We finally announced to the facebook world our exciting news! It was so fun, I was so anxious that I couldn't press the send button, Will did that for me haha. Super excited not to be hush hush about this anymore and talk loud about this baby!! We found out that my due date, from the last ultra sound, is actually 10/5...This is going to be the best birthday present ever (my b-day is 10/4). My estimation was close! I was suspicious after our dating ultrasound because my baby was measuring just a tiny bit smaller than the average at 13 weeks. Now, I'm feeling more confident that this baby is right on track. I learned that you can get a more accurate reading the smaller the fetus is. So, re-predicting the due date at the 20 week ultrasound wouldn't really be a better estimate. I've updated my tickers and look forward to baby being the size of a lemon again ;)
Centering Program @ Borgess
We had our first "centering" appointment on 4/9. It's a program that Borgess Women's Health offers for pregnant women who are all due within the same month (give or take). It's a cool experience so far. We walked in, made little name tags for ourselves, signed photo releases for us and the baby when it's born, got a cute reusable bag and a book that we will use at each session that has useful and helpful information about what to expect during your pregnancy and how to be healthy during pregnancy. It's similar to the book "What to Expect When Your Expecting." I think I'm ahead of the game knowing what I need to know so far from reading the book, subscribing to blogs, daily emails, and apps on my iPhone. But, it's also nice to bounce ideas off my midwife and other new parents who attend the centering program. All are new parents except for one, which is her third child. We took records such as my weight (up 1lb), my blood pressure, and then had a Doppler done to measure the baby's heartbeat (lower this time! 141bpm) It's pretty laid back, a topic each time we meet that we cover. We meet once per month until the last couple of months, we meet every two weeks. I think it's the same routine as scheduling a regular appointment with your doctor, just with more people. It's also nice to meet people in the area . My due date is the latest one in the group. Almost everyone else is due in September.
Everyone in the group is planning on not finding out the sex of their baby. Will and I were the only ones who were planning on finding out the sex. I was surprised and asked "so, for what reasons is everyone choosing not to find out the sex?" A couple of points were mentioned that really made me think: (1) simple fact of excitement of hearing "It's a boy" or "It's a girl" from husband or someone special. (2) It's a baby, you're going to love it no matter what sex it is, it doesn't matter, focus on the baby's health (3) less expensive because you don't go crazy buying cute gender specific clothes, nursery items, etc. I was excited to do a gender reveal party, and already planning it in my head: having cake pops made and finding out with close friends and family mid-summer, where one cake pop was either pink or blue. That was my inspiration. But now, I'm really looking forward to waiting to find out during labor. So YES, we've (I, with Will's support) changed our minds, we ARE NOT finding out the sex at our 18 week ultrasound appointment on May 7. This will really help my type A personality relax a little… I can picture myself getting so caught up in buying and making things for the baby if I knew it was a baby boy or a baby girl. I wouldn't not be able to do any gender specific things for the baby. Now, if we don't find out, I'll just be able to focus on the necessities. My favorite colors are blue and green anyway, so Baby Burns, no matter what the sex, will have one happy momma with a blue and green theme J And one happy daddy (because momma is happy…hehe). Don't get me wrong, I'm not biased for those who decide to find out the sex…we were set on finding out earlier, it's a really exciting time however you wish to find out! I just know personally it will be good for me not to know. There are tons of opinions out there on either side, but the important thing is choosing to do what you want to do for you and not worrying about what everyone else is doing. Will actually got pretty frustrated with me when I brought the idea to him, simply because I changed my mind after hearing what the majority of the group was doing. He thought I was just doing it to be like them and not be the odd ball out. But, truth is that I really never thought about how not finding out would be...I did some research (on opinions mainly lol) and thought it would be super special and exciting and less stressful for me to not find out. Simple as that. Plus, I'm convinced it's a boy…EVERYONE has a hunch that it's a boy. Good thing is that those who are confident enough to get Baby Burns boy stuff…if it's a girl, she won't look as silly as a boy wearing girl stuff. ;) Then for our next pregnancy, most of what we'll have will work for either a boy or a girl, so we won't have to completely buy all new things if the sex is opposite of our first child. Will is supportive of this new decision. He just wants the baby to be healthy. He has some projects he's mentioned that would help knowing the sex of the baby, but I think that he can pull them off soon after the baby is born or as a gender neutral gig. J
We had our first "centering" appointment on 4/9. It's a program that Borgess Women's Health offers for pregnant women who are all due within the same month (give or take). It's a cool experience so far. We walked in, made little name tags for ourselves, signed photo releases for us and the baby when it's born, got a cute reusable bag and a book that we will use at each session that has useful and helpful information about what to expect during your pregnancy and how to be healthy during pregnancy. It's similar to the book "What to Expect When Your Expecting." I think I'm ahead of the game knowing what I need to know so far from reading the book, subscribing to blogs, daily emails, and apps on my iPhone. But, it's also nice to bounce ideas off my midwife and other new parents who attend the centering program. All are new parents except for one, which is her third child. We took records such as my weight (up 1lb), my blood pressure, and then had a Doppler done to measure the baby's heartbeat (lower this time! 141bpm) It's pretty laid back, a topic each time we meet that we cover. We meet once per month until the last couple of months, we meet every two weeks. I think it's the same routine as scheduling a regular appointment with your doctor, just with more people. It's also nice to meet people in the area . My due date is the latest one in the group. Almost everyone else is due in September.
