One Year Ago...

I got a little weepy watching my baby girl sleeping this morning. She's now officially one year old and it's gone by way too fast and like I've said many times before I wish I could just hit the pause button or even slo-mo.

It's amazing to see how she's changed in a year...that can't be the same baby!

Good morning sleepyhead! You're one year old today!

We spent most of the day prepping for her Big Birthday Bash coming up this weekend. I baked some cakes (I have a very cool cake design planned...you'll have to wait 'til Saturday and I'll post pics) and we did some shopping. We also took a trip to WalMart to have her photos taken. Yes, WalMart. Sorry to those WalMart haters out there, but you'll have to admit the pics turned out pretty great and the prices were right for my budget. There was a PictureMe studio at our local store and I was impressed with the quality, considering it cost about half the price of the usual studio we go to.

Not quite ready for her closeup

We had lunch with Grandma P. and her bowling buddies at a Chinese Buffet Restaurant and then dinner with Grandma R., Daddy, and Auntie Sarah at Habit Burger.

Lauren was pretty pooped by the end of the day with all the running around but she had energy enough to blow out her first birthday candle (on a mini cake I baked for her).

Happy Birthdaaaay Deeear Laaaauuu Lauuuuu....Happpy Birrthdaaaay Toooo YOuuuuu!!!!

I LOVE CAKE!!!!! ILOVEITILOVEITILOVEIT!!!

I'm still in denial that my baby girl is a year old. It seems just yesterday I kissed her fat cheeks for the very first time.

Remembering Labor...

One year ago today, my water broke. In hindsight, my labor wasn't too bad. Considering what I got at the end, I'd go through it all again. Well, I could do without the scary nightmarish complications of shoulder dystocia...but all in all...it was well worth it.

What's up doc? 8/10/07

Well, I had another Dr. appt today and STILL no progress. If nothing happens over the weekend, It looks like my labor will be induced on Monday, Aug. 13th. I will be going into the hospital at noonish on Monday and Doc hopes that the baby will be here early Aug 14. I'm a little disappointed because I was trying to avoid being induced but it looks like it's the best and safest option for both baby and mommy.

There is a little relief, however, in having a little bit of control in this situation. The rest I'm leaving in God's hands, so pls. keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Induction or not, I'm still going to keep trying to kick start labor. I'm inviting some friends over tonight for a pizza party and I'm going to try to recreate the infamous Prego Pizza from Skipolini's. If that works, then we REALLY might name this kid "Pizza"

The Bonds Theory

Peter had a theory that Pizza wanted to come out on the same day that Barry hit home run #756. Well, Barry did it tonight, so unless I go into labor in the next 2 hours, his theory is off.

Due Date has come...and gone.

August 6 has come and gone, and this kid is in no hurry to get out. Peter had a very stern talk with the baby last night.

Peter: Come on Baby, it's supposed to be your birthday today.
Baby: Kick, Kick.
Peter: Don't give mommy too much trouble. Come out soon. While the weather is nice and not too hot.
Baby: Nudge, punch.
Peter: But if you're not coming out tonight, wait until I get back from work tomorrow, ok?
Baby: Kick. Jab.

What's up Doc? 8/3/07

Well, I had my weekly OB appt yesterday and unfortunately there has been no progress since last week. My cervix has softened but not dilated at all yet. The baby's head is very low but not "Down." Doc says that baby is just having a good time in my belly and doesn't want to come out yet.

Her prediction: Nothing will be happening in the next week. If I still haven't delivered by next Friday 8/10, we'll talk about inducing. She always adds the disclaimer, "But you just never know...."

Experienced moms out there, did you experience contractions long before "real" labor? If so, how early did you start feeling them? I haven't felt a thing, not even Braxton Hicks. I once thought I felt something, but it turned out to be gas. :-)

We've been Simpsonized!

As most of you know, Peter is a Simpsons FREAK! So today after my Dr. Appt, we're going to watch the Simpson's movie, which will probably be our last date for a while. To celebrate, we got some Simpson's donuts from 7eleven and we ate Krusty-O's for breakfast (Krusty-O's = repackaged Fruit Loops)

Get Simpsonized and see what you'd like as a Simpsons character!

My Favorite Things

Now, for the things that I've been loving for the last nine months..

