We went to look at the litter of puppies when they were just 11 days old.  Once we had chosen Charlie, we kept visiting him on the weekends until he was finally eight weeks old and we could take him home.  And I always hated to leave him and eagerly awaited the day we could have him for keeps.

I feel the same way every time I get to see my baby.

I had another appointment today.  My mother is also still in town, having gotten stuck here while trying to avoid of all the global warming across the country.  So my favorite ultrasound tech gave grandma a quick peek at baby.

She's growing, especially in the cheeks.  (And since these things are basically rorschach tests, I made a little drawing of her face beside it so you can tell what you're looking at.)



I had been feeling spry up until a few days ago when I hit a major wall, and now I know why: she's getting big, and I have a knee in my ribcage.  I have finally hit that usch part of the end of pregnancy; I'm tired, sore, and chock full of baby.  I ate lunch today and then threw it up in my mouth in Target afterwards.  There's just no room.  When I sit, she's up in my ribs.  When I stand, she's sitting directly on my bladder.  I finally understand what people mean when they say they're really uncomfortable and ready to be done being pregnant.

And I have two months left to go.

Two more months before I can take her home for keeps.  And squeeze those cheeks.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:53 PM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
Post contains 277 words, total size 2 kb.

1 By the ninth month I was constantly munching because my husband is 6'2" and I am 5'1" and I was huge!  A "meal" meant I had acid reflux for the next 2 days.

Posted by: Tracey at January 11, 2010 06:41 PM (x+F0t)

2 Hooray for global warming! Grandma wouldn't have seen her granddaughter without it!

The Peanuts-like drawing helps. Now that I can see her face, she seems really real.

Did you notice that about seven weeks passed before you could take Charlie home ... which is almost two months? At least those seven weeks weren't physicially usch. Or as we would say in English, ouch!

And squeeze those cheeks.

And she'll eventually squeeze you back!

Posted by: Amritas at January 11, 2010 07:04 PM (cs8bo)

3 How awesome!!  So glad grandma got hooked up, yo!    Your tech is a super kindhearted person.

Posted by: wifeunit at January 11, 2010 07:15 PM (4B1kO)

4

Reading about someone else's pregnancy, it goes by much faster.  I'm sure that's comforting.    It was at this point in my pregnancies when I remember feeling so powerful and special and particularly connected to all women throughout time.  It is a singular experience and despite all of the changes in modern life and the trappings of modern pregnancy (like ultrasound), the feeling of that baby inside you hasn't changed.  Apparently I get contemplative while pregnant.  Plus, I actually liked being pregnant.

I can't remember if you're working or not, but when the serious nesting urge kicks in, remember to sleep a lot (or whenever you can) and get your feet up!

I didn't get a chance to chime in on what to buy, but along those lines, I highly recommend (depending on your home layout) having a portable, mini diaper changing station in addtion to the main one.  We kept a basket with diapers, changing pad, wipes, butt cream, an extra onesie, and receiving blanket in the family room next to the rocking chair.  Very handy.  Also, sleeping on a towel or washable, absorbant pad will save you from washing your sheets everytime something leaks (be it a diaper, breast or sanitary pad).  Hope that wasn't TMI, but it will save you some laundry in those early days when sleep is at a premium.

Enjoy the anticipation of meeting your daughter.  And I for one will vote for you morphing into a mommy blogger.  Please?

Posted by: Christa at January 11, 2010 07:32 PM (2qSbp)

5 ADORABLE. Sarah, I remember feeling the same way - sitting was uncomfortable, standing was etc. I remember thinking "I cant get any bigger" but did. I knew it was bad when I was outgrowing my maternity clothes...Only a few more weeks!!

Posted by: keri at January 11, 2010 08:24 PM (dtvJC)

6 Lols about the drawing...I sooo needed that before W "interpreted" for me.

Posted by: calivalleygirl at January 11, 2010 09:35 PM (XkiVB)

7 I never felt that way with either of our kids.  Weird.  My wife, on the other hand...

Funny thing--if you can do it, push back on the offending protrusion.  Sometimes, they will push back too!

The Mrs. says frequent position changes are the name of the game.

For a real treat, swallow pop rocks. 

Posted by: Chuck Z at January 11, 2010 09:36 PM (bMH2g)

8 *hugs*  If it would make the next 8 weeks go by faster, I'd count them down with you.  Heck, I might just do it anyway in hopes of it making a difference

Posted by: Susan at January 11, 2010 09:36 PM (EU2Wl)

9 chock full of baby!!!!!!!

Posted by: MaryIndiana at January 12, 2010 03:14 AM (ZzRNC)

10 She is beautiful. The last couple of months went by so sloooww for me. I hope they move quicker for you.

Posted by: Tressa at January 12, 2010 10:30 AM (yY6P+)

11 Congrats! And soon you can chew on noses and smell that luscsious sweet baby smell that only newborn + wipes + baby wash + hugs + snuggly blankets/clothing can smell like ... like new puppy smell but BETTER. 

Posted by: Darla at January 12, 2010 11:35 AM (XvIN7)

12 Sssoooo that's what GIRLS look like! So happy for you and that Grandma was able to see her!  Be sure and sleep, sleep, sleep because it won't be long and a night of sleep will just be a memory

Posted by: Laura, A Military Mom at January 12, 2010 03:30 PM (oLHZ3)

13 She's beautiful.  It's amazing too, because they really do look like those pictures once they're out and you can make the comparison.  Sometimes babies drop a little before the end, and it becomes either a little more bearable or worse.  Here's hoping she shifts and gives you a little relief...

Posted by: Ann M. at January 13, 2010 12:32 AM (+GQ3g)

14 Ann is so right--sometimes when I look at Ian's profile, even though he's almost two, I can see that ultrasound at 20 weeks.

And ChuckZ brings up a fun thing, too: I used to be able to "tickle" Ian's feet when he pushed out with them.  He would lodge a shoulder on my left hip bone and stretch so his foot was almost visible just under my rib cage, on the right.  I could rub his foot with my finger, and he'd twitch or withdraw--or kick back!  Totally an "Aliens" moment.  I had to keep pushing his feet back down when he did that. 

He didn't like his space encroached upon, either.  He actually pushed me away from a counter when I was leaning on it while doing dishes.   He's still pretty sensitive about things around his feet.  The kid can KICK!   He'll play soccer someday.

Posted by: Deltasierra at January 13, 2010 02:12 AM (/Mv9b)

15 Going swimming helped alleviate the "I can't breathe but I really have to pee!" scenario that played out daily for the last 2-3 months of my last pregnancy. Little Man was long and I am not, therefore he was in my ribs and on my bladder at the same time and there were days where it would have me in tears. Swimming helped me feel a little less...stuffed. But "chock full of baby" is a wonderful thing So is "for keeps".

Posted by: HomefrontSix at January 16, 2010 05:04 AM (2vZeF)

16 Yep.  About 7 months, I remember feeling very "full of baby", and then at about 8  months, he "dropped" and I had room to eat again.  And boy was I hungry.  All the time.  Until the last month, when I was soooo ready to be done, because he'd refilled back up all the space he'd relieved when he dropped.  But my little guy was 97th percentile size-wise.  I hope your little girl is a little less huge, for your comfort's sake.   Enjoy these last couple months of independence; now that my son is here, my life revolves around him, and I don't always get to do what I want when I want.  And see any movies you want to see in theatres, 'cause you'll have to get a sitter for any movies you want to see for the next year or two, at least.

Posted by: leofwende at January 16, 2010 01:46 PM (28CBm)

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The vivid pregnancy dreams are quite amusing.  Several times I've dreamt that I have a transparent stomach, that I can see inside and see the baby.  I guess that's a high-tech kangaroo pouch!  I'm always dreaming that I get to see her.

But recently I've begun dreaming that she's born, but she's a different species.  About a week ago, she was a kitten.  Last night she hatched from an egg as a chick.  And both times, this has seemed completely normal.

Last night's dream was so vivid and detailed.  My husband made it home from Afghanistan.  A few hours later, I laid an egg, which we watched and held until a little beak broke through the shell.  We helped remove pieces of shell and found a little yellow chick inside.  And it was our baby!  There was nothing odd about it.  We were talking about how we needed to swaddle her tight so her chicken legs don't flail about, and I started crying.  I looked at my husband and said, "We did it.  You made it home and then she was born.  We finally did it."

Right sentiments, wrong species.

But the really funny part of the dream was when I positioned the empty egg shell so that I could take a photo of it to put on my blog for all of you to see...

Posted by: Sarah at 09:08 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 232 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Were you sitting in a nest when you laid an egg?

I'm waiting for fish. Or better yet, invertebrates.

Who's to say these nonhuman offspring don't mutate into humans over time? Maybe you started off as an animal. But which one?

Posted by: Amritas at January 02, 2010 09:59 AM (ke9P1)

2 Ah! And instead you'll have to beat your husband to let you hold your precious baby girl! Do you have Dibs! word already planned out?

Posted by: Darla at January 02, 2010 01:28 PM (XvIN7)

3 I don't think I ever had animal dreams, but I did have dreams where I took the baby out so I could hold it, then put it back in so it could finish growing.  Don't ask me how -- my dream didn't show that part!

Posted by: Deltasierra at January 03, 2010 01:17 AM (/Mv9b)

4 I wonder if you are unconsciously open to dream suggestions, like having a velociraptor.

Posted by: Deskmerc at January 03, 2010 02:56 AM (pYOXQ)

5 They sound like cool dreams, weird but cool, because it doesn't seem to matter the species of baby - you just sound happy in your dreams.

Posted by: Mare at January 03, 2010 04:44 AM (HUa8I)

6 Ain't the subconscience a strange thing?  And though I'm sure we all are on the edges of our seats to see the first 'out of the pouch' picture, um, I for one, don't really need to see the placenta.  Not every dream is meant to come true you know.  Just sayin'. ;o)

Posted by: MargeinMI at January 03, 2010 09:56 AM (H10z5)

7

Your dreams gave my day a "happy" smile It won't be long and you will be holding that little one!

Posted by: Laura, A Military Mom at January 07, 2010 04:48 PM (oLHZ3)

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Thank you for all your help on the previous post.  I really appreciate the input.  I will head to Babies R Us to try again this week, and hopefully I will be less overwhelmed.

Posted by: Sarah at 09:09 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 36 words, total size 1 kb.

Today I went to try to register for baby items.  It was a disaster.

I have read posts where other bloggers ask for help with registering.  The problem is that most people suggest big items: strollers, car seats, etc.  And that's what most people register for.  But I've been working on a baby for three years, and after all that time, I have most of the big stuff.  I feel like, if I'm bringing a child into the world, I ought to be the one to pay for all this crap, not my friends.  So I have been to several garage sales and consignment shops to get what I thought I needed.  I also have wonderful friends who are done having children and have been very generous with their hand-me-downs.  I can't thank them enough for all the stuff they've given to me.  Thus I have all the big items.

What I need help with are the little things.

There are a bazillion different types of pacifiers, bottles, nipples, rattles, sippy cups, and gadgets.  Do babies really want a mirror in the back seat of a car so they can see forward?  Has anyone used the tray on the Bumbo seat and is it worth having?  Do you need those concave holders to put in the crib?  Bottle warmers?  Sun visors for the back windows in the car?  The cloth blankets that go in grocery carts?  I have a Boppy but how many covers do people usually have?

This is all that's left for me to get.  I have the big items: I have two "travel system" strollers, a pack-n-play, a high chair, two bath tubs, a crib, three bouncy seats, etc.  I am more than squared away in that department.  I also have more clothes than this baby will ever be able to wear in her first year, unless we change outfits every two hours and get her picture made at Sears every weekend.  Seriously, I went way overboard this summer.  But I need the boring little accessories.  This is the stuff I don't have, but to me it's the stressful stuff.  For example, I know most babies have a pacifier preference and you just have to figure out what it is...so do you register for one of every kind?  It feels dumb to register for a $2.39 pacifier, but that's really the stuff I need at this point.  I think someone could go in and buy my entire registry for $20 right now.  (Hell, I was tempted to just buy my entire registry today, but that defeats the purpose of a registry.)

What I'd like to know is: What were the little gadgets you thought were the most useful?  What brand did your kid prefer and do you know why?  How many of each thing did you have, like crib sheets, bottles, etc?  I don't want to go overboard, but I also don't want to do laundry and dishes every five minutes either.  Is there something you had but didn't think was worth it?

Help.

Posted by: Sarah at 06:36 PM | Comments (26) | Add Comment
Post contains 509 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Heck, I wish there was a way you could start a college fund for her now and open it up.  $10-20 now will make a difference 18 years from now.  Especially when you factor in birthdays and other events along the way.

