From 16 to 39 weeks

Pregnancy Brain

I have had the worst pregnancy brain with this baby. It's been bad! Lou and my Mom have probably noticed the most. They would be talking to me and I'd hear them just not comprehend what they were saying. They have been kind enough to repeat it a few times for me to be able to wrap my mind around their words.

On my birthday back in Feb., I had the most embarrassing moment while leaving a sustainability conference. I was headed to my car when a man stopped me before reaching the exit.  He stuck out his hand and introduced himself. I went to do the same but in that moment I FORGOT MY NAME!

While visiting the midwife and learning I had Strep B, I had thought Mary was going to tell me I had to deliver in a hospital, so while she was explaining how to treat the Strep my mind was thinking about something else. Thank god Lou came to this appointment because I saw her talking but heard nothing she said. This has been a reoccurring issue for me throughout the pregnancy.

Just this week Mom came and took Brendan and I to lunch. I had clipped a coupon for the salad bar we went to but at the register the attendant told us they couldn't accept it. We were puzzled until she kindly pointed out the coupon was for Souper Salad and we were at Sweet Tomatoes. I went to the wrong restaurant!

About 39 weeks along.

Even Brendan is having to remind me to do simple tasks. Sometimes I forget what I'm doing, or when hanging out with friends I don't feel like I'm completely listening and absorbing everything . Forget about anyone telling me any information too quickly either. If I'm not 100% focused and they are talking at a moderate pace, then I'm going to miss it. Even people on the phone giving info faster than my brain is processing. I don't know if I'm just that distracted this pregnancy or if it is lack of oxygen to my brain but I feel like a complete space cadet-- way worse than I was with Brendan.
 

Memory Lane

Within the last couple weeks I realized I stopped Brendan's scrapbook at 6 mo old. So, I made it a point to catch up before it was too late and I'm all caught up. It was relaxing and I quite enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Thank god for this blog because half of the stories and things that happened 3 years ago I forgot.

I noticed that with both pregnancies I experienced the quick painful surges down the legs. Didn't remember I had it with Brendan until I read my old posts. It also helped me to fill out the book of Brendan's firsts.

Found out on Monday I tested positive for Strep B and baby could be exposed while coming out of the womb. I've been trying to figure out how I want to go about treatment. I think I'm leaning toward penicillin orally.

Midwife Mary keeps mentioning we have a 9 to 9.5 lb. baby. It is not the encouragement I need. My neighbor just had a home birth and she was encouraging telling me how amazing and perfect it was for her. I think the attitude and mind set you go into birthing with plays a huge part in your success and happiness. I have a pretty relaxed -go with it- type of attitude.

Last weekend I was nesting like crazy. Shampooed all my rugs, washed things I never wash- walls, dressers, baths, mirrors, fixtures, fans, etc. I organized things, picked up, and made the house spotless. I was a machine like cleaning the house and trying to keep it up. If the nesting indication is any indication of how soon baby comes we should be prepared...


We are prepared with everything we need except a car seat. Can't find Brendan's old one and only have two bases. I think we lost it when moving somehow. No idea how that happens!

I've been working hard and plan for maternity leave at work is that there is no plan. I have another agent on standby should I need her but I'm going to play it by ear and see how I feel. I made my second TV news appearance during this pregnancy over the last week which was fun. Pregnancy hasn't slowed me down too much. I'm also in no hurry to have baby. I like being pregnant and am quite enjoying my sleep. :)

Baby 2 is 36 weeks

Baby #2 is slated to be a big one, possibly weighing around 9 lbs. I feel huge and often feel baby in my ribs. The baby has been head down for a while and all has been healthy this pregnancy.  We are still considered low-risk and are planning a home birth. My only complaint is a sore back- but it hurt even before becoming pregnant.

I've been craving kiwi, apples, peanut butter, and cheeseburgers this pregnancy (not together). Recently I've also been enjoying seafood too.

I love being pregnant and feeling baby move all day. It's so amazing! I'm in no hurry to deliver but I just have a feeling this baby will choose to come before our May 12 due date. We've tried to keep baby's sex to ourselves but some people close to us have figured it out by being around us. Still not decided on any names for sure yet.

All about Brendan...

Brendan recently announced he wants to be a paleontologist. What a 2 year old! He's growing up so quick, developed the most fun loving personality and has been gaining independence. He actually understands humor and joking around and his language and reasoning ability is well beyond his chronological age.

His favorite things now are Cars, dinosaurs, playing guitar/giving concerts, playing outside (mostly on his 'motorcycle'), & books. He gets Highlights magazine ea. month from his great grandparents and turns straight to the 'hidden picture' section.

