Merry Christmas

If it is this much fun with Ziggy, it's gotta be a blast with a baby!!! We can't wait!

My How You Have Grown...

Baby Girl Joseph at 7 weeks; our first glimps of her...

Baby Girl Joseph at 21 weeks, 2 days.

Baby feet, also 21 weeks...

How super cute!

She is going to need these...

21 weeks

It has been a while since my last post...lots going on! We had an event at CFS to honor our friend and fellow crossfitter, Matt Bishop, we raised almost $3,000 for his family! DJ and I had visitors (his father, grandmother and aunt from Delaware), we drove up 101 for DJ's sister's pinning ceremony and finally DJ felt the baby move for the first time!

As of today we are 21 weeks pregnant and looking forward to Christmas!

From TheBump.com

Baby's now the size of a banana!
Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

I had a prenatal appointment last week and have gained 13 pounds! The Dr. says it's a little high, but healthy. I don't feel like I am carrying that much extra weight and feel comfortable. I am still wearing regular jeans!! We have an ultrasound appointment this Tuesday and then have another prenatal appointment late January to check for GD.

19 weeks

Today we are 19 weeks and growing!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

I saw this and it made me laugh. How freakin' cute.

18 Weeks

Here are pictures from our 11/24/09 ultrasound- she is 17 weeks 2 days and growing strong!

She loves her hands at her mouth! There were a few times she had her hand in her mouth but we didn't get apicture of that.

Thanksgiving

What a busy day! DJ and I woke up early (with others from CFS) and headed down to Solano Community College to run in the Solano Turkey Trot 10K (6.4 miles). I finished 14th (56min) in my age group and DJ finished 8th (55min) in his.

DJ and I found out Tuesday what the sex of the baby was but decided to wait until Thanksgiving to share. (I will post pictures from the ultrasound later.)

How it happened.

We made white cupcakes and in the middle put either a pink or blue gum ball (Thanks Jess for the idea). After getting everyone in the living room we had a count down and everyone bit into their cupcake at the same time...of course we had dessert first! There was a video and some how it is missing, I had wanted to post. I will post as soon as it is recovered- if it is recovered.

I feel like I have so much to be thankful for! I have a husband who loves me, we both have our health and now we are starting a family! I couldn't be happier starting our family with a little girl; now all that I ask is that she is healthy as well. DJ and I (and our unborn little girl) are loved and supported by so many, last night everyone was as happy and as excited as we were.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The suspense is over.

2 more days until we know boy or girl!!

I have not had too many cravings, however I most pleased with ice cold water, apple slices with fresh lemon juiced squeezed on them, chocolate milk and ice cream (any flavor). For a while there I was eating ruffles with nutella, but that became old fast- I believe I was looking for something salty and sweet. Poor DJ is having a hard time with cravings, I do believe he is suffering from them!

I am beginning to grow anxious about the nursery, we have not done anything yet, however I am planning to jump start that project after Thanksgiving. We find out Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009 (2 More days!) if our little bean is a boy or a girl! Once we know the sex I am sure the nursery colors, bedding, theme, crib, dresser etc...will become easier to pick out.

Is it just me or it is weird Babycenter.com always associates the baby's size with food? Now I am hungry, but not for a turnip.

17 Weeks:

16 weeks 1 day

For some reason the picture I took yesterday is no longer available. It was there last night and today it was gone- so here is another!

16 Weeks

Our baby at 16 weeks, according to thebabycenter.com

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

This might mess up my dinner salad tonight!

Gently Used Items

Thank you Fathia for the bag of goodies and the pack n' play crib/bassinet. I decided to set up the crib yesterday to see how difficult it was.

Someone thinks it is for them...Look how happy!

A friend of my mom's also gave us a crib for the baby's room for free! Looking forward to working on the nursery, I have a lot to do.

Diaper bag

I have not purchased anything for the baby yet...but I really want this diaper bag! It's super cute! Has anyone bought from Oioi before? Reviews? Good bag? Nice amount of space?

There are others with pockets on the front, for those moms out there do you find those to be better/easier? I love the design pattern.

Movement and Mobility Cert

Today I met one of the CrossFit Originals! The bad ass Eva T!

