Our Baby Shower

Our baby shower was simply amazing. It was touching to see how much attention to detail Erica (hostess) put in, to incorporate both Danielle and I in a way that I think and hope Danielle felt this shower was as much for her as it was for me.

The shower was High Tea held at "the oldest dining room in Pittsburgh" at the Terrace Room in the Omni Hotel. The room looked beautiful with the linen cloaked tables, table settings, and chandeliers. It reminded Danielle and I of the dining rooms on our cruise ship. Erica set each place setting with favors that matched the theme of our invitations. They included a bookmark, chocolate lollipop with our names and date on it, and a tea bag in the most beautiful themed packet. She also made homemade red velvet cupcakes for people to take home with them and put them in their own individual boxes. I think our guests felt just as well thought of as Danielle and I did.

With the exception of one, everyone showed up. Games included naming the children of the listed tv parents and their show. Erica is a HUGE tv/movie fan so this was so her and a lot of fun. Another game included trying to guess the most items in my diaper bag. My niece Logan, was given the job of walking around with a baby bottle of jellybeans and allowed each person to guess how many were in it. Logan (age 5) and my 1 year old niece were the only children there so it was nice to give her a job to do. And then the last game was while I opened my presents. Everyone was given a bingo board with common baby items and as I opened my gifts they were able to use their marker (spring colored M&M's) to mark it off. We ended up with a few bingos. This was my favorite game because it kept people interested as we opened up gifts. In between games and as we were having tea, Erica did a "P3 challenge." If some of you remember the ongoing joke/nickname for Danielle is P3 (professional poker player- long story). Anyway, on the cupcake boxes and under the tea cup saucers, Erica randomly placed poker stickers. Whoever, had the sticker she called out won the prize. And talking about prizes, she picked out some really nice prizes. I could see that the guests were impressed and really enjoyed them.

Um, what else? Oh, yeah gifts. We got TONS of gifts. Once again, I have amazing friends who are incredibly generous. Our little guy is going to be so decked out in all of his cute clothes. My friends have great taste in baby clothing!!! Someone commented towards the end that we didn't receive any blankets, bottles, or receiving blankets and they were right. We have enough at home but usually people receive tons of them. I think it just means that my friends think outside the box!!! Other gifts included super cute bibs, an Ergo carrier, exersaucer, pj's and shower gel/lotion for me to take to the hospital, toys, diapers/wipes, tons of books with beautiful greetings written from the gift giver, monitor, money, gift cards, etc. Truly, our little guy was lavished with lots of wonderful gifts.

Anyway, all in all, I had a great time. It was truly everything I hoped and wished it to be. My friends have been so incredibly supportive along my journey and it was nice to have them all there with us to celebrate the pending arrival of our little guy.

Hospital Tour

This morning Mr. Midwife took Danielle and I, along with another couple on a tour of the hospital. He told us where to sign in, showed us triage, L&D, and recovery. The triage area has a really nice jacuzzi that seems to be limited to patients using midwives. I guess the nurses are way too busy to monitor OB patients in there so it's not offered to them. The tub is a nice size with lots of jets. We are allowed to labor in there as long as possible. For those who used a tub or shower of some sort during your labor, what did you wear? I'm trying to figure out what would be the most appropriate/comfortable.

I'm really impressed with the labor and delivery area. It's quite large and cozy. I just assumed it would have a sterile feel to it but quite the contrary. Mr. Midwife showed us how the bed breaks down into a birthing chair and how there's a steel bar that can go across it if you want to brace yourself and squat during delivery. I just love that I'm not just limited to laying on my back and pushing. He's a big fan of moving around and trying different positions. He's also a big fan of kangaroo care and said the nurses have no problem accommodating us by holding off on weighing, feet stamping, etc of the baby for an hour or so.

The post partum rooms aren't as large or cozy but they will accommodate what we need for our 2 night stay. Visiting is 24 hours a day and Danielle can stay with me the entire time. The babies have a special device on their bracelets that literally shuts down the entire hospital (doors, elevators, etc) if someone goes beyond a certain point with them. I'm truly impressed with this security measure. Breastfeeding is encouraged as well as rooming in. He also gave us the tip of making a sign to bring with us that says "sleeping." He said you won't get much rest at the hospital but if you put the sign up, it can reduce some traffic in and out of your room with people like the water fillers, tray takers, etc.

So all in all, we enjoyed the tour. It definitely raised our level of excitement about the baby's arrival and made the idea that he'll be arriving soon all seem a little more real.

Lamaze Class #1

We started lamaze last night. Of course, we were the only lesbian couple and I was the only black person there out of 10 other couples. I think most couples caught on that Danielle and I were there as a couple. However, one girl was just so clueless. The ice-breaker was to go around, find out each others names and due dates. Well there was one other couple who are due April 9th like us. However, the clueless girl didn't catch on so when she introduced herself to us and we both said April 9th, she thought there were 3 of us due April 9th. Later on, she was talking to Danielle about baby experiences in a way that she was waiting for Danielle to relate as a carrying mom would. However, she seemed a little confused when Danielle couldn't. Maybe next week....

Class is from 6:30-9pm which is great for us working people. However, it makes for a long day. Towards the end, the teacher engaged us in a relaxation exercise where she turned out the lights, had us lay on mats with our pillows and put on soothing music and did some guided imagery. I remember her saying something about beach umbrellas and that was it, I was out for the count. Danielle had to jab me to wake me up!!! The teacher had forewarned us that this may happen. Let's just say, I have no problems relaxing. I do think guided imagery will help me during labor as well as using a focal point. The first thing that comes to mind as a focal point is a vase of purple or deep pink tulips. So hopefully, we'll buy some the weeks leading up to my due date.

