Rolly Poley

She did it! Olivea can officially roll from her back to her tummy! She has done it on the bed a couple times, and twice in her sleep...but yesterday, she did it for the first time on the floor. There will be no stopping her now. I feel the force is strong in this one.

You Were Almost Named...OPS

When we were discussing baby names, I had the hilariously brilliant idea of giving Olivea the initials OPS or Oooops, since her conception was not exactly a planned event. I was half joking, and thought this was funny. Some of my friends and family thought so too.....Nick and I sat down one day brainstormed all the "P" middle names we could think of...Piper, Penelope, Phoebe, etc. This entertained us for a few days. And then some party poopers actually got mad at me for it. They said I would scar her for life by making her feel that she was unwanted. But let me clear something up right now....Olivea may not have been planned, she may have been an ooops, it may have been irresponsible of her parents not to take better precautions, we should have waited until we were married, etc. etc. BUT she was never unwanted!!!! I loved her the second I knew she was there. There is a huge difference between an accidental pregnancy and an unwanted one. Were Nick and I fully prepared for it? No. Were we completely secure as a couple? No. Did I have any clue what I was getting myself into? No. But I wouldn't change it for the world. She has brought a sense of both absolute terror and complete bliss and fulfillment into my life. It feels like my purpose on this earth isn't what I want or what I'm going to do....its how great of a mom can I be to this little person and what can I do to make her great. She will do amazing things...this one. Wait and see...

Communication

Olivea: awww waaaaa ooooooo ahhhhh

Mommy: ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Daddy: That is not what she sounded like, it sounds like this aaaaaa waaaaaaaaa oooooo

And so begins our adventure into language. I talk to Olivea constantly because I have read that this helps with language development. When she gets a bath "washy those hands, washy those tiny toes." When I'm getting her dressed "Let's get those arms in...stop kicking your feet out." When we're just playing "nose nose nose, cheek cheek cheek, chinny chin chin." Nick finds my little communication with her annoying, but he loves when they have their mimicking conversations. It sounds like Olivea is screeching and we do our best to screech back. I have videos of it because it is just so damn cute. And believe it or not, this is helping her learn and building her self confidence by knowing when she speaks, we will listen. I can't wait until ooooo ahhhhhhh turns into "mama." This one is gonna be a talker, just like her parents. :)

The Joy of Bodily Fluids...

When I was Auntie CC (not yet mommy)...I would tell my siblings that their kids' diapers were their job, not mine. I would gag at the meer thought of changing a poopy diaper. One time, we we took the munchkins (my niece and 2 nephews) to Lego Land. One of my nephews was not feeling all that well and ended up filling up his diaper with a very smelly liquidy poop. It leaked out all up his back and onto my sister. She ended up having to buya new shirt. It was disgusting and I could not handle it. My sister would routinely ask me in a snotty tone "what are you going to do when you have a kid." My response was always the same "marry someone rich and hire a diaper changer."

Well...I did not marry someone rich, so that plan did not work out. I am a bit of a germophobe...especially when it comes to bodily fluids. When I pick up after my dog, I have the rubber gloves, plastic bags, then I wash the gloves, my hands, and change my clothes. So I was not looking forward to diaper changing. In the first couple weeks, Nick definitely changed more diapers than I did. But I swear...that baby would wait until the exact moment I took off her diaper to pee. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I had my hand under her butt and felt warm liquid. And she never did this to Nick!

Because Olivea was so small, certain brands of diapers didn't fit her too well in the beginning. The Pampers Newborns, no problem. But when I started using the Huggies we received...that was a nightmare. He legs were so skinny that the diapers didn't fit snug around them. It only took one accident for me to return all the Huggies and change over to Pampers. I had just changed her, we were sitting on the bed together, Olivea snuggled against my chest...and all of a sudden I had pee all over my shirt and pants.

Another time, I was getting Olivea ready for her bath, and she gave me a bath of my own.

But it gets better....while I was prego, I got nails. I knew when I had them put on, that once Olivea came, I would probably take them off. I had them done for the last time 2 weeks before I gave birth. So a couple weeks into having a new baby, they were in dire need of a fill. I actaully considered just keeping them, until one day I was checking her diaper and I got poop under my nails. That was the motivation I needed to take them off...that day.

Another mommy I know is a NICU nurse and said that I get peed on more than she does, and she changes diapers for a living. Sigh...she was right. I am constantly getting peed or pooped on.

And then there is spit up. Sometimes its a tiny bit. Not a big deal....but there have been times when the entire contents of a bottle have ended up regergitated on me. Nick has also bennefited from this too. One time, Olivea was laying on his bare chest...and....up came her bottle.

I'm sure this is only going to get worse before it gets better. Teething diapers often run out the diaper...vommit gets more disgusting once food is introduced, and potty training is going to be interesting. But...for some reason when you become a mom, its not as bad when it is someone else's kid. You just laugh, clean it up, and move on.

Watch out for THOSE Pictures

I told everyone from the start....no video and pictures will be closely monitored. I didn't want anyone including Nick (especially Nick) looking at my lady parts while I was giving birth.

