neophobia

"Kids' food fussiness may be inherited" - hmm, I see this article pop up and I think that this may be something helpful. J and I have very distinct tastes and textures that disgust us. I love cottage cheese and yogurt which he won't touch. He loves the traditional foods that fussy people avoid, like broccoli and other strong flavors. I attempt to argue that I'm not actually that fussy, I just don't like these strong flavors that people seem to burn out their taste buds on - like coffee is absolutely beyond me. Here are tidbits from the article:
Article excerpt: "Having trouble persuading your child to eat broccoli or spinach? You may have only yourself to blame. According to a study of twins, neophobia — or the fear of new foods — is mostly in the genes. Identical twins, who share all genes, were much more likely to respond the same way to new foods than non-identical twins, who like other siblings only share about half their genes. Researchers concluded that genetics played a greater role in determining eating preferences than environment, since the twins lived in the same household. Wardle said food preferences appear to be "as inheritable a physical characteristic as height. Unlike nearly every other phobia, neophobia is a normal stage of human development. Scientists theorize that it was originally an evolutionary mechanism designed to protect children from accidentally eating dangerous things — like poisonous berries or mushrooms...Other taste-related traits — like the ability to taste bitterness — are also inherited. Scientists have already identified the gene responsible, and have found that approximately 30 percent of Caucasians lack the gene and cannot taste bitterness." Here is my proof that some people literally must not taste it the same way that I do!

diaper free infants

I feel like this pregnancy is moving along smoothly and I'm pretty used to being pregnant (there is something about it that I really like, even though I openly and actively admit that it's not always easy - and I would never be one of those women that says that they felt/feel "better than ever" while pregnant). So now that I'm settled in for the last long haul before the baby comes I've started researching what I need to know once he's here to smile back at us. I'm learning about baby signing, which I've never really heard much about but I think it makes sense. As I was bouncing around I found this article about parents who begin potty training at birth. The gist of it is that they don't use diapers and instead they think that the baby can signal to them when they need to go and they will take them to pee over the toilet or the sink (gross! esp in public) or next to a tree. I find it very curious, but I'm not sure what to think.

Here is a piece of the article: "His mother took the diaper-less tot to a tree in the yard, held him in a squatting position and made a gentle hissing sound — prompting the infant to relieve himself on cue before he rushed back to play.
Dominic is a product of a growing "diaper-free" movement founded on the belief that babies are born with an instinctive ability to signal when they have to answer nature's call. Parents who practice the so-called "elimination communication" learn to read their children's body language to help them recognize the need, and they mimic the sounds that a child associates with the bathroom... Experts at the Child Study Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center say children younger than 12 months have no control over bladder or bowel movements and little control for 6 months after that.
But some parents begin going diaper-free at birth, and the infants can initiate bowel movements on cue as young as 3 to 4 months...Parents attempt the early training to forge closer ties with their infants, to reduce the environmental impact associated with diapers and to avoid skin irritation caused by a wet diaper." Link:DiaperFreeBaby

maternity or misses?

I'm convinced that the fashion can't be beat for preggers women right now. The stores are full of tops that look just like maternity wear but in better fabrics with a much wider selection. Old Navy looks like a gigantic maternity shop right now with their fall preview sales. I just wish the Loft maternity would pop up in a store around here. I wanted to play a little game - is it maternity or misses?

Which is maternity wear?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E. All of the above.
F. None of the above.

