Take a look, It's in a book...

Rob and I are both avid readers and I'm pretty sure that this is because we both loved reading at an early age. (Thanks LeVar Burton.)

One of my favorite stories that Rob's Gram tells me about him as a kid is the first time she realized he could read. One morning, when he was barely four, he was sitting in a chair in the living room, holding the newspaper. She asked him what he was doing, and he replied that he was reading the paper. She thought this was so cute, and playing along, she asked him what it said. She was stunned when he started reading the article on the front page. He still reads the NY Times every day.

I started reading early too and always spent all of my allowance money on new books during our weekly trip to Davis Kidd. I love the feeling of a book in my hand, turning each page as I get deeper into the story. I don't think I'll ever own a Kindle (as cool as they are) because I always want to be able to hold the book in my hand and I always want there to be books in my house.

So, it comes as no surprise that we want to start reading to Liam as soon as possible. Rob feels a little silly reading to my belly now, but promises to start as soon as he arrives. We've had fun the past few weeks talking about which books were our favorites growing up and what we want to read to him.

In addition to old fav's like The Pokey Little Puppy (Rob's) and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (mine), we've also taken on the task of trying to pick out books for Liam that share social messages that we believe in. Many children grow up reading stories that (subtly) teach their parents' beliefs. We feel the need to select books that show our child things that are important to us-- like how important diversity is & how we believe that love is what defines a family. (If any of you have any favorites that we need to add to our library, let me know!)

I'll admit, it was a little difficult to find books that took the slant we were looking for-- While Heather has Two Mommies is certainly a classic in gay literature for kids, we were looking for something that was a little less...direct? We wanted to find books that were inclusive of alternative families-- not books that singled them out.

Enter Todd Parr, who could easily become my new favorite kids' author.

We found tons of fun books by Parr that we loved, but the best one was The Family Book. It has illustrations of humans and animals and explains that all families are different-- some families have step-parents, some adopt children, some families have single parents and some families have two moms or two dads. The message that Parr always intersperses with the differences is that all families love each other and want to take care of each other.

I think that this is the perfect message to send to our son-- I must admit, I had a good time reading the reviews on Amazon, particularly the negative ones. The comments displayed there are the exact attitudes that I hope to steer our son away from-- To me, it has nothing to do with whether you agree that a particular lifestyle is right or wrong. Instead, it's about acknowledging that these types of families do exist-- and they deserve to be recognized and respected just as much as a typical nuclear family.

But you don't have to take my word for it.

31 Weeks!

Week 31 is going to be a busy one!!

We're recovering from traveling, we had a doctor's appointment, I got a haircut, I started sewing the crib bedding, we've had a sick pup, and we're preparing to host company as friends and family come to town this weekend for the shower!

This week, baby is the length of a mini-skirt (not one I would ever wear!):

And looks like this: Baking Baby Blakely

"From this week on, your baby will continue to gain around ½ pound a week until shortly before birth (even though it may feel like a whole lot more with every step you take).

Other highlights this week:

Due to increasing space constraints, your baby's arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now, known as the fetal position (oh, so that's where that name came from!). Plus, your baby can now process information from all five senses—so she'll be all set to smell the pureed peas, taste them, feel them as she mashes them into her hair, hear you crack up and then see the flash as you grab the camera to snap picture after picture.

By now, your baby's lungs are the only system not fully mature. And by mature, we're not saying that the rest of your baby's systems are mature enough to be out past 10 PM with the neighborhood hooligan, just that her lungs need a little bit more time to bake before they can kick it in the outside world.

Your baby weighs about 3½ pounds and measures a little over 16 inches, about the same length as that miniskirt you used to wear (and will again someday!)."

31 Week Belly Pic


Our doctor's appointment went great yesterday-- the doctor commented on how incredibly smooth my pregnancy has been. I feel so unbelievably lucky. Weight was up 1 lb from my appointment 5 weeks ago-- that officially puts me 1lb below my pre-pregnancy weight. Belly size is right on track. We'll go back in three weeks for a check up at 34 weeks, then we'll go two weeks later for our 36 week appointment-- after that we'll go each week until he arrives!