Of course that all goes out the window in the heat of the moment. We took the Flip video camera for before and after shots. And I ended up letting the moms stay in the room so they could take pictures. I still didn't want the birth taped or pictures of it. Now I can say...just a week or so ago, I realized I was a little sad that I didn't have it. I was so opposed to it, but now...I'm curious.

When it came to pictures, we have a bunch. Most are private to me out of respect for my daughter. I don't want to be that mom who shows naked pictures of my kid to everyone (plus after working at Myspace and seeing how many creeps are out there, I don't trust people). And I really did not want to see anything gross, or have people see my stuff.

BUT....we were so excited to share our moment with everyone we love. People kept asking for pictures and proud daddy Nick, posted a few on his Facebook page. In particular, he was proud of his cord cutting ability. His mom snapped a picture of it and Nick posted it up for all to see. And then came the comments from several of his friends....I opened it up on my phone to see what everyone was saying and was HORRIFIED and MORTIFIED!!! Nick had unknowingly put my va-jay-jay up for all to see. He was on the phone with his grandma, but I did not care...I started yelling "take it down, take it down!!!"

There are still a few people I can't look in the eye because I know they've seen all of me. Moral of the story....momma must approval ALL photos before they go up.

Pst....this is for the Dads

Dads wonder what they can do, how they can be a part of things, and I've heard many feel left out of the process. And I think these gives them the notion that they can just let mom handle everything. Ummm...no way guys! We all know your job is hard and you're tired, blah blah blah...but us women are expected to work, cook, clean, and take care of the kids??? Really? We are tired too! So here are my tips for being involved and starting off as a good dad.

• Go to important doctor appointments while momma is preggers....listen to the heart beat, go to the ultra sounds, be there when mom is upset or worried.
• Go to the classes. Yes they can be totally lame, but all the other dudes were dragged there too. Participate, and don't fall asleep, talk about how lame it is, or be late (ahem...like Nick was)
• Don't stress mom out! Seriously...even if something is bugging you, just leave her alone about it. She is sensitive, and hormonal. Now is not the time to tell her those jeans make her ass look big or that the chicken dinner she cooked was too salty.
• Cuddle, hug her, spend time with her, and go out and get her what she is craving.
• Pick up some of the slack...don't make her get down on the floor to scrub. Volunteer to do it. Or help when she is nesting instead of playing your video game or watching basketball. Nesting is really important for a woman...for some reason we go psycho and need the house to be spotless. We want things to be clean that you never even noticed were dirty. Like the sliding glass door tracks, or we spend hours using the magic eraser on the walls....just go with it.
• Don't complain about registering for baby stuff or the baby shower in general. If she wants you there, be there.
• Tell her you love her 5134 times a day and never say "even though you're crazy or getting huge"
• Talk to the belly, read to it, sing to it. It seems silly, but she does it and the baby will be able to recognize your voices when she arrives.
• Put together all the baby stuff...crib, bassinet, stroller, whatever....
• Make sure she is healthy, drinking water, etc....but don't snap at her if she ate cookies for dinner one day
• Be a good coach when it is go time. Hold her hand, talk nice to her, let her cuss you out, stay calm, tell her to remember to breathe...but don't get offended when she tells you to eff off. DON'T PANIC! Even if the walls are crashing down, she needs you to be her rock.
• Once the baby comes, stay with her in the hospital
• Help with the changing, feeding, bathing. Take the baby for a while to give her a break. Tell her to take a nap, make some food for her (or go get something...even if what she wants is a bit of a drive)
• She is going to be sore...so be gentle....and be nice. Her hormones will be all over the place. Add to that the lack of sleep, and probably not eating very well...it gets stressful.
• Love your baby...that is the #1 best thing you can do.
• And keep it all these things up....it's easy to slip into letting mom do everything, but mom needs a break too whether she tells you or not. We feel like we need to be super woman and do everything and never complain....but just volunteering to help out makes a world of difference.
• And still say I love you 5129 times a day.

The Day You Were Born

Everyone has their own story behind the birth of their child. It is a very personal thing to go through. I didn't publicly share too many pictures, although I have many. Although I am usually very open about everything, I am protective of a few things. But....I do love telling the story of Olivea's birth.

For my job, I do marketing and promotions for a NASCAR race team. There is travel and lots of walking, helping out, hot days and cold nights. So when I found out I was pregnant, I had to cut back on a lot of what I did with the team. Instead of being behind the scenes, I had to move to being in the stands with the spectators. Olivea was due a week after the biggest race of the season. I left for the track early since I didn't want to park far from the stands being super pregnant. Nick didn't want to go that early, so he said he would meet me later. When later came and he still wasn't there, I was pissed. He said he wasn't feeling good, but I thought he was just making excuses not to go. But when he ended up in the ER, my anger turned to concern and worry. He ended up having kidney stones. OUCH! They say for men it's the equivalent of giving birth. I don't know about that, but it is painful. As I drove home from the race that night, my back pain got worse and worse. I was uncomfortable all day, but it was becoming so painful, I was in tears. I tried calling my mom for advice, but she didn't answer. So I went home. Nick was hopped up on pain medication, which instead of knocking him out, they make him more awake. I chalked up my back pain to all the walking at the race track, turned off my phone and settled in for a long sleep.

