The Baby List: What do I put on my Registry!?

When I first got pregnant I didn't even want to plan a nursery because I like to think I'm a minimalist when it comes to necessities but I also can't stand the colorful, obnoxious baby stuff that looks like it can only be used by a baby. It drives me crazy and I don't want it in my house. So, the basis behind my thought process and lists consists of simplicity, safety and as ecofriendly-made without burning the wallet. I know this child will takeover our life but I also want her to fit into our lifestyle, not deplete our hobbies and interests and become slaves to our (hopefully) 7lb gene make-up. We're big on traveling and want to take our little one with us on adventures so a lot of my choices were based on the compatibility of traveling; I didn't want to buy separate items for home and play. We're also big believers in 'buy right or buy twice' which is another reason for all the research.

I've been a research freak, like driving myself nuts over what to put on my baby registry. It gives me anxiety imagining mini here and not having the necessities, especially if I didn't know what the actual necessities are, everything that would make my transition to parenthood easier. I'm sure all the moms reading this are thinking, you'll never be prepared enough, and I know I can't foresee what my little mini is going to like and dislike but it calms my nerves when I'm prepared... proper planning prevents piss poor performance. I love alliteration.

Through-out my process of specifically choosing the perfect products I Googled other blogs and read what felt like every review of pros and cons. Learning from other Mom blogs has been the BIGGEST help/tie breaker/savior/over-time/sudden death decisions so with all of my collections of research I'm sharing my findings that I foresee working for us. I plan to revisit this post down the road to compare what actually worked, didn't work and admit the, What was I Thinking! Hopefully this help any future mamas-to-be at least start their research and registry because I'm pretty sure I had an anxiety attack when I first realized all the shit I needed to buy but didn't know what shit I really needed to buy.

STROLLER
I hate strollers! I wish I didn't have to buy one, I mostly hate them because people use them as weapons and take them EVERYWHERE. A double stroller in J.Crew... seriously? Seeing things like this is what really makes me hate strollers. I plan to wear my mini (I hope she likes it!) everywhere and as much as possible (plus it's better for baby than always being in a stroller) but I know I'll need one and she probably won't let me carry her everywhere. This has consumed so much time in my life, I can't believe myself. All in all I'm happy with our decision and I'm excited to actually use it (I totally just said that...).

Stokke Xplory - This stroller is just beautiful and if I had the extra dollars I would buy this stroller just for walking around the block and having lunch downtown. It just didn't hit all the

Pros: Baby sits very high and you don't have to bend down, baby can face any direction
Cons: heavy and not as easy to fold
Orbit Baby G2
Pros: Baby can face any direction easier than the Xplory, the lights are helpful for night time strolling and high handle bars.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT
Pros: It's lightweight, easy and quick one-handed fold (Google a video!), 3 wheels, all-terrain, 65 lb weight limit
Cons: Foam filled tires instead of air, 8.5 sized tires instead of 12' like the Elite and Bumbleride Indie, velcro peep hole instead of magnetic
Bumbleride Indie
Pros: Lightweight, 12' tires and air filled,
Cons: Compared to the baby joggers this is not a quick one-handed fold, velcro peep hole, 45lb weight limit

WINNER: Baby Jogger City Mini GT

My final three decisions came down to the Baby Jogger City Mini GT, City Elite and Bumbleride Indie. We basically chose this one because we wanted something lightweight, had 3 wheels that were all-terrain and simple. If the weight and size wasn't an issue the Elite would have been my choice but the GT is a few inches slimmer and 5 lbs lighter. Plus, the one-handed easy fold was a no brainer for traveling. We live in a driving city so I plan to use the stroller on outside walks, at markets and on trips.

CAR SEAT
I first thought the travel systems would be the best bang for my small dollar but once I began the search I had one of those, what was I thinking moments. Since we live in a city that requires a car I thought this was a duh! but most products that are made for convenience and 'best deals' aren't the safest and most reliable. A foot doctor doesn't know how to best treat your ear infection; there's specialties for a reason and I think products follow suit. I also wanted to choose my features within a stroller and a car seat separately.
This component of my important items was actually the easiest decision. Safety was my biggest concern and since I wasn't choosing the travel system I only had to focus on one item. There's quite a few different models so I registered for two Britax seats, one for each of our cars, within my findings this brand was the safest.

