Today we had our third OB/GYN appointment. Unfortunately we did not get an ultrasound but we did get to listen to the fetal doppler to hear baby's heart beat - that was neat. We also met with our favorite doctor of the group practice so far - Dr. Ewertz. He was very cool and also very knowledgeable. (We have a group practice, which means that we see all the doctors in the group and one of them will be on duty at the hospital for our delivery, we do not pick which one. Luckily, they have all been great.)
We were discussing delivery hospitals with Dr. Ewertz and which he thought were best when DH asked the important question: "Which one has the best nearby bars?" Ha ha, pretty funny.
I had a blood test done today that they use to compute chance of Down Syndrome and three other disorders. We should know the results in two weeks. Even if we get a positive result back though, that doesn't mean anything conclusive, it just means I would have to do additional testing - an amniocentesis - uck. Do not want.
We also made an appointment for a special ultrasound in April where they measure all sorts of things and check things out and also that's when we find out the sex of the baby. That will be a really fun appointment. So for all of you out there wondering when we find out the sex - remember this date: Wednesday, April 8. Check back right here for results!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Pregnancy & Baby = Learning
So we have been doing a lot of reading about pregnancy and babies! I thought it would be fun to do a little summary of the books we have been reading & ordering.
The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pregnancy was our first book and really helpful in the beginning weeks of pregnancy, it was fun for us to read about all that was going on with the baby and all the changes I was experiencing. It's kind of a field guide with lots of medical terms - a great book to reference.
The Girlfiend's Guide to Pregnancy came to me courtesy of my friend Tiffiny, who I have to thank for loaning me several books as well as a whole bunch of maternity clothes as well as much indispensable advice and support. This book is hilarious. It's less medical and more about how you feel in pregnancy and the nitty gritty of it. It made me laugh out loud several times. One term I really like is "progesterone poisoning" - because the pregnancy hormones really make you crazy. And believe me, they do. Just ask DH about Angry Pregnant Woman. (A term I borrowed from my friend Lindley.)
I bought this Father's First Steps book for DH. I think he's been reading it - I hope so. I looked at it a little bit and it had some great pointers for labor and delivery - ahh!!! Labor!!!
The Happiest Baby on the Block is a really popular book about how to soothe babies - particularly newborns. It seems to make a lot of sense but we'll see what happens when Baby Cummings arrives! This book is big on swaddling and the principal that babies are born a 3 months too early so you have to recreate the womblike environment for them.
The Baby Sleep Book is based on a method of parenting called AP: Attachment Parenting. It is interesting to read and these people are really big on co-sleeping, where the baby sleeps in bed with you. I think it's interesting but don't know if it will be for us. I plan on more of a bassinet situation at first. But it's good to read different theories.
I heard about the RIE approach - the method used in Your Self Confident Baby - during a daycare center tour. This approach is different from AP (above). I just ordered this book so I'll have to learn more about it.
And finally, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I felt so...well...womanly ordering this book. It's by the La Leche League and I figure it will be good to learn a bit about something I'm probbaly going to spend a LOT of my time doing. I am still amazed that my body will be able to make food for a little person. Wow.
Oh yeah, one more book: City Baby LA. This book is fun. It's about all the resources and shops in LA for babies and toddlers. I found a cool Mommy & Me class in this book and even though I signed up in January - I am on a waiting list...for August! Can you believe it? But hopefully it's great. It's definitely a fun read.
Okay, well that's it for books... for now. I'm sure I'll find more interesting things to discover and learn about in the coming months!
The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pregnancy was our first book and really helpful in the beginning weeks of pregnancy, it was fun for us to read about all that was going on with the baby and all the changes I was experiencing. It's kind of a field guide with lots of medical terms - a great book to reference.
The Girlfiend's Guide to Pregnancy came to me courtesy of my friend Tiffiny, who I have to thank for loaning me several books as well as a whole bunch of maternity clothes as well as much indispensable advice and support. This book is hilarious. It's less medical and more about how you feel in pregnancy and the nitty gritty of it. It made me laugh out loud several times. One term I really like is "progesterone poisoning" - because the pregnancy hormones really make you crazy. And believe me, they do. Just ask DH about Angry Pregnant Woman. (A term I borrowed from my friend Lindley.)
I bought this Father's First Steps book for DH. I think he's been reading it - I hope so. I looked at it a little bit and it had some great pointers for labor and delivery - ahh!!! Labor!!!