The next day, Nick and I were lazy all day. We sat around watching movies and didn't even shower. My mom and her husband dropped some Chinese food off for us and stayed for a short visit. Finally around 10pm Nick convinced me that a warm bath would help me relax and sleep better (those of you who have ever been prego, know how hard it is to sleep with all the uncomfort and getting up to pee 5 times a night). Nick joined me since we have a huge tub and I said to him, "this may be the last time we get to do this for a long time." So we both just enjoyed it. Without going into too much detail...I wanted to say this because people tell you sex helps you go into labor. And I can say from experience it worked!

Nick was up all night playing his computer game (something I will never understand, but it makes him happy). And at 3:02am I shot out of bed yelling "oh shit!" and darted into the bathroom.

Nick "what's wrong?"

Me: "I either just peed myself or my water broke!"

Nick: "well which one is it?"

Me: "I don't know, its still going and I can't see."

Nick: "well then turn on the light! Does it smell like pee?"

Nick came into the bathroom, and we both inspected the contents of the toilet and decided that it was indeed my water. So he told his gamer friends that he had to go, one of which replied "you're going to be a horrible dad. I can't believe you took time to say good-bye." Totally un-called for since I was still sitting on the toilet. Nick got ready in a hurry...from the toilet, I calmly made phone calls and updated Facebook with the news. My bags had been packed for weeks, and the hospital was only 20 minutes away, so I didn't feel the need to rush around in a panic. I put on some fresh clothes, and waterproofed myself as best as possible for the car ride. My mom said she was having a dream about my water breaking just when I called. My sister said she was having trouble sleeping and woke up at 3am and checked Facebook and saw my post. They both met me at the hospital. Nick's mom came a few hours later since she had to take her kids to school.

I didn't start having contractions until just before we arrived at the hospital--about an hour after my water broke. I checked in, and got my room while Nick parked. My sister came in with me and was there the whole time. The nurse said she needed to check me to see if it was actually my water that broke, which provided a very comical moment. As the nurse checked me, she broke open my water even more and we both got drenched. The look on both of our faces was shock and horror...for me, it was the uncomfortable feeling of warm water gushing out and onto the waterproof pad and up my back. Ewwww.

The contractions started getting stronger and it was harder to just breathe through them. At about 9:30am, I ruptured--which I later found out was early. Each contraction seemed more painful than the next. The nurse asked me if I wanted pain meds, but I refused. I had decided after weighing all the facts and options, to only have an epidural. I want to stress that this is each person's personal decision and should not ever be ridiculed by anyone. You know your body best...and you should do what you feel is good for you. If you go natural, good for you! That is really awesome and brave. If you decide you need the pain meds and an epidural, that is your choice...and I would not judge someone for their decision. For me, I did not want to possibly have my daughter affected by narcotics, so I waited it out. Nick was such a good coach. For all the hard time I give him, he was there and such an awesome support when I really needed him to be. I was cussing A LOT...crying, yelling, and not breathing very well. Despite his best efforts to get me to relax and breathe, I would just hold my breath and yell at Nick. Oh and the damn blood pressure cuff would activate every time I had a contraction. And that thing was hurting worse than the contractions--well...at first anyway.

I had to kick everyone out of the room for a little bit. They were all anxious and taking bets on when the baby would come. I was in pain and upset and couldn't handle all the noise. I felt bad, but I had already told everyone to stop talking.

Eventually, they moved me to the birthing room, and then gave me the epidural. Let me see if I can describe this for you...I was hooked up to monitors so they could see my contractions, baby's heart rate, etc. The damn blood pressure cuff kept pinching me and cutting off my circulation and if you move, it gets tighter. The doctor came in to do the epidural, a process that takes about 8 minutes. You have to sit up. So I sat sideways on the bed, with my legs folded under me....I gripped the edge of the bed with my hands, Nick held one shoulder, and the nurse braced my other shoulder. As the doctor started, so did a contraction. I was white knuckled holding onto the bed. The only thing that kept me from screaming and moving was sheer fear that I would be paralyzed if I did. The needle itself was nothing. After it was over, Nick told me I had a contraction that was an 8 during the entire epidural (scale is 1-10). At first, the epidural made me feel sick. I started shaking and thought I would throw up, but they gave me some anti-nausea meds and I soon felt better.

Once the epidural started to kick in, I was finally able to relax. I didn't feel loopy or drugged up...just numb. I was able to crack a few jokes, do my impression of Miss Piggy (which Nick captured on video without me knowing), and I even got a nap in. I also let everyone back in the room. I even got some more visitors....my aunts came, my friend and her mom, my cousin and her baby, my uncle, my grandma, and my other sister.

