Eclipse

35 weeks

Laaaazy Saturday. Spending it relaxing. I did get some dishes done and cleaned the fridge out of the old food. I am SO not the poster child for being domestic.

I was sitting on the recliner earlier when my chest felt funny and i felt a little dizzy. I checked my pulse and my heartbeat was up to 120! I am not the type to easily freak out but it did worry me a little. I laid down in bed for a bit and it lowered to 112, then 100. Maybe Christian was just laying on a vein or something.

Wyatt is sore today from all the playing he did with his new friends. He is limping around and sleeping like an old man. :(

Day four of little to no sleep. I see my chiro today so hopefully she can remedy the upper back pain I am having and I can go back to sleeping. All I keep hearing is the "it gets you ready for the baby!", the problem is I still have to work 8 hours a day. AFTER I have the baby I will have 3 months of just caring for him...sleeping when he does, waking..feeding, sleeping.

I had some sharp stabbing pain in my lower region this morning, not sure what that was about but I am told it's pretty normal for 34 weeks. Sometimes he has very strong movements, my mom tells me he is going to be a handful. Given the gene pool I have to agree.

34 weeks

I can tell its getting closer to time. I haven't been sleeping well. My feet and hands are puffing up and I have been super exhausted lately. Kind of like the world around me is slowing down and I am just kind of waddling through it.

Christian has been non stop active...he never got the memo. Better enjoy it while it lasts little man, because soon you will be out here with us!

Happy mothers day

Happy mothers day to all the mothers out there...including furbaby mothers!

I went to a beautiful brunch with my grandma and Uncle then came home and organized boxes of clothes into sizes so I could pack away the ones that he wont wear for a while. My place is so tiny, I can only afford to have out what he is actually using.

My Grandma and I in Genoa

Wyatt will always be my first son :)

http://thegypsymama.com/2012/02/100-ways-to-encourage-a-new-mom/

Samples and 33/34 week appt

So I got samples of formula yesterday which made me look into how to get OTHER samples.

Samples are wonderful, I think the ones I want the most are diaper samples. Usually you get diapers as a gift before you have the baby and you use a bag then move on, not much variety. If I can get a few samples of a few diff brands then I can more accurately compare.

I have started emailing various companies asking for coupons and samples. So Far I have emailed:

Pampers-Emailed back with an auto generated message that "read" keywords in my email and gave me a link to FAQ.

Huggies-Emailed back with a link to sign up with thier website

Munchkin-Emailed back saying they are not offering any coupons or samples :(

Medela

Lansinoh

Gerber

Johnson & Johnson
Any other suggestions about who to email or sites to sign up with?

In other news, I went through and organized the baby shower gifts the other night. Hooked up my wipes warmer and set up my diaper pail. I put some stuff in the diaper bag. I still have to pack a hospital bag for myself.

I wasnt sleeping well the last 3 days but last night i slept HARD and woke up about 5am. My back was killing me, it feels like Christian has shifted and either a butt or a head is poking out my left side. I had my 33/34 week appt yesterday, all was normal. My next appt she will check my cervix, do a swab and check position. Getting closer!

BAM!!

33 weeks

Getting closer and more exhausted emotionally. I am excited to see Christian and hold him in my arms.

I am not having any contractions of any kind yet, just nausea and sleepiness.

Baby shower

Had my baby shower yesterday, A lot of great people came. The onsie making station was a hit!

Pics of the shower

32 weeks

8 months yesterday. Getting closer! Although I think C will stay in there as long as possible. While some of the other ladies in my birthing club have felt braxton hicks and what not I havent felt a damn thing. No weird fluids and no fake contractions, so something tells me this baby is not coming out without a fight! I still have 2 months to go...plenty of time for C to get cramped and decide to come out.

31 weeks

Baby C has a full head of hair :) Tried to go get a 3d u/s on monday but C decided that now breech position would be much funner, so I didnt get to see anything :(

Worn out today. Hitting my 3rd trimester. My crib comes in on wednesday, then bedding and the room will be ready.

I am having a hard time focusing at work today. I am run down mentally and physically. Theres still so much to plan and a certain someone is still insistant on harrasing me. I dont need the stress.

Baby C is still kicking and moving like crazy, kicks are getting stronger and more painful and the pressure on my cervix is really strong. I take forever to get up and walk around.

I got some of the house cleaned this weekend dispite having company and babysitting a toddler. Still have a lot more work to do, just no steam in which to do it.

