Its been a while and some advice of products for moms to be.

Well its been a while. I have been busy being a mom to my amazing baby boy. He is truly a gift and I love being a mom more that I ever imagined. He is such a great baby. I am back to work but only for 3 days a week.

I thought I would list the things I really use to help moms to be choose products and also things that I thought were a waste. Also, I did alot of research when I was picking these products. I read Baby Bargains and Consumer Reports, both books I highly recommend getting.

First off, please don't stress out to get the nursery done. If you don't have it done, don't worry about it. Your baby is not going to know that his/her bedroom isn't completed. Plus the baby is in the bassinet in your room in the beginning. Our furniture was being delivered when I was in labor! I had a changing table which I highly recommend (Sorelle Nikki Changing table) and a bassinet (Badger) so I was not to worried. I love having a changing table instead of using the bureau because I don't have to bend to change the baby. The changing table is higher than the bureau. Also, it has open shelves to I just grab what I need.
We didn't know what I was having, so I had a girl bedding and a boy bedding picked out. We painted the nursery Garland Green from Benjamin Moore. I ended up getting the Jungle Friends Nursery bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. I then put blue accents in the nursery. It came out great. I love the bedding. Great quality. I would highly recommend them for bedding.
Our furniture is Munire Bristoll: I got this furniture in white. I would recommend the furniture,but not in white. I guess because of the heat wood expands, then the paint cracks because they use paint that is safe for the baby. It shows up more in white furniture. If I had known this I would of purchased the cherry color.

Speaking of changing the diaper, I love Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer. I heard people say this was a waste, but I really like it. Those wipes can be very cold on baby's bottom.

Diaper Genie Elite: A must! Those diapers can get smelly!

Boppy Infant Feeding Pillow-Heirloom Luxe Lamb: To be honest I don't use this anymore. I found it helpful in the beginning when I was learning to breastfeed. Also it has pockets and I used to put his pacifier and burp cloth in it. I plan on taking this out so he can sit against it.

Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing: My son loved this! He took many naps in this when he was a newborn. I would recommend getting this.

Tiny Love Gymini: Super Deluxe Lights & Music Play Mat: This is a must! My son loves this so much. He just goes crazy when I put him down on this mat. Also, there is a mirror and he loves to look at himself.

Fisher-Price Precious Planet Happy Giraffe Bouncer: A total must! He loves it! This is such a life saver. I put him in it when I take a shower and put him in the bathroom with me. I also put him in it in the kitchen to make dinner or eat. I also put him in when I put an Einstein DVD on for him. He just loves it.

Baby Einstein Discovery Center: I just put him in this. He loves it so far. I have 6 nieces and 2 nephews and they all loved this. A must get!

Fisher-Price Aquarium Bath Center: I love this bath! It has a newborn sling which is great. I did however get a thermometer which was really a waste because the bathtub has a thermometer on it that has a smiley face when the water is just right and a sad face if its too cold or hot.

Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag: Ok so this bag is for if you have twins but I love it. My sister in law has the single one and its just so small! Now she has two kids and she cant fit anything in it. I have plenty of room in this bag.

Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Seat: I love this car seat. My son seems to love it too. Every time I put him in it and in the car he falls asleep.

UppaBaby Vista Jake Stoller: Can I tell you this is the best stroller! In the beginning I had it in my house and used the bassinet part of it and wheeled him around the house when he was a newborn. He loved it. Now I always have it in my trunk and got the car seat adapter for it. I was going to get the snap and go but when I went to go see it I thought it was very flimsy. I just put the car seat in the adapter and go!

Kolcraft Jeep Liberty Stroller: This is what I use when I walk outside. In the beginning when he was first born, I would put him in his car seat and put the car seat in the stroller. No adapter needed. It rides great and its not too expensive.

JJ Cole Infant Bundle Me: Best invention ever made. My son is so nice and warm in there. No need for heavy sweaters or jackets. I just put him in there and he is nice and warm.

