As we put decorations up this year and decorated our Christmas tree I couldn't help but think of how different next year will be with our little one. I thought of how exciting it will be to watch her experience so many 'firsts', like her expression tasting her first bite of pumpkin pie or the glimmer in her eyes as she sees Christmas lights. I even think about other holidays like the 4th of July and how darling she will look in red, white & blue- she will already be 6 months old!
Since completing the nursery, I can't help but smile when I go in there knowing she will want for nothing and subtly reminding myself she must not become spoiled! I know the reality is, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. I know there will be sacrifice and trying times. I know there will be sleepless nights, tantrums, disappointments and the like.... BUT, there are so many things about becoming her mommy that I look forward to and try to focus on. Some of these things are big milestones and then others are part of every day life. 
The thing about life is, you never know when you might be making a memory. I remember things from my childhood like Easter egg hunts, and I can't wait to see her in her little dress with her basket as the magic unfolds when she finds eggs. I can't wait to see her giggle, go down the slide, solve a math problem. Then again, I can wait! I think of how exhausted we will be and I try to remember all those who have warned me to try to enjoy it before it's gone. So for now, I will dream of the good times and try to appreciate them as they happen :)

During the mean time, I thought I would share this video for those of you who haven't seen it yet: we have a ninja on our hands! She moves all the time like crazy, and the other night I finally got video evidence of it! 

The Nursery Is Finished!

Sunny Days- Baby Naomi's Sesame Street Nursery

With a little over six weeks to go until her expected arrival, I think it's finally safe to say the nursery is ready! I am so pleased at how it turned out, in-fact it might be my favorite room in our home :) With so many colors, shapes and characters it's stimulating yet functional. I have secretly worried throughout the process of designing, putting this together and in-visioning the final outcome that it would turn out tacky considering all the elements. All things considered, I think it turned out wonderfully. I want to say a big "Thank You" to everyone who has taken the time to make things for the room, as well as to those who have purchased items for it.  

She's Due Next Month!!!

Due Date Approaches- Mommy is Anxious!

I would have to say that one of the hardest things with pregnancy is practicing patients. With over nine months of waiting, waiting, and more waiting there is plenty of anticipation to be had. I have spent the entire pregnancy clinging to milestones, dates- anything that can be considered the next step towards baby's debut. I have been especially looking forward to December 1st so that I could say "I'm due next month!" This year, I'm welcoming Christmas to come along more than ever; not only do I love Christmas, but it marks December 25th... Baby Girl is Due January 25th- I think you get it ;)

Aside from being silly with my little milestones and countdowns, a few smaller new things have started to happen. Doctor appointments are now only a couple weeks apart instead of a month apart. I've been having my first bouts of braxton hicks contractions (no funzies), and my winter coats might have another week or two of fitting thanks to the fact that I look like i'm smuggling a basketball under my shirt. 

Baby moves so much and kicks so hard that other people can see my tummy do the wave. Her daddy bought her some baby buds, so we play her music, which she seems to really like (I say this due to increased activity when we put them on). I've also been calling her by a nickname "Noni", which is sticking for me. 

Other than that, we are in the final stages of nursery prep, with pictures to come very soon!

The video link below will explain what's happening this week: 

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/video/pregnancy-week-33

30 Week Maternity Pics

Baby Belly With Hubby Photos

I suppose a "necessary evil" of pregnancy is taking the 'fat pics' so everyone can see the baby bump. Nah, it's not that bad.... but I will admit I am definitely feeling more heave and self-conscious these days. We decided to take our own maternity pictures last week and I have to say that i'm pretty impressed at how well they turned out. We took the fall photos in the afternoon, and the rail road tracks pictures the following morning. Both sessions were taken on base, and yes... the train tracks are out of commission- no longer in use!

My DIY nursery projects

For the Ambitious Crafters

I've gotten some requests from people asking about some of the nursery projects i've done for baby Naomi's nursery, so i've decided to include pictures and instructions below for the do-it-yourselefers. Hopefully those of you who aren't necessarily eager to bust out the sewing machine and hot glue will enjoy the post anyway. ***Tip: print coupons online for Michael's and Joann Fabrics/ hit sales!