Posted by: R1 at December 28, 2009 06:59 PM (gEuss)

2 Here's my suggestion...don't register for any of that stuff. Explain to people that you have the big-ticket stuff and there really isn't anything you need right now. That being said, if someone still wants to get you something, you can tell them what stores you have in your area or what online retailers you prefer.

I can sit here and tell you that Little Man preferred the Gerber pacis but your daughter may abhor them. It's a lot of trial and error for those things (pacis, bottles, etc.). You tend to buy what you need WHEN you need it. That's where the gift cards come in handy.

Or you can ask for diapers - you KNOW you'll be using those (most likely regardless of brand. Personally, Luvs worked for us but not so much for others.). Or you can tell people that you have an ESA or 529 plan set up for your child for their future education.

But don't feel obligated to add to a registry. If you don't need anything right now, that's perfectly fine (and wonderful to boot! Yay for yard sales and gently used items!). And try not to get overwhelmed. Dove or Ivory soap works just as well as Burt's Bees or J&J. If the Gerber pacis don't work, go grab a Nuk. Maybe buy 2 or 3 different kinds to have on hand at home so you're not running out every 45 minutes. But like AWTM said, they really don't NEED much.

I'm so freaking excited that you're TO this point. What a blessing to be overwhelmed by the minutae.

Posted by: HomefrontSix at December 28, 2009 07:10 PM (umhCJ)

3 I'll echo HF6 - it's easy to get overwhelmed, but seriously don't sweat it.  It's one of those things you'll figure out as you go along, each time you have a baby.    Oh yes, that's right.  Just because one kid likes Avent bottles and pacifiers (two of my four did) doesn't mean they all will.  You'll probably buy pacifiers every single time you hit Tar-zhey or Wal Mart anyway, for about a year.  It's best just to view those things as disposable, because otherwise you'll spend two hours of your sleeping time every day trying to find out where the pacifier went.

If people ask where you're registered - say Tarzhey and only have diapers on your list.  Seriously.  You'll go through a TON of those.  And ask for the bigger sizes, because everyone seems to buy newborn.  My son NEVER wore newborn.  He was too big when he was born.  I would experience serious tears of joy when people bought me diapers for a baby present.  BEST GIFT EVER.

And wipes.  Although you can't really plan ahead for wipes because some babies need non-scented, some babies smell particularly bad (my second daughter smelled like mustard fairly frequently for some reason, and we had to use the strongest scented wipes all over her body), and some babies don't have any preference.

All the other stuff... You'll figure out what you need as you go along.  I know how flippant that sounds, but seriously - a lot of this stuff just ends up as junky clutter when you realize that your particular kid doesn't need it.  And if you do need the nose suckie thingie (I never did, aside from the actual homebirth event), it's about 4$ for the super deluxe version at any grocery store.  Easy to get.

You could also use it as an excuse to weird people out.  Get some really interesting stuff on that list...

Posted by: airforcewife at December 28, 2009 07:35 PM (uE3SA)

4

Sarah - I would echo the others. Diapers and wipes are good. I suspect folks will get you gift cards so you can get what you need once she is born.

For me, in terms of bottles, I LOVED LOVED LOVED Dr Browns. (This was after trying playtex and various other kinds)

Also, if you're planning to bfeed, you could register for a nice pump. I bought a medela brand and it was nice (or your hospital might rent for a few weeks while you determine if its what you want to do). Folks might not want to buy you a pump, a little personal, I suppose, but you could then use the gift cards towards it (They are about $300) - just an idea.

 

Posted by: Keri at December 28, 2009 08:38 PM (dtvJC)

5 Those cool hooded bath towel things look nifty ... and the nice baby slings so you can tuck her close and away from pawing fingers, also frees arms while grocery shopping/laundry/etc.
Donations to her college fund perhaps? lol. I suggest mass selecting it ALL and maybe being cutsy creative on any baby shower invites like 'need all the small stuff' and 'more colors than just pink pretty please.' ::sigh:: Good luck! I'm sure you'll be showered with good will and plenty of hugs once that boy of yours gets home

Posted by: Darla at December 28, 2009 09:02 PM (XvIN7)

6

I know someone who thinks the cloth grocery seat cover was better than the invention of the internet.  I can drop an email and see which one survived her sons best.

I thought the mirror in the back seat was so mom can see baby as well.  Mind you, I only have a cat and she hates the car so I'm no expert.

These days at work when someone has a kid, we do the gift card/diaper route.  It's a known EPIC WIN, especially when you're not sure what the person already has.  

But you probably have a couple of internet friends who would love to log on to Target.com and buy one of every pacifier to not only send a gift but save you a trip to the store.  There are other people who know and respect the power of a box of diapers and that's the route they'll prefer.  Gift cards are a classic as well because they can be tucked inside the cutest baby card ever with a personal note.  The gift givers are as different as the gift recipients and so maybe you try a few different angles?  I know, this doesn't make it any easier.

Of course you have to register here for your weird friends like Chuck:  http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/newborn-infant/

And it's pretty funny that my longest comment ever on your site was about baby stuff...  heh.

Posted by: Code Monkey at December 28, 2009 09:09 PM (LRsbE)

7 Code Monkey -- Chuck can get me this.  Heh.

Posted by: Sarah at December 28, 2009 09:14 PM (gWUle)

8 Diaper warmer!!!!!!!!  Our little girl screamed each time we used one before we had it.  One night I had to pee in the middle of the night and didn't want to wait for the water to warm up to clean myself (can't use toilet paper) and squirting cold water on myself made me realize why she screamed.  Hubby bought one first thing the next morning and it ended our diaper nightmare.  Seriously do register for all of the different pacificers in different sizes, ours hated the newborn size and went straight to 6 months at 1 week of age.  You think it will be easy for you to go out to get them but it won't.  It will take you an hour just to attempt to get out of the house and then she will be hungry again so you have to start all over.  I also hate it when people only register for the $300 things as if we have that kind of money to spend on them so loved it when they choose lots of little things, but that is just me!  ( I HATED under the belly pants too!)

Posted by: Tracey at December 28, 2009 09:33 PM (x+F0t)

9 We had a our first baby girl in August so this summer I was getting alot of the small baby items b/c I wanted everything to be ready when she came. I pumped into bottles so the bottle warmer has been the best thing we have used the most, along with the diaper genie II elite, I liked that the keeps the diapers compact in place so its easy to take out to the trash.  Gift Cards are also great things, nice & unexpected gifts that came in the mail.  Diapers.com is a great place to order diapers once you know the brand you like, ships to your house so no running out of the house for diapers since they go quick.

Posted by: MN NG Wife at December 28, 2009 10:15 PM (dH8av)

10 Didn't use pacifiers or bottles, so can't help you there, and I only used the shopping cart thing once because I carried them in the Bjorn when I shopped.  Definitely get several brands of diapers, I liked the Pampers swaddlers , not the baby dry.  (diapers.com is great)
The mirror in the back seat was a life saver.  When it was up, they stared at themselves the whole ride, if not, they screamed.
Buy your own diaper bag, there are tons of choices and you'll want one that fits your needs.

Posted by: Susan at December 28, 2009 10:18 PM (Y8ZGj)

11

Hmm... my vote is for baby hoodie towels and diapers.  And baby nail clippers.  I swear - they evaporate.  You'll probably want like, six, so you can keep a set in every room plus your purse, LOL... maybe two for the bathroom.

Aside from that, the "every baby is different" is SO true - if you have older-baby-ed friends, you might try borrowing the stuff like swings, Johnny Jump-ups, etc., once Baby's old enough.  Ours didn't like his swing until he was around 5 months, and then he LOVED it.  Hated the jumpers, though.

At any rate, this would probably be a good way to stock up on whatever type of diapers you'd like - we loved Pampers Swaddlers for newborns & then moving up to Cruisers with their mesh lining to keep Kiddo's skin cleaner; if I could do it over, I'd probably do cloth one-sizers with snaps and NO sleeve-style inserts, but Pampers ROCKED for us.

A sling is pricey and awkward; my friend just uses 6 yards of a fun fabric to wrap her little one up and carry her around (although I'm not sure of the technique) - whatever the situation, Baby will LURVE to be held. 

Have fun!  Trust your instincts as her Mommy... we all learn as we go!

Posted by: Krista at December 28, 2009 10:47 PM (sUTgZ)

12

First of all, some of the best gifts are ones you don't register for or really even think of!

As far as registering for needed items - if you have a dishwasher, you'll need one of those little baskets to put all the little parts of bottles (and cups as she gets older) in so they don't get away. Also good to stick the pacifier in to sanitize. You'll need plenty of burp rags (wether fancy or just cloth diapers) and small receiving blankets. Although you won't need them right away, baby proofing items are always good to put on the list! Outlet covers etc. Also keep in mind that if you get a ton of diapers, just stack the boxes all up & see how they work.  You can always return/exchange them for the brand and size that you need.

I LOVED the mirror in the back.  When I was driving by myself, I would panic a lot less when I could just take a look & see baby's little face & know she was perfectly fine. Especially if she had a cold or was coughing.

Although some people swear by the wipe warmers, my mom always said she never got one because she didn't figure it was fair to have a baby used to a nice warm wipe & anytime you're away from home they get suprised by a cold one!

Posted by: sharona at December 28, 2009 10:54 PM (BeRta)

13 Er... a sling was pricey and awkward *for us*.  Totally didn't mean to reject part of Darla's comment!!!  I know they work for a lot of people...

Posted by: Krista at December 28, 2009 11:23 PM (sUTgZ)

14 How about a book shower?  My children sat and read 20 books a day....no kidding....

Posted by: awtm at December 28, 2009 11:47 PM (4TV/d)

15 Hmm...those things are all so hard to say...they are so trial and error!  How many differenty types of bottles did we try?  How many different sippy cups do we have before we found the one he liked?  It is up in the air...and he HATED the Bumbo! 

I agree on books!  Rusty LOVES books and he got tons of them for Christmas, but I feel there can NEVER be enough!  Maybe think of the future??  Like, things you might want for her as a toddler?  I find that now is the time when we are like, oh we wish we had this or that!

Posted by: Stacy at December 29, 2009 12:20 AM (Yd8ew)

16 Echoing the ladies above that said each baby is different regarding pacifiers/bottles.  My oldest wouldn't even take a bottle. grrrr LOL  He also rejected pacifiers. Only mom would do. Weaning him was a fun time let me tell you!!  2nd born loved pacifiers, and didn't care which bottle he got food out of and he weaned himself at 10 months because he realized with a bottle he could move around~nursing required sitting still!

Maybe register for a few different kinds of pacifiers and then use those as your trial and error for which ones she'll like. Then it's not your dime!

You can never have too many sheets for the crib!  My boys wet through their diapers a lot in the beginning. Although, your daughter might not seeing as my boys basically did that because the whole front of their diaper was waterproofed with vaseline for the first week of life LOL (protecting their little boy parts from sticking to the diaper after the circumcision)

Register for lots of diapers, wipes and butt creams~you know you'll need those!  Also, lots of spit up rags!  My oldest didn't spit up much, but my 2nd born had reflux and we went through 5 or 6 a day for about 8 months.

don't worry about registering for the small stuff~that way your friends on a tight budget have lots to choose from!

Oh, if you are going to breastfeed~I used this thing called "My Breast Friend" (lame name I know LOL) but it was AWESOME!  I am large busted and I had to use the "football" hold for my boys and that thing was a lifesaver for supporting them while they ate.

Posted by: Tracy S at December 29, 2009 12:25 AM (3N/bf)

17 Wow, so many comments already.   I was going to blog about this particular thing, too, but on the other end -- which items I never ever thought I'd use but come in handy every single day.  Instead, I'll leave an exceptionally long comment!  I'm good for that, usually.

We ended up getting much of our big items second hand, as well as much of our son's clothing.  The rest was trial and error (and Target was my VERY VERY FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH EVAR -- at least, you'd think so, judging by the receipts in my wallet . . . ).

Ian didn't suck well at first, so pacifiers were a big mystery.  Finally, I got a tip from The Baby Whisperer that you need to try to find one shaped like your own nipple, and since I had plastic shields, I needed a wider pacifier (bulb-shaped, rather than orthodontic).  They were the only kind he would take!  It improved his suck significantly.  Now, as he grows older, he's more accepting of other shapes, and I try to get bigger ones as he grows.  Gonna hafta break him of it, soon, though.

Nursing cover (or "Hooter Hider"): You're probably more of a home-body than I am, but if you can't nurse in public without a big production (that was my problem) you probably want a cover that has a strap to go around your neck, and a stiff band at the top that bows outward and allows you to look down at your baby without having to lift the cloth.  This will also allow you to nurse when your baby is distracted by everything.