Which do you pick?! Check the comments for the answer.

smart baby consumers

My Mommu and Aunt Hev (with occasional input in between john stewart commentary from J and Daddoo) really helped me up the ante in the baby nest. I was in heaven. There is something about sorting and resorting clothes and rearranging the little loveys that I just can't help. It was even more fun to have enthusiastic cheerleaders. The lesson learned from my mom and aunt was to ask about stuff at baby/toy stores (that is up too high to really get a good feel for the price) even if you think it's going to be too much money. My aunt started this trend by asking about this really expensive looking rocking play gym with sides and the cutest little toys. It is the adorable Haba Dream Meadow and I can't stop dreaming about it. We were sure we got a better deal than we should of and my mom kept telling the sales lady it can't just be that much, but she insisted that no one ever asks about it and that is it's listed price. No one ever asks about it because it's up one story on the wall and even if you notice it you wouldn't trouble with it. Except my smart aunt who ended up getting it for us (forever thanks!). Then the next trip to the baby store my mom asked about this John Lennon collection baby set (lamp, wall hanging with clips all with drawings he did for his son when he was born) and it was another smokin deal. These new welcome additions are really warming up the baby room. It's almost as if even though my favorite people had to go home they left some of their warmth behind.

toile tease

We had an easy time picking out our stroller, our high chair, and our play yard... but somehow the swing and all the insane variables that go into picking it out were overlooked up until now. I heard people saying that the swing is a lifesaver and a necessity, even though I had originally thought it would be kinda optional. My folks are here and wanted to get it for us, so we ventured out for some quality family time trying to determine whether we needed it to plug in, vibrate, recline, or play spa/classical music. It is absolutely out of control to try to compare ratings that people post online. People either love or hate them and the reviews contradict each other. Somehow we all tolerated Babies-r-us for over two hours and in a moment of insanity we walked out of the store with the perfect swing - except for one variable - it has a toile nightmare adult pattern that we agreed we would try to cover up. To taunt me even more, the same model is available online with the a cute green safari pattern. I think after all that we're going to end up returning the toile china pattern swing to get the one online ;) at least we know what we like now. My prediction is that Aiden will be a baby that screams if you put him in the swing... ah, what a tease.

good doc

After a busy week at work, I topped off the week with a birthday visit to the doctor. It was the best visit yet. Nothing really significant occurred, but I really felt like I got to know my doctor better and she acknowledged/asked about things we talked about last time that we hadn't understood each other on last time. It may have been my sugar rush from the glucose or maybe she was just on track (she wasn't running late and their weren't any emergency appts of very pregnant women waiting in the next room), but regardless of why, we laughed it up and I really got to know her better (Turns out she has three kids 9, 7, and 4 years and "too much" first hand experience with all the different quirky parts of pregnancy). I was glad for a good appt. The glucose solution was recently updated from this horrid orange syrup crap that people kept telling me about. You have to drink about double of this new stuff which tastes like strong ginger ale or vernors, which wasn't terrible. It was hard for me to get it all down in less than three minutes and I won't get into the burping (the whole reason I hate fizzy crap), but I'm really hoping that I don't have to do the extended test. My folks are visiting this week (pseudo-birthday-housewarming-shower party went off really well yesterday here thanks to all my mom and aunt's help), so we'll tour around town with an active baby...(more on snapshots blog later)

showered

Baby Shower: "A baby shower is a party in which expectant parents receive gifts for their expected or born child. By convention, a baby shower is intended to help parents get items that they need for their baby, such as baby clothes."
I'd like to add to wikipedia by saying that it is "an opportunity to celebrate the upcoming addition to the family and make the parents-to-be feel connected to their support network by bringing together family and friends that share in the expected parents enthusiasm"...
The varied guests created a nice mini reunion, both for me and for some of the guests. We had fun playing a dice get to know you game, baby item Price is Right, and one of my mom's classic quizzes. Aiden was showered with the cutest clothes (I think I will have to change his clothes three times a day to possibly get use out of all of them), a cushy hippo chair, learning books to start his collection, all sort of little loveys, and many must haves like a high chair, bobby, bumbo, etc etc. I brought back two huge suit cases filled for J to reopen the gifts when I got home and my folks are bringing more when they visit this weekend. Huge, heartfelt thanks to my mom, sister, aunts, and cousins for everything they did to help make the shower fun for everyone and everyone else for their generosity. Photo review:




