He is here!

Post-Pit drip/post-epidural/pre-Matteo:
D wanted to take one final pregnancy photo before M arrives.
After receiving...then reducing...then stopping the Pit drip and 9.5 hours of back labor, I finally receiving my epidural. I was able to sleep for about thirty minutes to an hour; just enough to give me a second wind. I am laying here relaxing before I am given the go to push! It is Thursday morning; the rain has let up and we are so very ready to meet our baby.


Little Matteo Anthony has arrived!

Thursday, October 9, 2008
12:29 pm ET
8 pounds 7 ounces
20.5 inches
Our first family photos

Meet our newest edition--just born!

This is right after Daddy helped to give his first bath
He is holding his binky here
He is such an amazing baby. We are so in love with our new little one and cannot wait for him to meet our family and friends.

It's almost time!

D and I went to our 40 week appointment today. Although I have dilated more, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, little M is still not completely ready to arrive. An ultrasound was done to make sure my amniotic fluid was okay and to make sure all was well with our baby. He looks good and is happy in in his mamma's womb! The little man doesn't want to go anywhere just yet!

The doctor who we would like to deliver M is going out of the country on a mission trip. If we wait another week, he will not be here to deliver M. In addition, my feet are so swollen that he chose to put me on maternity leave effective immediately. If we wait another week and M isn't born, I risk using a week of family maternity (FML) leave that I do not get to spend with M after he arrives.

Our obstetrician gave us a few options to consider:

• Come back next week and see what has progressed.
  ...We will not be able to choose who delivers M--which might be a little stressful for us.
• We can choose to be induced (two options here).
  ...This way I will have the baby to enjoy, as FML has already begun.

D and I chose to sit down over lunch and decide what will be the best choice for us. We decided to schedule the induction and begin a Pitocin drip. We then returned to the doctor's office and discussed our decision. I then went to work and turned in my FML form to my boss. I headed home, did some last minute packing, ate dinner, showered, put on some ultra comfy clothes, and D and I got ready to leave for the hospital that evening.

Jonesy knows something big is happening here and isn't sure if he likes it!

Look at that big belly; it looks like there's a basketball under my shirt! It's almost time! We'll keep you posted...

Childbirth Class and Bad Doggies

This afternoon we had our childbirth class. Since the instructor had been hospitalized due to illness, our original mid-September class was rescheduled to four days before our due date. We joked that we would probably go into labor during class, thus serving as an example for the demonstrations.

A lot of the information was a refresher, while some of it (like the breathing exercises) was a lot to take in all at once. D and I did the best we could to absorb everything in the five-hour class. We were the oldest couple in the class. We spent the afternoon laughing (due to shock value) at some of the info. Possibly due to our age we laughed alone all day. ;0)

The day was great until we returned home. One of the dogs (D thinks Riley) left us a steaming hot pile of poo on the basement floor. After many repeat occurrences, D decided that the dogs would officially habitate outside. Although I love having the dogs inside, I agree with and stand by D's decision. We are a united front!

Great Quote and Condolences

Thanks to the wonders of Google, I have a personalized Google web page (AKA iGoogle) which I love. One of the various gWidgets (AKA iGoogle Gadgets) on my iGoogle page is the Leadership Quote of the Day. Today I found the quote to be very inspirational. Here is the quote for Saturday, October 4, 2008:

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down."
—Mary Pickford

Yesterday was my stepfather's birthday. I sent him a card and an e-mail [I'm trying to be better about this sort of thing]. He responded to my e-mail by mentioning that his favorite aunt had died! :(

D and I are very sorry for your loss. Our condolences go out to you and your family during this difficult time.

Have a blessed day and enjoy this first weekend of October--including the wonderful, cool weather! We love you all and wish you well.

Week 39 and Counting

The countdown to the due date is now 7 days. It is hard to believe that it's almost time for baby M's arrival. Today at my Ob appointment my cervix was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced.

These are my predictions for labor:

• Back labor (which I've heard is painful) since I usually have back cramps during menstration
• A birthdate of 10/09/08 (which would have been the due date if 2008 hadn't been a leap year)
• A birth weight of 8 pounds 6 ounces (factoring my 8 pounds 3 ounces birth weight and D's 6 pounds ? ounces birth weight (as a twin, mind you)
• A birth length around 21 inches (mine)

We'll have to wait and see if my predictions are correct.

False Labor Anyone?

