Stroller, Bassinet and Carset: Check!

Just a couple more days before baby arrives! We tried to get the apartment cleared out a bit more this weekend.   It is going to be just fine in our little place.

Remember a while ago, I bought the Arm's Reach Co-sleeper?  Well, I returned it.
Instead, I bought this little bassinet for $50 [on Craigslist]  and put it next to the bed. 

It comes with a moses basket [within the bassinet] and think it will work out great.  It will be nice to have something portable.  When I go to a friends house or for an overnight trip, this will be perfect.  Either bed would only last the baby a few months, so price, size and portability all played a part in my decision.  I am planning to change the fabric and add some memory foam to the bottom for added comfort. 

As far as a full size crib, I am still getting one.  I thought I was decided on the Baby Mod crib but I couldn't get this one out of my head.

I have always liked the Jenny Lind crib classic style.  It has a vintage feel and once I add some modern fabric, I think it is going to look fabulous! As it turns out it's delivery has been delayed until October. (Come on Target!)

Ernesto moved one of our leather chairs into the bedroom where I can relax and feed the baby.  It is not a rocker, but will have to do. 

Between Amazon, Target and Babies R Us, we have been receiving packages with baby supplies in the mail everyday.  We are saving all the boxes in the garage in hopes that we will be moving into a house someday soon.

After the xmas lighting season, we will say goodbye to my trusty Saab and buy a new car.  Dare I say...a "family car?" (Im not talking mini-van folks, because that would be way to practical for me, plus I have made fun of them for years so I just couldn't)  In the mean time, Ernesto cleaned up my car and fixed a few [of the many] things that have been broken for a long time.  He also detailed the inside.  I was flabbergasted by what a difference it made.  Who would've known that a clean car is much more enjoyable to drive. Ha! 

The car seat has been installed.  Ernesto read the manual AND looked up a video online to make sure it is installed correctly.  It is really important to get that double checked and make sure it is secure.  

We also picked up our BOB Revolution Stoller from REI.  How am I so excited about a stroller?!  I could push (and steer) this thing with one finger.  It is the perfect stroller for our walking/running lifestyle.  I plan on taking walks with the baby daily and with the uneven pavement, trails and brick sidewalks outside our door, this will do the trick! 

Because infants are not able to sit in these strollers for several months, we bought the converter piece for our  Chicco KeyFit car seat to sit inside the stroller.

The papi-to-be is very handy and had everything together in a matter of minutes.  Since we plan on walking to the hospital to have the baby, we may even use this to bring baby home.

As soon as I give the word, my  parents are hopping on a plane and coming down to stay with us and meet their newest grandchild.  My sister and brother-in-law will head down a few days after!  Everyone says to accept all the help you can get at the beginning, and I have NEVER been one to turn it down.   It's funny because in my head I am thinking, "Oh yay, my family is coming to visit, we are going to have so much fun."  I know I just can't fathom how tired I am going to be.  I don't think we will be able to sit up late laughing and playing cards every night...or will we**?
** I am not THAT naive.

WEEK 39

Vintage Chairs Off to the Upholsterer!

Well, it only took me 4 trips out to Fabric World to find a fabric suitable for my vintage chairs.  As soon as I did, Ernesto loaded them up in his truck [to clear some more space in our apartment for baby] and we dropped them at Fast and Great Upholstery.  I have not used them before, but I read a couple good reviews online and the the work I saw at the shop looked like good quality.

I have a set of two chairs and a few changes will be made.  The skirt will not be there, so the wood legs will be visible, and the arms are going to be made more square.  Also, I took two big feather cushions and they will add feathers over the foam seat.

I picked a nice gray background with black circles.

I wanted something classic that could stand the test of time.  Of course, my tastes change often, so hopefully I will not tire of these too quickly.  Changing out the pillows should do the trick.   I think the finished chairs will look very mid-century and paired with some modern, traditional and ethnic pieces,  I should be able to achieve the eclectic look Im after in my future living room.  We will see! They will be ready for pick up in a week!

External Cephalic Version Procedure on Breech Baby

I was a little leery of the whole version process.  Until last week, I had never even heard of this procedure.  I had no idea that a doctor could actually turn a baby externally.

I found out the little Mexi-mouth was [Frank] breech last week, and when my doc recommended a version I raced home to google it.  After watching one video on YouTube, I didn't think it looked so bad.  Of course there were comments from many woman about the pain involved with it, but I decided to give it a try.  I would say I have a fairly high pain threshold, so if there was a chance this could help me have a natural vaginal birth it would be worth a little discomfort.

The most important factor in my decision though was being assured that I was a good candidate for the version procedure and that the baby would not be in any distress.  Dr. Onyeije, although not a warm and fuzzy doctor, was very knowledgeable and confident in his analysis and this made us feel comfortable with our decision to have the procedure.

Ernesto and I were at Emory Midtown at 545am yesterday morning.  I was shown to a room and changed into a hospital gown and had a heart monitor attached to my tummy for the baby. I was given a shot of terbutaline to relax my uterus and prevent contractions.   

No pain killer was given, and none was  needed.  The procedure was not painful!  

They worked on me for about 25 minutes total.  Although it was not successful, I am so glad that we tried it.  As it turns out, Bebe is just more comfy in the head up position, but at least  I tried everything I could :)  I feel a lot better about having a c-section now.

The following video has been edited down to 4 minutes.  I hope this helps any of you pregnant mom's out there wondering about this procedure like I was just a week ago.  Good luck!