WINNERS

Britax Marathon 70-G3

Britax Pavillion 70-G3

Compare All Britax Here

I chose the convertible car seat option opposed to the infant car seat because... really, why do you want to buy another car seat so soon? I also didn't choose the combo option that turns into a booster seat because i'm not traveling with a human-toddler-sized car seat. It's easier and more cost efficient to just buy a booster seat when it's needed. The other models I was choosing between was the Advocate (top of the line but I read it blocks baby's view on the sides and baby needs to see the scenery... even when she's napping) and Boulevard. All the specs are the same on these four models so it just comes down to the nitty gritty details, here.

DO YOU NEED AN INFANT SEAT?
I don't know? But I've opted not to purchase a separate infant seat just for six months of use. From reviews and other blogs, an infant insert has worked just fine.

CRIB
My main 'wants' for a crib came down to Eco-friendly made, longevity and aesthetics.

Stokke Sleepi System - This checked off on all our needs but the price tag is high and everything you need to go inside of a crib has to be bought from Stokke, I did find another bedding company that sold just their sheets, but nonetheless it seemed like a pain in the butt so this was a big negative.

WINNER: Babyletto Hudson

I found this in my research for eco-friendly made cribs. I basically wanted a crib made of real wood and no toxins seeping from the paint and finishers. I chose the Hudson instead of the other models because I like the mid-century appeal and I have this thing (OCD?) of being able to see under furniture. I want to know what's under it, be able to clean under it Roomba be able to clean under it and maybe use it for storage. I feel like this opens the room up a little bit too.

WRAPS & CARRIERS

Wraps: I think these just come down to preference and how it fits. I've chosen to try the Moby Wrap and Boba Wrap basically out of customer picks and popularity, so we'll see how it goes.

ERGObaby Travel:  Again, I'm looking for more travel friendly options and this is a quality brand. There's regular versions for everyday use that don't have the extra 'travel' compartment and I would absolutely love to try one of these but if I"m going to purchase one it's going to be the ...

WINNER: Stokke My Carrier

This carrier lasts the longest through baby's weight, has 3 carrying positions and has rave reviews about giving the best back support for you as you carry baby.

HIGH CHAIR
This was something that wasn't on my radar for some reason... but as soon as I read about Stokke's Tripp Trapp I was sold. I only looked at these two brands. A high chair was another baby item I couldn't stand looking like we transformed our house into our kid's playhouse.

Bloom Fresco - The base of this chair is...ridiculous. A little too Jetsons for me and the amount of stubbed toes...oy vey. But it's pretty.

WINNER: Stokke Tripp Trapp

Lasts forever. Adjusts with your growing child and fits up to a 300lb adult weight limit. The 3 of us could sit in this chair! Buy right or buy chairs forever...

ACTIVITY GYM
THIS is that baby item I refused to want but read and heard everywhere that babies LOVE it, so i ended up finding a more subdued one that didn't include every color of the rainbow.

WINNER: Pottery Barn Activity Gym

DIAPERS 
I would use cloth but I don't have patience and don't want to waste my days dealing with it. I still don't know which brand I'll like but I'm open to trying them all. I'd prefer more Eco-friendly made but i could buckle at convenience and cost when the time comes. I used this site as a reference.

Earth's Best - This seems to be the most friendly-made as well as cost effective
Nurtured by Nature - same as above
Up & Up - I've been told by many that they love Target brand! These are very cost effective and are free of chlorine, latex and other hypoallergenic concerns. I have a feeling I'll be using these.
Pampers Swaddlers - When it comes to the big brand I've heard moms love these. There's nothing health or Eco - friendly about them but they're great for absorption.
Honest Company - A dream of diapers and wipes arriving at your door every month, but it will cost you. I would love to use these but I don't think the cost is worth it when you have these other brands that can ship to you from Amazon.

BREASTFEEDING
Basically, electric and double pump. Check with your insurance because some of them actually give you a mac-daddy electric double pump! I don't think I'd recognize the difference in these two until I've used them but these are the best I've discovered and heard.

