Cloth Diapering

So finally I am cloth diapering almost full time for Gibo. Seriously I think it was a great choice. I have 12 Bum Genius pocket diapers and they are working really well. I am doing laundry every other day and Gibo sleeps better at night while he is wearing them. I also have less problems with leaks. Strangely enough I am not really getting peed on with diaper changes when I use the cloth.

The bad news is, these diapers have 3 size settings and Gibo is already on the middle one at 6 weeks. I guess I shouldn't be too suprised considering I am a week or two away from taking out the 6-9 month clothes.

If you are looking to buy these cloth diapers the best deal is from cottonbabies.com and using coupon code BESTDEAL for 5% off. I recommend buying the 6 pack, if you try oneor two and don't like them, you ca always sell the other 4-5 you don't use for the same price you paid for them on ebay.

Last night I realized people are happy and life is good because they say it is (not because good or bad things determine it.)

I thought about this because how is it that some people can constantly be so down on their life and feel like all they have is crap, when others deal with things 100 times worse and still go on and manage to smile and be happy at the end of the day.

I truly love my life and enjoy every minute, even when I am half way asleep at 3 am and covered in pee and poop, I just wish I could clean it up while sleeping. :)

I guess my mom wasn't lying when she said, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes stronger" and "All things happen for a reason."

My children, my husband, and I are healthy, feed, and happy, life is good :)

Flying with 2

We left on Thursday afternoon. One child in the go-go-kidz travelmate & car seat and the other in the infant seat and stroller and then one suitcase.

Security wasn't too bad, but we were anything but fast. We had the row in front of the exit row, which did not allow car seats, so Zuzu sat without it. She was upset and fussy whe she had to put on her seat belt (it was nap time) but we distracted her with a snack. Once we were up in the air both kids were sleeping.

We landed and got a rental car. A new Crystler Town & Country. Nice cause it was a mini van but drove & guzzled gas like a truck, and it was gutless (even for a minivan.)

We got to see friends & family on our trip. Thursday night the fire alarm went off in our hotel at 11pm, but both kids slept through it. Z got worn out Friday night and got a little fever, but was better by morning.

Sunday we flew back home. This time there was a 14-16 month old girl that was screaming so it really muffled Z's sadness of puting on a seat belt. G slept the whole way and Z was awake until we started the desent. Funny how she waited until it was time to land.

Overall we had a great trip and I would gladly do it again.

My list of accomplishments

Feeding a 2 year old (table foods) and 3 week old at the same time. Putting a 2 year to bed & reading her stories while ursing the other.

Grocery shopping with 2 by myself in a very small car. (Donations will be excepted to buy mama a newer model minivan since my husbad's car is more like a clown car for midgets-which luckily I am close to being one.)

...Coming soon: Flying with a 2 year old and a 5 week old.

Gibriel

Pronounced: Gib-reel

He is after God's messenger, just in Arabic. DH had a dream about this being his name a few weeks ago, but I wasn't fond of it. So we were really going for Ayoub (Job in Arabic) but when we saw him he was obviously a Gibriel and not an Ayoub.

So Gibriel joined us two days ago and is enjoying milk and naps :)

Birth Story

As you all know I had teaser contractions for about a month prior to birth. I didn't sleep well the night before. More of what I thought were teasers and lots of using the toilet. Morning came and the teasers didn't go away and after all the bathroom visits I knew it would be that night.

So all day yesterday I stayed closed to my friend the toilet and relaxed listening to some Beatles music and just tried to rest up. For the most part they were 7-10 minutes apart while I was laying down and relaxing, but when I would get up to do anything they would come closer. To me they really didn't feel to bad. About 10:30 or 11 am they started getting about 5 minutes apart and a little more intense, but they still didn't seem too bad. So I decided to go take a warm bath. When that didn't make a difference on the contractions and they continued to intensify I told baba he should let the mid-wife know we would be on our way soon. (I didn't want to spend 20 minutes in the car in hard labor so I told him let's just go.)

We arrived around 1pm. They were intense but still not what I would call full power (when compared to Zuzu's birth). So I got in the tub there and relaxed. Then just to get an idea of where I was at I had the mid-wife check me. She said I was at 8 cm. I was completely shocked. I thought for sure she was just trying to be nice or something. (I was thinking maybe 5-6 cm.) About an hour after that I was at 10 cm.

I started pushing. This time was different. I had to work a lot harder to get the water to break and him to crown. It was probably all of 3pm by then. Then I took my time stretching myself so I wouldn't tear. Pushing was so much harder this time, especially in relation to the labor. This time I could feel so much more with his head coming out. It was really weird.

Finally my little man was born at 3:41pm. He came out blue. The mid-wife said it was normal though I wasn't so sure, but he was breathing well and she said to give him some time to get some color.

I ended up with a 2nd degree tear. Which I thought was weird since I was being so careful. Turns out I tore in the exact same spot. I got stitched up.

Later we found out he was 8lbs 5 oz and 21" long. Zuzu was only 7lbs 1 oz, so I guess the extra 1 lb and 4 oz needed to escape some how :D Now I am just worried the next one is going to be 10lbs or something crazy.

We left the birthing center as a family of 4 at 7pm. I came home and rested while baba and Zuzu got me a Fatburger. :)

I'll try to get a picture or two up soon. There are only 3-4 pictures currently in exsistence and baba has them all. I will say he does have light brown hair but nothing when compared to Zuzu at birth.

Sleep is over rated.....

Windy rainy weather. A daughter that got out of bed twice. Going pee every 30 minutes and contractions on and off all night. I think I slept 2 hours maybe 3.

Update

This is way too much info. but I keep this here for my record if nothing else since I don't think I have too many regular readers.

Today my ho-ha feels alive. I believe it has more blood circulation than normal. Not really like tingly (like after good sex), but like more blood is pumping around down there. Almost like when you have to pee badly and you feel it hitting the sides as it comes out.