Then...it was time to kick everyone out and start pushing. Before I went into labor, I had told Nick, I only wanted him in the room....but when the time came, I really wanted my mom there too to take pictures since Nick was helping me. And I didn't want to kick his mom out either, so both moms were able to stay (this was special for Nick's mom too since Olivea is her first grandchild). This is the part where things really started to get irritating. The nurse had me start pushing, but said she wasn't going to call the doctor until she saw how I was doing. Maybe its just me, but this is not how it is in the movies. In my opinion, the doctor should be checking on you from time to time. So after a few pushes, the nurse called the doctor. Then she had me push some more. And then we waited....and waited...and waited...almost an HOUR until the doctor finally came to deliver my baby. Olivea sat there, crowned, with her heart rate dropping, me crying and in a panic because I could hear it dropping on the monitor. I started hyperventilating. The nurse gave me an oxygen mask, and had me close my legs and turn on my side. I was completely freaked out and pissed off. The doctor finally arrived and we pushed some more. On the second to last push, I ripped off the oxygen mask because I thought I was going to vomit. But I am proud to say...I did not throw up. And the next thing I knew, Olivea was out. I didn't feel a thing. The doctor did cut me, and didn't even say anything about it, another thing that irritated me.

When they handed Olivea to me, she was purple...I mean...Barney purple. She wasn't crying at all...so I panicked again and asked if she was breathing. They said she was, rubbed her a bit, and I looked at the nurse and said "I have a baby Avatar." The nurse smugly replied that she wasn't tall enough to be an Avatar.

When things finally calmed a bit and I was holding Olivea, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I made that...was all I could think. She was so pretty. She looked just like her dad. It took 39 weeks of baking in my oven, and 13 hours of labor...and she was finally here.

Of course the whole family came in to her and visit. I was over-whelmed by all the love. Nick never left us. Not for even 5 minutes in the 3 days we were in the hospital. He was in his own pain...but was there for me when I needed him. And he was a great dad. In those first few weeks he changed more diapers than I did. I was cranky and in pain, but he was there. And now when I get mad because I think he should help out a little more, I think of that. And I know how lucky we are to have him. That was the day I knew we were in this together. And I fell so much more in love with him.

As for miss Olivea...she weighed in at 6 pounds exactly...17.5 inches. She was perfect in every way. And I was scared to death that I was going to do something to screw her up. But that's another story....

Web Sites I love

babycenter.com and parents.com have saved me sooooooo many times. With both of them, you can sign up for weekly updates on your pregnancy and once your child is born, their development. It's really cool knowing how you are developing and how your baby is growing. Plus they have tips to help mom and dad out too.

What's in a name

Olivia is the fourth most popular name from 2010. Of course, I didn't know it was so popular when I picked it. I had baby names picked out forever (just like every other girl in the world).

When we found out I was pregnant Nick said to me "it better be a boy. And we're naming him after my grandpa and my best friend," which his grandpa's first name is also Nick's real first name, Charles...middle name would be Ryan after his best friend who passed away from cancer. I wanted to name him after my grandpa and my dad, Vincent James...which eventually changed to Maverick Vincent James.

For a girl, Nick didn't have a whole lot of input, just things he didn't like. I like Tabbitha and Samantha. But...Tabbitha was our old dog, so it seemed kind of weird to name her that. And my nephew is Samuel, and I didn't want two Sammy's in the family. A friend, Mitzi, suggested Olivia. I loved it...but decided to go with an obscure spelling (cause my name is spelled weird too). I found the spelling on a baby name web site, which claimed this is the original french spelling. Sounds good to me, I'm french and her middle name was going to be french, Chambosse, my grandma's maiden name. Olivea Chambosse was her name for a while. But Nick didn't like it. "People will call her Shamoo. It's bad enough we are naming her after a cartoon pig." At first I was really upset about this. I had my heart set on it. Even when it was time to sign her birth certificate I thought about changing it back to Chambosse and not telling Nick.

Then one day my other grandma's favorite song came on the radio. For some reason, every time I heard this song, I sang it to my baby bump and felt like it was written for her. The song? "The Rose" by Bette Midler. I sent Nick a text "what do you think about Rose for her middle name?" His response "I kinda like it. My grandma's name is Rosemary." Finally! We agreed.

I know it may be strange to some people, but I have a strong attachment to music and lyrics. And when something gets you like that, it just feels like fate. The song to me...is about two people who grow love, and that to me was my daughter. I think any parent can tell you, you don't have a clue what love truly is until you have offspring.

If you know the story of CC and Nick, it probably makes a whole lot of sense. We were like a lit match in a dry forest....burning everything in site. And then, we hit some flame retardant. But we worked on it for this little person that was growing inside me. We worked and worked and worked. And I can say, there were days when I wondered what the hell I was doing. Why was I with this person? I could do this on my own. So we continued to work at it...and we still work at it. And now when I am sitting there with the two of them just relaxing and watching TV, I feel like that is my happy place. I feel grateful to have them both. And this always runs through my head....

