"Must Haves"

I've been reading a lot of magazines over the past few months, particularly those related to pregnancy and parenting. They're usually found in doctor's office waiting rooms, hair and nail salons, lobbies of various buildings, etc. I've been intrigued by what I've read and frankly, I'm amazed that any human being has survived childhood so far. Who knew there were so many things that a mom MUST HAVE before and after her child is born?

For instance, did you know that you will not survive parenthood without a decorative cover for baby wipes to keep in your designer diaper bag? Or that if you do not have in your possession at all times, a $40 plastic bag in which to keep a change of clothes, you are a terrible mother?

It gets worse. Infants, apparently, need lavender scented lip balm in order to develop properly. They also cannot function as normal children unless all their senses are stimulated by flashing lights and a medley of sounds 24 hours a day, even as they sleep.  And, does a bib that costs more than more than a small kitchen appliance really help ward off food spills better than a bib from Target? Really?? Yes, I have seen those labeled MUST HAVE, as well.

Thank goodness I have a close group of friends who are mommies, who tell me what the real "MUST HAVES" are.  They suggest a loving husband, supportive friends, and a willingness to go with the flow. Oh, and diapers. This little girl is already so loved by so many, and isn't that the most important need that should be met?

So, thanks for your advice, pregnancy magazines, but I think our needs are being met even though I don't have a decorative baby wipe cover. But, I did take your advice on one thing. I do have a birth plan. I plan to give birth to a baby girl named Madeline Grace and to love her for the rest of my life. How's that for a MUST HAVE?

Pictures, as promised!

Here are some pictures from last week's beautiful shower for Madeline. Thanks again, Jakki & Sheryl!

[caption id="attachment_236" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Yummy food, adorable cake."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_237" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="These should last us a day or two! :)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_238" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="With Jakki's precious Aubrey."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_239" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jakki's so creative!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_240" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Tiny and my lovely sisters-in-law."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_241" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bouncy seat!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_242" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="I've heard you can't live without a Boppy, so I'm glad we have one now. :)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_243" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Basket full o' goodies!"][/caption]

"I Coulda Been a Contender!"

I thought it was just sensitive gums, to be blamed on pregnancy like everything else is. So, at Saturday's shower, I chewed my little quiches carefully, and we picked up some Orajel on the way out, just in case. By Saturday night, I couldn't function without Tylenol.

After enduring Sunday while thinking, "If labor hurts this much, maybe I'd like to be sedated (Ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, I wanna be sedated)," I got up Monday morning and found a dentist who would see me on short notice, who sent me to an endodontist who said that the infection was so bad I would have to take antibiotics for a week before we could even try to fix the tooth.

Great.

I'll spare you all the gory, nasty details and leave you with the knowledge that by the time it started to hurt, the infection had spread to my jaw. So, the nice endodontist gave me a prescription (which worked like a charm on the pain) and said if I had any facial swelling, to come back.

When I woke up this morning, I looked like this (sans the moustache, of course):

 

So, while it's been fun entertaining myself with Marlon Brando and Popeye impersonations, I have to go back to see the nice man who is going to do some things to my face that don't sound very fun at all.

I was concerned about all the meds I have to take, and the anesthesia, but I visited the new OB this morning and she reassured me that everything will be fine.

I'll be glad when my face returns to normal and my doctor's visits consist only of measuring my belly and taking my blood pressure again.

Baby Shower 2

Saturday brought another wonderful shower, hosted by my fabulous friends, Jakki & Sheryl.  We had a great time, an adorable cake, and some yummy brunch food!!

If you didn't already know, Jakki is not only Supermom, but also Superfriend. At any given moment, you can stop by Jakki's house and find it spotless, her toddler happy, and her face beautiful. She sews, she cooks, she bakes, she cans, she takes care of her home and family, and she does it all with a smile on her face. In addition to all that, she's a great friend. Jakki has a two-year-old and just gave birth three weeks ago, and still managed to get together with Sheryl and create a perfect shower for me! How she does it, I'll never know, but I know that I am so lucky to have those two as friends.

I would post some pictures, but the baby has eaten my brain and I forgot my camera. Hopefully, some benevolent soul who was there will offer to e mail me some pictures, then I can share them here.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Did you ever feel like your life was following the same story line as a movie? I've been thinking a lot about how truly blessed I am to have the life that I have, and I'm starting to think there's a reason I can watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding over and over again. I'll illustrate with some quotes from the movie.

I met my Mr. Wonderful, proving that I was not, "doomed to wander the planet alone."

 

 

At 31, just like the main character in the movie, I married a man who is so good to me I almost feel as if I don't deserve him (almost).



 

And, "a minute later I was pregnant." The couple in the movie even had a little girl. :)  Sometimes, just like Tula, I feel like I'm going to wake up and this all will have been a dream - "But, it did happen! It did!" And, I'm so glad it did.

I'm being a little silly, comparing my life to that of Tula and Ian. That was a movie script. This is real. What we have in our home is real love, real joy, and real faith in each other.  What a fabulous reason for  Big Fat Southern Celebration!

"OPA!" (That, apparently, is Greek for "Yeehaw!")

Baby Shower in Bama

This afternoon, I was able to have a great time with family and friends because my dear friend, Jenn, threw a perfect baby shower for our Madeline.

[caption id="attachment_216" align="aligncenter" width="563" caption="Awesome spread"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_217" align="aligncenter" width="418" caption="With my hostess and awesome friend, Jenn"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_218" align="aligncenter" width="439" caption="Football during a baby shower? Why not?"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_219" align="aligncenter" width="402" caption="So many cute clothes!!"][/caption]



It was also wonderful to see Jenn's little girl, Addie, all dressed up in her party dress!

[caption id="attachment_221" align="aligncenter" width="363" caption="Addie and Baby"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_222" align="aligncenter" width="497" caption="Say cheese, Addie!"][/caption]

 

Thanks so much to Jenn for making everything wonderful, and to everyone who was so generous to Madeline today!

We have arrived

As of Tuesday, we are officially residents of Birmingham. We really like our new house, and I'll post some pictures as soon as get everything squared away.

The move went pretty well, although we did have some minor events. A rock made a ding in my windshield on the way here, we're still waiting on a washer and dryer, the painters have to come and fix some spots of the ceiling, and we won't even talk about my nails!! The important thing is that we arrived safely and are getting settled, and we think this is going to be a great place to bring Madeline home to.

Stay tuned for pictures!