Nursing tanks:  I lived in my nursing tanks.  Then Target's Gilligan O'Malley stopped making the "ultimate", and I had to find a new brand.  GlamourMom (can be found online or at Motherhood stores) tanks are okay, but have little support.  There are other brands out there worth taking a look at, including ones that sell shirts with built-in bras or support.  I hated nursing bras, because, well, I hate buying bras.  Nursing tanks were SO much simpler.

Nursing pads: I hate to be one of those people who say YOU MUST BUY THIS BRAND IT IS THE ONLY ONE FORGET THE OTHERS, etc., but I went through every brand of nursing pad, and, honestly, the only one that held up, soaked up, stayed in place, and didn't actually make me look like I was wearing a nursing pad was Lansinoh.  I buy them for baby showers, because I think every new mom should have them.  They have goodies in their boxes, too, like wipes (they make great wipes, which I use mainly for freshening up or bathing a stinky baby, and Target makes a great off-brand version of them) or diaper cream.   Beware of any adhesive-to-your-skin brands: Aside from leaving adhesive on your breast tissue, they might also cause milk to become backed up, resulting in clogged ducts or mastitis.

Also, Lansinoh lanolin cream for sore nipples is da bomb: You buy one tube (maybe two -- one for the bathroom and one for the diaper bag), and you can bequeath it/them to your daughter when she has babies.  I kid you not.  It lasts forever.

The wipe warmer: We had one given to us before Ian was born.  My husband disdained it.  I was afraid to plug it in, because my husband would make fun of me.  I finally did, because I needed something heavier than those cheap plastic tubs the wipes came in when I was down to my last couple wipes and flinging the tubs around to get them out before Ian could pee on me.  Now, I can't live without the darn thing.  Gets sticky poop off like a charm!  Yes, wipes in the car will get chilly and make baby angry, maybe, but Ian hasn't complained.  I can warm those with my hands.

Bottles: Can't help ya there.  Ian didn't really care for bottles.  I hated pumping (SO. VERY. MUCH.), so he didn't often get bottles.  Just do some research, read some reviews, and then buy ONE (1) at a time to see if your baby will take it.  If she won't, keep it for later or for her to use for her dolls when she's older.

Pumps: Medela.  Oops, there I go, being all particular again.  Honestly, though, once I did start needing to pump so I could get away for more than three or four hours, I bought a Medela Harmony manual pump, which, I have to say, is totally awesome.  It can get messy, but, hey, you'll be used to sticky bodily fluids by then!  I bought an electric pump from my sister-in-law's "No More Babies!" garage sale she was having with her friends (it's not recommended to use an electric pump for more than one person -- it voids the warrantee -- but I knew all the people who'd used it, so I knew its history), and it was also awesome.  You really cannot go wrong with a Medela Pump In Style.  It's expensive, but worth its weight in gold when it comes to quality, relatively trouble-free and long-lived electric pumping.  From what I read, it's also more user-friendly.  By the time I'd used it a couple times, I could do it all in my sleep.  And since the only time I could get anything worth keeping was 5am, I pretty much had to.

Diapers: More trial-and-error.  I love Huggies (especially their newborn diapers with the cutout for the umbilical stump).  But I also like Target brand.  And the cheapest ones from Wal-Mart.  Totally preference and what doesn't give your child a rash.  Beware of Luvs and Pampers: They are cushy-soft (and expensive), but they have a fragrance.  Sometimes that is rash-inducing.  If someone is insisting on holding a baby shower for you, tell them to hold a diaper shower, where people bring diapers and wipes.  You will need them.  In great quantity.  You might find you're enjoying your Costco membership more than you ever have, or if you're not a member of Costco, you'll find yourself becoming one.  Seriously: Best prices on diapers (though I don't recommend Kirkland brand) and wipes (I recommend Kirkland brand).  I have to buy Overnights for Ian now, because he will wet through a diaper at night like no one's business, but other than that, I get all my diapers and wipes at Costco.

Boppy: I didn't have a lot of success nursing with a Boppy.  It was too overstuffed, and slid out of the way so that I was holding Ian up, anyway (though it's perfect for the hospital).  The recommendation of the Breast Friend above is a good one: It belts around your waist and is flat and wide -- perfect for nursing.  I will probably get one with the next baby!  During the night, though, I curled my Snoogle so that it supported my back and wrapped around my waist so I could nurse in bed.  I was not at all skilled at laying down to nurse, so that was my favorite thing to do to nurse in bed.  Got a lot of books read that way, too.

I think that's all I can think of right now, and this comment's long enough.  OH: One thing you need BEFORE baby is born is a good rectal thermometer, preferably one that reads in ten seconds or less.  You will not get a better reading on a newborn or infant than a rectal.  It's a pain in the -- well, you know -- but if you get a two- or ten-second thermometer, it won't be such a struggle to take a temp.  It's also something you don't want to be trying to buy at midnight when you're paranoid, hormonal, sleep-deprived, and sore.  Trust me on this one.

Well, I guess I decided this comment wasn't long enough.  Here's just a little bit more . . .

***A quick note of caution on baby carriers and backseat mirrors: 

Baby carriers (not slings, but the kind that look like a backpack):  Though they are expensive, it's best to go with a front/back carrier like a Beco or Ergo, or a well-made mei tai.  You want something that will not allow the baby's legs to dangle straight down, because baby is essentially hanging by its crotch, and that is bad for blood flow.  Baby needs to look like s/he's sitting in a chair, with legs splayed or bent naturally.  You also want something that is going to allow for some of baby's weight to rest on your hips.  Baby Bjorns, Snuglis, and the less-expensive brands you find in Target or Wal-Mart usually leave all the carrying to your back and shoulders, and that can get pretty uncomfortable pretty quick -- and you're already going to be dealing with back strain when your milk comes in and bending over to change diapers, etc.

Backseat mirrors:  If you belt your child's car seat in without a base, this isn't an issue.  However, when using a car seat base, in the event of a collision, the base can swing upward and the backseat mirror can pose a striking hazard.  That said: Most of those mirrors are shatter-proof, anyway, so I think the concern is kind of overreactive.  Despite that information, I still wanted one, because it would have been nice to see what Ian was doing by just checking over my shoulder, rather than stopping the car or waiting to check till I was stopped.  But we quit using a base early on, because it was just easier to strap his car seat in with the belt, and we don't have headrests for the back seat. 

If you get a mirror that attaches to your windshield so you can see into the back seat (usually best after baby is in a front-facing seat), go for the Munchkin brand.  I used two others before I got that one.  It telescopes and swivels, and the funhouse mirror effect is minimal.

As always, I've provided much overinformation.  Hopefully it's a little helpful, even after all the comments pretty much saying the same things.   I love passing on my tried-and-tested recommendations, though.  It makes some of the frustration of testing them worth it if I can save someone else a little time.

Posted by: Deltasierra at December 29, 2009 02:49 AM (/Mv9b)

18 I agree with books. You can never have too many, and can ask for picture books in the 3-5 year old range so you will have a variety. Or ask people to buy their favourite books from when they were children, or their children's favourite books. Stephanie

Posted by: stephanie at December 29, 2009 08:08 AM (3Xb0i)

19 You've got some great suggestions above. No one has mentioned puddle pads yet. I found these useful, and so did my daughter-in-law. They are basically rubber pads, lap or bassinet sized, that look and feel like flannel. As babies change size and shape, diapers don't always contain what they should as you go figuring out the next brand/size diaper to use, also, babies love to empty their systems during diaper changes, so having a water proof pad that's easy to clean is much nicer than stripping sheets off a surface. The other item, but it's a bigger one, is a rocking chair or glider. If you don't have one, I highly recommend one. They and feeding/restless babies are made for each other. My babies liked motion, whether it was the rocker or a trip around the block in a car when you just couldn't get them settled. Last item, my kids needed a quiet routine to settle at night, during the day they would sleep through anything, but, at night, a transition was nice. I'm old fashioned, youngest is 21 now. I liked the wind up as in.. no batteries.. lullaby devices without lights. I found some wind up stuffed animals that the heads moved that I gave my daughter-in-law three years ago that worked. We kept them next to but outside the crib. Not sure of the brand. You've mentioned recognizing the knees and feet that you see in the ultrasound, you will after she's born, and, you will also have a reasonable idea as to her temperment as well. It's clear that you are going to enjoy being a mom! She's a lucky little lady.

Posted by: HChambers at December 29, 2009 08:17 AM (fPi9F)

20 LOL, you're in the stage where you find out half of the products marketed to new moms are crap and half are God-sends ... and you need to figure out which are which!

Things I recommend:

-Hooter Hider if you're going to breastfeed. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that name, LOL!

-Other breastfeeding items that worked for me: Lanisoh ointment (can't recommend this highly enough!), Johnson's nursing pads, and the Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump. A bonus is that you can pump directly into the Avent Bottles and them pop the bottle right into the freezer for storage. Don't get the humungo sized bottles -- the small ones are fine for a long time.

I see that others recommended a wipe warmer -- I wish they would list a specific brand, because the warmer I bought with my first cooked the wipes ... literally. It dried them out and made them crunchy and hard. I've been afraid to try one again.

We've tried every diaper in the book, but I swear by  the Pampers Swadlers because they didn't leak everywhere!

For the first month at home, we liked to dress our babies in the "Gerber Short Sleeve Side Snap t-shirt" under a baby gown. The side-snap t-shirts are indispensable when they still have their little umbilical stump hanging on. Since they can't really extend their legs at first, the gowns just make it easier to get dressed and for quick changes.

I couldn't figure out how most slings worked, so we didn't use one with our first two boys, but with our third we discovered the Bjorn carrier. LOVE it!

Make sure the bouncy seats you have  have that "Vibration" setting. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That setting is a lifesaver for a crying baby and a sleep deprived mom in the beginning!!! Make sure you have enough batteries to never let it run out.

Hope this helps! Have fun! :-)

Posted by: Heather at December 29, 2009 10:17 AM (GWm43)

21 I echo other posters recommendation of BOOKS.  I had a book shower - perfect.  My friends brought a book and something associated with the book (like a stuffed lamb with a sweet going to bed book (sorry forgot the name) with a lamb on the front cover.  A toy truck and a book about trucks... get the idea?  I ended up with quite a variety of cool books and small items seen in the books - no registering required.  Instead, your friends are asked to be a little creative in your honor!

Quick tip ~ You can warm up wipes by rubbing them around in your hands a bit.  I had this habit and my babies never complained.  It's also a  nice trick for on-the-go when a wiper warmer (which I never used) wouldn't be available anyway. 

Oh, congrats again - how exciting you'll be holding her soon

Posted by: awiv at December 29, 2009 09:30 PM (lyq1I)

22 Sara did a post recently and I am pretty sure you read it, but in case you didn't - I left a long ass comment on some things.  And here is some more shizz...

This is my favorite carrier contraption.  These are a personal choice kind of thing as there are so many.  Just say the word and I will send the snugli, metro mama wrap and jelly bean sling down your way from some try before you buy, but my vote totally goes to the linked one.  I seriously use my baby k'tan every day as he likes being close and I like getting to use my hands. 

If you are going the wipe warmer route this is kind of a waste, but if you don't think you will be changing her solely on the changing pad in the nursery, this thing is for realz awesome!  They have different patterns, but it has little pockets and dividers for wipes tub, diapers, butt stuff, nail clippers, thermometer, burp clothes, bibs, onesies ....  basically whatever things you might find yourself needing to grab/use while you and baby are in a room or moving around the home.  I loved it so much we have one upstairs and one downstairs.  Hella useful.  And purty.  Even though Mark hates wicker and by extention any basket of any kind. 

This dohick is fantastic.  It is something that won't get used for awhile, but this is great for traveling and visiting family and friends.  It is compact, comes in different patterns, works well and adapts to A LOT of different chairs.  We use this quite a bit.

And I never thought of the mirror as being for the baby!  What a doof.  I am terribly uneasy if Mark moves the seats around and doesn't put it in place and went and bought another one when he somehow broke the other one.  Both boys' heads would flop down no matter how I tried to avoid it and when they warn you of their lack of neck muscles and air in the windpipe getting cut off, this momma checks that mirror to see what's what way more than is necessary.  Especially to see if I need to reach back to adjust their head back up into the padding. 

I really recommend the under tshirts or onesies that are long sleeve with the fold over part.  Even with cutting his nails, Cooper still manages to scratch his face more often then not.  So I usually put one on underneath his I AM THE BESTEST KID EVAH AND THEN SOME onesies.  Babies have velociraptor claws and it really is nice to keep them covered.

