Mom Monday: First Day On My Own

Hi Lovelies, the little bundle of joy is taking up every ounce of time and energy. Honestly, motherhood is overwhelming- especially this whole exclusively breast feeding thing.

But our little girl- she's perfect and awesome.

Between being overwhelmed and enjoying her amazingness, I am trying to wrap my head around this blog and how it fits the big picture. Honestly, I think about posting, but other than my Mom journey so far- I don't have much to say. I hope to write her birth story some day, but I am still wrapping my head around it. To get to the punch line- after 13 hours of labor- I ended up with an emergency c-section, which really shaped my last few weeks. 

So, until I get my Mom legs under me, things will continue to be quiet over here for a quite a bit longer.

That said, today is my first official day with Mr. Spice back at work full time. That means it's just me and the little lady for the next five months!!! Again, being honest, the whole idea of being a SAHM for the next five months is overwhelming. I really want to get into some sort of routine.

In an effort to enjoy my time, I want to create a list of rules for the day. First rule, get out of the house every day. Yes, every day. More so because I have to walk Huck in the morning. Although, I would like to get out for things other than walking the dog. On Wednesday, I hope to venture out to my first Mom's group for newborns!!

Other rules that I am not sure about- no TV past 10 am (gotta watch the Today show) and before 4pm. I write this as the TV is playing in the back ground.

So here's my question for you- what 'rules' would you create for yourself if you were home by yourself for an extended period of time?? If you have been a SAHM - did you set rules for yourself??

And because I am obsessed, here's another pic of the little lady at over 7.5 lbs at Week 3:

Happy New Year

Hi Lovelies,

Mr. Spice and I are knee deep in Baby Berry. We love her beyond belief. When we aren't overwhelmed and exhausted, we just stare at her in awe.

I keep meaning to post, but really, I don't know where to start.

So I am going to start by sharing some super duper cute photos of her. Basically, I am now that person who can only really focus on her new baby.

Hazel at 7 days:

 
Hazel on her first Christmas: 

Her First Bath with Mr. Spice: 

At some point I hope to get out of this Hazel induced haze and write something of substance. 

Until I can wrap my head around her birth and the last two weeks-- Happy New Years to you and yours. Here's to a great year ahead.

I hope 2012 is the best year yet for everyone!!

Introducing..

Hi Lovelies,

So happy to introduce Miss Hazel Mae. She was born on December 15th at 6 lbs, 9 oz and 19 inches long. We are so in love I can't even begin to describe it.

 

May you be having a great holiday season.

And because one picture isn't enough, here she is wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah!!

I'll be checking in over the next few weeks, but I have to go give my baby girl more kisses.

Week 38 & 39: Done

Hi Lovelies,

Since last Wednesday, I've been on and off my ass with a cold.  Since I am so pregnant, my Doctor thinks that I won't be able to really fight this cold until I have the baby. URG.

I've done all I can to get this baby out. I started off with yoga; I went to acupuncture on Friday; there was a full moon on Sat; and I went to spicy food on Sunday! I might have had a few contractions after the spicy food- but I am guessing it was really just indigestion. URG.

For most of last week, I was able to actually get stuff done and rest.  As of Sunday morning, I've been on my ass. Pretty much useless. At night, I am up every hour on the hour- either to go the bathroom or switch sides because my arm has fallen asleep. This pregnancy has been pretty decent BUT this cold is killing me.

I am done. So ready to meet this little lady.

And honestly, I have no hope of her coming any day soon. I am 75% sure she'll be late and I'll be induced. My Doctor won't induce until between 41 and 42 weeks- sooo most likely right around Christmas. I know that she'll come when she comes, but with Christmas and Hanukkah I would REALLY like her to come before the holidays. Not to mention, Mama Sugar comes into town on Thursday- to celebrate her birthday, and Mama Spice comes into town on the 20th.

I cringe at the thought of everyone sitting around just waiting for this baby to arrive.

Can you tell I am frustrated? The only good thing today was my two hour nap after taking benadryl.

Alright, enough complaining. You've seen my 38 week belly shot:

Here I am on Saturday night before a holiday party with the best smile I could muster:

 

So all this to say, if your still reading, keep your fingers crossed and send labor dust my way!!

BINGO! Baby MANIA

Hi Lovelies, today is a bit of November Bingo Mania in December. I finally want to show you what we've done to get ready for Baby in our bedroom, and it hits a bunch of the Bingo Check List!!

In August, Miriam over at the FLOR design blog talked about adding a 'Second Layer' to her house. And I think adding space for Baby has done just that. It's a second, more lived in layer.

Just as a reminder, here's our Baby inspiration- minus the use of bumpers.

Here's Kitty hard at work sewing up Baby Goodness:

In order to incorporate baby we essentially gave her the North and South Walls of the bedroom, and the East and West are still for us. 

What used to be 'empty space' on the North wall:

 

Is now Baby Berry's corner of the room. We framed the ABSea Poster, hung our first anniversary present, stuffed the Ikea dresser with the Anthro knobs full of baby goodness, and the super popular BabySmart Cooshee Changer.

An up close Baby Vignette with flowers. The Pink Converse were a gift from me to Mr. Spice. Mama Sugar made the box for my Baby shower- the cover is a collage of all the cards that were given to my Mom when I was born- so they are over 30 years old! And the Cup with the engraved W (our last name): it was my Grandmother's or Baby Berry's Great Grandma's Silver Baby Cup. I tell ya this is one loved little Berry.

