More scrapbooking

I have really been loving scrapbooking recently, since I have this wonderful source of inspiration! Here are some of my recent favorite pages.

Collages are fun and make photos even more exciting.=!

Vary your pages up with circles.

I love these big stickers from "Me and My Big Ideas".  They are great for decorating my album.

Just too cute.

Would you read a blog with scrapbooking information? Inspiration? And other crafts?
Sometimes blogging about motherhood feels the same with every post "I love it, but it's hard." And I think I would have more to write about this way, and enjoy writing it even more! So would you read it?

Parenting involves a lot of but(t)s

Where has the time gone?!

I have sat down at this desk so many times over the past month to pay bills, look at pictures, and work, and only a handful of times have I thought, "I'd really like to blog."  When those times did hit, something would happen to pull me away and with my new mommy brain I would forget what I wanted to say.  

At this very moment Nathanael is taking a nap and I'm not able to fall asleep, so I guess I will blog.
So I guess the first thing to update you on is that I have a son (guess that means I have to stop writing in pink)!  He was born on January 21st, so this Sunday he will be five months old!  I cannot believe it.

One of the reasons that it has been so hard to sit down and write is because if I'm going to write about being a mom, then I want to be honest with you, and if I'm being honest with you, then I need you to know that being a parent is hard work.  It is harder than I ever imagined it would be.  Because of this when I sit down and write about what my life looks like right now, it seems to come off like a list of complaints, which is not what I want to communicate at all!  Therefore, I have decided that if I'm being honest, parenting involves a lot of but(t)s.

Yes, there is the obvious butt that you are all thinking about, and yes, that stinks, but I wanted to talk about some other buts with parenting.

Being a mom is a very hard job, BUT it's the best job I have ever had!
Nathanael demands a lot of attention BUT I'm glad that it's me that he wants.
My son doesn't like to go to sleep, even when he is exhausted, and this causes him to cry a lot, BUT when he does fall asleep it makes me so much more thankful that he is getting his rest.
It hurts my heart and makes me frustrated when Nathanael cries and is inconsolable, BUT one smile and I forget all of that.
I am exhausted, overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, drowning is housework, BUT Nathanael makes it all worth it.

What else is there to say?  Parenting is hard, challenging, frustrating, BUT it is also amazing, exciting, fulfilling, and brings me so much joy.  And I just need to remember that this is just the season.  He won't cry forever and he won't want to snuggle with me forever, so I just need to take the crying and the snuggles together because before long everything will be different.

My Tricky Husband



Garza Photography

My husband spent the first 2.5 years of our marriage tricking me.  All along I have never thought that Adam liked babies.  He would never really hold one and didn’t really seem to like them all that much, which is fine.  Some people just aren’t baby people, and I thought that Adam was one of those people.  Come to find out, since being pregnant, that my husband loves babies. 

 

I have found it funny that since being pregnant Adam smiles at all the babies at church and small group and holds them and plays with them.  I thought it was just because I was pregnant and he was getting excited, but no, he actually loves babies!  I mentioned this to him the other day and he said, “I always have loved babies I just couldn’t let you know that because then you would have wanted one even more.”  I was shocked!  He’s pretty tricky. 

 

To be honest, seeing how he loves babies has really shown me a different side of him and it is so sweet.  Adam is an amazing, loving guy, but I have gotten to see a sweet and tender side that I hadn’t seen very much before.  He’s so excited to be a dad and he talks to my belly almost every day.  I am so excited to see what fatherhood will bring out of him.

I’m Officially Ready to Give Birth (yeah right)!

On Saturday Adam and I attended a Childbirth class at the hospital that we are going through.  It was a pretty long day, but it was very informative and we learned a lot.

 

We learned all about the stages of labor, we got to watch several videos of births (much to Adam’s enjoyment), learned breathing techniques, and comfort measures.  We even got a certification for going.  So that means that we’re all set for the labor pains, right?

Probably not.  Everything we heard this weekend was all about how we cannot really be prepared for labor and we shouldn’t have a plan.  Well if you know me, you know I’m a planner, so not planning how my labor will go is hard, but really I’ll know nothing until it happens, so we’ll just have to see.

Let me just say that I’ve decided that I don’t want to use any pain medications, the goal will be to go totally natural.  And while I was watching the video of the births I just kept thinking that I hope I’m not as wimpy and whiny as the women in the video.  I know that sounds awful, but it is true!

We’ll just see how it goes.  It should be interesting.  Good thing I have a couple months before I have to experience that!

10 Things I Learned During the 2nd Trimester

Today I enter the third, and final, trimester of my pregnancy.  Woah.  Here are ten things that I learned during my second trimester.  (And if you need a refresher, here is the link to the 10 things I learned in the first trimester).

