We just got back from a great doctor's appointment! I gained nearly 2 pounds this week, which is fabulous...I was getting concerned with losing a pound then maintaining at that level last week, especially with the concerns about amniotic fluid level and such. I've been increasing my fluids and trying to eat more calorie dense foods that are still nutrient rich and it looks like it's been paying off. The doctor was happy with the test results from the day before yesterday and said that everything looks and feels on track for the April 6 due date. He seemed to think that we'd have a baby by next weekend! I'm not totally convinced and still think this baby is going to come somewhere between the 10-15th, but we'll see. In either case that doesn't give us too much more time as just the two of us. I'm hoping the little guy waits until at least April 7 because I have a huge meeting at work scheduled on April 6, plus we can't get our carseat inspected until April 6 (that was the earliest appointment available when we called 2 weeks ago!). After the 6th, it's fair game though.
Hearing the doctor tell us that we'll likely have a baby in a week or so got me even more excited for our weekend plans! Every year, Eric and I have a cherry blossom date day and this year we're doing our date day on Saturday. We're planning on getting up really early and getting into the city a little before 8 a.m. We'll grab some Starbucks and some breakfast treats then find a nice little area to enjoy the blossoms by the Tidal Basin. We did something similar last year and really enjoyed it - it wasn't super crowded and packed and we got to enjoy some serious quality time together. I'm also really excited to take my weekly bump picture with the blossoms! I had originally wanted to do our maternity photo session during the Cherry Blossom Festival, but our photographer was booked for those weekends. Something about the festival just makes me feel happy inside and all those cherry blossoms just fill me with hope and excitement that always comes with springtime. We're definitely planning on making cherry blossom date day into a family affair and I can't wait until we can take Little Z for his first peak at the blossoms next year (and I'm super excited for the fabulous prep-tastic clothes I can put him in)....maybe we'll even be able to turn it into our first annual family portrait session:)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We're Ready!
After almost 9 months of reading, planning, learning, cleaning and shopping, it finally feels like Eric and I are prepared for Little Z. This has been a source of stress for both of us, and really for Eric even more than myself, especially over the last month, but this past weekened we were able to tackle a lot of items on our to-do list that had been bugging us.
After our baby shower, Eric and I went through all of the items we had received and purchased and came up with a list of all the basic things we still needed to get before Little Z arrived - everything from infant tylenol to receiving blankets to nursing bras. We also made a list of things around the house that we wanted to do (like deep cleaning the carpets, rearranging furniture, installing the carseat, etc), and we went from there. Eric spent all day Saturday cleaning our place from top to bottom - we had taken my parents' deep cleaning Bissel and he went to town. It seriously took him all day, but our apartment was so fresh afterward and we both felt much better about bringing home the baby into our place. While Eric was busy with the apartment, I spent Saturday driving all over creation to a lot of the basic supplies and such we still needed. I headed to Baltimore first thing to pick up our glider and ottoman and it was even better seeing it in person than I imagined (seriously, it makes me smile each time I look at it in the living room b/c I cannot believe how good of a deal we got!). After Baltimore, I headed out to Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us and Target to get lots of the little essentials we still needed. Thanks to the Babies R Us coupons that Tariq and Raabia gave us at our shower, I was able to get the amazing breastpump I wanted at 20% off!
On Sunday, we tackled the clothing and spent the morning washing, folding, and organizing all of Little Z's newborn and 0-3 sized clothing. Around lunch time, I headed out to the outlets in Leesburg to get the rest of the items we needed for his layette. Luckily, the Carter's outlet was having a huge sale and EVERYTHING was 50% off, so I definitely made out like a bandit! I also hit up the Osh Kosh B'Gosh outlet and Polo Baby outlet, but didn't have quite as much luck. I did find the PERFECT coming home outfit though at the Saks outlet, so that finished off the shopping with a bang:) Kohl's was nearby so I stopped on my way home and picked up a couple more things, then made a detour to Marshall's on the way home as well. I have to say that I LOVE Marshall's! I found so much cute, preppy stuff there (definitely not on my list, but in my defense things were on clearance and they were in 3-6 and 6-9 month sizes:P). I was so excited by all the good finds and so relieved that I was finally able to find things that I liked for little boys! I had been struggling with finding cute things that I really liked (basically because I HATE little boys clothing that is covered from head to toe in cartoon characters and/or animals) and it felt so good to feel like I found nice things at really good prices.