I am also having little cramps, but they are very little and barely worth mentioning, especially compared to other ones I have experienced.

At my mid-wife appointment last night my blood pressure was way down like 106 over 70, and the heart beat was only in the mid to upper 120s, where it is usually in the 140s. I am also having a harder time getting to sleep even though I am exhausted. My guess is more hormones are kicking in and are almost in full gear.

1pm PST we have the "bloody show". So I guess my ho-ha felt weird for a reason, it is the blood vessels in there rupturing.

Still pregnant

Just keeping the blog updated. I am ready, but I guess baby is not, so I will just try to enjoy my time.

I was killing time this morning...

So I made up my own top 10.



You know your baby has dropped when.....

10. Half of your lap is gone.

9. Your belly no longer grows, your baby just drops.

8. Even though your bed is tall (and you almost have to jump to get into it) you have to roll out of it.

7. You ask your almost 2 year old for help getting up and you seriously consider a digging your hiking cane out of the garage.

6. Clothing that covers the bottom of your belly leaves an inprint (from being compressed between your belly and lap) after you have been sitting for more than 2 minutes.

5. You start to think about what you could put between you belly and lap during the end of labor so that baby comes out with a "cool" imprint on his/her shoulder. (I would really never do this, but I am sure if guys carried babies this would happen all the time.)

4. You go up the stairs on your tippy toes because you have short legs and you are not sure your legs could clear the stairs and your belly going up.

3. You feel like you have a ball between your upper thighs.

2. You start to think that having someone's head between your legs is normal.



*insert drum roll like Letterman*

...And the #1 reason you know you have dropped is when...

....the head starts to stick out of your ho-ha.




Looks down, doesn't see anything, grabs a mirror....phew we are still okay on that last one... :D

Still as big as a house....

I am still pregnant. Yesterday was another "teaser" day. Cramping and back pain most of the day. Monday I tried walking, spicy food and sex. Got a little bit of cramping Tuesday but nothing that did anything or progressed.

I am really tired of being teased and I am ready to have this baby come out. If I wasn't being teased so much, on a deadline so baba can spend a good amount of time with us, and concerned with spending more money on the birth (Baba had a fit when he heard the price and the thought that it could be more after June 1st makes me want to plug my ears), other than that another week or two are good for me.

At my appointment this week my belly was measuring the same and my protein was high, but my BP was normal.

Come on out baby! Your family is waiting. :)
(No I wasn't nearly as bad with Zuzu, she didn't tease me she just did her own thing and came out at the perfect time.)

So bored...

Today I woke up cleaned the stove and microwave THEN ate breakfast. This is seriously insane. I was hungry but I felt like I just had to do it.

Then we went out and bought some food. Then ate some more food and took our nap.

Next I vacuumed and wiped down everything from the bathroom, walls, and even base boards. Yes I know we have only been here 2 months.

If I had a cleaner that didn't stink so bad I would probably clean the shower door better and the sliding glass door.

Now I am looking at the clock wishing it was a little later so I could start dinner.

So not like me, but I want everything to be done and ready because I know I won' t really touch anything again for 3 months.

What I learned last night

Early labor dragging on for 3 hours straight is no better than real labor. At least with real labor you know you are getting somewhere.

If this is all I needed to do to get 30 minutes in a warm bath while Baba and Zuzu pick me up dinner I would have done it a long time ago :D

My mid-wife says sometimes Benedryl (even children's) can slow things down. Didn't have to try it but came very close to considering it.

Now I am hoping to make it to the weekend. Not sure how realistic that is but I can hope.

We are getting to close for comfor now...

Baba was away last week. Wednesday through Saturday night.
Friday of I had a scare. Little contractions for about an hour.

Today I decided to go the store before it got warm. Getting off my butt, BIG mistake. Nothing but little contractions for the 30 minutes I was out.

It is 4:30 and now I can't stand up with out a cramp.

Here is something else interesting I want to look into. Friday my temp was around 98.5, Saturday it was 98.1, then yesterday it was 98.4 and right now it is 98.8. I am not sick just PG and hot. In dogs a change in temperature is a sign of labor....

Almost ready.

Had my mid-wife appointment on Tuesday. Baby's head is down and engaged in my pelvis.
I am "enjoying" walking around with my legs pinched together...yes that great feeling like the baby is trying to get out and putting pressure on everything.

My bowels are going crazy on me, the "ring of fire" is mild compared to what I experienced today.

In one week we will be a go for this baby (37 weeks). I just hope baby waits until after my birthday.

Very Useful Items

A great outdoor blanket for half the price of the ones found in baby/toddler stores. Plus you can always use one of those coupons you have laying around to save more. Just don't wait. They usually run out quickly and don't restock until next spring.

I have had mine (same as above but outside is green) for two years now.

http://www.bedbathand
beyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=114044




Misty Mate. I have owned 2 of the deluxe 24 oz models both times my husband gave them away. They aren't cheap but they are worth the $30-40. I used one in Egypt in 130F weather and while pregnant and birthing Zuzu. (Hormones always give me hot flashes worse than 130F heat by far.)

I found this one online here Doctors Foster and Smith and walked away with it for $27.50 using a $5 online coupon code (that expires today.) Not exactly the deluxe but it does the same job (just not as pretty) and if my husband gives this one away I probably won't be quite as sad....plus this time I am buying it with his money, not mine :D

Before you ask...no this was not made for reptiles the site is just marketing it as such since they are a pet store.

A good resource

(Bought from Amazon


I just got this book and it is fantastic so I had to share. I want to spend more time on focused instruction for Zuzu since I will be home schooling her until she is at least 7. This book designed more for a 3 year olds classroom setting but can be easily adapted.

It is organized by theme. For Zuzu I am going to start on shapes. It gives art and craft activities, snacks, science, music, sensory, movement actives, a few other topics and then a list of books that also work nicely with the unit. If you are a teacher it even has a letter you can send home to parents introducing the topic and the things that will be covered.

