What a night....

I have a cold and Zuzu is getting a little bit of it, but her nose does not run like mine, nor does she sneeze 20 times a day like me.

Last night we got in bed at 8pm. 9:30 rolls around she is still awake. I give up so I tell baba it is his turn. She wants nothing to do with him. Finally she sits with him and they listen to some music together. 10:30 we are all in bed, 10:45 they are both asleep. 11:10 I am up puking. Yes, 16 weeks and I puked. I told baba I was hungry, but I foolishly listened and went to bed with an empty stomach and took my prenatal and DHA. Sure enough it was the DHA that wanted to come up.

So note to self. Must get something in stomach between 8 and 10 to take vitamins.

Some comments make me laugh

If you have a blog you know you always get those weird comments. Most of them are advertising. A couple of days ago I got one that was not worth "publishing" but worth addressing because there are so many naive people out their that just pass information on without looking into it themselves.

I received this comment:

"I just want to make you aware that the Boppy has been banned and recalled by the Consumer Products Safety Commission because the zipper on the Chinese made cover contains lead !!! Also, the tag on the zipper can come lose and choke the baby if swallowed. Look at CPSC.gov/recalls.

I wonder how safe the Boppy is overall. Mothers milk and other bodily fluids
will get into the Boppy. In that warm environment the Boppy may become a hotbed for germs and molds and more.

Please send this on. It is important that mothers know about this so that no baby becomes ill or worse."


First I have to laugh at the wording "banned and recalled." First the only ones banned are different brands that used little beads (vs. fiber filling). Second they were not recalled, some of the covers were(38,000 to be exact.)
See here http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml08/08097.html

"..a hotbed for germs and molds and more." I would have to ask this person:
Do you have a mattress? Do you spill bodily fluids on it? How old is it? Do you change the sheets? I think my boppy is just a few years younger than your mattress and I can count the times on one hand it has had body fluids spilled on it, and every time I wash the cover (and sometimes even when it doesn't "need" it.)

If a baby became ill or worse from the boppy it would be to the neglect of the parent. Ill or worse from what? Eating a zipper while unsupervised? Not cleaning up and maintaining sanitary conditions for your child? As for the lead, yes you should be cautious and return a recalled item as needed, but if you think your home is lead free you better think again if your house was built before 1978. I for one am more concerned about the gasoline used in ground beef or the steroids and antibiotics found in our food.

We are all adults now, it is best that we each do our own homework and use common sense all the time. Even if your doctor tells you should always ask questions and search out the answers for yourself. Remember they make money off of prescribing you those pills.

2nd trimester...

I can't believe it, but I am moving into the 2nd trimester today. I still have my off days, but over all I am doing well.

Zuzu is sleeping better at night (and so am I.) Last night she nursed at 1,4, and 6am. Now if only I can cut one more feeding out this week while baba is away.

Registry Help for New Moms

This is one of those most asked questions so I thought I would repost a list:

Must have equipment for first few months:
crib
dresser/changing table combo with changing pad
infant car seat
stroller or stroller frame (that works with infant car seat)
soft baby carrier (I love my Ergo)
swing
playmat (love Tinylove Gymini)
crib mobile (also Tinylove brand)
To me everything else is a bonus and just takes up extra room.
If you want to save room and plan to move soon you could use a pack and play instead of a crib and changing table for the first 2-3 months.

Other must haves for baby's first months:
6 side snap shirts in 0-3m
6-8 sleep and play outfits (with or without feet)
6 seasonal outfits for pictures and outings
3-6 pairs of socks
2-4 crib sheets
4-8 swaddling blankets at least 2 should be 38 inches square or larger (or miracle blanket)
3-12 lap pads (water proof pieces of material good at keeping baby fluids off of things)
nail clippers or scissors for baby's nails
baby soap/shampoo (they usually send some home from the hospital too)
3-4 towels (don't have to be baby towels with the hood)
2-4 wash clothes or a sponge
1 thermometer (hospital may send you home with one)
60-80 diapers a week
160 wipes a week
diaper bag (most hospitals will give you one with the free formula samples)
infant Tylenol (drops)
nursing pillow(boppy, mybreast friend, etc.)-not necessary but nice to have for multiple uses.