23 weeks

I need a substitute mom. one who calls me once or twice a week to ask how C and I are doing and how i'm progressing. Mine is too preoccupied with other things and people.

I was really hoping for more excitement and involvment given it took me 8 years to get here, but really, I feel pushed out and alone more than ever. It's a horrible feeling and it's really making me hate everyone involved. I'm not even going to try anymore. I was sending picture and video updates which have mainly gone unaswered or unnoticed. When I called on valentines day, I felt like i was interrupting. I'm not sending any more pictures. If she misses out on things she can never get back thats on her, not on me.

C is kicking more often and occasionally doing flip flops in there. Given I can't count on my mom, I have started planning on how I can get myself a crib or playyard. I cant really organize C's corner without some sort of bed in place and i'm tired of waiting around.

22 weeks

So tired today, I think i have come down with something. Had an OB appt on thurs, all is good with baby C. I got a vaccine which I think has made me sick. I discussed my blurred vision, headaches and cramping with my OB. She scheduled me a little early for my glucose testing and an iron test. She suggested a belly band for cramping. I left work 4 hours early yesterday and am just drained today. C is kicking like crazy though, so I know peanut is just fine in there, despite me feeling like crap.

20 weeks

Halfway there!

I feel baby C kick a lot now, mainly between 1-4pm and then somedays later at night.

I'm still not sleeping well, i sleep in small bouts but most of my night consist of shifting to find a comfortable position.


zzzzZZzzZZzz

19 weeks

I slept like crap last night. Fell asleep laying on the couch watching my new favorite show, Revenge. Woke up about 11 and shifted and tried to fall back alseep. Ended up spending most my night tossing and turning until about 3am where I went to bed. I usually switch between my left and right side, but since getting pregnant sleeping on my right side is out of the question. After only 5 mins my side gets numb and throbby and it's horrible. So lately sleeping is restricted to left side, back or a splayed stomache lay. I was a devout stomache layer before it felt I was harvesting a cantalope in my abdomen. Needless to say I only got about 2 hours of sleep, which seems to be the norm the last month.

So I finally fall into a deep sleep at about 5 am, and my alarm goes off 40 mins later...UGH.

I am exhausted at work and my right abdomen keeps getting crampy twinges which has me a little worried, I usually never have cramps. They are small enough to not worry too much, but if they persist I will call my OB.

I pretty much have the feeling of kicking down. Before it was so subtle I always doubted it, but now I know it when i feel it. Baby C was kicking a bunch for a couple hours at work yesterday. Dan predicted a soccer player, I predicted a boxer, so we agreed on kickboxer.

18 weeks

I found out last Thursday the gender of my baby. If you wanna know, feel free to email me, but I'm not posting it online. Will just call the baby C for now. So I got to see baby C, they did an actual ultrasound, not a transvaginal one this time, which no one told me. So my bladder wasnt full like they wanted it and everything was hard to see.

The regular ultrasound was very powerful and instead of seeing C's head, I saw a skull...which was very creepy. I was dissapointed at the pictures and videos from this ultrasound as they were either hard to make out what I was looking at or baby C looked like skeletor...who wants to show THAT off?

Now that I know gender I have started shopping around for stuff to get all prepared. I am 18w as of yesterday, almost halfway there. The bills are piling up, oh how fun and expensive prenatal care is. Simple bloodwork, even with good insurance is like $100 a pop! I have had to cut back on some things and go basic in life to keep up, but so far so good.

Apparently starting in week 16 you should start feeling movement. I was pretty sure I did one day, A nice swift kick to the cervix, but not much since then. C likes to lay directly on my bladder which is thrilling, lemme tell you. I went to reno with Dan yesterday and I felt like C was laying really low...it was super uncomfortable and slightly painful and had me worried for a bit. After a bit of walking the pain seemed to subside. But later that night I had a massive migraine and had to go to bed early. Something hormone related i'm sure, I will have to talk to my OB about it on my next appt.

Dear Peanut (well avocado now),


I am still sick and exhausted all the time. I find out what gender you are in 2 weeks, I am hoping this will make me feel closer to you and make you more real to me. Everything is still so surreal. I need to go back and post the ultrasounds from other weeks appointments, I fell behind with the holidays!

Love,
Mommy

12 weeks today. Officially at the tail end of my 1st trimester. 1/3'rds done next sunday!