I have to order a few supplies before starting but nothing unusual. The book does make me wish Zuzu had her own space or we had a nice yard to set up a small work station/table.

I bought the book itself from Amazon. I shopped around and with (no) shipping it was only about 50 cents more than the cheapest place. Also note this is the 5th edition. If you are on a budget I am sure the older editions would work just as well.

2 nights in a row

Zuzu has transitioned to her own bed in her own room.

When we moved here she spent the first week to 10 days with mama and baba co-sleeping at night. Then she spent 2 weeks on her crib mattress on the floor and mama sleeping next to her on the air mattress. The second week was on and off. (She cries mama goes in and comforts her and then sleeps there for a while.)
Then her big girl bed got set up. For about a week mama slept on the floor next to her on and off (comes in when she is upset usually about an hour at 1 am and then 5am to wake up at 6:30am.) Upon waking up we would go in and wake up or find baba.
Then I took down the air mattress all together. For a week or two I would still go in when ever she needed me and snuggle with her in her bed. As time went on over the next two weeks she needed me less and less and would come wake us up at 6:30.

Naps during the whole transition followed the same pattern as night time. If she needed me I was there. If she didn't need me I was doing my own thing. The last two weeks I let her get up on her own when she is ready and I meet her at the top of the stairs or let her stand at the top and call for "mama" before coming.

It was a long and slow transition (especially) being pregnant and trying to get up from an air mattress but if it works, it was all worth it.

Do I look "fat" to you

Either 33 or 35 weeks....your guess is as good as mine.

This looks yummy

Zucchini-Avocado Salsa

By Cathe Olson

This is a delicious, nutritious alternative to regular salsa. It is great with chips or as a topping for burritos, tacos, or quesadillas.

2 small zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
3 green onions, sliced
2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
dash Tabasco sauce
salt and black pepper to taste

Steam zucchini and corn together just for 2 or 3 minutes until colors are bright. Place in a bowl with remaining ingredients together and chill for at least one hour.

Yield: About 3 cups

Variation: Add 1 to 2 cups diced tomatoes

Long week...

My mom came. That was nice.
My daughter got sick. 105 fever and a trip to the ER.
I retired my rings. I feel fat.
Baba was late getting home when I had my appointment. That had to be canceled.
Got my online shop back up. Really busy again.
Still haven't unpacked anything else.
Took Zuzu to the fabric store and that did not go well at all.
Ate a nice lunch. More fit throwing and another un-enjoyable experience.
My belly is huge and I look like I am due in a month.

....I need a nap...

Good-bye Belly button...

It is gone...Before children I use to have the nicest, deepest belly button. With my daughter it lost it's depth and returned about 50-70% of normal afterwards.
This time it is completely flat and I still have about 6-8 weeks to go. I am not sure if I like this.... :(

Got Carpet???

I bought 2 yards of this on sale and it is awesome. We have a little Ikea table and it even catches our messes :) I think I am offically ready for playdough and paint.

http://tinyurl.com/4bjw6o

I don't have a current coupon code but give it a week or maybe search online for one.

This is 20 gauge...the ones with the cute characters from the regular stores are about 7 gauge and you can really tell the difference.

Target Coupon

Target is offering free shipping on $50 or more of baby gear and you can get $5 off $50 using code TC382BQY

More reasons why Breast Milk is Best...

A new study came out recently that found stem cells in Breast Milk. See article.

This is very interesting to me. Another interesting article I saw in last year was about Cancer patients drinking breast milk.

...and this article claims it is the cure all...well almost.

I think I know ....

what I am getting Zuzu for her birthday..or maybe a little sooner...

It is made for short riders, it is light weight at less than $100 (vs. $290 for the likeabike mini.)

Stress doesn't even begin to describe it....

My husband's dad is still in the ICU. To make matters worse he got an infection yesterday so he is back on the ventilator and has a fever, as well as other problems. To make matters worse he has already used the highest strength of antibiotics available to fight off the last infection.

I can't keep going the way we are going until the baby is born or even after the baby is born. I need my husband here unless his dad is on his death bed and only has 3 days to live or something.

I can just see it now. Zuzu and I home alone and my water breaks and I go into labor. Then I have to do a home birth, while my husband and mom are trying frantically to find a flight here (minimum 5 hours...2 hours for them each to the airport, then 2 hours on the plane, then a 45 minute cab ride.) They arrive and I am laying in bed with baby #2 and Zuzu.

I seriously hope what ever is going to happen good or bad for my husbands dad will happen this month.

My husband and I can barely even talk to each other without fighting because we both feel like the other should be giving more emotionally and physically.

I have a bad feeling...

I have a feeling and I just can't shake it...
My gut is telling me this baby is going to be early...not like 2-3 days early, but like 2 weeks or more early.

With Zuzu I had June 27th stuck in my head. She was due on July 1st. She ended up being born June 29th which worked perfectly, because baba HAD to work on the 27th and on the 28th he stayed home with me when early labor started.

This time the date May 31st is stuck in my head. It is so bad this time it is almost as if I see this date when I close my eyes, where as last time I don't remember it being quite like this. I also feel like my water is going to break and then this baby is going to come hard and fast...like 4 hours.

Time will tell...

My joyous weekend....

Seriously my poor husband can't even think straight anymore, but he insists that he can.

He spends 10 minutes b!tching about how he doesn't have time to enter a contact on his phone (which takes him 30 seconds) then even when he does have 20 minutes to himself he plays Xbox or I find him all curled up with a blanket passed out on the couch at 8pm.

Then when he goes to see his dad he stays up till 11pm shooting the breeze with his sister and mom instead of taking advantage of not working and catching up on his sleep.
The when tell him he needs to go to bed earlier than that and take good care of his body he accuses me of being mean. I ask him how I should remind him in a nicer way, he tells me I just shouldn't say anything.