Mom's must haves:
"Happiest Baby on the Block"
Femine pads (hospitals supply them for your stay and you can take a few home usually)
nursing pads (some hospitals supply a few)
hot/warm compress (if nursing)
breast pump (if nursing)
hemeriod medicine
ice pack (for that area)
stool softener, or water sprayer to relax the area
easy prep-meals
lots of help from dad (or baba)
Tylenol
lots of water
bottles (3-8 total)
milk storage bags

Some product recommendations: I love 7th Generation diapers and wipes (great for sensitive skin.) I love Bum Genis cloth diapers. I love Allen's Naturally Detergent, it really takes the soap and chemical build up out of clothes. You can buy lap pad material from Joann's Fabric store and then just cut it up yourself. I love my Zblankets, I even use one as a nursing cover which is fantastic when I have to travel but want to pack light.

Metalic mouth

Yesterday I had the worst taste in my mouth and I couldn't get rid of it. I also felt like complete crap. Tired (as usual), headache, wanting to puke, and I had a screaming toddler who is getting in 4 of her molars.

Tomorrow I am officially 12 weeks which is kind of weird. It seems like time is moving a lot faster this time than with Zuzu. I think I am at the worst part of morning sickness, if memory serves me correctly.

Zuzu is also 17 months old today. I told myself I would have her basically potty trained by now, but I just don't have the energy. My goal was fully potty trained and weaned by 18 months but I think we may be going for 20 months now.

I also remembered something else I need to buy this time around...a warm compress, that hopefully smells good for those wonderful cogged milk ducts.

10 week appointment

The little one is measuring 10 weeks 3 days. We have more pictures :)
Found out my iron is low so I really got to take my iron pills everyday. I have gained 8 lbs already. The OB says to slow down but I am not worried since I am still breast feeding and also gained the same weight with Zuzu. She also confirmed the EDD for June 13th. I think this one will come about a week early since Zuzu was 3 days early. The next time I go back (assuming all continues to go well) will be 14 weeks. 14 weeks is a very exciting time as I expect to start feeling kicks by then and will be into the 2nd trimester...when life is easier :)

I am not feeling as crappy with this pregnancy. I don't feel great, but only loosing my food 3 times so far is really good.

Some of my must have's for #2

So far I know I am going to want a fancy diaper bag.This is the one I want just not sure of the color yet. I am hoping they come out with more prints by mid-2008.
I also want a coordinating BeMine.

I didn't have a swing for Zuzu, so for this child I am defiantly getting one.


Then there is the stroller...
Phil and Ted's are coming out with 2 new spins on the Sporty. Assuming I get my mom mobile (a mini van) I will be getting a Phil and Ted's stroller with the jump seat, just not sure which one yet.

So much junk

In the last few weeks I found out that my sister in laws fight involved domestic abuse with the children witnessing. My brother in law is getting a divorce (this was a long time coming). I knew this would happen but I love his wife dearly and understand her point of view. Thank goodness this will be a clean cut for both of them.

Meanwhile I was up at 5:30 puking. We are trying to teach Zuzu how to go to sleep at night with out milk. First night was really hard and even with lots of love we still had to endure 2 hours of crying. Last night was better though...30 minutes of love, crying, and music and she was out.

Coming and Going

Since the positive test I have been feeling like crap. I almost lost my food last week, then on Friday I started feeling better, the gagging slowed down. Right now I am enjoying the calm before the storm. I remember this part....

I have put on 4 lbs already so this pregnancy appears to be very similar to the last. I am not happy about that as I was hoping to gain less, but while BF and growing a baby I am not about to starve myself, if even for a day.

Thursday is our first appointment we will get a better idea of how big this little monkey currently is.