Tonight I'm off to an open house for a Pediatric Office. Tomorrow, I have a prenatal appointment. Saturday is Danielle's mother's surprise 50th birthday party and Sunday we are visiting friends. It's been a busy week. My goal for next week is to get my hospital bag packed. I know it's early but I'd rather have it waiting than trying to scramble at the last minute.

Invitation greatness

Our Shower is next Sunday, March 7th. I'm so psyched about it and can't believe it's coming up so fast. I'm honestly way more excited about seeing my friends than the gift receiving (although that will be fun too). I truly feel like this is a celebration of our really difficult ttc journey and being able to share the happiness with my good friends who supported me along the way.

My friend Erica is flying in from Los Angeles, her mother is coming in from DC, my childhood BFF from NY, and my brother and his family are coming in from OH. Then I'll have all of my in town friends as well. It will be a small shower with a little less than 30 people and it's at a really nice hotel downtown for afternoon tea.

Erica did a wonderful job with the invitations and envelopes. They are beautiful and totally reflect me and my personality.

Gifts are starting to pour in already. Over the weekend, Danielle's mother and sister bought us a pack and play. The week before we got a Chicco travel system from my parents. Yesterday my brother and sil sent us a monitor. It's pretty neat because you can wear it like a watch, on your upper arm like an ipod when you are exercising, or clipped to your shirt. They also bought us an Ergo carrier. And Rachel (single mom insanity) sent us Boon sippy cups at Mr. Farty's recommendation.

This baby is going to be so decked out with all of this stuff but he deserves it. It took him so long to come to us.

Nothing Says Romance Like....

Going to BRU and the Auto Show on Valentine's Day.

V-day isn't huge for us. I think as long as we are together, we're happy. We went out of sushi on Saturday and did some shopping.

Then on Sunday, we took advantage of BRU's trade in event. A friend of mine was gracious enough to donate 3 old baby items so that we could obtain three 25% off coupons for baby gear. We bought a baby gate, travel system, and a separate car seat for Danielle's car. We had to put back the mattress because we ran out of room in my small car. The coupons saved us a ton of money.

Because I have such a small car, I've been toying with the idea of getting a new car. It's such a difficult decision because my car is paid off and has been for several years, runs well, and did I mention paid off? The thought of going back to a car payment sucks. However, my car is small and I worry about our safety more so now that a baby will be in the car with us.

So yesterday we went to the Auto Show. All of the top makers were there showing off their cars, suv's, and minivans. Danielle is really pushing for a minivan and while they are cool inside, I'm not truly in love with the idea. My current car was chosen and half paid for by my parents when I finished grad school. So this will be the first time that I actually get to choose a car that I want. I seem to be really drawn to crossovers and suv's. I'm also really drawn to the Nissan Altima. The nice thing about the auto show was that I got to look at and sit in suv's by makers I had never even thought about. Maybe during my maternity leave I'll look into shopping around.

Last night we watched "The Happiest Baby on the Block." Has anyone tried his techniques? My friend and SIL had success with his 5 S's. Just wondering what other people thought about him.

Damn Snow....UPDATED to Yeah! Snow

Generally I hate snow but I was looking forward to the snowstorm we were getting. I rented movies and had lovely visions of cuddling with Danielle in bed while watching movies, reading, playing video games and resting. However, my plans were foiled when Danielle went to visit her mother, fell asleep, and woke up after the storm hit and is now snowed in at her mother's.

So what to do during a snowstorm?
-Bake bread
-Figure out how to replace the broken belt on the vacuum
- Hang pictures in the baby's room
- Enjoy left over Indian food from last night (wish I had more)
- Go outside to clear the sidewalk but realize quickly it's way too much
- Decide to make breakfast for dinner bc you've been craving pancakes lately
- Feel sorry for yourself bc your other half isn't with you and that's all that you want
- Get your tax papers together

UPDATE:
My neighbor cleared out his car so I was able to get my car out. I took all the major roads that were clear and went to rescue my love (cue music: Reunited and it feels so good). Now it's time for movies, snuggling, chips and salsa, more snuggling and enjoying each other. Now this is what I had in mind. Yeah!!! She's home.

Tentative Birth Plan

Birth Plan

Dear Patrick,
Thank you for helping us along every step of the way. Your support has been incredible and I look forward to you being my caregiver for the birth of our child.

Safety permitting, during labor we hope for:
· Intermittent fetal monitoring per ACOG standards. I do not want to be strapped to the

bed.
· The ability to walk and move around as much as possible, use the Jacuzzi and/or shower,

and the use of massage and relaxation.
· Different birthing positions (i.e. kneeling, squatting, birth chair)
· No pain medication. I am aware that I can change my mind and I will ask you if I do. If I do

in fact choose medication, please limit it to an epidural. If medication is needed due to

complications please thoroughly explain what each one is and why I need it. Please let

us exhaust all non-invasive means before using these.
· Low lights, low music, minimal chatter, and minimal exit/entry, especially as I get more

active and when I am pushing.
· Minimal hospital personnel present at birth. Although a student is welcome to observe.
· Aside from you and a nurse, I would like Danielle to be my only other support person in

the room. Family and friends are to wait in the waiting room especially when labor

intensifies and I begin to push.
· KANGAROO PROTOCAL PLEASE. If for some reason I am not available to provide this,

the baby is to be given to Danielle who will take over.
· Ample time to hold and breastfeed my baby immediately after birth
· Absolutely no bottles or pacifiers are to be given to the baby. I plan to breastfeed and

would like the baby to be brought to me for all feedings.

We know things can happen requiring us to modify our plan. We also know we might change our minds along the way. We really appreciate your support and help on our birth team.

Thank you