He had all weekend to unpack some things...
he paid a bill, lifted 3 heavy things out of boxes for me, took one box upstairs, took 5 boxes (that I broke up) to the garage (but left 4 out!??), and made a new pile in the living room of stuff that goes downstairs, set up a computer in the living room (he has a den !??) and put 4 pairs of formal shoes in the coat closet(!??), then b!tched when I told him his shoes go in his closet especially since he wears them once a year at most, and he said well I put them away if you don't like it, you do it.

What did I do over the weekend...
Unpacked 2 big boxes (minus the 3 heavy things), vacuumed, went grocery shopping, picked up after him and Z, took care of the other 5 boxes, moved his shoes, set up his night stand, unpacked a box for Z, put together the lamps (no light in living room for 3 weeks), oiled a toy for Z, not to mention kept her entertained so he could have some time to himself for 30 minutes, most of which he spent on the phone because he can't not answer it.

Ironically he said earlier that day...I know you think I am not sane anymore.
I told him, no you are just going 30 different directions, and no one else is going those directions with you.

He is leaving again for a few days so nothing else will get done by him and then my mom will be here a few days after he gets back.

and to further complicate things this is me now....

Birthing Center

I gained 8 lbs in 3 weeks. I could tell I had two growth spurts (by looking at the tummy) but I had no idea...

The birth center is 20 minutes from home. I did my GD test and I know I passed that and they checked my iron and I am not so sure that is doing well. I was happy they did that because it is being proactive vs. my OB who would have waited until I complained about something to check or just let me deliver and see what happens.

I am glad I didn't do a birthing center for Z, it would have been fine, but I think a first time mom needs more direction and care a little longer. (They will send me home 5 hours after birth. I would birth at home but the closest hospital if I needed one is about 30 minutes away, vs. 5-10 from the birthing center.)

Now accepting applications...

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE ‘THERE IS NO RETIREMENT — EVER!!!

Rantings of a pregnant woman...

I think for the time being this blog should be called rantings of a pregnant woman because she is married to a man.

Thursday night (before the movers came) we were up until 2am packing. Then I was up at 7am packing again while my husband slept in. Friday it took the movers 5 hours to load up our 1 bedroom apartment. We ended up having 4500 lbs worth of crap and we threw out about 200 lbs and packed another 300 or so in the car.

Friday night we hired someone to clean our apartment and we finally left at 8pm. We spent the night at my husbands sisters so my husband could spend time with his dad (in the ICU) before leaving. My husband decided to be irresponsible and after spending 3 hours with his family he stayed up another 2 hours BSing with his mom and sister.

Saturday afternoon we left. My husband insisted on driving despite how tired he was. Then after he dozed off and almost side swiped a car (nearly giving me a heart attack) he decided I could drive.

We arrived to our new home Monday mid-morning. Tuesday he went to work. Wednesday his motorcycle was delivered. Friday night our stuff finally arrived. I got up Saturday and started unpacking Zuzu's stuff. He slept in.

Over the weekend he put legs on a table, put a bookcase together, put up 1/2 baby gates, set up our bed, unwrapped 2 chairs, and unpacked 2 boxes in his den. I unpacked 10-15 boxes and set up the closet organizer and Zuzu's room.

My husband has been gone everyday 7:30am-8pm. Then today he left to go back to see his dad (in the ICU in California) and by the time he comes back the weekend will be over and he will be working again.

Did I mention while he is there he is staying with his sister and her kids (who are on vacation) so he is going to be playing with them while he waits 4-5 hours everyday for his sister to take him to see his dad. Did I also neglect to mention that he gave me the impression that he was going there to work out of the office and would see his dad in the evenings like he did when we lived there (not to hang out at his sisters and "work from her home.") Had he mentioned this he knows I would have never agreed to drive him to the airport at 4:30am or to pick him up because he knows I hate the fact that he always choses his family over our family.
Do you know he said to me..."What are we going to do every weekend when we move if we don't go to my sister?" I was like "WHAT?? Are you joking me? We are going to spend time as a family and we are going to go out and hike, explore, see things, and go places." For 2 years while living in California I wanted to take him to Yosemite and we never went because it was always something, some drama of why we had to go to his sisters that weekend, for him he always wanted to go skiing...we never did that either even though my parents rented a cabin for us and everything.

After my husband's father gets healthy he is cutting the chains and I don't want to hear one thing about his sister and her crap unless there is blood, hospital, or police involved otherwise I am going to call her and b!tch her out and virtually slap her. (I don't do well with people and their BS especially when they can help themselves but choose not to.)

I am going to kill him!

My husband has everything left to pack. I have packed 30 boxes by myself, my mom packed 5, DH packed 1...yes 1.

I call him, he is still an hour away taking care of his dad and he plans to stay the night and then drive 1 hour (after no sleep) work 4 hours then come home and spend all day and night packing tomorrow.

I, of course, know my husband and how he is on little to no sleep and I said, WTH are you thinking you are no good to me tomorrow if you do this. He seems to think he is superman and not my DH. He gets tired and pissy on anything less than 8 hours and asks to be left alone and take a nap.

Did I mentioned he worked till 1am, or later, last night and is already pissy and tired worse than a baby, so he is going to tell me tomorrow "just let me sleep for a few hours and then I will be ready to pack." Which means he is not going to move his a$$ until 4pm and he is only going to have till 8pm to make noise (because Zuzu is just as exhausted as I am) and then he is not going to move until 8am since he is "tired," about the time the movers pull up.

He forgets that I am the PG one and not him all the time. I am so physically exhausted I seriously just got up from a 2 hour "nap." I know that his dad is important to him and he wants to be there to help the last few days but I kind of need him to help wrap the couch, clear off the table (it is still 6 inches deep in his paper junk, as is I will probably do that for him), wrap and stack his ugly ass waiting room chairs that he insists on keeping for our dining room chairs, lift and wrap our bed, take apart the beds, pack the closet full of heavy camping gear, wrap the bike trailer, wrap his fancy chair, pack the printer, big the server, massive cisco firewall, the access point, pack the car with the TV (including get someone to help him carry it), and I am sure there are 3 or more things.