CrossFit Santa Cruz Central hosted a Movement and Mobility Certification teaching all of us about stretching, improving form, time and overall performance. For all you fellow CrossFitters out there, you should sign up for the next one.

2nd Prenatal Appointment

Yesterday DJ and I had our second prenatal appointment, we are officially in the second trimester! I have gained 2 pounds total. I am doing well, no sickness, no back aches, basically- couldn't be happier! I am enjoying being pregnant, working out, training at the gym and playing with the dogs- I have even become quite handy around the house; fixed the smoke alarm, hung up some frames in our room and put together a new vacuum! Figured out the drill all by myself =)

I love going to the Dr's, only because we get to hear the little one's heart. I have not yet felt the baby move, no flutters, no nothing- for those of you that have had babies, when do you recall feeling the baby move?

We are 19 days away from finding out if it is a boy or girl!! I am thinking about not telling the family until Thanksgiving- they can wait 2 days, right?! I would like to bring dessert to Thanksgiving (maybe cupcakes or cake- I know- not very traditional) then use pink or blue frosting to share the news. Or I was thinking we could wait with everyone else- I would bring a "congratulations your having a baby" card to the appointment and ask the Dr to write boy or girl- then on Thanksgiving we can all open it together...Thoughts? Personally, I don't know if I can wait 2 days!

Last night we went to dinner with friends- bloated? Me or him?

14 Weeks

Had a good day with my mom and sister! We walked around Babies R Us for a bit and came up with some "must haves". Didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look! DJ and I are considering registering soon in case any of you are planning on buying stuff for the baby for Christmas. If not, it will be there for the shower =)

10K

DJ and I just signed up for a 10K, to be held Thanksgiving Day morning in Suisun Valley. The run benefits: CASA, Children's Nurturing Project, Heather's House, Meals on Wheels and Mission Solano. If you are in the area and interested in joining us please sign up! SolanoTurkeyTrot.org $25/ per person.

Happy Halloween!

Mr. and Mrs. Bauer

DJ and I celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer! Great wedding, lots of good food, wonderful people and fun music! Best part of the evening...THE PHOTO BOOTH!

12 1/2 weeks

S/he is growing...

Here s/he is looking at you laying on his/her side with his/her arm up waving hello (head to the left). LOOK AT THOSE LITTLE FINGERS!

Baby on his/her back, still with arm rested on his/her head (Head to the left, feet up and crossed to the right).

DJ and I were so excited, the baby was so active during the scan! I couldn't help but laugh myself to tears when he/she moved- I so badly want to feel the movement, but was happy to see it on the screen.

DJ and I heard about this test, but decided not to waste our money. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving will be here soon enough... Anyone know someone who has used it and had the "right" results? I fear they are trying to make money off a 50/50 chance, though $30 isn't really that much. Hmm...

Supposedly, at 10 weeks (or after), the urine test can tell you if you are having a boy or girl in just 10 minutes.

Ziggy is practicing

Our dear friends DJ, Mariela and their son Brody came over for dinner, Ziggy deicided to use this time to practice his baby skills...we can't wait to watch Brody and our little one play together. And Ziggy too, of course.

12 weeks

From Babycenter.com:

How your baby's growing:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

I want one of these! According to the website they can be used for babies 6-35lbs! Hopefully, I don't have a 19lb baby and I can use it longer.

Belly at 12 weeks:

33 more days until we find out if it is a boy or girl!!!! According to the "Chinese Gender Chart" it's a girl. I know DJ is praying they are wrong.

baby's eyes

According to The Tech Museum our baby has a 37.5% of having blue eyes, 12.5% green eyes and 50% brown eyes.

If this baby turns out to be a boy, I would love his room to look something like this:

HECK, I love the monkey, it might still look like this even if it's a girl =)

11 weeks and counting

It's starting to look more like a baby!! The babycenter.com is full of all kinds of information!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her/His hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her/his bones are beginning to harden.

S/he's already busy kicking and stretching, and her/his tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her/his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Not too much to see yet but I can tell there is a difference...

We have to buy what?!

I took this from a friend's blog and am completely overwhelmed. We have not purchased anything! Good thing we have lots of time =) I don't even know what some of this stuff is.