Hygeia: More expensive $318 (with tote)

WINNER? Medela: $260 (with tote)

BABY MONITOR
This is the one product I needed Nate's opinion. He won.

Motorola MBP36: This was my winner after the Dropcam...the longevity, app option and aesthetics is what sold me on the Dropcam.

Summer Infant Baby Touch: Not very good reviews on Amazon; 18 five star but 17 one star. This camera seemed like the perfect combo of monitor and app viewing...i had an iffy feeling about this one because it sounded too good to be true. I like some of the summer infant products but this is a prime example of a company trying to do it all, which ultimately leads to poor quality.

WINNER: Dropcam

We're a pretty pro-tech family so this was at the top of the list for Nate. This camera can last long after a baby monitor and it allows you to view the camera over wi-fi or remotely. We've chosen the regular model instead of the Pro, which is actually less expensive and it's HD; see the basic differences here. We currently have a Mobotics camera in the house and I love how I'm able to keep an eye on the dogs everyday while I'm at work. I was worried aout how quickly the app opens but to be honest my phone and laptop are attached  to me so carrying a monitor on top of it seems pointless. 

Things I found you just NEED
The following items are those I just read that saved peoples lives, not literally. So after research these are the items I've decided to try and I'll have to let you know how much I can't live without them.

1. Travel Boppy (it zips for easy portability | 2. Trumpette & Nature Baby Drawstring Socks (they stay on baby's feet) | 3. Aden & Anais swaddlers | 4. Molar Muncher Teether | 5. Water Bottle Cap Adapter (genius) | 6. WubbaNub (allows baby to grab on it easily) | 7. Mama/Rockaroo (Rockaroo is the 2014 version) | 8. bebePOD | 9. Lotus Travel Crib (folds up super easy & a plane carry on) | 10. Halo Sleepsack (like mamas womb) | 11. Sophie | 12. Lansinoh Gel Pads | 13. Nosefrida Snotsucker

30 Weeks

This weeks photo is in front of my favorite piece in the house but it's also the most difficult to decorate, it changes all the time! That is all... most of my updates are below.

Due date: April 8 - 15, 2014

How far along? 30 Weeks

What fruit veggie are you? Large Cabbage

Total weight gain/loss: 28lbs
Maternity clothes? Only maternity clothes, Nate's t-shirts and on nice days I can wear my regular maxi dresses.

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: My internal temperature is rising so I wake up hot, thirsty and feeling mini kicking on the drum line.
Miss Anything? Beer... so soon.

Exercise: Prenatal Yoga

Movement: So much and everything is on my right side under my ribs!

Food cravings: Oatmeal in the mornings. Tacos. Milk. Chocolate, always.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: She

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Fat Inny, I'm not sure if it will actually come all the way out?

Happy or Moody: Emotional but happy about organizing. Iron is still low which makes sense for being really tired and moody.

Looking forward to: Class 4 tonight & this weekend = hair appt, chiro appt and ladies night out!
Best moments last week: My maternity boudoir photos with Ashlee (www.ashleehamon.com) and Stephanie (www.bmooreartistry.com). These ladies did an amazing job and it was so much fun and we're doing round two in a couple weeks for our regular maternity shoot!
We went to an art show Saturday evening that featured the artist, Cory Robinson at Workspace in Seminole Heights and collected two more small pieces; photo on the left in the middle with the lamb and little girl.

Here's a video from the show! 

[we made a cameo:)]

Workspace - Best Friends from Harbr Co. on Vimeo.

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Push it. Part 2 of Birthing Classes

We just had the third class of our out-of-hospital birthing class series. The basis of this class revolved around what happens after active labor = PUSHING; when to push, what happens before, methods and what happens after. After pushing? duh... but there's actually more that happens than I thought!

Before Pushing
A method of pushing that was personally recommended to me by a friend who had a water birth at home which I intend to take a class on is called Hypnobirthing. It's basically focusing, internalizing and breathing out your pushes instead of actively (like, blue in the face) pushing which can lead to exhaustion and potentially hurting your baby and sweet vagina.

Relaxin is what causes your uterus to soften and allow baby to journey through your canal. This hormone is released in extra doses when you go into labor and it's what also causes 'the waddle' late in pregnancy. I hope I'm a damn good waddler in a couple months!

