All The Onesies Max Can Handle!

...Apparently, that's the goal that I'm after. I adore them to pieces. Not only are they so so so so soooooxinfinity cute, but also very practical for a baby that will be born late spring. At what point in your life, aside from infancy, it's it perfectly acceptable to parade around in a onesie? Exactly. My justification is: at least my child will be comfortable at all times. (Well.... most of the time) Behold Max's further additions to his onesie and gown collections.








I was proud that I had thought ahead when purchasing the Ohio State paraphernalia. If Max is born at the end of the May, football season doesn't start until September and at that time, it will be near impossible to find a reasonably priced Ohio State onesie. So what did I do? I (begrudgingly) left the 0-3 month onesies and went with the 6-9 month to ensure that his little body will fill it out. *packs self on back*

What else am I addicted to, you ask? Receiving blankets. Not only are they versatile for the uses of swaddling, a loose blanket, a burp rag, etc the one that I have come in contact with have the most irresistible patterns. As stated prior, I'm a sucker for polka dots. So, what's buying onesies without buying receiving blankets?



Aside from onesies, I have been gauging when to buy big ticket items, I promise. My shower is officially on April 10th, so I am practically sitting on my hands to prevent myself going out and buying anything that I may be gifted from my registry. Though I don't expect anyone to buy the crib and the dresser/changing table, it's on the registry so that I can receive the 20% completion coupon from Target and BRU. I plan to abuse the system and change the "due date" on my registry right after my shower so I can purchase the crib and set up the room as soon as possible. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?

Speaking of my shower... I was finally able to decide on what invitation that I wanted to use. It is one that would involved one of my maternity photos, but since I haven't had them taken as of yet, my younger brother was kind enough to offer his photography skills and time to take a few for me solely for the use of the invitation. They have been rush ordered, and will be set out by Saturday. (Woohoo! Something to finally do this weekend!) The company didn't allow me to download the proof, but the picture that I used is:



[sidenote: Just as I was posting this, I realized that when I was putting the information together, I uploaded the black and white picture. Oops. My mom had said I should use the color version. Oops again.]

As of this week, my OB has said that kick counting needs to be done from here until I'm basically in labor. Kick counting is either counting 10 kicks within a four hour period, typically from the time you wake up to lunch, or waiting until when babies are generally most active from 10 pm - 3 am and sit for an hour with minimal distraction. If counting kicks without distraction, there must be 10 kicks within that hour. Ah, splendid. Yet another paranoia to wrap my mind around. She recommended tips to get Max moving if he doesn't want to cooperate, but if I am unable to get him to move, I am to contact my OB immediately. Dear Max, for the sake of your mother not looking like a total lunatic, please cooperate on a daily basis so I'm not calling in hysteria every other day in the middle of the night. Thanks, love. This certainly is an indication that delivery is right around the corner.

On a final update note.... Max's name has been changed. One of Elvis's best friends passed away last week. His funeral was this Friday, and after the funeral, we both felt compelled to pay tribute to Brian. However, I don't like the name Brian, and Brian's middle name, Lee, is a little too common to be paired with a name like Maximus. So rather, Elvis and I have decided to add a second middle name. Elvis has two middle names, so he was able to vouch that it really isn't a big deal. Hardly anywhere would require Max to give his entire name instead of just middle initals, and it's not as if he would say his first, middle and last names if someone were to ask what his name was. That being said, we went with Brian's last name of Bentley to add after Max's original middle name. His name is now:

Maximus Slade Bentley Williams

If that's not an epic name, I don't know what is....

82 days & Counting!

Could my sweater work any harder to stay on my body? I'm only at month 7, and even though at times this feels like an incredible accomplishment, seeing as how I discovered Max was in there when I was about 4-5 weeks along, it felt like it would be eternity before I was into my third trimester. Now? I can't seem to make time slow down. I am anxious to meet him, but the preparation for him is nowhere near close to adequate! Of course I pray for a healthy child, and feel blessed to have fortune of carrying him with me at all times.... I just hope that he stays in there until my due date [at the least!]

Saturday, I saw a kick from the outside. It was a day like any other day. I was slouching (I know, bad posture!) on the couch and he was kicking away. Anytime I attempt to put my hands ontop of my stomach, no matter how gentle, it's as if he senses them there and will stop kicking. I take this as he is playing games even this early on in his life, but needless to say, it frustrates me to no end when I finally give up and rest my hands at my sides, only to start feeling the kicks again! Saturday though, rather than continuously having the war with Max, I looked down at my stomach. I saw him roll across my stomach! It was amazing. I thought that feeling him move for the first time was beyond words, but this was an entirely different level. I've seen him do it since then, and I wonder if that sight will ever get old to me. Actually... scratch that. I would never take those moments for granted.