So now all the clothes have been bought and laundered, all the furniture has been set up, and the diapers have been unpacked and are ready for action. Now all that's left to do is wait for Little Z to make his appearance. I still feel like there is sooo much that we don't know, but I think I've also finally come to terms with the fact that we are never going to feel like we have all the information or all the answers. We've read and researched and armed ourselves with as much information as we can, and that's all we can do. I feel like a lot of it will come to us with trial and error and we'll figure it out as we go along - it will definitely be challenging, but it can't be that bad, right? There are 6+ billion people on this planet and somehow I doubt that number would keep growing if parenthood and raising a child were as terrible and impossible as they sometimes appear to be....
After our baby shower, Eric and I went through all of the items we had received and purchased and came up with a list of all the basic things we still needed to get before Little Z arrived - everything from infant tylenol to receiving blankets to nursing bras. We also made a list of things around the house that we wanted to do (like deep cleaning the carpets, rearranging furniture, installing the carseat, etc), and we went from there. Eric spent all day Saturday cleaning our place from top to bottom - we had taken my parents' deep cleaning Bissel and he went to town. It seriously took him all day, but our apartment was so fresh afterward and we both felt much better about bringing home the baby into our place. While Eric was busy with the apartment, I spent Saturday driving all over creation to a lot of the basic supplies and such we still needed. I headed to Baltimore first thing to pick up our glider and ottoman and it was even better seeing it in person than I imagined (seriously, it makes me smile each time I look at it in the living room b/c I cannot believe how good of a deal we got!). After Baltimore, I headed out to Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us and Target to get lots of the little essentials we still needed. Thanks to the Babies R Us coupons that Tariq and Raabia gave us at our shower, I was able to get the amazing breastpump I wanted at 20% off!
On Sunday, we tackled the clothing and spent the morning washing, folding, and organizing all of Little Z's newborn and 0-3 sized clothing. Around lunch time, I headed out to the outlets in Leesburg to get the rest of the items we needed for his layette. Luckily, the Carter's outlet was having a huge sale and EVERYTHING was 50% off, so I definitely made out like a bandit! I also hit up the Osh Kosh B'Gosh outlet and Polo Baby outlet, but didn't have quite as much luck. I did find the PERFECT coming home outfit though at the Saks outlet, so that finished off the shopping with a bang:) Kohl's was nearby so I stopped on my way home and picked up a couple more things, then made a detour to Marshall's on the way home as well. I have to say that I LOVE Marshall's! I found so much cute, preppy stuff there (definitely not on my list, but in my defense things were on clearance and they were in 3-6 and 6-9 month sizes:P). I was so excited by all the good finds and so relieved that I was finally able to find things that I liked for little boys! I had been struggling with finding cute things that I really liked (basically because I HATE little boys clothing that is covered from head to toe in cartoon characters and/or animals) and it felt so good to feel like I found nice things at really good prices.
So now all the clothes have been bought and laundered, all the furniture has been set up, and the diapers have been unpacked and are ready for action. Now all that's left to do is wait for Little Z to make his appearance. I still feel like there is sooo much that we don't know, but I think I've also finally come to terms with the fact that we are never going to feel like we have all the information or all the answers. We've read and researched and armed ourselves with as much information as we can, and that's all we can do. I feel like a lot of it will come to us with trial and error and we'll figure it out as we go along - it will definitely be challenging, but it can't be that bad, right? There are 6+ billion people on this planet and somehow I doubt that number would keep growing if parenthood and raising a child were as terrible and impossible as they sometimes appear to be....