The Happiest Baby on the Block is a really popular book about how to soothe babies - particularly newborns. It seems to make a lot of sense but we'll see what happens when Baby Cummings arrives! This book is big on swaddling and the principal that babies are born a 3 months too early so you have to recreate the womblike environment for them.
The Baby Sleep Book is based on a method of parenting called AP: Attachment Parenting. It is interesting to read and these people are really big on co-sleeping, where the baby sleeps in bed with you. I think it's interesting but don't know if it will be for us. I plan on more of a bassinet situation at first. But it's good to read different theories.
I heard about the RIE approach - the method used in Your Self Confident Baby - during a daycare center tour. This approach is different from AP (above). I just ordered this book so I'll have to learn more about it.
And finally, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I felt so...well...womanly ordering this book. It's by the La Leche League and I figure it will be good to learn a bit about something I'm probbaly going to spend a LOT of my time doing. I am still amazed that my body will be able to make food for a little person. Wow.
Oh yeah, one more book: City Baby LA. This book is fun. It's about all the resources and shops in LA for babies and toddlers. I found a cool Mommy & Me class in this book and even though I signed up in January - I am on a waiting list...for August! Can you believe it? But hopefully it's great. It's definitely a fun read.
Okay, well that's it for books... for now. I'm sure I'll find more interesting things to discover and learn about in the coming months!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Registry - Whoa!
I have been working on our registry at Babies R Us and let me tell you - there is a lot of stuff to get! We don't want to be overwhelmed with stuff but it just seems like there are a lot of necessary items. Luckily, my friend Sascha gave me a spreadsheet of things that she used in her baby's first year and that has been really helpful. I also check things with Consumer Reports - especially big stuff like the car seat. I have also been checking out my friend Ev's registry - her baby is due in May - and copying her ideas. (This is actually funny because she copied some of her friends' registries!)
DH was looking at our registry and he thought it was funny how much stuff has to do with the baby's butt! I guess there is a lot going on there - diapers, wipes, butt cream, etc. Even the diaper genie! And if that's not enough butt stuff - I also found some "New Mamma Bottom Spray". For those of you who are pregnant or have had kids, you can imagine what this is for, and for those who haven't - probably best not to think about it. Still, a neat product.
We didn't register for much for our wedding because we already had most everything - but with this, we are starting at square 1! It's pretty fun though, there is a lot of neat stuff out there. I have been reading "The Happiest Baby on the Block" so I'm big on the infant carrier/sling thing, swaddle blankets and the white noise maker. Hopefully those things will help Baby Cummings to have an easier transition to life outside the womb.
DH was looking at our registry and he thought it was funny how much stuff has to do with the baby's butt! I guess there is a lot going on there - diapers, wipes, butt cream, etc. Even the diaper genie! And if that's not enough butt stuff - I also found some "New Mamma Bottom Spray". For those of you who are pregnant or have had kids, you can imagine what this is for, and for those who haven't - probably best not to think about it. Still, a neat product.
We didn't register for much for our wedding because we already had most everything - but with this, we are starting at square 1! It's pretty fun though, there is a lot of neat stuff out there. I have been reading "The Happiest Baby on the Block" so I'm big on the infant carrier/sling thing, swaddle blankets and the white noise maker. Hopefully those things will help Baby Cummings to have an easier transition to life outside the womb.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
One Big Chore Tackled
This weekend we moved a ton of boxes out of the second bedroom (soon to be baby room) into storage. DH of course did all the lifting. The crib and dresser have already been delivered so we'll probably take a crack at putting those together this weekend. Yes, we're getting stuff done early but everyone I talk to says the pregnancy starts going really fast towards the end so I figure it's good to get a head start.
Our next doctor's appointment is at the end of February. Not sure if we'll get another ultrasound but if we do, I'll be sure to post it. The pregnancy has been going well though - I am starting to get a pooch, which is very strange for me to see. I have become a lot more aware of my belly! I am also gaining weight at a faster pace. Besides that I'm just tired a lot of the time, which is hard for DH because he has the same energy level as before. I feel like such a party pooper all the time. And I'm jealous because he gets caffeine and alcohol and basically anything he wants to eat and I'm so restricted. But, it's not forever. The good news is I have become a very cheap date!
Other than that - we are excited that the Santa Monica Fish Company reopened at their new location - 1 block away from our place! We went on opening day and it was great! Very exciting. Also, both of my quilts are coming along nicely. I'm making a monkey themed quilt and an owl themed quilt. Both are very cute but most people like the monkey one better when they see them. It's a lot of work but it's fun work and I can't wait until they start coming together more. Of course I'll post pictures when I finish.