• The kindness of strangers. Unlike Blanche Dubois, I've never relied on the kindness of strangers, but now that I'm undeniably pregnant, people have been SO NICE! I get to go to the front of the line in the ladies' room, doors are held open for me with a smile, even the bagger at the grocery store wanted to make sure I had someone at home to help me unload the car.
  
• I get to eat as much as I want!!! Well, not really, there are food restrictions, but at least when I sit down to eat I don't have to worry about disapproving eyes when I reach for a second helping of mashed potatoes. Surprisingly though, I haven't used pregnancy as a pig-out excuse as I have been trying to watch my weight. Because I was overweight to begin with, my Dr. advised me not to gain more than 25 pounds, which I proudly have accomplished so far. It's just nice to have people encouraging me to eat more rather than less. And when I do feel a pig-out coming on, they just say, "Go Ahead! You're eating for two, ya know!"
• Got Milk? I don't know how it happened, but miraculously my Lactose Intolerance has gone away! I can drink milk! I can eat cheese! I can eat pizza without a pill! Unfortunately, I can't eat soft cheeses...but once this kid is out, bring on the Brie!
  
• TV. Bless You, "On Demand" for letting me watch all the HBO series that I've fallen behind on (Sopranos, Entourage, and Big Love) and discovering Curb Your Enthusiasm. My new favorite guilty pleasures: The Singing Bee and America's Got Talent (for shame!). I've also been able to watch a movie a day on average (thanks Blockbuster Online! I really prefer it now over Netflix, especially since I get to turn in my watched movies by simply waddling over to my local store and exchange them for new ones instantly!)
  
• Maternity Clothes. Oh, how I love elastic waist bands that I don't have to make excuses for! I no longer have to suck it in or struggle with zippers and buttons. I also have an excuse to wear sweats EVERY day! And for once, people think my belly is adorable!!!
  
• Being a Happy Homemaker. I don't know how long this feeling will last, but I'm really enjoying cooking for Peter. I scour the internet or our cookbook library for recipes in the morning and plan a meal so that he has a hot home-cooked meal to come home to. Last night we had Linguine with fresh chunky tomato sauce made with tomatoes picked from Mom P's garden...mmm...Today I'm going to make a Tres Leches cake. I hope it turns out OK.
  
• Getting Crafty Again. Now that I have time, I've picked up knitting again and finally finished that baby blanket that I started 2 years ago (it was supposed to be for my nephew's baby shower...sorry Bennett!).
  
• Baby Kicks and Hiccups. I'm going to miss the baby moving around in my belly. From the first little bubbly flutters to the all-out Rockettes high kicks in the ribs! They're a reminder of the miracle growing inside of me. That my body can actually MAKE A BABY is just amazing and pretty darn cool.
  
• Having a chauffeur. I no longer have a car. My sister has taken it from me as I'm no longer allowed to drive myself anywhere. If I go into labor, she is only 2 miles away and she will even drive me to the grocery store that is a 2 minute drive away from my house. At first, I argued that it made me feel useless...now I just let it flow and pick up the phone to call for a ride when I want a Jamba Juice.
  
• Rediscovering my local library. It had been so long since my last visit to the library that I was no longer in their system and had to get a new card. I've been twice in the last couple of weeks and can't wait to bring little Pizza in once he/she's old enough. Luckily, we have a nice, new library with a big children's section, a playroom, and comfy couches. It's like Barnes and Noble without the Starbucks and everything's FREE!
  
• Divine Secrets of the Mama Sisterhood. I know the feeling will become stronger once I've given birth, but I already feel like I'm becoming part of the world's biggest club...the Mommy Club. I can feel it when mom's see my belly and give me a knowing and understanding smile as if to say, "It'll be all right, girl..we've been there too..." Pregnancy is like the Rush for the Mommy sorority, except not so mean.
  
• Peter. He has been so kind, so understanding, so sweet, so amazing, that I'm so lucky to have him in my life. He has truly shown what a great dad he's going to be and I can't wait to share this new adventure with him! OK, everyone...let's hear a collective "Awwwwww....."
  