I might come back if I think of anything else.....

Posted by: wifeunit at December 29, 2009 09:57 PM (4B1kO)

23 I know I e-mailed you, but then I thought of another thing after being with my baby nephew this weekend:

A booger sucker.  Or, in fancy terms--a nasal aspirator  You will likely get a blue bulb syringe at the hospital, but know you will want more than one b/c you will inevitably lose it & you will need it at the most inopportune times.

Posted by: Guard Wife at December 29, 2009 11:33 PM (wsy47)

24 To directly answer some of your questions - I used the Bumbo tray and it was a waste of money. Of course, the boy HATED the Bumbo and arched himself out of it almost as soon as he was old enough to use it, and the tray would fall off. My niece loved the Bumbo though - so I guess it depends on the kid. For carriers, I LOVED my Moby - which you already have, so hopefully you like it as much! If you are talented, supposedly you can also use it for keeping yourself covered while nursing - but I could never quite figure our a comfortable way to do that. I also used a Hotsling from Target when the baby got a little bigger. I liked that too, because it was easy to throw the baby in and hit the store, leaving my arms relatively free. I never used the grocery cart covers. I guess that is a personal preference thing - but a lot of stores offer sanitary wipes at the entrance by the carts which you can use to wipe down the cart seat and handle before you plop the kid down. I never used a boppy - only a "Breast Friend". Also loved that! Stayed in place and was especially helpful with the first one when I was still figuring out the whole nursing business. I only had one cover - but I would lay a spit-rag under the baby's head to catch dribbles or spit-up, so I wouldn't have to wash it every day. I loved the mirror in the car so I could see what the baby was doing - but the kids didn't seem to care if it was there or not. I never had a sun-shade - but they would occasionally scream if the sun got in their eyes, and we usually ended up propping a blanket across the window - so that actually might be something I should register for this time around! I think someone mentioned it above - but the baby-proofing stuff is helpful when they get a little bigger - outlet plugs and cabinet locks especially.

Posted by: Jen D at December 30, 2009 03:12 AM (h8XAc)

25

A dozen old-fashioned cloth diapers.  Useful in hundreds of ways.  28 years later still have and use a couple as cleaning cloths.

If they still exist, that springy seat you hang from a clamp on the top of a doorframe - set the height so she can just about stand up (once she gets to that point, which will be before you know it) and she can push and bounce.  And once she can walk you can still put her in it for a few months more of periods of time where you can actually divert your attention briefly.

Posted by: Glenmore at December 30, 2009 10:31 AM (h/mwe)

26

I just realized that I do have a tip/suggestion. Make sure you have extra crib sheets and waterproof pads.  Then layer as many as you can on the crib mattress.  Pad/sheet/pad/sheet/pad/sheet.

I could get three sets on mine.  Then if you have a baby with leaky diapers or happens to have reflux like one of mine did, you can just pull off that first set of sheet and pad and the new one is alreay in place.  At 3 am, you really appreciate not having to put on a new waterproof pad and crib sheet.

Also, have you looked into getting an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper.  My younger two slept in one instead of the crib.  It was so much easier to tend to them all night and we all slept better. 

Posted by: Sheila at December 30, 2009 01:07 PM (GAcKJ)

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I had a friend take a photo of me for my Christmas cards.  I did this before Thanksgiving so I had plenty of time to get the cards ready (and before I got Charlie's hair cut.)  My husband saw the photo and remarked this morning how big I look.



I said, "That was six weeks ago!  You should see me today."  The dog looks skinnier and I look bigger.

This is me today, in the same shirt, at 30 weeks.



Wife Unit had her baby at 30 weeks.  He was little but he was fine.  I could have her today and probably everything would work out.  She would be fine.

My Christmas joy: I am officially too big to fail...

Posted by: Sarah at 08:53 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
Post contains 124 words, total size 1 kb.

1 WOW!! And I thought you were big in the first photo! I like how you're wearing the same thing in both pictures. Nice to see Charlie's eyes too!

Posted by: Amritas at December 24, 2009 10:45 PM (MuXAV)

2 You should've taken a picture of your feet so you could remember what they looked like.

Has Charlie gained weight?

Posted by: Chuck Z at December 25, 2009 12:25 AM (bMH2g)

3 Thanks, that was a nice present for your readers.
Happy New Year, Happy new baby!

Posted by: Ruth H at December 25, 2009 01:55 PM (okkq1)

4 *happy sniffles!*   Too big to fail, indeed!  I am SO happy for you!!!   Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year your way, too!

Posted by: Krista at December 25, 2009 04:29 PM (sUTgZ)

5 That's the only time the words "too big to fail" didn't make me cringe this year.  Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Code Monkey at December 25, 2009 08:03 PM (GN0tT)

6 This is just so awesome.  And you really are an adorable pregnant chick!  

Posted by: airforcewife at December 25, 2009 09:07 PM (uE3SA)

7 Merry Christmas! I'm glad!!

Posted by: Lucy at December 25, 2009 10:03 PM (IpxlR)

8 You look amazing!!! 

30 weeks!  Holy canoli!!!  30 WEEKS!!!!

I, honestly, could not be more thrilled for you and your husband.  Seriously, Sarah.  All I have to do is think the word "Panera" and I almost cry.  Sure.  Their new mac 'n cheese is terrific, but our lunch that day was perfection!

Yea!!

30 weeks!!

Posted by: Guard Wife at December 25, 2009 11:26 PM (wsy47)

9 Guard Wife -- Remember our shock when we saw WifeUnit's FB that she had had the baby?  And she was 30 WEEKS!  Doesn't seem possible...

Posted by: Sarah at December 26, 2009 08:46 AM (gWUle)

10 You look fantastic!

Posted by: Keri at December 26, 2009 08:50 AM (dtvJC)

11 Merry Christmas from one husbandless mil wife to another! Do those holiday deployment troop ads make you tear up a little like me? Btw you do look fantastic and if I didn't know better would say that Charlie is trying to steal baby's limelight! lol 30 weeks! That is amazing!

Posted by: Darla at December 26, 2009 11:01 AM (XvIN7)

12 Darla -- There was another pic where I thought I looked the best -- good smile and hair -- but Charlie's head was waaaay encroaching on the photo.  You couldn't even see my belly!

Posted by: Sarah at December 26, 2009 11:44 AM (gWUle)

13 Sarah, with Photoshop, it's possible to transplant that "good smile and hair" onto another photo in which Charlie wasn't hiding your belly.

There is experimental software which can do that almost automatically:

When taking group photographs, it is often difficult to get a "perfect" picture -- where, for example, everyone is smiling, with eyes open, and looking at the camera. From a set of images taken using the "burst" mode of a camera (left panel), a composite image is created in which everyone is smiling and has their eyes open (right panel) [...] While in this case the best replacement face for each child was selected manually (outlined in blue), blink and smile detection could be applied to select them automatically.

Check out the results. The software can also produce much odder effects.

Posted by: Amritas at December 26, 2009 12:27 PM (dWG01)

14 I know it is just the angle that the pictures were taken from, but I love the fact that you can't see the bookshelf in the second one.  I have a picture of myself in which I block out the entire Christmas tree with my belly, and it cracks me up.  Delurking to say how thrilled I am for you, your husband and Charlie.  Merry Christmas!

Posted by: krismama at December 27, 2009 10:15 AM (gGk2/)

15

Looking GOOD!  Can't wait to see all of her being hugged by her Mom!

Posted by: Laura, A Military Mom at December 29, 2009 11:12 AM (oLHZ3)

16 It is truly awesome! Too big to fail indeed. I had one extra week, but that has passed for you too already. Yay! I still can't believe Mark updated my Facebook while I was in surgery or recovering or whenever he did it. And 30 or 31 weeks is somewhat elderly for the NICU. In our final pod, a wee boy pod person was heading home after 115 days or so. He was 14 ounces when he was born. Just smacks me with perspective. Your little girl has just a couple months and some to keep you company and dreaming crazy dreams. I remember reading SisB's early delivery and being hugely rocked by the severity of it. And just a year-ish later I had the mini in too similar a fashion. I am just glad you will not be having that on your plate. Seriously, if you buy into the 'they come in threes' argument, there is another milspouse already. I found her link but lost it and need to find it again. Her husband was deployed at the time. Mark totally did math in his head and smiled and then agreed with your post title. Too big to fail is awesome.

Posted by: Wifeunit at January 05, 2010 11:01 PM (4B1kO)

17 Damn phone. Apparently return does not translate as a paragragh defining tool when I hit post here even though it looks like it on the screen. Annoying.

Posted by: Wifeunit at January 05, 2010 11:05 PM (4B1kO)

18 Pregnancy agrees with you. You look great!

Posted by: Yvonne at January 08, 2010 03:16 PM (mok02)

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It's her feet.  It's her feet that have made me love her.

The silver lining to being high risk is that the ultrasound tech is really emotionally invested in this baby.  Which means she sneaks me in for quick ultrasounds whenever she can.  Last week we managed to snap this photo.

I keep pulling it up on the computer and looking at her feet.  At her little piggy toes splayed out and wiggling.

And all of a sudden, she seems real. 

I want to meet her.  And kiss her toes.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:38 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
Post contains 93 words, total size 1 kb.

1 How precious!

Posted by: Susan at December 24, 2009 09:23 AM (ZDqlA)

2 So sweet! I love it! Merry Christmas to you.

Posted by: Heather at December 24, 2009 10:11 AM (GWm43)

3 Amazing, Sarah. look at those little piggies. Merry Christmas.

Posted by: Keri at December 24, 2009 12:00 PM (dtvJC)

4 Very cool!

M1's toes were also something special for us.  When she ran her foot right into the camera, we could see she has this space between her big toe and her second toe--just like her dad.

Your baby's toes look quite smoochable!  Can't wait to see them in person. 

Posted by: Guard Wife at December 24, 2009 12:58 PM (wsy47)

5 That's what I call a great Christmas gift. Merry Christmas little one. And mommy, too.

Posted by: Ruth H at December 24, 2009 02:40 PM (v2VOO)

6 I keep pulling it up on the computer

If I were you, I'd make it my wallpaper. Beats the Tangut desert ruins I have right now. They represent the end of a civilization. This ultrasound represents a beginning.

And all of a sudden, she seems real.

"Seems"? She is real!

And kiss her toes.

The very toes that kick you!

Archive this site. When she's old enough to read it, the links may not work anymore, but our thoughts about her never grow old.

Posted by: Amritas at December 24, 2009 03:16 PM (dWG01)

7 Amritas -- My husband is my wallpaper.  He's good to look at too

Posted by: Sarah at December 24, 2009 05:02 PM (gWUle)

8 A Christmas miracle indeed!  So precious...you are blessed indeed!

Posted by: Stacy at December 24, 2009 06:11 PM (5C0TQ)

9 A miracle and a gift all wrapped into one precious package!
And how much love we out here in the blogosphere have for this little one...
Merry Christmas Sarah!

Posted by: jck at December 24, 2009 08:44 PM (d6k/G)

10 Aw, Sarah...

*happy tears*

Posted by: FbL at December 25, 2009 02:38 AM (HyNTm)

11 Incredibly adorable.

So happy for you.

Posted by: Nicki Magnuson at December 26, 2009 12:53 AM (fqQct)

12 So cute!

Posted by: Mare at December 26, 2009 08:10 AM (HUa8I)

13 Toes are very edible I hear!

Posted by: Darla at December 26, 2009 11:02 AM (XvIN7)

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Yesterday I went to my knitting friend's house to relax and hang out. It was great. Her family wouldn't let me lift a finger and took care of me all day: her husband walked my dog in the cold, her boys fetched me things all day, and she kept refilling my water glass. That last one made me especially happy.

The other night, I decided I was thirsty and that I should get up and go downstairs to get some water. And before I could get up, the baby started "playing." She was being very bouncy and was punching the top of my uterus with her little fist. I started pushing back at her, and she'd punch again. It was like we were playing a game. And I loved sitting there playing with her, but I desperately wanted that glass of water too. I knew that if I stood up and walked downstairs, she'd move positions and the game would be over.

And in that moment, I hated being in this house alone. I just wanted to look over at my husband and ask him to go get me some water and then come back to the sofa and keep playing with us. I wanted to have it both ways, the water and the game, and that's not possible when I'm alone.

I just desperately wanted someone to run grab that water for me. And I had no one.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:15 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 245 words, total size 1 kb.

The ultrasound tech decided to start a caption contest this week.  Anyone else want to join in?



I wonder if the tech would just play along if I asked her to type AREA OF CONCERN on one of the photos...