Baby "needs"

DRUGSTORE STUFF:

Dreft or detergent that is “free” (laundry detergent that is hypoallergenic for babies - have to wash all sheets + clothes with it)
Cotton Balls or rolls of sterilized cotton
Q-Tips
Cotton Ball & Q-tip holder
Alcohol
Balmax (travel tube and tub for home)
Triple paste (at drugstore for serious diaper rash)
Diapers (Pampers Swaddlers)
Nail scissors and file
Nasal Aspirator (hospital gives you one and some drs. don’t recommend them)
Brush & Comb
Aveeno Baby Bath & Baby shampoo (really gentle)
Aveeno Baby Lotion or Vedababy creams
(Vedababy.com - pure/no preservatives)
Eucerin or aquaphor
Thermometer (ear / rectal)
Infant Tylenol
Wipes (Pampers Sensitive or Natural) best ones are LANSINOH– they don’t have a lot of the chemicals that some babies are really sensitive to, and they are nice and thick.
Diaper Squares for changing table (disposable blue things)
Nursing Pads & Bras (Maternity Store)
Lanolin (for Breasts)
Medela Breast Pump (electric or manual)
Formula (ask pediatrician what kind - Enfamil
Lipil with Iron) - Formula really should be an emergency-only item; here’s why: http://www.kellymom.com/newman/risks_of_formula_08-02.html.
The formula market is HUGE, but the risks are surprising. 40% higher rate of childhood cancers in formula-fed babies, etc.
Add to drugstore list: lots of maxi pads. (??)

STUFF:

Bottles 4oz and 8oz (Avent or Playtex & some people like Dr. Brown’s - difficult to clean - supposedly helps with gas - ALSO - new brand called Born Free - no plastic preservatives) _ Adiri bottle is good for breastfed babies

Nipples
Pacifiers
Bottle & Nipple Brush
Bottle Sterilizer (or you can just boil in a big pot to sterilize) - Medela makes microwave steam sterilizer bags–LOVE these
Bottle Bag - Bag with ice-pack (you will receive this at the hospital)
Bottle drying rack
Nipple Basket - for dishwasher
Portable Wipes Holder
Sunscreen (not until 6 months)

FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT:

Bassinette (plus fitted sheets, mattress pads, rubber pads, waterproof pad)
Rocking Chair or Glider (and foot stool/ottoman)
Changing Table, Pad, Pad Covers - a contoured changing pad and cover are great because you can use them on any surface
Mirror - Changing Table
Black & White Toys (developmental toys)
Crib
For Crib:
crib mattress, crib bib, rubber pad, mattress cover
Mobile for over the crib
Bedding - sheets, bumpers, blanket, crib skirt
Wedgie - keeps baby on its back in the crib (so it doesn’t roll)
Baby Monitor (Safety First Video monitor is awesome)
Infant Bath & sponge pad in bath for support
Breast feeding pillow/Boppi (suggested, but not necessary)

LAYETTE:

Bibs, Burp Cloths, thick towels with head, receiving blanket, miracle blanket, insert, washcloths, a few short undershirts (before umbilical cord falls off), hats, onsies (lots of them), pajamas, stretchies, socks (Hanna Andersson first socks are best).

GEAR:

Stroller(s)
1st one - Graco Car seat with Kolcraft Universal Snap and Go - can use up until 6 months and great for city - easy to get in & out of cars and cabs. The only concern is that keeping a baby in a carseat for extended stretches is not a good idea– bad for their developing spines. I’d use a different stroller when possible rather than always defaulting to this

2nd - Maclaren Techno - easy to fold and back goes all the way down for napping - Bugaboo is cool looking (design wise) but VERY difficult in the city if you don’t walk everywhere - hard to fold and takes up a lot of room in your apartment

For Stroller (netting, rain cover, mesh bag, cup holder, SPF sun cover, bundle me)

The challenge with the maclaren is that they are angled in such a way that they are very uncomfortable if your baby has any sort of acid reflux– will give them very painful tummy aches if they are in it more than a few minutes– we had to get rid of ours and trade it for a P3. The stokke has gotten good reviews from
urban moms, as has the inglesina line.

