The Bushey Life

Freezer Cooking

2012-01-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

I signed up for Freezer cooking classes through a local city my friend works for. It’s 6 classes held every 2 weeks. We purchase the meat and then go in and prepare 6 meals, they have all of the other supplies there for you.

I decided to make 4 of the meals this last week, so I doubled up on 2 of them to equal my 6 meals. 2 of the meals just weren’t things we would eat.

But I thought I would share them with you guys as I make them. This week I made Chipotle-Chocolate Chile, Grilled Honey Lime Chicken, Creamy Chuck Roast with Mushrooms, and Cheese Ravioli. The other 2 meals were Sesame Salmon and Breakfast Sausage and Apples.

So far we have had the Roast and Chicken, both were pretty good.

The roast was the easiest to prepare for freezing. This was one of the dishes I did 2 of, so we have another one ready to go anytime.

Last night I cooked the chicken on my foreman grill, I’m sure it would have been even better on the outside grill. I mean it was good, but I love the taste of anything cooked on the gas grill.

The chicken was the other one I did 2 of so I actually doubled the recipe and then split it among 3 bags with 3 chicken breasts in each. They all had plenty of sauce with them so I could have probably got a 4th bag out of it. When I make this again I will double it as well and make 4 bags with 3 breasts each.

I also didn’t do the 2t of chopped jalapeno and just threw 1 slice of it in to each bag. Just because the baby might have some of it and I wouldn’t want it to spicy.

Here are these 2 recipes if you would like to try them. I made them as a document so you can just print them if you’d like. Like I said they were good, and easy to make.

Creamy Chuck Roast with Mushrooms

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

Our First Stomach Bug

2012-01-26T14:00:00.001-05:00

We are in the midst of our first sickness.

It’s horrible.

Little man woke up Tuesday morning at 1am puking and has been ever since. Just when I think he’s coming out of it he decides to vomit again. Add in the diarrhea and it’s been a pretty gross couple of days.

I’ve been trying to get him to drink pedialyte or water, and he will take a few sips. But he’s not really interested in it.

This was the first day, when water still seemed good.

Day 2 “Pedialyte is not my friend mom”

But I just keep forcing some on him so he won’t get dehydrated. Since he’s vomiting and having diarrhea he runs that risk. So anything I can give him to stop that is a plus.

We’ve gone through about 8 outfits, 5 bed changes, 4 baths and 30 diapers in 3 days. I really hope he comes out of this soon. I have to go back to work on Saturday and I’m not sure daddy can handle it, lol.

Every family has a Super Hero.

2012-01-22T21:53:00.001-05:00

I’ve seriously been a slacker at blogging lately. I guess I’m just running a bit low in the creativity department.

I have a lot of posts I plan on writing, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I’m either working, playing with little man, or being lazy and doing nothing.

I’m sure I’ll get back in to the blogging grove soon. Until then, Super John is here to entertain you.

Cause you know, we are those parents.

Christmas Recap

2011-12-27T23:07:00.000-05:00

My house looks like a toy store threw up in it, I mean seriously it’s a bit ridiculous the amount of gifts my son received this year. I knew he was going to be a bit spoiled as it was his first Christmas...but I had no idea how much.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with just how cute he isOn Christmas Eve we spent the evening with my dad’s side of the family. It was fun watching the 3 little ones opening presents.

Then we came home and opened our Christmas Eve Jammies and got ready for bed. My mom and my sister and her boyfriend came and stayed the night so they could be here in the morning.

On Christmas morning we woke early (well as you can see our early was a little before 10am, lol) to see Santa had arrived

and brought a ton of stuff with him

The Aftermath of present opening

And all of Little mans toys lined up. Yeah he isn’t spoiled or anything.

After breakfast we went to my grandmas where he received a few more presents and then headed to my FIL’s house for dinner and more presents.

Best.Christmas.Ever

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T23:28:00.001-05:00

Colorful Candy Wishes Holiday

Shop hundreds of holiday photo cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

I ♥ Babylegs!

2011-11-25T22:38:00.001-05:00

If you haven’t noticed I put John in babylegs all the time. When I first got them DH accused me of trying to make him a little ballerina. But almost every time DH has to get him dressed he ends up in them, I guess I’ve won that battle.

But Babylegs is having an awesome Cyber Monday sale…A 3 pair pack for $12! (Newborn size is only $10) That is a great deal, so you should run over and get some so your baby can look as cute as mine. If you like them on FB then you can gain access to the sale early, or my links might go to them now.

Who’s got moves?

2011-11-21T19:26:00.001-05:00

John’s got moves!

I love watching Little man get down to Elmo.

He has his white boy head nod down pat, lol.

Football? Nope, Soccer!

2011-11-16T17:49:00.001-05:00

Since Little Man really isn’t little everyone comments on how he is going to be a big football player. But after catching this move the other day I’m thinking I may have a natural little soccer player on my hands.

I do have to say that I thought it was funny that he happened to do this while wearing his soccer babylegs. Which I loudly proclaimed in the video, which is also why you get to listen to music because I covered up my loudness, lol.

Baby it’s cold outside

2011-11-03T16:23:00.001-04:00

Time to bust out the coats and hats, good thing Little man has some cute stuff.

Cause being so cute he has to have cute accessories to match his cuteness.

Say What?!?!

2011-10-29T13:52:00.001-04:00

Can you believe Little man is 6 months old already?

Yeah...me neither.

We are still alive.

2011-10-21T16:22:00.001-04:00

I know I’ve been such a slacker lately, I can’t believe it’s been well over a month since I last posted. We haven’t been really busy, but we have been sick. So I guess that’s a good enough excuse.

Let’s see Little Man is 5 months old now, well 6 months here in a few days. (gosh it has been a while, lol)

He can sit on his own for a long time with out toppling over.

He’s rolling all over the place, I’m sure he will be scooting or crawling any day now.

He’s still sleeping through the night, but protests naps a lot more than I’d like.

And he’s just so happy all the time, even when he’s been sick this last few weeks he’s been smiley.

Here are a couple pictures.

You will notice in the coming posts that he is seen in this packers shirt a lot...he does own more clothes but Mr.B says he has to wear it every Sunday when the Packers play. Someday we might buy him another one so he doesn’t have to keep wearing the same one, lol. Well he does have a jersey to, but it’s way to big for him.

It’s Game Day!

2011-09-03T17:32:00.001-04:00

We’re dressed in our Michigan gear and ready to cheer them on!!

Who knew football season would be so fun!

GO BLUE!!

Happy 4 months little dude!

2011-08-25T21:20:00.001-04:00

As little man gets older he starts moving a lot more, which means it gets harder to actually get pictures of him in a pose I put him in. Especially when I am also the one taking the pictures.

So today’s 4 month photo shoot ended up with a lot of this

and this

So needless to say we didn’t get a lot of pictures. But since I take 100 pictures a day it doesn’t really matter I suppose. We got the important one:

I can’t believe my little man is already 4 months old! Man he sure is growing up fast.

Wordless Wednesday.

2011-08-24T13:16:00.001-04:00

Good for you muffins

2011-08-21T12:49:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I decided to make some muffins using the Flax seed I ordered. I actually ordered it already ground up so it’s easy to just throw in anything. I learned about Flax on another blog and she talks about throwing it into everything and even using it as an ice cream topping. So I thought I’d give it a taste, and it kind of taste like nuts. So I could see using it as a topping as well.

But for my first baking adventure with it I decided to make Pumpkin Spice Muffins from a recipe I found online. And while they aren’t great...they aren’t horrible either, lol.

I felt they were missing something, and that was when I realized I used pure pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie mix. So it was missing a lot of seasonings. Next time I will make them correctly, lol.

The recipe is super easy:

1 box spice cake mix

1 can pumpkin pie mix

1/2 cup ground flax

1/2 raisins

Combine cake mix, pumpkin pie mix, flax, and raisins in a bowl
and mix well. Spoon batter into greased muffin cups (use regular
or mini muffin tins). Bake at 350° for 20 - 25 minutes.

I don’t like raisins so I omitted them in my recipe. Also the batter is really thick so I added a bit of water to the 2nd batch. Well I only made 1 batch but I only have 1 muffin pan, so the 2nd group to be baked. I also got a can of cream cheese frosting so that helped with the blandness some.

Mr.B wasn’t a big fan of them, but his friend liked them. Hopefully when I make them again, the correct way, he will like them.

Seriously…

2011-08-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Can this kidgetanycuter?

Nope, don’t think it’s possible.

Boat load of Goodness

2011-08-19T14:14:00.001-04:00

I really want to provide my son with the best nutrition possible. I also want to make sure he gets tons of nutrients. Reading other blogs I’ve heard about all sorts of things to give my baby, some I’m not so sure about and others sound like a great idea.

One thing I’ve always heard about is flax seed, and I planned to use it. It has a boat load of good qualities, and I’m excited to include it in our diet as well.

I planned to put it in little mans baby food when I make it, but I’ve read not to introduce it until 7-8 months...so I have to wait a bit longer.

I did just order some from nuts online for $3.99 a lb. I decided to order from them because I was in search of Clodhoppers, lol. When I was in the hospital they brought me some of these as my night time snack and they were SO good. But you can’t buy them any where, so I jumped online in search of them and found them there. While on their site I was looking around and they have such a HUGE collection of stuff, I was surprised.

But I just ordered my clodhoppers and the ground flax seed. It arrived in 2 days and even came with a sample of Chia seeds.

Which from what I’ve been reading are even better than Flax seed...but cost a bit more. But I’ve been enjoying the sample and had them in some tea yesterday. Their website has a recipe section so I’m looking forward to trying some of them. And may end up ordering more if I notice a difference in how I feel.

I did find a recipe for Pumpkin Spice muffins with Flax that I am going to make this weekend...I’ll be sure to share the recipe and how it turns out with you.

Oh and if any of you would like to order from nuts online leave me a message with your email and I can send you a referral and you will get 10% off your order. They have no idea I’m doing this so I don’t get any thing from them...well they do offer 10% off my order for any referral. But anyone can get that by referring someone. So nothing special for writing this post...I just did it because I really liked my products I ordered.

Homemade baby food.

2011-08-12T15:43:00.001-04:00

Being the crunchy mom I’m not, lol, I’ve decided to make my own baby food. It was actually quite easy and took all of 15 mins to whip up a batch of sweet potatoes. Not counting the cool down time of course. I love this site and have been reading it for many months now, so many of my ideas will come from there.

I did take the lazy route and microwave my sweet potatoes today, but that’s because it was my 1st attempt and I was only making 2 potatoes. Next time when I do a variety of veggies I will bake them as microwaving can take out a bit of nutrients. And if I’m going to go through all of the trouble to make the food it better contain as many nutrients as possible.

But I washed the potatoes and then cooked them in the skins. I just poked a few holes in them and cooked for 6 mins.

Then I let them cool for an hour or so while I played with little man who discovered his feet a few days ago.

Once cooled I just peeled the skins off. It was super easy to peel, I thought I was going to have to cut the skins off. So I was happy when they just peeled right off.

I then just threw them in the food processor and used the pulse button for a few seconds. Checked it out to see how thick it was.

I then added a tad bit of water, you can also use breast milk. But you can’t use frozen breast milk if you plan to freeze it again. Which I only have frozen so I had to use water as I was freezing this batch.

