Why Do Babies Require So Much Shit?

Let me preface this entire post by saying that because this is our second child. No shower will be held. I do not expect any sort of "party" in my honor. I did not expect it with CB, but I knew I would have showers because it was our first.

So while I do not expect nor wish to have a shower or sprinkle (unless its a girl. Then go hog wild buying cute baby clothes and accessories!) Since we don't truly "need" anything else for this baby. I don't know why I do this to myself. But I have already made a registry (for myself and the completion codes....obviously) I already have over 20 items on my list.  Yes, some things are "needs" for us. Double stroller, new parts for my breast pump, crib mattress, ect...

But this leads me to wonder, do babies really need all this crap? CB has a ton of stuff that he never uses. There are things I plan on doing differently this time around. For sure. CB is an awesome kid, and I don't regret a single parenting choice we made with him. But I'm hoping to nip my post partum anxiety in the bud this time around and put the baby in their own room right away.

I think part of my anxiety about having CB sleep away from me was partially due to the scary ass neighborhood we lived in. We lived in this really skunky fucked up ghetto area with gangs and shit. So no way was my kid sleeping far enough away that some asswagon would have a good head start if they kidnapped him (white babies go for top dollar on the blackmarket!)  Now my anxiety is totally under control, amazing how living in a not scary as shit neighborhood can do that for a person.

I'm already researching nursery designs. (owls for a girl) haven't really decided yet for a boy nursery. But yeah...Owls are like my favorite creature and I've always dreamed of a room filled with press on trees and owl pillows. Paintings of owls. Owl stuffies. So much CUTE stuff. Stay away from Etsy.com if you are currently expecting. I have been pinning stuff to pinterest.com and I have filled up like 9 pin boards.


I totally realize that babies only require like 10 onsies and diapers, a safe place to sleep and food. But its all the extras and fun things that make the actual planning process so much fun!

After having struggles with fertility...

This video cracked my ass up.

Taking These Moments...

As a family of 3 is very important to me. Even though we were trying, and truly wished, hoped and prayed for this little life inside me right now. I still can't help but feel guilt. Guilt for moments taken away from CB, I think this in part, stems from being so sick these last few weeks. I laid on the couch a lot, in the bathroom a lot. I would sneak into
CB's room and sleep in his bed while he played. So yeah, needless to say. I feel guilty sometimes.

But then we spend days like toady, we went to the Children's Museum. We all got up really early, had a yummy breakfast and CB was so excited when we told him we were going! I packed our lunches (Peanut butter and banana sammies, strawberries, sun chips and a juice box)

CB had an absolute blast, so did mommy and daddy. We love soaking up these moments just the 3 of us still. I love watching CB learn new things, and grow his vocabulary and get so excited. We love water play, its our absolute favorite thing to do at Children's Museum. CB also LOVES to drive the busses in the Vroom Room, we spent a lot of time there today as well!

Top(L-R)Daddy helping me get my rock climbing helmet on. Mommy splashed me!  Rock Climbing with daddy!  Go Ducky Go! Bottom (L-R) Daddy and I driving the ambulance.  SPLASH!  Mommy and I driving the ambulance!

Personalize your own picture collage

Things I've noticed....

While I was pregnant with CB I had a totally different outlook on pregnancy and childbirth. Here is how things have differed so far. I will be keeping tabs if things continue to change or "meld" back into old pregnancy habits.

• Finding Out we were expecting: 
• CB: he was, well, a surprise. A veeeeeery welcome surprise. I didn't know I was even pregnant until I was about 6.5 weeks pregnant with him. Mainly because my main craving had been for BAGS of twizzlers, and my morning sickness? Well it hit at night. We explained it away because I had literally eaten a pound of candy wax that day. 
• Bean: We started trying to conceive (TTC) in October 2010, right after CB's birthday) Not many people realize it took us 7 months and 9 cycles since I have short cycles about 27-28 days. I never really felt the need to bring up our TTC process because I feel like its a classier way of saying "Why yes, yes I do bang my husband on the regular. Yes we time it with my date of ovulation. That I pin point while taking my vadge temp every morning at 5 am and peeing on Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs)  With Bean, we found out almost instantly. LOL. As soon as one can pretty much. 10 Days Past Ovulation (DPO) at 3weeks 3 days I knew we were going to be parents again! 
• Nausea
• CB: Neusea? Yes. Puking? No. I had a lot of all day sickness with CB, and all night. But I never once puked. 
• Bean: **Knock on wood** I'm finally feeling better. But I puked for hours every day from 4.5 weeks till about 8.3 weeks. That makes being a mommy hard, CB took baths with his clothes on, because I wasn't willing to fight him on taking him clothes off. He has watched more cartoons since I got pregnant than he has in his entire life. My diet consisted of cottage cheese for weeks! 
• Fatigue
• CB: I was tired a lot with CB, but now I feel kind of silly complaining. I didn't know exhaustion till now though
• Bean: So tired I get migraines. Nuff said. 
• Food Aversions/cravings
• CB: I craved junk food, candy, grease. It was gross. Truly gross. I gained 60+ pounds. At delivery I topped the scale at 212 pounds, and I looked it. 
• Bean: I only have been craving healthy foods. Berries, cheese, veggies, lean proteins. I think part of it stems from being super self conscious about how much weight I gain. I do NOT want to over gain like last time. This time has been total opposite so far. 
• Exercise
• CB: We were really active pre-pregnancy. Playing tennis almost daily, we had started jogging. As soon as we found out, as a normal nervous first time mom. I stopped all physical activity (which also probably led to the insane weight gain. I never really got my groove back until almost a year post partum when we decided to TTC again and I knew I needed to shed the pounds.
• Bean: Well its almost impossible not to be active with CB running around, and 3 dogs to wrangle. I am also doing prenatal yoga to help strengthen my muscles, stretch my back and allow for an easier pregnancy. I take CB on walks in his stroller and I still have to do stuff with the dogs. So I do. 