Infant car seat (GRACO) & head rest with Kolcraft Universal snap-n-go
Electric Swing (Fisher Price take along swing folds up)
Baby Bouncer (Fisher Price super soft one or the Kick and Play)
Activity play mat / gym (for 3 months & up)

Sling - Bjorn suspends a baby by the crotch– not good for crotch or spine. There are similar carriers that support the baby under the tush rather than by the crotch that are safer. Ergo, Beco are the best. Ergo is also great and is dad-preferred.)
Fisher Price Aquarium for inside crib - plays music and lights up
Graco Porta crib (pack-n-play) & mattress & mattress & mattress cover
Diaper Bag (Skip Hop - straps on stroller/tons of colors and not so Diaper bag-ish) -
Diaper Genie & refill
Blankets
Purell or handiwipes for diaper bag

Working Out

Yesterday was 10 1/2 weeks of being pregnant. The workout at our gym was "Nancy" which is 5 rounds 400m run, 15 over head squats at 65#. My clean/snatch to get the bar up was not too pretty- I will have to work on this, especially if DJ continues to make videos!

Going to spend the weekend with family, looking forward to a break and traveling up north. First time seeing my mother in law since being pregnant, she is really excited.

DJ and I have an ultrasound coupled with 2 blood tests; one next week (before the ultrasound) and one a few weeks after to make sure the baby is healthy.

Most exciting news!! Week 9 was my golden week (knock on wood) I have not had morning sickness or any other yuckie pregnancy symptoms since week 9.

The weeks before we found out I was pregnant...

Some of you are aware DJ and I (with friends) own and opperate a CrossFit gym, crossfitsolano.com - I workout hard daily, doing my own work outs as well as training others. Now remember my first post, I thought I was pregnant, but every test I took said I was NOT, so I continued on with regular training. I set a new PR (personal record) and deadlifted 255#, took over the board with a Thruster/Double-under wod (workout of the day) and continued to use RX'd (perscribed women's weight) pushing myself to workout as fast as I could while maintaining good form.

I also had a super fun day with my cousin J.C! Thanks to a friend, I was able to take her to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom aka MARINE WORLD. We spent the entire day going on rides, running around, eating funnel cake and laughing. I believe we rode ROAR 5-7 times! Poor baby =(

During the weeks before finding out I also started to take Kajukenbo classes (self defense). I learned how to take down men and women larger then me and how to better protect myself. Several times I was taken down to the ground and hit. Lucky for me our little bean is strong and just kept up with me! He/she is still healthy and according to all the blood/urine tests everything is fine.

Since finding out we are pregnant I do plan to continue CrossFiting, just using lighter weight and not pushing myself to workout so hard but rather maintain strength. Since finding out I have run a 5K, workout following 3 days on 1 day off and continue to do weighted movements and nonweighted movements such as: pull-ups, push ups, squats. As the baby continues to grow I will share workout pictures with all of you.

9 weeks

So far DJ and I had our very first prenatal appointment; we saw our little bean and listened to his/her heart beat.

DJ and I also decided to sign up for a prenatal class (9/30) through our health care provider- maybe when we finish the class I will leave all my worries behind and have some sort of certificate that says I am "ready"- YEAH RIGHT! I didn't think DJ would be too interested in taking a class but I am very happy that he does.

We are not patient at all, instead of waiting for week 20 to find out the sex of the baby, DJ and I have scheduled a 3D ultrasound to find out at week 16. We decided we both wanted to know the sex so we could better plan the nursery and have the baby's name picked out. Plus, surprises are realy hard for the two of us!

Telling DJ we're pregnant

The last week in August was stressful for me, I was convinced I was pregnant but every test I took said I wasn't...

Finally, during the weekend (DJ works graves, 7p to 7:30a) I woke up early and had already taken TWO tests, both came back POSITIVE. At around 7:30a I took a THIRD TEST, also positive (I just wanted to be sure!)! DJ called me to tell me he would be working over and getting some OT! I laughed and said, that's prefect, we are going to need it...I AM PREGNANT! DJ immediately asked me if I was sure and was very happy to hear the news!

I thought of all these clever sweet ways to tell him, none of them involved being happy he could work some overtime!

As soon as we hung up I sent him a picture text message with 1 of the tests!