Ariella Marie

My sister had her baby yesterday, a beautiful baby girl that they named Ariella Marie. Chris and I got to go see our niece this morning. She is just perfect!!!!

The big brother

For nearly 6 years, my cat has been an only child. He has been very spoiled and loved with full reign over HIS house. My husband often tries to get out of doing things around the house because the cat is sitting on his lap or something. It's all about the comfort of the cat!

However, the cat doesn't always realize he is a cat. Sometimes we think that he thinks he is a dog. When we come home, he is waiting at the door to "talk" to us and follows us all though the house. Although cats are usually pretty independent, ours won't be in a room unless one of us us in there too. If he finds that he is in a room alone, he will start to cry and meow until one of us calls him so that he knows exactly were to find us - and then he makes a bee line straight to us!

Lately, however, the cat has been curled up with me, following me around waiting on me to sit down so that he can curl up on my lap, or more precisely, on my baby-belly. My growing belly has become his favorite personal pillow. He purrs the entire time he is perched there as well. I've often asked him if he is cuddling up to his baby sister. I wonder what he is going to do when she starts kicking him!

The only issue is that he still has his claws, and he knows how to use them. Often he uses them even when I don't think he really means to. When he has decided it is time to play, he loves to attack feet that are hanging out of the covers or that are randomly tapping - and yes, the claws come out. He has even been known to reach out and "touch" my face while I'm sleeping. Hubby thinks it is because I jerk so suddenly when he does this that makes his claws come out (he's never done it to him). Hes gotten my nose pretty good a couple of times this way. I think maybe he's trying to cuddle up and I'm breathing on him or something. My biggest concern is that I really don't want him clawing the baby.

Someone suggested setting up the crib early and covering it with tin foil so if/when he jumps up on it, it will freak him and he will eventually leave the crib alone, even without the tin foil. I suggested this to hubby who just laughed. "Have you seen him with tin foil?" and it's true, our cat who doesn't know it's a cat, also doesn't know he is supposed to be afraid of tin foil. Guess that idea won't work!

Dear non-pregnant person,

Although there may be a grain of truth in there, this is just a funny - please no one take offence!

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn't mean me- then you should probably read this twice.

1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations!" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you an ass (including, “Did you plan this?”)

2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase "my baby".

3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it. The same goes for the name of the baby.

4) The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5) Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance, and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!".

6) By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don't need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes.

7) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

8) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

9) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

I hope this helps- it sure makes us feel better.

Signed,
All Pregnant Women

kicking

Image via Wikipedia

For the last few weeks I've felt little tickly kicks and flutters but yesterday and today I actually think I felt a real kick! Nothing too hard yet and it's very infrequent but it was there nonetheless :) It's kind of funny each time it has happened I was so surprised that I started laughing! This baby is going to be a swimmer yet! :)

Pregnancy Survey

Image via Wikipedia

About the parents.
Mom's name: Nicole
Age: 31
Is this your first child?: Yes : )
Dad's name: Chris
Age: 29
Is this his first child?: Yes : )

Finding out.
What day did you find out you were pregnant?: February 18th
How did you feel when you found out?: I was ecstatic but a little scared and a lot surprised
Who was with you?: No one, but I was on the phone with Chris and called my sister right after to tell her. I was on the phone with her when I did a second test.
How did the daddy react?: He was very excited. He was on the phone and out of state so I couldn't get his full reaction but I could tell he was happy

Telling the grandparents.
How did your parents react?: My parents were happy. Mom started smiling and dad starting planning in his head.
How did his parents react?: They are thrilled. This will be their first grandchild.
How often do they call to check on you?: Once in a while. Not often enough to be annoying yet :)

About the pregnancy.
When is your due date?: 10/20/09
How far along are you right now?: 21 weeks
Have you had an ultra sound?: Yes, I've had 3. Once with a test, once because of a fall, and once for the level 2 US. I will have another one in about a month.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes, every time I go in they check it :) I love hearing it.

Sex of the baby.
What do you want. Boy or Girl?: I didn't really care. I always said I wanted a baby girl I could dress up, but then don't want to deal with the girl drama when they become a teenager!
Do you know what you are having now?: We think it's a girl
Are you happy with what you are having?: Ecstatic!