Meanwhile breast feeding is starting to hurt as bad as it did when Zuzu was first born. I am not sure how much more of this I can take. I can't wait to get Zuzu into her own room and I am holding baba to all his promises.

It would appear I am going to be a mommy again :)

I woke up last Thursday starving...I mean like where is the cow just put it here...kind of hungry.
So after unsuccessfully filling my tummy I decided to try taking the last pregnancy test I had. I though for sure I was not pregnant because I had only seen one aunt flo in August and we hadn't been trying much in the last month.

So the first line came up, okay that's it done I said to myself, then I looked again and a faint line started appearing. I keep thinking no, that can't be real, but it had only been a minute...

If all goes well it looks like Zuzu will be a big sister before her 2nd birthday.


...this explains why I have been bugging my husband non-stop about how we have to move into a 2 bedroom place...somehow I must have known subconsciously. Now I don't bug him, he just knows he doesn't have a choice.

"what's going on in there?"

I am reading this book by Lise Eliot, PH.D. It is a must read in my opinion. It is not an easy read (think back to college) but it is very informative.

So far I have learned that movement (being carried by mama or bouncing in a jumper) is important for brain development and the ability to walk later.I learned the hearing and seeing get worse before it gets better around 6 weeks of age, so this would explain why my child was so fussy and I felt so helpless to calm her. Ear infections are more common in boys and 40% more likely if the child is around 2nd hand smoke. Also it talks about the different things that effect IQ and gives supporting evidence to all of these things.

I am only half way though the book, but I hope to finish it this month :)

Out of whack

I am going to guess my body was just out of whack... didn't test, but I don't feel like crap....come on Aunt Flo let's try again.

I am thinking about buying this bag...not sure yet though...

So I have a record...TMI

spotting on 9/6....I thought aunt Flo was coming early and felt like total crap that day. We did the "baby dance" 24 hours before so it might be promising....

Or my body is just out of whack, which is usual :)

Must have...

This is our next must have. There are cheaper made in china alternatives out there, but as I have read some reviews apparently you get what you pay for. Alternatively buying a bike and taking off the pedals would be good too. Zuzu needs to grow about 2 more inches and we will be buying this or something close...

The offical start ...

Aunt Flo has came and gone and now my body is ready to make baby #2. Finally. :)
If we are successful soon Zuzu will be 2 years old when #2 is born.

TMI...Spotting

Okay so 13.5 months and no "Aunt Flo." Today I had the tiniest bit of pink spotting. This is good to me since I want to get pregnant again as soon as possible. To me this means Aunt Flo is on the way or if I am lucky a pregnancy.....
Most likely Aunt Flo, but that is good too....means I can get pregnant :)

IN other news potty training is going very well.

Potty Training

Today I researched potty seats for toddlers and found the boujourn brand to be the best ($30 at Babies R Us, Target, etc.)

Read a funny review from a parent who said a toilet seat was bad because their child put it around their neck and it took 5 emergency response people to cut it off.
Note to self, don't let daughter wear dirty toilet seat as hat. :)

Every 2 hours I put Zuzu on the toilet today (she is 13.5 months now). Well tonight her first day with the seat she went potty in the toilet. She is getting to be such a big girl.

She is still going to swimming twice a week and can swim under water a foot or two by herself. She is learning new words and skills everyday.

Phew

I just tested since today would be 11 days past the day and I am in the clear. So nice to know I can enjoy this weekend that much more.
Though I still have this sore throat and feel more tired than normal which is weird....but maybe AF will come soon. Or maybe I can blame it on the warm weather. If I start waking up 3 times a night to pee I am definitely testing again :)

My birthday yesterday was boring and a bit disappointing as all I wanted to do was go for a little bike ride but baba didn't get home until dark.

I have high hopes of a nice weekend but I shouldn't because I am starting to get use to constant disapointment due to baba.

Standing

Zuzu is standing now, but she scares herself. She has 6 teeth now and we are starting to notice she is left handed.

