Monday, June 13, 2011

Half-way There

Welp, this is it. This is the week I've been waiting for since hearing the words, "you're pregnant." It's week 20. Week 20 means we're half way through this pregnancy and, better yet, half way to holding our precious little baby in our arms. As you can tell, I've been counting down the weeks until I could say we were half way there. When I really think about it, it's a little silly that I put so much stake on the 20 week mark...considering that means I still have 20 weeks left, which is kind of a long time. Regardless, I'm thrilled.

So here are a few tid-bits on momma. My belly is starting to show, although it's still pretty tiny. I'm hoping that means I'll stay on the smaller side throughout the pregnancy, but I think I will likely be small, small, small, and then BOOM, blow up. We shall see. My weight is climbing far faster than peanut's, with a grand total of 10 lbs (gulp...I promised I'd share, but that may change as I grow ;-) !!) My acne is getting better, but it's still not great. I think it's going to be with me until peanut is born, but I've accepted it at this point. It's been a good lesson in vanity and accepting that which I cannot change.

As many of you read, we had an ultrasound last weekend and found out that we're having a little girl (high fives and big smiles). We are totally thrilled at the idea of having a baby girl, although we've decided to hold our excitement back a tiny bit until we have another scan at 28 weeks to confirm that it is in fact a little girl. It may sound silly, but I've seen way too many stories online of parents being told "girl" only to be told "boy" a few weeks or scans later. So Ronnie and I still call peanut, "peanut" but we do slip in "she" and "her" pretty frequently.

And for that reason, we're still holding off on buying adorable headbands and tutus for another several weeks. But my mom is going to be in town in two weeks, and as some of you may remember reading in previous posts, my mom is like Martha Stewart. Anywhoo, she's only here for a few weeks, and she probably won't be back until it's baby time, so I don't want to miss my chance getting her great insight...plus, this is the stuff that moms and daughters are supposed to do together. Therefore, we're starting to think about the nursery, and are going to make all the big items neutral, and then just add gender-specific touches (ie furniture, bedding neutral; pillows, wall decor gender-specific). I think the nursery is just as much for mom and dad as it is for baby...since parents spend a lot of time in there. So we're making it a space that feels really relaxing and calming (this stress ball needs relaxing and calming). So below are two pictures of my nursery inspiration...I'd love to hear your thoughts!


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I bought all the usual baby items, but one thing I didn't splurge on was a lazy boy type recliner/rocker. Looking back at the number of hours I sat in my Shermag glider, I should have splurged! So definitely look into something like that if you can afford it. The nursery pics you are inspired by are very cute! One thing though, I wouldn't put any type of curtain anywhere near the crib. You'd be surprised how fast she'll grow and when she stands up and starts pulling everything in sight, down come the curtains.
4 replies · active 720 weeks ago
Great advice!! I think the curtains will likely get bagged, but I moreso just like all the colors (dark wood furniture, brown, beige and white fabrics). We'll add fushia or a bright pink once we get a confirmation that it's a girl.
PS - The gliders that I'm looking at are the ones that are actually like chairs. Like this one: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/comfort-r...
The gliders you're looking at are a lot cushier than the Shermag glider I had. Mine was mostly a wood frame with cushions. Very comfortable during the day, but at night, you can't sleep in it when you have a newborn. Just be very choosy about that chair, take a nap in it in the store, hahahaha, because you will spend so many hours there. You might want to look into chairs that recline too.

I forgot to congratulate you on your half way mark! Congrats!
Really appreciate all of your advice Tara!!! :)
Kay Massow's avatar

Kay Massow · 720 weeks ago

Mandi, I LOVE the neutral idea. Your little one will have so many colorful thing...toys, books, clothes that having the neutral backdrop is really, really smart! Wish I'd have done that. Totally agree with Tara on go for the comfortable recliner/rocker. I had an old rocker of my grandmas that was determined to use....wooden with tie on cushions. Survived it, but could have been more comfy.

A little rule we followed right after bringing Ashley home...We had a 2 minute rule when she was sleeping and would wake and cry. We'd watch the digital alarm clock and make ourselves wait 2 full minutes before running to her room. Probably half the time or more she would quiet herself back down and go back to sleep. Looking back at this vs my sister's boy who is one year older....I think the 2 minute wait is a pretty important thing. Ashley slept through the night VERY early and was always a good sleeper, didn't interrupt our sleep much at all after say the first month of her life. My nephew who had my sister, the nurse, at his beckon call had sleep and other attention issues throughout his childhood. It may sound cold, but it's important for them to learn to fall back asleep on their own a bit and become just a little self-reliant at an early age. You'll be better parents with a good night sleep. Just a thought.

Congrats...Enjoy this time! Best, Kay
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Great tip and I think very true. I also keep reading that babies born to moms her run/exercise are better self-calmers and self-soothers. I'm hoping that is true :)
I agree 100% with Tara. We splurged and got a Lazy Boy recliner and then paid an extra $75 or so (if I remember right) for the rocker base. It was the BEST investment we've made to date. I have spent many nights in that chair. And even though it's the most comfortable chair ever it still gets uncomfy after 6 hours. I can't imagine what those other chairs feel like after a few hours. That chair was seriously the best advice we got in our nursery planning.
Rocker/glider agreed! I got a modern one that does both without the foot cushion. It didn't look as old fashioned as most that are out there and was nuvasuede so easy to clean. My husband wishes we could put it in our living room because it is the most comfortable thing to sit, rock, glide, and lay in. I'm keeping it all to myself though :)
2 replies · active 720 weeks ago
Where did you purchase it Raven?
I got it at a store out here called Spoiled Beginnings. They have a website that has a few different options on gliders and rockers. Mine is the Monaco rocker/recliner. You can pick your own fabric color and trim color. It's not your average glider :)
Mmandi, I luv the first picture with classica furniture. The good news is that khaki qand natural. Goes with pink or blue for accent colors. Congrats on a healthy pregnancy so far, I hope it continues.

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