I will update this list more, and add to it. Maybe make more lists about stuff I've noticed. Maybe I'll do one for each trimester, keep a solid log on whats going on. =)

STATS:

How Far Along? 9 Weeks!!

How Big Is Baby? Olive

Total Weight Gain?  -1 lbs

Sleep? Better

Best Moment of the week? First DR appt yesterday! 

Food Cravings? Chicken

Food Aversions? Nothing really.

Symptoms? Sore Boobs

What I'm looking forward to? Our next Appt August 29th!!!

What I miss? Nothing really, now that nausea and exhaustion are subsiding. Carson and I are able to do a ton of really fun stuff again.  I do kind of miss sex though, I was on pelvic rest for 2 weeks after my episodes of spotting. 


Exercise? I am on day 3 of my prenatal yoga DVD, its a 50 minute DVD broken up into 3 segments. Two 20 minute stretching and strengthening ones and one 10 minute meditation to help connect with your baby.  I'm currently working up to the full 50 minutes and just doing the first 20 minute routine. My goal is to move up in a week to do the whole thing. Its just hard to find 50 minutes during the day with CB.

My birthday....

Is coming up, Wooo! I'm excited, but its on a monday. So I'll celebrate with CB. We'll probably hit the zoo.

I am going to make an amazing cake though. To take down to my parents house the next weekend to celebrate. Pink Lemonade Cake. Doesn't that sound amazing?

Drooling, yet?

Pink Lemonade Cake.....Heaven!

Pink Lemonade Cake

Serves 10
Work: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total: 2 hours

For the Cake

3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 large egg plus 2 large egg yolks

3 drops red food coloring

2 8-inch white lemon cake layers

For the Frosting

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

4 large egg whites

3 drops red food coloring

Candied lemon zest (recipe below)

1. To make the lemon curd filling, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, cranberry juice, lemon juice, egg, and yolks in a medium heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes very thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture boils, then stir for 30 seconds more. Transfer to a bowl over an ice bath to cool; add food coloring. Stir occasionally until completely cool, then cover with plastic wrap, pressing it onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and store in the fridge for up to a day.
2. Trim domed tops from cakes and place one on a serving platter; spread cold lemon filling over the surface 1/2 inch from the edge. Top with second cake layer and place in the fridge while preparing frosting.
3. To make the frosting, combine 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, and corn syrup in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves; remove spoon. Brush insides of pan with a wet pastry brush to remove any sugar crystals and place a candy thermometer into the mixture. Boil (do not stir) until the syrup registers 230 degrees F., about 2 minutes. While the syrup cooks, whisk the egg whites and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. With the mixer on low speed, pour the sugar mixture into the egg whites in a slow, steady stream. Increase speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick and glossy, 5 minutes. Tint frosting with food coloring, then frost cake immediately. Garnish with candied lemon zest. (See below)

Candied Lemon Zest

This beautiful garnish gives your cake a gourmet touch, and it's so easy to prepare.

1. With a sharp vegetable peeler, cut long strips of zest from 2 lemons, being sure not to take any of the bitter white pith. Slice the strips into 1/8-inch-thick strands.
2. Bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan; add the zest and simmer until translucent, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool in the syrup.
3. Strain zest and use for garnish. Use the syrup in drinks or on pancakes. You can refrigerate both for 2 weeks

Doesn't this sound easy? I can't wait. I'll post pics when I'm done! 

9 weeks

Click for larger

Today was my official first appointment, I have to say, I LOVE my new OB/GYN. 

She was amazing, so sweet and totally understood how I was feeling being pg with #2. Its SO different from the first time because I also have a 21 month old kidlet to chase after, and the dogs. I feel silly for all the bitching I did while pg with CB.

I had a lot of questions about induction (I'm a planner) c-sections (don't want one) and pain meds during labor (want em, but not right away)

We had to make the decision on whether or not we were going to do genetic testing because I could be a carrier for Tay-Sachs disease due to my heritage and my granny being an eastern european Jew. I've never been tested for it because it has not developed in anyone in our immediate family, But its still something I keep in the back of my mind while filling out forms. We also had to discuss whether or not we were going to do to N/T scan or an amnio. We opted out of both tests because it would not change the outcome. We would not terminate a pregnancy due to down syndrome. Since its not a high risk because no one in our family has DS, and I'm not of advanced maternal age. We opted out. 