Some Methods that help before pushing

• Vagina Massages: During your pregnancy your partner is encouraged to do perennial massages (I'll let you Google it), this is more effective BEFORE labor rather than during (you're fine to start around 36 weeks). This helps prevents tearing!
• Sitting and moving on an exercise ball: Doing this helps your relaxins do their job and open the uterus. It's also helpful to do this all through out your pregnancy because it drives baby's head down. Also, you shouldn't slouch back on a couch (which is what we all want to do...) because this creates a 'hammock' for baby and can put them in a bad position. So if you sit on the couch sit up straight!
• Double hip squeeze
• Essential Oils
• Pool of warm water
• People at your (natural) birth: The least amount of people at your birth the better, they say every extra person besides your main support person adds an hour onto labor if they're not supportive, high anxiety and medically minded. 
• Rebozo
• Cat-Cow

What does it feel like when you need to push? 
Pooing! It feels like this kind of pressure because baby's head is against the back of your pelvis and if you do poo, it's baby's fault :) If you're pushing and baby's head crowns and goes back in after a push this means your uterus is blocking baby from exiting. At this point you would just need to change birthing positions to either a cat-cow (just the cat...) position or a birthing stool so gravity can help baby exit easier. Depending on how your active labor is progressing, you can push for 15 minutes or two hours and pushing should begin when you're 10 cm. Unless you have a C-section, your baby will have a cone head. This is normal and it goes away :) Baby's bones form into a cone position so they can guide their way through your tunnel.

(I wonder if anyone has ever had Salt-n-Pepa 'Push-it' on their labor playlist...

I think I would laugh before I'd be able to push)

After Pushing
You have to keep pushing. No, it's not the same but your uterus still has to contract to deliver the placenta. Sometimes it will follow baby, the average time is 20 minutes but legally (for a midwife) it needs to come out within an hour. The size of your placenta is about 1/6 of your baby, so you probably won't feel it coming out. The contractions aren't strong like they are during birth so (i'm told) they're not going to be painful. Breastfeeding and of course, Pitocin (given in all hospital drug-births) help strengthen contractions. Pitocin also helps control bleeding after childbirth and I may end up needing to have since my iron is low but I'm still waiting for my updated blood results. I'm all for Pitocin as long as baby's out!

• Placenta Encapsulation: You've probably heard of people taking their placenta home to cook it, mammals eating it right after baby is out or even planting it to grow a tree. I'm not that granola, I won't be eating my own placenta or grow a tree just to have it die but I do want to ingest it in a powdered pill form. Think of it as a drug-free, cure-all; it helps stop the baby blues, diminishes postpartum fatigue, balance hormones, enhance milk supply and increase energy. Thankfully there's companies that do this for you so this isn't a DIY project. Here's a happy blog post I read about. 

Baby is out!

Those nine months of planning is here. As soon as baby is free they're placed (or you're placing, if you were catching) immediately on mom's chest because baby needs to feel your heart rate, temperature and breathing to keep baby feeling calm and comfortable. A non-crying baby is a happy one. Hopefully baby will try and find boob right away so you can start the breastfeeding!

29 Weeks Down!

This morning was my last 4 week appt. so now I'll be going every two weeks. I had my gestational diabetes test this morning along with my 29 week appt. at my birthing center; they don't do the gross orange sugar drink for the test, they have you eat breakfast and then draw blood exactly 2 hours later! You have to eat whole wheat pancakes or toast, a protein with moderate amount of butter and syrup (for pancakes) with an 8-10oz of juice. So, Nate made me an egg sandwich with OJ :) It was actually strange sitting down to eat breakfast before work, who normally has time for that?? At the appt. I was also able to feel her head, which is already down, yay! Hopefully she thinks that's comfortable and stays down. If not, the chiro. is on my emergency list! We also went over the Vitamin K shot and eye drops that can be given at birth, which are standard at hospitals. If we were having a boy it sounds like you need to do the Vitamin K (because of the circumcision surgery) but it doesn't sound necessary unless mini has a traumatic birth (literally...not just a traumatic experience for your vagina). Adding it to the research list! Eye drops... this sounds like a definite no unless I contract gonorrhea at some point in my busy schedule to be mischievous but mini and I are tested up until birth, whew!