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tests (and Results)
At our most recent doctor's appointment last Friday, our OB was concernd about Little Z's heartrate and the possibility of IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), so he he wrote up an order for an NST (non-stress test) and evaluation of my amniotic fluid levels. We were lucky and got an appointment with the MFM (maternal fetal medicine) group pretty quickly and went in this afternoon for our tests and ultrasound.
I wasn't really worried about anything and figured that the concern about IUGR had more to do with confusion about my actual due date. All of my ultrasounds have given a due date of April 23, yet my OB inists on going by the due date of my last missed period which is April 6 (and which I KNOW cannot be the actual due date - seriously, Eric and I both have to be in the same place/room for that to happen and since Eric was at my parents' house and I was at our place in Arlington getting prepared for all of our wedding festivities the day we supposedly conceived it really isn't possible. The earliest the due date could be is April 9/10). I was really hoping that this appointment would clear up all misconceptions and finally get us a real due date!
Our tests and ultrasound went really well though and it definitely gave us some reassurance that Little Z is doing just fine:) His heartrate was between the mid 120s and 140s and his amniotic fluid levels were great! I also found out during the NST that I was apparently having contractions. At the end, the technician asked me if I felt any contractions during that time and I told her I hadn't, which is when she informed me that I had been having some contractions duing the test...who knew! The ultrasound tech also commented on how low Little Z was, so I guess with the contractions and with his position, things are moving along just as they should be. We've decided to decline all internals (since they don't really give any information about when you will go into labor), so I don't know how dialated or effaced I am, but it is kind of reassuring to know that my body and the baby know what they are doing and are already working together to get ready for D-Day (delivery day:). Our next appointment is on Thursday, so we'll see what our OB thinks of the results of the tests. Hopefully they will put his mind at ease and we'll be able to continue onward without any problems or interventions!
I wasn't really worried about anything and figured that the concern about IUGR had more to do with confusion about my actual due date. All of my ultrasounds have given a due date of April 23, yet my OB inists on going by the due date of my last missed period which is April 6 (and which I KNOW cannot be the actual due date - seriously, Eric and I both have to be in the same place/room for that to happen and since Eric was at my parents' house and I was at our place in Arlington getting prepared for all of our wedding festivities the day we supposedly conceived it really isn't possible. The earliest the due date could be is April 9/10). I was really hoping that this appointment would clear up all misconceptions and finally get us a real due date!
Our tests and ultrasound went really well though and it definitely gave us some reassurance that Little Z is doing just fine:) His heartrate was between the mid 120s and 140s and his amniotic fluid levels were great! I also found out during the NST that I was apparently having contractions. At the end, the technician asked me if I felt any contractions during that time and I told her I hadn't, which is when she informed me that I had been having some contractions duing the test...who knew! The ultrasound tech also commented on how low Little Z was, so I guess with the contractions and with his position, things are moving along just as they should be. We've decided to decline all internals (since they don't really give any information about when you will go into labor), so I don't know how dialated or effaced I am, but it is kind of reassuring to know that my body and the baby know what they are doing and are already working together to get ready for D-Day (delivery day:). Our next appointment is on Thursday, so we'll see what our OB thinks of the results of the tests. Hopefully they will put his mind at ease and we'll be able to continue onward without any problems or interventions!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Final Preparations
As I mentioned in my last post, it is really starting to hit me that we could be parents literally any day now. I finally got the nesting bug after our shower and it has been kicked into high gear this week! We had our last Bradley class on Monday and I am actually feeling pretty prepared for labor and delivery (well, as prepared as one can be when you've never gone through this before). It's been such a change since we first started our classes - I remember in the beginning feeling completely scared, anxious and nervous aboutthe birthing process, and now I feel relaxed, secure and excited. If you can believe it, I am actually looking forward to experiencing the whole birthing process and I really think that has a lot to do with what we've learned in class. I also think the class has brought us closer in a lot of ways and I think the reason I feel so confident about giving birth is because I don't feel like I'm going to be doing it alone...I know that Eric is going to be there with me, to help me, encourage me, and coach me.