"when the night has been too lonely

and the road has been too long

and you think that love is only

for the lucky and the strong

just remember in the winter

far beneath the bitter snows

lies the seed that with the sun's love

in the spring becomes the rose."

I am by no means an expert on relationships, but I do know this....do what YOU feel is best. So many people said Nick and I would never work. And there were days when I thought those people might be right. But we didn't give up on each other. We still have a long way to go, but I think we're happy....yeah.... we're happy :)

"It won't be like this for long"

For me, milestones are bittersweet. I am so excited to see my daughter growing and learning, but at the same time...I want to cry just thinking about her getting older. I thought this phenomenon was just my pregnancy hormones at first. I remember one day I was driving down the road and a song came on....her father and I weren't on speaking terms at the time (long story...it was not a good time for us, but we worked it out and are better than ever)....the song was "it won't be like this for long" by Darius Rucker. I'll post the lyrics at the bottom, but basically, the song talks about his baby daughter growing up, milestones, and one day leaving. I lost it....I cried hysterically for what felt like hours. My baby wasn't even born yet and I was facing her growing up and some day leaving me. It seemed so unfair that you make this huge emotional commitment to someone, raise them the best you can, give them everything, and one day they just leave. Even now the thought of it brings a frog in my throat. Damn that song!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zCaRaJ-kE

Regardless...when my kid hits those amazing milestones, I am elated for her...and so proud. We raise them so that one day they can leave and be independent, productive members of society. When Olivea hits those milestones and especially when she does it ahead of the curve I just watch her amazed. But there in the back of my mind...is her one day leaving. :( When she outgrew her teeny tiny newborn clothes, I was happy because it meant the hard sleepless nights would be coming to an end, but it also meant she wasn't teen tiny anymore. I loved seeing her skinny little bitty arms reach up when something upset her...like "mom help." And those skinny limbs are have grown into chubby little rolls.

Here are some of the amazing things my daughter has accomplished in her less than 4 months of life:

Smiling

Holding up her head (she did this super early, at only a couple weeks old)

Supporting herself on her tummy, lifting her head and chest

Rolling over - at just 6 weeks! And I captured this first on video

Following objects with her eyes

Reaching for things

And more recently, she tries very hard to sit up and can almost roll from her back to her tummy...and now she giggles

It just amazes me to watch her....to see how proud she is of herself when she accomplishes something and how frustrated she gets when she just can't do something quite yet. I never was much of a video taking person until she came along...thank goodness phones have video on them now, so you are never without a recording device when a special moment arises.

Olivea has decided in the last 2 weeks that she no longer wants to sleep alone at night. Last night I was exhausted and said to her "why won't you just sleep in your own bed? Mommy needs her sleep too." And then this song came into my head...."it won't be like this for long." And when she's sleeping in her room and no longer needs mommy, I will be happy to get my sleep, but I know I will also miss the days when she was tiny and could sleep on my chest. *tear*

Lyrics: http://http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/rucker-darius/it-wont-be-like-this-for-long-25839.html

Baby Food Recipies

I plan on making my own baby food, all organic and fresh. If you have any recipes you would like to share, I would totally appreciate it. And I will share the ones my baby likes as well. :)

"Subway Sandwich" - Stuff for Mommy

When I was in the hospital right after my daughter was born, a friend of my who also recently had a baby came to visit. We were sharing the more unjoyess moments of after giving birth. I am going to give it to you straight....because I was not prepared for all this. When she was in the hospital, she went into the bathroom and was in there for quite some time. Her boyfriend yelled through the door "what is taking so long? What are you doing in there?" She yelled back "I'm making a subway sandwich, do you want some?" If you do a vaginal birth, afterwords you will bleed... A LOT. You will be extremely uncomfortable, and you will probably have a hemroid or few. If you don't like the sight of blood, do not look in the toilet the first time you go to the bathroom...let the nurse show you what to do and help you. She will teach you how to make a "subway sandwich." They will give you these mesh undies (take as many as you can so you don't ruin your own at home)....then they will fold up that square pad that they put on the bed under you (the one that looks like a puppy training pad)...then they will put two very thick matresses (feminine napkins) back to back so it makes a long pad....next they put three tucks pads, you squirt yourself off with the peri bottle, and some first aid spray and there you have your subway sandwich.

The last thing I wanted to do was laugh, because it hurt, but this was too hilarious. So from there after, my boyfriend and I would refer to it as such. Of course you cannot see Aira pretending to pull up her underwear, and mimicking all the movements (she is very animated), which is a huge part of why it was so funny...just try to picture it in your mind.

Here's a list of things you will more than likely need and my recommendations for stuff I used and liked during and after pregnancy.

Bio Oil - I used it the second I found out I was pregnant, until I gave birth, twice a day. I did not have one stretch mark.

Nursing Pads

Bag Balm

Nursing Bras

Feminine Matresses (aka pads) thick and thin ones - you'll want the thick long ones at first, then when the bleeding tapers off you can use the thinner ones. You cannot use a tampon right after birth, and trust me, you won't want to.