CB was a total doll at the ultrasound today. He did AMAZING for it being during nap time, and probably really boring for a toddler to sit and watch mommy be poked and prodded. Mr.C took off work to come with us and looked so happy hearing babies little heart beat. 

CB thought the baby sounded like a "choo-choo" train and was very excited to hear the heart beat as well! 

At my next appointment August 29th I need to better compile my list of questions for my DR. All I could spit out today was the stuff about inducing which I was very happy to hear she will induce at my request as soon as I'm 39 weeks give or take a couple days. I was also happy she has a very low c-section rate, I do not want a c-section.  

This turned into a total novel. Stats will be up tomorrow even though the U/S said I was 9 weeks today! 

Swagger Wagon

Before Baby Bean I always said I would NEVER own a mini-van (oh I mean swagger wagon) I figured when we had another baby I would get a SUV or something. But with 3 dogs (one senior dog and one with a bad back) I don't have time to pick the little fuckers up and put them in the back of my car with one kid. Let alone 2! Another thing I didn't think about is with a SUV I would have to lift an infant seat into it and deal with a toddler. CB is pretty good about listening to me. But he's still only going to be 2 and a half when Baby Bean is born.

So the hard choice. I'm embarrassed to even tell people, that I secretly, WANT a mini-van. I want the duel DVD players and captain chairs in the middle so the kids can't touch each other. a HUGE back area for the dogs and to haul a double stroller, all our crap, and babies require a lot of shit.

Eventually it will be great when the kids are older and have friends and sports and stuff.

With that said, enjoy this great music video, makes me feel a bit better about staying a "cool" mom, even if I want....a minivan

Stats:

How Far Along? 8 Weeks!!

How Big Is Baby? Raspberry

Total Weight Gain?  -3 lbs

Sleep? Better

Best Moment of the week? Nausea is subsiding 

Food Cravings? Cottage cheese. mmmm

Food Aversions? Still Junk food in general which is really nice

Symptoms? Exhausted

What I'm looking forward to? Our ultrasound(U/S) appointment is coming up July 28th!! Can't wait to see baby bean! Also so glad I'm half way done with first tri!

What I miss?  100% Caffeinated coffee. Half Caff is not cutting it with CB and his crazy antics. 

Pictures: 

Had An U/S: 

STATS:

How Far Along? 7 weeks

How Big Is Baby? Blue Berry!!!

Total Weight Gain? Down 2.5 lbs

Sleep? Better

Best Moment of the week? Deep cleaning the carpets

Food Cravings? Blue berries ironically enough 

Food Aversions? Greasy food (however burgers are magically exempt. Thank goodness!)

Symptoms? Exhausted, lots of all day sickness, sore boobs.

What I'm looking forward to? Our ultrasound(U/S) appointment is coming up July 28th!! Can't wait to see baby bean! Also so glad I'm half way done with first tri!

What I miss? Lunch meat. Today I made a hot turkey and colby melt and it was heavenly!!! 

CB is growing into such a sweet boy!

When ever I doubt my parenting. I just look at CB, he is such a happy well adjusted child. However, that does not mean that we have perfect mornings, or that he doesn't have tantrums that require and exorcist. It just means that for the truly important stuff (empathy and love) he excels.

CB and his "bobo" the bunny "Say Cheese"

He was Screaming in delight and wanted to be heard by all the animals

"Mama and me go "CheeeeezE"

Oh dear. Isn't he an Angel?

Yes, yes he is! 

CB is going to be the absolute best big brother. He loves his bunny so much and "feeds" him bottles......of ketchup from his bar-b-q kitchen we got him. 

He's getting so big too, its rediculous! He's going to look giant compared to Baby Bean in March

Stats:

How Far Along? 6 weeks

How Big Is Baby? The size of a sweet pea!

Total Weight Gain? Down 2.5 lbs

Sleep? Kind of rough, my boobs are so sore I can't sleep on my stomach

Best Moment of the week? Having enough energy to take CB to the zoo on my own and have an absolute blast  (also any time I'm not actively puking is nice!)

Food Cravings? Lots of apples, and kiwi fruits. A ton more healthy stuff than when I was pg with CB

Food Aversions? Greasy food (however burgers are magically exempt. Thank goodness!)

Symptoms? Exhausted, lots of all day sickness, sore boobs.

What I'm looking forward to? Our ultrasound(U/S) appointment is coming up July 28th!! Can't wait to see baby bean! Also so glad I'm half way done with first tri!

What I miss? Just having energy. I hate that I can't spend as much time with CB as I want because I'm so tired, I lay down more than I used to. I just want to curl up on the couch. He's done so great (as great as a 20 month old can) and comes and snuggles me!

Next Appt? July 28th!

3 weeks vs 6 weeks

Its a terrible picture. Self portraits are not my thing

 Just bloat still. I feel fat more than anything. Can't wait for a wee bump