The nursery was finally painted this weekend thanks to Walt and Fran (Grandpa and Grandma) as you can see in this weeks photo. We're replacing the pull down window shade to white blinds so i can still let moon/sunlight come in without the neighbors getting a front row seat. Nate had to work all weekend so we still have some touch ups and trim to finish next weekend but the big project is done! Next weekend we also have two photo shoots; maternity boudoir on Saturday and regular maternity with Nate on Sunday. 

Due date: April 8 or 15, 2014 (I'm measuring 28 cm.)

How far along? 29 Weeks (Even though I'm measuring a week behind, I'm staying with my week count from conception but I'm totally prepared to go into labor later than planned)

What fruit veggie are you? Acorn Squash

Total weight gain/loss: 28lbs
Maternity clothes? Only maternity clothes, Nate's t-shirts and on nice days I can wear my regular maxi dresses.

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Better, the sinus infection is going away!
Miss Anything? Beer.

Exercise: Hopefully yoga Thursday! No one is going to believe me any more but I should have my bike this week. I don't even know if I believe myself on that one...

Movement: So much it feels like she's trying to rip herself out and my tummy looks lopsided with hills when she's really moving around. 

Food cravings: Fruit and hummus. Chocolate. Forever.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: Gal  

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Still an inny.

Happy or Moody: Just tired and this insomnia isn't helping 

Looking forward to: Tonight is our third birthing class about massages during labor, the Chiro on Wednesday, Yoga Thursday, Maternity Boudoir photos Saturday and Maternity photos with Nate on Sunday!
Best moments last week: The 3 day weekend and sleeping in! 

Out-of-Hospital Birthing Classes

Birthing classes...what do you learn in them?? I'm sharing my experiences and views since we're having an out of hospital birth. You can read the basis of our decision in this post. We started our birthing classes this month and it's great to be around other couples who've chosen the same birthing plan as you. I assume everyone is taught the stages of labor and what your body goes through to prepare for birth but I don't know if my classes are different or more in depth since we're doing the 'hippie' natural approach without planned Dr. interference. So, please share your comments, experiences and differences! Taking these classes for having a natural birth is allowing me feel excited to give birth and experience this joy instead of petrified and unprepared.

Class One
When you choose to give birth outside of the hospital at a birthing center you're required to go through a birthing class curriculum that's taught by birthing assistants. Last week was the first class and we went through introductions and why we all chose a birthing center over the hospital and covered labor expectations, Fear/Tension/Pain Cycle, and the anatomy & physiology of late pregnancy. There's a guest speaker at the end of each class and this week was about chiropractic care and how important it is during pregnancy and with your newborn. If you weren't aware, chiro care can turn a breeched baby, as well as acupuncture :) This Dr. also has a holistic health care practice that started our research engines on vaccines (we haven't started this yet...); which ones to get if you decide to get them or when to actually get them.

Class Two
This second class basically discussed the first stage of labor; early to active and the transition period, true and false labor, when to actually call your midwife, and the role of your support person. I think Nate's excited he'll have jobs during this so he feels more involved, plus he'll need tasks or he's going to go crazy. The big jobs he's responsible for is making sure I stay hydrated by drinking water and snacking on nutritious things like fruit since we all know this will take more than an hour. He's also supposed to make sure I pee at least once an hour and reminding me by saying things like, "Hey honey, I have to pee, why don't we go together". I hope he's taking a mental note during class...

When to call the midwife
The most important take away about when to actually call your midwife was the 411 rule; contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute for 1 hour. Before this, relax in the comfort of your own home the best you can...unless your water breaks of course. And, if you're having a contraction and actually saying "that really hurt" you're still in early labor because when they truly hurt and your body is really working and preparing for birth you'll be quiet and in your own mind until the contraction passes.

Should you hire a Doula?
The guest speaker was a Doula and the benefits of having one even if you're giving birth with a midwife at a birth center or at home. I didn't see the purpose of having a doula until this class but I'm actually considering a doula in case something should happen and I"m transferred to the hospital. This will help because she will know your birth plan and the hospital 'routine' that Dr.'s perform once your baby is born. She's able to step in an let them know what you want or don't want performed so you and your partner don't have to worry about it after delivering an 6 pound (hopefully) bowling ball. Also, we learned that hospitals have a pregnant patient's bill of rights, check it out to see what freedoms you actually have!

