What would you do?

We went out this morning to another local furniture store, Hornung's Rock A Bye Baby, to check out nursery furniture. This store is a small family-owned business, and they offer well-known, quality brands of nursery furniture, like Munire, Westwood Design and Childcraft. In comparison, Babies'R'Us (BRU, from now on) also offers quality furniture, but the lines that appeal to us are exclusive to BRU.

The three collections we're considering (two from Rock a Bye, one from BRU) all come to within $70 of each other at first glance for a crib, changing table/dresser combo and armoire. However, BRU offers 15 percent off any three pieces or more. But they charge for shipping, which I'm not sure we'd need, while Rock A Bye ships and moves the furniture into your nursery for free. Only other difference is negligable, but BRU charges $5 more for assembly of the crib.

After taking into consideration the discount, shipping charge, assembly fees and sales tax, the two Rock A Bye collections come out to around $1,700 each, while the BRU collection is just under $1,500.

As far as our preference, the BRU and one Rock a Bye collection are pretty much neck-and-neck. I LOVE the fluted post detail and the elegant lines on the BRU furniture, but reviews say the doors on the armoire don't open as far as they could for maximum access. I LOVE the Rock A Bye crib headboard and swing-out drawers on the combo, but the wood details aren't as appealing as BRU's. (The first image shows the color we like, but the armoire is missing. Second picture shows the armoire. And we're not interested in the hutch above the combo.)

And for what it's worth, the BRU furniture is made out of solid mahogany, while the Rock a Bye furniture is made out of solid pine.

So here's the dilemma: Do we go for the cheaper price, buy from the international chain conglomerate and put money into the pockets of corporate executives who likely live nowhere near here and are already filthy rich, OR do we support the local business, based on principal because they offer the convenience of shipping/set up at no additional cost and knowing the old woman (owner) and daughter who helped us today will benefit directly from the sale?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Acetaminophen S.U.C.K.S.

It's the only pain killer I'm allowed to take while pregnant, so naturally it does NOTHING to relieve pregnancy headaches.

An Apple? Really?

Apparently that's how big this baby is right now. I actually have an apple with me, and I'm looking at it. I've never thought an apple looked so big, as when I'm now imagining it in my abdomen. Now I'm confused as to how my pants still fit. I sure couldn't shove an apple between my stomach and waistband before I got pregnant, so how did this apple make room for itself?

The mysteries of nature.

Crazy? Maybe, but we'll be richer for it.

Or at least a little less poor.

We're seriously considering cloth diapering. "CD," that is, in baby-speak. OK, I'm seriously considering it, and Brian doesn't like the idea. Yet. Because he believes (really, get this) that somehow he'll be exposed to less poop if we use disposables. He's terrified of poop.

So I'm waiting to hear back from a local mom who is a CD supporter and merchant, and I'm hoping the info she has will sell him on the benefits.

First, it ends up saving LOTS of money, as compared to using disposables. It's a considerable up-front investment, but I'm talking a savings of a couple grand, even if you use them for just one child and don't try to sell them. If you use them for multiple kids and sell them afterward, we're talking multiple THOUSANDS of dollars. That speaks to the cheapskate in me.

Second, they're much better for the environment, since they don't require tons of non-biodegradable material to be buried in landfills. Literally, tons. Just for one kid over the course of a couple years. That speaks to the tree-hugger in me.

And finally, there are a number of arguments that they are better for the baby: the lack of chemicals (which are abundant in disposables) leads to much fewer cases of diaper rash, CD toddlers are faster and easier to potty train, etc. That speaks to the mom-to-be in me.

Now this is not the cloth diapering of my parents' time. No hankerchief-looking squares, no pins and no washing services. These things are pre-formed, pre-sized, scientifically advanced with ultra-absorbant natural (sometimes organic) materials, easy to use and CUTE!

It's too early to make any definitive decisions now, but I'm pretty much sold on the idea, from the little research I've done. Yes, it will mean more laundry, and yes, at some point there will be poop scraping into the toilet. But come on, considering the benefits and too-cute product names like Bum Genius, how could you NOT consider CD?

So, like I said, I'm waiting to hear back from a local expert. We'll likely get a consultation from her, and any family/friends who may be involved in the child care process are welcome to attend. And if Michelle is out there somewhere reading (or to those of you who see/talk to her regularly, let her know), more than one mom-to-be would be welcome as well. Just lemme know if you'd be interested in learning more.