  
  
  

4 More days to go and enjoying the company of friends.

I can't believe how fast time is flying! Only 4 more days to my due date. I've been keeping busy over here and trying to survive the 100 degree temps. Luckily, today is supposed to be the last day of this current heat wave and we'll be seeing 90 degree weather in the next week. We're hoping to get our air conditioner checked as it doesn't seem to be working efficiently. By evening, the thermostat reads 85 degrees after having the air conditioner on all day set to 70. Hopefully we can get someone in this week to check it out. I'd hate to bring baby home to a hot house!

Thanks to everyone that has come by to visit! Sherry came by last week with a couple bags of her award winning caramel corn (really! She entered it into the Amador County Fair and won 2nd place!). Johnny came by Monday and took me out to lunch and grocery shopping. My brother and family were here last weekend and the kids created more onesies for the baby and we went on a family excursion to Target. Having people over has helped keep my mind off worrying about labor and delivery and made the time go by much quicker. If anybody reading this is in the area, I'm home alone most days...give me a call!!! I'd love the company. Just be ready in case my water breaks while you're here!

My (least) Favorite Things...

OK...so I said I'm enjoying pregnancy...Really, I AM! I'm not complaining..I'm just saying...there are a few things I could do without...

• Sleeping on my side. My favorite sleeping position is on my belly. Now I have to sleep on one side, and then the other, and then the other (alternating about 6 times or more during the night), and sometimes Peter has to help me roll over.
  



• Sciatic Nerves Gone wild! Gone are the shopping marathon days. Nowadays, sciatica kicks in after 40 minutes (my right thigh starts tingling and goes numb) and I need to sit down. If there's nowhere to sit, I assume the Captain Morgan pose for a minute or two and the tingling goes away.



• The "Wee" Small Hours of the morning. I haven't slept through the night since about month 2 of my pregnancy. It's good training though, since I probably won't be able to sleep through the night for the next 18 years.



• Pelvic Exams. Once every year or every couple years was bad enough...but now I have to endure them weekly. hoo boy I can't wait until labor starts then I'll probably have to be checked every couple of hours. Yay!



• Food restrictions!!! Soft Cheese (Feta, Goat Cheese, and Brie. Oh how I miss thee), Diet Coke, Shellfish and most of all: SUSHI!! California rolls for the last 9 months just aren't cutting it.
  


• My Feet. I have big feet. OK, OK...I have huge feet. Size 10. (10 Wide sometimes.) That was pre-pregnancy size. I am now a TIGHT size 11!!! (Please don't let it be permanent!) Two days before I found out I was pregnant I bought a pair of sexy knee high leather boots that are still in the box. I'm hoping that they'll fit me again just in time for boot weather. I went through most of the summer without wearing even one of my many pairs of cute sandals. I've been reduced to wearing slippers or my brown naturalizer slides (so not cute).



• My skin. Nobody warned me about the funky things that would happen to my skin during pregnancy. Dark patches, light patches, red patches, skin tags, etc. I was ready for stretch marks, but have you seen my armpits lately? ew!



• Built-in Central Heating System. I'm talking about the one in my body, not the one in the house. Living in Sacramento where a cool summer day is when the thermostat peaks at 90 degrees doesn't help. I've taken to taking 2 to 3 showers a day and sleeping with a fan pointed at my face and neck to keep me comfortable.

But like I said...I'm not complaining!!!

More funnies...

Lemon suckers. Lemons+babies=funny faces.

Belly laughs...

Thanks Yasmine for sending me this...


Pregnancy Q &A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex! ?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A! : Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

What's up Doc?

I just came home from my weekly visit to my OB. Everything is going well. The Baby's head is down, my cervix is softening, baby's heart rate is excellent, and everything looks good! She doesn't think anything's going to be happening this week though and she predicts the baby's gonna be an 8 pounder. I hope that doesn't mess it up for your choices in the baby pools!!!

All Packed Up and Ready to Go

Hospital bag
Originally uploaded by RizaPuno

I packed my bag for the hospital last night! It contains:

• Nursing nightgown (with matching onesie for baby...is that too cute, or what?)
• Massager thing
• Book for me, and a book for Peter (diversion from pain (me) and boredom (Peter))
• Pair of slipper socks and slippers
• Toiletries
• Video Camera/Digital Camera with chargers, Cell phone charger
• Going home clothes for me
• Going home clothes for baby
• Change of clothes for Peter
  

Any other suggestions? Did I miss anything?