Posted by: Sarah at 10:44 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 45 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Well, we already know she's a she.;D

Posted by: Ruth H at November 22, 2009 12:24 PM (KLwh4)

2 Look Mommy!  My Trigger finger's ready!

Posted by: Chuck Z at November 22, 2009 11:56 PM (bMH2g)

3 I think we have a winner! So what prize can Chuck Z expect?

Posted by: Amritas at November 23, 2009 11:18 AM (+nV09)

4 Hee, at least she's not flipping you off, like our son did in his 20 week ultrasound . . .  He even looked like he was smiling.  "What, Mom? This finger just doesn't bend like the others!"

It's so great to see their little fingers, though, isn't it?  Tiny, delicate bones, practically waving at you.   I do like the caption the tech put on there.  

Posted by: Deltasierra at November 24, 2009 06:25 PM (+Fbnb)

5 East side!

Posted by: awtm at November 24, 2009 08:15 PM (1Wrb8)

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A horrifying ad found by Mike Potemra:

Posted by: Sarah at 02:52 PM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
Post contains 109 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Um, yeah. Being pregnant, and having a better idea of what was going on development and feeling-wise really made me even more horrified about abortion.

Posted by: Calivalleygirl at November 17, 2009 03:31 PM (irIko)

2 When I first scrolled across this entry, I saw the words "A horrifying ad" followed by your photo and wondered how you ended up in an advertisement. That picture is the opposite of horrible. It's beautiful.

Why 2049? Given that 2009 - 1963 = 46, I'd expect the Mad Men (Psychologically Diverse Persyns?) of the future to be aired in 2009 + 46 = 2055. I guess the author was adding a nice round figure to 2009.

A more important question is, why will the people of 2049 or 2055 be mocking us? Because we're too PC, or because we're not PC enough?

Posted by: Amritas at November 17, 2009 03:44 PM (+nV09)

3 Amritas is right, it is a beautiful picture. It is so ironic to advertise a gentle abortion. Not gentle for the woman and definitely not gentle for a baby. Truth in advertising? I think not. It is insulting to our intelligence.

Posted by: Ruth H at November 17, 2009 09:33 PM (WPw5a)

4 You guys are too kind.  I simply HATE taking these photos of myself...I can never get the camera aimed right while keeping my face from looking goofy.

Posted by: Sarah at November 17, 2009 09:59 PM (gWUle)

5 You look great!!!!!!!!!!! Cute baby "bump". I read an article recently about a woman who worked at Planned Parenthood and after several years of working there, she finally watched a video of an abortion. She almost immediately quit her job and is now working for a prolife group. Honestly, for me, I cant imagine anything being "gentle" or "kind" at any time during pregnancy, but definitely not at 24 weeks...

Posted by: Keri at November 17, 2009 10:35 PM (dtvJC)

6 I think you look wonderful...

Posted by: Susan at November 17, 2009 10:40 PM (EU2Wl)

7 Sarah ... I'm not sure if anyone told you yet ... but it looks like you are smuggling a BABY!!  grats on that status ...

Posted by: Darla at November 18, 2009 12:56 AM (XvIN7)

8 Can you use the time delay on your camera?  I managed to figure mine out when I was finally brave enough to take pictures of myself (after 20 weeks, when I actually finally looked pregnant).

Stick it on a counter, or on a box on a counter, and play with it to get the right angles and stuff, and then use that every time you want to take a profile shot.  Mine weren't always straight, but I got the cat in there a couple times.   That's what Photoshop is for, anyway.

Posted by: Deltasierra at November 19, 2009 02:25 PM (+Fbnb)

9 I agree with everyone else!  I wish I had looked that good at 24 weeks.  I didn't want ANYONE near me with a camera.  I have only one picture of myself pregnant with our first.  I was wearing maternity BDUs and my husband's combat boots because my feet were too swollen to wear my own.  I looked like Goofy.  (My husband has hidden that picture for ransom)

You look like an advertisement for the best things about being pregnant.

Posted by: Lemon Stand at November 19, 2009 04:48 PM (a+4Ku)

10 You look GREAT....I'm so happy for you!

Posted by: Connie at November 19, 2009 07:08 PM (xTFGC)

11 Sarah you look beautiful! Congratulations times a thousand!

Posted by: Penny at November 25, 2009 03:32 PM (hhaXS)

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Tomorrow I am headed on another trip, this time to visit my in-laws.  It will be my first time visiting them by myself...at least since 2000 when I moved to my husband's hometown to be near him for the summer and he went to Airborne School for a few weeks.  That was the last time I hung out with his parents without him.  Funny, that seems like so long ago.

Since this will be the first grandchild on both sides of the family, I wanted to let my husband's parents get to be a part of the joys of pregnancy and grandparenthood too.  They deserve to get to feel tummy kicks just like my mom did.

And my husband's grandmother will be a first time great-grandma too.  Exciting milestones for everyone.  It will be a fun trip.

So no blogging for the rest of the week.  But since I'm apparently down to a mere 49 readers -- oy -- I guess it's not that big of a deal.

Have fun without me.

Posted by: Sarah at 09:34 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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1 Have a wonderful trip, Sarah! I'm so glad things are going well!

Posted by: Toni at November 09, 2009 10:13 PM (OoGre)

2

*gasp* only 49? 

Have a great trip  

Posted by: dutchgirl at November 09, 2009 10:53 PM (Yg8bq)

3 Only 49? We mean well!!

Posted by: Darla at November 09, 2009 11:24 PM (XvIN7)

4 Have a great trip and take pictures for us!

Posted by: Mary at November 10, 2009 12:31 AM (/hR4y)

5 We may be only 49 strong...but we're loyal.

Posted by: Pamela at November 10, 2009 01:51 AM (i57x2)

6

Have a wonderful visit!

And remember that your 49 readers are some of the best dang folks here on the web!!!

Posted by: jck at November 10, 2009 06:22 AM (fRt6P)

7 Safe travels. Take those belly shots for your hubby.

Posted by: Keri at November 10, 2009 09:38 AM (dtvJC)

8 What a thoughtful daughter in law. :-)

Posted by: Heather at November 10, 2009 10:08 AM (k4L7l)

9 That's awful sweet of you. If I were going to be around this week I'd tell you I'd try to meet up with you somewhere. Maybe get a few of those maternity pictures in. :-) Safe travels

Posted by: Sara Vidotto at November 10, 2009 02:37 PM (dSx+u)

10 I hope you have a great trip.

Posted by: Lucy at November 10, 2009 02:40 PM (YNvUz)

11 Have a great trip. And I don't believe you could possibly be down to only 49 readers. 

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at November 10, 2009 05:18 PM (iroE4)

12 hey, it's quality not quantity that's important, right?

Posted by: sharona at November 10, 2009 09:37 PM (BeRta)

13 That is so sweet for you to think to include them.  My daughter was the first grandchild for my parents, but not my husband's.  Sounds like there is going to be some serious spoiling going on soon.

Posted by: Lorie Byrd at November 11, 2009 01:21 AM (wcsec)

14 My daughter in law and her family have been so good to me and my husband while he's been deployed. Our grand baby was the first on both sides too. I'm so glad you are doing this, your in laws are just as thrilled and excited as your parents. I am sure they will treasure the time they get to spend with you and the coming grandchild. Have fun! and bless you!

Posted by: tibby at November 11, 2009 11:18 AM (S/Fac)

15 That is so sweet.  I see my daughter has been here before me.'D  She just became a grandmother and I a great grandmother 2 months ago tomorrow. It was a thrill to hold our little one only 15 minutes after his birth.  And we are on the daddy side of the family, the mother's side could not have been more welcoming.
Oh yes, we are a proud to know you 49!

Posted by: Ruth H at November 12, 2009 12:30 PM (JFseb)

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She looks perfect.  Not a thing wrong with her.  The high-risk doctors "graduated" me to Regular Old Pregnant Lady after today's visit.

Which ends up being an interesting catch-22: We've received word that my husband might not get permission to come home for the birth unless it is a high-risk pregnancy.

Oh the irony...all we've wanted is for a healthy, normal pregnancy, and now that might mean it's not important enough to get my husband home from Afghanistan.

But we're not worrying about that today.  We're just counting fingers and toes.

Posted by: Sarah at 02:09 PM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 97 words, total size 1 kb.

1

Sarah - This post gave me chills. Congrats on your "graduation"

Posted by: Keri at October 30, 2009 02:38 PM (dtvJC)

2 *sigh* modern technology is just so freakin' cool.

Posted by: Calivalleygirl at October 30, 2009 02:45 PM (irIko)

3 These are some great images.

Posted by: wifeunit at October 30, 2009 03:00 PM (4B1kO)

4 Absolutely stunning images of your little one!

Well, you could always broadcast the birth live via webcam. {giggle}

Posted by: Heather at October 30, 2009 03:14 PM (k4L7l)

5

Regarding the pictures -- WOW!  Beautiful

Regarding the Catch-22 -- SRSLY??  *headdesk*

Posted by: Lissa at October 30, 2009 03:20 PM (eSfKC)

6 Now...when the doctors say "high risk pregnancy" do they mean for you or for them?  Because if they try to keep your husband from coming home to see the birth, I'm sure turning this into a high risk venture for the physicians could be arranged...just sayin'.

She is GORGEOUS!  And, you'll be surprised when she arrives how you can 'see' her in these early images.

Posted by: Guard Wife at October 30, 2009 04:08 PM (p4/8e)

7

Is there any way around that? Could the doctor's maybe have a heart and feign vagueness maybe? Like, "well technically she's fine but because of her history it would be a good idea to have support".  Is that bad of me? That would seriously stink for him to miss everything. My heart gos out to you guys and I hope he gets to make it home.

Posted by: Sara at October 30, 2009 06:53 PM (mjMky)

8 I'm with Sara, history counts even though I think she and you are perfectly fine, we want Daddy to be there.
I bet you even know whose ear that baby has, I love it. I'm grinning ear to ear even though I'm using the laptop cause I'm putting Windows 7 on my desktop. 

Posted by: Ruth H at October 30, 2009 07:36 PM (weEHE)

9 I think she's got your profile.  I've never stopped rooting for Baby Grok and I'm hanging in there with high hopes Daddy'll make it home.

Well wishes your way... 

Posted by: Susan at October 30, 2009 09:09 PM (EU2Wl)

10 Fingers? Toes? Finally qualified as a REGULAR PREGNANT PERSON? You have come a loooong way my friend! That is so terribly exciting! ::hugs:: and of course ... with the husband delay ... the military is notoriously backwards in so many things. As much as we support them you'd think a 72 hr pass for birth of first born would be just as important and grievance leave for death in family. Aye! Just goes to remind everyone that NO employer is perfect ... no, not one.

Posted by: Darla at October 31, 2009 12:07 AM (LP4DK)

11 Oh, Sarah, she's just beautiful!

Posted by: Miss Ladybug at October 31, 2009 01:47 AM (paOhf)

12 Absolutely precious. Brings a tear (of happiness) to my eye. Congrats on the graduation!

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at October 31, 2009 06:18 PM (SywI5)

13 Fantastic pictures!  I'm so happy for you on being just regular pregnant  

Posted by: dutchgirl at October 31, 2009 10:11 PM (Yg8bq)

14 Beautiful...amazing...so glad to see you have graduated to that point.  Wow.  I hope that he can come home...I'm praying that he can come home!

Posted by: Stacy at November 01, 2009 01:59 AM (JKqIL)

15 Aside from just thinking it's unfair that your hubby doesn't get to come home, here is some advice. I don't want to be one of those older ladies telling you what you should do, BUT - the web cam is what my son & his wife did for their first childs birth, you should look into it. It was well worth it for them. They checked with both the Doctor and his commanding officer, both of who gave them their full support. However the baby was a little early.
My son was sitting in an airport in VA on his way to Afghanistan, we were with his wife. It was a wonderful precious thing for me to be able to hold up a laptop so my son got to see his new son get cleaned up. And the nurse was wonderful. She showed off all his little fingers and toes, turned him around and about so daddy could see how perfect he was. Daddy got to talk to his little boy, and his wife, it was touching and sweet, and since we knew he couldn't be there, everything we hoped for via webcam. For a man on his way to war, and his family, it was a great gift.

Posted by: tibby at November 01, 2009 01:22 PM (v/QW/)

16 Wow, those pictures are amazing! I am doing a *facepalm* on your change in status, and how that impacts your husband's homecoming. My thoughts are in line with others -- I would at least try to skew this one in your favor, considering how much you've gone through. However it turns out, congrats on your new status as a regular pregnant lady! :-D

Posted by: loquita at November 01, 2009 01:24 PM (QcPAU)

17 Tibby -- I will have to see what I can do.  Unfortunately, my husband doesn't have access to webcams or VTCs at all this time, so...hmm.  I could at least make videos that he could see later on.  Crap, now I need to find a videographer for the birth too?!  Ha.