Grandma's funeral was today. I wasn't necessarily dreading the funeral because she lived a long life. She gained so much wisdom and shared that wisdom as well as her love and compassion for every person from any walk of life that her life is one to celebrated. As the chaplain had said, Grandma didn't want us to worry about her because she's in Heaven. I have no doubt about that, but when I spoke of one of my favorite memories her and I had together [where she was telling me a story from "way back" of pulling a gun out on two men that refused to stop the car to let her and her friend out after a night of dancing... only, the gun was old as dirt, and wasn't working. Grandma was packing heat for the simple fact that anyone she pointed the gun at wouldn't know the difference between a working gun and a non-working gun when push came to shove!] I couldn't help but wish that Max would have been able to meet her. Granted, no one has the ability to live forever here on Earth, and Max wouldn't have remembered meeting her anyway. I'm sure everyone in the family will not have an issue with keeping her memory alive, and I look forward to Elvis being able to tell him stories of what a strong, gracious and caring person Grandma was.

So, through being grateful for the gift that God has given me and the funeral today, it has brought to light my everlasting faith in the circle of life. For the sake of sparing more sappiness, I will only further say that it's a beautiful thing. Though death is painful for those left behind, no matter what age they are when they pass, it's the circle of life. As Grandma would say "Who are we to question God's plan?"
How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain: 15 pounds or so. I've been lucky in that it has been mostly all baby and in my stomach instead of my face! Is that superficial?
How big is baby? The size of an eggplant.
Maternity clothes: Maternity jeans are my favorite thing on the planet! I pair them with my pre-pregnancy shirts most of the time, since I feel like maternity shirts make me look like a blob, and I'm constantly fighting with them so that they don't show the panel of the maternity jeans. (Wearing a long tank top underneath is key.)
Stretch marks: Bleh. Yes. I could have done without those, but...such as life.
Sleep: Declining! My body instinctively wakes me up at intervals to turn over when either my body is uncomfortable, or he is. I have the leg cramps, back aches and my arm falls asleep more often than not even though I have the wonder of a Tempurpedic bed! There is no escaping pregnancy symptoms if you are meant to have them, apparently.
Movement: Kicking, punch and rolling on a more set schedule these days with a few surprise jabs throughout the day. He wakes me up in the morning, and says goodnight to me at bed time.
Food cravings: Recently, BREAKFAST FOOD! My eggs over easy, hash browns, bacon, pancakes, breakfast burritos.... And now I'm hungry.
Food aversions: Chicken and meat in general (except my beloved bacon and sausage) Any type of tomato sauce gives me ridiculous heartburn that it's hardly ever worth it to indulge myself.
Belly button: ...Looks strange. Almost like the eye of an Asian individual. I'm still unsure as to whether it will pop since it was so abnormally and freakishly deep before!
Symptoms: Occasional morning sickness, but it only lasts for a few minutes. Definitely running out of juice a lot sooner than anticipated leaving me to not be able to do as much with my days as I would like. HUNGRY.HUNGRY.HUNGRY all the time.
What I'm looking forward to: My next elective 3D/4D ultrasound at 32 weeks! Even at 16 weeks when I first had it done, it surprised me how developed a baby in the womb is at that time. I've been told 32 weeks is the best time to do it, as the baby still has enough room to move about, making the pictures diverse, and also his face is formed and he has some fat on him!
Weekly Wisdom: Recognizing the difference between having to actually pee, and when the baby is just using my bladder as a punching bag, giving me the sensation that I have to pee. I make more trips to attempt to pee than I actually pee! (which is saying a lot, considering I still pee... a lot.)
Weekly joy: Seeing the movement from the outside, and all of the belly rubs/touches from family and friends at Grandma's viewing and funeral yesterday and today.

Cribs & Shower Invites & Steals---Oh my!

The Baby Bargains books that I mentioned before has been my favorite purchase "for the baby" so far. It eases all of my feelings of being overwhelmed while sorting through consumer reviews and researching companies to determine if their products are safe enough for my little one. Look no further than Baby Bargains! They break everything down simply, take the consensus of consumer reviews without being swayed by the major (and minor) baby gear companies, list pros and cons, the average price range for that company, and give a rating afterward so that you can shop with a clear conscience. Oh, I love it so.