We still visit the library and park a couple times a month. We also enjoy going to museums. Brendan likes going to the midwife with Mommy for the toys, balloon, and animal crackers. The last time he was there he tried to get 'Midwife Mary's' attention by saying, "hey midwife?" It was pretty funny.

Brendan's phrases I want to remember include, "I love you and I like you."
"I'm a waffle fan." and "Smackeroonie." The phrase I want to forget at this age is "why?" It is overused, infinite, and sometimes quite exhausting. According to my parents it never ended with me...

Our little man likes to help take care of Reese, kitty, and the fish. He talks to the baby and kisses Mom's belly everyday. He has names for most of his stuffed animals. I have no idea where he gets them, but once he names them the names stick.

Brendan has a built in chocolate radar. If I am ever trying to sneak a piece he can literally smell it on me and will ask for some. He's quite the negotiator and picks up on everything... including a few choice words. He recently dropped something and was like, "Goddamit!" It is so hard to keep a straight face but we don't want to encourage it. He picked up on the bad language but at least he used it in the correct context.


Potty training is going well. He will tell people he's going to preschool when he's potty trained. Speaking of talking to strangers Brendan has not a shy bone in his body. We go on walks almost daily and he will ask people his their names and introduce himself. He even told a random guy outside the Science Center his name is, "Brendan Robert Camp." Although it's adorable I worry a little about stranger danger.


Brendan had a really fun Easter. He colored Easter eggs and found them inside and outside at his Grandparent's house. It was priceless to see how excited he got finding all of the eggs this year. At one point he started finding eggs with quarters and dollar bills in them and he said, "I'm rich." We all ate it up!

I can't even begin to express how lucky I feel to be his Mom and get to spend my days with him. He's such an awesome son and the sunshine in my life!

Winter 2012

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Pregnancy flying by

Life is good. Brendan is awesome and still working on potty training so that he can start preschool for a few half days a week this fall. We toured 4 preschools and I think we found the one we like best nearby. Brendan had zero hesitation walking right into each of the classrooms we visited and just starting to play and interact with the other kids. I'm confident he will have no transition problems and will fit right in.

Two of the 4 schools incorporated Spanish which is important to me. I try to teach him what I know but it's limited. He picks it up so fast. I really only have to teach him once or twice and he remembers. His memory is just so incredible.

I had a good birthday last month. Brendan and I went to the Phoenix zoo with Angie and Cammille during the day and about 20 of us went out bowling that night. The three kids probably had the best time running around the bowling alley. About a week later I also got a much needed girls night out to celebrate again.

Baby is growing and getting stronger. I am quite enjoying watching my belly move on it's own. When I woke up this morning Brendan's first comment was on how big I was and sometimes refers to me lovingly as, "big fat mama." Pretty much everyday he takes time to talk to his brother or sister and likes to feel baby move too. He's going to make a great big brother. The timing/spacing between children is going to be good too I think. Brendan is becoming more and more independant and I'm totally going to have a little helper on board!

We like the names Sedona, Violet, Victoria, Caleb, and Andrew. The only thing I've craved this pregnancy is Dove chocolate but I'm really trying to keep a balanced diet. We have been going to the Farmer's Market at least once a month for local fresh produce.

I've been reading some on the home birth process and the general idea is to relax as much as possible and let your body do the work. I'm anticipating that it's going to be more mental and mind set than physical. I'm a little concerned with Lou being my support person at this point. He's excited for baby but hasn't taken much interest in what I've been reading. I've considered a doula but not only do we not have the extra money, but my midwife said only 5-10% of her home birth clients use them and it's the husband who helps the mother birth. I hope he can be prepared to be there for me. He'll probably surprise me.

Potty Time

Over the last 2 days Brendan has been telling us he needs to use the potty! We have been asking him over the last few months but he has not been interested. Then, suddenly we started coming to Lou and I and telling us when he has to go. It's only been about 4 times in 2 days but we are so proud of him.

If you were to ask Brendan what he wants to be when he grows up he would tell you a big brother. Sometimes he will tell people he wants to "be a Realtor and take all Mom's clients- the good ones and the bad ones." I think the potty training is just one way he's getting ready to be a big brother though and he talks to my belly all the time.

Brendan really is into dinosaurs, cars, and books. He actually will read non-fiction dinosaur books from the library over and over again and corrects my or Lou's pronounciation if we have trouble with a name. He really does have a photographic memory. In the photo below, we all visited the natural history museum in January.

All is well with the pregnancy and I'm about 6 mo. along now and still loving it. We had an ultrasound just before the New Year and they said the gestational age/size would give us a due date of someplace around May 12. Baby is healthy, active and I love feeling the movement in my growing belly. A few nights ago Brendan's favorite commercial came on the TV it is a car commercial with all these animals popping up set to Salt and Peppa's "Push It" song. We had it on repeat a few times and while Brendan was breaking it down like no one's business my belly started bumping around too. It was fun!