About the birth.
Who is going to be with you?: Chris
Are you going to video tape it?: Absolutely not!
Natural or medicated?: More than likely medicated.
Do you think you will have a c-section?: I hope not.
Do you think you will cry when you first hold your baby?:Absolutely.
Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold it?: No idea :)
Are you scared about the labor?: Just a little.

Names.
Do you have a name picked out?: For a girl, yes - Reagan Maria
Is your baby going to be named after anyone?: Me, my mom, and Ronald Reagan lol
Did the daddy help pick the name?: Yes

Other random questions.
Where was your baby conceived?: Hmmm... I would have to go with at home in our bed... lol.
Have you felt the baby move?: Yes
What was your first symptom?: Sore boobs
Will you have godparents?: I'm not sure
Who will be the god mommy?: No idea
Who will be the god daddy?: Again, no clue
What is the baby's room theme?: Classic Winnie the Pooh (not the more modern Disney version but the old one)
Are you ready to be a mommy?: Ready or not...here I come! :)
What do you think the baby will be a "daddy's girl/boy" or a "Mommy's girl/boy"?: Definitely going to be a daddy's girl... more than that though, she will be a Grandpa's girl! LOL

Ok, where are the cameras? This has got to be part of a comedy show...

Since you have all seen my baby belly now (if not, click here), you can understand how difficult it would be for me to try to retrieve something (such as a cell phone) under the bed. But that's just what I had to do this morning:

I'm sitting in the living room when I hear my phone beep that I have a new text message. The phone is on the bedside table in the bedroom so I get up to walk in there to see what the message is.

As I pick up my phone, I accidentally drop it and it slips between the bed and the table to the floor.

Bracing myself with one hand, I managed to get down on hands and knees to see if I could spot my slippery cell phone. I couldn't.

So, because my stomach is in the way, I can't lay on my stomach to search under the bed so I have to lay on my side. First one side and then the other in order to see under both the bed and the table. Not the easiest of things to do. I can't just simply roll over...can't be on the tummy remember. I have to first get back on hands and knees then switch positions. Unfortunately, this still didn't work. I still couldn't see my phone.

I heave myself back up and go in search of a working flashlight - which I cannot seem to find/ Instead I grab a little glass tea light holder and stick a tea light into it, light it, and bring it back to the bedroom where I sit it on the floor before getting back into "position."

Unfortunately, as I'm lowering myself down, huffing and puffing apparently, I accidental blow out the flame requiring that I again get back up to go get the lighter and re-light the candle. Without breathing this time, I get back down (again) and slide the candle under the bed to hopefully shed some light on the situation and find my phone. Still found nothing.

I'm starting to wonder if my phone pulled a Harry Houdini and just vanished when I remembered that there was a flashlight in the truck. I dig out the keys and after a couple minutes of searching, find the Mag light.

Back in the bedroom, before trying to get down on the floor again, I shine the light down between the bed and the table as well as behind both. Nothing.

So for the fourth time I find myself lowering myself onto my side to look under the bed and that darn table. NOTHING! Where the heck is this thing??

As I'm down there, I notice how disgusting it is under there. Wondering what else is under the bed, I sweep the light towards the middle of (under) the bed... and I see the corner of my phone sticking out from under something (? what IS that?).

Sigh... If I could get on my tummy, I could probably reach it, but as I can't... I can't. Up again to go find the broom to use the handle the knock the phone into reach.

After getting on the floor for now what is the fifth time, I manage to knock the phone out from under the bed, which my cat finds interesting so he begins to "fight" with the phone and before I can get to him, he knocks it BACK under the bed!

Back down again for the SIXTH time! Luckily this time I can reach it!

Without even getting up off the floor, I sit and read my message: "I love you." from my husband. Sigh... I love you too baby...

Prego Sisters!

Yep, my baby sister is pregnant too. 10 1/2 years younger than me and 5 months more pregnant than me haha :) In fact, my neice, Ariella, should be joining us any day now! It's a neat time having both of us pregnant and we finally got a picture of both of us and our bellies:

If you look closely, you can even see my brother-in-law in shadow taking the picture :)

Cheat Sheet

I just went to Target to buy a gift for my sister's baby shower (I won't say what I got in case she reads this before Sunday) and realized that I have NO CLUE what I am going to need for my little girl (or boy)! YIKES! I guess I have some homework to do...but I'm keeping my sister's registry as a "cheat sheet!" Any suggestions on things that are "must have" and things that are "can do without?"