Well it happened. I experienced false labor. I attribute it to stress at work and trying to do too much at home. Regardless, it happened and now I know the difference between false and real labor!

On Sunday evening, I started feeling a little different. In the back of my mind I wondered if it might actually be time for little M's debut. On Monday morning as I headed to work, I began having what felt like menstrual cramps. Work that day was rather stressful, as I was still trying to catch up on pre-existing work and plan ahead for deadlines that woukd occur during maternity leave--all without having coverage while I would be gone. End of the day, I approached my boss with these frustrations and he did not seem to care or feel that the situation would improve.

I was pretty upset as I left work, but talked over the situation with a colleague/authority figure. She was reassuring, for she stated that my boss was definitely overworked with too many deadlines and was still in denial that I would be gone for 6+ weeks. She also thought he was pessimistic that a replacement would be hired in time, so he thought he would have to pick up the slack while I was gone.

The last think I wanted was to leave a pile of responsibilities on my already too busy boss. I wanted help now so I could orient someone in the position and feel reassured that I could relax during maternity leave. My fear was that anything I left unfinished would be waiting for me upon my return, in addition to any new projects. Yikes!

Around 11 pm, I was awoken with what felt like a serious menstrual cramp. Fearing the worst, I thought I was going into labor. How could this be? I don't even have my hospital bag packed! The cramps continued, increasing in severity and number. I jumped out of bed and began doing laundry and packing for the hospital. D was startled from his sleep and asked if he should stay up with me. Not knowing how long this would last or how far apart the "contractions" were, I suggested he get some sleep.

The contractions continued to increase in frequency, but were sporatic. They would come every 2-3 and 10-15 minutes apart and then stop for 30+ minutes. I continued to prepare for the hospital, as I finished laundry and went through my checklist of items to pack.

Around 2 or 3 am, I decided to lay back down and try to get some sleep. I was again awoken by contractions around 5 am, but tried to stay calm since they were not close enough to be time for real labor. I continued this throughout the night, awaking every few hours or so with a contraction and then falling back to sleep.

In the morning, I called my Ob's office and explained the situation. They made an appointment for me to come in around noon to be examined. In the mean time, I finished packing and discussed the logistics with D. I stated that I was not yet ready to have the baby (with so much more to do) and he said that I would be a wonderful mommy. How great!

After D left for work, I was left with the responsibility of getting the car seat installed and inspected. Still having contractions, I was extra slow at getting ready and out of the house. I did my best to finish everything and focused on making it to the Ob office on time. After calling around, I found a car seat technician (yes, there is a professional for this task) at one of the local fire departments who agreed to install the car seat. Unfortunately, as I was leaving one station I had a contraction and backed into their extremely short fire hydrant! Just wonderful! I proceeded to the next fire station and tried to focus on the details of the car seat installation as the technician explained it to me.

Afraid that this might be it, I was worried that I may not get a chance to eat after my appointment. I called D and explained my mishap with the fire hydrant; he was not surprised, knowing my poor driving skills. We discussed lunch and he convinced me to go to his office for a quick bite to eat. I agreed in hesitation, knowing this would make me a little late for my appointment. I was so nervous; so many emotions were going through my mind.

Upon arriving at the Ob office, I was strapped to a device that measured uterine contractions and a fetal heart monitor. I was instructed to press a button every time I felt what I thought was a contraction. After 30 to 45 minutes, I met with the doctor and was examined. Although I was 80% effaced, my cervix was only 1cm dilated. He stated that I was experiencing false labor, differentiated between false and real labor, and instructed me to go on with life as usual until the contractions were continuous and five minutes apart. What a relief! All that stress for nothing. At least my hospital bag is packed and the car seat is properly installed. Now all I have to do is try not to get too worked up and take it easier at work. We'll be ready next time!

Celebrity Sighting

I spotted Steve Zahn this morning. I recall reading in the Ace Weekly (Lexington's local entertainment paper) that he lived in the area or was considered Lexington's adopted son (something like that), but thought little of it until an actual encounter.

Well, after spotting the guy this morning, I thought I'd do my research and see what he was doing in the area. I immediately went to my favorite movie web site, the Internet Movie Database or IMDb (www.imdb.com), and read his mini bio. Apparently, Mr. Zahn, a Harvard graduate, married a local Lexingtonian (John Peterman's daughter), and resides at a farm near Lexington with his wife and two children.