Can't pick a favorite outfit, but this giraffe getup comes close
Bestest friends
Bestest cousins
The male contingency hanging out on the deck

one last pregnant flight

Tomorrow and Monday will be my last flights as a pregnant woman. I'm prepared with a doctor's note to confirm that I am cleared to fly since I'm so paranoid that they will assume I'm due this month or something. I am headed home to Ohio mainly to see my family and friends and partly to have a baby shower complete with all sorts of excitement. Here is a preview I don't think my dad was supposed to post to my parent's Kodakgallery (yes, that is a rain stick from costa rica in case you were wondering) It's a lovey diaper cake!:
I know I already can feel the thank yous flowing... big shout out to Lizo and Mommu for making me look forward to being home so much that I can deal with flying with a baby that likes to protrude out of my belly so much that it makes my boss flinch.
p.s. sorry for the sideways photo - blogger either hates me or wants to show you how my little pip would best be able to see this photo since he's been laying on his side for the last couple days.

aiden's first blankey

Spurts of creativity mixed with nights when I can't keep my eyes open after dinner - including a pretty demanding job plus having a whole new house to decorate - I have felt like all these projects that I talked about doing for my baby have been slowly developing. I think that I had all the intentions in the world to knit the kid a parachute and booties for him and all his stuffed animals. Let's not forget the embroidery machine that has been all neglected so far even though we have a name. I just don't have anything to embroider quite yet. I blame the fact that Joann's is a trek and not just right around the corner for me to wander through on Saturday mornings in Tucson. I do think that this nesting bug that apparently causes women to want to clean out closets may manifest in me as a creativity bug. I just really wish I had more time in the day. period.

One calming project is underway - It's a knobby, super soft, creamy blue/purple blankey.

aw too cute

Too cute and NOT fictional I might add... still bringing on the smiles:
A four-day old baby hippopotamus hides under its 9-year-old mother Porn at Chiang Mai night safari zoo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007

pregnant for 10.5 years

I like to get my news from the Yahoo most viewed photos. In this morning's collection there was a photo of a women holding her new baby with a herd of people surrounding her. When I clicked it I immediately recognized the family from some tv show about this exceptional family with a big bunch of kids. Turns out they just welcomed their 17th child with another J name. I still have the crazy thoughts that I really like being pregnant when I wake up feeling refreshed like I did this morning, but this women is taking it to the extreme: Michelle, 40, has been pregnant for 126 months — or 10.5 years — of her life! Among the "fun facts" listed on Discovery Health's Web page devoted to the Duggars: A baby has been born in every month except June; the Duggars have gone through an estimated 90,000 diapers.

hippo happy

I'm am officially addicted to hippos. Anything for a baby with hippos makes me happy. Who doesn't smile at a happy hippo?! I tried to make a policy that we shouldn't really buy any stuffed animals because other people will give Aiden stuffed animals as gifts, and there is a limit to the number of stuffed animals you can/should have. But somehow I can't help myself and I think J is catching my bug. We both scout out and immediately target happy hippos on baby outfits. My mom and sister are also fond of hippos, so I'm sure this genetic defect will cause Aiden to be surrounded by bouncey, bubbly hippos. J likes to kid that hippos are given a much better rep than they deserve -due to this accurate description: "The hippopotamus is recognizable for its barrel-shaped torso, hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size; similar in size to the White Rhinoceros, only elephants are consistently larger. Despite its popularity in zoos and cuddly portrayal in fiction, the hippopotamus is among the most dangerous and aggressive of all mammals."

One of my bestest friends offered to come visit and paint some happy hippos in the baby nursery at the end of September. She already started doing some research and she found the most darling book with hippos that can be her inspiration. I absolutely cannot wait!

third trimester?