Class three is next week when we cover the second and third stage of labor which reviews birthing positions, pushing and plans, the placenta, breathing techniques and visualizations and more tasks for dad: massages :)

If you were wondering about our birth plan...
I was OBLIVIOUS to birthing centers, home births and anything out of a hospital before being pregnant. Good friends of ours even had a water birth a year and a half ago and I still didn't understand the benefits and always assumed I'd go to a hospital like everyone else. Nate is the one who did the research first and suggested the idea of an out of hospital birth and I immediately told him he was crazy. After more conversations, learning about other couples we know who went to a birthing center and speaking to them and finally starting my research, I was convinced. I'm now petrified of giving birth in a hospital even if it were natural, you don't receive the same benefits of the experience, leisure of your birthing position or personal care. Watch the documentary, The Business of Being Born if you want to learn the basics about out-of-hospital births.

No, we're not against hospitals
I'm not against hospitals or doctors, at all. I just believe hospitals are for the sick and injured and having a surgeon deliver your baby doesn't fall into either of those categories. Yes, complications arise during birth but most of the time Dr.'s interfere with drugs and/or unnecessary C-sections which can make situations worse. I know, it's hard to believe! It took me a while to comprehend what an actual 'complication' was during birth since you hear of things happening so often. To be honest and graphic for a sentence or two, my biggest fears of not being in a hospital was tearing and bleeding out. After doing the research, you're way better off with a midwife when it comes to tearing; they care about your vagina and massage you so there's none to minor tearing! My midwives at Labor of Love very rarely have 2nd and 3rd degree tears and that's clearly because of 10+ pounders, and an episiotomy is never performed!

A Birthing Center
Almost two hundred babies were born at Labor of Love in 2013 and only 1% was an emergency hospital transfer and around 10% that are transferred well before anything serious happens. If a complication does arise your midwife knows well in advance if Dr. intervention is needed. Trust me, this took me a good month to swallow. You definitely have to WANT to give birth the old-fashioned way and experience your entire birth but I never wanted to until I did the research and understood the benefits. If you don't know your options, then you don't have any.

28 Weeks, Hello 3rd Trimester!

Yes, third trimester I know you're here. Hello :) And yes, those blue tight pants are my pjs, they're normally not so tight. I only have 12 more weeks to prepare and plan, my favorite, how exciting!

Since the last post I hadn't officially chosen the paint color but I really kinda had... it's the middle grey. We had planned to paint this past weekend but my awesome sinuses decided to take a turn for the worse and become an infection which had me on the couch congested, sneezing, smelling mucus (gross) and listening to bubble wrap in my ears. Thus, this week's photo was going to be in the newly painted nursery so instead this is our selfie wall of travels :)

Due date: April 8, 2014

How far along? 28 Weeks

What fruit veggie are you? Eggplant

Total weight gain/loss: 26lbs; the belly is officially a table.
Maternity clothes? Only maternity clothes and Nate's t-shirts

Stretch marks? No...

Sleep: Awful with this sinus infection :(
Miss Anything? Breathing.

Exercise: Hopefully yoga Thursday! No one is going to believe me any more but I should have my bike this week. I don't even know if I believe myself on that one...

Movement: Constantly. I've started to see and feel the long drags across my belly now.

Food cravings: Still fruit, mostly pineapple. I'll never refuse a chocolate chip cookie though...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: Lady  

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Still an inny and I just noticed my naval ring holes (yes...I admit I used to sport a belly ring) they're BOTH showing. So even though my inny is still an inny, it has definitely protruded quite a bit! 

Happy or Moody: Moody, I was shocked I didn't get a sinus infection in 2013 but it came last week :(

Looking forward to: Seeing the chiro and our second birthing class this evening with a doula guest speaker.
Best moments last week: Choosing a crib, car seat and stroller. I'm an obsessive researcher and don't want to buy ten to make the right choice so this has been a revolution this past week! 