Tucks pads - help soothe the pain whether you have stitches or hemroids or both

First Aid burn and itch spray - for your stitches

Peri Bottle - usually they give it to you at the hospital (so you can squirt yourself off after you pee..you will not want to wipe).

Pillow for your butt (for the ride home) - I wish I had know I would want one. That ride home hurt!

Hemroid cream - unfortunately, you will probably need it, either before birth, after or both. Just be prepared.

Waterproof pad for the bed - In case your water breaks in the middle of the night. I thought this was rediculous, but I bought one for the crib so I put it on the bed under the sheets....glad I did cause my water did indeed break when I was asleep. I got it at Target..its flannel and plastic material. I wash them and they hold up fine, but don't put it in the dryer (I read from consumer reviews that they melt in the dryer). They aren't too expensive either...I think I even got it on clearence. I also bought smaller size ones that came in a three pack and put one on my car seat, just in case. Then you can use them for the baby when he or she comes.

I will add more later....and as things come up :)

Insurance :/

We all know health care is ridiculously expensive. If you are fortunate enough to have insurance, good for you! I took this for granted for too long. And then I was laid off of my job, and a year later, pregnant. Joy! There is help out there though, so don't despair if you are not one of the lucky ones. Check into your State's programs. It's not a hand out! They use your income to establish what you should be able to pay and will generally work out payment programs with you. In California, I went through a program called AIM (Access for Infants and Mothers). They cover you for your pregnancy and 60 days after. BUT...the baby is not covered after....they will send you information for the baby from Healthy Families. It works just like regular insurance and you can pick with carrier you use from a list. I had Anthem Blue Cross. Based on my income (because I am not married), I had low payments which were easy to manage. Or you can pay the total amount up front and I believe they give you a discount.

Before the insurance kicked in for me, I did have to make a hospital trip. Unfortunately, they do not back pay claims of more than $300. Due to the severity of my morning sickness, I was dehydrated and needed a trip to the ER for fluids and anti-nausea medicine. I almost fell over when I received my hospital bill. I was sick, totally broke at the time and just did not know how I was going to pay it. I called the hospital and explained my situation, and they cut my bill in more than half...and worked out a payment plan with me. I made my last payment today!!! Yeay!

Don't be afraid to make the call, ask for help, and see what you can do. Times are tough right now, so you need all the help you can get!

Ahhh...The Joys of Feeding a Newborn

I planned on exclusively breast feeding. I read a book, and honestly thought "how hard can this be?" Babies have been breast feeding forever, so it just didn't make sense that it could ever be THAT hard. I thought that people just made it out to be harder than it actually is. But...here is what I learned...not only did I have to learn how to breast feed, my daughter did to. It is not just a natural instinct. And it can be very frustrating, especially when you're tired and sore and you have a baby screaming at you. The way you choose to feed is a personal decision and DO NOT let anyone make you feel guilty or ashamed or pressured. I just want to share with you my personal experience and give you new or expecting moms a few tips that I found helpful. Everyone and every baby is different....so the more you know the better prepared you will be.

1. If you plan to breast feed, take a class ahead of time. I didn't do this, and I wish I had. I read a book, which helped a little...but if I had it to do again, I would take a class. Usually hospitals have programs that are low cost or even free.

2. Let the nurses help you as much as possible. They have done this a million times. Try the different techniques they offer and see what works best for you and your baby. Personally, the football hold worked best for us for the first couple of weeks....and other moms I know like this one too.

3. I did not use my Boppy pillow at all. My daughter was too small, so it didn't work right. Save your money and just use a couple pillows.

4. Have bottles and formula on had just in case. Once we got home, my baby decided she didn't want to wake up to eat. I was completely fried, flustered, tired, and sore...and in a panic because she wouldn't eat. Babies cannot go longer than 4 hours without eating because their blood sugar levels drop and they easily become dehydrated. The day after I took her home, I had an appointment scheduled to check up on her feeding. This was free and offered through my hospital. When I took her in, they noticed that she looked a little yellow. Sure enough, she had jaundice and her weight had dropped significantly. After spending a few hours in the ER, my pediatrician suggested that I supplement with formula if my baby wouldn't eat. I was afraid this would hinder her from wanting to breast feed, but it didn't. There are a few different things you can do...they have small ready made formula bottles and tiny tubes. You can slide the tube along your breast and into the baby's mouth so they think they are still breast feeding, but they get the instant gratification of food that they are searching for...remember, your baby gets frustrated too when they want to eat and have to work hard for it. My daughter was too smart for this technique though, she would just suck on the tube. Here's what I did...

a. bought Tommee Tippee bottles. They are shaped like a woman's nipple, have a vent in them for less gas, and don't spill. They also have a container that fits inside the bottle so you can pre-measure water and formula for travel or night feedings. They are a bit pricey, but totally worth not having a colicky baby. Plus you don't need that many bottles...I have 6 small ones and that works just fine. I have only seen them at Babies R Us... here is their web site

http://www.tommeetippee.us/ Whatever you decide, just make sure they are BPA free.