Some of the daily books and timelines mark 25 weeks as the start of the THIRD trimester! That is just about as hard for me to believe as the fact that it's August already! I am preeeegnant. There is no doubt in anyone's mind when they see me, my belly doesn't tuck in under my desk (and it won't fit under my new desk that I get on monday either - I checked), but I'm still walking normally as far as I can tell...no waddle just slower. I'm at the beginning of the end and it's felt pretty quick so far... we'll see if the time slows the slower I get. Aiden received his first thoughtful presents this week from his registry. The hippo play gym from the Lippert's will be a highlight - Hopefully we'll be able to bring it along on a play date in Arizona some day ;)

new acquisition

I've acquired a big bouncey exercise ball. It isn't that the big poofy couch or comfy chairs were hurting or not doing their thing, but the ball is just better. I needed something were I could sit upright with my knees down... it's like straddling a horse and it feels dreamy on the lower back. I wish I could fall asleep like that. But now I can talk on the phone with a light bounce. I think Aiden likes it already.

pucker pictures

I just want to pucker up and kiss right back at this cute little kisser. He was moving his mouth all around and we could see his big wide eyes starting right at us (a little alien). I wish we had a good shot of his little foot all the way up by his mouth.

Big smile right at the camera:

Legs from the bottom (feet at top of this shot) - look at those muscles just like daddy:

Big feet:

Side view of his long legs:

You can see his little heart beat blur in this one:

understanding big

We had our follow up ultrasound because Aiden was being a shy guy last time. This time he was blowing kisses at us and literally eating his big toe. The ultrasound technician we've had is very even keel and doesn't seem like the excitable type, UNTIL you show her an ultrasound of our "extremely long" and "acrobatic" baby. Then all of a sudden she starts expounding on how she is curious to know how long this baby is when it's born, because he sure is tall and "loooook at those toes!" His little foot was over 3/4 the size of his head, so his toe looked bigger than it's nose... Oh, let's not forget his bulging thigh and calf muscles. She couldn't get over how his muscles were so well formed for 24 weeks. She went as far as to compare me to women she sees "that are over 28 weeks along." Ok, so for a second I think, oh good, I'm so glad he's healthy and clearly getting enough nutrition to build strong muscles. Then, the next second I'm thinking, oh crap, how is it possible that this big guy is going to come out!? Everyone I see at work clearly can tell I'm pregnant now, and they inevitably ask, when are you due? - when I respond November I usually get a "oh, I thought you were farther along" or "wow, big baby eh?!" This has led to a complex reaction of mixed emotion. I want to prepare myself for all the options.

I went back to the doctor this afternoon after the morning ultrasound, and I was hungry for information. I was peeking at all the handouts in the little wall caddy even if they didn't really pertain to me. I wanted to know about this big baby and whether it was normal or could become normal eventually. The doctor's reaction wasn't entirely reassuring, but she was adamant that I have nothing to worry about. She said that she's seen the biggest babies of her career delivered naturally by petite women and the baby may slow down in its growth. The part that wasn't really reassuring is that I felt like she was treating me like I was being a crazy person for asking about things so far in the future. She didn't seem to think it was relevant for me to ask about her philosophy on c-sections, and whether your arms are strapped down (which they are! ick, but if I mentally prepare myself for that I'm sure I could be ok with it). She was playing this little game where she would joke with J that he's going to have to continue to deal with this for 17 more weeks - AAAH, I felt like screaming I am not that crazy woman you are joking about. She also kept telling me not to go on a diet - uh, yea, not a problem, I absolutely have NEVER been on a diet in my life and I promise to eat as well as I can. I don't think she really understands my motivations, but I'm hoping that eventually over the many appts she will start to understand me better.