Making a Plaster Baby Belly Cast

Remember back in April I bought this belly cast kit at Marshalls?  Well, since we are so close to my due date, we decided to do it the other night.  Plus I had my External Version the next day, so we figured we better do it...just in case I had the baby then.   Ernesto is a paper mache master, so he was in charge of everything and did a great job.

It was quite easy!  It only took us 45 minutes, start to finish. In the kit you will find a few rolls of pre-plastered gauze, jar of petroleum jelly, a pair of rubber gloves, a drop cloth and the directions.

You will need to cut the gauze into strips.  Longer for the belly and shorter for the breast area. 

Mommy needs to rub the jelly all over her belly and breasts so the plaster will easily pop off.  Have a bowl of water handy to dip the strips and start placing them on belly area.  Place the strips in all different directions to make the cast stronger.  Here is our progress after just 15 minutes.

Here we are pretty much finished after 20 minutes.

I sat here for about 10-15 minutes under the fan.  I would recommend that you stand or sit straight up when getting the strips applied to make sure you get the proper shape/hang of your belly and breasts.

I love how it turned out!  What a great memory of my beautiful pregnant belly!!

 

It has been drying now for a few days, and it is ready to be sanded down.... or not.  I haven't decided what I will do with it.  I was thinking gold leaf! Have any of you tried a belly cast?  Did you decorate it or leave it in a rough state?

LAS MAÑANITAS

When Ernesto was young his parents always played a special song on the morning of his birthday.  Ernesto has kept this tradition going with me now for many years.  (it usually accompanies breakfast in bed too)  It is called Las Mananitas by the famous Mexican singer Pedro Infante.  

It is the sweetest song and makes me cry everytime I hear it.  (and no, it's not just because I'm pregnant)

We decided this would be the perfect song to play for the little mexi-mouth every morning, and the one we use to hum this bebe to sleep.  To make sure it is a familiar song from day one, we have been playing it everyday when we wake up.   

You may not understand it, but I think you will still love it!  Pedro's voice is as smooth as silk.
It's just a couple minutes long....have a listen.  I have added the lyrics in Spanish (below) so you can follow along.

LAS MAÑANITAS AMORES

by Pedro Infante

Estas son las mañanitas
que cantaba el Rey David
a las muchachas bonitas,
se las cantamos aquí.

Si el sereno de la esquina,
me quisiera hacer favor.
de apagar su linternita
mientras que pasa mi amor.

Despierta mi bien despierta,
mira que ya amaneció,
ya los pajarillos cantan
la luna ya se metió.

Ahora si, señor sereno,
le agradezco su favor.
encienda su linternita
que ya ha pasado mi amor.

Amapolita dorada
de los llanos de Tepic.
si no estas enamorada,
enamórate de mi.

Despierta mi bien despierta,
mira que ya amaneció,
ya los pajarillos cantan
la luna ya se metió.

Thinking About Baby Names...

Weekend Fun with Friends

Happy Monday!  What a great few days! Ernesto and I were with friends all weekend.  We had a birthday celebration Saturday and a cookout at Lucys yesterday.  Our "new" friends, Michael and Amanda were there too and they gave us a diaper cake!  Thanks guys!  (Although I am planning to use cloth diapers, these disposables will come in handy for traveling and when baby first comes home)

Will this be the last weekend of carefree living and no planning? 
My belly looks ready to burst right?  I have to say I will miss it when it's gone, being pregnant has   been really fun!

My friend Joanne was in Atlanta with her family for a few days too.  (We have been friends for over 12 years!!  We worked at the Delta ticket counter together in Columbus, OH and quickly became travel buddies.)  Friday, after meeting up at Flying Biscuit for breakfast we headed down the street to Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park. I have not been there in years, and it is really nice.  Its a small zoo, but there is a nice variety of animals, and the trails are all shaded with large trees and bamboo, a great stroll on a hot day.

Joanne and her husband Rick have a crazy cute daughter named Lucy.   It was fun watching her get excited with all the animals.  We were there 4 hours and really saw how toddlers can slow you down. Good thing we are rarely in a rush!

Remembering September 11

It's hard to believe 10 years have gone by since the attacks.  It will forever be ingrained in my brain what I was doing when the planes crashed into the twin towers September 11. 2001.  Im sure it is the same for you.

Ernesto and I were newlyweds and had been living in Atlanta just under a year.  We were renting an apartment in Midtown, and sharing just one car.  I was driving Ernesto to work at 8:45 and we heard on the radio that a "small commuter plane" had hit one of the towers.  What?  That is crazy!
My next stop was to go running at Piedmont Park, I parked the car, but could not tear myself away from the radio.  When they determined there were two planes and that they were 757's I raced home to turn on the TV.  I was glued there for the next 5 hours. 

I was working in the Delta Crown Rooms (International Terminal) at the time and my shift started at 3pm.  The trains were not running, and walking through the airport was the eeriest feeling I have ever had.  Normally bustling with thousands of passengers, the whole airport was a ghost town.  Silence.

Of course we were all sent home.  The airport was closed, planes were not flying and we had no clue when this would change.  

Nothing was more important than sitting in front of the TV watching all of the disturbing footage;  This continued for the next few days.  I felt so much empathy for all the families, friends and loved ones of all effected.  At the same time I felt so grateful for my family.

As I sit here this morning watching the memorial going on in NYC,  I again feel empathy.  I don't know how anyone could get over such a tragedy, but I hope that they have found peace. 

Do you remember where you were or what you were doing when you heard the news?

 

WEEK 38