Did I take a picture, you ask? No, for I didn't want the guy to think he couldn't blend in with the locals. Did I approach him, you ask? Well yes, I did. I used this line: 'Has anyone ever told you that you look like Steve Zahn?'

He responded with, "Well...actually...I am."

I was taken aback, for I didn't really expect it to be him, and responded, "What are the odds?"

His response was, "Not that rare."

Geez, I am such an idiot. Now I am bantering and probably annoying the poor guy. Sorry, Mr. Zahn, but I am preggo and a little star struck. We don't get your kind around here often...

Before I said anything that sounded more stupid, I decided to end the conversation by wishing him well and letting us both get back to our business of shopping. Thanks so much, Mr. Zahn. See you around some time, perhaps.

Phthalates and Bisphenol-A (BPA)

This is where scientific reasoning and logic come in handy to make informed decisions and minimize panic and mass hysteria...

After already performing a literature review on the topic, I had reassured myself that not all plastics are bad. D watched the Today Show recently and freaked out after watching a segment on BPA in plastics. Can we say mass hysteria? Thanks so much, NBC; now I feel the need to inform the public.

ORAL STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL
Hearing on Safety of Phthalates and Bisphenol-A
in Everyday Consumer Products
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Public Health Policy Statement was issued on June 10, 2008

This article defines phthalates and BPA and explains that the controversy surrounding these products is not new, "Phthalates and bisphenol-A, or BPA, are not exactly terms that roll off the tongue; although of late they seem to be the focus of more and more American consumers who wonder whether products with these materials are safe. More than five decades of scientific scrutiny by institutions around the world support the continued use of phthalates and BPA in consumer products."

..."Over the last 18 months, media reports have referred to a handful of studies that attempt to link phthalate and BPA exposure to adverse health effects. We’re here today, Madam Chairperson, to provide a more complete picture and to help put the public’s mind at ease."

I couldn't have said it any better:

Today Show Reverses 40 Years of Industry Science,
Strikes Needless Fear in Millions
This article from the ACC goes on to dispute the Today Show claim on 4/19/08. This article lists the Today Show "facts" and provides scientific evidence to dispute each claim that was shared with the general public.

Resin identification codes are labeled for recycling, not for product safety.

Article on the use of resin identification codes
and
Resin Identification Coding System

In a nutshell, always read the labels. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for plastics. If the container is not indicated to be microwave and freezer safe, then don't use it in the microwave of freezer. Enough soap box ranting for a day. Feel free to respond.

Baby M Is Very Blessed By Family & Friends

We cannot thank family and friends enough for all of the love and generosity that we have received. Even though I am SUPER behind on thank you notes, I will finish them--sooner rather than later hopefully. Until then, a great big thank you wrapped in a hug for all of you.

Nesting

When did the nesting officially begin? What a great question...one that I may not be able to answer, for it feels so instinctual and natural during pregnancy. I think I've been nesting well before week 30 of pregnancy, if I had to guess. Below are some of the nesting projects that I've been working on lately:

The first sign of nesting occurred after Mom Mom J sent some baby clothes our way. I sorted the clothes by size and began washing them. The nursery closet was then organized and incoming clothes that we received as gifts were separated by size. I have chosen not to wash everything because I don't know how much baby M will weigh when he's born and I have no idea how fast he'll grow. Baby M is very fortunate to have received a lot of clothing from family and friends--can't wait to see him in them and share the photos with you! :-)

The weekend of July 26-27, I decided to create closet dividers for baby M's closet. These dividers from Sugar Booger (here and here) were on our Babies R Us registry, but were available on-line only and I didn't think anyone would purchase them. Hey, why buy them when you can make and personalize them yourself, right?

I think the dividers turned out prettay, prettay, prettay, prettay, prettay, nice:

The next time I create some nursery closet dividers (as these are already laminated and hanging in baby M's closet), I will add the weight range that coincides with the age--as babies develop on their own terms and do not always fit into the newborn, 0-3 months, etc. categories.

Another project that I tackled was a little more manly and domestic--grrr. On the morning of my first Lexington baby shower, I decided to tackle the window and door trim upstairs (first floor). With D traveling so much for work, I thought this was a task I could do myself. The dogs had managed to claw away the white paint from a few of the window and door trims around the house. This project included cleaning the trim to remove dirt (and dog slober, etc.), sanding to remove excess paint, wiping away the dust from sanding, and painting (two coats) the trim. Why stop with window and door trim when there are baseboard that need touching up as well? Yeah, I touched up a lot of the first floor baseboards also.