Posted by: Sarah at November 01, 2009 01:26 PM (gWUle)

18

Those are stunning pictures! She is beautiful. Congratulations!

Posted by: Tressa at November 01, 2009 05:03 PM (yY6P+)

19 I was SOOOO happy to hear about your pregnancy and see the beautiful pictures! (Yeah, I've been living on a planet far, far away for quite a while)  Having survived problem pregnancies in the military myself, I know what a struggle it is to be together at the birth.  I'm sending lots of prayers and good wishes your way.  (BTW, my suggestion would be to talk to your OB about the possibility of him helping you to get your husband home.  One of mine during the first gulf war was wonderful and very helpful.  The second, not so much but we lucked out anyway.)

Posted by: Lemon Stand at November 03, 2009 07:34 PM (piCQj)

20 What fabulous photos and such great news!  Here's hoping your hubby still makes it home.  Blessing to all of you.

Posted by: MoDLin at November 06, 2009 02:46 PM (KUPWn)

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Tonight I let the dog into the backyard.  I caught sight of him out the window and noticed he was limping.  Another sticker burr, poor fella.  I went to the door and opened it, calling to my Charlie.  He came running right to me, as if to say, "Help me, mommy," and I grabbed his foot, pulled the burr out, kissed his head, and he ran in the house.

And it was such a good feeling, to be needed like that and to be able to be the only one who could help him.  To see the look on his face as he came running to me for help.

I can't wait to be that for my child.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:14 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Despite having very little energy still, I did manage to get some joke crocheting done lately, specifically a Bender bib and an Underpants Gnome.

Posted by: Sarah at 11:01 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 27 words, total size 1 kb.

1 That is an awesome bib. My favorite of Siglet's are these dinosaur ones that someone at church made for him--they're HUGE. This is helpful because he's a fairly, um--KINETIC--eater. He has another few that were store bought and have annoying sayings on them. "Hello world, I have arrived!" Stuff like that. One says "It's all about me." I hate that one and I always turn it upside down if it's the only one left and I have to use it. This is probably more than you wanted to know. Sig

Posted by: Sig at October 22, 2009 11:51 PM (D4fxj)

2 Grr, I forgot to insert html breaks. Sorry.

Posted by: Sig at October 22, 2009 11:52 PM (D4fxj)

3 Holy Talent, Batwoman... is there ANYTHING you can't create???   Brilliant!!!  You should totally run an Etsy shop or something...

Posted by: Krista at October 23, 2009 02:22 PM (sUTgZ)

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There's another pregnant Sara blogger, heh.  Congrats to her.

I started thinking about what advice I would give to another pregnant lady, and I decided to keep it generic: Listen to everyone's advice, but find your own path.

(Because I too like to invoke Chairman Mao while giving unsolicited advice.  In fact, I think he's who I turn to most for inappropriate quotes regarding pregnancy and/or graduation.)

But seriously.  An example:  Everyone I knew told me to buy under-the-belly maternity pants.  They're more modern, they have cuter styles, and they were "more comfortable."  So I did.  And they dug into me and annoyed the tar out of me.  I was always complaining about the elastic.  So one day last week, on a frustrated whim, I tried on a pair of the over-the-belly pants.  Holy cow, I was so much happier.  They don't dig in like the others.  Pants don't make me cry anymore, hooray!

I took everyone else's advice and it didn't work for me.  I'm just bummed it took me seven weeks of uncomfortable pants before I finally threw everyone else's fashion advice out the window.  I figured they knew better than I did, but it turns out they had just done what worked for them.  And apparently I am carrying way low and needed something different.

So listen to everyone and ask lots of questions, but then go with your gut.  If your gut says that you should be wearing grampa pants up to your armpits, then go for it!

And good luck.  The second trimester sucks too.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:09 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 Harumph.

My only advice for pregnant women:

You know the book "Everybody Poops?"

Unless you eat a lot of fruit and soft foods, you ain't everybody.

And for guys, the reason pregnant chicks are hot is because at some level, you know they put out.

Posted by: chuck at October 21, 2009 06:02 PM (bMH2g)

2 I'm 9 weeks along right now and am horribly, horribly nauseous almost all of the time. I'm in that weird stage where I don't fit maternity clothes or my regular clothes. And any pressure on my tummy makes my nausea worse. I'm either hanging out in the house in sack dresses or big honkin' maternity pants hidden under a baggy shirt. Anything to get through this phase....

LOLOLOLOL at Chuck's comment.

Posted by: Heather at October 21, 2009 07:41 PM (umwpW)

3

Oh don't worry about it, dear. :-) I don't think you'll be making the DBFHB list any time soon. And really in my case everyone does know more than I do. The only subject on which I am selectively open to advice is fitness. I trust my trainers and a doctor. Otherwise I'm clueless and just reading tons of books to catch up.

You're like me, so self aware.

And chuck's comment made me laugh (hoarsly) out loud. "because you know they put out". HA! my kinda humor

Posted by: Sara at October 21, 2009 08:34 PM (mjMky)

4

I admit it - I worn "granny" pants during my prego times.  I couldn't stand anything cutting into me either.  When not going out of the house, I stuck to gowns or my hubs huge t-shirts, it was just more comfortable.

Always do what works for you and you will be just fine

And I agree with Sara & Heather, Chuck's comment - ROFLMAO.

Posted by: LMT at October 22, 2009 10:04 AM (leJhY)

5 I have something to admit here. Probably it's because of my age but...
I have never understood how anyone could stand to wear bikini underwear, it is way toooooo much like the old sanitary belts (especially thongs) we had to wear back in the day.   I feel the same about the under the belly pants, even the higher than that but not up to the waist type. I guess I'm just too used to my comfortable ways.
BTW I will be 73 next Monday!  I do go wayyyy back.

Posted by: Ruth H at October 22, 2009 11:46 AM (zlUde)

6 Hahahahah, who I turn to most.  I laugh every time I hear it, and think of the guy on Fox whose name I am totally drawing a blank on.  Maybe the WH is sending me subliminal messages while I sleep to steer clear of Fox?

I didn't like under the belly, but did like right across the belly.  Over the belly was okay.  I'm sure people mean well, but the only thing you need while pregnant is a good body pillow and a clear path to the bathroom.  After baby, forget all the cute clothes with thousands of snaps and get the gowns so when you are changing the 100th diaper for the day it is easier on you. 

Posted by: Army Blogger Wife at October 22, 2009 05:15 PM (q+eXI)

7 You have figured out the key to being a good mom WAYYYYY before I did!  DO YOUR OWN THING!  GREAT advice!    By the way, I'm with you on the pants.  The only pants that worked for me were the over the belly ones as well, but because I was carrying WAY HIGH and the under belly ones fell off of me! 

Posted by: Stacy at October 23, 2009 04:15 PM (qlReK)

8

My favorite was overalls.  And flip flops.

Beware of the advice.  When I was pregnant with my first, I was pretty stupid, but thought I was smart.  I got really tied into doing 'what everyone else' was doing, or the timelines that were soooo important....  Having to breast feed or weining or getting rid of the binky or bottle, walking, talking, potty training....  Every kid is different and each has his/her own timeline.  Don't worry about it!  Of course, the whole breast feeding until 9 years old is, uhm, creepy.  And another thing....

Breast feeding sucks ass, too.

Posted by: Allicadem at October 23, 2009 06:45 PM (1UtZE)

9 I can't find them on the website, but I had some Motherhood maternity stretch pants that were the BEST PREGNANCY PANTS IN THE WHOLE FREAKING WORLD.   I had two pair, and I rotated them frequently.

http://www.motherhood.com/maternity/pants.asp

They still have some very nice styles, though not the plain black stretch pants I have.  Just be aware that an XL in Motherhood shirt language is a M in normal-person (non-pregnant normal-person, at that) language.  Their shirts have NO boob space.  That is a maternity clothes company FAIL.  How can you make maternity clothes, and not leave tons of boob space???  I just don't understand . . .

Sorry, tangent.   Despite the shortcomings in their shirts, their pants are unparalleled in the comfort department.  I recommend going to your nearest Motherhood store and trying stuff on.  They're kind of pricey, but they are SOOO worth the money.

Posted by: Deltasierra at October 26, 2009 02:52 PM (D4fxj)

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I love looking pregnant.  I never want to look normal again.  You can have the aches and pains, but let me keep the tummy.  I take great delight in the fact that I crossed through hell to get here, but at least I make a cute pregnant lady.  I deserve for luck to be on my side for once, right?  I have been amazed that strangers have had the guts to ask me when my baby is due; either they are really brave or I look so obviously pregnant that they feel safe in asking.  I'd like to believe the latter. 

I am halfway there.

Whenever you call the hospital, a recording says that if you are less than 20 weeks pregnant, you should go to the ER in an emergency.  If you are more than 20 weeks, you head straight to Labor and Delivery.

Should something go wrong, I have crossed the threshold from "having a miscarriage" to "delivering a baby."  It's both a daunting and a wonderful milestone.

Most of the time, I don't worry about that.  At least not now that she's started wiggling where I can feel it.  It wasn't as wow as I expected it to be, because I guess I expected a hard kick instead of little stretches and rumbles.  But when I really think about it, it is a fun feeling.  And it's like a secret: I can be doing stuff with my mom and then say, "She's been kicking this whole time," and my mom gets this wonderful look on her face like I told her I was pregnant for the first time all over again.  That's been fun.

Still, the worry is always in the back of my mind.  Every time I buy something, I imagine it sitting in the garage collecting dust like all the other things I've bought over the years.  I bought a crib and mattress this week, and part of me just chalks it up as money wasted because I cannot really see this all working out in the end.  Surely there will never really be a baby in this house.

Sometimes I catch sight of myself in the mirror when I'm getting ready for bed, and I "discover" that I'm pregnant.  It hits me, that I have this belly and that for most people it means that they will be having a baby soon.  But I still kinda think of it as something that happens to "most people," not me.

She has a name, and yet I never use it.  She is only "the baby."

And I don't know when it will feel real.  I should tour Labor and Delivery.  I should take one of the parenting classes.  I should work on a birth plan.  I should consider a doula in case my husband doesn't get home in time.  But I do none of these things because they still seem pointless. 

It's hard to explain, that I am enjoying the pregnancy while simultaneously doubting that it will ever actually result in a living baby.

I've taken a lot of guff for being too ready to have a baby, which is why I find all this so funny: I've been ready for a theoretical baby for ten years but I am still not ready for this real one inside of me.  People get wide-eyed when I say that I bought college-themed onesies way back when my husband and I were just dating, knowing that someday a baby would root for our alma maters.  We bought a mosaic to hang on baby's wall when we were on our cruise in 2005, long before we were ever thinking of having a baby.  And I bought an art print of a mother and baby bird even before I ever met my husband.  I have been ready for this moment for as long as I can remember.  And now we have a nursery, an honest-to-goodness nursery, and all these things are in it.  But still...

When will I stop waiting for the other shoe to drop?  I just want to feel like a normal happy person instead of leaving the tags on everything "just in case."

This post turned out far more morose than I thought it would be...

And while I'm writing this, I realized that I sort of cling to this sorrow.  I think part of me is resisting being a "normal happy person."  I still carry the pain of the three lost babies, but to the stranger on the street, I look like any other pregnant Army wife.  And once I have the baby, I am just like any other mom.  But I don't feel like a regular old first-time mom.  Now that I look like everyone else in the Babies R Us, I feel like I want to wear a sign that says "Trust me, it was much harder to get to this point than you think." 

I haven't figured out yet how to separate the happiness of this baby from the sadness of the others without feeling like I am turning my back on the others and also myself.  I haven't figured out how to get over my past, and most of the time I am not really sure I want to.  I don't want to dwell on it, but I don't want to move on and forget it either.

And maybe that's why I can't cut any tags off.  It's not really that I think this baby will die, because I truthfully don't really think she will.  Or at least I don't have any reason to think she will.  Instead, I think I resist because it means accepting a new identity and shedding the old one, which is proving hard for me.  Now I am just another pregnant Army wife and will soon be just another Army wife dragging a stroller around.  My belly is a sign of great things, but it's also the end of the person I have been for the past three years.  And even though I've hated that person, I don't know how to not be her anymore.

I don't know how to move on and just be happy and just be a mom without constantly feeling like I need to explain everything.  When people ask if this is my first baby, I just need to answer Yes instead of feeling like I need to unload the whole story.  Because right now, the story's still in me and it still feels like a big part of who I am.