Still exhausted and nauseous and have indigestion after everything I eat. Got to see my peanut on friday. She looks like a baby now with flailing arms and gangly feet, she even nudged the inside of my uterus, pushing herself a little. Still too little to feel but seeing it was even cooler. The tech and dr were whispering boy omens but i refuse to beilive them!

She pushes herself 19 seconds in.

Dear Peanut,

I have been so sick lately, which is why i havent posted. You are the size of a prune...

I can't drink milk, so I have switched to almond milk..cause I like my cereal. Sometimes oatmeal is ok and sometimes it's not. Bananas are usually ok, as long as my tummy isn't too full. Pears are a big no-no. Anything too spicy or sweet is a no-no.

SMELLS are the bane of my exisistance right now. I used to love scented candles and melts and would have up to 5 burning....but I have banned them all to the cupboard cause even the slightest whiff of them now gives me nauseus goosbumps.

Sleep is my friend and I have become a professional couch potato. I tire really easy. Move a table...nap. Do the dishes...nap. Bend over to pick something up...well you get the picture. I am an opportunistic napper. "5 minutes you say? I will just lay here and zzzZZZ"

I have seen 2 ultrasounds of you. The first one I brought grandma Barbara (who i might dub GG, for great grandma) and she was totally blown away by your little tiny beating heart at 6 weeks.



Then I brought grandma Lori to your 8 week ultrasound. We saw arm and legs nubs and your heartbeat was faster. Jumped from 120 to 168.


I had a dream about a month and a half ago. There were no images, just a tiny little voice and it said "Sabrina". I think it's your choice of names...so I will honor it. I feel so strongly you are going to be a girl I refer to you as "her" and "she"...i will be amazed if you are a boy (and i might even delete all this "im sure you are a girl" stuff....wouldnt wanna give you a complex)

Love,
Mommy

Dear Peanut, 

Had to take a nap in the car today. I'm sleepy and am feeling sick today. I wasnt able to fall asleep, but while I layed there I imaged you as a baby, and a little girl (you are going to be a girl, i know it...) then a young lady. I see you with dark hair and brown eyes but pale skin like mine. You are going to be smart and spunky. The thought made me happy :)

Love, 
Mommy

Ordered my November Sampler Box. My birthday month! I'm sure it wont dissapoint!

Review when I get it! (running a little slower than usual...morning sickness is a bitch!)

Dear Peanut,

You are the size of an orange seed now. You are affecting the way things taste to me. Things that I liked before I can't eat for a while. I am getting more bloodwork to see how you are progressing and trying to find a doctor I like to be with me throughout my pregnancy. Its a hard job! Either way I will get to see you the week of my birthday. I hope you are ok in there <3


Love, Mommy

Dear peanut,

I got up super early today so I could get my bloodwork done to make sure you are really in there. 

But since I am up you are demanding food and making my tummy growl really loud. Knock that off!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Peanut, 


Today I scheduled your first ultrasound. They wouldn't see me until 9 weeks which makes impatient Dece unhappy. On the good side, it falls around the time I tell Grandma Lori about you. I think she will be excited. She hates to admit it, but I think she has wanted you around just as much as I do. 


So the first time I will get to see you is 2 days after my birthday, November 10th...you may only be the size of a peanut but it will mean so much to me. Then on December 8th I will get to hear your little heart beating inside me. I can't even comprehend how that will make me feel. I love you so much already, can't wait to see you.


Love, 
Mommy

Dear Peanut,


I know you are so tiny right now and that terrifies me. I am already afraid to lose you after fighting so hard to get you. People tell me to stay positive, which I am. But honestly, I have no control over the situation. If you decide to go,then thats what happens.


But I would really love for you to stick around, I have so much to show you :)


Love,
Mommy

Dear Peanut. 


Apparently I can't eat peanuts because they are bad for you. I find that ironic.


Love
Mommy


PS- Your daddy is being a jerk today, can I beat him up?

Dear Peanut,


Today you required of me a "kicking coney" dog. Which is a hot dog smothered in chili and chipotle bbq sauce. Then you required I eat 20 spoonfuls of Nutella. It's not nice to make mommy fatter than she already is....or to make me gag as she is eating food YOU enjoy. Be a better bunkmate.


Love,
Mommy

Dear peanut,


Today I spent most of the day on the couch. You are only a bundle of cells yet you are sucking the life out of me with your neediness...ah good times.