Other projects throughout the house included organizing the office, organizing the upstairs garage, sorting items to donate to Goodwill, writing thank you notes for baby gifts (still working on this one...), vacuuming the house twice weekly (this one has become pretty difficult as pregnancy has progressed--ouch), washing the dogs every two to three weeks, keeping up with e-mails, posting to this blog, working, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Would I be doing all of this if D were around the house more? Probably, for his nesting instinct either hasn't kicked in or is prioritized on other things. It's amazing what can be accomplished when you cut out two to three hours of sleep a night!

Not that these projects HAD to be completed before M's arrival, mind you, but it sure helped to pass the time while waiting for his arrival! ;-) So if you have been wondering why I have been a little less social, let's just say I've been nesting and have very much enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment obtained from completing various tasks around the house. I'd love to see you, if you don't mind visiting me at home and getting put to work! Just kidding (JK); I only take volunteers. ;-P

New to My Wish List

New to my list of things to do before baby M arrives is to compile an iPod music playlist to take with us to the hospital. I want the experience of childbirth to be AS RELAXING AS POSSIBLE.

While reading up on this week's development of baby M (technically fetus M), I came across a hyperlink to a great product on Parents Connect called Stork Tunes

Stork Tunes is a labor and delivery CD. Not only is the music designed to be soothing for mothers in labor, but it is also a charitable CD that benefits the March of Dimes.

I like the concept, but I don't know if I like all of the songs. They are a little too "granola" for me. So if you would like to recommend some songs to add to the playlist that I am creating, please do so.

"Pregnancy is the only time in a woman's life she can help God work a miracle."
—Erma Bombeck

Week 34: Whining & Other Ailments in the World of a Preggo

This post stems from a request by my mom to visit for the weekend. Simple yes or no answers are not possible with her, thus requiring long explanations for why I cannot accept her request at this time. I thought it would be best to share with all to better describe my pregger experiences. Read on...

The reality of the situation is that I am pretty exhausted at this stage in my pregnancy and it takes me longer to get around, especially with the need to take extra breaks to avoid overexertion! I do not like being limited physically, but my body just does not want to cooperate. Am I pushing myself too much?

D is trying to get all of his travels and friend favors out of the way before M arrives, so I feel like I am donning it alone at home most of the time. Attempting to keep up with the dogs and the house work is not a simple task, especially in my state. In addition to home life, I am still working full time and easily spend an hour commuting each day. Work is not necessary mentally trying, but it can be quite stressful. My job requires some serious multitasking, so I am constantly being pulled in several directions and am trying to meet the many urgent deadlines to which my boss is working.

Did I mention the nesting? I am in serious nesting mode! (This subject deserves an entire posting.)

Did I mention that I have numb, tingling hands? (Both my mother and brother have had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome and I have had symptoms of the syndrome for several years now.) I am still sore from my weekend nesting project. I cleaned, sanded, and painted the window and door trim where the dogs had scratched away the paint. I try to take it easy and not overexert myself, but this just means that I have to work in increments and it takes longer to finish a job. Perhaps I will soon adjust to this change of pace.

Bending over is virtually impossible, so I squat when I must. Needless to say, squatting is a challenge with a baby belly! It is also quite humorous for others, but not so much for me.

Vacuuming is a feat for me. About three weeks ago (week 30 or 31), I began having difficulty walking—it was painful! Apparently the baby is starting to descend and is putting pressure on the pelvic area. I chose to invest in maternity support (a Babies R US gift card came in handy here). The support takes the pressure off my back and legs, making it easier to walk and also more comfortable to sleep.

Last week the edema began. I had experienced one bout of feet swelling while Janice was in from NJ, but it only lasted for a day. This is an everyday thing now! The recommendation to relieve the swelling is to stay off your feet and butt. This is rather challenging, since I work in an office that requires long hours of sitting in a now uncomfortable chair. I wonder if my boss will let me invest in a recliner and hang my computer monitors on the wall of my office--hmm, doubtful.

[Here is a touchy subject. Read ahead at your own risk, for I know how judgmental and narrow minded some can be about this topic. Your support, encouragement, and sharing of your own personal experiences will be most helpful:

About six weeks ago (week 29), I started tapering off the anti-depressant I have been successfully taking for almost three years for major depressive disorder and anxiety. This was a rather difficult decision for me, as I (thought I) had done all the research on Zoloft and pregnancy and had discussed my options with my primary care physician. For my mental wellness, we both agreed that the benefits outweighed the (rather small) risks and that I should continue to take Zoloft during pregnancy. My Ob physicians did not necessary agree with this decision, as their primary concern is for the health of the baby and not the mother. They allowed me to continue to take the medication, but strongly advised that I stop taking the medication before delivery.

