Lilypie Pregnancy tickers

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Babymoon!

    I read a post on a baby website one day that was about the importance of pampering onesself during pregnancy or something silly like that (I'm really just saying that because I took the advice to heart). One of the recommendations was to take a "Babymoon". Essentially, the idea is that the couple take the equivalent of a second honeymoon prior to the birth to allow them time to connect and relax before the madness begins. It's also unlikely or at the very least not recommended that parents travel with really young children, so we know that it will be a while before we can do anything like this again. Plus, I really don't want to be "those people" on the plane, both for my sake and the sake of the other passengers. 
    I thought this was an especially helpful idea since, not only have Adrian and I promised each other that travelling will be a priority for us, but with school, two jobs, a pregnancy and househunting/moving in the next few months, I think I'm owed at least a little relaxation! I think the trip is coming at the perfect time as well since I start school August 20th and my boss will have just gotten back from a two week-long vacation himself. It's true that we could have spent our money elsewhere and there's plenty of ways it could have been spent, but something tells me that, particularly once the baby's here, I'm going to feel like this was the best money we ever spent on a vacation.
    So, where are we going?! We're staying 6 days and 5 nights at an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. I found a fabulous Groupon for 88% off the usual price a few months back and figured it was a deal too good to pass up. The best part is that we had to finish using up our travel vouchers from our honeymoon, so this was the perfect opportunity! What's even better is that, not only are we going to be staying right on one of the rumored most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, but we won't have to pay for much since it's all-inclusive! The scuba diving is supposed to be unparalleled and while that's scratched off our activities list since we don't want Baby to come out looking like Stewie on Family Guy (or evil & vindictive towards me for having subjected it to immense amounts of pressure), the snorkeling is supposed to be no less impressive as well! While ziplining and some other adventure-type excursions are also not an option, I have a feeling we'll have no trouble finding ways to enjoy the beach and the beautiful scenery. I can't wait to get there and relax and I'm just hoping that I won't still be burnt from floating the river when we get there!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Baby's Playlist

All I Want Is You - U2 (the song Adrian and I danced to on our wedding day);  Angel Standing By - Jewel;  Ave Maria - Jewel;  Be Thou My Vision - Ginny Owens;  Piano Concerto #5 "The Emperor" - Beethoven;  Brighter Than Sunshine - Aqualung;  Does She Know - Kelly Pease;  Don't I Hold You - Wheat;  Dreamsome - Shelby Lynne;  Eve, The Apple Of My Eye - Bell X1;  Even When I'm Sleeping - Leonardo's Bride;  Everything - Lifehouse (Our song, and the song playing when we first kissed);  Everything'll Be Alright - Joshua Radin;  Eyes - Rogue Wave;  Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk;  Give In To Me - Garrett Hedlund &Leighton Meester from "Country Strong";  Gotta Have You - The Weepies;  Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright;  Hard Times - Eastmountainsouth;  Have A Little Faith In Me - John Hiatt;  Hey Jude - Joe Anderson from "Across the Universe";  I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers;  I Want To Hold Your Hand - T.V. Carpio from "Across the Universe";  If You Want Me To - Ginny Owens;  Just Like Heaven - Katie Melua;  Last of Days - A Fine Frenzy;  Let It Be - Carol Woods from "Across the Universe";  Let It Be Me - Ray LaMontagne;  Lullabye - Natalie Merchant;  Nobody Knows Me At All - The Weepies;  One Fine Day - Natalie Merchant;  Only You - Joshua Radin;  Canon In D Major - Pachelbel;  The Parting Glass - The Wailin' Jennys;  The Shining - Badly Drawn Boy;  So Are You To Me - Eastmountainsouth;  Stand By Me - Ray Charles;  These Small Hours - Rob Thomas;  To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks;  Try A Little Tenderness - Michael Buble;  Turning to Peace - Paul Schwartz;  You Belong To Me - Jason Wade;  City Hall - Vienna Tang;  Christmas Song - Dave Matthews Band;  I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

Baby says "Hi"

    I read that beginning at 17-18 weeks, you can begin to play music for the baby.  I've also heard that this is also a great way to get them to move around in the first few weeks when the mother can feel the baby.  I got my first two little kicks on July 5th and at first I wondered if I could have possibly been mistaken, but lo' and behold, it was the baby indeed. I have been able to feel a sort of queasiness when the baby moves around, but since the 5th I hadn't really gotten a good solid kick (though Baby decided to pommel my vital organs on Saturday night which was not pleasant). 
    Today, while working at the library, I decided to try putting some headphones on my belly and playing the playlist that I put together for Baby.When the playlist reached one of my favorite and one of the most moving songs I know, "If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owens, the baby started kicking like crazy.  It was the first time in three weeks that I knew Baby was saying "hi" and I knew right then, Baby has GREAT taste in music! Either that, or Baby was trying to get me to turn it off, but since I must interpret as I choose at this point, I choose to believe that the baby was doing a little happy dance. Unfortunately, I think one of the headphones shifted as did the baby, and it was no longer my stomach that Baby was kicking, but my kidneys... 
    Notwithstanding the kicking of my vitals, I know we'll get along great and I'm hoping soon Daddy can join in on the fun of feeling Baby say "hi"!

A Bull-Headed Lil' Booger!

    I had my check up on July 13th, or Friday the 13th. I had called the doctor's office earlier in the week to see if they could do an early gender test by sonogram to figure out the sex of the baby as a belated birthday surprise for Adrian. I didn't expect anything but when I arrived at the office, the doctor told me that they would wheel in the sonogram machine to see if they couldn't figure out the gender!
    Unfortunately, Adrian was crazy-busy at work and wasn't able to go with me to the appointment that day, but it being Friday the 13th, I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. The baby's legs were crossed tight at the knees the whole time! Even when the baby would kick, they would kick at the same time not allowing the doctor a peak!
    Although frustrating, it was wonderful to get to see that the baby is progressing beautifully and really looks like a baby now with toes and feet and a little more on it's bones than just a thin layer of skin. As a souvenir and birthday surprise, I got to take Daddy home a picture of the baby's face.