Week 30: Baby Classes

For the past three weeks, we have been attending a prepared childbirth class. Justin was not happy to find out that it required 4 three-hour sessions, but he has been a great sport about it. He rubs my back and listens to all the information. There are about 12 couples in the class, one of which turns out to be my former boss and her husband. I was a little nervous about having someone I knew in the class because then I start to feel embarrassed, but we don't sit next to each other so it hasn't been a big deal. 

The first week we looked at images of what is going on inside the woman's body and Justin commented on the final image (3-4 weeks before birth) with regards to the almost absence of a bladder. "I thought you went to the bathroom a lot now, but in a couple weeks you'll just be permanently on the toilet." We watched the typical birth video and discussed the stages of labor.

The second week was spent on relaxation techniques and positions to relieve pain and move the baby if need be. That was helpful to an extent, but most are only applicable if you are not planning on an epidural, which I am. However, I did enjoy the massages Justin gave me during our mock contractions. 

We went to a separate class to fill out all our pre-registration paperwork so we wouldn't have to do it while I'm in labor. They went over the birth certificate forms, insurance, and social security card procedures. 

This past week we went on a tour of the hospital's maternity ward. I am planning on delivering at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, so it was really nice to be able to check out the facility before it's go time. They showed us where our visitors enter the hospital and the room for them to stay in, since I do not want ANYONE in my room with me except Justin and my mom. Then they showed us the birthing suites which all come with tv's, ipod hook ups, jacuzzi tubs, and wifi. That is where the baby is delivered and you stay for two hours after. Then they move you into a different room, which you stay in for the next 24-48 hours before being discharged. That is the room I can finally have Justin bring me sushi for dinner!

It is all so nicely decorated and makes for a soothing environment. It definitely helped us put together our birth plan and figure out what we are going to want to do when it's time. Plus, any hospital that offers free valet parking out front of their emergency room is impressive.

After each class, Justin and I go to Old Chicago for Monday Night Football, pizza, and to laugh about the silly breathing techniques they made us do or the guy who made his pregnant wife rub his back while he ate an apple and peanut butter from a very large jar he brought with him.

We have one more session to go and a class all about bathing, diapering, and swaddling a newborn. I can't believe how little time we have left before our little one makes her grand arrival!

Mail Call!

My cousin and Stella's godmother, Meg, sent a box (full of outfits she picked up while on vacation at Disneyland and a Christmas ornament from her mom) which arrived today. Look at who it was addressed to:

Not even born yet and she gets more mail than us! Justin and I thought it was hilarious! Apparently, Meg didn't even know she had done it! Hah!

My Mom's Birthday

The day after my baby shower was my mother's birthday and I was so glad I got to spend the day feeding spoiling her. I made German pancakes with fruit and whipped cream for breakfast, which we ate in her garden. We sat there and chatted for an hour or so, which was nice, until it got too hot out.

For lunch, my brother and I went to one of our favorite places, the Burger Barn, and picked up burgers and fries for the three of us. We ate those and then my brother and I gave my mom her gift......we shaved her dog for her. 

Tucker is a little black poodle, who was in desperate need of a hair cut. He couldn't see and he was so shaggy he looked like a sheep. So, with the 40 year old clippers my mom handed me that were used for her childhood dog, I started hacking away at Tucker's mangy hair while Bren held him still. I had strict instructions not to do his face. After about 2 hours of trying my best, I gave up when the clippers became too hot to hold anymore. 

I feel so awful for what I did to that poor dog. His back is naked, legs are half done (so it looks like he has boots on), and head is still outrageously fluffy. I do not have a future in dog grooming. For the next day, he wouldn't go near me. He was so angry at me for doing what I did to him (and laughing at his appearance). Now I understand why my mom wanted me to do it - so I would be the bad guy, not her. Poor dog.

Tucker before (with his best bud Opie the pug)

Tucker after

We rounded out Mom's birthday by having dinner at Grappolo's, the best Italian in Santa Ynez.

Mom, me, Bren, Luis, and Pam

I hope Mom enjoyed her birthday, I know Tucker didn't. I'm sorry Tucker....

Week 29: California Baby Shower

Because I am such an incredibly lucky girl, I get to have two baby showers! The first one was September 15th in Solvang, California, where I grew up. It was all put together by my mom and her best friend, Lisa O'Neill, (who was my fourth grade teacher and has since become like my second mother and had a large part in raising me with my mom). They took inspiration from my nursery and did a Paris theme with hot air balloons. The tables had pink table cloths with burlap runners topped with mason jars full of fresh lavender.

Food Table

Even my gift from Lisa was in theme!

I was so excited to see all the ladies who I hadn't seen in a long time - my girlfriends from elementary school and college. Seeing all their faces was great. We chatted and ate croissants, salad, fruit, and had tiramisu and chocolate cupcakes for dessert.

Left to Right: Kim, Liz, Tracy, Me (we all went to school together from elementary to high school.)