I already told him just get his sh!t together and he can spend Friday night with his dad since it will be his last chance and the movers will have come and gone.

Men just don't think and lack priorities, and my husband puts way more priority on his parents and sisters comfort and well being than his own wife's and family....he has openly said (before his dad got sick) that he would gladly give up the unborn baby's life if it meant saving the life of his father or mother. You can imagine I almost knocked his head off his shoulders and thanked God he would never be allowed to make that choice.

Moving along...

Nothing like trying to pack and having a toddler scream at you because you are packing one of their favorite toys.

The moving truck will be here Friday and while I feel like I am mostly packed, we are no where near where we need to be.

There are 33 boxes packed and I am sure we still have 10 more to go, plus wrapping some furniture, which is going to be insane by itself. I have a feeling we are going to be packing up the place still as the movers pack the truck.

Busy Day...

I have been up since 5am. Baba went to Seattle and got us an apartment/townhouse. It even has a playground viewable from the upper levels.

My parents came over at 7am and rocked the kitchen. (We went through 150 feet of bubble wrap and 200 feet of tissue paper. ) We are up to 31 boxes and I am sure we still have 5 more big boxes to fill.

They just left at 4pm and Zuzu is passed out on the couch from such a long day and I am ready to join her.

...and you think you had a rough month...

This is not baby related as much as it is, life is tough and when you are pregnant you have no choice but to be tougher. It is going to be a rough read so proceed with caution.

Father in law (baba's dad) arrived towards the end of January. He is 67 and a life long smoker. First week he was in good health the second week he was in bed sick. Then he was taken to the ER by my sister in law on a Friday night, she did not bother to call us. He was extremely dehydrated (14 IVs) and had pneumonia. The next day (the 9th) he was in the ICU on oxygen, then tubed, that two weeks all of us thought we were going to loose him for sure. I would drive an hour to take my husband lunch and some clothes and he would just break down. No woman especially while pregnant should have to see her husband like that and have to hold together her family and pretend like it will be okay. We later found out that he has ARDS and his kidneys are failing. As of 2 days ago it seems he is getting better so our hope is back.

On Sunday I got sick. Sister and law and her kids all have fever, strep throat, ear infections, so I assumed the worse. We went to the Dr. Monday, he said no inflection so I should be okay in a few days. Monday night we (husband and I) stayed up until 2am fighting my fever with Tylenol and cold compresses on the forehead and under the arms. All day Tuesday same thing. Tuesday night the fever finally started to break on its own around 9pm. The good news my husband got to spend 2 days with his daughter and putting her to sleep at night so now she is down to 1 feeding a day at nap time. I am not back in perfect health, but that will take time for my chest to clear itself.

Wait there this is only the half of it....

We got a call on Monday (the same day I went to the Dr.) that my husband's cousin, his second brother, had a brain aneurysm and was in the hospital in Egypt and will likely need to be flown out of the country to get the proper help. The bleeding stopped on its own so we are also hopeful on this front.

Then I am online today wondering why my dad is home from work. I find out my cousins (step) granddaughter (who is 1 month older than my own daughter) was abused (found broken bones that were mending on their own) and allowed to drown in the bathtub completely unsupervised. They are going to the little girls funeral today. She is survived by her 3 older sisters. The mom of the little girl is the same age as me and had you told me this would have happened 10+ years ago when I first met the now mother (who is in jail) I would have said you were insane. It makes me so sick. The little girl died on Saturday February 16th. R.I.P.

So now it is time to dry my tears, the month ends tomorrow.

March is bring us a new state (new city) a new home which is still TBD, so it is bitter sweet. I am sad because I have lived within 100 miles of my birth place my whole life, and all my memories are here. My daughter is the 8th generation of my family to be born in California, and the very first generation was within 30 miles of where I was born. It almost seems wrong that my second child will be born in another state, but at the same time after this month I couldn't be more ready for a change.

Great Ergo Carrier Deal

Use save152008 to save $15 on orders over $75
Use save202008 to save $20 on orders over $100

http://www.mybumblebaby.com/ergo-...riers.html

At this price you can't go wrong! They sell for more used on ebay.

Ugh...

My laptop is wearing out and we won't have money to replace it. We are moving in 1 month. Trying to get everything worked out on a house. I am 5 months pregnant. The management wants to show our apartment to people on a waiting list even though there is nothing to show since there is barely walking space on a good day. I have boxes and toys everywhere. Cloth diapers hanging over the shower door and I am not about to vacuum or clean anything for the sake of a stranger.

In good news Zuzu slept through the night 2 nights ago, but last night was a failure.

Nothing more sweet

than seeing the two people you love in their most peaceful state together. I can't help but smile every time I see Zuzu and her baba snuggled up sleeping.

In other news we are moving out of state soon. We are in the process of buying our first home after living in a 1 bedroom apartment for so long. This should be an adventure. A man, his pregnant wife and a toddler moving 1000 miles.

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.

Busy weekend

We went to my parents on Saturday. Zuzu started rice cereal on Sunday. Zuzu cut her first tooth (bottom right) on Monday.

Zuzu doesn't like rice, but I try to convince her otherwise.

She was fussy and needed some entertainment while she cut the first tooth and she really is serious about chewing on things, but she is not as bad as I thought she would be. The key is to keep her distracted. :)

Tomorrow Zuzu will be 6 months old.

Acid Reflex in Babies

Most babies get it around 2 months. It is perfectly normal and in most cases it will go away by itself. Please read this article http://tinyurl.com/vlurb before letting your Pedi prescribe medicine for it.

Acid reflex means some discomfort in your baby, gas, extra spit-up. Babies with this usually prefer to be upright. I would recommend you let baby sleep slightly inclined for 2-3 weeks until it is gone.

Some things that bother me.....