Water breaking...update

Thanks to everyone that got back to me about their water breaking...not all replies were via the blog, most of you wanted to keep gory details private so replied via email. :-) I did a little research and apparently only 10% of women actually have their "bag of waters" break outside the hospital. Most of the experiences you have told me about haven't been horrifying or too gross, so that makes me feel better. One good piece of advice I got was to wear pants...so that the "gush" won't all make it to the floor and cause a huge mess. I was also advised to always bring extra clothes in case it does happen in public. My OB said that from the time my water breaks I'll have a few hours before I'll need to go to the hospital so all the movie/tv scenes where women rush off to the hospital after having their water break is bogus.

Now about that mucus plug.....

I'm Kidding..please, no more talk of mucus plugs... :-0

I'm off to the grocery store...I'm wearing pants and will have an extra pair in the car, just in case. Next time you hear "Wet Cleanup on Aisle 4!" It just might be me....

The Nesting Instinct

When I decided to take a month off before my due date, I was worried that I would be bored out of mind at home. There are only so many episodes of A Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby that I can watch. During my last days of work I complained about how I wouldn't have anything to do at home and the ladies at work knowingly shook their heads and said, "Oh, you'll always have stuff to do..."

I'm beginning my 3rd week of maternity leave and what those wise ladies knew would happen, has happened. The nesting instinct has kicked in. It's defined as: "a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating. Or perhaps you'll want to tackle projects you haven't had time to do, like organizing your garage or closets." And hooo boy, do I have it bad.

Last week, we completed the nursery and I organized everything from the baby's closet to our tupperware drawer (complete with labelled drawers...must not get the "Onesies" in the same drawer as "Hats/Bibs/Socks", right? Right?!). I cleaned out the pantry, freezer, refrigerator, and had the carpets cleaned. I am obsessed. I am walking around with a bottle of 409 in one hand and a label-maker in the other. Today alone, I washed all our pots and pans, cleaned off many months' worth of grease and food debris from the stove top, cleaned the oven, and even scrubbed all of our cookie sheets clean.

I'm already planning my chores for tomorrow...don't worry...I'll take it easy. I'll just organize the Hats/Bibs/Socks drawer by size and color (must not mix the 0-3 month socks with the 3-6 month socks, right? Right?!).

When did your water break?

I am now 2 weeks from my due date and according to my OB I can pretty much go into labor any day now.

Peter's in Napa all day today, meeting with restaurant and wine shop owners, trying to sell some wine (check out Kindred Wines to learn about the company that Peter and his friends started). My plan for the day is to get some exercise by mall-walking. There's only one thing stopping me...I have this fear of going into labor while I'm out and about...more specifically of my water breaking in public.

Has this happened to any of you mom's out there? I see it happen in the movies and on TV all the time, what are the odds? Where did your water break? Please comment and ease this new mommy's fears. Sorry if it's a gross subject some of you guys...

Only 17 more days to go!

My homepage is set to I-google and every time I go online I am greeted with a pregnancy countdown widget reminding me just how pregnant I am (37 weeks and 4 days) and declaring the number of days to my due date. Today, the little pink square on the screen shouts out: ONLY 17 MORE DAYS TO GO!

I am now bursting with pregnancy. Contrary to what I was expecting, I am loving every minute of it. The swelling, bloating, sleeplessness, stretch marks, 100 degree sacramento summers, a bladder the size of a grape..those things aren't bothering me at all.

"Oh just you wait until the last month, you're going to hate it..." people have warned me. But no, even with 17 more days to go, I cherish every minute and am a little sad for it to end. Not because being pregnant gives me license to be spoiled and pampered, or that it brings out the courtesy and friendliness of complete strangers. This little creature inside of me constantly reminds of the goodness of God, the love of my husband, and the support of my family. Plus, I get to park in the 'expectant mother's only' parking spot at the mall.

I hope you enjoy this blog and join me on my journey towards first time mommyhood. I'll probably post often in the next 17 days right up until Pizza Delivery Day!

PS. if any of you are wondering what the "Pizza" is all about....We've been threatening the grandparents that we will name their grandchild "Pizza." It's the combination of our names (Pete + Riza...geddit?). People have dared us to do it...and we just might. Stay tuned!