Now that it’s a nice smooth consistency I put it in containers to freeze. I planned to use an ice cube tray but since we have an ice maker in our fridge the only trays we had were in the basement with tools and dust and dirt all over them. But I have all these little plastic containers that we had used for jello shots so I used those.

I ended up with 10 cups full out of 2 potatoes I bought for $1.

Not bad for 15 mins of work and $1. Next weekend I think I’ll try making several batches of different veggies. I’m actually kind of excited about it.

I ♥ Smiles!

2011-08-11T15:28:00.001-04:00

I can’t even begin to tell you how much time I spend trying to get pictures of this little dude smiling. But every time the camera, or my phone more often than not, comes out he gets a grumpy look on his face.

So I usually end up with 20 pictures and only 1 or 2 of him smiling and the rest with a crazy look on his face. But when I do capture his smile I just ♥ it!

We’re somewhat mobile

2011-07-27T21:19:00.001-04:00

My mom watches little man while we are at work and she’s been teaching him to roll over. This was taken awhile back so he’s a little better at it now, but still doesn’t roll much. He’s just as happy laying there, as long as it’s not on his tummy...he still hates tummy time for longer than a few minutes.

A quarter of a year.

2011-07-25T22:20:00.001-04:00

Can you believe my little man is 3 months old already?

I had to work today so I didn’t have time for much of a picture session, but as you can see my little boy is becoming not so little.

Who says a 3 month old can’t talk?

2011-07-22T08:42:00.001-04:00

Mr.B teaching Little man. He’s such a talker already.

Thanks to you...

2011-07-20T18:26:00.004-04:00

So I just realized, thanks to a reader, that today is my blogoversary!

3 years ago today it all started with this post.

Who'd have thought I'd stick around and make so many bloggy friends?

I sure am glad I did though, cause I've met some interesting people. Many new friends that I feel like I've really gotten to know. I've friended some on facebook, followed them on twitter and even chatted on messenger. I love following along in their life journeys and hope they enjoy walking along with us.

Here's to the next 3 years!

Tummy time is overrated.

2011-07-19T12:00:00.001-04:00

Little man hates tummy time

Except on the boppy pillow

and then only for a few minutes

Holy cow Batman, this looks like a job for Robin!

2011-07-18T16:31:00.002-04:00

We’ve figured out how to grab toys

and bring them to our mouth

but if we drop them there

we aren’t sure how to pick them up again.

Midnight date night.

2011-07-14T19:30:00.003-04:00

We are those people.

You know, opening night theater goers.

Yup, we will be among the thousands of people seeing Harry Potter tonight at midnight.

My sister is coming over to babysit and we are heading to a movie. It's our first "date" since little man was born, I hope I can stay awake through the whole movie. And I'm sure I'll be regretting it when he wakes up at 6am. But Mr.B is just happy I've finally agreed to go to the movies and leave little man.

Since he will be sleeping the whole time it's no big deal really.

And I'll get some theater popcorn out of it...mmm...buttery delicious popcorn.

2 Month Dr's Appointment

2011-07-11T21:52:00.004-04:00

I don't think I ever posted about Little Mans 2 month check up.

He is getting so big! He was 24.5 inches long, which is in the 95th percentile! But only 12.2 lbs which is in the 43rd percentile. Tall and skinny!

He had to get his shots at this appointment. I was undecided on what shots to get him and what schedule to follow. I work in health care so I know it's important to protect him from certain illnesses, but I didn't like the idea of putting so many chemicals in his little body.

In the end I decided to follow the recommended schedule and decline any optional shots. I will look at those on an individual basis and decide if he needs those or not.

He did really well with the shots and only screamed for a minute. Once I grabbed him up and cuddled him he calmed right down. He then slept for 5 hrs and woke up screaming. His poor little legs were killing him. I had given him tylenol right before his appointment, but because he slept for so long it had wore off. He also had a knot where he had gotten one of his shots. But after an hour of crying, more tylenol and an ice pack to the leg and he calmed down and went back to sleep.

It was the worst hour of my life.

He was crying real tears and so was I.

Next time I will be sure to wake him for his dose of tylenol right at 4hrs.

Here is a picture of him right after we got home, getting ready to go back to sleep.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T22:40:00.001-04:00

10 day YOU challenge ~ one picture

2011-06-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

One picture

WooHoo!!! I made it. 10 posts in 10 days. Hope you learned something new about me!

10 day YOU challenge ~ two songs

2011-06-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Two songs

I Don’t want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
Love the Way you Lie by Eminem

10 day YOU challenge ~ Three films

2011-06-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Three Films

Armageddon
Titanic
Pirates of the Caribbean

10 day YOU challenge ~ four books

2011-06-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Four books

I know this much is True by Wally Lamb
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Diary of Anne Frank
The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

He can’t be 2 months already…can he?

2011-06-25T14:04:00.001-04:00

10 day YOU challenge ~ five foods

2011-06-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Five foods

Anything mexican
Steak
Chocolate
mashed potatoes
zucchini

10 day YOU challenge ~ six places

2011-06-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

six places

Italy
London
New York
Australia
Scotland
Hawaii

10 day YOU challenge ~ Seven wants

2011-06-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

Seven wants

Happiness for my family and friends
money
to travel the world
to lose another 50lbs
to refurnish my house
a new car
to be out of debt

10 day YOU challenge ~ eight fears

2011-06-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

Eight fears

Failing my son
Failing my family
dying to soon
losing my family
intruders, being robbed
big *** bugs
being embarrassed
the unknown

10 Day YOU challenge ~ nine loves

2011-06-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

Nine Loves

my son
my husband
my family
my friends
chocolate
romantic comedies
mexican food
lazy days
free stuff

10 day YOU challenge ~ ten secrets

2011-06-20T18:55:00.001-04:00

While blog hopping I've noticed several people doing a "10-Day You Challenge". Now I completely failed the 30 day challenge but thought maybe I could do 10 days. We shall see, lol. Feel free to join in, just be sure to leave me a comment so I can visit your blog as well!

Ten Secrets

I skipped so much school my junior year of high school I was actually dropped from the student roster. Don’t worry...I still graduated.
I love to cook, I’m just to lazy to cook anything extravagant.
I day dream of winning the lottery all the time, I even think of all the things I would do and who I would give money to...yet I don’t play the lottery.
I’m addicted to facebook, if I didn’t have it on my phone I don’t know how I’d survive, lol.
I love our house and the room we have, but I hate the layout.
I bought a ton of pregnancy books and didn’t even read more than a few pages out of one of them. Good thing I bought it as a set on ebay.
I watch Secret life of the American Teenager, Make it or Break it, 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom...and many other “teen” shows I’m sure I’m forgetting.
I’m scared I’ll fail my son.
I really dislike stupid people. Working with the public I come across some people that I’m not sure how they even got themselves dressed in the morning. Well truth is half of them didn’t bother to get dressed before coming in.
I can spend hours on my laptop doing nothing. Several times I have been on it from getting up until going to bed.

Flying high

2011-06-16T20:09:00.001-04:00

Saturday we took a trip to the Air zoo. We’ve been talking about going for quite a while now but never got around to it until this week. I wish we’d have gone sooner as it used to be free to get in, you just had to purchase ride tickets if you wanted to ride those. But as of Saturday they now charge a minimum of $8 and it includes a couple rides. Which of course are just the kiddy rides so I didn’t ride any. Mr. B got the upgraded wrist band so he could ride the bigger rides like the flight simulator, which he did and said was awesome.

Little man wasn’t to impressed as this was how he spent the day:

Except for the one time daddy got him out to see one of the planes

And I have no idea what he was going for here, but I took the picture anyways.

We looked around at all the different planes and then headed to lunch at Red Robin. It was a fun day for our first family outing.

Mr.B wanted to try out the rides in the play area, I think he’s a little big.

Having fun with the wall paintings

Looking out above the whole place from left to right

And just a few random pictures of the day

Little Man’s new friend

2011-06-10T17:02:00.001-04:00

I have tons of videos of little man doing nothing. It seems that he sits and talks to me until I get the camera out and then he clams up, I’m thinking I’ve got a shy guy on my hands.

But yesterday we were playing with Scout. Scout is a leap frog toy that you program with your child's information. Little man seems to like him.

Here is a short video of them “playing”. He doesn’t do a whole lot, as he is only 6 weeks old. But at least he is moving and talking to me a little this time, and you even see a smile or two.

John and Scout

I wish…

2011-06-06T16:12:00.001-04:00

...I could stop timecause my baby boyis growing upway to fast

Testing out the bumbo seat

2011-06-04T23:27:00.001-04:00

Although he isn’t quite big enough for his bumbo seat I thought I’d give it a try. With a blanket wrapped around him and mom close by it works. He still can’t hold his head up 100% by himself, he usually just holds it backwards rested on the top of the seat, but every once in a while he will fall forward.

Winking at his momma

Then he found his hand and decided it was more interesting

After this picture he began to cry cause he wanted to eat and was sick of me taking pictures of him so our bumbo time came to an end, much like this post.

♥ Family Day ♥

2011-05-29T14:39:00.001-04:00

As you know my road from wife to mommy was long, with many disappointments along the way. Even though I love them to pieces now I was very sad to hear about the arrival of my niece and nephew, as I’m sure anyone who has traveled the road of IF will understand.

I started my 1st cycle of clomid in October 2009, which obviously was a failed cycle for me. But that was the month my step sister got pregnant.

My second cycle was November 2009, which again was another failed cycle, but not for my step brother and SIL. Which was a complete shock as their son was 20 years old. I felt like god was playing a cruel joke on me.

I jokingly told my friends that they stole my babies. I had a hard time being around them as I was so upset I wasn’t pregnant. I mean I was the one having blood tests every few days and paying for fertility drugs, yet I was the only one not pregnant.

My only hope/wish/dream was to be pregnant before they were born.

Towards the end of their pregnancy I listened to them complain about being uncomfortable and how they couldn’t wait to not be pregnant any more and all I did was long to be pregnant. Sometimes I really wanted to yell that at them.

Then July came around and my nephew was born...and I still wasn’t pregnant.

That month I started injections.

August came about and my SIL was having contractions all weekend, and I started spotting. I was devastated and didn’t know how I was going to see my niece. The thought of seeing her was actually making me sick to my stomach because I was so upset at another failed cycle, a failed cycle that we had spent so much money and time in doctors offices on.

As you know the spotting stopped and I did take a pregnancy test that ended up being positive on August 19th. So when my niece was born on August 28th I was so excited to go see her.

Looking back I feel bad for feeling that way towards them, but at least I never told them I felt that way. I did a good job at hiding my feelings because I knew it wasn’t their fault we were having problems. But it wasn’t my fault I felt that way either. That’s the life of an IF sufferer.

But now I have this beautiful niece and nephew that my little man gets to grow up with. And I may be a little biased but my little man is definitely the cutest and totally worth the wait, lol. The whole point of this story was because we spent the day with them yesterday, and he got to meet his great grandma. We had planned on going to out my dads for a cookout, but it’s been raining for days so we had to stay inside. But fun was still had.

Rik is 21, Avery is just a few days shy of 11 months, Grace was 9 months yesterday and John will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I can’t wait till they can all run around and play together. Well I don’t know if Rik will be running around playing with them, but I’m sure Grace will be expecting big brother to protect her from the other two. Although with her little attitude she can probably handle them herself.