Furthermore, do not make mommy yell at Dan in a fit of unwarranted rage. We like Dan, he is our friend.


Love, Mommy

Tantalizing Sampler Basket Review!

I got my Tantalizing sampler basket this weekend. I ripped into it and spread out all the samples. I am only reviewing the handmades as that seems fair.

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Jellies

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Kami's Kandle Creations-
Macintosh apple Smelly Jelly

The presentation of the little plastic container of the jelly was decent. Some of the jelly had leaked out and into the bag so the card and instructional paper were a little damp. The concept is pretty cool put the smell was WAAAY too strong and it stayed on my fingers way after I stuffed it all back into the bag. I'm not a big fan of apple scent so I may be being a bit bias in saying I disliked the smell. The concept is pretty neat and I might even try again maybe in a different scent, I just don't care for this one.

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Angelas Candles
Candy Corn Jelly

I was not impressed with this one. (maybe it's a jelly thing?). This jelly was the opposite of the other one in that it didnt smell like it was supposed to at all. It smelled faintly of moth balls? I dont think that was the scent intended and maybe something chemically happened to the jelly in transit because it look like it had shifted around and dissolved some. Definately wasn't a fan.

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Melts

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Tara's Candle Cottage:

Candy Corn Melt

Ahh, the presentation is so cute! Its in a tiny little plastic container like normal but it's layered to look like a candy corn. What a great idea. The smell is pretty right on and not overpowering at all. I'm not a big fan of confection smelling scents (cake batter, apple pie...etc). It will be interesting to see what this one will look and smell like all melted!

 

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Auntie Di's De-Lites

Scent shot

First off I thought the packaging was adorable. It was in a plastic container in a bag tied with a cute little black ribbon (perfect for halloween!). It definitely showed care was taken to wrap each bag...I love that. I opened the bag and was treated with a coupon for free shipping on my next order of $25 or more (yay!). Her card is adorable with a little gem pasted to each one. The Scent shot I got was Spiced Apples and Peaches. It was a subtle scent, one that I can tell will get stronger as it melts. I definitely smelled both the peaches and apples and a hint of cinnamon, it was wonderful. And for due diligence in packaging and card making, I give you equal attention in pictures of my pets....enjoying the spiced apple and pear deliciousness and wearing a pretty new black ribbon...ENJOY!

 

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Delightful Scents

Bite Me

hahahahaha! I am amused by your choice of wording. I open the package and find an adorable ghoul shaped melt inside! The packaging doesn't say what the smell is supposed to be exactly but it smells slightly like cranberries and is a bit sweet and powerful for my tastes. Cute presentation though!


Update:
The creator left the following comment on the "bite me" scent:

"Thank you for the Delightful scents review. We don't put scent scripts on our packaging but you can find them on our website. Bite me is a Fresh citrus notes of lime and orange sparkle with effervescent highlights as they lead to a luscious blend of berry and cherry in this playful scent. Leafy green accents add intensity as a base of vanilla creates sweet tones for the fragrance. Some people say it smells like Hawaiian punch when melting :) Hope it delights you! .. "

I definitely agree that it smells like Hawaiian punch! Thanks for the clarification!

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eSCENTuals by jules:

Pumpkin Souffle

This came in a little envelope plastic pouch and was shaped like a flower. It smelled like your classic sweet pumpkin smell. This will come in handy later when I get more into the fall season and demand my house smell like pumpkin scent..mmm.

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Soy Breeze:

Pumpkin Caramel

This came in the standard plastic pouch. The difference of this melt is that it is packaged in a paper cupcake like lining which is original and super cute. The smell was not really right on as far as being pumpkin caramel. It has a strong smell of a citrus like base like lemon creme or key lime pie and maybe a hint of the sweetness of caramel but definately no pumpkin smell. I went to put this back in the bag and noticed the little spider on the bottom, SO CUTE

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Distinctly Pink

Pumpkin Pancakes

This was packaged in the plastic envelope, I love the little lady on the front and the slogan "get your pink on!". The melt was in the shape of a flower. The smell "pumpkin pancakes" is pretty right on! I smell pumpkin and what smells like butter...which reminds me of pancakes. So oddly enough the pumpkin pancakes (man thats hard to type) is the perfect name for this scent.

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Mi Bella Creations

Key Lime pie.