And I wonder when it won't...when I'll just feel like this is my baby and we are a regular family like everyone else.

I guess I have 20 more weeks to figure it out.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:36 PM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
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1 You look fantastic, by the way.

I went through a lot of the same things as far as emotions go.  I used to have dreams where I'd wake up not pregnant anymore, and be in a complete panic when I actually did wake up even though it was her kicking me awake. Every big pregnancy milestone, I had a dream that somebody stole the baby before I got to experience it--the big ultrasound, the first kicks, going to the hospital to give birth.  I didn't wash any of her clothes until the 32 week, and only the gender-neutral clothes.  We fought so hard to get pregnant, and STAY pregnant that even when my water broke, I was kind of surprised that it was really going to happen--that we were going to get to meet the Captain.  So either it's normal to feel like that, or we think alike.

And as morbid as that crossing from going to the ER to going to L&D threshold is, it is a big deal.  You're doing great, and I'm so happy for you.

Posted by: Ann M. at October 15, 2009 10:32 AM (+GQ3g)

2 You look all lovely and glowy, Sarah

Posted by: Lissa at October 15, 2009 11:05 AM (eSfKC)

3

You don't have to be 'just another Army Mom.'    Your story is a part of you.  It's a part of your little girl.  It's how you became who you are now (even as you move into new phases of your identity) and it's part of how she came to be.  No, people won't know that from simply looking at either of you, but it will still always be that way. 

You know that I lost my Mom when my first daughter was 4 months old.  When people would see me in the context of my pregnancy they had no clue that I was also living in constant fear and worry and sadness because my Mom had terminal cancer.  And I got really ticked off at people who just oozed pregant happiness at me because I was expecting without realizing the heartache I was experiencing at the same time.  And that experience is a part of me and my daughter.  I looked like any first time Mom.  But I wasn't.  And the reality is, that a whole lot of women who look like any 'normal pregnant person' are also living in a story a lot bigger than the baby bump they're carrying around.  You aren't just any first time Mom who can take all that comes from new baby stuff for granted.  You are a woman who fought tooth and nail for a child.  You've used more Mama-bear ferocity in the last few years than most people do during the first few years of their babies lives.  You know better than most of us how tenuous life really is. 

So don't think that you have to dismiss the hugeness of all that has happened as baby coming becomes more and more a reality. It's part of who you are.  It's part of who she is--not in a bad way that means you're strapping heartache to her life forever, but in a good way that means her life is already infused with meaning and a story that is bigger than her alone.  You aren't just any pregnant army Mom.  You are Sarah, and you are pretty damned amazing.  You look absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait til you get to meet that precious little girl.

(P.S.  I'm sorry I wrote a book...)

Posted by: Val at October 15, 2009 11:36 AM (5btL/)

4 You are a lovely pregnant lady. When I was pregnant, I heard about free doula services for the spouses of deployed service members. I'm not sure if you know about it already, but it's definitely worth exploring. Enjoy those little kicks; they get bigger!

Posted by: Lee Anne at October 15, 2009 12:32 PM (N5ZmR)

5 Yay! I'm glad you are enjoying all of this so much. I think the waiting for the other shoe to drop and the grieving alongside the enjoyment are totally understandable. In fact, I'm guessing it's normal. I've been in a different set of shoes, so I'm grieving a different set of things, but what you're saying here totally resonates with me. Perhaps we could have t-shirts made up to wear into Babies 'R Us. . . . For what it's worth, I'm not sure one can separate sadness over the past from happiness in the present. I don't think you need to try, if you don't want to. And for what it's worth, I totally don't think you *do* need to just answer "Yes." Those three little ones you lost really were your babies and you really did lose them, and that *is* a big part of who you are. I think it's fine to say, "Actually, we lost three little ones early in pregnancy. She's our fourth." If they're uncomfortable, their problem. For what it's worth. . . .

Posted by: Lucy at October 15, 2009 02:25 PM (YNvUz)

6 We're so proud!

Posted by: Kevin Cox at October 15, 2009 04:17 PM (VRirA)

7 Oh my gosh, Sarah, you are so adorable! The kicks will get harder, much harder. Just wait.

No advice for you, but sending you virtual hugs.

Posted by: Heather at October 15, 2009 04:21 PM (ACoc9)

8

Aww, what a cutie patootie pregnant chick you are! 

I know it's hard.  Nothing anyone says will make that feeling go away, but just try to enjoy as much as you can!

Posted by: sharona at October 15, 2009 08:14 PM (BeRta)

9 When I was pregnant with L.E., I spent the first 20 weeks racked with fear.  I didn't look at baby names, didn't tell my office, went to bed immediately when coming home from work, and largely lived in my own self made bat cave.  After infertility and miscarriage, it was impossible for me to focus on the impending miracle.  Too scary.  Too fearful of how destroyed I would be if something went wrong and my hopes were crushed again. 

At 20 weeks, when we found out she was a girl, for the first time even uttered a baby name. I was still guarded, shaky and scared.  Better... but consumed by fear.  As the weeks went on, it did get better and I did enjoy parts of it, but the whole process was all consuming.  Even right at the very end, when she stopped moving at 41 weeks, even through the weekly ultrasounds, etc, I was borderline hysterical.  That day of fear led to the birth of my sweet, phenomenal baby girl.  The fear played it's role that day and led me to a needed induction and a perfect birth.  And the thing I couldn't stop saying for the first few weeks was.  No one can ever take her away from me.  She's really mine.  This really happened.  It was an unbelievable journey. 

I still grieve for the baby I lost and the pain and suffering en route to my children.  It's never left me, and I doubt it ever will.  I cry tears of joy every time I hear news of a good ultrasound for friends and breathe a little sigh of relief.  If someone around me experiences a loss, I move what I can to make sure I am there, supportive, listening, and not offering advice or it will all work out in the ends.  It's just a part of me now.  And frankly if someone told me to just pull it together already, I wouldn't have a clue how, now two babies and five years later.  This *is* who I am now. 

But, dude!  You bought a crib - that's huge!  I couldn't pull that off until month 8!  I never bought a single thing until the last month.  You're doing great, looking good and being an amazing mother.  That will show forever.  And IMO, as your baby girl grows, share this journey with her.  Let her feel your heartache, see you as real and know how undeniably wanted she was in each and every minute.  That will help form her character, all while binding the two of you together.  No one is walking without some fraction of pain in their lives.  To pretend to be so is phony.  So be real with your thoughts, be real with your emotions, and in another 20 weeks or so, I wish you hours of endless bliss with your sweet baby girl.  Clear your calendar and get ready to soak up the amazing relief and love.  Of course your baby will be brilliant, so she'll probably come right out of the womb, look up at you and say "Thanks for waiting mama, I'll try to always make it worth it for you." 

I'm anxious for your rainbows of peace as well. 

Posted by: Lane at October 15, 2009 08:41 PM (Xla7j)

10 Yup! you are definitely pregnant. I never lost a baby but I was always fearful and I have to admit to being superstitious about getting "things" too soon. My fears were not relieved by ultrasounds, we did not have them in my days of being pregnant, but I did have three very healthy, beautiful babies. Yours will be, too.

Posted by: Ruth H at October 15, 2009 08:59 PM (LsQQS)

11 Looking good!!!

This is a really wonderful post, Sarah. 

This line especially caught me:
"I haven't figured out yet how to separate the happiness of this baby from the sadness of the others without feeling like I am turning my back on the others and also myself."

I hope when you first look in that little girl's eyes, this all clicks into place and "the others" take their place as that which prepared a very special place for this little girl in everyone's hearts.  So it won't feel like you're turning your back.

{{Hugs}}

Posted by: Guard Wife at October 16, 2009 12:02 AM (p4/8e)

12

Ditto on the "you look wonderful" Sarah.

 

Congrats again and stay positive.

Posted by: tim at October 16, 2009 09:19 AM (nno0f)

13

OH YAY!!!!!!

OMG.  That is just the BEST PICTURE EVER.  Seeing that little baby bump on you warms my heart, Sarah.

Posted by: AFSister at October 16, 2009 03:45 PM (mUuHm)

14

I, too, waited for the other shoe to drop the entire time I was pregnant with the boys.  Even at the birth, when "Baby A" was in distress, I thought, "Well, at least there's another if this one is dead...  I didn't go through all of that for nothing."

And to this day, unfortunately, the dread never leaves.  But that's what being a mom is about.  You never stop wondering when the other shoe will drop.  For some of us, it has dropped -- maybe too many times -- to feel safe and unaffected.  But life makes you more and more wary the older you get!  We're all barely hanging by a thread and seeing how fragile (AND strong) that thread can be....  Can be numbing and scary....

Congrats!  I can't wait for you to get REALLY big....  And feel the different parts, elbows and knees, gliding and rolling under the skin....

Posted by: Allicadem at October 16, 2009 08:02 PM (eGglD)

15 You do look just lovely, Sarah. I'm SO excited for you.

Posted by: Miss Ladybug at October 16, 2009 08:27 PM (paOhf)

16

 "I haven't figured out how to get over my past"

You can't.  Probably shouldn't.

Our first was born ON our 7th anniversary.  My mother was an only child after 8 years of problems.  In the greater scheme of things problems are normal; I pray they're done for you for now.

You're looking good.  Sorry your husband isn't there to admire.  Send him lots of pictures.

Posted by: Glenmore at October 16, 2009 09:47 PM (V0mpS)

17 You look absolutely beautiful! 

Posted by: Mrs. Who at October 17, 2009 02:22 PM (+UBtq)

18 You and your daughter are both beautiful. Very radiant

Posted by: Teresa VanHove at October 19, 2009 04:24 PM (dkExz)

19 Though our paths are so different, as always I hear you.  I'm struggling with something similar--putting in its proper place the pain of the past and identity it has forged (how do I let go of the pain without letting go of who I have become?).  I think the commenters above are on the right track with this subject.  I think maybe the idea is to weave the pain into the fabric and life in such a way that it no longer drags us down and yet going forward it makes happiness all the sweeter.

*hugs of both joy and sympathy*

Posted by: FbL at October 20, 2009 12:36 PM (HyNTm)

20 (oops!  That should be "fabric OF life" above)

Posted by: FbL at October 20, 2009 12:37 PM (HyNTm)

21 I haven't figured out yet how to separate the happiness of this baby from the sadness of the others without feeling like I am turning my back on the others and also myself.

Someday, when you have a houseful of little munchkins, you'll realize what every parent knows: loving one child takes nothing from the others.

It's normal to feel this way, but love is a cup that fills right back up to the brim when others drink from it.  And I know that one day soon, you'll be able to relax and know this, too.

You're going to be a fantastic mother.

Posted by: Cassandra at October 24, 2009 04:51 PM (oSDvp)

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I had a doctor appointment today.  I thought it was just a regular appointment, but it turns out it was my Type II ultrasound.  Wow, that was the first time that a medical snafu has turned into a fun surprise instead of me wanting to set someone on fire.

I am so used to early ultrasounds, seeing a teeny blob in a big uterus.  My first reaction was how big she was.  My second was how developed she is.

She looks great.



She had the hiccups and was clapping her hands and rubbing her face.
And everything is perfect: normal heart, normal spine, normal piggy toes.

She's jammed in there so snug...why can't I feel her yet?

Posted by: Sarah at 01:29 PM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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1 I have heard that first time moms have a hard time distinguishing baby movements from regular body stuff? I'm sure she'll give you a good swift kick soon. So so so so so so so happy and smiling to "see" your little one growing and thriving.

Posted by: loquita at October 02, 2009 01:59 PM (zRFw4)

2

She is GORGEOUS!  As for feeling her...I didn't feel Rusty until I was 20 weeks!  I was starting to really wonder.  Even after that, I never felt him a lot.  He was jammed in SOOOO tight.  I never got REALLY huge, but he came out 8 lbs. 6 oz.  He was just snug as a little bug in there.  Everyone would tell me how they felt their babies move all of the time and I didn't, but I also wasn't woken up by him in the middle of the night!  (Until later on!) 

I love her little face!  It's so precious!  Looking forward to seeing her on the outside!

Posted by: stacy at October 02, 2009 02:46 PM (JKqIL)

3 I didn't feel Kiddo nearly as much as my friends felt their kiddos, either - on occasion, yes, but I didn't eat much sugary stuff, I'm a little... "padded," and he was snug (kept jamming his head up in my ribs - so much for breathing, right? are you feeling more oxygenated yet?)  