Meeting great grandmaJohn is a tall little dude so I said that he was almost as tall as Avery, so we were comparing sizes.Avery and Grace playing, Grace did not want to look at the cameraBut Avery was all about itFinally got her to look at me, but she wasn’t putting that toy downHaving fun with daddy Daddy sure is proud of his little dudeI took several shots of this picture and there isn’t one where every one is looking at the camera. But these are probably the best 3. If I was better at editing I would make it perfect.This is Rik holding Grace, Great grandma holding John, and my dad holding Avery.

1 month down, a lifetime to go.

2011-05-25T17:01:00.001-04:00

I can’t believe that it’s been a month since Little man has joined our family. It’s been a busy but joyful month. Settling into the roll of someone’s mom has been an experience. It’s hard to believe that this little boy relies on me for so much, I just hope I can give him everything he needs.

This morning we woke up and got into our 1 month onesie made by a friend of mine. Then we took the obligatory picture with a stuffed animal.

Then we put on our shirt for the day and took another picture

I tried to get a few more shots, but didn’t have much luck

cause he let me know he was done soon after starting.

Happy 1 month birthday little man!

Seriously, could he be any cuter?

2011-05-24T21:49:00.001-04:00

If you are a long time reader you know my husband is a big Green Bay Packers fan, so of course Little man had to have his own GB jersey. Well Mr.B wanted some pictures of him in it, so I set out yesterday to get some. But little man wasn’t having much of it, so I only got a few shots. And it doesn’t help that his jersey is a toddler size one we bought a long time ago. It’s also a Farve jersey and he hasn’t been with GB for quite some time, but no point in buying him a new one until he can wear it. I mean who knows who will be the quarterback in a few years.

Since I had my camera out I tried to get some other shots of him, but he again he wasn’t really cooperating. But I got what I could, so what do you think?

These pictures were very hard to get, he kept curling up his toes. So I was lucky to get these two. And this one is one of my favorites. I’m going to order it in a large size for the wall.

I can’t believe he is going to be a month old tomorrow, where as the time gone? Of course I have a 1 month session planned with his little 1 month onesie. Hopefully he will cooperate a little more tomorrow so I can get some more shots. Although he has been extremely fussy today so who knows how he will be tomorrow...wish me luck.

Finding Time

2011-05-23T22:18:00.001-04:00

I'm such a slacker lately. But I've been busy with little man and trying to settle into a routine, which I'm failing at.

I pretty much just do whatever...

...feed him when he's hungry

...change him when he's dirty

...cuddle him when he's cuddly

...and take pictures of him when he's cute, which is all the time.

Doesn't leave much time for anything else, other than cleaning my house, which also happens to always be messy.

I promise I'll get back to blogging very soon, and it won't be all about little man either. Although I did do a little photo session with him yesterday and will be back to share those pictures, here is a little sneak peak of my little miracle.

My first Mother’s day

2011-05-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

A year ago I’d have never thought I’d be writing this post. It seemed like the thought of becoming a mother was just that...a thought. Month after month of disappointment, tears and negative tests. And then they have a whole day to celebrate something I thought I’d never become. It seemed like a cruel joke.

But here I am a year later, finally a mother.

Little man will be 2 weeks old tomorrow and it’s still hard to believe he is here, and that he is mine. That my husband and I created such a beautiful, handsome, perfect little boy. That he is the little person inside me that has been kicking for months, causing terrible heartburn and the need to pee every 10 mins.

Thanks to this smileybeautiful perfectlittle manfor making me his mother.

Little Man’s birth story

2011-05-06T12:05:00.001-04:00

We had just gotten home from Easter at my grandmas house. I had changed into my PJ’s and laid on the couch to watch Home Makeover. My sister had just gotten here and came into the living room to ask me a question. I partially sat up and got a really sharp pain, after the pain passed I went to sit up the rest of the way and felt a huge gush. This was at 8:15pm.

I wasn’t really sure what to do as I wasn’t having any contractions so I called my OB’s office and left a message. Mr.B and I finished getting things around that I couldn’t pack before hand and decided to just head to the hospital. I called my mom to meet us there. On the way to the hospital I had 1 contraction but still continued to have gushes of water, and it felt so gross so I was more worried about that, lol.

Once we arrived at the hospital they put me in a triage room and checked me. I was only dilated to a 1 and still not really having contractions. But since my water broke they said I had to deliver within 18hrs or I would need a dose of antibiotics. So we began walking the halls. Every hour they hooked me up to a monitor for 15 mins to check baby’s heart rate and my contractions. They were going to let me walk or whatever I wanted until 3am when they would check me again. If I hadn’t progressed they were going to give me something. If I was progressing I would just continue on my own.

At 3 am they checked me and I was 3cm dilated. So they let me continue on my own. Since I had been awake since 8am the day before I decided I should try and sleep some because I knew it was going to be a long day. But then my contractions starting coming more often and stronger so I didn’t get any sleep. I was having terrible back labor.

At 6am they checked me and I had only progressed to a 4 and 80% effaced, but it was progress on my own so they just let me keep going. At 9am my contractions were about 1-2 mins apart and really strong, but I was still only at a 4 and still 80%. My doctor was concerned since my water had now been broken for 12 hrs so he wanted to start pitocin. Since the contractions were getting worse I asked for a shot of pain meds with the pitocin since I knew that was going to make them worse. Around 11am my contractions were coming in waves of 3-4 at a time. Also his HR was dropping with each contraction so they were getting a little concerned. They put in a fetal heart monitor and cervix monitor so they could monitor him and my contractions more closely. They decided it was his cord so they added fluid back into me to float his cord. They also had me change positions with every contraction. They even tried me getting on my hands and knees but that made his HR go lower. By this point my contractions were non stop so I asked for another shot of pain meds. My doctor was also talking about the possibility of a c-section if we couldn’t get his heart rate under control as I was still only 4cm dilated. So the nurse brought in the pain shot but asked me if I wanted that or an epidural. With the pain meds I ran the risk of it making baby sleepy and his HR going lower which of course makes me have a c-section. So I gave in and decided on the epidural, as if I needed a c-section I had to get it any ways. And I knew I couldn’t go farther with out the pain meds but didn’t want to cause him any distress.

So the nurse called for an epidural and started getting things around for it. Then I had all sorts of people in my room because his HR kept dropping lower because my contractions were non stop. I was in tears because they were so fast and so hard and I was mad because they weren’t doing anything to make me dilate. Finally they allowed anesthesia in to start my epidural, this was around 1pm. It took him 3 tries to get it and I pretty much had contractions the whole time. Also on the 3^rd try it wasn’t quite numb yet so I could feel it grinding in my spine so that was making it worse.

About 30 mins after they started the epidural they checked me again and I was now a 5. Also his HR had steadied now that I had relaxed. Now that things had calmed down I tried to rest some. I still had a lot of pressure but at least the back pain was gone.

Once I got the epidural I progressed pretty fast. At 2:30 I was 6-7, 3:30 I was an 8 and at 3:50 I was a 10 so she wanted me to try a couple pushes. I was so tired I just kept saying I couldn’t do it, but he was right there and ready to come so she called the doctor in. After he got there I pushed for 5-6 contractions and he was out.

After 20hrs of labor and only 30 mins of pushing John Michael was born at 4:36pm.

Birth Announcement

2011-05-01T20:46:00.002-04:00

I just ordered our baby announcements from shutterfly, what do you think?

Mod Block Boy Baby Announcements

Shutterfly has custom baby invitations and birth announcements.

View the entire collection of cards.

And right now they have a special if you embed your project in your blog you get a $10 credit to use on a future order. And it did the work for me, all I had to do was put in my user name and password and it created this post. Easiest $10 I've ever made, lol.

Welcoming John

2011-04-29T12:43:00.001-04:00

Announcing the birth of John Michael

Born on April 25th 2011 at 4:36pm

7lbs 1.8oz & 21in long He is the most precious little boy and we are in love.

Think you know when John is coming?

2011-04-23T19:49:00.002-04:00

I’ve set up a baby pool online and wanted to invite you all to join in the fun. I had set up another previously but it was before we found out what we were having. Well it does award a winner and you lose 400 points for a wrong gender, so I wanted to start a new one. And I think I’m going to offer up a prize to the winner!

No idea what I will give away yet, but most likely a gift card to Amazon or Target or something along those lines. It will be the easiest to send out after he is here since I can order it right online and mail it from there.

So head over to ExpectNet and enter your guess now. Just please be sure to enter a name/blog identity that will be recognizable in the “who I am” section so that if you win and I announce it here you know that it is you.

Good luck!

Guess he didn’t get the memo

2011-04-22T16:02:00.001-04:00

I had a doctors appt this morning and let a tad bit disappointed.

Baby boy looks really good on the US and was moving around quite a bit. She tried to get a 3D picture of his face for me but he didn’t want to move his hand away from it. When he finally did she tried to get it but it’s still not very clear. She estimated his weight about 8.3lbs! Seems big to me as most people you hear around 6lb or 7lbs. And the longer he cooks the bigger he gets...not looking forward to birthing a 9lb or 10lb baby, lol.

Here is a map to figure it out, lol

After my US I had the NST and he decided he didn’t want to cooperate for that. First the nurse couldn’t find him, she tried for 20 mins before getting another nurse. She tried for about 10mins and finally found him. But his heart rate stayed nice and low and he didn’t move much. Little stinker decided to take a nap. After 30 mins or so she called the doc in and he said it would be ok to give me some juice (juice is a no no for GD). I had 1 drink and he started moving, which means he just woke from a sleep cycle as we know the juice didn’t hit him that fast. I guess he was just showing us who’s boss and he will move when he wants to. After 5 mins I had enough accelerations/decelerations to be done so I didn’t have to sit there the full 20 mins.

Then I headed to an exam room to see the doctor. I told him that yesterday my blood pressure was elevated and I felt fuzzy and had a headache. But today my blood pressure was normal so he wasn’t sure why it was elevated yesterday. So he wasn’t to concerned with it but said if I have those symptoms again to call the office. He then checked me to see if I was dilated any and I was nice and closed.

That’s right...not dilated at all! Talk about being disappointed. I was really hoping to have made some progress towards labor. Especially since I was up almost 2hrs last night with steady contractions. But it doesn’t look like they were doing anything. So it doesn’t look like he will be making his appearance this weekend like I was hoping for.

So we scheduled another US, NST and appointment for next Friday. Hopefully he will come before then, but if not I’m sure we will start talking about induction at that point since I will be over my due date.

Also I am now done with work and I hate to be wasting my time off with out him here. But I see lots of cleaning in my future. Maybe I’ll get on the treadmill and go for a jog. Yeah if you know me you know that’s not happening, lol. But something to get this going...I’m ready and very impatient if you hadn’t noticed. I guess I need to resend that memo that contained his eviction notice.

Pregnancy ~ week 39

2011-04-20T19:01:00.001-04:00

The countdown is on...7 days till my due date.

Several people have told me today that my pregnancy has gone by really fast, guess that’s because none of them are carrying the baby. I guess I will admit that it is hard to believe that 39 weeks is here already, but I wouldn’t say it went fast.