First: We would all love to loose weight and fit into our pre-pregnancy jeans by our 6 week post-partum doctor's visit, but it rarely works that way. So do us all a favor decide before the baby is born which is more important to you. Fitting into your normal clothes or breast feeding your baby.
Which ever you choose is cool. It is your choice after all. I just don't want to hear you complaining to other moms how your milk dried up and you can't breast feed, but you lost all your pre pregnancy weight in a month. If you want to nurse your baby you must eat an extra 500 calories a day to keep the milk flowing.
Don't get me wrong some mothers truly can't breast feed and they try everything.
If you choose to loose weight over eating 2500 calories a day, then just say, " I decided that breast feeding was not for me."

Second: When you have a baby your life will change. I don't care if you were Martha Stewart or the laziest person in the world. When your baby is born it is a baby. (Some people forget this.) Your baby just wants to eat, sleep, fill his or her diaper and spend time hanging out with mom and dad. If you plan to do anything more than feed your baby, sleep when your baby sleeps or hold your baby when it sleeps, change his or her diaper, or interact with your baby you might just be out of luck. Sure sometimes they can sleep and you can accomplish things, but then the next day it can change and you can spend your whole day in your PJs just feeding your baby ad holding him or her all day. You will have to put your life on hold or hire someone to help you. Your husband will hold the baby for 15 minutes to 2 hours a day so you can eat or maybe take a shower, but the minute that baby cries he is usually done. You will cry and get depressed from time to time, but you will also get the cutest smiles and sweetest laughter.

Third: There is no such thing as a bad baby. There are only easy and difficult babies. If your baby does something you don't like it does not make the baby a bad baby. They are babies. They have no sense of right and wrong. Did you say bad fetus?? I also strongly believe that words influence actions. If you go around saying, "Bad baby, you peed on Mrs. Smith" and you start doing that then by the time your child is two they are going to know how to be bad, but have no clue on how to be good. (Yes, they will defiantly be doing some bad things by the time they are two, but obviously at that age they have more knowledge and control over their body then a 3 or 6 month old.)

Just my thoughts for the day. Take them or leave them.

Another side they never show you

5 and a half months post partum still breast feeding....20 lbs to go still

She is growing so fast now

We started her on a sippy cup about 2 weeks ago. Zuzu now bounces like crazy in her excersaucer. In fact she is doing it right now and laughing. She wants nothing more than see the whole world and to see it now. It is neat seeing her discover things and learn so fast now if only she would take time to rest :)

Baba also bought himself a Nikon d80 so we have plenty of pictures daily now. Our current adventure is to find a decent 2 bedroom apartment with it's own washer and dryer. Zuzu is up on all fours so it won't be long now.

So much for sleep

Zuzu has been eating less during the day and eating every 2-3 hours at night again.
At first I thought this was somehow my fault. The weather got cold (freezing) so she started co-sleeping again about 2 weeks ago. After further investigation I came acorss this article, which appears to hold the truth.


http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/4mo-sleep.html

I miss my sleep :( Oh well, a mom's job is never done.

Fisher Price Learning Booster Seat

I bought this seat last week for Zuzu. I heard it was an easy way to distract her so baba and I could enjoy a meal and I figured it would get her use to sitting in a chair.

Essentially it is the Healthy Care booster plus a little AA battery ran toy. It is very easy to use, clean and take with you. It fits Zuzu well (27 inches and 17+ lbs) and the food tray and cover are dishwasher safe. The booster seat secures to large waiting room chairs without a problem. You can also remove the trays and backrest to fit a 45 lb child. The height easily adjustable too.

Zuzu's many talents

Last night she decided to resort back to being a newborn. She woke up every two- three hours.

She did however learn how to turn on and off her mobile using her feet. Baba and I were laying in bed laughing at her turning it on at mid-night, but then she tuned it off on her own and we laughed some more.

She has no problem sitting up on her own until she is bored but she really doesn't care to roll. She can and she has in recent days but she is not impressed by it. I am not going to be surprised if she skips crawling and goes straight to walking.

WAY TOO MUCH INFO PostPartum

Some one that I talk to requested to know about the stuff people never talk about that comes with giving birth so I decided to C&P it here...you have been warned...read at your own risk

You want it here is it.
Way Too Much info...

...Yes I pooped why pushing and the nurse helped get it out.
When Zuzu was here she was put on my chest , I had my boob hanging out, never cared.
I had high blood pressure from the pushing for about 4 hours after delivery. I was really dizzy the first time I got up after delivery and I peed more that I ever have in my life.
You bleed worse than your worst AF (in the being) the nurse pushes on you uterus and squeezes more out of you while trying to make your uterus contract down to normal size. When you BF the first week or so you get little cramps from more contractions. (This is actually great for your body, even though some people say it hurts.)
It hurts to sit, it hurts to stand (for the first week)....I was the happiest sitting on my foam latex pillow from home, even in the car ride home. You can bleed for up to 6 weeks. I was lucky, only 2 weeks and it got light quickly. In the hospital you get ice packs for down there and they feel great. I also got disposable boyshort undies and gigantic pads....think Depends. The hospital also gives you a squirting water bottle to rinse and pat down that area after you use the potty.
I had a second degree tear. First bowel movement is scary...constipated and scared you will rip yourself open again...not to mention everything hurts so you don't know what is what. But you know you have got to do it otherwise you feel like you will explode.
You are an emotional wreak...think PMS times 2 for the first month. DH wants sex...you have NO interest. When you do try it think very dry and very closed down there....and it stays that way for a while. Pressure to do your wifely duties all the time which causes more strain on the relationship.
Breast feeding for me was worse than un-medicated childbirth...seriously think nipples in vice grip. In the first few weeks you never feel like you make enough milk. You HAVE to eat even when you are not hungry and you feel like a fat cow. (Otherwise your milk starts drying up.)
10 days after birth I had to go to the hospital because I had a fever and was dehydrated. I had 2 IVs stuck in me, a breast infection and a urinary track infection. (Just when I was getting use to being home and starting to get comfortable again.)
Baby crying, you crying husband loosing sanity and he can't really help enough to make a difference.

