Great Advice From the Girls

I totally put my friends on the spot today. I have to thank them for being such good troopers! The 3 ladies I interviewed are all moms to 2 children. I asked them for honest advice and words of wisdom on the transition from 1 child to 2.

Thanks ladies!!

Pop Preparing Derek's Room

A Morning With the Girls

Today I was in studio with Liz, Erin and Tina. It was a very nice morning! Just us girls. Checkout the videos! Lou, don't worry, you were missed!

Today I feel like my unborn son is moving his way into my rib cage and sitting on my lungs. He has officially taken over in there, as he should!

Just look at my countdown...66! WOW!!! Time is flying, flying, flying....

I told Joe the other day, I just can't wait to hold him. When he bulges out of my stomach, I always wonder if it's a foot or head, or even a little butt!

I can't wait to see all of it!

New Point Commercial

I know my blogs are supposed to be about my pregnancy, but this cracked me up and I had to share it. I did not teach him this, he picked it up all on his own. I realized he knew it as he sang along with the radio today. Lesson learned....kids pick up everything they hear!!!!

Looking Forward to Next Summer With Derek

Today we went down to the boardwalk, a place we frequent often. Here we are on one of the few rides that Derek will be able to go on next summer. We can't wait for him to join us!

Nesting

Usually the nesting stage doesn't happen until a few more weeks, but I think it hit me already. I actually know it did, I gave up laying out today to organize things. That's big!

Over this past weekend I packed up a whole closet reorganized the one in our bedroom and rampaged through all the shoes under our bed.

Joe took out all the newborn and 0-3 month clothes that we have. I wanted to take an inventory of what we will need. The boys are born in complete different seasons, but there are some things that I can still use for Derek.

I was getting the biggest kick out of the size of the clothes. I can not wait to have this baby. There are so many special moments in life, being pregnant is way way up there. I just love it!!! The whole process is amazing!

Interview With Dad

Size Doesn't Matter

When I first found out I was pregnant my muscles remembered exactly what to do to carry a child. I starting showing earlier, which I hear is common. At first, I looked to be a lot more pregnant then I was, in my eyes at least. Of course the rude comments from people didn't help either. I remember thinking, my God, what am I going to look like when I am 7 or 8 months.

Well here I am, 7 months. Yeah, I'm big, but I'm also over worrying about how large I look. I see pregnant people now and they are due way sooner than me and I am way bigger. So what. I really mean that. JoJo was over 8 pounds, who knows how big Derek will be, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that I am healthy and so is he.

When I was picking JoJo up from The Kid Zone at The Atlantic Club today, a mom stopped me and told me how great I look. She asked when I was due, if I knew what I was having, etc. She was so sweet. I thanked her for her lovely compliment. She praised me again for how I was carrying my baby and she said "look at you, you're here." She said she has seen me at the gym lately and she is quite impressed. It was just nice to hear that from a total stranger. I told her she made my day!

Cupcake Craving

Ok, so I was bad today.

My morning started out great, a nice workout at The Atlantic Club. I was there by 8:30, did my cardio and worked on bi's and tri's. I felt good. Picked up JoJo in the Kid Zone and then it was off to Gymboree at 10:10. A productive, active day.

Then all of a sudden it hit me......I NEEDED a cupcake. It had to have a lot of icing, preferably chocolate. At 4:00 Joe was running to the local bakery to get me one. It was every thing I was dreaming of and more.

So there you have it, craving #2 in my pregnancy. I didn't feel that bad indulging in the craving, I meet with my trainer again tomorrow morning at 9!

Did I mention it is Thursday...ice cream night. Yep, I'm eating that too! :0)

Preview to Derek's Room

A before video of what Derek's room looks like and a brief description of what it will hopefully come to be. Please note, this is a before shot! I would never let my child's bedroom be this messy! Enjoy!

Braxton Hicks

I don't know why I have neglected to write about this before, but I have been getting braxton hicks contractions for the past two or three weeks. They are such a strange sensation. Derek feels like he is rolling up into a tight ball and trying to push his way out of my stomach. Only the lower part, not on the top right under my chest.

Knowing what REAL contractions feel like, I know there is no need to worry. There is a CLEAR difference between the two. Just to make sure I was ok, I did mention it to the doctor the last time I went. Honestly that was the only thing I had to report since my pregnancy has been uneventful, thank God!! He said no problem, unless they come four times in an hour and I can't stop them by laying down or drinking water.

