Two weeks left!
Cam is very excited about the Dr. Who suit we found for Ryden today :D
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:N Arlington Pl,Portland,United States
Posted in: on September 18, 2010 at at 10:30:00 PM 0 comments
How do Newborns work?
Our class tonight was fantastic. I wasn't expecting much. How to wrap and bathe a baby were the skills I was expecting to walk away with. It was a 4 hour class though so we had to cover a couple of other things at least. Needless to say, Cam and I are better people now and will certainly be better parents. Besides the old VHS videos, the class was upbeat and full of useful information. Initially, we were asked what we were concerned the most with when having a child. We gave a vague answer about establishing routine and the overall experience. What I really wanted to say was much more selfish concerns such as the birth itself and our financial state once I stop working. Better answers that other couples had were the concern with crying, handling in-laws, managing poop, ect. Once everyone had answered, Cam chimed in with the relationship itself with your partner. A good concern but I'm sure we'll have no problem on that front. However, I am not in denial that we are naive and have never been exposed to a crying baby with lack of sleep. It has always been something you can walk away from. You hear a cry at the supermarket, the airport, you can always turn a blind eye or just turn up the music.
We are excited to see what happens to us like some sort of mad science experiment. We know everything will change but we don't know how yet. The baby situation seems to fit into some formula that we will eventually fall into too. There are charts and statistics of hourly increments when baby will cry, you will feed, change the diaper. It's been studied for years with millions of infants. I want our experience to break the mold. I'm hoping to revert to instinct than follow the step by step instructions that have been given to us. But we'll see. These methods are tried and proven and most likely, we'll get tired of being rebels.
The baby shower went great! I felt like I was 4 again with all my besties over giving me large frilly gifts. The only thing missing was the cake and ice cream. It was all so well planned and perfect and everyone who said they were coming showed up. My mother and Kim certainly had their moments of disagreement but made sure that I was to do nothing. I was so grateful as exhaustion comes to me very easily and just cleaning the house had been overwhelming.
The boys took off on a hike in the Gorge and us ladies just clucked all afternoon. I loved witnessing all walks of life coming together to talk about babies or plants or hair or whatever was clucked. There was plenty of champagne and catered food goodies (from the prestigious jewish deli Kenny and Zukes) which was delicious. Kim had worked hard for a group participation activity of everyone coloring in a fabric square in order to make a quilt for little Ryden. It was the perfect placeholder for games as everyone poured their energy and creativity into their squares. The results were very impressive and we look forward to see the finished result after Kim sews it all together. It's the most precious gesture I have ever had done for me.
Ryden got a whole load of fun stuff to get him started in life. Onesies, towels, burp towels, a tub, slings, a bouncer.... I think we can finally say we are ready for this arrival. I am furiously trying to get out Thank Yous this week as it means the world to us and these people that we have in our lives are so special and even though some are much farther than we prefer, we hope that they can always be a part of our and Ryden's life.
Posted in: on August 25, 2010 at at 9:11:00 PM 2 comments
Belly Day!
Today was about the belly, not to mention the contents inside. I was über excited for my ultrasound today which seemed to take place at a slightly swankier lab. I had the same tech whose only mission was to look at my cervix but gave me a tour regardless. Ryden was being fussy or perhaps overly stimulated by the instrument sweeping across his shallow egg shell. The tech was unable to see the cervix due to Ry's head being in the way so she tilted my chair back so I was nearly upside down to get him to lay off. She was able to capture some mediocre pictures so she moved on to get me some cute face shots. She whipped out a slightly larger hardware the size of a deodorant and tried to capture a 3D image of the face.
3D ultrasounds are tricky. I was unaware that the clinic had this ability but since I had extra time the tech gave it a run. The software threatened to crash the computer while she navigated to find a perfect profile. Once the device finds it's target, it locks on and the software circumvents the object to create the 3D image. The moments of opportunity are fleeting and nothing can obstruct said object. So she focused on the profile of the face in order to capture the front in 3D but at the last second, Ry would put his hand in front of his mouth ruining the image. We tried everything to get him to move it. She poked and I rolled on my side. He put up a good fight. At last when the offensive hand was removed he came down with a bout of hiccups which once again ruined the images. The only one we got is a profile with his thumb seemingly up his nose.