Hope she starts tapping hello once in a while for you! :-)

Posted by: Krista at October 02, 2009 03:00 PM (sUTgZ)

4 Your baby is precious! She'll soon give you an idea of her temperament as she continues her development. My three were each different, first, a girl, had dainty movements, later turned into kicking down like a little dancer, second, a boy kicked,elbowed and head butted, hard and often. The third was a comfort lover who snuggled and slowly stretched. I recognized the feel of the knees, elbows, head and butt after each was born, and, their pre-birth personalities continued past birth. She loved being cute and admired, elder son was always on the move,curious about everything, and youngest loved comfort and snuggling.

Posted by: HChambers at October 02, 2009 03:52 PM (QyH1P)

5 *grin*

Posted by: FbL at October 02, 2009 07:39 PM (HyNTm)

6 I'm so happy for you. What a wonderful surprise for you today!

Posted by: Heather at October 02, 2009 07:48 PM (ACoc9)

7 Little girls are always full of sweet surprises like this!

Posted by: Mrs. Who at October 02, 2009 08:15 PM (+UBtq)

8 How super exciting!  What a cute little bug!  Most importantly, I'm so glad that she is growing just as she should be.

Posted by: sharona at October 02, 2009 08:22 PM (BeRta)

9 Oh, Sarah, I'm sitting here crying tears of happiness for you! She's beautiful & perfect - I am so happy for you!

Posted by: Toni at October 02, 2009 09:27 PM (OoGre)

10

She is so cute!  What an awesome surprise.

Posted by: dutchgirl at October 02, 2009 09:52 PM (Yg8bq)

11 How wonderful. Half way!!! woo hoo...

Posted by: Pamela at October 03, 2009 01:21 AM (RTpvv)

12 Sarah - Look at her adorable face!!!!!

Posted by: Keri at October 03, 2009 10:58 AM (dtvJC)

13 This is such a great shot of her!! How beautiful she is.

Posted by: Guard Wife at October 03, 2009 06:31 PM (EvsXa)

14 Awww. She's gorgeous!

Posted by: Erin at October 03, 2009 11:22 PM (pK1qw)

15 She's just amazing. I'm so happy to know everything is going well.

Posted by: Miss Ladybug at October 04, 2009 12:37 AM (paOhf)

16

I didn't feel (or more accurately didn't recognize what I was feeling) until the 20-week ultrasound, when I saw him move and correlated it with what I was feeling.  From then on out I could recognize the feeling and realize that I had been feeling him for some time, but was attributing it to gas or stomach feelings.

I would bet that when you do recognize the feeling you will realize that you've been feeling her for a while.

She looks great!

Posted by: Christa at October 05, 2009 12:24 PM (2qSbp)

17 Hooray! What a great picture!   Pie slept through his 20-week ultrasound, but I got to see him yawn and swallow. I still see that profile in his face today.   It's so very, very precious, and I'm SOOOO HAPPY for you that you get to see your very own baby in profile in utero, too!

Pie liked to roll around before he really started kicking. I thought at first that it was just gas bubbles, but it was such a unique feeling that I finally realized it was the baby, not my digestion.  And the day I felt him actually kick me, it was just the tiniest taps, but I knew it was him!   After that, he was a stretcher: He'd lodge a foot or shoulder on my left hip bone and try to reenact Aliens through the right side of my belly.  I had to push him back down all the time.  He's still that way.  He'll kick anything near his feet -- even my face, if I'm not careful!

The weirdest feeling, though, is after she is finally Outside, and you're sitting in the hospital holding her and still feeling kicking in your belly. Phantom kicks are wacky! Pie's been out for a year and a half, and I'll get a gas bubble that I'm sure felt like a kick, and have to remind myself that I'm pretty darn sure I'm NOT pregnant!

Posted by: Deltasierra at October 07, 2009 01:57 AM (D4fxj)

18 wow! that is so cool.

Posted by: queenie at October 08, 2009 09:02 PM (9NXcn)

19 What a cutie!!!

Posted by: Leslie at October 15, 2009 06:59 AM (CA06Q)

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Posted by: Sarah at 07:37 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Last year, Army Blogger Wife mailed me her home doppler machine.  I was so excited to use it, but unfortunately I just kept using it on dead babies.  So this time around, I left it in the drawer and just relied on the weekly ultrasounds.

Last night I was lying in bed, trying to will the baby to kick where I could feel it.  I am so anxious for that stage.  I am looking forward to having the companionship, to there being someone else besides the dog whose presence is felt in my house.  And while I was lying there thinking about her, I suddenly remembered the doppler.

I found her easily, and grinned.  And then called my parents entirely too late at night so they could both listen.

I'm still mildly wary of the whole thing.  When friends get excited and squeal "You're having a baby!", I sometimes feel a stab of fear.  Like we all need to rein it in and be calmly happy instead of cartwheels happy.

But I calmly happily listened to baby's heartbeat last night.

Posted by: Sarah at 11:43 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1

I'm not sure how far along you are, but I understand that different people feel kicks at different times during pregnancy. I always thought they'd feel like actual "kicks", but I remember thinking that they felt more like little air bubbles - like the ones in an aquarium might feel if inside your belly! Another trick I remember was to drink a few oz of orange juice and lie still on the floor or bed. The sugar rush will get the baby moving.

I've never posted before, but do enjoy reading. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

Posted by: Maria at September 22, 2009 12:21 PM (mKRWK)

2 Totally (calmly) excited for you!  I thought that was an entirely soothing device for the time before (and even after) you get to the kick counting stage.  A peace of mind.  And the oj (or pine orange banana) is really magic when it comes to getting the baby to act like you have Stevie Wonder's Musiquarium ablastin' in your uterus.  

Posted by: wifeunit at September 22, 2009 04:06 PM (4B1kO)

3 I am calmly extremely happy for you. I will be cartwheel happy when baby is here.

Posted by: Mare at September 23, 2009 07:29 AM (HUa8I)

4 Totally calm, totally happy for you. Think serene....

Posted by: tibby at September 23, 2009 10:07 AM (S/Fac)

5 I'm glad it's working out for you.  I know it put my mind to ease a LOT during my pregnancy with Junior and Abs.

Posted by: Army Blogger Wife at September 23, 2009 02:45 PM (q+eXI)

6 Any day now you should start to feel her kick. And that was my favorite part of being pregnant - that little secret of sorts between my baby and me. No one else (until the later stages when I looked like something out of the movie 'Alien') was in on the secret unless I allowed it. And it was incredibly reassuring for me as I bled both times I was pregnant and was somewhat wary (not to the extent you are) as well.

You look wonderful by the way!

Posted by: HomefrontSix at September 26, 2009 06:15 PM (BZ+pH)

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At SpouseBUZZ: Doing This Apart

Posted by: Sarah at 10:29 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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While I feel that the majority of infertility blogging is behind me, and since I don't plan to blog about my kid once she's here, I feel trapped between moving on and keeping you notified of my progress.  Many of you have been with me from the beginning, from the day I wrote my post asking for advice for someone who is thinking of getting pregnant.  You have helped me through hard times and rallied behind little John Elway baby this time around.  I remain amazed at how many fans my baby has, all because I opened up and tried to be honest about the infertility bane.  I tried to tell it like it was, in hopes that I could process it and that maybe someone out there would feel a little less alone in her journey.  I am so grateful that you have kept reading my nonsense along the way and encouraged me to keep sharing the good and the ugly.  My baby is already more celebrated and loved by complete strangers than I ever dreamed possible.

So I hate to leave you hanging.  I will update from time to time on my progress.



I am 15 weeks along.  Yesterday I had an appointment with a fantastic nurse practitioner.  She spent an hour with me, longer than all the time I spent with my fertility doctor combined over the past year.  She answered all my questions and repeated that I am in charge of my pregnancy and they will do anything they can to give me knowledge and help me along.  I got a great vibe off of her and hope that I continue to work with people like her.

She listened to baby's heartbeat, and right in the middle of it was a big THUD.  Baby kicked the ultrasound wand.  I couldn't feel it, but we both heard it and laughed.

I am doing well.  I have a tummy and look newly pregnant.  My mind over matter decision seems to have worked: the day I announced I would no longer be morning sick, I started eating again.  I have gained back the weight I lost in the first trimester and have just hit the hungry phase over the past few days.  Yesterday, out of the blue, I wanted Ruffles and onion dip.  I may come to regret the fact that I no longer eat only fruit and water...

The nurse practitioner also told me to avoid unpleasantness as much as I can. She said that with my history of loss and a deployed husband, I will be prone to anxiety. So, she said, the best thing to do is to have as much fun as possible. Eat fun things, do fun activities, and try to make this the hap-hap-happiest six months of my life. Sounds good to me. I plan to play skee-ball soon.

And eat more onion dip.

Posted by: Sarah at 09:45 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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1 Awesome!  I love that last paragraph, and I'm sending tons of fun and happy thoughts your way. 

Posted by: FbL at September 12, 2009 08:42 AM (HyNTm)

2 Sounds like an excellent plan, except that if I were in your position, I think I'd opt for something other than onion dip ;-)

Posted by: Miss Ladybug at September 12, 2009 09:40 AM (paOhf)

3 Onion dip sounds delish right about now.  I'm glad you'll keep updating, otherwise curiosity would get the best of me and I would resort to flooding your inbox with emails (oh wait, I've already done that)  

Posted by: dutchgirl at September 12, 2009 11:45 AM (hLAkQ)

4

She spent an hour with me, longer than all the time I spent with my fertility doctor combined over the past year.

Finally you get the attention you deserve! The 'quality' of care you got from your doctor never ceases to appall me. I imagine him as a heartless, vile version of the doctor I saw last year who ran his clinic like a drive-thru - nice guy, but obviously in a hurry.

In the idiocratic world that's coming, drive-thru medicine will be the norm. You'll yell your problem into a speaker. "I, like, don't feel so good or something!" Then some teenager at the window will hand you a bag of random drugs. For more 'care', you can stand in line inside McDoctor's.

Wishing you much hap-hap-happiness ...

Posted by: Amritas at September 12, 2009 11:51 AM (h9KHg)

5 Hope you have a happy and fun pregnancy! 

Posted by: Jill at September 12, 2009 12:15 PM (LV89i)

6

I would like to help you have some fun the weekend after next when we are going back to Cali, Cali, Cali (oops, sorry!  couldn't resist!). 

Whatcha say, sister?  Want to sit by each other blogging questions and answers to each other like we did in Vegas?  Or, sit waiting for 4 hours for dinner like we did in Virginia only to realize I ate your Mom's food?  Maybe we can stuff goodie bags for a bit and then go the the computer center at the hotel and confirm our flights home?  We are a laugh a MINUTE, I'm tellin' ya!

Seriously, though, I'm looking forward to seeing you again!

Posted by: Guard Wife at September 12, 2009 05:26 PM (EvsXa)

7

Even though you call me after your appointments, please continue to write about your pregnancy. It's fun reading about what happens at your visits ( and sometimes sad), but I still want to read.  I would imagine the people interested in hearing from you outweigh those very, very, few who don't care to hear about your pregnancy, which I always wonder if people don't like to hear your opinions on politics, military info, pregnancies, etc., why do they even visit your site?   Your mama 

Posted by: Sarah at September 13, 2009 01:12 AM (0DENp)

8

I am coming out of lurkdom just to let you know how much I'd like to hear about your baby.  I've been reading your blog for sometime and have been praying for this to be......so, if you can, please keep us in the loop.

 

Enjoy the onion dip...I may have some right now as a kindred spirit (you don't have to ask me twice)

Posted by: Trudy at September 13, 2009 08:12 AM (OAPSQ)

9 Can we set up a betting pool for the next strange food craving?

Posted by: deskmerc at September 13, 2009 12:43 PM (3rYlD)

10

YEAH Sarah!!! Skee ball is the best. Maybe we can compare scores

Wishing you lots more onion dip and chips

Posted by: Keri at September 13, 2009 06:00 PM (k6Euw)

11

and please please please tell us what you name her! As a long time reader I feel like I  have a vested interested and would be really sad if only ever knew your baby as "Daisy" or some other pseudonym. I'm just saying...

Lots of luck!

Posted by: Gina at September 14, 2009 03:38 PM (2mX2s)

12

Hurray for happiness!  I seriously am so thrilled for you that it's practically like my own baby!  I keep looking for cute outfits that I can send her when she's born.  I'm waiting to find that "perfect" one!  Yay for 15 weeks and hurray for a good nurse prac! 

Posted by: Stacy at September 14, 2009 04:39 PM (JKqIL)

13 Terrific news. Hope you have lots of fun in the next few months, watch funny movies, eat lots of "not so good for you" stuff. Chips and onion dip is a good start. 

Posted by: Pamela at September 14, 2009 10:58 PM (Egn5l)

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