All my ladies!

Julia and I (She went to college with me and was my saving grace on many occasions)

Jenny and I (she's due right after me and having a boy!)

After eating, I got to open gifts. This baby is already so spoiled! We got tons of cute little outfits, bath supplies, toys and keepsakes. My friend Kim actually made some adorable baby boots! The bath tub we received was AMAZING! It is a jetted baby tub with shower attachment. It is more elaborate than our baths at home. Everyone says I should use it as a foot bath until it's time for baby. I can't believe how lucky and loved I am. I was so touched by everyone's presence and generosity.

The day was amazing and it was much needed. September 15th marks the anniversary of my father's passing and having my baby shower on that day truly shows the circle of life. We had a moment to remember my dad and enjoyed the happiness of welcoming a new life. I think he would have been the best grandpa and I'm sure he is very proud.

Now the dilemma: I flew to California with only one large suitcase. Packing everything up was impossible so I had to prioritize what to haul back, while keeping in mind not to go over 50lbs for fear of a $75 fee! Luckily, the bag weighed in at 33lbs (Damn! I could have packed more!) and Justin agreed to drive out to California and bring the rest of the gifts back. Such a great guy!

Maternity Photos

Matt did such a great job with these photos! We were really worried about how cheesy maternity photos can be so we avoided all of the silly traditions people typically do and we love the way they all came out. On top of the hard work he already put in, he printed all of the images for us as an added surprise. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing person in my life who would give up his free time to spend two hours taking our picture, editing all the photos, and then printing them without complaining or charging us. 

It was hard to narrow it down, but here are some of my favorites:

Smashed images

Today, Justin and I received the four amazingly beautiful photographs of Paris that my mother bought for the nursery. We were so excited about these because they really are the centerpiece of the room. Anyone who knows me, knows how much value I place on the things I hang on the walls of my home. My degree is in Art History so my own personal choices in art mean the world to me because it is my life's passion. Anyways, Justin opens the door and the box laying against our door was smashed. He brings it in and gives me this look like This is not going to be good. It looked like the box had gone from square to flat despite the numerous "Fragile" and "Do Not Crush" warnings the photographer had written all over the box. 

We opened the box and the rolled up images had gotten flattened during shipping.  Each of the four images have irreparable vertical creases. We both were so upset. 

Justin immediately told me to take pictures and email them to the photographer so we can get them replaced. Apparently, the same thing happened to another one of her clients earlier today as well, so she was very upset. Luckily, she is sending out new prints in art tubes (at no extra cost to us!) so it will not happen again. I feel so bad that she has to do this because it will cost her more money, but these meant the most to me for our baby's room. Hopefully the reprints will alleviate the disappointment we are feeling today.

Week 28: Glucose Test and Photo Shoot

This week I had another doctor's appointment, which consisted of the much dreaded glucose test. When I got there, they handed me this bottle of orange liquid and told me I had five minutes to drink it. It tasted like a non-carbonated orange soda and actually, was not as bad as I had anticipated. After finishing it, I had a normal appointment with the doctor and everything looked good. I got to hear her little heartbeat, which was pretty rapid because of the amount of sugar I had just ingested. After the appointment, I had to get my blood drawn to test if I had developed anemia or diabetes. It is pretty common for the baby to block the insulin production and the mom develops diabetes as a result. It goes away after giving birth. I got my results the following day and my levels were all within the normal range, which was a great relief.

Also this week, we had maternity photos taken by our dear friend Matt. He is my best friend Sarah's husband, one of Justin's very close friends, and an amazing photographer. (He is our official family photographer and he will be doing all of the baby pictures as well.) We went to Washington Park and took lots of photos there and some back at their home in their backyard. While we were out, Matt was bragging about Sarah's chicken stew that she was making for dinner and invited us over to join them. His real motive was so the guys can have man time, drink some whiskey, and play video games. When we got there in the evening, Matt had already developed the film he shot and started working on the digital images. He used two different cameras during the shoot - a medium format film camera and his digital camera. Sarah, Matt, and I were all worried about how they would turn out because maternity photos can be so cheesy, but they came out amazing! The four of us sat around the table as he scrolled through them and it was so interesting to see the difference between the digitally shot images and the film ones from his medium format camera. The film were so warm and full of color. They looked like they barely needed any editing! The digitals were great as well and had a cooler tone to them. I am so excited to get them back and print them. Our house is full of photos of Justin and I from our wedding 4 years ago and it will be so nice to have some more recent ones.

Baby Comfort Tester

Macy's new (self-proclaimed) job in the house is to test out the comfort level of all the new baby products. Below are the official photos documenting the rigorous testing Macy put each item through.

Changing pad testing in progress

Crib mattress testing in progress

Chair back support test in progress

I also noticed she gave high marks to the mobile above the crib as it held her attention for a solid five minutes while she tested the crib. All in all, I believe each item received the Macy stamp of approval.