After what felt like years of searching through countless brands of cribs (which is what I decided to take first after receiving my little piece of heaven in the mail) I have at last made an executive decision. At first, I had planned on purchasing a crib that had the changing table attached with a drawer or two underneath. The more I looked at them, the more I realized that they aren't my style. We aren't that strapped for space that we need an all-in-one. Besides, I love the look of an entire furniture collection that my son can use throughout his adolescence. We decided to get the following:

Da Vinci Kalani in Espresso.

Since we will not be going with a crib that has the changing table attached, we have opted for an additional piece from the Da Vinci Kalani collection. I am in love with the changing table/dresser. It will look elegant as a changing table, while remaining practical for when a changing table is no longer needed and Max can use it as a dresser.


The next step is to order it. Of course, when I finally decide to make a decision, the changing table/dresser is out of stock! Grrrr. I will order the crib next week and have to wait to order the changing table/dresser. Either way, they won't be set up unti mid-April when we tackle the nursery anyway.

Because I was on a roll with making definite choices of items that I doubted before, I have also decided to go with my first choice crib bedding. Also, because I'm on a "do it yourself" idea-kick, I plan to make a trip to Michaels and get the wooden wall letters for Max's room, and incorporate the stars, polka dots and maybe even some other elements onto them. I'm so excited to begin this project! I'm anxiously holding off until the bedding collection comes in so that I can match the paint for the wall letters more closely with the colors in the collection. Ahhh! Why must I have to be patient for everything!? (Oh, and do you find it ironic that the photo I have of the bedding set is showcased in espresso furniture too? I think not. I'm going to go with destiny!)



Planning for Max's arrival sure is a grand ol' time, even if I have to resort to window shopping at certain times. Err... more like browsing the web. I'm not stepping foot out of this house voluntarily until the awful snow melts. Hey, it's scary to walk around in the big, bad world when my center of gravity of whacky and I'm lugging around an extra 15 pounds! So, because I am in love with small details, I began looking for my birth announcements and bridal shower invitations incredibly early. People may vouch that invitations don't matter, since most people throw them away anyway and therefore you are literally throwing money in the trash can. HOWEVER.... I am in a firm believer in "the little details often times make the biggest impression". I spent more money on my wedding invitations than I care to mention, but I had amazing feedback on them. I haven't put together my scrapbook from all the showers, planning and wedding, but I still look fondly upon those invitations, and the stationary that I used for the reception place cards, cards for the poem and the lottery ticket and the table "numbers" (which were actually our favorite songs that we listen to together) They certainly were never a waste in my mind.

So, on that note.... the following is what I have narrowed the choices down to in no particular order:

Choice number 1. Though a bit too fantasy for me and perhaps a little snotty, but I do think it's adorable.


Choice number 2. I think this invitation is so cool. I love that you are able to include my own sonogram picture, and with the 3D/4D ultrasound session (round number too, now that I'm further along!) I think would be nifty to include. With more fat on the baby and his features more defined, there will be a more clear image as to what he will look like, for all those other impatient people out there!


Choice number 3. I love the black and white used in this photo of the "sample girl". It's simple, not over-done and she looks gorgeous. Of course, if I were to choose this particular invitation, I would want to have my maternity shots taken soon, or at least a few from a decent camera rather than my dinky little FugiFilm. (No offense to my dinky little Fugi! She has served me well throughout the last few years! She just lacks variety and options!)


The baby shower is expected to be held the 3rd week of April. 5 weeks out from my due date. Next, I need to work on the guest list, and make it short enough so that I don't overwhelm my gracious host (Mom), but long enough to include those that I would love to see and spend time with while I still have the energy to make myself look decent. Then again... even that is beginning to fade! Because I absolutely love parties and get togethers, I plan to host my own "Greet The Baby" party after Max is born. At least at this one I'll be able to have a drink or two! *wink*

Death Is Only The Beginning to Immortality.

Grandma, also known as G-Ma, was the strongest woman that I had ever meant. Despite her hardships in her life, she weathered through the storm and always came out the other end in the sunshine. She appreciated the simple things in life, like family, friends and feeding her birds and cuddling with her Chihuahua. (and feeding her scraps of everything under the sun! Brandy is a fat little thing) I'll never forget the times where I sat down with her and she told me stories about the "old days". Her body may have been failing her, but her memories and mind never faltered. Though I'm saddened that my son will never meet this amazing woman, I am grateful for the time that she held onto life. Without a doubt, I will miss seeing her and her comments on my progressively larger belly, yet I know that she is in a better place where her suffering and pain has ended. May Grandma rest in peace for all of eternity. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4

Holy Guacamole! (mmm.... guacamole...)