27 Weeks and then onward to the 3rd trimester!

It's my last week in the second trimester. Crazy. Only 13 weeks to go! We've officially, physically started on the nursery! Shockingly, we chose shades of gray, only three :) so I took this weeks photo against the colors to track the progress and remember what our former office turned den looked like. The current yellow-ish color on the wall was there when we bought the house and I'm pretty sure this room was a patio back in its day because of the wood paneling walls, which I love; the house was built in 1925.

Which color do you like!?

I'm leaning towards the middle gray. Oh fun, something else we've chosen is gray :) The swatches are for the glider and I'm thinking the darker gray. 

Oh that gun piece. No, this is not in the decor of the nursery but it's still a pretty cool piece we're not sure where to move yet. It actually has a blue glow that comes through the wood cut outs. This was a housewarming gift from our realtor. I know, that sounds weird. We were actually at a mutual friends/local artists house one evening that was having an art sale and we actually had our eye on it so our realtor bought it for us as a gift. The story around this piece is basically things you see that happen at bars, this was part of a collection and also included a piece of a woman and another with shot glasses.

Due date: April 8, 2014

How far along? 27 Weeks

What fruit veggie are you? Cauliflower 

Total weight gain/loss: No extra pounds, maintaining the 25lb weight gain! So happy the holidays are over...totally not my fault :)
Maternity clothes? Some of Nate's T-Shirts but the essentials are Jcrew Pixie pants, Matchstick jeans and maternity tees and tanks. I was able to wear a non-maternity maxi dress last weekend! Maxi dresses are so much easier than winter clothes.

Stretch marks? No...

Sleep: Great, after I saw the chiropractor.
Miss Anything? Fitting into pants... so ready for the spring to wear maxi dresses!

Exercise: No yoga last week again, I decided to fall asleep on the couch instead. Still waiting on my bike...

Movement: All the time. Nate's ADHD held out one evening and waited until he saw her kick through my skin, he was like a kid seeing a magic trick!

Food cravings: Pineapple and fruit, finally some healthy food.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: A bow

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Still an inny :)

Happy or Moody: Now that I'm consciously relaxing I'm calm again as I plan my way through January.

Looking forward to: This evening; my chiro appt. and then our 6 week birthing classes start!
Best moments last week: Staying & waking up late, the insomnia I've read about is definitely kicking in.

Relax.

My word for 2014 is to Relax. 

When Nate and I first starting dating he always thought I had something up my sleeve or was just really good at lying. I'm always five steps ahead planning for something, even when something is impossible to even plan. Nate's usually very annoyed about how much I plan my (our) life because he's very laissez-faire, about everything. As in, he loves to be late, I'm pretty sure he plans to be late just because he likes it so much and he gets a kick out of watching me freak out about how late we're running. Or when something of his is lost in the house he immediately asks if I've seen it, like I planned for him to lose it because I miraculously always find it within two milliseconds. At this point he doesn't even start to look for it, he walks into the room where he thinks he left it and yells, "Linds, where are my _keys_? I can't find them."

January is already starting to be a busy month for planning; maternity and boudoir photo shoots, planning the baby shower that's in February (Exactly. We're planning our own shower. Other than the fact we're very non-traditional, we don't like the idea of burdening someone else to plan a party for us, plus we already had a theme planned...) and planning for a baby! So. Much. Planning. Although planning excites me, in 2014 I'm trying to relax and simplify my ways. I know I can't plan how I look as my belly grows, foresee our birth plan and especially plan to be the most on-top-of-it new mom. All I can do is prepare and relax when situations arise I didn't plan for, that's why I have Nate, he's the first person to tell me to relax and make me laugh and breath it out. 

In April we'll be a family of five...okay three, I won't include the dogs :) It will be the biggest change in our lives so to cherish every memory, live in the moment and be more laissez-faire I know I need to RELAX a little.

What's your word for 2014? 

Visit these host sites to see what other bloggers have chosen as their 'word' for the year. 

I follow 'Little Baby Garvin' and saw this idea on her site.

Casey Wiegand

In Honor of Design

Kelly Murray

Little Baby Garvin

Oh Dear Drea

Small Fry Blog

Summer Saldana