I’ve been having contractions, but nothing significant. Usually 1-2 an hour or every couple hours, definitely nothing major.

Tomorrow is my last day of work. They have people from other departments in the hospital coming over to fill in on my days. They have also hired 2 new casuals but they won’t be starting till the first week of May. Then they will need to be trained. So the first couple weeks will be rough as they are paying the other people overtime to be there cause they still have to work in their own departments. But once they get the newbie's trained things will run much smoother. But it’s not my problem and tomorrow is my last day! So I don’t really care, lol.

On Friday I am having an ultrasound, non-stress test and doctors appointment. He said he will check me then so hopefully I will show some signs of impending labor. I asked him last week how far over my due date he would let me go and he said that he would like me to deliver at 40 weeks, 41 at the latest due to the gestational diabetes. Even though mine has been well controlled it doesn’t mean I can’t have any of the complications that come with it. The main being a giant baby, and each day over my due date I go makes baby grow. So he would like me to deliver as close to my due date as possible. But if I don’t have a favorable cervix then inducing would be a bad idea and could cause me to end up with a c-section. So he would let me go to 41 weeks before inducing if my body isn’t ready. But that is the latest he feels comfortable going. So I know for sure he will be here in 2 weeks time...I’d be happier with today, but I’ll take what I can get.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 39 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 39 weeks pregnant, your baby is making preparations for her arrival. Changes include:

The waxy vernix covering her skin and the fine hair called lanugo start to go away when you're 39 weeks pregnant. Some vernix and lanugo might remain at birth.
Your baby gets antibodies from the placenta to protect her against illness.
She also will get more antibodies when you breastfeed her at birth.
Your baby probably weighs between 7 and 7 1/2 pounds. But it's normal for her to weigh anywhere from 6 to 9 pounds.

Your Changing Body When You're 39 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 39 weeks pregnant, your body makes final preparations for your baby's first meal.

Your breasts reach their full size. They might enlarge again after delivery until your milk comes in.
Your breasts might begin to leak a thick, yellowish milk. This is colostrum. It is packed with nutrients and antibodies to help give your baby a great start.
You might want to speak with a lactation consultant or attend a breastfeeding class before your baby arrives to prepare for her first meal.
You might gain little or no weight or even lose a pound or two toward the end of your pregnancy.
You might begin contractions that stop and start. Contractions that continue signal labor. Learn more about contractions.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 39 Weeks Pregnant

In the final weeks of pregnancy, you can anticipate contractions. They might stop and start or continue at this point in your pregnancy. Either way, they signal your baby's upcoming arrival!

Experiencing Contractions?
When you're 39 weeks pregnant, these could be the real thing! Learn more about contractions so you can distinguish the real ones from the false ones.

Contractions occur when the uterus tightens and relaxes.
Some contractions are called Braxton-Hicks. These contractions are called false labor. They help your body practice for the real thing.
In most women, uterine contractions get closer together, become more intense, and last longer as you approach childbirth.
Sometimes contractions stop altogether.
You can time the contractions when they start. Call your doctor when they occur closer together, intensify, or last longer.
During a contraction, you feel pressure and pain in your lower back and abdomen.
Your abdomen will tighten.
Between contractions, your abdomen and uterus relax.
Contractions help your baby travel through the vagina.
Use a stopwatch or clock to time your contractions.

Exercises to Prepare for the Workout of Labor
A squatting position during labor efficiently can open your pelvic area, allowing your baby to descend and progress more quickly. But squatting can be especially tiring for muscles in your thighs. Here are a few simple exercises that can help you get ready:

Squats:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
Slowly lower into a squat position, keeping your back straight and heels flat on the floor. (If heels tend to rise, widen your leg position.)
Hold for 10 to 30 seconds with hands resting on your knees.
Slowly stand by pushing up from your knees with your arms.
Repeat five times.

Wall Sit:

Stand with your back against the wall and feet shoulder-width apart.
Carefully slide your back down the wall with your knees bent until you're in the sitting position (as if there were an invisible chair beneath you).
Rest hands on your thighs for balance.
Keep your knees/toes pointing forward.
Hold for a few seconds and slide back up.
Work up to 10 repetitions.

Plan Ahead for Mealtime
Before your baby arrives, try to plan ahead for nutritious meals after she arrives home.

If you can, cook and freeze a few simple meals that you quickly can reheat in the oven or microwave.
Stock up on nutritious foods and snacks to make mealtime easier with a newborn in the house.

This about sums it up...

2011-04-18T21:31:00.001-04:00

Pregnancy ~ week 38

2011-04-13T10:00:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can’t believe week 38 is here. I feel like my due date is never going to get here and I am going to be pregnant forever. That may be because I don’t feel like he is coming any time soon. I’m having less BH contractions than I was weeks ago and just don’t feel like labor is coming any time soon.

But what do I know, this is my first pregnancy.

I am some what worried about my maternity leave, even though I really shouldn’t care. Both of our casuals had taken full time positions so there was no one to cover me when I’m off. So they transferred a girl from another department who’s position had been eliminated. She would cover my time off and then decide to either stay on as our casual our leave.

She trained for 3 days and quit.

Apparently my job is hard. I mean I know it’s hard, I’ve been doing it for 3 years. From the outside it looks like an easy job, and that is what people think when they walk in here. But then they sit down to do it and see everything that goes on behind the curtain and decide it’s way to much work for one person, which it is.

So, my due date is in 2 weeks and they have no one to work for me. Which, even though it’s not a super important position, our clinic can’t be open with out me there. Well with out me or my partner, but she can’t work 12hr days 7 days a week. Nor would she.

But I know John is coming when he wants, and there is nothing I can do about it. So I really shouldn’t worry about it. But I do plan on returning to work after maternity leave so I’d like my job to be secure.

Hopefully everything falls into place.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 38 Weeks Pregnant

During the 38th week of pregnancy, your baby's systems and functions continue to increase. These include:

Your baby's organ functions refine when you are 38 weeks pregnant.
His nervous system functions increase.
His brain helps him refine breathing, improve digestion, regulate his heart rate, and prepare for eating during the 38th week of pregnancy.
Your baby might pass solid waste, called meconium, prior to delivery. If your water breaks or leaks and it is greenish-brown in color, this might indicate meconium spotting in your amniotic fluid. Call your doctor right away if this happens.
He has reached what will likely be his birth length.

Your Changing Body When You're 38 Weeks Pregnant

Sometime between the 38th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, your body reaches its desired pregnant state.

Your uterus stretches from the pubic area all the way to the rib cage.
You experience engagement (also known as lightening). This means baby starts moving down into your pelvis area.
Gotta go? As your baby’s head settles into your pelvis, you feel added pressure on your bladder. This might lead to even more frequent urination.
Due to back pain, you might have a hard time finding a comfortable position to sleep, sit, or even stand for very long.
You might try to take your mind off these discomforts by:
- Reading a book
- Spending time with a friend
- Visiting with family
- Practicing relaxation techniques learned in childbirth classes
Is it really labor? You might experience some or all of these symptoms as labor begins:
- Cervical changes, including thinning (effacement), softening, and opening (dilation) of the cervix
- Water breaking (though the percentage of women whose water breaks "on its own" is small)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Regularly spaced uterine contractions that do not stop

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 38 Weeks Pregnant

While there is no perfect formula for determining when labor will start, your doctor can measure how close you are at your weekly appointments. These measurements and observations include:

Presenting or your baby's presentation. This describes the part of your baby's body that is farthest down in your pelvis. Ideally, this is your baby's head.
Station. This refers to how far your baby's head has moved into your pelvic cavity. Each station is 1 centimeter.
- Your baby, high in your pelvic cavity, begins at -5 station.
- Your baby at 0 station is midway through the pelvis and is engaged in your pelvis. Your baby probably will be at 0 station at the beginning of labor if this is your first pregnancy.
- Once actual labor begins your baby's head continues through the pelvis to +1, +2, and +3 stations.
- At +5 station, your baby's head is crowning (appearing) during birth.
Dilated or dilation. This refers to how much your cervix has opened. It is measured in centimeters. Some women begin to dilate several weeks before labor. At 10 centimeters, you are ready to start pushing out your baby.
Effaced or effacement. This refers to how much your cervix has thinned in preparation for birth. This is often measured by percentage. If this is your first pregnancy, effacement usually begins before dilation. At 100% effaced, you are ready to deliver your baby.

Exercises to Help Prepare for the Ultimate Workout
Strengthening the muscles you might use during labor right now can leave you with more flexibility and options for labor positions when the big day arrives. Try tailor sitting, Kegels, and the Pelvic Tilt.

My craving got the best of me

2011-04-11T13:16:00.001-04:00

My mom used to go to a casino that had the best little popcorn stand in it’s lobby. She would always bring a bag or two of the cheese flavored home with her and it was soooo good.

I mean finger licking good. But we didn’t do much finger licking because we usually ate it with a spoon because it stained your fingers orange.

The little shop closed and we’ve never found a replacement, trust me I’ve looked. Although now that we have a casino in our town that opened last year she wouldn’t make the couple hour trip to the other casino any ways.

But lately I’ve been craving cheese popcorn, I’ll blame it on the baby. But nothing I find is very good. So I started scouring the internet for reviews of the “best” popcorn. And I’ve found many that claim to be the best, but they are also very pricey.

I finally stumbled upon popcornopolis. They have tons of flavors, but of course I was only interested in the cheese flavored. I discovered they were also sold on amazon.com with subscribe and save, so I got it much cheaper by buying through them instead of the company site.

So I ordered it on Thursday night and patiently waited for it to arrive. Of course I ordered it before the weekend so it didn’t arrive till this morning, but still that was pretty quick shipping time.

When it arrived I ~~ripped~~ carefully opened the box to see what treat was waiting inside.I wasn’t sure the size of the cones. I mean I knew it was 4.5 oz but I didn’t know how big that would be as it is their smaller size. But for size comparison here is a picture of it with a water bottle: So I was presently surprised that I didn’t just spend $18 on mini bags of popcorn, lol. Of course I had to rip a bag right open and taste this scrumptious treat. And scrumptious it was. Very light and cheesy and fresh. It was so cheesy that I had clumps of cheese left on my fingers, so definitely a snack you can only eat when you are doing nothing else. Which meant I had to put it away to write this post. But I know it’s waiting for me to commence enjoying later, lol. I’d like to say that the 6 bags I ordered will last a while, but I’m not so sure they will.

And I do have it set up to be delivered again in 6 months. I planned on canceling the subscribe and save after delivery, but I may leave it so I can have a box of this golden cheddar wonderfulness delivered every few months.

Although maybe after I have the baby I won’t be craving cheese popcorn so much, so I may still cancel.

Have you ever craved something you had to order online just to find a good enough version of it?

Pregnancy ~ week 37

2011-04-06T15:19:00.001-04:00

I have reached full term! That means that if I go into labor they won’t attempt to stop it so J can be born safely and fully developed at any time! With my luck he won’t make an appearance until May, but one can hope right?

This weekend we took a trip to Babies R Us and grabbed the last couple things we needed. Which included his diaper bag, which is now packed and ready to go. I also packed my bag so we are officially ready.

His room is done, other than the dresser. I ordered it last Monday site to store thinking I would get it faster and cheaper, but apparently that way takes much longer. It should arrive sometime between Monday the 4th and the 14th. Once it is here I can load it up and say we are ready. Well as ready as anyone can be when having a baby.