Melanie at Blue Lotus Design is a wonderful henna artist and is influenced by all different cultures but has found her own style and niche in the market of body henna. Having grown up in Auckland and traveling all over the world from India to Thailand, she is a fascinating person to work with and talk to. The design took maybe an hour and a half and is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. Last time I worked with Melanie, she had had to help me out of her house after doing henna on my arms while I was still on crutches. Regardless to say, she remembered me well. At this point, Ryden was on a rampage. I can hardly get him to so much as blink when I ask people if they want to touch the belly, but the henna made him wild. Melanie compared my stomach to a waterbed in the way it was flowing around. She has worked with over 40 bellies and said mine was one the most active she'd seen. Some of the design had to be retouched from the baby wrath but all in all, it was a beautiful result that was not of the conventional preggy design. Now I feel all pretty for the Shower on Sunday, but still slightly self conscious to go to the store with just the belly bared. Posted in: on August 16, 2010 at at 7:27:00 PM 0 comments
33 weeks
Yep. I'm almost done! I kinda don't know how I got here so fast. This summer has breezed by, like summers always do. Only this time, I have gone to far less festivals and bars and it's still been a blast. I can feel the lull now though. The cumbersome third trimester is taking its toll. I can feel the extra weight pulling me down and the whining and self pity going up. Cam and I laugh about it as I am not in denial about this. I work all day on my feet and want nothing more than to just go to bed when I get home. Food is still an issue and I find myself avoiding meal times; able to eat a carrot here or a yogurt there. Its a struggle to put away the proper amount of calories as I just don't feel I have the room. I'm trying though, don't you worry.
Ryden is roaming more and more every day. Despite my lack of mass nutrition, I can feel him growing larger and stronger. Cam and I have desperately tried capturing the alien movements made just underneath the skin on film to no prevail. Regardless, he is getting more and more attention. The bigger I get, the nicer of folk I deal with at work. I'm not sure how pregnant women get such a bad rap in the third trimester for being so moody and bitter. I am overly bubbly for my condition. For the record, not a single stranger has tried touching my belly and I'm kinda disappointed.
We feel unbelievably well prepared for Rydens arrival. He has a beautiful nursery, a name, insurance coverage, two passports in the making, two parents bursting with love and a birth plan. Coming home seems like a brick wall of boredom now. Working on the house or Ry's room has come to a halt as we are now happy in the space we are living. You cannot create personality in a space. It is something that develops over time. So thats all we have to wait for now.
Speaking of birth plans, what a perfect example of an American absurdity. Since everything needs to be planned and perfect for the precious moment, lets make sure that our doctor knows that we want to be in a specific space with specific people with specific music playing on our favorite speakers and our professional photographer present and our car to be valet parked on arrival. I guarantee any birth plan ever made has been disregarded the moment of the water breaking. Its a game of survival from there on out. You'll be lucky if you get to the right hospital not to mention the right doctor being there. Sorry to be the cynic but I'm looking forward to the spin of adrenaline and avoiding death in the delivery room. Thats my birth plan. To squeeze out a baby and get to keep it.
This weekend is fun preggy pampering time! I'll be trying out how a pregnant massage is done and then getting my belly hennaed to look pretty for the baby shower next weekend! Should be a nice relaxing time where I can just concentrate on all things ME. Don't get me wrong, I love solving people's problems all day long, I just think I need to be milking the preg thing a bit further. Women seem to coo over a pregnancy stating that "boys love their mommas!" quite consistently whereas guys are just really proud that you're actually pregnant after asking "so when are you due?" and wiping away a bead of sweat. What can I say, the bump is a conversation starter.
Posted in: on August 12, 2010 at at 9:59:00 PM 2 comments
Mural
Is in progress! We should be wrapping up by next week abouts. Cam and I have had an awesome time doing it. This is what owning a house is all about and although we have already done a lot of painting and preening, Ryden's room is by far the most extensive when it comes to color and comfort. Full wall coming soon!Posted in: on July 19, 2010 at at 4:22:00 PM 1 comments
Crikey! Its the Third Trimester!
A client at work confessed a secret to me. She thought she was pregnant. She hadn't taken a test or told her partner, but she felt pretty sure and was excited to reveal this to me. I of course shared in her enthusiasm, as I was very suspicious from the beginning that my body was trying to tell me something and its only a feeling that you can keep to yourself until your tested. With my new superpower of trust, I had never had a stranger divulge such sentimental information and was kinda touched. I have talked to plenty of women who have already had their first and they are always excited to talk to me about what I'm going through but this recent situation was the first where I have been ahead of someone else, being able to be the wiser, the elder with homegrown advice. In contrast, another client comes in with her 4 month old. She tells me that I shouldn't expect the first 3 months to be as dreamy as everyone claims. As a matter of fact, its grueling and exhausting- but it all pays off eventually. I smiled and nodded in understanding. Sounds like she had been through the ringer but her rose cheeked cherub did indeed to be bubbling with happiness at the moment. I, of course, couldn't really relate to the poor woman. I have good strong support from a loving husband and friends around me. I am prepared to take on the work and it will pass, and I'll say "that wasn't as bad as they said it would be." There's bigger things to be worried about that come with the territory of raising a family.
On the other hand, I had another appointment and ultrasound today. Not a lot of information except that my cervix looks "perfect." I know you were dying to know the condition of my cervix. I also talked to my OB about flying at the end of the month as Cam and I will be cruising around Yellowstone for a weekend. She shrugged and stated that I could fly up until my last weeks, 40 being the week I'm due to deliver. Her theory was if I am on a plane with a couple hundred other people, that somebody has to have a condition that could go awry and it would most likely not be me. The main problem with flying in my 3rd trimester is that I can cramped and swollen if traveling for a long amount of time and walks up and down the isle every hour are recommended.
