"Ya give me fev-ah"

Baby fever. It's an absolutely serious condition that strikes mostly women.

Although it is more common once you reach your 30's it can be just has serious in the younger age groups. It's almost as if now that I've been pregnant and had my baby I have a mommy radar. No question about it, I will notice a cute baby or baby bump over a hot guy any day.

The condition is heightened if the women in question is around or holding an infant. Its almost like her uterus starts magnetically screaming "Get in HERE!". Does this condition ever fade or go away completely? I can not be sure.

All I know is that I will continue to push down my yearning for another life growing within in me and dutifully take my birth control until the fever has me so close to death I have no other choice but to listen to my body... And become a mother once more.

My heart hurts waiting for that day when I know it's time.

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Anticipating a Birth!

One of Hubbs very best friends Mr.Mr (if you knew his initials you'd see this isn't just a funny nickname) is not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of his new son or daughter.

I'm waiting by the phone, and by facebook for updates on the situation at hand. It's quite serious and the hold up on the decision to deliver is what we're all waiting for. The Mama is epileptic and the baby is only 35 weeks gestation, she's been sent to a larger hospital and is waiting there for further decisions from the doctors.

After week 35 in gestation the bun considered almost read, essentially it's just working on weight gain for the rest of the time it's in the oven. Obviously those last 2-5+ weeks are important for the fetal growth and development or else a pregnancy would only last 35 weeks.

As serious as it is, I can't help but be ELATED! My close close friends are soon going to have their bundle of joy! Mr.Mr is going to have his very first blood son or daughter! A new life is about to enter this world into a very large, loving and supportive family! How could I not look at this situation through rose colored glasses? Good luck to all who are involved! Auntie can't wait to meet you little one! :)

Considering Cloth Diapering!

During my pregnancy and when Monster was in early infancy my thoughts on cloth diapering were something along the lines of: You must be nuts.

I will admit I was not open minded to learning about them, and really thought they were too much extra work to even consider. That was until my dear friend Enyo decided to bombard (I say this in the best way possible!) whattoexpect.com with blogs about the sheer awesomeness of cloth diapers/diapering. She has admitted that she is somewhat obsessed!

Please visit her blog directly here
and become a fan on Facebook here

Lately I've been considering transitioning Monster to cloth diapers part-time. I don't have the extra money to purchase a whole bunch of different kinds of cloth diapers, especially if I'm not completely sold on whether I can handle the extra work and laundry. I was thinking I'd buy two cloth diapers and slowly build up my stock of diapers and inserts as I learn which brands I love.

The plan would be to eventually have a full stock of cloth diapers and inserts that I adore, be a cloth diapering pro and happy with becoming more green by the time my second child rolls around. That way with my second (and third..?) child can be a 95% cloth diaper child. I just can't deny how cost effective cloth diapering will be, next task: Getting Hubbs and the rest of my family as enthusiastic about learning how to use them!

Stupid Suspicious Mind

When you're not trying to get pregnant, avoiding it like the plague actually, it seems like every little thing makes you suspicious.

Hubbs and I would like to wait until Monster is closer to two before even thinking about trying to make him a sibling. I would like to attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) and in order to do so I must wait until at least two years from my surgery date.

We are using birth control and because we found out we are ridiculously fertile (we have magnets for sperm and eggs! Hahaha) I have an alarm set on my phone to go off every day at noon so I take it at the same time daily (even though it's not necessary to do so with the type I'm on) to make it uber effective.

So why is it that I am constantly worrying, constantly suspicious of early pregnancy symptoms and always over analyzing every little detail? Why is it such a big deal, when we would see the light at the end of the tunnel even if an accident did happen?


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The Beginning

I'm new to the whole blogging universe. My blogging career started over at whattoexpect.com when I first became a member back in September(?) 2009.

That blog was primarily about my joys during pregnancy, and I didn't write very often. When I discovered blogger.com I was overjoyed with the different templates and color options. Therefor my loyalties switched (just for blogging, I still love WTE with my whole heart!).

I've recently had a couple friends mention my blog to me, and had the great pleasure of hearing they enjoyed reading it. I will admit, I grin like a moron for 2 days after hearing that. I gush when I see I have a blog comment because it makes me feel like I'm doing this for more then myself.

I started the blog with two things in mind, 1. That I had a place to keep my thoughts and ideas about the only thing in this world I know more about then anyone else; my child(ren) and 2. That this would someday be printed and kept for my child(ren) to read if they were ever interested.

From day one I never knew what I "wanted to be when I grew up" but I always knew I would become a wife and mother. If those are the only titles I will ever formally hold, I will still have lead a fulfilling and happy life. Thank you to those of you who read about my war stories along the way! :)


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Emergency C-Section

When I was pregnant the thought of a possible C-Section birth was always in my head.

I wasn't one of those naive pregnant women who believe they will waltz into the hospital, have some pains, pop out a baby, and walk out with a bundle (I shouldn't say naive, because someone women are actually blessed with such experiences...). I personally witnessed two births in the year and a half prior to Monster's birth, so I knew how much could potentially go wrong.

I will admit though, the thoughts of a C-Section delivery diminished once 24 weeks rolled around and Monster had flipped (on his own) from the frank breech position to the head down birthing position.

The thoughts of a C-Section birth were even further from my mind on the morning of March 5th when I woke up at 3:45am to my water breaking. However, I was extremely unlucky, and after a 24 hour pitocin induced labor, I pushed for about 2 and a half hours to have a sunny side up head stuck upon decent to freedom.