'The Letter N- N is for Naomi'

Supplies/Tools Needed:
-light weight wooden letter N
-light weight wooden frame
-acrylic paint of your color choice (glitter paint optional)
-foam paint brushes 
-variety of buttons and jewels in your color choice
-card-stock in a variety of colors (scrapbook paper works too)
-hot glue and hot glue gun
-1.5 inch round paper punch
-scissors 

Firstly, paint your letter and frame with your acrylic paint and allow to dry several hours. Apply multiple coats as needed. I used a top coat of a glitter paint that was like colored to give mine a girly flair. In the mean time, you can start prepping your card-stock/scrapbook paper by punching the holes in it, then cutting each one in half. Once your paint is fully dried and cured (I gave it overnight before proceeding), you can begin to cover or partially cover your letter with buttons/jewels using a hot glue gun. Next, take a solid piece of remaining card-stock and use it as your background to layer the half circle dots- make sure to leave some overlap so that it can be glued to the wooden frame. To achieve the fish scale pattern, simply layer them across but touching, then take the next layer and start them in the middle like you would a brick pattern. Each individual half circle dot needs to be hot glued to the card-stock background. Once your half circles are all glued down you can carefully (but quickly) apply hot glue to the edges it and stick it to the frame. Lastly, apply a generous amount of hot glue to your letter and stick it to the half circle papers you just created. 




The Paper Chandler 

Supplies/Tools Needed:
-card-stock in your color choices (must be thick enough paper to be sewn)
-2 circular frames (can use wreath frame or quilting hoop- I used a 10" and 12")
-1.5 inch round paper punch
-sewing machine and thread of your color choice
-fishing string
 -tape or hot glue
                                     -eye hooks for hanging 

Start by deciding on your color scheme. I calculated roughly how many 'dots' I would need to go around each hoop, and how long I wanted them to hang and went from there. Next, you can start punching out your dots using the hole punch tool. After punching and punching and punching, line them up into rows to make sure they are all inn order by color and amount. Next, prep your sewing machine and get ready to sew. Take each dot and run the sewing line straight down the middle, following it with the next dot and so on. Be sure to leave enough thread on each end to tie them off, or attach them to the hanging hoops respectively. Once all your strands of dots are sewn, tie the ends off and cut them, leaving your top end long to attach it to the hoop. Next tie each strand to the hoop and double secure with tape. Attach the two separate hoops to each other at four points to ensure the bottom hoop will hang level. Do the same to the top hoop, except to your eye hooks for hanging. Hang and adore!

The Tulle Crib Skirt 
 Supplies/Tools Needed:

- 6 yards of tulle in your color choice(s)
-1 yard of fabric in a like color (I used a cookie monster blue fleece)
-Scissors, stapler, staples, tape measure
-Industrial strength Velcro strips. 

Measure your crib (I did three sides) length wise as well as frame to floor distance. This will tell you the measurements you will need to cut your tulle and fabric, depending on how you want it to look. I wanted an extra crib skirt to cover the gap from the crib being raised initially while she's young, so I basicall did the same thing twice and made two. Once you have all your measurements, cut out your bottom fabric (this was the fleece for me) into the lengths and widths needed. Next, if you are feeling super creative (or simply can't cut a straight line to save your life like me.... ) cut a pattern out along the bottom. I choose rounded half circles, comes out looking like a little flag banner. Next, cut strips of tulle- I used two layers (folded in half), so made sure that one was shorter than the other. I made one the same height as the fleece (crib to floor) and the other about half that. The strips should be anywhere from 6-10 inches wide and again, folded in half so that you have enough to show (one layer is too transparent). Don't worry about getting them all uniformly cut; that's the beauty of the next step. Once all your strips are cut you can begin to staple them to your fleece or fabric bottom. Take your folded tulle and staple it to the top of the fleece end to end, allowing the bottom to hang freely. To achieve the nice little ruffle/tutu look, fold it over itself about one inch (and staple) every 4 inches or so. Once it's all stapled together, you can take your Velcro strips and attach them along the top of the fleece where the staples are (at at least three points), leaving the sticky side exposed to be attached to the crib frame under it.  

Hurry Up! ... And Wait.

Sometimes something so 'eventful' can be so 'un-eventful'