Also, the delicate issue of circumcision came up as the majority of people I have talked to are against it. Culturally, at least %60 of Americans are for the cut, but I would say in Oregon that number could be more like %20. Being primarily a cosmetic surgery, I would say that larger metropolitan cities would have a higher rate but there is no extra medical reason to have the procedure done. I asked my OB what reasoning new parents had for getting the surgery and her reply was simple; daddy wants his son to look like him. There are religious and tradition reasons as well, but without having these legs to stand on, I feel that I would be a sheep to do this non-concensual procedure. Any feedback is welcome!
After that discussion, my OB measured my tummy. Her eyes widened as both of us are a bit incredulous at how big I've gotten in the last two weeks. As you can tell from the pic above, I feel like a spontaneous birth could happen at any moment. I have made reservations for the hospital we plan to land at and have also chosen a pediatrician from the recommendation of a friend. I would sign up for pre-schools already if I wasn't so taken aback by the tuition rates for some of the schools. Apparently, if you want to get into a "good pre-school" doing it a couple years early doesn't hurt. But I don't want to pay as much MY college tuition for such an opportunity. Meanwhile, we have to throw more money at IKEA in order to get Ryden's room together before August! Hopefully pics soon!
Posted in: on July 2, 2010 at at 10:32:00 PM 3 comments
Advice
Week 26- Daddies
• This week it would make your partner incredibly happy if you would clean the bathroom, top to bottom, as a surprise. Maybe you could fold the laundry, too, without being asked.
• While you’re at it, one day, why not surprise her with a snack while she is watching TV?
• Another way you could make her day would be to pack her a delicious lunch to take to work. If you don’t know how to do this or to cook, go to a gourmet store and buy the ingredients there. She is worth it.
• Finally, take her to the movies. A romantic comedy would make her the happiest. This may be the last time you two can go to the movies for a long time. Even if you would prefer an action adventure film, enjoy the one she would like!
Posted in: on June 27, 2010 at at 4:14:00 PM 0 comments
Ch Ch Ch Changes!
How peculiar to suddenly become recognized as a future Mom in so many different places. The first guy was on the plane on our way to New York and asked how months in I was. Coming from a guy, this question was a bold move on his part but I was thrilled to answer and chat with him while waiting in the narrow bathroom line. His wife had had 5 so far therefore felt experienced enough initiate discussion. The bump is moving in and there is no stopping it.
While in NY and Rhode Island, the cute dresses I chose to wear were nothing more than exposing of the bump situation and I feel like I am settling into more and more. I have noted however, that I have lost weight although Ryden continues to gain it. He may weigh as much as 2lbs as we approach the 3rd trimester but the other 8lbs seems to be just collected water and placenta weight while I continue to lose mass in my arms in legs. I can't be complaining I suppose but I hope that I am doing everything I can to get Ryden what he needs to grow. Plus the lack of exercise is starting to cause my inactive calves to cramp at night.
Fortunately, I just recently won a gym membership at a gym one block from work. Working on the elliptical machine is all I need to not feel fat and stretch all the tightened ligaments from sitting around airports and idle standing around at work all day. It's all I need to feel human again and less grumpy about not being athletic anymore.
Cam takes great interest in the bump. He can't help but to reach it for it first when giving me a hug or see if Ryden is dancing around as we go to bed. The movement is much more pronounced now even slow turning under the hand. I can't see this interaction ever getting old.
I gave Cam a wonderful Father-to-be Day gift on Sunday morning of a hand-bound baby book for Ryden personalized with his name on the front and many custom pages for information inside that will be filled in over time. We spent the good part of an hour filling in the family tree, favorite books and movies, current day fashions, alternative names if we had a girl and lastly, our reactions to finding out he was a boy. Of course you have to be careful when you put this information in a baby book as its words will burn their way into the history of family lineage. It was such a picture perfect family moment as we placed the first ultrasound picture on the first page. I hope Ryden is ready for all the love that will be flooded his way as he floods out.
So handsome!
Im the only one that looks cute in this picture, therefore it has been uploaded
Posted in: on June 22, 2010 at at 7:05:00 PM 2 comments
Nursery Thematics
Since you ask, here is what we've compiled. Taking pictures of colors seems to not work well so here are some links to the samples. Colors on your screen may differ from mine, but it shouldn't be a concern as this nursery is not going to be pictured in a magazine anytime soon. Maybe it will for eccentricity though..
Cam and I have plans. The foundation color is light green.
Light Green
And then accenting with stencil designs will be ....
Green
and
Gabardine
And I have ordered a rocking chair and ottoman that will offset the whole group..
Orange Chair
The crib and matching changing table are a rich dark brown wood so will match anything. The whole thing is a work in progress but will have personality in due time! Stay tuned for awesomeness.
Posted in: on June 2, 2010 at at 4:49:00 PM 0 comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