That is the quickest, least painful way to remember my birth experience.

After Monster's emergency C-Section birth, my doctor has recommended that I wait at least two years from the surgery date (March 6th) before trying to conceive in order to try for a natural delivery the second time around. For those of you who doubt, I'd like to say that such scenarios are common on my side of the family. Both my mom and grandma delivered their first children surgically assisted, but naturally delivered their second.

I have a hole punched into my life experience list where "Having a painful, but as natural of delivery as possible" should be. Barring another Monster-esque baby, I hope to one day (almost two years from now) have this wonderfully painful experience.

I'm unsure as to why it is so important to me but I do know it's something I've always valued. I feel like it's a badge of honor, and I know I'm no less of a mommy (or a person) because I don't wear one... but damn it! I WANT ONE!


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Evening Stroll

I have to admit, I absolutely love hanging out with other mommies, who don't mind talking about parenting, kids, and problems.

Parenting is the hardest, yet most rewarding job in the world. How else would we learn what's best for our families and our children then trial and error (our own, and hearing about our friends). Tonight I went for a walk with my very, very pregnant friend (lets call her Ms.L) who is also a mother of two toddler boys.

It's nice to see her interacting with her toddler, all the while, taking metal notes on some of her techniques in preparation for my own toddler Monster. Of course, everyone has their own parenting styles, but like I said, you live and learn and sometimes it's by watching others.

The best thing we discussed tonight was accepting other mothers (parents), and their own parenting styles, even if they're different from our own. As long as what they're doing is safe, and the best that they can do with what they have, who can ask for anything more of them? Ms. L isn't someone I often turn to for advice, because I'm reluctant to ask for advice from anyone, but just sharing her experiences with me is enough to make me appreciate her friendship even more.

Attack of the Post-Baby Booty

I was recently on the 'March 2010 Babies' home board at whattoexpect.com and came across a thread regarding "after baby body".

One of my fellow March mommies referred to her newly spread hips, and cup-sized bigger boobs as a badge of honor for her bravery during pregnancy and delivery. I giggled to myself (Hubbs isn't home, and Monster is sleeping.. Oh, and LOLA doesn't judge) when I read it, because it's so true!

That badge of honor is just not something mothers often talk about to a newly pregnant woman! The scale might say that you've finally reached your pre-pregnancy weight, however your jeans still say "Heck no! We wont go.... up and higher!" There are a lot of things that happened to me during pregnancy that I wasn't really expecting or didn't notice the magnitude of change until I delivered.

Hair is another huge thing! Yes, I heard stories about fast growing, glorious hair once pregnancy hormones kicked in, and yes, that is something I enjoyed. However, something that was very unexpected to me was that my leg hairs grew at an alarmingly slower right whilst I was with child. Now, I feel like a she-man! I have furry legs every single day, even if I shaved the day before, and I'm loosing all the glorious strands from on top my head! These things are normal, but since they haven't been normal to me for over a year, the changes feel drastic! Everyday I'm in the shower, I fear I will leave it without any hair on my head!

At least these physical changes are changes I can get used to, even if it might take some time for adjustment.

Gender Determination

When I was pregnant with Monster we chose not to find out his gender via ultrasound before birth. We wanted to keep one of the biggest surprises of our lifetime just that, a surprise.

It definitely worked well for us this time, we have 4 nieces and 1 nephew that we're very close with, who are all under 13. We had more then enough hand-me-downs to sift through before and after my Monster was born. We even painted his bedroom a cheery green color, which I at the time thought was gender neutral, but now realize I must have had that motherly instinct I was about to birth a boy.

I will admit, the surprise ate at my insides. Every time I walked by an infant clothing sales rack I died a little because I couldn't shop for gender specific clothes -yes I too hate yellow- at dirt cheap prices (I love a deal, and usually can't pass it up when it comes to kids clothing)!

We have already decided as a couple that next time I get pregnant we will certainly be finding out the gender of our baby. Not to ruin the greatest surprise of our lifetime, but because it will likely determine if that will be my last pregnancy or not. We decided a long time ago that we will have 2 children, the only exception being if we get two of the same gender right off the bat. We will consider a third in order to have a girl and a boy.

Not that I would be unhappy if I had two little boys running around under my feet, that will grow in to strapping men to hug, love and protect me (along side my husband :D)!

Am I crazy?

Once upon a time I wrote a blog on my What To Expect account asking if I was nuts to be worried about separation anxiety after the birth of my child.

The answer? I don't have separation anxiety from my child, but I miss pregnancy itself. There, I said it! It is ridiculous, and I will be the first to admit. I absolutely adore the feeling of growing a baby inside of me, and vow to never take it for granted again!

I say this so candidly, only because my pregnancy was pretty much a breeze. At the end I didn't even feel like the whale most women describe themselves as. I felt mostly comfortable, with a basketball hidden under my shirt. I realize that not every pregnancy is the same, and the next time might be a hot, hot, hell experience. That is one ride I am ready and willing to take... in the future.

I definitely don't plan on trying to conceive again anytime soon. My last pregnancy ended with a C-Section, so it is best for me to wait at least a year before we start trying, two if I plan on trying for a natural delivery. Something I am interested it, but is not a necessity. I don't know if I can hold off that need to feel pregnant again for that long.

I can just hear my mother now: "Enjoy the baby you have now... Enjoy the baby you have now... Enjoy the baby you have now..." Not that she wouldn't love another little Squeaky Monkey to squeeze.