 

This was the first one I was drawn too when i did my initial "sniff everything" check. It DOES NOT smell like key lime pie, more like coconut but it smells soooo good. I think if you order it hoping to get a citrusy smell you would be dissapointed.I couldnt wait any longer and broke my brand spanking new candle warmer in with this melt. As it melted down it looked like a green spotted pad of butter but soon my entire house smelled sweet and warm. I definately might have to buy some of these. I am a little worried about the smell match though, if I order a smell I like I expect to get THAT smell. Thats the only complaint I have...all in all the scent was great (honestly, if it HAD smelled like key lime pie...i wouldnt have liked it anyways)

Update:
The creator said the following about the official scent combination:

"..The Key Lime Pie is a bitter lime and green lemon zests on a dry down of vanilla cream."

Ah ha! Thats what I smell! The vanilla cream! I love it though, it's so luxurious! It's in my warmer still from yesterday and i plugged it in when I got home. Smells like I baked something delicious (I can't bake..)

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Others

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Body and Soul Products

Oatmeal Honey Yogurt Mask



This advised to mix with your choice of liquid such as milk, water, etc etc...i chose milk. I put just a splash in and mixed it up. It was watery at first but i mashed all the chucks and soon it was spreadable. I spread it all over my face and let it sit for about 20 minutes.





It smelled mainly like oatmeal. After about 20 minutes it was hard to smile so I knew it was ready. I wet a towel and wiped it off. The oatmeal acted like an exfoliate...not to the point where it hurt but i wouldn't suggest this particular mask for sensitive skin as I like it a little rough ;)

Me with it first on, then after it dried and then after washing it off. I added a little oil to my face before bed and I have to say my face was SO SMOOTH and flawless in the morning. I might definately have to buy more of this! 

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Sinful Scents
Pink Lemonade Lip Candy

This came in a cute little Halloween baggie with a little purple ribbon on it. I opened it to find a tube of "Lip Candy"...I love the name for that btw. I'm not a big fan of lemonade so I was hesitant. I opened it and its just a white Vaseline type colored lip balm. It was kind of melty and when i put it on i had to not press very hard as it's one of those textures you have to be delicate with. It slid on smoothly and was slick without being sticky and gave my lips a natural gloss to them. I like it :)

Update:
So the Lindsay, the creator of Lip Candy, suggested I throw it in the fridge to help firm it up a bit. I did just that, It didn't affect the consistency any but it did make me realize it's less of a melty texture and just more slick than I am used to with commercial lip balms. I do like that though because of the shininess it leaves on my lips and it moisturized them rather quickly!

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Rosalyn Scent LLC

Cleopatra

This sample came in a small bottle. It's pinkish red in color. I opened the bottle and had a hard time smelling ti so i put a dab on my wrists and let my body heat warm it up. The scent was subtle but still distinct. I got hints of rose and apple and something else i can't define. It's definitely a sweet crisp smell.

*Review* Coco & Lola

So I found a great Heartsy deal online. $11 for $26 worth of product at Coco & Lola.

I LOVE the smell of lavender so I ordered the Lavender body butter and Lavender and Rose handmade soap. I also got the lilac garden and toasted marshmellow body butters to round out my order.

Onto the review.

Body Butter:

Smell: 

I broke into the Lavender dream body butter first. I thought it would smell natural and soft but it was overpowering a fake smelling. Reminded me of oils I got from michaels once to add to candles. The toasted marshmallow one smelled like the sickeningly sweet chocolate lotions they sell in the kids isle of Walmart. The lilac garden was way too strong as well. My boss actually hinted that I should maybe wash the lotion off at work as the smell was too strong...I only put a dab on my arms!

Consistency/Functionality: 

Watery. I could barely get some of the stuff on my fingers to rub on. You dip your finger into the lotion and your finger slides back with no lotion on it. It took me 3-4 tries to DIG it out of the container. 

It did make my hands super soft though.

Lavender Rose Soap:

What's advertised.

What I got:

I was most excited to get the soap and I was SO disappointed to see the falling apart measly slab that was sent to me. It barely has any smell to it. When I wet it down it smells faintly of grape....no lavender or rose.

When I contacted the seller about the product she did offer to give me a refund if I sent the product back but I figured it wasn't worth the freight for $11. If I had paid the full $26...that would have been a different story. For my first homemade soap/scent experience. This sucked! 

Also, my house still reeks of toasted marshmellow just from taking the finger dipping pic. :(