Honestly I can’t believe we are thisclose to the finish line. I don’t feel 9 months pregnant. Everyone complains about how big and miserable they are and I’m really not. I pray that continues the next few weeks and I have a nice, smooth, easy, painless delivery...that’s not to much to ask for, is it?

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 37 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 37 weeks pregnant, you have a reason to celebrate. Your baby is considered full-term. These are a few changes she experiences:

Your baby's weight gain slows considerably, but she's got just a little more room to grow.
Essential fat (aka baby fat) will continue to form. This will round her out and help her stay warm after birth.
If you have an ultrasound during the 3rd trimester, the technician might measure the head, stomach, and femur to estimate your baby's weight.
She weighs more than 6 pounds.

Your Changing Body When You're 37 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 37 weeks pregnant and in the weeks that follow, you can breathe easier. You might begin to notice some big changes in your body:

Your baby might move down into your pelvis. When this happens, you might notice some of your late-pregnancy symptoms go away.
Your shortness of breath might go away as your lungs have more room to move.
Less pressure on your digestive organs might alleviate heartburn and constipation. Digestion might be easier, too.
You probably feel more pressure on your bladder.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 37 Weeks Pregnant

During your 37th week of pregnancy, you, your partner, your baby, and your doctor are making final preparations for your baby's arrival. Your doctor sees you once a week until labor and delivery. When you're 37 weeks pregnant, this is a good time to finalize the details of your birth plan and take time to relax.

Weekly prenatal checkups! You'll be seeing your doctor once a week beginning with the 37th week of pregnancy. Your exam probably includes:
- Weight measurement
- A blood pressure test
- An analysis of baby's activity and movement
- A pelvic exam to check baby's position, height of fundus, and cervix dilation and effacement
- A check for preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Vision changes such as blurred eyesight or seeing spots could be preeclampsia, symptoms which you should mention to your doctor
- Looking for signs of labor
Take time at this visit to speak with your doctor about your questions or concerns, such as:
- What are the signs of labor?
- When should you go to the hospital?
Between weekly appointments, let your doctor know if you experience vaginal bleeding or leakage that is greenish-brown; constant, severe abdominal pain; or decreased baby movement.
Relax and let go. Either by yourself or with your partner, practice relaxation techniques to release tension and reduce stress. Some techniques to try include:
- Body, facial, or foot massage for pregnant women. Avoid being on your back, though.
- Relaxed breathing
- Guided imagery with the help of a partner or by listening to a CD
- Meditation or prayer
- Music
- Progressive muscle relaxation where you tighten and release muscles throughout your body beginning with your toes
- Yoga for pregnant women
Relaxation can provide you with many benefits, including:
- Reducing anxiety about childbirth
- Helping you rest
- Helping you sleep

Exercise Tip: Avoid exercises or stretches that require you to be flat on your back for more than a few moments.

Infant Car Seat Safety Essentials

By law, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. Learn more at the AAP website.
AAP guidelines state that all infants younger than 1 year and who weigh less than 20 pounds always should ride rear-facing.
Because laws and child safety seat standards change, it is recommended that you get a new car seat approved for use for newborns.
Proper car seat installation is paramount. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions that came with your car seat.
If you need help, find a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician. Lists of certified CPS Technicians and Child Seat Fitting Stations are available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at www.nhtsa.gov, or at www.seatcheck.org. Your local emergency department, children's hospital, or even baby store also might be able to connect you with a certified CPS Technician.

Baby’s size from TheBump.com:

Your Baby: Month 9

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

boy...

2011-04-03T11:48:00.001-04:00

A friend found this cute sign on etsy but it was $28. Well I may not be the most crafty person but I knew I could re-create it much cheaper.

So I did.

And it cost me less than $10. Really way less than that because I only used a small amount of the glue, paint and sealant. So I have plenty of that left for future projects. And a friend cut the letters out for me using her cricut machine, I really need to get one of those, so that didn’t cost me anything.

Now I just need to decide where to hang it. Either above his closet or window.

Pregnancy ~ week 36

2011-03-30T21:08:00.001-04:00

28 days till my due date, wow we really are down to the end now aren’t we?

Still meeting with my doctor weekly and having a non-stress test each week as well. This week he didn’t really want to cooperate and the nurse had to push him around to get some accelerations, which she finally did and after a 2hr appointment I was finally able to leave.

Next week I have to meet with the other doctor in the practice just in case she is on call when I deliver. I’ve met her as an employee of the hospital, but never seen here as a patient. Which I know can be a different atmosphere so I agreed that I should see her at least once. My doctor said she is a bit more stickler though so he wants me to start taking my blood sugars 4x a day again until I see her. He just wants her to be comfortable with how my blood sugars are controlled. And I guess she doesn’t let her patients cut down as much as I have. But it’s only a week so it’s not that big of a deal I suppose, my fingers might disagree though.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 36 Weeks Pregnant

At the end of 36 weeks of pregnancy, your baby will be considered full-term! Although he has more growing to do after that time, it's exciting to know his arrival is approaching quickly.

Your baby has grown almost completely into his skin that was once so oversized.
He now has a fully rounded face, in part because his powerful sucking muscles are now developed and ready to get to work.
Although your baby's bones are hardening, his skull remains soft and flexible for his birth.
At 36 weeks of pregnancy, your baby probably weighs about 6 pounds or slightly more.

Your Changing Body When You're 36 Weeks Pregnant

Your body continues to make both physical and mental preparations for the big day that's fast approaching. Here's what you can expect at your 36th week of pregnancy:

Feel the Need to Nest?

If you feel an unusual surge of energy and a compelling need to clean, decorate, or organize, you might be experiencing what's called nesting.
- Nesting can be useful in moderation if it helps to occupy your mind during the wait for your baby to arrive.
- Accomplishing tasks now can give you more time after your baby is home. It's a good time to launder 0-3 month clothes and place them in drawers, prepare your baby’s crib, and set up the diaper pail.
- Just try not to overdo it and wear yourself out.
You might continue to notice several of the typical late-pregnancy symptoms.
Your cervix might start to dilate in the weeks, days, or hours before the birth of your baby. Every woman and even every pregnancy is different.
Joints and tissues in your body continue to soften and loosen as your body prepares for your baby's birth. This might be especially significant in your pelvic area.
You might continue to feel hip pain on one side or lower-back pain.
Braxton-Hicks contractions might become more frequent as you edge closer to your due date. Remember, these practical contractions play an important role in helping your body rehearse for childbirth.
You might notice more practice contractions after physical activity or if you are not getting enough fluids.

Braxton-Hicks (False Labor) contractions	True Labor Contractions
Irregular and remain irregular Don't get closer together as time passes Often are weak and stay that way (might have stronger contractions followed by weaker ones) Stop when you rest, walk, or change positions Vary in length and intensity Don't affect your cervix Pain usually felt only in the front	Regular intervals or regular pattern Contractions grow closer together over time Increase in strength/intensity over time Keep coming no matter what you do Usually last 30 to 90 seconds (shorter when they begin and get progressively longer and stronger) Cause cervix to dilate (open) Pain begins in back and moves to front

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 36 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 36 weeks pregnant, it's natural for your body to begin to slow a little as you get closer to your due date. You're now carrying a full-grown baby inside, and are continuing to adjust to loosening ligaments, swelling, and other challenges.

Continuing consistent, gentle exercise can give you long-term energy. Walking is a great example of exercise you usually can continue through labor.
Your balanced nutrition now is not only nourishing you and your baby, but also is establishing a strong foundation for possible breastfeeding and your body's timely recovery after delivery.

It's Time to Pack Your Bags!
You might want to have your bag packed and ready, even though you have several weeks before your due date. Don't forget a bag for your partner, too.

Packing Tips:

Try the interactive packing list to make sure you have everything you need. And pack your free Similac^® Travel Bag with your toiletries and makeup. Don't have one? Ask your doctor!
Leave your packed bags in a handy place.
For items you can't pack ahead of time, try taping a list to your suitcase as a reminder.
You and your partner might want to separate items into two bags: one for supplies to use during labor and a larger bag for your entire hospital stay.

So...

2011-03-29T15:50:00.002-04:00

Is my husband the only one who walks around the house like this:

Grandma came to the rescue.

2011-03-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

The nesting fairy hasn’t shown up at my house yet, but my mom did. She came over today and we knocked out the nursery in no time.

Now I am finishing up washing all of the 0-6 months clothing and sorting it by Newborn, 0-3 months and 3-6 months. Since we haven’t gotten the dresser yet I have been piling them into his crib. But once the dresser is together I can load them right up by size and be done!

Also his stroller, swing, bouncer seat and vibrating rocker will be leaving his room so there won’t be so much in there. Although I do still want to get a glider rocker for me, but I haven’t decided if I want that in his room or the living room.

But it does feel good to know that it’s finally done.

Let’s compare:

2011-03-24T10:25:00.001-04:00

Do you think he’s dropped?

Pregnancy ~ week 35

2011-03-23T11:17:00.001-04:00

Another week has come and gone. I can not believe I am 35 weeks pregnant! Like I said last week I am really starting to feel pregnant, I guess that does make it all more real.

I had the worst night last night. First it started with cramps on the drive home from work. It wasn’t the normal BH I get but more like period cramps in my back. Which at first concerned me, cause I know back pain can be a sign of labor and this was cramping, which I haven’t had. But they slowly went away once I was home and settled on the couch.

But then I went to bed. I woke up several times with a sharp pain in my stomach. I just couldn’t get comfortable and was tossing and turning from side to side. My hips were hurting from laying on them so I really wanted to lay on my back, which I know you aren’t supposed to but I tried anyways. That lasted all of 5 minutes, lol.

This pain continued until 3am or so and then I finally fell asleep until Mr.B’s alarm went off at 530am. I got up and used the bathroom and then fell back asleep until 930am when the dogs started going crazy to be let out.

The funny thing is I don’t really remember what the pain felt like. I knew I was miserable and I knew the pain was sharp. But outside of that I couldn’t tell you. It didn’t feel like cramps or BH. My stomach just hurt.

But I feel much better today and I hope it continues that way, I really don’t want a repeat, lol.

Here is a belly shot at 35 weeks, sorry it’s not a very good one. I took it in our room with my phone, but you get the gist of it.At my appointment last week I had lost a few more lbs. I’ve been gaining and losing each week but I am at a total of 15lbs lost right now. I love that I’ve lost weight as I was worried I’d be someone who gained a ton of weight and ended up 300lbs. Being plus size to begin with made that a real possibility. But baby is growing right on target so it’s ok that I’ve lost some weight. I do wish I could lose about 50lbs more though, lol. If I could guarantee I’d lose weight with the next pregnancy I’d try again as soon as I could, it seems to be a pretty good weight loss program for me. But fertility drugs are expensive and I think I’ll cherish this miracle for a while first.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this 35th week of pregnancy, your baby's growth has been progressing at a remarkable pace as your due date draws near. But the next three weeks could bring your baby's most rapid weight gains.