For Mother's Day and my birthday I convinced baba to buy me a bike trailer/jogging stroller. I talked him into a Chariot Cougar II. It just came in today so we will see how we like it this week. I also got $300 from my in laws! They are awesome!

Baba and I also decided that Zuzu gets to continue with her 2 times a week swimming lessons and start music lessons later this summer. Now if only I could find a way to pay for all of these extra lessons. :)

In more personal matters. Still no Aunt Flow, and part of me thinks I might be pregnant because I have been tired lately and had a sore throat on and off for the last 2 weeks. (As I did last time.) Plus I just keep feeling like Aunt Flow is coming any minute now. Part of me hopes I am another part of me wants another month or two.
Time will tell :)

Up to 5

Zuzu is up to 5 teeth and I am sure the 6th is poking through by now. (Monday was crazy.)
Zuzu is really starting to get the hang of her swimming lessons. She is clapping, splashing, and kicking at the right times. This Tuesday was her 6th or 7th lesson. We are having so much fun and it is nice to get out and do fun things together.

Baba's parents are flying in tomorrow and we have a Sienna rented to pick them up, then it rented again to take them to a wedding, then we will have to likely rent it again to take them to the airport.

This month will be crazy from here on out. Things should settle down in July.

Zuzu update

Zuzu had a great time in Egypt. While we were there she got her two top teeth in. She also developed her cruising techniques.
The flights went well, aside from being delayed and Zuzu was treated like a celebrity all over Egypt.

She is crawling like a pro

Okay not quite a pro but she can defiantly crawl now. She is also saying "mama" a lot now too, but I don't think she necessarily associates it with me. She also loves to make the "aaaahh" sound while sticking her tongue out and moving it around into different positions.

She loves to bang on things and make noise now. She is not a big solid eater. Strangely she seems to actually like vegetables better than fruits.

Shadow

Last night Zuzu discovered her shadow and how to interact with it. She has discovered mama's and baba's shadow and seen we control it, but last night she spent 20 minutes with her own shadow touching the shadow on the wall and later moving her hand to move the shadow.

Zuzu is also learning to crawl. She is no speed racer yet but she knows how to go forward one movement at a time. She has also slowed down on her growth.

Improvements

I feel better. Zuzu has re-learned to drink from a bottle and does that part time now. I haven't been attacked by her teeth in a week.

Since she knows how to navigate the front room by rolling I bought her an Arabic foam mat and a fence. The set of letters was only $35 from CF Toys and then just a six sided fence from Babies R Us. Now I can have some freedom to leave her alone without worrying about her eating all of baba's computer cables.

I am bleeding

Zuzu bit me. She drew blood. I am fighting off a viral/sinus infection everyone seems to have. I am not sure if it is working. Last night was tough.

Sick and Teeth

Baba has been sick all week. Zuzu just got a fever today. So far I have not got sick but Zuzu's two bottom teeth are doing a number on me. I want to run and hide and I fight back my need to scream, but I have to be strong for her so she can get her liquids. (She won't take a bottle.)

The great escape artist

So she can pull herself to standing. Roll off the bed, move the bumper and stick her head out the crib (I have an old crib), stand up on her stroller, and take her tray off her booster seat.

I just ordered a fence for the front room so she can hopefully be safe in our little apartment. Next I plan to buy her some foam squares for the floor. It will be really useful in Egypt since all the floors are marble or wood.

Moving along...

Zuzu has ate rice and oatmeal cereal. Both made bowel movements thicker. She clearly liked Oatmeal better.
This week she tried Avocados and it is her favorite by far. Also easier to digest then the previous two.

Zuzu is still not crawling but she loves to pull herself up (to a standing position.)

Loosing Sanity

Zuzu has her first tooth. Wasn't too bad when it broke the skin but....
-- nursing hurts all over again
-- now almost two weeks later she has become unbearable

Zuzu can roll both ways, sit on her own, and pull herself up from siting. She can't really crawl nor can she talk, but she clearly has wants and desires. For the most part she doesn't understand me and I don't understand her....so we spend most of our day screaming and crying.