I'm feeling good! Starting to get tired easily, but it's not as bad (yet) as the utter exhaustion of the first trimester. Heartburn is still horrendous, but I've discovered that Pepcid works much better than Tums. Movement is stronger every day-- kicks are no longer little thumps, rather huge belly shaking rumbles that make me giggle every time. I vow to catch the belly moving on video sometime in the next few weeks. I'm having several Braxton Hicks contractions each day-- uncomfortable, but not painful. Swelling has stayed away for now!!

I hope to post some updated nursery pics early next week-- I should have the majority of the bedding finished by then, we'll have some decorations on the walls and my dad is helping us install the shutters and a new fan this weekend! It's coming together!

Showered with Love (Part I)

After spending the week in Charleston, on Friday Rob and I made our way back to Columbia to my parents house for our first Baby Shower! Rob and my dad had planned to leave, but the party was so much fun, they decided to stay the whole time. The food was delicious, the wine was flowing (not for me, of course!) and everyone had a great time. Here are some pics of the evening!

The Invite:

My mom & I:

Mom, Dad, me & Rob:

My new pregnant friend Jarrett & I-- she's due in 3 weeks!

Rob with one of his favorite gifts:

Rob & I, opening a gift from my dad:

Our amazing gifts!!

Among other things, we received Baby Clothes, Diapers, 2 Frog Pods, rattles, books, a Bundle Me, Bumbo Seat & Tray, an Infant Carrier, a Boppy pillow, a mattress pad, changing pad cover, & Sock Monkey! Also, from a friend who couldn't make it to the shower, we received a Maclaren Baby Rocker.

We are so lucky to have so many generous friends!! Can't wait for our shower with family next weekend-- but first I have LOTS of thank you notes to tackle.

30 Weeks- Better Late than Never!

My 30 week update is a bit late this week-- Rob and I were on our "babymoon" all week in Charleston, SC. We love going back "home," visiting all of our favorite places and we thought that should go now, while we can. Who knows when we'll be able to go back-- and when we do, the trip will be quite different with a little one in tow.

We stayed in our old house-- a tiny cottage that we loved and where we became a family. It's been rented since we moved to Alabama, but our tenants moved out a month ago, so we were able to stay there this week. The house is up for sale now-- hopefully someone will fall in love with it as much as we did.

We spent the week eating great food, shopping downtown, laying out at the beach, visiting old friends and relaxing. It was a fun trip and we didn't want to leave!

Our first house:

A toast to baby Liam:

After dinner, our last night in town:

Since I didn't have access to my computer all week, here's the 30 week update!

This week, baby is the size of a yorkie:
And looks like this:
Baking Baby Blakely

"Big news for baby's brain this week: It's starting to wrinkle and fold and looks like something that grew in the back of your fridge. This is due to the rapid growth of your little genius's brain cells.

Other highlights this week:

Fingernails and toenails are finally finished—causing his or her parents great fear and anguish the first time they try to cut those little daggers (it gets easier, we promise)! Plus, the bone marrow is completely in charge of red-blood-cell production now. Trust us, this is a good thing.

Baby is starting to shed his lanugo—the downy hair that was covering his skin. Now that he's chubbier and better able to regulate his body temp, he doesn't need to sport a fur coat 24/7."I spy an umbilical cord and the inside of my mom's uterus!" When your baby is awake, his eyes are now wide open and he's whittling away the hours looking around, checking out his rather dark, limited environs.

Your baby hasn't gained much weight or height this week, as most of his energy's been channeled to the brain. He weighs about 3 pounds and is approximately 15.5 inches long, about the size of London, not the city, Britney Spears' Yorkie terrier. Of course your baby is less hairy and way cuter!"

30 Week Belly Beach Pics

We had a blast at our first baby shower in Columbia, SC on Friday night. It was so much fun-- a post with pictures will follow tomorrow!

*drool*

I've been looking for a diaper bag for months but I haven't seen many that I like-- I don't want a "babyish" bag, but I need something with plenty of pockets that will accommodate all of the stuff that you have to carry with a newborn.

