Hi everyone, just checking in with my trimesterly post (as in once-a-trimester, that’s totally a word, right?). We’re getting close to the end, and I keep thinking of the Great Pumpkin.

First because I’ve heard that pumpkin-esque bellies are the hottest look for fall. But maybe that was a temperature statement, not one on fashion…better than fanny packs, they’re still not the most flattering.

(Photo is Tate’s and my annual one with the biggest pumpkin at the MN State Fair. His freaked-out face is because Dad was using “Mom’s” camera, not fear of the prize-winner!)

Next because I’ve been thinking about Halloween costumes for Tate and the baby. But with an October 19 due date, there’s a small chance that I could be overdue enough to dress myself as a pumpkin. Trust me, there wouldn’t be much effort put into such a costume if I were that far past my date, probably just an orange shirt, or maybe a Fleet Farm bag (Midwesterners, you know what I mean).

But mainly, the Great Pumpkin symbolizes waiting, with much uncertainty. It’s not a perfect analogy, as Linus couldn’t be assured that the Great Pumpkin would actually appear. Mine will eventually be here; I’m just unsure of which day he’ll arrive…

And how will the labor/delivery go? And what have I forgotten about newborns in the last two and a half years? And what have I neglected to put on my before-baby-arrives checklist? And am I going to despise the minivan that we’re shopping for???

Stay tuned…

Photo Courtesy:
Number 2 Pencils

That’s right, our ultrasound last week told us that Baby #2 is a boy! I’m most excited for Tate to have a brother, but also that most of the clothes our baby boy will need are in bins downstairs, and that we’ll only have to decide on one set of names!  

We didn’t find out Tate’s gender until he was born, so this is new territory. As much fun as that surprise was in the delivery room, I’m feeling a little more need for advance-organization this time around. This post by Kelly helped seal the “I want to know now” deal in my mind, and thankfully my husband felt the same way.

What I didn’t expect was that his birth suddenly seems imminent…a strange ”I know you now, so you’ll probably be here by next weekend.” feeling. Can anyone else relate to that?

Back to the choosing of the name, though, here are some good sites I’ve come across, most of them in a “where were you when I was agonizing over my first child’s name?!” category:

• My new favorite (thanks, Angela!) is the baby name finder-extraordinaire from Yeah Baby. It allows you to select the number of syllables, including a combination (like 2, 3 or 4 syllables). Most sites let you choose the first letter of the name, but you can also select the last letter here, or the first/last letter that you don’t want. And a few other cool options too.
• The coolest is at Nymbler where you enter up to six names of either gender, and they then suggest other names that you might like. It’s a bit addictive, I’ll warn you.
• Silly, but also addictive is Baby Name Genie – enter just your last name, or if you have a first or middle name but need the other one, enter that too. The “genie” produces a perfect name for you, and if you keep asking for more ideas, you get snarky comments to go along with them. It also has a place to test out a name in everyday conversation tidbits.
• BabyNamesPedia has some interesting lists, like unique, trendy or odd baby names.
• The Baby Name Wizard is another great search engine, with some of the same features that Yeah Baby has, plus the option to choose how common the name is in the U.S., ranging from very popular to rare.
• If you’re looking for advice based on user-experience, BabyNamesHub has input from people with that name, or parents who gave that name to their child. Just enter a name in the Name Trends section, select it on the next page then scroll down for user comments. You’ll find out if there are common pronounciation problems, possible nicknames, etc.
• All-purpose, no-frills, lots of choices at BabyNames. They have some fun lists too, like Shakespeare Names or Oscar-winning Names.
• Finally, the Social Security site can track any name’s popularity by year, and also by state – names that may be in the top ten nationally might be less common where you live. You can even look up popular names for twins.

Any others that I’m missing? What are your favorite baby-naming websites or the best baby name books?

Photo Courtesy:
handmaidenbymaria

Hi Again! Sorry for my long absence from the blogosphere, and thanks to those who checked in on me.

My last post was for Tate’s birthday in February, and the day after his party, we celebrated Valentine’s Day with a positive pregnancy test. Better than flowers and chocolate, right?

And before too long, I was in the throes of what my husband likes to call “evening sickness” – for some reason, I felt yuckiest in the between-dinner-and-bedtime hours. And since that’s when I normally blogged, I didn’t get any blogging done.

In the midst of the second trimester, I’m feeling much better and ready to jump back on the blogwagon. Thanks for your patience!