Breast pump-Medela Pump in Style: I strongly suggest you not purchase this before the baby is born. Here is my story. I didn't have alot of milk in the beginning. The baby was not gaining as much as he should. My baby would suck and then fall asleep. The pediatrician said I needed to pump to make more milk and then give the baby a bottle twice a day. I got a prescription for the breast pump. My insurance covered it. I have a cousin who did not have milk and she couldn't breastfeed. My point is, you don't know what will happen. Breast pumps are very expensive. Just wait and see if one, breast feeding is for you, you are able to do it, or your pediatrician might be able to write you out a prescription if you need it.

Baby Bjorn Carrier: Total waste in my opinion. My son does not like it and I just don't use it. I know many people that do but he never took to it and frankly I rather just hold him.

Swaddlers: I got about 5 swaddlers. People told me they were a must. My son was in them for 2 nights. He hated to be swaddled. He kicked himself out of them. He loves to have his arms free. He touches his head and face. It soothes him. (He always did that even in utero). Some babies don't like to be swaddled. He slept great. I would suggest maybe getting one to try it out.

I hope this helps you out. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Welcome Luca Salvatore!

I am so happy to announce that Luca Salvatore came into our lives on 10/6/10 at 1:43 pm.

On the 5th I was having period like cramps all day and just feeling crummy. At night I forced myself to have dinner but all night I was up feeling the need to go to the bathroom. I felt so sick. Just like a stomach bug. Well then around 2 am I started to have contractions. I wasn't sure at first and then they got regular. 20 min apart. I went to my husband and said I think I am in labor. He said are you kidding? I was like no I think I am. I wrote down the times 20 min apart then 10 then 5, then back to 10, then 7, then 5. at around 6am I called the doctor. We waited for the doctor to call back and the covering doctor said to come in and lets have a look. so 6:15 we are on 93 in traffic on out way to the hospital. They were bearable but painful and still 5 min apart and sometimes 3 min.

When we got there, I was only 1 cm dilated, and 90% effaced. The nurse said well I might not keep you. Are you kidding? She hooked me up to the machine and the baby's heart rate was dipping when I had a contraction. She talked to my doctor and when she came back in the room she said well your staying and your doctor wants you on pitocin and ordered an epidural. I said well I don't think I was an epidural. She said are you kidding? why? Well after a few more contractions I said "I'll take that epidoral now". all along I am telling my husband that I think I cant do this again. I think one baby is enough.
Once I got it Oh my god! Amazing! weird because you feel nothing and cant move your legs. I told my husband oh I can have 10 kids. this is great! I guess my contractions came very very close but I didn't feel a thing!
I got the pitocin at around 11am, At about 1 I said I think my water broke. It was like a little pop. The nurse check me and she was like Yep and you are fully dilated. we need to call the doctor in.
OMG! it was so surreal. this was it. all this time I was going to meet my baby.
Doctor came in at about 1:15. I started pushing, 3 contractions, 3 pushes each and he was out!!
the doctor said its a boy. I said really? I thought for sure it was a girl. but my god I couldn't stop crying and they gave him to me right away. It was the most amazing thing in the world. To finally hold your baby. It was just overwhelming.

He was 7 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long. He is such a great baby. I cant tell you how in love I am. I wonder what we did without him. For all we went through to get here, I finally have my miracle in my arms.

Luca means the bringer of light, and that's what he did. I knew I always saw the light at the end of tunnel that we went through and now I have him in my arms.
He brought us the light into our lives, hearts, and souls.

Week 39- We are almost there!

What is Baby S up to?

Baby's crown-to-rump length at this time is approximately 14.4 inches and the total length is approximately 21.5 inches. The average baby weighs a little more than 7 pounds now and is preparing for birth. You are probably as big as you are going to get and may be uncomfortable now. Most women gain between 25 and 35 pounds during their pregnancy. Your uterus is about 7-8 inches above your bellybutton now.

Although your baby continues to grow and develop inside of your uterus, there is not much room for him to move about. All of your baby's organ systems are now complete and the lungs were the last to fully mature.

If you are uncomfortable with your pregnancy at this time, you are not alone. Most women are ready to deliver their babies. It would be very unusual for you to not be uncomfortable at this time. Your uterus has grown a lot and now fills your entire pelvis and abdomen. Try not to ask your doctor to induce you, unless it is medically necessary. Your cervix is ripening in preparation for delivery and your bladder is under a lot of pressure. You may feel nervous about the upcoming labor. You will know when you are in labor because contractions will get worse when you move around and they will also get stronger and more frequent. Other signs of labor are the breaking of your water or a bloody show as the mucus that plugged your cervix becomes dislodged.