As for where this little lady is going to sleep. On the South wall here's her Argington Bam Bam Bassinet all ready to go. The decal is from Etsy- so cute right? And the blanket and crib skirt are homemade. The bird on the right is for all of her barrettes and hair clips when she gets older.

Here's a side view of the bassinet with bow. The best part of this bassinet and crib combo- we can wheel it any where in our little tiny apartment:

As for the West side of the bedroom, we finally added that second layer and framed our Wedding Ketubah on my side of the bed:

And reframed some Art Work of Mr. Spice's from his early years. We also bought a new ipod alarm clock. I plan to play white noise from my itouch and download baby apps to keep track of Baby Berry:

 

And just a reminder of the east wall, our picture collage, which is almost the same two years later: 

Finally, here's where our bedroom started two years ago:

 

And here it is with the second layer, and a bit of up lighting if I do say so: 

If you are playing BINGO, I think that covers: flowers, a vignette, space for a little one, art, and up lighting! 

What do you think?? Did we make a bedroom/baby room combo work??

Babymoon in Mendocino

Hi Lovelies, Since I am on maternity leave, I am finding it harder and harder to blog. I am either sleeping, going to the doctor, or trying to do last minute activities, or sleeping.

But this last weekend- we took a chance and thanks to some awesome friends- took advantage of a free weekend up in Mendocino. Mendocino is about three hours Northwest of SF, and just happens to be right by our favorite wine country area- Anderson Valley.  If the pictures look familiar- we took almost the same trip two years ago. And yes, we did get the Doctor's approval before going!!

While I didn't get to drink the wine (well, a few sips here and there), we did stock up for after the baby is born. AND even more importantly, we bought an awesome bottle of bubbly for NYE (which I really really really hope to have at least one good sized glass) from Roederer Estate.

The weather was cold and crisp, but BLUE BLUE skies the whole weekend.

Here's a slew of pictures.

We started off at Van Damn Beach just around the corner from our Inn:

 

 Then we spent Saturday in Anderson Valley. A must stop: The Apple Farm:

 

While Mr. Spice tasted wine, I snuck out and took lots of pictures. So beautiful.

Lazy Creek: 

Roederer Estate: 

Saturday night we were told that we HAD to check out the Festival of Lights at the Fort Bragg Botanical Garden. It was wholesome fun, and Mr. Spice took a gazillion photos testing out our new camera. And you can bet your bottom dollar that we drank hot cocoa.

 

The cactus area: 

 The tunnel of lights:

 We spent Sunday morning walking around Mendocino (which only took about an hour). Mr. Spice LOVED the 'We are 99% Lego Village,' which was 'too mini to fail!!'

On our way to Elk. Another super small coastal town:

Handley State Park in Anderson Valley. It was closed for the season, but looked like an awesome place to camp in the summer:

 Huck liked it:

 And because I know you care. Here I am Week 38!

 

I'll admit I was a bit hesitant going away so close to my due date, but the weekend was so fantastic. Our VERY last weekend away just the two of us (well, plus Huck). 

Are you planning a romantic weekend this holiday season??

Week 36 & 37: Fun Pregnancy Times

Hi Lovelies, as of last Wednesday- I have officially been on maternity leave!! I have had such a long to do list- that I really feel like I am on a stacation to clean my house. And as of last Friday- I am full term!!

Instead of recapping the last two weeks, I want to give you non-mom's a glimpse into pregnancy. This is just a little list that I came up with while trying to shave my legs in the shower this morning, and by no means captures all the joys of pregnancy. AKA this is me not holding back. If you want to know what it's like to feel almost 38 weeks pregnant here's what you should do:

1. Start by being super romantic with your partner in bed. Fun, right? All things start off so fun.

2. Stop drinking water and eating fiber, and eat a lot of salt. Wait two days. Are your hands the sizes of sausages?? How's the bloat feeling? Extra bonus points if you have cankles.

3. Get two pairs of the chicken cutlet boob things and put them in your bra. Now, get a blow up beach ball. Figure out how to put in at lease 15lbs of sand into said ball and finish blowing it up. Strap it to your waist. Now try to find something in your closet that fits and looks cute. Extra points if your chicken cutlets start to leak.

4. Stand up for 8 hours. How does your back feel now?

5. Write a to do list. Now tear the bottom half off and throw it away. Make sure that one thing on the list that you threw away was financial and one thing that your husband really wanted done. That's pregnancy brain.

6. Take something perishable from your fridge, now leave it out on the counter. For three days. Smell that. That's pregnancy nose.

7. Run a half marathon. Then try to take off and put on your pants and shoes.

8. After doing all of the above, go to work for 8 hours and come home and make dinner.

9. Drink a gallon of water then with the cutlets and beach ball in place, climb into bed with your partner. Tell your partner that you forgot to do said thing on your to do list.

10. Think about being romantic.

If you aren't laughing in your partners face or up all night going the bathroom, repeat steps 2-9.

Honestly, I realized I am blessed with a healthy pregnancy, but sometimes I just have to find humor in the details.

Here I am at 37 weeks, 5 days. I am FULL TERM!! She could come any day. She's measuring right on size- so she's most likely over 6lbs and over 19 inches long!! I am officially swollen and checking my rings daily to see if they still fit. 

So, would you be willing to try steps 1-9??

BTW, I was featured on the SpearmintBaby earlier this week- check me out.