1. Stock up on Snacks

During the second trimester I was hungry all the time.  My appetite was and still is huge.  What do I do about this?  Eat every time I’m hungry of course.  So, I kept snacks around like apples, pretzels, brownies, and I also didn’t plan the weekly menu to contain a lot of leftovers because I also started eating at least two servings at dinner.

2. Buy an Awesome Pregnancy Pillow

I wasn’t able to sleep this trimester.  I was looking for anything that I could get to sleep better, which for me was this awesome pillow.  To read more about my favorite one, click here.

3. Use energy when you have it

I had a lot more energy this trimester, so I made use of it when I could.  I tried to keep the house clean, Adam and I worked on the nursery, and I got several projects done.  Use the energy now because I have heard that it won’t last very long into the third trimester.

4. Use your free time to read

I found it very valuable to read during this trimester.  I read a few books about babies and I found this was a good trimester to do that because I can start learning now when it won’t be too overwhelming.

5. Drink more water

This is something that I always have to remind myself about.  Much like the first trimester, if you think you are drinking enough, you’re probably not.

6. Always know where the bathroom is

Unlike the first trimester when I needed to know where the bathroom was for a fit of nausea that could strike at any time, during the second trimester I needed to know where the bathroom was at all times because my bladder is smaller and keeps getting kicked.

7. Strangers will start to notice and ask questions, so try to be patient

People started to notice my belly this trimester, and they ask a lot of questions.  Whenever I go into the grocery store I have to stock up on patience to answer the same question the whole time I’m walking around the store.  Just take a deep breath and try to enjoy it.

8. Get some clothes that fit

None of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit anymore.  Which is exciting, and yet stressful.  I bought things that were on sale and never spent very much on any individual item.

9. Cherish the days and the time

I learned to spend all my extra time with Adam if he was home.  I decided to stock up on quality time now when I have it, because who knows how much time we will have in a couple months.  Another thing I learned is how valuable time by myself was.  Just to sit and feel the baby moving is an amazing feeling.

10. Don’t worry about the scale

I put on quite a bit of weight during the second trimester.  I just had to remind myself that it’s good weight, for the baby, and it won’t be around forever.  I did not stress about how much or how little my weight was changing.  I just trusted the doctor to tell me if something changed.

I learned a lot during the second trimester and I’m glad it’s now the third.  I am on the last leg of this pregnancy.  We’ll see what I learn in these months before my child arrives!

A Suggestion for what to do this Weekend

It’s the weekend!  You know what my favorite thing to do on the weekends is?  Watch movies.  Actually this is my favorite thing to do every day, but especially the weekends.  And even more on cold weekends when I can curly up on the couch with a blanket and hot chocolate, and my hubby if he’s willing.  In honor of the movie night I hope to have this weekend, here’s my list of recommendations of movies to watch while you’re pregnant.  Let me know what you think of the list!  Hopefully you will find something that interests you for a movie night of your own.

10 Movies to Watch when Pregnant (in no particular order)

Father of the Bride 2

George Banks finds himself with his daughter pregnant and his wife!  How the whole family deals with these challenges and excitement is hilarious and will make you, and your spouse, laugh, and maybe even your baby too!

What to Expect when you’re Expecting

Such a fun movie about pregnancy.  It has ups and downs, but it’s all about families and new life.

The Backup Plan

Zoe is ready to have a baby, but she doesn’t have a man.  So she decides to have a baby on her own.  Once she becomes pregnant, she meets the man.  This is a funny movie where nothing goes as planned. 

Babies (documentary)

An adorable look at babies from all over the world!  When I watched it I could not get the smile off of my face.

Raising Helen

This movie is not about pregnancy or babies, and the beginning is a little sad, but it’s all about parenting: the good and bad of it.

Baby’s Day Out

Just a cute baby wandering around New York City, what’s not to love?

Knocked Up

This is the only rated R movie on my list, but it’s on here because, if you can find it on TV it is hilarious.  Boy meets girl, girl gets pregnant, and they try to figure out how to become parents.

Baby Mama

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, need I say more?  This movie is about a woman who does not have a man but wants a baby, so she gets a surrogate to carry her baby.  They live together, and find out that they have different ideas on how this pregnancy will be carried out.

Juno

Teenager gets pregnant and has difficult decisions to make.

The Princess Bride

Nothing about pregnancy, parenting, or anything.  This is just a good movie and I will use any excuse to watch it.

 

As I made this list I also thought of some movies that you should definitely not watch when pregnant.

Kill Bill

Pregnant bride loses her baby, and then she seeks revenge.

The Changeling

A mother is sure that her kid was kidnapped, but no one will believe her.

John Q

Child needs a heart transplant the family can’t afford.

Rosemary’s Baby

Just don’t.

Taken

Daughter is kidnapped.

I hope you found a movie that interested you.  What movie do you think should have been on this list?

Best Book I've Read so Far!