In other exciting news, we sold the Mustang yesterday! I tried to take a video of the car before it was driven away by the new owner, but my pregnancy brain got in the way and I couldn't figure out how to use the Flip! Yes - I know it's painfully obvious...you click the big red button, but somehow I couldn't figure it out at the time. I'm thinking Little Z is going to very smart b/c he's already taking lots of his mommy's brain cells:P
Another FABULOUS moment from yesterday was finding the Dutailier glider and ottoman we wanted on Craigslist. Those of you with kids know this is one of the best brands out there and soooo comfortable. We had tried some out at Babies R Us when we were crib shopping back in October and fell in love with one that was cherry wood with cream cushions that reclined. It was really big and comfy and Eric absolutely loved it too. The problem was that, brand new, the glider and ottoman were going to cost upwards of $700. We decided to stalk Craigslist pretty religiously starting in December to see if we could find any on there for a better price. We did find Dutailier gliders and ottomans, but most were light wood, or had green or blue fabric and when we did find a dark wood one, they were usually unavailable or had the wrong colored cushions or didn't recline. Yesterday though,I found one that was the exact color combo and style that we wanted and it was still available! It's located in Baltimore, but we figured if we were going to save almost $400 it was worth the drive. We're going to get it this weekend and I'm so excited...just in the nick of time too!
Tonight, we have our first pediatrician meeting and tomorrow we have our breastfeeding class. Eric is installing the carseat this weekend and we're already have an appointment with the police department to get it inspected. This weekend and next week we're planning on getting the last few things we need before Little Z gets here, then all we have left to do is wait and enjoy the last few days/weeks we have together as just the two of us!
In other exciting news, we sold the Mustang yesterday! I tried to take a video of the car before it was driven away by the new owner, but my pregnancy brain got in the way and I couldn't figure out how to use the Flip! Yes - I know it's painfully obvious...you click the big red button, but somehow I couldn't figure it out at the time. I'm thinking Little Z is going to very smart b/c he's already taking lots of his mommy's brain cells:P
Another FABULOUS moment from yesterday was finding the Dutailier glider and ottoman we wanted on Craigslist. Those of you with kids know this is one of the best brands out there and soooo comfortable. We had tried some out at Babies R Us when we were crib shopping back in October and fell in love with one that was cherry wood with cream cushions that reclined. It was really big and comfy and Eric absolutely loved it too. The problem was that, brand new, the glider and ottoman were going to cost upwards of $700. We decided to stalk Craigslist pretty religiously starting in December to see if we could find any on there for a better price. We did find Dutailier gliders and ottomans, but most were light wood, or had green or blue fabric and when we did find a dark wood one, they were usually unavailable or had the wrong colored cushions or didn't recline. Yesterday though,I found one that was the exact color combo and style that we wanted and it was still available! It's located in Baltimore, but we figured if we were going to save almost $400 it was worth the drive. We're going to get it this weekend and I'm so excited...just in the nick of time too!
Tonight, we have our first pediatrician meeting and tomorrow we have our breastfeeding class. Eric is installing the carseat this weekend and we're already have an appointment with the police department to get it inspected. This weekend and next week we're planning on getting the last few things we need before Little Z gets here, then all we have left to do is wait and enjoy the last few days/weeks we have together as just the two of us!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Fabulous Weekend
As a follow up to my excitement in my last post, I thought I'd catch everyone up on the fantastic weekend we just had! Saturday was my baby shower and it was the absolute best! We were so blessed to have so many friends and family in town to celebrate with. Rissa did an exceptional job organizing everything and hosting and it was definitely a day I will never forget! There was so much yummy food and so many fun people that it felt like time just flew by. It was so fun catching up with people and I was so touched by everyone's generosity. This baby is definitely lucky to have so many people that love him so much!