Everyone in the group is planning on not finding out the sex of their baby. Will and I were the only ones who were planning on finding out the sex. I was surprised and asked "so, for what reasons is everyone choosing not to find out the sex?" A couple of points were mentioned that really made me think: (1) simple fact of excitement of hearing "It's a boy" or "It's a girl" from husband or someone special. (2) It's a baby, you're going to love it no matter what sex it is, it doesn't matter, focus on the baby's health (3) less expensive because you don't go crazy buying cute gender specific clothes, nursery items, etc. I was excited to do a gender reveal party, and already planning it in my head: having cake pops made and finding out with close friends and family mid-summer, where one cake pop was either pink or blue. That was my inspiration. But now, I'm really looking forward to waiting to find out during labor. So YES, we've (I, with Will's support) changed our minds, we ARE NOT finding out the sex at our 18 week ultrasound appointment on May 7. This will really help my type A personality relax a little… I can picture myself getting so caught up in buying and making things for the baby if I knew it was a baby boy or a baby girl. I wouldn't not be able to do any gender specific things for the baby. Now, if we don't find out, I'll just be able to focus on the necessities. My favorite colors are blue and green anyway, so Baby Burns, no matter what the sex, will have one happy momma with a blue and green theme J And one happy daddy (because momma is happy…hehe). Don't get me wrong, I'm not biased for those who decide to find out the sex…we were set on finding out earlier, it's a really exciting time however you wish to find out! I just know personally it will be good for me not to know. There are tons of opinions out there on either side, but the important thing is choosing to do what you want to do for you and not worrying about what everyone else is doing. Will actually got pretty frustrated with me when I brought the idea to him, simply because I changed my mind after hearing what the majority of the group was doing. He thought I was just doing it to be like them and not be the odd ball out. But, truth is that I really never thought about how not finding out would be...I did some research (on opinions mainly lol) and thought it would be super special and exciting and less stressful for me to not find out. Simple as that. Plus, I'm convinced it's a boy…EVERYONE has a hunch that it's a boy. Good thing is that those who are confident enough to get Baby Burns boy stuff…if it's a girl, she won't look as silly as a boy wearing girl stuff. ;) Then for our next pregnancy, most of what we'll have will work for either a boy or a girl, so we won't have to completely buy all new things if the sex is opposite of our first child. Will is supportive of this new decision. He just wants the baby to be healthy. He has some projects he's mentioned that would help knowing the sex of the baby, but I think that he can pull them off soon after the baby is born or as a gender neutral gig. J
FINALLY finished our taxes on the 10th…I know a little close to the April 15 deadline, right?! We've been pretty busy lately, having projects to work on, and baby stuff J and trying to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle. Next year we might miss the deadline, but that excuse will be completely valid (new baby) on our hands. ;) This tax money will be going straight to my maternity leave fund! I started a new position in October 2012, and didn't elect short term disability. Why? I have no idea… the maternity leave is paid out through short term disability, so, I'm not eligible for maternity leave pay. Yes, its not ideal but, it is what it is…and it could be worse. Some people don't even have a maternity leave option and I've read that actually quite a few new moms can't afford to take time off to be with the baby, they need to go back to work right away for financial reasons. I'll be able to take at least 6 weeks, if not more depending on how much I'm able to bank for that time. Will also gets a paternity leave, 10 days! J I'm really looking forward to his help and support.
I bought a belly band, from Target, recommended by a good friend! I love it! It was much needed! It makes getting dressed less annoying and uncomfortable, and much more affordable not having to purchase maternity clothing right now. I'm planning on wearing dresses this summer, and depending on the weather in September and the beginning of October, wearing leggings/long shirts. We'll see how that plan works J We're going to Aruba end of this month and I've already grown out of my swimsuits, top and bottoms. My sister was nice enough to lend me some of hers…she's a taller than I am and a size up now fits me just perfect. She also lent me some dresses for options, so now I'll have no reason to stress about things to wear on vacation! J Can't wait for this babymoon (which was supposed to be a honeymoon, from my mom)...countdown 2 weeks!!!
Happy Friday everyone! Baby and I are heading to Boston for the weekend! Much love.