Lou and I know baby's sex but are keeping it between us for now. We have a few names picked out but have not completely agreed on one yet. I had the urge to start nesting last week after a playdate with Alex (2.5) and baby Noah (7 mo.) and started putting baby stuff aside for baby's arrival. The only thing I have experienced a few times now with this baby is heartburn but it has gone away for now after taking a papaya enzyme. Still happy seeing our midwife and looking forward to a home birth. I may look into hiring a doula to help on the big day soon.

Holidays 2011

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Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

Being a toddler

"Mom, will you marry me?" Brendan asked while getting him dressed after a bath the other night. I just about melted. Toddlers say the cutest things. He followed up with a proper ring in the shape of the letter Q two days later.  :)

Things around here are good; we had a nice Thanksgiving trip to Sedona for a few nights. Lou and I made the mistake of waking Brendan from a 3 hour nap before Thanksgiving dinner and boy was that a bad choice! Other than the untimely tantrum we had a fun trip.

Our home is ready for the holidays inside and out with the exception of the tree which we may tackle today. The previous owners of the house left a slew of lights in the huge evergreen and it is almost like having a big xmas tree in our front yard.

Brendan enjoys hearing the song 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and is especially intrigued by the part where "he sees you when you are sleeping." When asked what he wants for Christmas without hesitation he said binoculars. We were a little surprised but gotta hand it to him for coming up with a creative gift on the spot.

We will be using a midwife not an OB for future prenatal care. Our family went in together last week for our first visit. We really like how the office is child friendly and more of a relaxed setting. Mary the midwife also radiates confidence- I suppose that happens after delivering over 2000 babies! We heard a strong heartbeat and although I was only 16 weeks, my uterus was measuring 20 weeks! I immediately attributed it to a hearty Thanksgiving however I was reassured it was to be expected for a 2nd pregnancy. We have an ultrasound scheduled after Christmas and I still am torn whether I want to know the sex or not.

Never Grow Up!

Enjoying the lollipop Mom brought back from Disneyland & the EverGreen Awards Nov. 14.

Brendan and his gal pal Camille at the Museum of Natural History in Oct. '11.

Brendan helping Dad to mow the lawn Oct. 1, 2011.

All is well with our family. Brendan is growing so quickly. We have a running game in the house where we tell him he's not allowed to grow up and he has to stay small forever. He likes to come with I'm getting bigger and growing. It also works quite well with eating veggies. "Don't eat that broccoli or you may keep getting bigger."

Having a fresh apple in Sedona on Dad's birthday (Nov. 6), proudly wearing the hat Aunt Cindy knit.

Brendan is still a big fan of hats. He wears a hat everywhere he goes-- as if you couldn't tell from the photos. I think it is fair to say the firefighter hat is his favorite, but he'll also wear the policeman hat, pirate, and all kinds of ball caps he borrowed from his Dad and Papa.

For Halloween we did our little family tradition and went to the Farm to see the animals and pick out pumpkins. Somehow Brendan and I both fit in a little car and got pulled by an ATV. We carved our pumpkins and Brendan did some trick-or-treating with 15 or so neighborhood kids on Halloween after visiting his Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa. The neighbors had a pot-luck and it was super fun for all. He dressed as a firefighter and worse his costume all day even while shopping at Trader Joe's.




We have to get out the video camera and film his speech & mannerisms. We don't exactly have a frame of reference but strangers are constantly asking how old he is then surprised when we say two. He has pretty advanced verbal skills for his age. It's great until we are trying to give him two options and then he makes a third suggestion- he probably gets it from his Dad! I will try to get up some video of the firehouse visit in October. Below is a photo from Brendan's first time bowling with Mom, Dad, & Uncle Bill. He absolutely loved it!



Baby number 2 is on the way and we are due May 12. All seems to be well. I am just starting to show but still squeezing in my normal clothes. This time we do not have maternity insurance and having a baby is more expensive than you would think. Money is tighter these days especially with the 36 solar panels we purchased in Sept.

I have been in the care of Dr. Hunt, the OB that delivered Brendan but I am very seriously considering leaving and going with a midwife and having homebirth instead. I saw two documentaries (unknowingly within a week of conception), one of them called "The Business of Being Born" and it really made me think about how crazy our culture is in treating birth like a medical procedures and instilling fear in women. Hospital births are now the norm with insurance and doctors jacking up the price and dictating much of the terms. My doc won't even let you video tape the birth now as she fears a potential lawsuit. After a surprise $1,100 bill came in the mail from my 2nd visit at the OB including a pap smear and a blood and urine test for things I really did not need to be tested for I am just about at a point where I have had enough and want to get back to how I think things should be. I haven't made the final choice yet but think I am going to follow my gut. Stay tuned!