But at the end of the day you forget all the bad stuff and you know you would gladly do it again first because you have to...later because you want to. You know how you feel so in love on your wedding day and you feel as though you could never love anyone more....well you can. I love my DH but if someone told me to pick between the two hands down it would always be my DD.

How is that for details :p

Feeling Good!

Every other day I am getting in a 3-5 mile walk, thanks to someone :) and I feel good again. Zuzu and I are getting into a routine. I made it down to 136lbs, but today I was up to 140lbs. Kind of depressing.

Zuzu and I went out to buy some cool weather walking gear. I figured I would try a small in pants and see how they fit...they actually fit very nicely!!!

Then I came home and tried on a pair of pants that only fit me up to 12 weeks pregnant and they fit too! I am starting to think this is doable. If it took me 12 weeks to get up to that size....I am guessing that on the way back down it should only take me 3-4 months to loose it, right???

I would really love to fit into all of my pre-pregnancy clothes by the time we go to DH's home in March. Heck I would even be happy to be a size bigger.

This boost of confidence came just at the right time.

On a more serious note. ;(

I really don't know what to think about this....My biggest question is how can a seat belt fail....how is this allowed to happen in this day and age??

Update Nov. 27th You MUST use a seat belt to restrain any child over 40 lbs. Latch systems are only designed to hold 48 lbs or less.

I know a lot of three year olds and I am curious if this little guy may have been playing with his seat belt, like the other 3 year olds I know? I am also curious why the makers of the video did not tell us what van they were driving? To me this is also a very important factor.

Crazy

The video below is my dad (in the Ford) and my brothers friend playing in the front yard at my parents' house. Watch the volume it does say "f*&k."

A Day in the life....

One Jeep...

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Message Board

For those people that are interested in talking to other parents please check out http://omizuzu.proboards51.com

It is a baby related message board with multiple topics. It does require registration (an e-mail address and user name.)

As of today there are 9 members, but I hope to see it grow and thrive into a helpful and constructive community. So feel free to come on in and start your own thread or poll.

Time for a sleepsack?

The last two nights Zuzu has been kicking off her covers. I dress her warmly in footed PJs but she needs her covers to stay warm and sleep well.

I think I am going to invest $20 and see if it helps. I don't want to wake up every two hours just to cover her.

It has begun.

Zuzu is now becoming an expert at repeating sounds. She has repeated "maaama","poo po", "a**hole", and "baby." She clearly learned the middle one from baba. I don't think she likes Steven Colbert. Baba now needs to be very careful about what he says.

I know this sounds unusual but Zuzu's Meme (Baba's mom) was talking at 6 months. She told her own mother thank you for the curl (in her hair).

I agree this is a little weird so I'll keep everyone posted on her "talking."

4 months

Zuzu is now 4 months old. She weights 16 lbs 10 oz and is about 26 1/2 inches long. She still fits in her infant chair but she is quickly running out of room 2 inches left at most.

We tried to install the Brixtex Roundabout in baba's Golf this weekend. After an hour and not getting the proper recline nor the seat tight enough, we gave up. On our way to baba’s sister's we stopped at Babies R Us. I knew we were looking for a car seat with a flat base and I knew the Evenflo Triumph's were as safe as the Britex.

The Triumph had more reclining positions, a flat base, latch system belts included, and straps that were easy to adjust. Plus it looks pretty cool and comfy like a nice reclining chair. Baba installed it himself in less than 5 minutes and it was A LOT more secure than we could get the Roundabout. I was also happy it fit in baba's car without the front seats being pulled up to the dashboard.

Last night Zuzu also got her first haircut. Her bangs were in her eyes.

Rrrrrr....(Baba's fault)

Baba is getting "old." 32 almost 33. He has been suffering with a bad back and neck the last month or more. Well Monday night he wakes up and decides to call Egypt at 4am. Well if you have ever seen someone call internationally they usually talk so loud you might as well call it hollering. It woke me up of course and Zuzu started squirming. Finally when he finished at 6am, Zuzu woke up hungry.

Last night he wakes up at 4am takes his computer and goes into the bathroom and turns on the light. Did he shut the door all the way?? No. So then I am awakened by light shinning in my eyes. So I go and shut the door for him to minimize the light. Sure enough when he flushed and came back to bed Zuzu woke up hungry.

I am trying to be nice about it but dang....how is it I can have the worst stomach ache and be throwing up and Zuzu sleeps right through it, but yet Baba always seems to wake her up???

Links

So I have collected a ton of links so I thought I should share:

For Breast feeding moms:
http://www.kellymom.com
http://www.glamourmom.com
http://www.motherwear.com
http://www.nursinggowns.com

Diapers
http://www.cutofcloth.com/article_differentsystems.asp
http://www.tinytots.com (Bay Area Diaper Service)
http://www.1800diapers.com

Baby Gear
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com (they just re-did their website)
http://www.specialtybaby.com/
http://babysaway.com/ (Baby gear on the go)
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ (The new FAA approved kids harness)


http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/usefultools/l/bl_percentiles.htm (Growth % Calculator)
http://www.thecarseatlady.com/
http://freekidsmusic.com/index.html

Laughing Baby

This weekend we drove over to visit my sister in law and Zuzu's cousins house. Everyone was busy so we went to the Toyota dealer to look around. I really want a 2004 Sienna now. The mpg on the highway is the same as baba's Golf. Everyone can ride in it and be happy (no more fighting and taking 2 cars everywhere on the weekends.) Now my goal is to find one that is reasonably(kbb) priced with dual power sliding doors. If you know of one within 100 miles of San Francisco send me a comment with contact info....I won't publish it. Or if you know of someone in search of a fantastic commuter car let me know...again I won't public the comment.)

Zuzu had a fun day and baba learned how to trigger her laugh. It has already been 6 or 7 weeks since her very first laugh. My brother in law caught it on his camcorder.