Heading Home with your Newborn: From Birth to Reality—by Laura Jana and Jennifer Shu

I just finished this book last night and it is the best parenting book that I have read so far.  This book was written by two pediatricians and they take you through everything you need to know about your baby.  I learned so much!  As soon as I was finished I put it in Adam’s hands.  The topics that this book covers include:

-Feeding

-Sleeping

-Crying

-A “What goes in must come out” chapter

-Bathing

-Fevers

And so much more!!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant or has recently had a baby.  It was so helpful and encouraging.  Check it out!

Halfway through 24 weeks

It’s been a few days since I’ve blogged, and actually it is not because I haven’t been feeling well.  I have actually been super busy and have had tons of energy!  It has been amazing—yay for the second trimester!

Adam and I keep thinking about how quickly the rest of our pre-baby time will go.  In about one month it will be Thanksgiving, then a month from then it will be Christmas, and then a month from then it will be pretty darn close to baby time!

We just registered for our child birthing classes, there is a baby shower date on the calendar, and my belly continues to grow.

A funny thing happened to me last night—the baby kicked so hard that it actually scared me and took my breath away!  It’s pretty amazing what God can do!

I have some exciting posts coming up this week for you to watch out for:
--An awesome pregnancy sleep aid

--An awesome pregnancy book
--An awesome maternity store

Yes, many awesome things are coming this week and I’m so excited to tell you about them!

Week 23 Update

One of my books that I am reading says I only have 1-2 more weeks in the second trimester and then I will be in the home stretch!

My belly—is getting bigger and bigger!  I had an appointment yesterday and the midwife said I am the perfect size!My baby—11.5 inches long and weighs 1 lb.
I’m reading—Clockwork Princess--Cassandra Clare
I’m getting ready to watch—All the episodes of my shows that I have missed.
I’m thinking about—my projects for the nursery
Something exciting—We are starting to get baby gifts in the mail!

 I love my belly!  And I love to take pictures of it!

Dreaming

Things I think and dream about that I can’t wait to find out about our child:

Is it a boy or a girl?

Will they have red hair?

Who will they look like?

What is their personality like?

What will they like to do?

Will they be athletic? Musical?

Will they be calm or energetic?

What will be their favorite food?

 

I want to know all these things and more!  I cannot wait to get to know our child over their years growing up.  I dream about a different version of our child almost every night, which one will be the closest?  Maybe I’m not even close with any of my dreams, but it’s still fun to think about.

Brain-Racking Registry

I am a planner.  I get things done way before they need to be, because then I can check them off my list and not worry about them anymore.  And that is wonderful.  Our baby registry is already done.  It was done two weeks ago.  Everything is on it, and I don’t have to think about it anymore.  But that does not mean that it was easy.  No way. 

It was daunting, scary, confusing, and overwhelming, and yet…awesome. 

 There is so much information online about what you should register for.  And everywhere you go, everyone you talk to, will all have different opinions.  And then if you look online there are even more opinions and even more information!  Talk about information overload. 

When Adam and I first walked into Buy Buy Baby we were looking at strollers.  There were probably about 20 and they all looked the same, and we had no idea which one was better, why there were so many, or what safety features actually mattered.  We left that day feeling completely overwhelmed.  And then I tried to research strollers and things got worse.  I couldn’t even think anymore.  I even called my mom and asked her what to look for in strollers and car seats, and she couldn’t really help me because it had been 21 years since she had to buy a stroller.  Things change.

So what did I do?  I went into super Lauren planning mode.  I went to Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us and set up our registries.  I just did this so I could get the goody bags and the registry checklists.  The goody bags were also filled with all kinds of flyers with even more options, so I just put those aside and decided not to look at them.  I then went home and compiled all the registry checklists into a spreadsheet (yes, that is super planner mode).  I also compiled two more online registry checklists into that.

 

  
Then I crossed out the things that seemed unnecessary and started reading.  The registry booklets that I got from the two stores not only had the checklists, but they walked you through how to select things.  I read all this information and formulated some of my own opinions.  Adam and I went out and registered for the easy stuff, like clothes, toys, plates and things.  That was pretty easy.  For the hard stuff, I have this awesome friend, who is a mother of two, who offered to help us with the rest.  So one night we walked around Babies R Us and with her help, opinions, and suggestions, got everything else registered for.  So what did I learn from registering?
Well, let me tell you.

1. You don’t need to buy everything they put on their list that you should buy.  Disposable placemats? 

2. Find a friend who has done it before to help you.

3. The only opinion that ultimately matters is your own.

4. Don’t second guess yourself once you’ve made a decision.

5. Get it done early so you can stop thinking about it.

6. Enjoy the process, get excited.

 

It was a daunting, but rewarding experience.  Now I can plan our money for the big pieces that I know we want and need.  Don’t let registering scare you, you can always just take it one step at a time.