Your baby probably continues to gain at least a half a pound a week.
During the 35th week of pregnancy, she already might be close to her birth length, near 18 inches from head to toe, and she continues to build up necessary fat, especially in her shoulders.
Within your now-crowded uterus, your baby might shift her movements from kicks and punches to more rolls and wiggles.
Her brain development continues to advance quickly.
Your baby already might have settled into a head-down position in your pelvis, if this is your first pregnancy. This is the ideal position for delivery because your baby's head is the biggest part of her body.
Position refers to your baby's placement in your uterus — whether he is facing right or left or is headfirst or feetfirst. Your baby floats in your uterus and changes positions often throughout early and mid-pregnancy. When you're between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, your baby usually rotates to a head-down position for labor and delivery.
- Headfirst position is called the vertex position.
- Feetfirst position is called a breech position.
- If your baby is breech but is not too far down into your pelvis, your doctor might try to turn your baby into the proper position a few weeks before your due date.
- Lying-sideways position is called a transverse position.

Your Changing Body When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 35 weeks pregnant, your body continues to make internal adjustments and preparations for your baby's birth.

Your cervix already might begin to dilate or open very slightly to get ready for birth in a few weeks.
- When this begins, you might notice a sharp pain in your vagina. This doesn't mean you're in labor.
- Some women begin dilating in the few weeks, days, or even hours before labor.
You might continue to feel practice contractions this week. Remember, these contractions will not settle into a regular rhythm.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 35 Weeks Pregnant

During this busy time of preparation, it's more important than ever to maintain your energy and strong health withbalanced nutrition and regular exercise.

You are probably visiting your doctor every two weeks now. Most of these visits will be the same as previous checkups with a few additions:
- Your doctor probably will screen you using a routine test for group B streptococcus (GBS).
- This bacterium (not related to strep throat) usually lives harmlessly in the vaginas of 10% to 35% of healthy women.
- Although GBS poses no risk to you, your baby can pick it up during delivery.
- If you test positive for GBS, you probably will be given antibiotics during labor to protect your baby.
Your doctor also might check your baby's position to see if she's moved into place for delivery.
- Your doctor probably will feel your baby's position from the outside of your abdomen. As you get closer to your due date, your doctor might perform a vaginal exam to check your cervix.
- Your doctor will confirm which part of your baby's body is farthest down in your pelvis. In most cases, it's your baby's head.

Putting a Plan in Place
Working out the details now can lead to a smoother labor and delivery later!

Be sure both you and your partner know the way to the hospital and how long it takes to get there, from home or work. Do a practice run, if necessary!
Have a backup route ready in case of poor weather or traffic problems.
Have a plan for each time of day (or night). Who will take you to the hospital? How do you reach your partner?
Make preparations if you have other children or pets.

Preplanning Quick List

Are the phone numbers for your doctor, partner, and sitter in one place?
Are your maternity benefits and leave paperwork complete?
Are you preregistered at the hospital?
Do you know when to call the doctor if labor has begun?
Who will drive you if it's during the day or at night?
Where do you park?
Is videotaping allowed?
What are the hospital's visitor policies?

Practice makes perfect! If you've already finished your childbirth classes, don't forget to practice breathing, relaxation, or stretching techniques. This way you'll be ready to use them when the time comes!

Looking for the nesting fairy

2011-03-21T21:40:00.001-04:00

I keep waiting for this nesting to kick in that I hear about. My house is a wreak, including the baby’s room and I have no motivation what so ever to get it done. After my showers this is what I was left with:

I’ve slowly been working on it…but sadly have done nothing in over a week. I did get all of his blankets and burp rags washed and taken care of. Also all of the diapers and wipes are put into the closet and on the changing table. I’ve also taken all of the new 0-6 months clothing and cut off their tags and they are ready to be washed. But we need to get the dresser in first before I start washing clothes. I also have boxes of clothes from my nephew that I need to go through. But again I have lost my motivation.

I’m hoping that by posting this I will hold myself to getting it organized. I am off work Wed-Fri this week so I really need to get on it. Hopefully I can show some pictures this weekend of a much more organized nursery, if I don’t then please bug me till I do, lol.

The winner is...

2011-03-17T14:45:00.003-04:00

Looks like Christine is the winner of the $20 MyPublisher card.

But you didn't leave me an email address to contact you so please email me at MrsB@TheBusheyLife.com and I'll send you the code!

Pregnancy ~ week 34

2011-03-16T22:32:00.001-04:00

I’m really starting to feel pregnant.

Sleep isn’t coming as well as it used to and I’m having terrible pelvic/hip type pain. When I roll over in my sleep my pelvis cracks and pops and I just constantly feel sore.

Often times when I stand up I feel like he is going to fall out. I ~~walk~~ waddle a few steps and he does move so I can walk normal. But I know that some day soon he won’t move and I’ll be forever a waddler.

I just keep reminding myself that I only have 6 weeks left.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 34 Weeks Pregnant

Between the 34th week of pregnancy and the 37th week of pregnancy, your baby continues to refine his systems and put on significant weight.

He probably weighs about 5 1/2 pounds and is about 12 1/2 inches, about as long as a loaf of bread, from head to rump (plus an additional 5 inches or more in legs!).
The white, waxy coating protecting your baby's skin (vernix) thickens this week.
The soft downy hair (lanugo) that insulated your baby's skin so effectively for months is nowalmost gone.
Your baby's fingernails have reached the tip of his fingers.
Your baby might gain about a half a pound this week as his weight continues to build quickly.

Your Changing Body When You're 34 Weeks Pregnant

You soon might notice a difference in your pregnancy symptoms now or in the coming weeks, especially if your baby moves lower into your pelvis. Here's what else is going on in your 34th week of pregnancy:

Look Who Dropped In!

Your baby could drop or settle into your pelvis in preparation for birth as early as this week. This is called lightening.
When your baby does drop into the pelvic area, he is considered engaged or in position for birth.
Lightening can happen several weeks before your baby's birth, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Or, it could happen the day your labor begins.
You might notice that your belly seems lower and more tilted forward when this happens.
Lightening might bring relief from upper-body pregnancy symptoms, such as shortness of breath and heartburn; however, in exchange, you'll possibly feel increased pressure on your pelvis, hips, and bladder.
This can cause discomforts, such as leaking or frequent urination, to increase.
If you've experienced numbness or pain from pressure on your sciatic nerve, this also should stop if your baby drops now or in the next few weeks.
You might continue to notice late-pregnancy swelling in your legs or ankles throughout this week. Your doctor will continue to watch this during checkups.
Braxton-Hicks contractions might continue to prepare your body for childbirth.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 34 Weeks Pregnant

Exercising Now for Labor Later!
During your 34th week of pregnancy, certain muscles in your body will get a significant workout during the birth of your baby. You can help these muscles prepare now.

Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor. They also can help with any immediate leaking urine and hemorrhoid problems.
Pelvic tilt increases stomach muscles and flexibility for birth. It also can alleviate current back pain.
Tailor sitting (sitting cross-legged) stretches and strengthens muscles in your back and thighs and makes the joints in your pelvis more flexible for an easier delivery. It also improves blood flow to your lower body. Try it:
- Sit on the floor with your back straight (or with your back against the wall, if you need extra support).
- With knees bent to the side, bring the soles of your feet together and pull your heels in toward your groin area.
- Let your knees slowly drop to each side until you feel a stretch in your inner thighs. Be sure you don't bounce.

Finding a pediatrician: If you already haven't chosen a pediatrician, you might want to start interviewing possible choices. It's important to try to select one before your baby's born so your pediatrician can be the first to examine the baby at the hospital.

Considerations:

Does the doctor accept your insurance plan?
How large is the practice?
Will your baby be seen by the same doctor?
What are the office hours?
What are the after-hours procedures?
With what hospital does the doctor work?

Learn About Labor and Prepare Your Plan
When you're 34 weeks pregnant, you might want to talk with your doctor about his or her usual practices during labor. You also can share your ideas and preferences.

During your 34th week of pregnancy, you might want to develop a birth plan as a guide for how you want to deliver your baby.

This can serve as an excellent tool to discuss your preferences with your doctor.
Plans often cover your preferences regarding labor, delivery, and postpartum care and can be as short or long as you'd like.
This birth plan should function as a "flexible wish list" because things might need to change, depending on your doctor's policies, the hospital's policies, and how your labor progresses.
Here are a few questions you might want to consider* as you develop your plan:
- At what point in labor do you want to come to the hospital?
- What comfort items from home do you want to bring?
- Whom do you want in the delivery room?
- What non-medication relief do you want?
- What medicated pain relief, such as epidural, if any, do you want, or would you like to consider options as labor progresses?
- What positions would you like to try during labor?
- Whom would you like to cut the cord?
- What would you like to happen right after birth? Do you want the baby handed to you immediately?
- Do you plan to breastfeed or bottle-feed?
- Do you want the baby to room-in with you?
- What's your preference about circumcision if you have a boy?

Making some of these decisions ahead of time during your 34th week of pregnancy might make you feel more at ease once the big day approaches.

* Source: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Fill up on fluids during your 34th week of pregnancy. Do you know that you lose water when you sweat, go to the bathroom, and even breathe? Drinking water is more important than ever as dehydration can lead to Braxton-Hicks contractions. In addition to preventing contractions, water:

Helps build important tissues
Assists nutrients as they circulate in and out of your body
Aids in digestion
Helps you maintain the right amount of amniotic fluids

Tip: You can use other fluids, such as 100% fruit juices and milk, but try to keep water as your basis.

Mommy advice could win you a photobook.

2011-03-14T12:56:00.001-04:00

Have you ever made a photobook?

Would you like a free one?

I received an email with a $20 code for MyPublisher that expires on April 7th. I won’t use it before then so I thought I’d pass it on to one of my readers. You could make a book for yourself or someone as a gift. Or pass the code on to someone else and brighten their day. What ever you do with it is up to you. Just be sure to use it by April 7th so it doesn’t go to waste.

To enter this giveaway all you have to do is leave me your best piece of mommy advice in the comments. Being a first time mom I know there is a lot I need to learn, or tricks I’ve yet to discover, or even the best products out there to help my raise my little man. So I’m leaving it up to you guys to fill me in. I can’t wait to learn some new things.

Giveaway ends Wednesday at 9pm est. You can enter more than once just be sure to submit a new comment for each entry. Be sure to leave an email address or link to your profile that contains it. Once contest closes and winner announced you will have 72 hrs to contact me or a new winner will be drawn.

And for the small print from me: I am not receiving any type of compensation for this giveaway. I have not ordered from MyPublisher previously so I can not attest to their quality or service. I just received an email with the $20 code and know I won’t be able to use it so I am passing it on. The company does not know about this giveaway and is in no way connected to this giveaway.

And the fine print from the coupon: Coupon code entitles you to $20 off any order. Coupon cannot be applied toward Gift Certificates, Shipping, or Taxes. The coupon code provided is a unique code that can only be used once by the person who received it. This offer expires thirty days after issued at Midnight PST. Only one valid promotional code may be used per order. Coupons and offers may not be combined with other offers in the same order and may not be used in conjunction with any other discount, coupon, or promotion in the same order unless otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of a particular of offer.

Scary...or no?

2011-03-12T14:59:00.004-05:00

My husband seen this at Meijer a few days ago and decided little man had to have it.

I think it's going to scare him...what do you think?

Who’s your favorite superhero?