I went along with the decision of my Obs to taper off Zoloft before delivery (to avoid withdrawal in the infant) and then plan to begin taking the medication shortly after delivery. Since very little of the drug is expressed in breast milk, the drug will be of little risk to baby M when I breastfeed. I was concerned about post-partum depression prior to pregnancy, so I want to avoid it at all costs.

At week 32 and after about a month of tapering off Zoloft (with no clear instructions from medical professionals on the best way to do this), I was continuing to have a difficult time coming off the medication and had been having trouble sleeping. I shared my concerns with my Ob and she was not very sympathetic (once again, her primary interest was with the fetal care). Her recommedations were to exercise more (ideal, but I don't really have much energy or time for this), possibly take another medication (why would it be practical to switch to another medication when the original one was working so well (I am not a lab rat!), and to prescribe sleeping pills to help me sleep. Am I missing something? Wouldn't another anti-depressant have similar risks to baby M, not to mention an entire laundry list of possible side effects? Why would I want to take sleeping pills (another medication that may not be safe for baby M) and risk getting adjusted to this medication, not to mention possible side effects? Needless to say, I chose not to go on another anti-depressant and did not get the prescription for sleeping pills filled.

I chose to schedule our next two-week Ob appointment with another physician in the practice. It has been two weeks since my last Ob visit and this is my first week of being off Zoloft completely and it is still a challenge. I have good days and bad days. Thanks goodness the Ob I saw this week was very encouraging and supportive--exactly what I needed. He explained that Zoloft is difficult to come off of due to withdrawal. (Why hadn't anyone else mentioned this before?) He recommended that I consider taking a low dose of Zoloft every other day or even every day, as it may be beneficial to me now. His patience and understanding has made all the difference.

Although not easy, the reason I shared this experience was to encourage others that they are not alone and hopefully for others to avoid the hell I have gone through. I don't really have many complaints about pregnancy, for I knew in advance that I was temporarily giving up my body to grow a life that D & I would love so very much. The complaints began when I started going off Zoloft. I did not cry once during pregnancy until very recently. Now I cannot control my tears, my emotions, or the amount of talking I do. I cannot say whether my ailments are associated with pregnancy alone, being without an anti-depressant, or both; all I can say is that it has been tough and every day is a challenge. I am blessed to have wonderful friends and family to speak with and help me through this trying time. I know that it will all be worth it when I hold my son for the first time--cannot wait!

This is the end of the touchy subject. You can now continue reading about more whining. ;-)]

In addition to my mom's request, I have declined requests for friends. As much as I would like to spend one-on-one quality time with everyone, it just isn't realistic right now. There is so much to do before M arrives!

I really need to take care of me right now, which in turn means doing what is best for baby M and Mommy and resting when possible. I have bailed on a lot of invites lately, merely because I just don’t have the time. I hope you understand.

Did I mention that we are at the 34 week mark today? Only 42 days to go…

"Enough about me, let's talk about you for a minute. Enough about you, let's talk about life for a while. The conflicts, the craziness and the sound of pretenses
falling all around. ..." --Alanis Morissette, All I Really Want

A Tribute to Marley

A Tragic Loss That No One Should Experience
Marley: Spring 2005-July 31, 2008

These are some classic photos of Marley. The first one was taken on the day D brought him home (10/21/05). He was my birthday present for 2005.


...Classic Marley Photos


Marley loved Riley! We already had Riley when we adopted Marley, so the two grew up together. Marley was such a cat-dog.





Not only did Marley let Riley use him as a chew toy, he also liked to be chased (sorry, no photo). The two even liked to snuggle up on the couch with me.

Although hesitant at first, Jonesy eventually joined the party. (My feet are actually under the cover in this photo. The critters loved to keep me company while studying for my MPH).

...and Lucky made four. We we got Lucky as a playmate for Riley right before our wedding.
(This may be the only photo of all four critters.)

Here Jonesy and Marley are inside pining while
Riley and Lucky play outside in the snow.
Two Cronies: Jonesy and Marley

Another classic photo of Marley

It's treat time--yummy stuff!