P.S. I got Tate’s big brother shirt at this Etsy site. It was a fun way to make our announcement. My other favorite customized tees were here and here.

Are you hosting a baby shower anytime soon? Baby shower games seem to fall into the love/hate category, so be sure to check with the guest of honor on her preference. Personally, I’m a fan of games, but for those who aren’t, I’ll point out that games help get all the guests involved. That’s especially important if they don’t know each other, having only the mom-to-be in common.

A recent post at Extra(Hour)dinary Parenting got me thinking about some alternate methods of bringing the guests together. Amanda’s friend hosted a children’s book baby shower, for which each guest brought a book as a gift, and read it out loud. (Read her entire post for details, including a fun idea to keep the reading from getting long or boring.)

Some of my former co-workers each gave me their favorite childhood book when Tate was born. I loved that gift, and it would be so fun to have that be the theme of the entire shower.

This “ABC” baby shower invitation would be a perfect fit for a book shower. It also comes in a flat card version. Click here to view other shower invites.

Have you hosted or attended any unique baby showers? Any fun activities beyond the traditional games? Please tell us about them!

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clevercupcakes

Ah, the hospital bag. For me it was the first time I’d ever packed for someone besides myself, as well as my first time packing for a hospital stay. I ended up with everything I needed, but lots of things that never left the bag as well.

Since my actual labor time at the hospital was very short, I didn’t get to wear my cute outfit (yes, I had a laboring outfit planned, including shoes!). My husband ate the “laboring snacks” as we welcomed visitors to see the new baby.

But one of the frustrating things about pregnancy and parenting is the feeling that all the knowledge you’ve acquired may not be helpful in the future. Like once you learn to ride a bike or drive a stick shift car, you can transfer those skills to other bikes and cars. With pregnancies and babies, that’s not always the case  – every one is different!

There’s strength in numbers, though, so I asked friends who’ve recently had babies to share their bag-packing advice. Since there are lots of comprehensive lists out there, I asked for items that might be out of the ordinary. Could be what they wished they’d brought, or what was the most essential during their childbirth hospital stay. Thanks Cara, Mindi, Melissa, Sarah & Sarah!

• Extra pillows – for laboring comfort and for dad to sleep on. The hospital probably won’t provide these. Add an extra pillowcase to keep them clean in transit.
• Camera - don’t forget the chargers and a USB cord to download photos
• Journal or laptop, to record memories while they’re fresh
• Comfy pjs, socks and robe. You may want pjs in a dark color, in case of “leaks”. A hoodie is great for nursing access. Remember that you’ll likely have visitors, although you may or may not care what you look like.
• Headband or barrettes – whatever you use to keep your hair out of your face
• Nursing pillow (Boppy or Brest Friend) – save the plastic bag it came in, for transport to the hospital or any other time you’re travelling.
• An extra bag or box to carry gifts home – laundry baskets work great. You may also want to just bring one huge suitcase, so that you aren’t lugging multiple bags and boxes out to the car when you go home – allow extra room when you’re packing, for gifts.
• Snacks for dad, including beverages, so you’re not relying on vending machines.
• A preemie outfit for baby to wear home (from a mom of 8 pound boys, and I would agree, the newborn outfit was too big for my 8-pounder too). Bring a newborn size too, just in case – they don’t take up much room!

General packing tip: Keep a list of last-minute items to add right before you leave, if there are things that can’t be stuck in a bag for weeks beforehand.

General hospital tip: Double-check the hospital’s visitor policy beforehand. One family found out on the day of their c-section that their toddler couldn’t be at the hospital, and was scrambling for childcare. Rules have become more strict with fears of H1N1.

What were your hospital bag essentials? Or what did you bring that was totally unnecessary?

Photo Courtesy:
kona99

For something a little bit different, I thought I’d share some of my favorite pregnancy-related blogs and blogs written by pregnant gals. Enjoy!

His Boys Can Swim is a blog written anonymously by a couple who found themselves accidentally pregnant, I guess you could say. “Tarzan and Jane” have already had their baby, but the archives are still worth a read, especially if you also happen to find yourself pregnant without any maternity insurance!

Kelly is journaling her fourth pregnancy at 5 Minutes for Parenting. This is one of my favorite posts of hers so far, probably because also I hit the spinach pretty hard when I was pregnant. Kelly also blogs at Love Well.