After the shower, Eric and I met up with his mom and aunts to do a little shopping and got to introduce them to the wonders of Marshalls! After shopping, we headed over to dinner at Begum Auntie's house and spent some time with my family. A lot of my cousins were in town, so after dinner all of the young folk headed back to our apartment to hang out and help us put a dent in our liquor cabinet. Even though we just hung out, we had an absolute blast! My youngest brother gave us a new term for drunk sex (mutual rape - since apparently neither party involved can legally give consent) and we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning laughing and being ridiculous. Eric and I organized and sorted out all of our baby stuff on Sunday, then I met up with my cousins for brunch before running some errands. All-in-all a very productive, fun, and long weekend:)
I was on a complete high this morning at work, and soon after I got in, I got some shocking news: a coworker of mine, due about 10 days after me, gave birth this weekend! I know that technically I am only 2.5 weeks away from my first due date (April 6), but that just threw me for a loop! It made me realize that we could literally have this baby at any time now. I think that, in conjunction with all the baby stuff this weekend, has kicked me into high gear - I feel the nesting phase coming on. I'm finally catching up to Eric who has been nesting for about 2 months now - thank goodness he has though, because now most everything is done! The pack 'n' play is set up, the stroller is set up, and the car seat is getting installed this weekend. I am so thankful for internet and fast shipping right now though - it's so comforting to me to know that even if the baby comes early, we can always order the little things online while I'm in the hospital and it will be at our apartment by the time we get back!
After the shower, Eric and I met up with his mom and aunts to do a little shopping and got to introduce them to the wonders of Marshalls! After shopping, we headed over to dinner at Begum Auntie's house and spent some time with my family. A lot of my cousins were in town, so after dinner all of the young folk headed back to our apartment to hang out and help us put a dent in our liquor cabinet. Even though we just hung out, we had an absolute blast! My youngest brother gave us a new term for drunk sex (mutual rape - since apparently neither party involved can legally give consent) and we stayed up until the wee hours of the morning laughing and being ridiculous. Eric and I organized and sorted out all of our baby stuff on Sunday, then I met up with my cousins for brunch before running some errands. All-in-all a very productive, fun, and long weekend:)
I was on a complete high this morning at work, and soon after I got in, I got some shocking news: a coworker of mine, due about 10 days after me, gave birth this weekend! I know that technically I am only 2.5 weeks away from my first due date (April 6), but that just threw me for a loop! It made me realize that we could literally have this baby at any time now. I think that, in conjunction with all the baby stuff this weekend, has kicked me into high gear - I feel the nesting phase coming on. I'm finally catching up to Eric who has been nesting for about 2 months now - thank goodness he has though, because now most everything is done! The pack 'n' play is set up, the stroller is set up, and the car seat is getting installed this weekend. I am so thankful for internet and fast shipping right now though - it's so comforting to me to know that even if the baby comes early, we can always order the little things online while I'm in the hospital and it will be at our apartment by the time we get back!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Annnd I'm Back:)
I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I've updated the blog!! Time flies when life gets busy I guess. It has been a whirlwind of a month for me - things at work have been crazy. I was managing two major proposals plus a pretty large project and there were many many late nights and early mornings. Now that the proposals are done, I finally feel like I have time to breathe and catch up on life.
Since my last update, Eric and I have picked up our new car (a Toyota Highlander), I've bought REAL maternity clothes, and we had our maternity photo session (for a peak at some of our photos check out this link http://ingridkaslik.com/blog/eric-farah/). We've also nearly finished our childbirth classes (last one is on Monday!) and had several good doctor's appointments that have once again made us feel confident about our decision to use our doctor and hospital. Finally, with all the nice weather we've been having, it's really hit me that we are going to have this baby soon!! I was trying to schedule meetings with my colleagues for early April and realized (1) it's only a couple weeks away, and (2) I could be having a baby then. We have been so overwhelmed and touched by all the gifts we've received from friends and family, and it's taken a lot of the stress out of preparing for the baby - at this point I feel like we have all the basics, so even if he comes early, he'll have a place to sleep, a way to be fed, clean diapers, and lots of love...what more could a newborn ask for?