These two loved to play, especially after we went to bed at night.

...This cat had such a cool personality! He even played my sidekick
(Clementine from Reno! 911, Halloween 2007)

Marley also liked to crawl into baskets and suitcases.
Take me with you, please!

This cat was just amazing! He was very quirky and verbal. He became even more affectionate after I got pregnant. He used to lay on my belly and purr. It's too bad that baby M will never know our "Little Buddha" Marley.

I did not realize how important he was to our family until we lost him. I still think I hear him on occasion. Jonesy has been very lonely and has taken on some of Marley's personality traits: he is much more verbal and playful, especially after our bedtime. Jonesy really misses his little buddy and continues to wake me up at night (sometimes every two hours) to "pat down" and get some attention.

We are still mourning the loss of Marley and will continue to do so. Another cat is out of the question right now, with baby M coming soon and the fact that we know we will never replace our little black panther. Perhaps when baby M becomes mobile we will consider a kitten (perhaps to give Jonesy a break from baby hands, as he is currently six years old). ...Only time will tell.

Got Milk?

Well, I have a new development in pregnancy. My milk (technically, colostrum) has arrived. Yes, I have milk.

"...I have nipples, Greg. Could you milk me?"
--Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes, in “Meet the Parents”

It is the strangest and coolest thing. I am just amazed at my body and all of the changes that have occurred during pregnancy.

I hope I haven’t grossed out anyone, but I wanted to share the latest and greatest in the world of pregnancy. For those of you who have experienced this miracle, please share your thoughts, experiences, and anecdotes.

Webpages as graphs

Here's is a beautiful representation of this baby blog as a graph. It's from Webpages as Graphs at this HTML DOM Visualizer Applet.



Cool, huh?

Need Some Advice

Okay, here's the deal: Off and on since we've been expecting little M the dogs have been relieving themselves the house. We aren't sure if it is one or both dogs, but we are getting rather annoyed by the repeat occurrences. D has threatened to get rid of the guilty culprit, but I am rather hesitant. Other than the messing, we have great dogs that we both love very much.

I did a little research to see if the accidents were related to pregnancy. What I discovered was not too surprising to me. Dogs have a very acute sense of smell and can smell the different hormones that a pregnant woman produces. It is not unusual for dogs (and other pets) to behave differently when a family is expecting. The behavior may vary from remoteness, overprotectiveness, behavioral changes (such as accidents), etc.

Do dogs (and other pets) sometimes see a pregnant woman and/or the unborn child as a threat or do they simply sense change and feel the need to react? Regardless, does anyone have any practical advice for us on how to stop this unacceptable behavior? I desperately want to introduce our new baby into our home with acceptance from all our pets.

Expectant Mother's Hospital Checklist

Only 12 weeks remaining until little M is scheduled to arrive! In addition to the at-home preparations, I have prepared a hospital checklist. Being resourceful, I used on-line resources, such as:

Beginner Baby
MS Template

These are not the do-all, end-all checklists, but they will get me started.

I found another useful checklist from Pampers. Now all I need to do is pack the bag! (Comment added on Saturday, 9/20/08)

Question for the moms out there: What did you find useful to pack for the hospital and/or what do you wish you'd had with you during labor and delivery?

Your input is most helpful!

Happy Saturday to all.

Updates

Not many comments have been posted on the blog, so I figured not many people were reading it. After speaking with friends and family, it was apparent that people were reading the baby blog and were disappointed that there weren't more posts. Being the perfectionist that I am (I am my mother's daughter) and after taking advantage of UK Human Resources Training & Development courses, I have updated the blog with a few new posts. I also used my new HTML training skills to reformat old posts to be more aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to everyone for your patience with the blog. Please DO leave comments, for I enjoy the input and feedback.

If you prefer not to leave a comment on the blog here, please

e-mail me: here

A special congratulations to Dr. MB who defended her doctoral defense yesterday. She did such a great job (I was fortunate enough to sit in on the defense)! D & I were unable to make it to M's late night celebration--yes, I fell asleep on the couch before 9 pm! [My early slumber is no surprise to close friends, as many have experienced it at least once (or twice). I swear I am not narcoleptic; I just don't do late nights well any more! :-( ]

We hope everyone has a great weekend! D is golfing this morning and I plan to clean the house and work on my capstone.