2011-03-11T18:47:00.001-05:00

If you remember in this post I had purchased a set on onesies in Superman print. Well this week I took a trip to Kmart again and picked up the Batman onesies:Which of course the husband loved.

I also stopped at Once Upon a Child and found this little outfit: So now we have the major super heroes covered and that makes Mr.B happy, lol.

Yes my husband is a nerd.

Pregnancy ~ week 33

2011-03-09T10:29:00.001-05:00

I begin week 33 just as I have any other week, feeling great! This pregnancy has been really good to me and I couldn’t be more thankful. I have to say I was concerned since we did have such a hard time conceiving.

I will say though that as I sit here and feel J kicking and squirming around I still feel like it’s all unreal. I can’t believe that we will actually have a baby in just a few short weeks. And I did have a bit of a freak out moment yesterday.

April is coming up in just a few short weeks, which means that my sons birth is coming up in just a few short weeks. Which means I have to push a giant baby out of an unthinkable place. And that just sounds really painful to me, and I think I’d rather skip that part if possible. I actually had a “what have I done” and “is it to late to change my mind” thought. I also began thinking a c-section would be much easier and I could avoid that “ring of fire” I keep hearing about. I mean I have had 2 laparoscopies and the recovery time from those were wonderful, a c-section can’t be much worse, right. Other than the cut in my tummy is much bigger, but same thing right?

I guess I’m so worried about the pain because I really do not want an epidural, which would also mean I really don’t want a c-section. Not that I want to go natural, because I will be asking for all the pain meds I can get. I just don’t want the epidural. The thought of a needle going into my back does not sound pleasant. Plus all of the side effects one can have. I am a person who has migraines and epidurals can make those worse, which does not sound like something I really want to risk.

But can I handle the pain?

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 33 Weeks Pregnant

The 33rd week of pregnancy and the four weeks that follow mark a time of astounding growth as your baby reaches her ultimate birth weight.

She weighs about 4 1/2 pounds and might grow a full inch in length this week alone! She's grown to about 12 1/2 inches from crown to rump, or about the length of an average pumpkin.
Your baby continues to gain weight rapidly — about a half pound a week.
The pupils of her eyes can now adjust to bright or dim light, just like yours.
Her lungs continue to develop.
Your amniotic fluid has reached its maximum level now — there's simply no more room! With less fluid to cushion them, your baby's kicks might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Your Changing Body When You're 33 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 33 weeks pregnant and in the weeks to come, your body prepares for the upcoming demands of labor and delivery.

The milk-producing glands in your breasts grow larger, increasing your breasts' overall size. Tiny, oil-producing glands that moisturize the area around your nipples might be more noticeable.
Your muscles are probably sore all over from carrying your almost full-grown baby!
Your growing baby might be making it more difficult for you to sleep. See tips for getting some shut-eye.
You're likely to feel practice contractions or false labor pains (Braxton-Hicks) soon.
You probably will continue to gain about a pound a week during the 33rd week of pregnancy and the next several weeks.
You're probably thinking about labor and delivery right now. It's natural for you to feel excited as well as anxious. During your 33rd week of pregnancy, try these tips to prepare:
- Educate yourself. Childbirth classes offer valuable insights about what to expect.
- Talk to women with positive birth experiences about labor techniques that worked for them.
- Discuss questions or worries with your doctor.
- Make a plan, but remain flexible about your birthing preferences and pain-relief options.
If you notice any of the signs of preterm labor during the 33rd week of pregnancy and the weeks to come, contact your doctor.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 33 Weeks Pregnant

During the 33rd or 34th week of pregnancy, you probably have a prenatal doctor visit every two weeks.

In this visit or the next, your doctor might begin to examine your baby's position for birth.
You might have one more appointment before you begin weekly visits.

Time for a Tour!

It's a good time to preregister at your hospital or birthing center.
Filling out paperwork will be much easier now than when you're in labor!Take a look now to take away some of the unknown.
- If you already haven't toured the birthing facilities as part of your childbirth classes, ask to see a birthing or labor and delivery room.
- Clarify where you need to check in and where your partner needs to park, leaving two less worries when the big day arrives!
- Find out what you can bring to help pass the time, whether it's a few DVDs or your laptop.

Eating Well Is Not Just About What You Eat Now — It's How Much and When

When you're 33 weeks pregnant, your choice of food, the time of day you eat it, and how much you eat at one sitting directly can impact your well-being.
If certain foods or eating past a certain time prompt bloating, heartburn, or other uncomfortable symptoms, temporarily try to do without.
After your baby's birth, you can reintroduce old favorites back into your diet.
Be sure that even your small meals include a balance of nutrients to fuel both you and your baby.

Get a Leg Up on Leg Cramps
Sharp, painful cramps in your calves might be bothersome at night. To lessen leg cramps during your 33rd week of pregnancy, try these tips:

Stretch before bed.
Straighten your leg and flex your foot toward your body, keeping your heel down and toes up.
Bend your entire foot instead of pointing your toe.
Massage your calf in long, downward strokes if spasms wake you.

What's Keeping You Awake?
When you're 33 weeks pregnant, finding a comfortable sleeping position to get the restful sleep you need isn't always easy. With all of your body's physical and emotional changes, it's no wonder.

Hormonal changes, heartburn, pressure on your bladder, and a baby who's growing larger by the minute all can add to the challenge of getting a full night's sleep.
You might find it hard to relax or clear your mind with soaring emotions, excitement, and even worries.

Simple Solutions for Sleep

Try winding down for the night a little earlier with a short, warm bath or relaxation exercises from your childbirth classes.
Keep a comfortable temperature in your dark and quiet room.
Limit late-evening liquids.
Exercise regularly but not within several hours of going to bed.
Vote's in! When you're 33 weeks pregnant, women agree on a comfortable sleeping position: Try lying on your right or left side with your legs and knees bent. This takes the pressure off your primary veins in your legs and your lower back.
Pile up the pillows! Use one pillow to support your belly and another between your calves to support your upper leg. Try placing another small pillow or rolled blanket in the small of your back to relieve pressure from the hip you're lying on.
If you're not sleeping, consider getting up and listening to music, reading, or writing until you're ready to try again.
If you really need to catch up on rest, take a short nap during the day, but try to keep the nap from interfering with your regular nighttime rest.

Baby size from TheBump.com:

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

My fingers are very happy!

2011-03-04T22:10:00.004-05:00

I had my weekly doctors appointment today and it went really well.

I've lost a few lbs I had gained back so I'm still down about 14lbs pre-pregnancy weight. Excellent for someone overweight like myself.

My BP was 110/81. Excellent for someone with high blood pressure.

J's HB was 131, which the doc did say was lower than his normal but still with in normal range. Which of course worried me some, but as long as I keep feeling him move I won't worry to much.

He then took a look at my blood sugar results and said they were excellent. He said that since I failed both tests I do have GD, but it is obviously very mild. I told him that I only had 1 high reading, on the day I got the monitor, and it was when I had a cherry limeade with lunch. So I've cut out all sugary drinks. He said that maybe that was all I needed. I also told him about having cake and ice cream at work the other day and my BS being 94 afterwards, which is pretty good for someone who is supposed to be diabetic. So he said that since my numbers are so great I no longer need to test 4x a day!! woot woot

I do still technically have GD, and am considered high risk so I still have to see him every week. But I only have to test my BS a few times a week just to make sure they are still in a good range. Also if I feel tired or any different after eating or have a sugary treat I should test then as well.

Since GD can get worse the farther along you get I still have to keep an eye on my numbers just to make sure they aren't getting high. But my fingers are so so so happy that I don't have to poke them so much!

After my appointment I went to Walmart and got some excellent deals. I found 4 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, a body suit and a shirt/overalls outfit for $12! Talk about some excellent sales!

Tomorrow is my baby shower and I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to celebrate J with my family! I'll be sure to post pictures!

I love saving money!

2011-02-25T12:56:00.001-05:00

I signed up for Amazon Mom a few months back but haven’t actually purchased anything from them. Well today I was on one of my coupon sites and one of the posts was for a box of wipes for $11 with free shipping. Since I know nothing of buying baby wipes and diapers yet I wasn’t sure how much of a savings that was. So I jumped on Walmart’s site and found the same box for $18.49, so $11 was definitely cheaper so I decided to order it.

Now I did have to sign up for Subscribe and Save so unless I cancel it will send me this same order in 6 months (you can choose 1-6 months for delivery). But I plan to cancel it as soon as it arrives, which is with free 2 day shipping. Also by using code MOMWIPES I saved an additional 10%.

While on Amazon’s site I decided to check out diapers. In my American Baby magazine I had a coupon for 20% off, then add that to the 30% savings of Subscribe and Save I figured I could get a box cheaper there than in the store.

I have quite a few newborn diapers already so I thought I’d get the next size up, size 2. I of course tried to check prices and I didn’t find the same count (184) package, but I did find a 152ct for $39 at Walmart. So the price of $20.99 that I paid was almost a 50% discount. Looking back I should have ordered several boxes, lol.

But I do have another 20% off coupon and once this package arrives I will cancel my S&S and re-order.

Amazon Prime Member

Items:	$41.99
Shipping & Handling:	$0.00
Promotion Applied	-$8.40
Subscription Discount	-$12.60

Total Before Tax:	$20.99
Estimated Tax:	$0.00

Order Total: $20.99

I plan to check all of my Baby magazines I have for coupons and continue ordering diapers from Amazon as long as they are cheaper. I have a few different brands now as I’m not sure what brand we will primarily use, I don’t think I will know that till the baby is here. But since I can order any brand I want with the coupons it won’t matter, I will probably order a few different kinds until he is here and then see what works the best.

Anyone else use Amazon mom to purchase baby stuff? Does it actually save money in the end?

Pregnancy ~ week 31

2011-02-24T11:49:00.001-05:00

Pregnancy is going well. My blood sugars are still well controlled and I haven’t changed my diet much. The only thing I eliminated was sugar containing drinks, and I really miss my sweat tea. But Crystal light does make an Iced tea with lemon flavoring that has been filling in, but again it’s no McD’s sweat tea, lol.

But so far it hasn’t been to bad. I’ve been sure to pair a protein with a carb and everything evens out to keep my level low. My biggest craving is cheese, I pretty much eat it all day. I usually have 3-4 string cheeses a day, including one with breakfast, lol. My sandwich at lunch usually contains 2 pieces, and then I have a laughing cow (current flavor is French onion) with pretzels for a mid-afternoon snack. Luckily cheese is a low glycemic food and won’t raise your blood sugar any, and it’s high in protein so it will create a long lasting energy source to keep blood sugars more steady. Really an excellent snack food for me.

Here is my weekly update from similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 31 Weeks Pregnant

During your 31st week of pregnancy, your baby's body and brain continue to make the connections that enable her systems to work as a whole. Also when you're 31 weeks pregnant:

When you're 31 weeks pregnant, your baby weighs more than 3 pounds and is 11 inches long from crown to rump, about the length of a bunch of bok choy.
Your baby's reproductive system continues to develop. In boys, testicles are moving from the kidneys through the groin to the scrotum. In girls, her clitoris is visible, but her labia are still growing to cover it.
Your baby's lungs are now more developed but are not completely mature.
As trillions of brain connections develop, your baby is already using all five senses.
You might notice that your baby has more defined periods of being awake (and active) or asleep.