Our next doctor's appointment is at the end of February. Not sure if we'll get another ultrasound but if we do, I'll be sure to post it. The pregnancy has been going well though - I am starting to get a pooch, which is very strange for me to see. I have become a lot more aware of my belly! I am also gaining weight at a faster pace. Besides that I'm just tired a lot of the time, which is hard for DH because he has the same energy level as before. I feel like such a party pooper all the time. And I'm jealous because he gets caffeine and alcohol and basically anything he wants to eat and I'm so restricted. But, it's not forever. The good news is I have become a very cheap date!
Other than that - we are excited that the Santa Monica Fish Company reopened at their new location - 1 block away from our place! We went on opening day and it was great! Very exciting. Also, both of my quilts are coming along nicely. I'm making a monkey themed quilt and an owl themed quilt. Both are very cute but most people like the monkey one better when they see them. It's a lot of work but it's fun work and I can't wait until they start coming together more. Of course I'll post pictures when I finish.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Our New Blog!
Friends and family, welcome to our new blog. We want to have one place everyone can go for updates on Baby Cummings and other fun family information. We'll include pictures as we have them and welcome your comments!
To begin, I will post our last two ultrasounds.
This first ultrasound (above) is from 12/29/2008 - our first view of Baby Cummings. At this appointment, Baby is about 7 weeks old. We could clearly see the heart beating strongly, which was a great sign. Once you can see a heartbeat, your risk for miscarriage declines to 5%! So we felt pretty good after this appointment.
This ultrasound (above) is from a month later, 1/26/2009. Here we can more clearly see a head and body. At this appointment we could also see a leg and an arm, but when Dr. Bliss took the picture, Baby had moved and the limbs weren't captured.
At the time of this blog post, I am in my 13th week of pregnancy - which is the second trimester according to some sources. (Some sources say the second trimester starts in the 14th week.) I am choosing to call this the second trimester though because I feel much better. I am no longer nauseous, which is outstanding. I do feel pretty tired most of the time but that's to be expected. Baby Cummings is in a period of very rapid growth so it takes a lot of energy to make this little person!
In other exciting news, we've been getting the nursery ready. We've already cleaned out the closet and have a ton of boxes that we're taking to storage. We've gotten a few key baby items as well....
We were lucky to find a great deal on our stroller:
We got an orange Bugaboo Frog. We had a fun time learning to put it together. DH learned that sometimes it's good to read the instructions! Hopefully this lesson will carry through when we go to put together the crib and dresser:
This is our new crib and dresser! We are very excited about it. We love the modern look of the Oeuf crib and others (Netto, Nurseryworks) but hated the crazy price tag. We found this BabyMod set at Walmart. Go figure!
Well, I will try to be good and keep this updated as much as possible. Thank you for the cards and wishes we've been receiving - it is really cool to feel so loved and supported.
To begin, I will post our last two ultrasounds.
This first ultrasound (above) is from 12/29/2008 - our first view of Baby Cummings. At this appointment, Baby is about 7 weeks old. We could clearly see the heart beating strongly, which was a great sign. Once you can see a heartbeat, your risk for miscarriage declines to 5%! So we felt pretty good after this appointment.
This ultrasound (above) is from a month later, 1/26/2009. Here we can more clearly see a head and body. At this appointment we could also see a leg and an arm, but when Dr. Bliss took the picture, Baby had moved and the limbs weren't captured.
At the time of this blog post, I am in my 13th week of pregnancy - which is the second trimester according to some sources. (Some sources say the second trimester starts in the 14th week.) I am choosing to call this the second trimester though because I feel much better. I am no longer nauseous, which is outstanding. I do feel pretty tired most of the time but that's to be expected. Baby Cummings is in a period of very rapid growth so it takes a lot of energy to make this little person!
In other exciting news, we've been getting the nursery ready. We've already cleaned out the closet and have a ton of boxes that we're taking to storage. We've gotten a few key baby items as well....
We were lucky to find a great deal on our stroller:
We got an orange Bugaboo Frog. We had a fun time learning to put it together. DH learned that sometimes it's good to read the instructions! Hopefully this lesson will carry through when we go to put together the crib and dresser:
This is our new crib and dresser! We are very excited about it. We love the modern look of the Oeuf crib and others (Netto, Nurseryworks) but hated the crazy price tag. We found this BabyMod set at Walmart. Go figure!
Well, I will try to be good and keep this updated as much as possible. Thank you for the cards and wishes we've been receiving - it is really cool to feel so loved and supported.
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