Sunday we sat around and rested. We planned to clean up the apartment but we never really got to it.

Still...

All week Zuzu has been sleeping through the night. Last night I heard her make noise like she was awake twice, but she never really woke up and cried. Even on Wednesday night I put her down in her crib awake and she went to sleep on her own. Her basic hours are 11pm-8:30am. Baba and I couldn't be happier.

Next week Zuzu will be 4 months old. She has no problem standing and supporting her own weight and holding her head up. She loves to chew on her teether. Her biggest challenge is getting her head up once she has her legs underneath her (as if to crawl.)

Just a though....

Why is it when ever Zuzu is sleeping on my lap so nicely that it is always the exact same time I feel the urge to run to the bathroom (notice run not walk.) I hate to move her because 3/5 times she wakes up....but what's a mommy to do....? :)

I know understand why so many moms get urinary and bladder infections often.

Dead Battery

Since I am now a stay at home mom and baba has his motorcycle (and car) my car has not been drove much. So today I had a dead battery. This made me realize that it is time to sale my car. Insurance renewal is in 3 weeks, and registration is due at the end of the year.

Thing is, baba's car isn't practical either. The current car seat barely fits. We pick up his parents at least 3 times a year from the airport with 2 bags of luggage each and the cousins are always fighting over who gets to ride with us (every weekend), not to mention I want another baby in less than 2 years.

So after much research today I think a used Sienna will be in the works. (I really want a Highlander but I can't justify another $8-10k over the price of a Sienna.)

More sleep

I am pretty sure Zuzu has this sleeping thing down now. She was exhusted yesterday from having so much fun. She slept on the way home then fell back asleep as soon as I got her out of her carseat. Then she slept from 10:30 to 6:30 last night. She must really love her mama and baba or something :)

Our friends

Zuzu and I had a beautiful day with our friends. We meet some moms and babies today and ate some delcious Zachary's Pizza at the park in San Ramon. I am picky when it comes to pizza and I was truely impressed with thier Meditereanan. I brought the left overs home for Baba and I know he will love it. I don't normally like arihcokes on my pizza but now I have a different prespective.

She did it again!

We must have really worn out poor Zuzu this weekend. Last night she slept from 11-8:30am and currently she is sleeping again and has been for the last 45 minutes.

We just went to Costco on Saturday and then with my sister in law to Costco on Sunday. 2 Costcos in a weekend is enough to wear anyone out, let alone a baby.

At Costco on Sunday I did test out the Ergo carrier. I carried my sleeping nephew who is almost four around in it for an hour. I wish we would have got a picture. He is about half my size and I am sure it looked funny, but I have no aches or pains. They weight really is distributed to the hips. Now I am an even bigger fan of the Ergos.

Mama and Zuzu Alone

Baba had business in Seattle so he flew out yesterday morning. (His first night away since her birth.) Zuzu and I had to fend for ourselves. I now have a greater appreciation for single moms and I have no idea how they keep their sanity the first 3 months when the baby is more needy.

Zuzu is a good girl and can now entertain herself for short periods of time (15-20 minutes) but I found myself still wanting a 30 minute break to myself. Obviously I didn't get one.

We are still alive and sane this morning and I honestly don't think Zuzu noticed her baba was gone. Next time we are going to Seattle with him since I happen to have some free time :)

Weekend at Carmel

We went to Monterey on Saturday and Zuzu and baba got to see the aquarium for the first time. Then we stayed in Carmel and had a nice dinner. Then we went to Point Lobos and walked around and saw the sea otters. It was a small trip to celebrate our 2 year wedding aniversary.

Zuzu was a good girl and did a lot of sleeping in the car and in her Ergo carrier at the beach. Last night she went to sleep at 9:30 and did not wake up till 6:30 this morning (9 hours!!) I fed her and she went back to sleep till 8:45. The trip exhuasted all of us but it was a lot of fun and the perfect first trip for Zuzu.

(I'll try to add a picture this afternoon.)

We are outa here

Last night Zuzu went to bed at 9:30. It was because baba was already in bed sleeping. I think his snoring calms her.

Zuzu and I spent her gymbucks today. Hopefully she will be able to get through the winter now. I also made a mess on her pjs while eating chocolate today. Good thing they were cheap ones.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend. We are off to do some exploring.

It wasn't a fluke!

She slept for 7 hours straight again last night...but she did stay up till midnight.
It is raining today, but the three of us are going away this weekend. I can't wait. No working for baba.


Coupns for the Week

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Joann: Free 2 day express shipping (exp. 10/6) OCTUER625

Halloween Costumes: 80% off at Lillian Vernon and 50% off at Baby Center.

Victoria Secret: Sweater sale and get hat, scarf, and gloves for $25 with sweater purchase WARM Free shipping with $100 or more FSHIP

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Beautiful Sleep

Last night Zuzu slept from 11pm to 6am. She was laughing and kicking off her covers at 3am so baba turned on the light and she was still sleeping. Last night I put her comforter on her and her thin flannel blanket (under her arms) and that apparently did the trick. I think swaddling would have done the same thing but she is at the stage where she hates to be constrained.

Today I realized that she also feels constrained by her infant seat. She was trying so hard to sit up and those stupid straps were in the way :) So she fussed and in her own way told me how frustrated she was.

Last night she also did a full sit up, vs. a crunch like normal. She is very determined to sit up like an adult. Now if only she can balance herself a little better once she is up.

Faces everywhere

This weekend Zuzu started to reach for faces. She likes to feel baba's scratchy beard and mama's smooth face. Best of all she is doing it with an open hand. Usually she spends most of the day with her fists clinched.

She is consistently sleeping 5 1/2 to 6 hours every night before waking up hungry. This means I am finally catching up on all my lost sleep.

I am also happy because I am starting to fit into medium clothes. Hopefully in another 3 months I will be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes. I can't wait to be happy about my body again.