Most of the lanugo on your baby should be gone by now. Your baby still may have some on his shoulders and in the creases of his body. Your baby's toenails have reached the end of his toes. The umbilical cord is about a half inch thick and may be wrapped around him. The umbilical cord still supplies the baby with nutrients that he needs. After delivery, your baby's umbilical cord will be clamped and cut. After it is cut, he will be an independent human being and must perform all of his body functions on his own. Your baby will get antibodies from your body that give his immune system a boost.

I can't believe how close I am to being a mommy. I have dreamed about this for as long as I can remember. I just can't wait to hold my sweet baby in my arms and finally meet him/her.
Almost 13 years ago I became an aunt. A title and role that I have always cherished and adored. I have felt so blessed to be the aunt of the most amazing 6 nieces and 2 nephews. I cant believe that in about a week, I will have the role I have wished for, prayed for and hope for. In 7 days I will be a MOTHER!

Week 38- We are so close!

What is Baby S up to?

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

This weekend nesting was in full swing! I washed all the baby's clothes. I used Dreft. I love the smell of it. It smells what baby clothes should smell like. My husband put together the changing table, bouncy seat, swing, pack in play, car seat is installed in the car, bags are packed and bassinet is all put together. We are all set. We just have to wait for Baby S to arrive!

We are still waiting on the other furniture to come. The crib, bureau and chest. They said it will come in 10-12 weeks. This is week 11, so I am hoping it comes within the week.

I cant tell you how excited I am. I cant wait to have this sweet baby in my arms. We just have 2 more weeks!

Week 37

Whats Baby S up to?

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

Last week we had an appointment with the Fetal-Maternal Specialist. My doctor just wanted a second opinion. The head is still larger than the belly. But the belly is measuring where it should so the doctor agrees with my doctor and Baby S just has a big head :) I was so relieved with that news. I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop and I was scared that it would. But all looks perfect. Baby S last week was 6 pounds 13 oz. So if I go to term we are looking at an 8 pound baby.

I am pretty much all ready for the baby to come. Well I have everything bought. We still haven't put the nursery together yet. My husband has been busy painting and Friday we are having the rugs cleaned. Saturday I will be putting everything together and washing all the clothes.

I cant believe I will be mommy soon.
3 more weeks! I cant wait to have Baby S in my arms!

Interesting Fact:

I was reading my What to Expect When You Are Expecting and they said, "according to researchers, who found that 3rd trimester fetuses show crying behaviors -quivering chin , open mouth, deep inhalations and exhalations, and startle responses -when a loud noise and vibrations were sounded near the moms belly. Its known that crying reflex is well developed even in premature infants..."

I also found this video. I found this very interesting and always wondered this. If a baby cries when it first comes into life, why wouldn't it cry in the womb. I cant wait to hold my sweet baby and try to sooth every cry he/she makes.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/media/fetalcryingvideo.html

Week 36

What is Baby S up to?
Your baby is still packing on the pounds, at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Not much new to report. We are just getting ready for little one to arrive. I can't wait! We still have alot to do. The baby's furniture still hasn't arrived yet. Yikes!
I cant believe we have 28 more days!

4 weeks left until Baby S arrives!

Week 35- We bought a family car!

What is Baby S up to this week?
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete,he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
Your uterus,which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

Well, we bought a family car. I am so ready for the baby come now. I sold my 2 door Toyota Solara and we bought a 2011 Toyota Camry. I cant wait to put the car seat in it.

Last weekend I had major nesting. I couldn't get my house clean enough. I did all the woodwork in the house. I just kept thinking that a new baby is going to be here. Every week we have something to do. Finish the painting in the house, get carpets cleaned, etc. We are very busy preparing.

I look at the baby stuff we have and cant believe its for MY baby. The stroller, car seat, baby necessities are in my living room. I never imagined that I would ever have baby stuff in my house. With all we went through I never thought it was possible.

This is real now. I will be a mommy.

32 more days to go!