I take notice, but I don't freak out. Just nature's way of preparing a body to give birth. It's funny, sometimes I feel like my body won't prepare for vaginal birth, like I won't get contractions or dilate early because I am having a scheduled c-section. Mother nature doesn't know that...she's just doing her job!

Stroller Shopping

Our day today at Baby's R Us. We ended up registering for the jogging stroller!

Baby Kay-Key

I am back from a wonderful weekend spent with my family to celebrate the Baptism of my niece and Goddaughter, Katherine Hope, or as her big cousin calls her "Baby Kay-Key."

It was such a nice weekend. The baptism ceremony was wonderful. My Dad baptised Katie, he is a deacon in the Catholic Church. As the ceremony was taking place, JoJo added to the moment by playing the bongos and drum set. Everyone thought it was funny, me, not so much. But my sister and brother-in-law didn't seem to mind and that was most important!

As I stole Katie out of her father's arms this afternoon, I immediately wanted to rush to October to hold Derek. She made me so excited to have a newborn again. A feeling I can not explain, but it was of pure excitement, joy and wonderment.

I just want to steal her again, not only to spend time with her and to love her up, but to feel that feeling of holding a newborn.........indescribable!

Godmother Getaway

I am packing up and getting ready to go to State College Pennsylvania. I am leaving tomorrow morning. My parents are driving JoJo and I up. Joe is staying home, he has work and he has to stay with Cody!

I am the Godmother of my sister Kate's daughter, Katie, and her Baptism is on Saturday. A great honor for me! She is such a sweet little girl!

My father-in-law came down today, all day, and painted JoJo's new room. It looks wonderful! I am so thankful that he did that for us! So now while we are gone for the weekend, Joe will move the furniture, then we can get started on Derek's room. Everything is coming together. Look at my countdown...I'm in the "70's"...WOW!!!!

We Are Family

Today my sisters joined me in the studio. We had such a blast. Check out the videos on the website! We shared some stories on air and we also shared many off. My sister Mimi made Lou and Liz a cake that is a family tradition. We have given it the name of tomato soup cake, but what it really is is a spice cake. Mimi wanted them to have a taste of what our tradition is!

I am truly lucky and blessed to have all of my sisters. We all get along very well, I think you will be able to tell when you watch the videos. Although we acted sillier off air than on!

Thanks for coming with me today ladies! You are all wonderful! Another memory to add to the list!

Left Side

I am so conscious when I sleep during my pregnancies that I actually wake myself up if I go into a position I know is not good for the baby.

I was never a stomach sleeper, so there is no issue there. I always sleep on my side or back. I favor the right side, but I had read something that stated sleeping on your right side is not good for the baby. The left side is better. The blood flow to the baby is not obstructed, like it may be if you sleep on your right side.

So every night, I start out on the left side, a body pillow folded in half in between my knees and a special pregnancy wedge that I put under my stomach so it doesn't feel like Derek is dangling in mid air. This position, which takes a while to settle into, does not last long. I usually flip over to my back, where I make sure I am properly propped up, because laying flat on your back is not good either.

Makes me tired just writing about it!

Backorder

Today we ordered Derek's crib, dresser and six drawer chest. Only problem, everything won't be in until at least September 15th. Which means it won't be in my house until late September. Oh, that makes me nervous. He will be here no later than October 3rd. If you know me, or have been following my blog, you know I'm a planner. I would love for everything to be in at the end of August. But, since I plan, I already have a plan on how to arrange all his clean clothes, etc. until the furniture arrives. Always thinking!

Our night was completed with a fabulous dinner cooked by my Dad!

Two Toned

Our weekends consist of lots of pool time. I am a sun lover. I can lay there for hours soaking up the rays.

Only the front of me is tan. I can't flip over and lay on my stomach! Occasionally I will get some sun on my back chasing JoJo around the backyard, but there is an obvious difference.

Today I tried to even the tan out. I laid my arms across a raft and put a noodle under my legs. I drifted all over the pool. As I was floating away, Derek was in full motion. He was just dangling there in mid water. I think he really enjoyed it.

My back side looks a little darker, but still needs work.

Not So Hot

As the weather today, I am feeling, not so hot. I have been trying to fight this head cold. The cold won. I finally had to give in today.