For those of you who have no clue what I am referring to, I have been slowly, but surely working on the Master's level capstone (a condensed version of a thesis) to complete the Master's in Public Health (MPH) since before finishing MPH courses last spring. Being the excuse person that I am, I have let moving twice in less than six months, job hunting, working full time, building a house with D, and getting pregnant get in the way of finishing my capstone (AKA crapstone) in time!?! The capstone is almost finished, thanks so constant reminders from my committee chair Dr. C. (a true Godsend), my boss Dr. K. and Dr. S. in addition to encouraging friends. The end is in sight as I finish statistical analysis on the results section and complete the discussion and conclusions. Woo hoo, fingers crossed that I stay on track and defend the capstone before little M arrives!!!

Here's an idea of what little M looks like now (at 27 weeks):

27 Weeks Pregnant

Only 88 days until our due date!

The Baby Belly

Several of you have asked to see photos of me as I've grown throughout the pregnancy. I finally convinced D to take some photos and I have FINALLY uploaded the photos.

Here I am at 14 weeks:

I started showing a lot after 20 weeks. Here are two 24 week photos:




Here are two 25 week photos:


Some of the critters wanted to be in the photos!
Can't wait to see the reactions after little M arrives...

First Baby Shower (D's Family & Friends)

Over the extended weekend, I flew to NJ to see the in-laws. Dino's cousin-in-law 'Mrs. J' and my mother-in-law 'Mom-Mom' organized a baby shower for us. It was phenomenal! Not only did I get to meet some family and friends of my hubby, but was also showered with numerous great gifts for little M!

Baby showers in NJ are a little different from Southern baby showers (from my experiences, anyway). The baby was held at a restaurant instead of a house (no preference, just a different setting and tone). The food was all prepared by the restaurant and was more formal--good food by the way, yummy Italian!

There was a diaper cake and diaper favors on the table--so cute--and I can use the diapers later!

Thanks so much, Mrs. J!

Auntie J was conscious of my latex allergy and ordered Mylar balloons. The kids enjoyed these so much that they all took home a set...in addition to Cocie (she's a kid at heart)!


Auntie J & Mom-Mom thought of everything. There was even an activity table for the kids. The girls were very busy and so good during the shower! They really seemed to enjoy themselves!



They even made goodies for little M!

There were two cakes (the hostesses had individual favorites so they incorporated both of their tastes). A cake from Sweet Eats Bakey was my cake of choice; it was filled with caramel creme and covered with white chocolate shavings--yummy!




If the girls weren't cute enough, they even offered to be helpers with the gifts!
Too Cute!

The favors for guests were beautiful and very thoughtful. Auntie N knows how much I love coffee, so she placed a biscotti and a single serving of coffee in a glass coffee mug!
Caption: A Baby is Brewing!
K's Baby Shower
July 5, 2008
...Thanks so much, Auntie N & Uncle N!

All of the guests shared advice for the expectant mother (much needed, I might add). Thanks for all of the advice; it'll come in handy when little M arrives!

Here is a photo of Mom-Mom with all of her daughter-in-laws:
Mom-Mom with all her Grand-Baby Mamas

Another shower tradition is the bow hat. Regardless of my reluctance, I had to put on the bow hat:

There were others who seemed to enjoy the bow hat a bit more than me. There was even one who made her own bow hat...
What cute little cheesers they were; very much enjoying the hat!

On top of a great shower, I was surprised with my Mom in attendance. She and her hubby chose to drive to NJ and then vacation for the next few weeks on the East Coast. They love lighthouses, wine, and seafood--so they are all set. They are also getting in to cycling and have rented bike to ride while on vacay.

Mom-Mom (D's Mom), Me, & Oma (My Mom)

Since I flew, I was only able to return home with baby clothes and stuffed animals (all the light stuff). When I returned home, I showed D all the cutie outfits and shared with him who it was from. I don't think he was as excited as me...silly guys. ;-D Mom-Mom is shipping some of the big stuff to us. My Mom took some of the stuff with her...unfortunately, daddy D won't get to see it for a few weeks.

Thanks Auntie J for letting me crash at your house. In addition to co-hostessing a shower, she helped decorate a float for the Cub Scouts (which won first place), and looked after her two kids, three pups, and hubby. She is amazing! She even showed me how to swaddle by demonstrating with her puppy, Sammie!
Sammie was a good sport

Thanks Mom-Mom for toting me around NJ and PA and for spoiling your unborn grandson SO MUCH; you'll have to stop before you go bankrupt!

Thanks again to all of our NJ family and friends for baby M's great gifts!