Don’t read Let’s Panic About Babies for advice, but rather for a good laugh. It’s completely sarcastic, so not for everyone. Sneak peak: Are You Sure You’re Pregnant?

Pregtastic is a series of pregnancy-themed podcasts, hosted by a panel of preggos (how’s that for alliteration?!). Listen on your computer, iPod, or whatever is convenient for you.

The Fit Pregnancy website has tons of great resources, including blogs written by a labor nurse, a foodie and a competitive runner. Turns out they’re more than just that magazine that’s always in the waiting room of my OB’s office!

What are your favorite online sources for pregnancy info?

Photo Courtesy:
mahalie

You know how if you complain of having an upset stomach or being really tired, everyone thinks you’re pregnant? Let’s be honest, you probably wonder to yourself if that’s the case…

Today I keep wondering if I’m nesting. I have the sudden burst of energy for cleaning my house that I did right before Tate was born – the first and last time that I mopped our laundry room floor.

Symptoms (or lack thereof): I can see my feet because my belly does not loom out in front of them. The feet I see are not ridiculously swollen.

Self-diagnosis: I am not nine months pregnant. 

Then why have I moved my stove away from the wall in order to sweep and scrub underneath? (so sorry that I wasn’t able to capture the “before” of that scene for you- yuck!!!) And while my shower curtains are in the washing machine, I’m deep-cleaning my coffee maker with vinegar.

Perhaps this is normal behavior for some of you, the ones who attend the Type-A Mom Conference and are giving out homemade Christmas gifts. But generally I spend Tate’s naptime in a nap of my own…

I’m going to chalk this up to a bundle of Christmas energy, stifled by Tate’s icky cold. My shopping list looms in front of me but dragging him through the mall doesn’t seem like a good choice for him, me or anyone else that we would infect there. Instead, I’m shopping online with the sweet scent of vinegar wafting through the air…

Photo Courtesy:
rhett maxwell

Cesarean sections (c-sections) have become fairly common, accounting for nearly 30% of all births (NPR). If you’ve had a c-section and are pregnant again, you may be considering your options for this birth.

For a variety of reasons, many women choose c-sections for any subsequent births. For some, a c-section is the only option, medically. Others, such as my friend Sarah, are able to try for a vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC).

We’ll begin Sarah’s story with a clarification of terms that she pointed out to me: Until the baby is actually delivered, the procedure is called a TOLAC (Trial Of Labor After Cesarean) by the medical community. The term VBAC is technically only in reference to a successful vaginal birth. You may see the terms used interchangably online and elsewhere. In this post I’ll use VBAC, as it’s more commonly used, at least in my experience.

1. What are the issues that women and their doctors consider, in determining whether a VBAC is an option?

The primary issue that your doctor or midwife will consider with you is the reason for your c-section. They will discuss the risks associated with a VBAC as well as the statistics on successful VBACs for your specific case. There are different success rates depending on the reason for the c-section and how many c-sections you have had (many places will not attempt a VBAC if you have had more than one c-section).

Each doctor is very different; some are more conservative than others when it comes to VBACs. If you are really hoping to do a VBAC and your doctor says no, seek out a second or third opinion before making a decision. The doctor who delivered my son via c-section recommended that I have another c-section, but everyone else I consulted felt that I was a good candidate. So don’t be discouraged if one doctor says, “No”, because it’s not written in stone. Unfortunately I lived with a year of disappointment before I found this out.

Another great source of information is of course the internet (just don’t trust this alone). It is an OB’s job to make sure you know all the risks associated with a VBAC and they can scare you a bit. But there are risks with any birth and risks with any c-section. The OBs will most likely focus on the risks of the VBAC, so do your own research on other risk factors and then talk over any questions you have with your doctor to make the best decision for you. In all my research I found that a successful VBAC is safer than a c-section, but a c-section following a trial of labor is more risky than just a straight c-section.

2. When did you make the decision to try for a VBAC?

Pretty much immediately upon finding out that I could! I was very determined. Even if I had not been successful, I think I would have regretted not at least trying.

3. What were your main concerns in approaching a VBAC?

My main concerns were the risks. I was worried that I might be putting my desires above the health of my baby. I use a midwife group for my prenatal care so I had to consult with an OB twice during my pregnancy. After both consults I was worried; this was due to the OB needing to make sure I was aware of the risks. After calming down from these appointments I was able to assess the risks more rationally, realizing how low the chances of the risks are (like rupturing your uterus – the chance is less than 1%). It seems really scary when you talk about it, but in reality I would never let that low of a chance deter me from something I really wanted.