Well, as the title says, I don't have much to report this time around. As much as time flies, I find that pregnancy can really drag on. So, I will fill you in on 'the little things' that are going on. 
Yesterday, I had my 28 week appointment. No fun ultrasounds or news to report there; I got a shot and the disappointing news that I gained a bunch of weight since my last visit. I'm finding solace with that in the fact that between 24-28 weeks it's very common for the baby to have a huge growth spurt and is often when women report the largest amount of weight gain. That, and I posted my first real pregnancy pics on fb today and have been getting several really sweet and encouraging comments on them. For those of you who follow the blog but do not have fb, I will include one on here. 
I'm one of the lucky few who has to get the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks due to my blood type. In a nutshell, having my blood type could mean that my body is incompatible with that of the baby's blood, and the shot of Rhogam keeps my body from producing antibodies against her. 
Other than that, not much is new. I am finding myself slowing down a bit with my daily activities. It's a tough pill to swallow with the busy holiday season and birthdays to come. I'm happy that the nursery is mostly complete, and lots of the wardrobe sorting is finished. I'm gearing up for lots of baby laundry and cloth diaper prepping next. 
Other than that, i'm looking forward to November wrapping up. I'm excited for Thanksgiving and Matt's birthday, as well as the start of December. The first week of December will be my 32 week Dr. appointment, as well as the landmark where I get to say, "I'm having my baby next month!". As exciting as it is, I am also trying to remember how much life will change and appreciate it as it is in the mean time. 

Liquid Gold- Choosing to Breastfeed

Bottoms Up Little Baby!

           I've had several people ask me whether or not I plan to breast feed, and for good reason according to the research i've done. So, why is it so beneficial and important? Well, I think the number one reason is the countless advantages with regards to the baby's health. 

Breast milk is not only highly concentrated in nutrients and antibodies, but its' tailored to the baby's needs. Cells, hormones and antibodies carried through breast milk helps build baby's immune system and fend off illness. It's also easier to digest. To add to the list, breast milk has been shown to fight off SIDS, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and lower respiratory infections. Also, you can check out the first link below for information about breastfeeding being linked to higher IQ.

            As if those reasons aren't enough to motivate me, there are actually added benefits to the mother too! Initial amazing benefits are hormones produced by breastfeeding that help quickly reduce the size of the uterus. The mother can also burn up to 500 calories per day breastfeeding... ( I don't even reach that doing my 45 minute gym sessions). It's linked to lower risk of diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression. Added bonus- It saves money! You wouldn't believe how much formula can add up. 


           So, as natural as it is and as motivated as one may be, there are challenges to this feat. I will try to keep it PC and merely mention that they make creams and doctors for some of the issues mothers can encounter ;) Other than that, the most common problem is supply and latching issues. 

I was most surprised to learn about latching issues. Apparently there is a science to positioning and holding that allows for a good latch. Sometimes latching issues can stem from what's called "nipple confusion", which is when the baby begins to refuse the nipple because she prefers a bottle. This happens because bottles give a constant flow of milk and she doesn't have to work as hard to get it. My understanding with this scenario is that patience and pumping are my best friends. 

           All that being said, I have a goal to keep at it for about six months. Some people might say this is too long or short, but I would say that it's just a goal for now. I have no idea what the demands of motherhood will be at this very moment in time, and have yet to even venture into breastfeeding. I will say that i've come up with this time frame because it seems to be the most practical and realistic time frame for me and my little family. Much of the research i've read also tends to indicate that six months is a good amount of time for which the baby to benefit from the above mentioned advantages. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-who-were-breastfed-longer-have-higher-iqs-new-study-6C10787012
http://www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/good-to-know/breastfeeding-facts.html
http://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/bflatch.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/common-challenges/index.html

Movin' & Shakin'

The Pitter-Patter Of Little Feet

This week brings us a couple of milestones that are showing me some light at the end of the tunnel with pregnancy- I should admit rather, a couple of upcoming milestones that will have me celebrating the beginning of November. All things considered, there's definitely nothing wrong with having something to look forward to in the immediate future. 
Matt told me that he would be starting mid-shift the first or second week of November. I normally despise mid-shift as I know it is hard on Matt, not to mention we have challenges with adjusting to the schedule with regards to sleep and spending time together. It was just a few days ago however, that we were talking about how he will be on mid-shift when the baby is born. It's crazy to think she will be here before he changes shifts back to days again. So, when he told me this, I simply replied, "You will be thoughtfully exhausted in time for the baby." Maybe we will get lucky, and he will be more like 'well adjusted'. 
I also couldn't help but feel like the time is getting closer as I finished my fourth of five paintings for the nursery. Initially taking on the task of five sesame street paintings was daunting and overwhelming. At this rate I will not only finish in time of the goal I set, but by the end of the month! After the paintings are completed we can commence set-up and moving of the furniture. 
Other than these couple of milestones exclusively significant to us, we have a few exciting baby developments happening. Namely, baby has begun to kick and move regularly. She moves so much and so strongly that it can be seen and felt! She tends to be most active after meal time and really gets to bouncing around after I eat anything sweet. We have a future cookie monster on our hands!!!
Development wise, it's no wonder she is so active. Looking at some fun growth and development comparisons, baby can be compared to a fruit or vegetable each week. So, what's the fruit of the womb this week? Well, she's about the size of a head of lettuce. More significantly, that means the following: 
your baby at 26 weeks

• Her eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.
• And her eyelashes are now grown, too.
• She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
• She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice

Crafting or Nesting?