Speaking of the gorgeous weather, our near 80 degree day yesterday put me in a FANTASTIC mood. I LOOOOVE spring - it always makes me feel happy and energized and alive. Seeing the trees start to bloom and the flowers coming out just gives me such a sense of renewal. I'm really excited to take little Z out for walks once he gets here and I really think the nice weather will help me recover faster. Yesterday was also fantastic because my amazing mother-in-law and aunt come by for a visit! They're in town this weekend for my baby shower and Eric and I got to spend some quality time with both of them, which was awesome. Coming from western PA where there is still snow on the ground, they were definitely excited for the nice weather. We enjoyed a fun evening in the city and a great dinner at Founding Farmers. I'm definitely going to miss being a 10 minute drive to the city when we move this summer, but I'm glad we'll be able to take advantage of it for another few months.
Today is another beautiful day and it's also my baby shower! I am so excited to see all my amazing friends and family and am really looking forward to spending time with them. Several of my cousins and my brothers are in town this weekend and I'm also looking forward to a mini-reunion with all of them tonight! I already go to spend some time with my cousins Sadia, Shad and Leshika on Thursday and that just got me even more excited to see Tasneem, Salim, Tariq, Raabia and Waheed today. If it's anything like the way we were in Sri Lanka, it's bound to be a good time:)
And with that, I must be off - time to get ready for the shower, and I get to wear my new maternity dress! Yay!
Since my last update, Eric and I have picked up our new car (a Toyota Highlander), I've bought REAL maternity clothes, and we had our maternity photo session (for a peak at some of our photos check out this link http://ingridkaslik.com/blog/eric-farah/). We've also nearly finished our childbirth classes (last one is on Monday!) and had several good doctor's appointments that have once again made us feel confident about our decision to use our doctor and hospital. Finally, with all the nice weather we've been having, it's really hit me that we are going to have this baby soon!! I was trying to schedule meetings with my colleagues for early April and realized (1) it's only a couple weeks away, and (2) I could be having a baby then. We have been so overwhelmed and touched by all the gifts we've received from friends and family, and it's taken a lot of the stress out of preparing for the baby - at this point I feel like we have all the basics, so even if he comes early, he'll have a place to sleep, a way to be fed, clean diapers, and lots of love...what more could a newborn ask for?
Speaking of the gorgeous weather, our near 80 degree day yesterday put me in a FANTASTIC mood. I LOOOOVE spring - it always makes me feel happy and energized and alive. Seeing the trees start to bloom and the flowers coming out just gives me such a sense of renewal. I'm really excited to take little Z out for walks once he gets here and I really think the nice weather will help me recover faster. Yesterday was also fantastic because my amazing mother-in-law and aunt come by for a visit! They're in town this weekend for my baby shower and Eric and I got to spend some quality time with both of them, which was awesome. Coming from western PA where there is still snow on the ground, they were definitely excited for the nice weather. We enjoyed a fun evening in the city and a great dinner at Founding Farmers. I'm definitely going to miss being a 10 minute drive to the city when we move this summer, but I'm glad we'll be able to take advantage of it for another few months.
Today is another beautiful day and it's also my baby shower! I am so excited to see all my amazing friends and family and am really looking forward to spending time with them. Several of my cousins and my brothers are in town this weekend and I'm also looking forward to a mini-reunion with all of them tonight! I already go to spend some time with my cousins Sadia, Shad and Leshika on Thursday and that just got me even more excited to see Tasneem, Salim, Tariq, Raabia and Waheed today. If it's anything like the way we were in Sri Lanka, it's bound to be a good time:)
And with that, I must be off - time to get ready for the shower, and I get to wear my new maternity dress! Yay!
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