b. luckily, I had signed up for free formula samples with Similac and had it on hand. They sent two big containers of it to me. Plus $5 off coupons (which they still send). I use the sensitive kind (in the orange container). I wouldn't suggest stocking up until you know if your baby will like it. A friend of mine's baby refused to drink anything but the pre-made kind, and your baby might have allergies or sensitivities to certain kinds of formula. Once you do find out if your baby likes it, Costco has it so you can stock up. The largest container at Target is 1.45 lbs and sells for about $24. Costco has a 2.25 size for $28...and with the $5 off coupon, you end up paying less for more!

c. the breast pump....don't rush off and buy the super duper $300 one. Trust me! I bought one for $80 at Target and it worked just fine. Pump after you feed the baby. If you have extra breast milk in the fridge, you won't need to supplement with formula as much. Some friends recommended different teas you can get at Whole Foods that help you produce more milk...I did not try this so I can't really say if they work or not. You will probably feel like a cow being milked constantly. This was my complaint, and several of my friends said the same thing. I don't want to discourage anyone, just know the reality. It is work....baby feeds, then you pump for about 15 mins on each breast, then you have to wash and sterilize all the pumping equipment, and by the time you're done, baby is ready to feed again. So I gave up on pumping and just fed on demand. Pumping more will help you produce more milk (higher the demand, the more you produce). But for me, it was just too much.

d. if you go with powdered formula, you need baby water too. You can usually find it in the baby section of the store.

e. I never, not once, used a bottle warmer. Don't bother wasting money on one. Heat up water in the microwave in a bowl, then put the bottle in the hot water until it is warm. Or if using formula, just keep it at room temperature.

5. Have a support system... other moms you know who breast fed recently. Our moms are great, but usually they did it a long time ago and things change or they forget. I called my cousin and asked her for advice or tips. You can also call your hospital and their nursing staff should be able to offer advice too. There were times I was in tears and ready to give up. Having someone else to talk to about it really helps.

7. Stock up on nursing pads, wipes, nursing bras, and bag balm. I used the Lansinoh nursing pads and wipes...I tried other ones but I did not like them...they were either leaky or itchy or didn't stay put. And you will need to change them a lot. The wipes help soothe your nipples when they hurt. Bag balm helps keep them from getting chapped (but make sure you wash it off before you feed or pump). And you will need lots of nursing bras because regardless of how careful you are, you will end up with milk on them. And I also would get the kind you can sleep in too. Regular under wire nursing bras were too uncomfortable to sleep in, and you have to have something on at night to keep the nursing pads in place. Check for sales. I stocked up at Destination Maternity when they had a buy two get one free sale. They have tons to choose from, so you should find something comfortable for you. Don't buy them too early though, cause you will get bigger. I bought a couple when I was first pregnant because I had grown...but by the time I was breast feeding I was even bigger and those didn't fit anymore. I would say when you are about 7.5 to 8 months pregnant is a good time to get them, and get a little bigger size than what you are. I went from a 34 B to a 36 D and even putting in the nursing pads was tough!

6. Don't feel guilty if you decide not to breast feed. Breast milk is best...and I do recommend to at least try it, and give it a few weeks. The first couple of weeks are rough, but then you both get into the swing of things and it becomes second nature. But if its not for you...then don't feel bad. I breast fed for 6 weeks, then I found out my daughter had thrush and so did I. We kept passing it back and forth so I stopped. I could have kept pumping, but I hated pumping. I did feel really guilty and sometimes I still do. But its my decision ultimately.

Things for Baby - What I Love, What I Didn't Need

I want to start off by saying...do your research. Baby stuff is expensive, and many times you want to use it for another child, so make sure you research it and take care of it. Websites like Babies R Us and Target have customer reviews. Don't just look at how many stars something received, read the actual reviews. Check consignment stores, Goodwill, or even ask family members and friends if you can borrow things. And make sure you register any products you buy because a lot of times there are recalls on products. And...but whatever you can on clearence. Seriously...clothes, blankets, whatever. Don't pay full price for stuff if you don't have to.

When Nick and I walked into Babies R Us to register for our baby shower, I think we both realized that we had absolutely no idea what we were doing.

Nick: "We should have invited our moms."

Me: "My mom is busy, call your mom."

Nick after calling his mom: "She's busy too...."

And I think we both had the deer in the head lights look.

We registered for a bunch of stuff....then we bought a bunch of stuff. And now I know I wasted a lot of $$$ on crap we didn't need or didn't use. So here are some tips from my experience.

Stuff I like and use

Bottles - even if you plan to breast feed, you should have some on hand just in case. I was only going to breast feed my daughter, but per my pediatrician, I had to suppliment as well. Bottles should be BPA free. A few of my friends perfer glass bottles. Personally, I found Tommee Tippee bottles at Babies R Us and love them. I haven't had many issues with having a gassy baby, and we didn't have nipple confusion. They also have a travel container that fits inside the bottle, so you can prep the bottles ahead of time and mix when needed. I prepped them ahead of time and put them next to the bed for easier night feedings. FYI...these bottles are not cheap, but to me, worth the cost. Plus, you don't need a whole bunch. I have 6 small ones right now, since she only drinks a small amount.