I was browsing etsy tonight, and I think I've found the one:

That bow? I'm drooling.

The Mama's Diaper Bag by peacelovenpolkadots is made of sturdy upholstery fabric and has cotton lining inside with a zippered pocket, a large patch pocket and 2 bottle holders. It closes with a magnetic snap and has a large pocket on the outside back panel.

I really like this gray (it comes in quite a few other colors as well), and since our strollers and carseat are gray and green, I think that this one would actually match. I e-mailed the seller to ask if she does custom bags if there's a fabric that I find that I'd rather use-- If I order this gray one, I'd love to have a green patterned fabric as the liner.

If I get one, I'll definitely post pics!

29 Weeks!

I want to thank everyone for their supportive comments and e-mails on yesterday's post! It was a really difficult decision to make-- with lots of tears and lots of worry, but I know that it was the right one.

This week, baby boy is the size of a loaf of bread:

And looks like this:

Baking Baby Blakely

"Having a baby prematurely is frightening, no doubt. But here's a reason to relax: Due to the impressive advancements of medical technology, if your baby is born this week, he'd have a 9 out of 10 chance of survival, which is seriously great news.

Other awesome developments:

Baby's brain can now control his breathing and body temperature. He can also cough, and his sucking abilities have been perfected. Look out, boobs! Your Mini's skin is looking less wrinkled as he packs on the pounds. He's starting to look more like a Pampers model and less like a Depends model. He's now beefing up on the energizing and insulating white fat he'll be born with (unfortunately, white fat is not energizing and insulating for adults!).

And speaking of energy, your little Energizer Bunny is on fire these days. You're sure to feel your share of kicks, punches and elbows, especially when you're lying down. You might want to start keeping a kick chart to monitor your baby's movements, and also to later show your 13-year-old child what you endured for him or her. Ask your doctor how to count kicks and how often you should do it.

This week your baby is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop."

29 Week Belly Pic

Some other updates:

Heartburn: Still going strong. We'll see if the old wives' tale is correct-- maybe all of this heartburn will equal a baby with tons of hair!

Swelling: My feet seem to have returned to their regular size for now-- maybe because I'm spending more time at home where it's cool. Fingers crossed that they stay this way for a while. I know that when the swelling gets bad, I'm going to have to really watch my sodium intake... and since salty things (especially soy sauce) have been my number one pregnancy craving, that will be difficult.

Weight: I stepped on the scale this morning and I was 3 lbs under where I was at my 26 week appointment. Ehh, whatever. Doctor says that Liam is growing and thriving. Will I be one of those freaks of nature who walks out of the hospital weighing less than I did before I got pregnant? Doubt it, but only time will tell and we have 11 weeks to grow.

Contractions: I've been having a few Braxton Hicks contractions each day. Nothing painful, I just feel a little breathless when my tummy tightens up.

Feeling pretty good and ready for our first baby shower coming up next week!

The End & The Beginning

I've mentioned my work situation briefly in past posts & mentioned that big changes were coming my way this week-- Well, they are here (and this is a long post!).

Today is my first day as a stay at home wife.

It wasn't how I planned it, but it's how things happened. I wanted to work full-time up until the baby came, take an extended maternity leave, then transition to a part-time position in January. Instead, Friday was my last day and I have no concrete plan as to when I will return.

How do I feel? Relieved. Scared. Rejuvinated.Tired.

So many things.

The last year has been a real struggle for me--the position that I've been in has been challenging to say the least. I've worked for a boss that is a wonderful artist but a difficult manager. Expectations have been unreasonable, the schedule has been exhausting and the pressure has been oppressive. That being said, there have been so many rewarding moments. I've met Broadway writers, composers and directors. I've grown professionally in ways that I didn't expect by running my own department. I don't regret taking the position. But I've known for the past year that this position would not be a long-term option.