4. Were others (friends/family, medical professionals) supportive or discouraging of your decision to try for a VBAC?

Everyone was supportive (except the initial doctor who I never saw again). My midwives were especially supportive, as was my husband. I have since learned that my husband had some concerns, but he wanted to support my decision despite them.

5. Did you do anything to prepare for a VBAC?

Nothing physically. Psychologically, I tried to prepare myself to be okay if I was not successful. But otherwise I approached it just like I did my first labor.

6. How did the recovery from your VBAC compare to that from your c-section?

It was night and day different – and so much easier. I actually had to remind myself to slow down because I felt so good compared to my c-section. With the c-section I was walking bent over for more than a week. This time I was up and walking normally (although a little slowly) that afternoon. Not having to worry about a surgical incision was a dream and not being on heavy pain medication was also wonderful. I felt much more present and aware during the first week after the baby was born.

7. Is there anything else you’d like to share with someone considering a VBAC?

For me, this was a dream come true. After seeing and hearing many birth stories and seeing babies placed right on mom after delivery, my c-section was an incredible disappointment. I wasn’t able to hold my son right away (it was over an hour before I was able to hold him) or even see him for the first 5 minutes. I was so drugged up that I honestly don’t even remember holding him for the first time. My daughter’s birth was so different (in many ways), but I especially felt that I got to experience something I had missed with my son. I remember her being placed on me and holding her immediately. While I obviously love my son and bonded with him despite his traumatic entrance into the world, there was something really sweet about my daughter’s birth that was lacking with my son’s. 

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story, and welcome to baby Addison!

Obviously, this is one person’s experience, and seeking peronal medical advice is essential for each individual case. If you are considering a TOLAC/VBAC, here are some online resources:

• The American Academy of Family Physicians policy on TOLAC
• VBAC.com seeks to be a resource for childbearing women and medical professionals.
• BabyCenter discusses topics related to a VBAC, reviewed by their medical advisory board.

My friend Sarah just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl – welcome, Addison! Another friend is organizing meals to be brought for their family. The same generosity was extended to us when I had Tate and it was so wonderful!

If you’re pregnant or wanting to help out a new mom, here are some things to consider:

General tips for bringing meals to others:

1. Ask about any food allergies or disliked foods.

2. Whenever possible, bring the meal in containers that don’t need to be returned.

3. Think out of the box – in addition to the main meal, include some fresh fruit, a breakfast item or a favorite beverage.

4. If you live out of town, or are unable to prepare a meal, send a gift certificate for a restaurant with delivery or takeout.

5. Get a group of the new mom’s friends together and go to Let’s Dish or a similar place for freezer meal preparation. Give her advance notice, though, so there’s enough room in her freezer!

Tips for the expecting/new mom:

1. Probably a lot of people people will ask what they can do to help you. Ask the most organized of these people to coordinate a meal schedule. Then when anyone else offers to bring a meal, direct him/her to this person. All of the following information should be shared with your organizer to simplify your life!

2. Decide when you want meals to start – perhaps a little later if you have family there to help right away.

3. Consider how often you want to receive meals. Daily might be too much, especially if it’s just two of you eating. For instance, Sarah is receiving meals for two days, then one day off to allow some time for leftovers.

4. Be sure to let people know about any food allergies or things you don’t like.

If you’re trying to fill your own freezer in preparation for baby’s arrival, check out these ideas from Erin at $5 Dinners. Her baby is due soon, so most of the items are crossed off her checklist, but there are links to most of the super-affordable recipes. 

Another idea is this cookbook by Lisa Jost – it looks great, does anyone have it already and can give a review? The Doula’s Cookbook for New Moms: Ideas & Recipes for a New Parent, Busy Parent or Doula.

What are some favorite meals you’ve received? What’s your go-to meal to bring to a family with a new baby?

Photo Courtesy:
EraPhernalia Vintage

Today most people are putting the finishing touches on their costumes for trick-or-treating or a fun halloween party…

You may, however, know someone who is putting the finishing touches on growing a baby! If so, share this post with them. But go ahead and wait until they’ve brought the new baby home from the hospital…

All of our adorable halloween-themed birth announcements are available online. Here are a few of my favorites:

Or, if your baby isn’t quite due yet, you may need a last-minute costume idea for your pregnant belly – check out this post.

What’s your favorite preggers costume or baby costume?