We'll Call it "Pre-Nesting" 

I like to think that I've started to "pre-nest" as of recently... You know, taking small steps towards achieving the goal of getting everything in order and baby-ready. I've been in full-swing crafting-mode with all things baby related. My recent endeavors include a paper chandelier for her room, a valance with the letter 'N' to be adorned above her crib, as well as my first paintings and what is the start of her baby book. For some reason, I feel like I can't continue with further steps into setting up the nursery until all of the details are ready to go. 

Mainly, I'm sure this is a step I'm taking towards buying time. I'm currently 24 weeks along and still have 16 more to go! I guess part of me feels like it's too early to be in full-swing nursery set-up mode. I know that it's not only going to take a lot of work to get it how I want it, but it will also be a major adjustment for both myself and Matt. Admittedly, we are very 'spoiled' and have our own rooms for our hobbies and things. As we set up this nursery for baby Naomi, we will be combining not only these rooms into one, but finding space for our office and guest room things as well. I know it probably sounds a bit petty, but it is a big change for us, and if we can wait until a more 'reasonable' time to finish the nursery (prolong the inevitable) it will be better in general. 

Another factor with the crafting of all of the little things and making sure the little things are 'good to go' for the nursery is convenience. Having all of the art and details ready will be a nice finishing touch once all the major moving and cleaning is done. 
Although it's overwhelming, I'm glad I've entered the beginning phases of nesting considering there is so much to think about and do. Not only are there many "big and obvious" things to think about, but also the many "small details" that will make our lives easier once she arrives. From preparing the hospital/diaper with the bag with the essentials to de-tagging/washing/and organizing her wardrobe by size and season. 

So, let the lists begin! Even with so many weeks to go, I feel like our days are numbered. We have not only the nursery to set up and house to prep, but also baby classes/education to consider; all of this amongst both of our birthdays and the holidays before the arrival of our little bundle. So, for now I suppose I will keep working on what I can. My goal is to finish her nursery art and be ready to set up the nursery around the first weekend of December. 

Google it!

The Joys of Technology

I must admit that it is a wonderful thing being an expecting mother in this day & age, especially for a first time mom. Not only am I able to just Google something when I have a question or curiosity, but I can share milestones and updates with friends and family at the click of a button. I literally have an app on my phone that keeps me informed on the development of our baby & daily progress of my pregnancy.

I remember from the beginning of our "planning stages" being able to look up information instantly was not only informative, but comforting in some small way. I soon came to discover that while the convenience of technology had several benefits, it also came with some drawbacks. Most notably with drawbacks being pregnancy forums. I quickly found that with my eagerness to start a family came the fine line between educating myself and becoming obsessed. Every time you have a concern, no matter how big or small you can surely find a thread full of nightmare stories from other moms trying to conceive. Problematically, this is only the beginning. These threads of nightmare stories span on and on through every stage of pregnancy with every type of symptom.

Luckily from the beginning, or "planning stages," I recognized this issue. The conclusion that I came to was that one of the most common and frustrating challenges that many couples face when trying to conceive is stress. Ironically, the stress factor is often brought on by trying too hard and/or becoming obsessed with making it happen. I realized that allowing myself to visit these forums daily would only fuel what was initially a desire developing into an obsession, and thus must be consciously controlled. 

We were fortunate enough to get pregnant quickly, and I thankfully had developed a habit of keeping my baby-related internet searches to a healthy amount. I have one app on my phone with a community board that I check somewhat regularly; mostly for amusement. Admittedly, it is nice to stay informed on stages and development. Being home for several weeks and talking to friends and family about what was happening with the baby's progress and sharing all of the photos from ultrasounds as time went on was really special. It was definitely amazing to be able to tell people things like: "The baby now has all her fingers and toes, she can swallow and yawn." As well as other things like: "She weighs over a pound now and is at least 8 inches long". Reactions to that information were so cool. Usually people ask, "how do you know that?" and I must admit the simple answer is, technology!

As of late, our most recent benefit from technology has been being able to see her in 3-D as she develops in the womb; Seeing amazing features like her little nose and lips, even her daddy's widow's peak! I could watch her in there for hours squirming about and kickboxing. Below are the most recent pictures from September 26th. Enjoy!