curious kids

Somehow we ended up with a free subscription to Parenting Magazine... who knows what lists we are on now, but I think the company I bought my dreamy preggo pillow from sells off addresses, but I forgive them because their pillow is puurrfect. We have some sort of baby junk mail everyday - mostly about cord blood banking. The magazine usually just sit around until I snag it to take it on a plane, but this one sparked my interest. There is an article about how to answer tough questions your kid may have..."But Why? Easy answers to tough questions." Why doesn't my teddy bear have a penis? That was the article's lead question and some of it was informative (2 years=labeling questions like what's that / 3 years=understanding what I see like why is it / 4 years=world outside of immediate experience answered with how does questions...) J and I played the ask-me-a-kid-question which had me gut laughing to the point that J got to feel some real Aiden bouncey action. He even got kicked in the head. I guess Aiden liked his answers.

sweet tooth

Oooh, I have the fiery mama sweet tooth that I've read about online. I've been resisting too many sweets, but when we were out shopping this weekend I needed a boost so J and I shared the sweet nectar of nestle goodness in their double chocolate milk. I can't stop thinking about it. In my dream last night I worked in the milk factory where they had us wear heavy camel sacks on our backs to taste test the chocolate goodness. I think that dream combined my minor back pain with my chocolate milk fantasies - impressive imagination. I've been keeping an informal food diary to make sure I have some sense of how much I'm eating and how much variety I'm managing to get. I hadn't gained much weight as of my last appointment, and I don't feel bigger accept for my belly. I don't have a scale right now, so I'll see what comes up at the doctor this week. I'm amazed at how much weight you gain that isn't fat! Based on my height and weight before getting pregnant this is my precise breakdown of the ideal weight gain:

Maternal:
Uterus
2.82 lbs.
Breasts
1.17 (couldn't this be more!?)
Blood
3.64
Water
4.89
Fat
9.74
Subtotal
22.26

Fetal:
Fetus
7.5
Placenta
1.89
Amniotic Fluid
2.32
Subtotal
11.71

Total
33.97

what aiden will like

I like to fall asleep thinking about things that Aiden will like to do... some of which I'm sure he'll reject and after a dejected attempt to convince him it is fun I will have to laugh at my naive outlook that kids aren't stubborn. Or maybe I'll just have one of those happy go lucky kids...there goes the naive-crazy again. all brands of crazy i promise.

Weeeeh, ok, 1-2-3-, jump, go boom... I bet he'll like swinging from his arms between mom and dad as we walk down the street to the playground. I wonder how many times he'll get excited as soon as he sees the playground and go running across the field? Squealing with joy...oh, the jubilee (I know, don't vomit at my mommy over-joy-ous-ness. Just soak it up or go eat a popsicle or something other than read my blog)

Going on mystery trips with daddy to the Burger King with a playground. Oh, I can remember making so many guesses before actually figuring out that my dad would take me there almost every time. I also remember making fast friends on the playground - "Hi, my name is Lauren, what's yours?" "Do you wanna race down the slide?"

Building forts with blankets and pillows... jumping from couch to couch to avoid the alligators.. running through the sprinkler on hot summer days (I swear when we bought new lawn sprinklers that other day I nearly had tears in my eyes)... playing motor-boat-go-so-fast in the pool... riding a big boy bike with skidded training wheels up so high they're just there for a sense of security... Breakfast club on Saturday mornings... I wonder if Aiden will have the equivalent of Willoughby-world's-best-pancakes to get excited about?

ramps

Oh my ramps! I went to a minor league ball game with a group of students and teachers that are part of an outreach program we're running at work last night. It had been a long day of running around campus for meetings in the rain, but the weather had cleared and the game was packed. My back has mastered stairs since I get caught on those at work so often, but ramps aren't around much. I had a very active bouncey baby that thought he would jump with every step I took. It was as if he was in an elevator jumping as it descended to see if he could float. (But eh, he's always floatin around in there.) He's definitely packing a punch now and can press through the skin, but I think I notice this much more than other people even though it seems so obvious to me. I was up in front of a group speaking the other day and I was convinced this one women could see him moving... or she couldn't stop staring at my belly. She didn't believe I was due in November, and I'm starting to not believe it either.