Childbirth 101

DH and I had our first childbirth class at the hospital tonight. The instructor, D, is great... a little bit all over the place, but she gets the info across and she's succinct, which I appreciate. There's nothing worse than being trapped in a room for two hours while someone drones on and on about minutae.

DH is really into it, too. I did tell him that if he had to work or anything on Mondays, that we could gauge the class tonight and if it wasn't relevant to him, he could bow out. He adamantly refused, on the grounds that he really wants to be involved and I'm really thrilled by that.

The only low point of the day is that I was rejected for cord blood donation. DH and I had discussed the benefits of banking/not vs donation, and decided donation would be the best route. Unfortunately, when I tried to enroll tonight, a condition from a few years ago put me into the no good category. I was really hoping to donate, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Oh well. (PS - if you want to enroll in a donation program, try Cryobanks International at www.cryo-intl.com as a start)

Tomorrow morning, I have my first two-week appointment. I have a few symptoms to go over with the doctor - I had a rough spot in the shower today where I got really nauseous, kind of like how I did back in the beginning, when my BP used to drop rapidly, so I want to make sure that's ok. Other than that, I've been really trying to watch my sodium intake, increase my fluids (I've been having an awful time drinking anything) and getting things ready to go.

DH actually requested that I have my hospital bag ready to go. I'm obliging him since it will make him feel better, so I'm collecting lists from the internet and from friends and making my own, which I'll post when I'm finished. The good news? He has already picked up my 6 pack of Diet Dr. Pepper bottles for the trip. I can hardly wait. :)

Read more...

Don't forget to vote!

You can join in the fun and vote for Turtle's birthdate and stats:

http://www.expectnet.com/games/Turtle or go to ExpectNet.com and enter Turtle as the game name in the space indicated on the home page.

Guess well and good luck!

Read more...

32 Weeks and All is Well!

First of all, I would like to say that Jason Taylor survived his first week on Dancing With the Stars. I know my votes help, but he's actually really good. DH says that the Jax Jaguars are interested in trading for him, and I don't know how I feel about that. I would love to have him on my new home team, but I love him on the Dolphins. I guess we'll see what happens.

Next up: I have the day to myself. And the puggies. DH has been absolutely fixated on driving down to Kennedy Space Center to visit the museum and see a launch. Well, he missed the last launch, but the shuttle is coming in tonight, so he decided to take the day for himself. It's going to be a good break. I'm a little worried about him driving home so late, but it's only 90 minutes, so he should be ok. He was so excited, and I know he really wanted me to go, but it's outside my travel restrictions and I really have less than zero interest in anything space related.

So my agenda is pretty packed. I did some work in the nursery this morning. In a little bit, I'm going to hang the final set of drapes in the main living/dining room. Then I'm going to pop in a movie and do my toes. I had thought to do a pedicure, but... I don't feel like going out.

Here are some pics of the nursery and living/dining room. DH really wants to get this house done, so we have ordered blinds (finally) and will be ordering the dining set shortly. I'm certainly not going to complain.

Read more...

Happy Easter!

We are definitely enjoying a small and quiet Easter.

The bunny came super early to dye the hard-boiled eggs (she got busy last night and didn't have a chance) and everyone got a little basket.

The pugs are enjoying their new toys and DH is thrilled with my gift to him - a little mini "babymoon" in St. Augustine in April. We are staying at a gorgeous hotel, where we will have champagne & chocolate covered strawberries, breakfast in bed, and where we'll probably even do a carriage ride through the streets.

I finished decorating an Easter basket cake and will start making dinner in about an hour - we're having our neighbor over for spinach lasagna this afternoon. In the meantime, I'm just kicking back and getting some rest until I get in front of that hot stove again. :)

Read more...

31 Weeks... Counting Down.

I just can't believe that in 7-12 weeks, we'll have a real-live baby boy in this house. Wow.

In the meantime, we've been BUSY! Our nursery furniture is in. DH is assembling the crib tonight. I am running some more errands today to pick up a lamp and some more supplies for some of the craft projects I want to do. Hopefully, I'll be decoupaging switchplates this afternoon.

DH has been keeping quite busy. He's painting the main entry room downstairs to get it finished and helped me hang valances in Turtle's room. I love that he's getting into the "fixer-upper" stuff. It really takes a huge burden off me, and it makes him feel so good about himself.

Turtle has been kicking up a blue streak, which is good, because he's active and healthy in there. And it prepping me for the lack of sleep that is to come.

We have our pediatrician selected and registered for childbirth classes. Everything is really falling into place!

Read more...

Home At Last!

We spent the weekend in Deerfield Beach at DH's cousin's wedding and for the baby shower my friend so graciously threw for me. The wedding was nice, although I was a bit worn out from all the visiting with DH's family we were doing. I don't think I got more than 8 hours of sleep over 4 days.

During cocktail hour at Deer Creek.

The shower was great. It was so nice seeing some of the friends I've been missing. K did an amazing job putting it together and I loved every second of it.

The ladies at the shower.

And last but not least, we selected our pediatrician today. I'm glad it's out of the way. Dr. S came to us through a recommendation and we were both absolutely in love with him. He's right in line with our way of thinking and we're both very comfortable with him. Now, we just have to wait for the little guy to get here.

Read more...

Saying Goodbye to #4

Yesterday, I was hit with the devastating news that after 17 seasons, my favorite NFL player ever, Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, has announced his retirement. I suppose I'm lucky: I did get to see him play in Miami two seasons ago, which was really amazing, but I secretly would have loved to have made the trip to Wisconsin to see him tear it up at Lambeau Field.

I can't blame the guy. He's in his 40s, he's had 17 fantastic seasons, and he's tired (more emotionally than physically, according to him). However, to me, he is the last of his kind, and the NFL will definitely suffer from losing him.

Favre was a great player, but more importantly, a great person. He loves his team, his family and his fans. In good times and bad, he remained humble and respectful, accepting blame when necessary and never badmouthing anyone. You don't see that kind of character in sports anymore. There is something really magical about watching someone who plays for love of the game and love of his teammates, as opposed to someone who showboats for the personal glory.

It would have been nice to see Favre win one more Superbowl, but I guess if he's ok with his rings and list of accomplishments, then I have no right to complain. I will indeed miss his presence in the game.

Read more...

Bentley graduated!

And I missed it :(

I've been very uncomfortable, so I stayed home to rest.

So off went Bentley and my husband to the last day of obedience class at Dog Wood Park.

Bentley was apparently the best he has ever been - so good that the instructor showcased him. He did heel, sit, stay (although he still steadfastly refuses to do down), and was so well behaved. I'm so mad I wasn't there to take a photo of him (they took group shots and individual shots for their bulletin board) on his big day.

He's done really well with the class, and his attitude at home has definitely improved. He still has some behavioral issues with jumping and chewing on my fingers, but th eoverall change in him is amazing. We're both so glad we took the time to do this class with him. He got so much out of it. I definitely think I'm going to see about putting him in an agility class.

They just stopped at Chik-fil-A for Bentley's traditional post-class nuggets (and a cookies & cream shake for me!) and are on their way to tell me all about it!

Pooped after a long class.

Snuggling with Oscar & Molly - being a good boy.

Read more...