I've missed important moments and visits with my family because of my hectic non-stop schedule. I've been exhausted much of the time, and have been a poor host to company who have come to visit. I've stopped shopping and cooking for my husband, because I'm just too tired to do it. Rob has become afraid to ask me how my day was, because there is never a positive response. On paper, the job was a 40 hour a week position. In reality it was more like 50-60 hours a week on a regular basis. It was not uncommon for me to work several 15 hour days a week.

Then, I got pregnant.

I never missed a single day of work because of my pregnancy. On days where I felt so sick I could barely stumble into the shower I made myself do it. On those 15 hour days, I never expected any special treatment. Sometimes, I would have to come home after work and go to bed at 5:30pm just to function the next day, so I did it.

But, I reached a point where I didn't want to do it anymore. I never felt like I was getting enough rest and I worried that the constant stress would effect the baby. I worried that high blood pressure would be dangerous. And my parents were concerned that all of the stress would send me into labor early.

I told my boss about the pregnancy in late February and reminded him that I had no desire to maintain this schedule (or my current position) once the baby got here. We started talking about options for a part time position after the baby got here, but nothing was definite. When asked how long I wanted to work, I said that I wanted to stay until the end of August. Since I wasn't coming back, I knew that my boss would start looking for my replacement-- what I didn't count on, was that he'd start looking so early and find one so quickly. In a meeting approximately 6 weeks ago, he let me know that he had made an offer to a candidate and that my last day would be June 25th. This was two months before I planned on leaving work, but what could I do? I asked that he might consider keeping me on part-time to assist with the transition, but I never got any confirmation.

Wednesday afternoon, two days before my scheduled departure, my successor let me know that my boss had extended an offer to let me stay part-time through September 1st-- there were several problems, though. 1) There was no job description for the position that I was being asked to fill. 2) I was put off that the offer came from someone (as lovely as she is) who has worked for the organization for a week, not from my boss who I've worked with for the last 14 months. 3) The amount that I was offered was $7/hr less than what my current salary is.

I responded by saying that I appreciated the offer but that I needed more details-- what were the job responsibilities? Was my boss willing to meet me in the middle, between his offer and my current salary? My replacement wrote a job description containing tasks that she believes she'll need help with and she let me know that my boss had offered to come up $1/hr from his original offer. I told her I needed to think about it.

Thursday night was difficult. I really stressed over making the right decision. On one hand, I knew that accepting the job, meant that I would be able to continue contributing to our income over the next two months. On the other hand, I knew that the things that have made me unhappy, would probably continue to make me unhappy... even though I would only be working 16 hours a week. I thought, I can do this. It's only two months. I should do this. Then I thought-- I have been so tired, so stressed. Don't I deserve some peace and relaxation before my son gets here and turns my world upside down? (Which, I am looking forward to, more than anything!) Don't I want some time to nest and prepare my marriage, my home and myself for this baby?

After a long discussion with my parents and Rob, and with all of their support, I made the decision that Friday would be my last day. I, most likely, will not work outside of our home again until the beginning of next year. Will money be tight? Of course. Will giving myself the gift of this time at home be worth it? Definitely.

I enjoy having some time to myself, but I tend to get very antsy when I'm not on a schedule and I have nothing to do. There have only been a few months since I graduated college where I have been between jobs for one reason or another, and I remember enjoying two weeks of freedom. After that, I just felt kind of lost...it bothered my that no one was relying on me. That no one knew or cared if I ever made it out of bed that day. So, I'm making a list of things that need to get done, so that when I start feeling that way, there will be something that needs my attention.

The list has simple tasks around our house like: Plan & prepare dinner & Catch up on laundry. It has things that need to be done for Liam, like: Sew crib bedding and Wash blankets and clothes. It has things that I never had time to do before, like: Go to the bank & Take my car to the dealership. It has things for others, like: Take a friend (with a new baby) lunch & Help my parents unpack when they move here in August. It has things for me, like: Read a book & Go to swim class. I'm hopeful that I'll have a nice balance between a lack of a schedule and things to check off my list.

It's a big leap that I'm taking-- that we're taking. But I think that it's for the best. It's the ending of one phase of my life, and the beginning of another.