Needless to say I have been doing a whole lot of nothing today. As I type I am taking swigs of orange juice to build up some vitamin C in my body.

Time for bed...

A+

As a teacher I know the importance of passing a test. It's been awhile since I had to take one, well actually it was a week ago, and I passed. Yes, I passed my glucose test. I am very excited because I failed the 1 hour in my first pregnancy so I was expecting the same result.

We went to the doctor today. Derek is doing very well, so well that when I asked the doctor if he is measuring the way he should, the doctor's eyes popped out of his head and "oh yes, bigger." Now, he won't talk numbers, but he said that he is big. Makes me feel better, somewhat explains the huge stomach I have!

I received all my paperwork for the scheduled c. I have to go to the hospital 2 days before and get my pre-admission blood work, then I will receive my hospital bracelets. C-section is is set for 7:30 am on the 3rd, but I have to be at the hospital at 6. Very exciting packet, full of much needed information.

I want to thank my friend Kristen for guiding me on how to put the baby countdown on my blog! Thanks Kristen!

Ahhhh

Pre-natal massage #2 today! Absolutely marvelous, once again! In my opinion, every single person needs to get a massage at least monthly. It should be mandatory.

Thank you again to Johnny of Body Mind Stress Management in Toms River.

I also want to thank Dr. Lombardi for donating $1000.00 gift certificates to April and myself. It's a good thing April was there to receive the gift, I may have tackled the poor man!

Preparing

Not only am I preparing my body to hopefully bounce back after Derek, we are preparing his room.

The way I am preparing my body is by going to The Atlantic Club and working out with my personal trainer Julianne. She is amazing. I want to thank her in advance for what I will hopefully look like after having Derek.

My brother-in-law and father-in-law came over today to help prepare JoJo's new room, which will allow us to move him and then prepare Derek's room for him. As I sat in what is going to be JoJo's new room today, I felt a little sad. My baby is no longer going to be my baby, he is a big boy, moving onto a big boy room. I know, I have to get over it, and I will, but I had a moment today.

As I was packing up some odds and ends I ran across the pack of hospital pictures from when JoJo was born. I pulled them out and looked at them. I can't tell you how excited they made me. I can't wait to hold my new little boy, to see what he looks like, to touch his little feet that kick me all the time. Less then 3 months to go! I am savoring every second of this pregnancy, but at the same time I look forward to having him in my arms!

Working It

To make up for the horrible food I ate yesterday, I met with my personal trainer today, and made another appointment for tomorrow! JoJo loved the Kid Zone (daycare in the gym).

After The Atlantic Club, JoJo and I went to Pottery Barn Kids. I take him there on Tuesdays at 11. They have a story time for kids. There are also little kitchen sets and such that the kids can play with. I have to say, they have a good thing going there. Of course while I was there, I shopped around. Both of my boy's bedrooms are decorated from Pottery Barn Kids. Today I was walking around looking at new sheets for Derek. I"m still up in the air if I am going to go with the solid blue chambray, or the gingham print??

Ended our day with a few fun filled hours at the boardwalk with my Mom and niece Victoria!

Calorie Counting - NOT!

Today I was bad. I wanted to eat everything. This is the first time in my whole pregnancy that I gave into a craving. I actually never crave anything, so today I went with the one and only craving I have had.

Breakfast was a bowl of healthy cereal. I ate lunch at 10:40, since I was ready to eat my arm. This is where it went bad. I was driving home from The Point, I was there today learning how to use the equipment and such, and on my way home I passed Burger King. I had no control over the car (I totally did, I had no control over myself).

Minutes later I was eating french fries and drinking a large pink lemonade.

Six months into the pregnancy and this was the first time I have done something like that. Not bad, but I feel guilty since I am blogging about it!

By the way, I ate dinner too!

Lazy Days of Summer

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Today we just stayed home. Hard to believe because we are always running somewhere.

We hung out by the pool all day. As I was getting ready to go outside, I put on one of the many maternity bathing suits that I bought back in March. I bought them early so I wouldn't have a hard time finding them once summer came.

Today I chose the hot pink tank-kini maternity bathing suit. Now, my plan is for these bathing suits to last me the summer. I think by the end of August my stomach will be peaking through the bottom of some of them, the hot pink bathing suit being one!

Not a problem, I'll still sport it! :0)

Happy 4th!

This 4th of July was a great day. We started off with a nice family walk, followed by some pool time while JoJo napped. We then went to my sister Maureen's house and celebrated the 4th.

