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.