***As a side note regarding this particular post, I thought it would be funny to mention the irony that while I'm writing about (mostly the benefits of technology), my computer decided it was time to do a random update and restart out of the blue! hahaa!

Diaper Butt Decisions

The Cloth Way

As many of you know, I have made the decision to cloth diaper my little one. Many factors have played into this decision and I admit after MUCH research, it feels like it is the sensible thing to do. I think one of the most important steps to make when considering cloth diapering is the commitment to do your homework. One of the common themes I was finding with frustrations and failures of current and past moms who have attempted the feat would be a lack of research before taking it on. Doing your research and being honest with yourself through the process seems to do wonders. 

So, why is it so important to do your research? Well, the fact of the matter is that the world of cloth diapering is no longer a simple one; it even seems to come with it's own language full of fun acronyms. There are several different types, brands, qualities, absorbancy factors, materials, sizes, and price ranges; not to mention a plethora of advice for special washing and care instructions for each. A quick Google search will not only confirm this claim, but is sure enough to overwhelm you.

I will try to explain the "system" I will be using as simply as possible with the assumption that many of my readers aren't familiar with the subject. In an effort to keep this whole cloth diapering bit as user friendly as possible for my husband (as well as the occasional babysitter, friend, or family member) I decided to go with only one type of diaper- pockets. The pocket diaper closely mimics the disposable in shape and style which was a big plus for me in the "user friendly" department. I decided to go with a number of brands, as I read repeatedly that you never know which one will be the best fit for your baby. Not only that, I'm curious to know if the cheaper brands are just as good the high end diapers. Lastly, I decided on mostly snaps (or buttons) with a few aplix (velcrow) closures. I decided to get a few aplix closures once again, for the 'user friendly' factor... that and I might not want to deal with snaps at three o'clock in the morning. The reason I decided to go with the majority of diapers having snaps is because not only do they tend to be more durable, but baby can't get them off as she gets older like she can with aplix.

So, how do pockets work? Well, They are basically composed of two parts. The "shell or cover" and the insert. The cover is adjustable, so that it fits baby from 8lbs on up to 20lbs plus. Inserts come in a variety of materials boasting different absorbancy capacities. Most diapers include microfiber inserts, which are basic and will get the job done. I have purchased additional hemp blend inserts that claim to have up to 6X the absorbancy. I plan to use these for night time. A benefit to using pocket diapers that I really like is the fact that you can do as many or as few inserts as you want to change the bulk or absorbancy. 


What about laundry? A couple of common  questions/comments that i've gotten from people when I tell them i've decided to cloth diaper have been about the laundry aspect of cloth diapers. Initial negative reactions have been something to the effect of "ewe, isn't is gross?" or "don't you have to do alot of laundry?" .... I would answer each of those this way: "Yes, it's gross... but then again, isn't changing diapers gross anyway?" and "Yes, there's additional effort to be put in with the laundry factor, but it's the trade off for saving an average of $2,000 or more". I would also add the fact that if we start off with cloth diapers, and it's what we know, then it won't be as bad as if we were to switch later from disposables. After reading rigorous wash routines and seeking advice from others, I have decided to start out with Tide. Yes, in the spirit of simplicity once again, I will be using Tide free and clear with the occasional hard water treatment of RLR and diaper strip with blue dawn dish soap. ***Diaper stripping is a whole other factor I won't bore you with. 

Lastly, I will touch on a few benefits of cloth diapering. Most obviously is the environmental factor... just think about how many diapers one baby contributes to a landfill. Cloth diapers when properly laundered tend to be less irritating to baby's skin resulting in less diaper rash which means a happy baby (double bonus)! Babies who are cloth diapered tend to potty train sooner because they are able to recognize the sensation of being wet. Lastly, but surely my favorite benefit: the cost and savings factor. While cloth diapers tend to require a good amount for the initial investment, the overall savings is incredible! See the cart below :)

Showered With Love

Home Sweet Home; A Thank-You to Friends & Family

Being home and seeing friends and family members has been absolutely wonderful. Everyone has been so generous and amazing, I had to create a blog post just to say "Thank You" for all the hospitality, gifts and memories. Our baby girl has gotten seriously spoiled by everyone, and we really appreciate it.

 Above: Cookie monster cupcakes made for the baby shower, compliments of Keri :)

  ... and one from the baby shower luncheon Katie and Diana threw for me the day after the ultrasound --------------------->