Your Changing Body When You're 31 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 31 weeks pregnant, your expanding uterus might prompt several additional changes in your body's normal operation.

You might experience some, many, or just a few of the 3rd-trimester pregnancy symptoms.
Your breasts continue to grow larger.
- Your breasts will be 1 to 3 pounds heavier by the end of your pregnancy.
- Most of this weight is from enlarged milk-producing glands and increased blood.
- If you already haven’t started to leak colostrum (the first milk for babies who breastfeed), you might begin soon. Breast pads are a discreet and easy way to handle this. However, you might not leak at all before delivery, which is also normal.
Losing urine when you laugh is no laughing matter! Ask any pregnant woman and she probably will agree that leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh can be one of the most annoying symptoms of late pregnancy.
- Leaking urine is caused by the increased pressure of your growing uterus on your bladder.
- This problem likely will disappear after your baby is born.
- Looking to control little leaks?
  - Be sure you empty your bladder completely. Try leaning forward when you're on the toilet to be sure.
  - Try to go more frequently - as often as every 30 to 60 minutes.
  - Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid a day.
  - Use Kegel exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor.
  - Wear panty liners or pads if needed.
Beauty at its best. It's nice to know that your beauty is one of the best benefits of pregnancy:

Time for a manicure? During your 31st week of pregnancy, you might have noticed that your fingernails (and toenails) grow at record pace.
Head-turning hair! Your hair probably is fuller and in better shape than ever before. You can thank pregnancy hormones, increased circulation, and a pregnancy-prompted change in your hair's growth cycle.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 31 Weeks Pregnant

As priorities and excitement mount now and in the weeks to come, don't forget to carve out the time you need for exercise and planning your balanced nutrition. During your 31st week of pregnancy, get ready for:

Another prenatal checkup! You probably have a doctor's appointment this week or very soon, if you're now seeing your doctor every two to three weeks.
- By the time you're 36 weeks pregnant, you'll probably begin visiting your doctor weekly.
- These upcoming weekly appointments specifically will check your baby's progress toward birth.
Relaxation techniques — they're not just for childbirth. If you find yourself feeling a little anxious about childbirth, restless, or having difficulty sleeping, try some of your relaxation techniques from childbirth classes. They are great tools to use anytime! Alsocheck out these tips.
Say cheese and smile! Away from the house but need to brush? Try chewing on a piece of hard cheese to cut down on the chance of pregnancy cavities. Cheese actually reduces the acidity of your mouth and decreases bacteria that can lead to cavities.

Umm, I don’t have any tonsils*

2011-02-23T19:57:00.001-05:00

I have had a miserable week of sickness. It started last weekend with a fever, body aches and cough. During the week it started to go away but soon returned with a terrible cough. Yesterday at work I could barely talk without coughing, my lungs are angry. This morning I woke up and felt like my chest was on fire and my throat was swollen 10x it’s normal size. So I gave in and called the Dr’s office for an appointment.

I got there and the nurse took my vitals and asked if I’ve been around sick people. I said “all day, I work at an Urgent Care”. So she asked about strep throat, to which I responded “I haven’t had it since I was 3”. So she decided she was going to swab me for it. She sticks the swab in my throat and says “wow, your tonsils are really swollen”. To which I reply “Umm, I don’t have any tonsils”.

She got this “did I really just say that then” look on her face and said “oh, um, well must be the side of your throat is very swollen then”. Needless to say the culture was negative, as I haven’t had strep throat since my tonsils were removed. And my best friend used to get it 4-5 times a year and I never caught it from her, it’s just not something I get.

The NP came in and did her exam and diagnosed me with Bronchitis. She gave me a Z-pack but said that there really wasn’t anything she could give me for the cough since I’m pregnant. I can continue taking the robitussin, even though it’s not working. But nothing stronger :( I really hope the antibiotics kick in and the cough is gone, cause I’m sick of it! She did tell me to ask my OB when I see him this week if there is something he would give me for the cough. As sometimes they will allow some meds or know of some meds that are safe.

*And yes I know tonsils can grow back, but mine were removed when I was 3 and have not grown back.

Surprise!

2011-02-20T11:02:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago my mom told me that she was invited to a VIP event at the casino for this Saturday. We’ve gone to a few of these so I thought nothing of it, other than she did tell me it was a secret event and no one knew about it. Although I was suspicious I didn’t put to much thought into it.

So I arrive at her house to pick her up at 6:30 last night and she tells me we have to drop a gift off to her room mate who is at a party, she said she forgot it. So we are driving down the road and she tells me what road I need to turn on. Well the road is one that a co-worker lives on so my brain started turning, then I asked her the house number and she tells me and I knew it was her house, as I was just there last week.

As I’m pulling up I see all of my friends cars and knew it was a party. They were throwing me a surprise baby shower! I tell you I have the best co-workers and friends!

Of course no one thought to bring a camera so one of the girls was using my phone to take pictures, most of which are blurry or have her finger in the shot. But I had a great time and we got some awesome gifts. Although I feel somewhat stupid as I had been talking with them all about the shower my cousin is throwing, thinking they were coming to that. But it is just a family shower. I even asked them last week if they got their invites and they told me yes, silly girls sure can keep a secret, lol.

Even my 2 best friends didn’t let it slip and I had lunch with one on Friday and the other on Saturday. On Friday we even went to Target and added stuff to my registry and still nothing. Good job keeping quiet girls, lol.

Here are just a few pictures, like I said they aren’t great quality:

This is me with Anne, Lorretta and Carrie The same girls with Nancy sneaking in at the bottom Lorretta and I Opening the handmade burp rags and blankets my friend Teisha made, my mom looking on One of the outfits from my mom Mmm…cake! The diaper cake Anne made Most of the presents at home, now I just have to take care of them all, lol.I had a wonderful time and I’m so thankful for my friends for doing such a wonderful thing for us. Little John is so spoiled already!

Grow baby Grow

2011-02-16T22:11:00.001-05:00

Whoa look at that belly, lol. Here I am tonight at 30 weeks.

Pregnancy ~ week 30

2011-02-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

Can you believe I am 30 weeks pregnant? We have 10 weeks or less until we get to meet our little man. It’s just so amazing to think that he will be here that soon.

I met with the diabetes educator and nurse last week and I do have gestational diabetes. Also when my OB went over my results with me he did them backwards and I didn’t realize it. So my results were really:

Fasting 81
1hr 204
2hr 155
3hr 51

So my 1hr was really high, but still I only failed the 2hr by 1 stinkin point. And my 3hr was low, which explains why I almost passed out on the way home.

So the nutritionist gave me a new “diet” to follow. And I must admit I haven’t looked at it but once since I left her office. I figured I would continue with my normal eating habits to see how my sugars came out. If after a day or two they were high I would try to follow the diet more.

Well my BS levels have been fine. My fasting is always at 90 or below and my 2hr post meals is always below 120. I even ate one of the chocolates Mr.B got me for valentines day and ice cream last night and my number was still fine this morning. While I know this is excellent news for me, I do know that it could change at any time. As the placenta grows it produces more hormones that block the Insulin production. Which could cause me to start having a high number. But I still hate that I have to poke myself 4x a day.

But that’s all that’s been going on around here...other than this terrible cold I have. Worse part is I can’t drowned myself in Nyquil so I’m busy coughing all night. I had a fever but that broke last night, which is good since I had to work today and had no coverage. In fact as of this moment there is no one to cover for my maternity leave because our casuals took full time positions else where in the hospital. Not sure what they are going to do but they better hire someone soon, and hope I don’t have to go off early.

Here is my weekly update from Similac.com:

Baby's Growth and Development When You're 30 Weeks Pregnant

During this 30th week of pregnancy, your baby continues to steadily add weight and important, insulating layers of fat to his body.

At 30 weeks of pregnancy, your baby weighs about 3 pounds and is about 10 1/2 inches long from crown to rump, or about the length of a bunch of celery. (His legs and feet increase this measurement by many more inches.)
From this week until week 37 of pregnancy, your baby gains an impressive half a pound a week!
Your baby might be practicing breathing movements as he rhythmically moves his diaphragm. You even might notice a slight twitching in your abdomen when this happens.
Your baby's brain continues to expand and develop, creating additional grooves and folds in the brain's surface. These wrinkles give your baby's brain tissue the needed room to expand as he develops and learns throughout his lifetime.
Your baby's brain can now regulate his temperature, so he begins to lose the lanugo— fine hair that has been covering his body for warmth.

Your Changing Body When You're 30 Weeks Pregnant

By the 30th week of pregnancy, that second trimester energy already might seem long gone. You might feel tired as your body carries extra baby weight and your ever-expanding uterus places additional pressure on your body's other organs and systems. Also during your 30th week of pregnancy:

Your uterus continues to expand to the bottom of your rib cage.
Hormones continue to soften and loosen connective tissues in your body as it prepares for childbirth. You might notice hip pain, probably on just one side, as well as lower-back pain from your growing uterus.
It's all in the wrist! With swelling and additional baby weight, sometimes the nerves in your wrist might become temporarily compressed.
- If you notice numbness, tingling, or even pain in your hands, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects 25% of pregnant women.
- These effects should disappear after your baby is born.
- Your doctor might suggest a special wrist splint if your symptoms cause you trouble.
Numbing or tingling in other places? When you're 30 weeks pregnant, your growing uterus might press on nerves connecting to your legs or arms, causing legs, toes, or entire arms to tingle. This is normal for some women and will disappear after your baby's birth.
Short of breath? This is normal for women when you're 30 weeks pregnant and through the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Your expanding uterus is pushing your diaphragm out of place.
- You might feel as if you can't get enough air, which can be uncomfortable.
- But, remember, with your body's progesterone boost, you are breathing deeply and taking in more air with each breath than before you were pregnant.
Tips for better breathing during your 30th week of pregnancy (and beyond!):
- Take it slow. When you move slowly your lungs don't have to work so hard.
- Need some breathing room? Good posture is key. Sitting up straight gives your cramped lungs more room to expand.
- Sleeping propped up also gives your lungs more space.

Wellness and Nutrition When You're 30 Weeks Pregnant

When you're 30 weeks pregnant, your days become filled with preparations for your baby's arrival. And you might find yourself with less and less time for menu planning or routine exercise. During your 30th week of pregnancy, try these tips:

Little changes now can go a long way later! If you've found yourself reaching for convenience foods, work in these healthy substitutes:
- Substitute a bag of crunchy chips for prepackaged, crisp baby carrots.
- Replace fried chicken with tastefully seasoned grilled chicken.
- Exchange salty chips or pretzels for a handful of tasty almonds, cashews, or your favorite protein-packed nut.
- Satisfy your taste for an ice cream sundae with frozen yogurt topped with fruit.
During your 30th week of pregnancy, you might want to break up exercise into several 10- or even 5-minute sessions. You might find small segments of exercise easiest on your body ...and your busy schedule ...at this time of your pregnancy.
- Exercise is still best for countering many of those late-pregnancy symptoms and pains, and will help you lose baby weight more quickly.
- Low-impact choices in Pilates or yoga might help you stop and relax, which can help mind as well as body! Just be sure to limit any time on your back, as this can restrict blood flow to your baby.
- Gentle stretches might be particularly useful in your exercise routine right now. Be sure to take it slow and easy on pregnancy-loosened joints and ligaments.