The kids are so cute when they get together. Ava, Drew, JoJo and Victoria posed for a picture on the swing!

When Derek arrives he will have Baby Aryonna and Baby Katie to run around with. They will be about 4 and 5 months apart. It's nice that the way all the kids ages fall, they all have someone close in age to them.

3 months from yesterday is when Derek is scheduled to be born! WOW, time is flying by! I can't wait to hold my precious baby boy!

Motherly Instinct

Last night was crazy in my house. JoJo woke up at 1 am, he has been sleeping through the night since 4 months. No joke, the child may have woken up twice in the middle of the night since then. I hear his little voice call out "Mommy, I'm awake." Him being awake lasted until 3ish, when Joe decided to try to put him to sleep. I went back to bed, just then our dog Cody started to whine, now he had to go out. Up I go, into the backyard with the dog, all lights on, in case there were any creatures out there. Cody did what he needed to do, and all of a sudden he walks over to the Little Tikes house in the backyard. I got nervous because the Little Tikes house has been a housing facility for at least 4 baby bunnies for the past 3 weeks or so. Cody has never bothered them, why now? All of a sudden I saw a white fluffy tail pop up in the window of the house...Cody was nose to nose with a skunk. I ran after the dog and dragged him in the house and locked the door, we were safe, no spray. I ran upstairs to the bedroom window to look out in the backyard. The skunk was doing something in that house, probably something with the baby bunnies.

I freaked. Joe ran downstairs to try to spray the skunk with the hose to get him out of the house. Just as he was getting everything together, here comes Mommy Bunny, just sitting there right next to the house, wondering what was going on, who was in there with her babies. I can't explain how upset I got. All I thought of was how this poor mommy just wants her babies to be safe, as do I.

Skunk ran, mommy bunny hopped right into the house. Now it's about 4 something and I had to be at the hospital for my glucose test at 6:30. I cried myself to sleep, thinking about the awful skunk, but most of all how mommy bunny must have felt. They have become part of our family over the past few weeks. We watched them grow, their little eyes open, they plumped up...

I woke up a few short not even hours later, looked out the window and there was mommy bunny sitting outside the house. I'm so sick to my stomach at this point. Good thing I had to fast for the glucose test, I wouldn't have been able to eat anyway.

Mommy bunny hopped away and under her was one of her babies, it hopped right after her, then off to the right of them was another baby! I ran and woke Joe up. He went outside to see if there was anything that would not be good for me to see. All was clear. Baby bunnies hopping through the yard, and mommy was right behind them as if coaching them on what to do and how to do it. Amazing. Even rabbits have a motherly instinct.

After this whole night, I now know the reason why my son woke up, which in turn woke the dog up, which led to me going outside to find the skunk.....
mommy was able to be with her babies. Well worth the 1 am wake up call!

C-section Discussion

Today JoJo hosted a play date for his friends! He really has the cutest little peeps! Laraine and Denise both have 2 year olds, as well as infants. Liz has a 2 year old and she is going in for a scheduled c-section on Monday to have boy #2!

C-sections are in these days. Most of my friends have had them. It's like one of those things, everybody is doing it! Totally kidding, the important thing is that all of our babies are healthy! We sat around today, all of us being c-sectioned mommies, and we told gross and detailed c-section stories. All in which we could handle because we have been there and done that!

Good luck to Liz on Monday! We can't wait to add another baby to the playgroup! :0)

Movin' & Groovin'

Baby Derek is all over the place. I love it! Since he is getting bigger the movement went from quick little jabs, to long drawn out movement. I can actually feel him flip from one side to the other, or at least that is what I figure he is doing. At times it feels like he is sticking his little butt in the air, again, what I think is his butt!

He is probably around the 1 1/2 - 2 pound mark right about now. I asked my doctor on my last visit how big he thinks he is and his response was "just right, average." My doctor will never give an estimated weight. It wasn't until I was on the OR table with JoJo that he looked at me and said, "Bernadette, your baby will weigh 8lbs. 2 oz." He was 8lbs. 3oz. Good guess on doc's part! Maybe he'll give me the same estimate on October 3rd when I lay on the OR table once again!

Thanks again to Lou and Liz for another great morning! I was joined by two of the most important men in my life. Check out the videos! A big thank you to Erin for watching JoJo for me while I finished up on air!