Sterilizer - I didn't think this was a necessity until my daughter got thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth). I bought the Tommee Tippy microwave one to fit the bottles I have. Make sure anything you put in it is safe in high heat. It costs about $30 and only takes 4 minutes in the microwave.

Wipe warmer - I love mine....but I also bought the travel one, and never use it. I also use the Huggies Natural Care wipes. Some times wipes can irritate babies, but I haven't had any issues with theses.

Diapers - when my baby was brand new, she was really small and only pampers fit her right. I had Huggies as well, but they would leak down her legs because she was so skinny. Now that she is stage one, Huggies are my favorite. Subscribe to coupon sites and get them whenever possible. And look for who has them on sale...buy in bulk (but don't get too many newborn sizes because they out grow them quickly). And I suggest registering for diapers and doing a diaper raffle at your shower. We did not have to buy any newborn diapers, in fact I had to return a few boxes for bigger sizes. And I still have a stock pile of other sizes in the baby's closet.

Powder - with corn starch...use it everytime. No diaper rash yet! I also use cream if she gets a little irritation. Or you can even use just plain corn starch (tip from my birth class instructor). The corn starch nuetralizes the acid in urine so the skin won't have that burning feeling.

Changing Station- I think its gross when people change their kids on a bed, couch, floor. I didn't get a changing table, but we are lucky to have a large bathroom counter in our second bathroom, and this is where I set up shop. Changing pad and cover, diaper organizer fully stocked, and I put a lamp with a low light so that my baby doesn't wake up fully when I change her at night (this is really important).

Bassinet- I was given one by my parents...knowing what I know now, I would get one that rocks. Mine has wheels, which is nice when I wanted to be in another room. Mine had a thing on the bottom where I could put stuff....I highly recommend this. When my baby was first born, this doubled as a changing station. I stocked the bottom with clean sheets, bankets, diapers, burp cloths, and extra jammies. Really helps when its late at night and you need to grab something quick.

Bouncey Chair - my daughter loves hers! She doesn't much care about the vibrating of it...they have one now that actually bounces. I can put it on the bathroom counter while I get ready for the day, on the kitchen counter while I do dishes, the kitchen table while we eat, or the couch while I relax. She is still close to me, and I can interact with her while getting stuff done and giving my arms a break.

Baby Bjorn - or as I call it, the kangaroo. I read that some slings were recalled due to suffication or the baby getting too hot. So whichever one you go with just be smart about it. My baby loves it. She falls asleep in it while I shop or do household chores. In fact I took her grocery shopping in it yesterday and faced her forward for the first time (they need to have good control of their head before you can do this), she still fell asleep.

Snap front Onsies - when they are tiny, it is hard pulling the shirts over their head. Stock up on the snap front ones. If its cold, get the long sleeve ones with mitten cuffs.

Things you need a lot of: burp cloths, sleepers, sheets, receiving blankets you cannot have too many, trust me!

Stuff I didn't like or don't use or had too much of

Bottle warmer

Travel wipe warmer

Dishwasher bottle holder

Mittens - never stayed on. You're better off just getting long sleeves with mitten cuffs

Hats - she refused to wear them, but she had a lot of hair to keep her head warm

Jackets - think about it, you wrap the baby up in blankets...you don't need jackets.

Pre-Made Swaddle Blankets - by the time my baby fit into them, she did not want to be swaddled anymore. They are a little pricey and I never used them. Just burrito your baby yourself.

Newborn Clothes - they grow so fast, and I went over board. We got a ton of clothes at the baby shower, plus I bought a ton too. Being the good organized mommy I was, I washed everything ahead of time. Big mistake. I had tons of stuff she never wore. Think about the weather when you buy clothes. I bought and received a bunch of short-sleeve onsies (my daughter was born in January). She didn't wear one of them. And she out grew newborn size pretty fast. I passed them down to my sister-in-law who is also having a girl, and having her in August, so I'm sure they will get used now. I suggest thinking about the seasons when you buy clothes and buying a variety of sizes.

Shoes - nope...don't do it! They look sooooo cute, but they won't stay on more than 5 seconds.

I will post more as I think of things :)

Back to the Blog

The original plan was to blog my entire pregnancy. I posted one blog...FAIL. When the morning sickness kicked into high gear, I just couldn't do anything, so I gave up. But I did manage to keep a book called "the Belly Book." I highly recommend it to all expectant moms. There is so much that goes on during pregnancy and I really wanted to capture as much as I could for myself and for my daughter when she is old enough.

Now that my baby girl is almost four months, I do have a few moments of free time to write, so I wanted to re-start the blog. I will put in back story about the pregnancy, things that I am learning, things that she is learning, firsts, tips that I find useful, and things I would suggest or not suggest getting for a baby. Oh and of course some of the funny things that happen along the way.