I will do most anything to procrastinate taking a math quiz.
Tonight was no different, as I prepared to go take my quiz and then head to see Elvis's grandmother afterward, I was snapping belly pics left and right. As I looked through them, I realized how much baggage I carry under my eyes. If this is any inclination as to what they will look like after Max is born, I am in for a lot of spa treatments and cucumbers.

I've also found that recently, I hate my smile. It makes me face look fat, and the bags more noticeable. Hence, why I have posted two pictures. One without the smile, looking very snobbish, and one with a half smile, looking forced. Either way, they are belly pics and mandatory for a blog that is surrounding my, well, belly.

Birth Plans Begin

The book on my nightstand is "Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake and Abbey Epstein. I meant to pick it up prior to my 3rd trimester, but until two-ish weeks ago, I naturally figured that I would do what the majority of mothers-to-be choose, which is to be in a hospital. However, I hadn't thought of the dreams that I chalked up to insecurities and irrational fears prior to creating a birth plan. The dream, you ask? I would go into labor and rush to the hospital. In my dream, there would be a lengthy period of where all was black. I would "wake up", not always in the hospital anymore, and someone would be holding my baby. I couldn't recall what had happened and I didn't remember giving birth. It was as if it never happened, except for the simple fact that I was no longer pregnant and my son was breathing outside of the womb. Even in the dream, I was devastated beyond words that I had missed the birth of my child.

When I was halfway into "Your Best Birth", I've out two and two together. It's not necessarily the fear of the pain of the birth process that gives me the anxiety--- it is the fear of the hospital, and hospital protocols when my labor isn't progressing "fast enough" for them. Despite being such a developed country, American hospital have the worlds second high infant mortality rate in the modern world. In addition, a third of all births are delivered by Caesarean, leaving many women feeling as if it was an unnecessary procedure. {This is generally speaking, of course. Not all women have bad experiences in hospitals, or feel that their C-Section was unnecessary. Because, let's face it, sometimes your plan doesn't work out and a C-section is the healthiest way to go for mother and baby. No one can argue that.} Instantly, when you tell someone who is unfamiliar with birthing centers or home births, they are turned off to the idea, automatically claiming that "They're so dangerous!" If you are high risk due to a number of different factors, then yes, it may be too risky for a midwife to take your birth on. However, if you are a seemingly healthy, non-high risk patient, there are endless possibilities on how to make the birth of your child your own.

Interesting. Women in the Netherlands, for example, do not necessarily fear the pain of birth. For them, it is a natural process. Rather than fear the pain, they prepare themselves on how to manage it with the help and support of their birth team. Stress causes labor to be stalled, so these women focus on staying calm. With the right amount of research, considering and planning, I'm finding that a home birth or a birthing center is what is best for me, assuming that nothing comes up that would cause alarm in the next 3 months.

That being said, I am going to look to find birthing centers in Columbus, and hope to find one. Per the book and other sources, freestanding birthing centers that also have authority in a hospital {if something were to go wrong, or I found I couldn't handle the pain like I had thought} are scarce. Perhaps after my research begins, I may find that I don't have much of a choice. I'm praying, though!

The Joys of Baby Bedding Conflicts

The decorator in me began looking at bedding collections and nursery decor when I was a mere 12 weeks pregnant. I'm picky about the nursery theme. I wanted something that was unique, that didn't look as if a stork had puked all over the room. My adoration for polka dots is no secret, so I don't think I surprised anyone when I decided that I wanted to incorporate polka dots into the theme.

I came across this:



What an excitingly perfect theme! One that he could grow into as his convertible crib has been made into a toddler bed. I was certain that was what I was going to buy. To avoid torturing myself, I vowed not to buy a single item from the collection until Elvis and I were ready to start the nursery. But then... after months of staring at it and daydreaming, I began to doubt my choice. I browsed other collections, and still had yet to find one that stuck out as much as this one had that was also a compromise to Elvis's taste. (The forbidden animal theme. Ugh. How more overdone and cliche can you get? No offense to animal-theme lovers)

Then this little number came into my life and I think I may be in love.



Now that.... THAT is a perfect combination. Vibrant colors, polka dots and animals. I was such a proud mom to be that I had overcome hormones and "No! I want this and only this! I want my way and I want it now!" and found something spectacular. Much to my dismay, Elvis is still stuck on the rainforest theme. Is it my taste? No. Is it cute? Sure. Elvis reminds me that it's not my room.

Um, excuse me. I beg to differ. Try asking our unborn son what he would like as a nursery theme, and I can guarantee that it won't care if there was not a theme to begin with, so long as he had a warm bed, a clean diaper and a full stomach.

Behold the rainforest.



Given the three choices, what would YOU pick? Perhaps the consensus of an outside party will alas help us to make our difficult decision.