By the way, when I told Brian about the consultation "party," his response was, "Oh great. So this is like Pampered Chef, but for baby sh!t?"

Giggle.

OK, this made me a little excited

I found a Web site that let's you diagram and plan a nursery for FREE! So of course I spent about half an hour measuring every wall, window, heat vent, etc. in our second bedroom, and plugged the measurements into the schematic.

Now these measurements would mean nothing, of course, unless we actually had some idea of the size of furniture we'll need for the nursery. Well, we're a lot closer on that front than we were when we woke up this morning. I drug Brian to Babies'R'Us this afternoon (his first trip) to start to get a feel for the price/quality of cribs and furniture. I think we lucked out on our first trip, because we both really like this. In fact, we not only like the solid wood furniture, but the bedding in the picture would work in our green nursery, too. No, we're not putting any wallpaper border or anything up, but the lion/zebra/giraffe/monkey theme is kinda cute. Not making any decisions on bedding or theme, yet, but this one is a contender.

Soooo, once I brought home the Baby Cache brochure and realized it included dimensions for the crib, armoire and changing table/dresser, I started plugging them into this handy-dandy room planning tool, too.

So here are our first three tries at nursery design! Our first and favorite design, our second try (if there isn't enough room between the changer and crib in the first) and a third design, which puts my glider in between the two windows.

I just did one more, even though Brian's not a fan of the floating crib in the middle of the room.

What a cool tool!

Today's appointment

I dropped off pee, got weighed (lost a half-pound since Jan. 6) and heard the heartbeat through doppler. In and out in less than 10 minutes, save of course the time in the waiting room. Only thing I was expecting that didn't happen was a measurement of my belly, from breast bone to below the belly button. I guess it's still to early for that, yet.

CRNP Amy isn't concerned at all about the weight. She says any gain between zero and 10 pounds through week 20 is OK with her, as long as I feel OK and no other issues arise. She did laugh when she saw my shoes and said I'd probably opt for a more comfy, non-stiletto style if/when my back starts hurting.

She was also eager to make a guess about the sex, but she said she just didn't have enough info on which to base anything. In her experience, faster hearbeats and mom's weight gain in the face and hips are tell-tale signs a little girl is on the way. On the flip side, if all mom's weight is carried up front in the bump, it's a boy. Amy said the heartbeat was a little fast (darn if I didn't ask the rate), but she just didn't have enough to go on for a guess. She did say dreams are also telling predictors, but I haven't had any baby dreams. So we'll just have to wait until Feb. 24.

14 weeks

Definitely a change from 12 weeks. Although my work pants fit fine today, so maybe I was just really bloated early this morning.

Squirt is now about 3.5 inches long, it's developing the baby equivalent to down (fine hair all over) and it's peeing all over the amniotic sac! It may also be sucking its thumb, but we won't have another ultrasound for a month, so we can't see that.

Thursday morning I have a regular OB appointment, but I hear they're not all that exciting.

To address the most commonly asked question of late: No, we haven't decided on names. I have a list, and Brian is working on a list, but we really dislike most of each other's favorite names. So we're taking a break until we find out if it's a girl or boy, so then at least our arguing is more pointed.

Double good news

Hershey's prenatal genetic counselor called yesterday, and we're in the "normal" range for risk of Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18. There's always risk, but our risk is no higher than usual.

Also, I was pleasantly surprised this past week when I received in the mail two pairs of long maternity pants from Motherhood Maternity and one from Old Navy. Of course I ordered them, they didn't just send them to me. But that would have been nice. Anyway, they actually aren't that bad. In fact, they look good and fit pretty well. And the fact that maternity sizes tend to run large so I consequently take a MM small and ON extra-small didn't hurt. :) My sweet husband did point out, however, that if my "ass gets any bigger it certainly won't fit in those," my cute new courderoys.
And when I tried on the MM "secret fit" pants, a confused look crossed his face and he asked me, "what are you supposed to be, Catwoman?" Apparently he thinks these resemble a body suit, since there's no bump to wrap, yet. Ah, these little gems of entertainment keep me smiling all day long.

Enjoy the weekend!

Hellloooo, second trimester!

Other than a few headaches this past week and the continuous early-evening exhaustion, I'm still feeling great.

I'm wondering if the tiredness will begin to wane soon as many of the books say it does during the second tri, only to return full-force in the last three months of pregancy.

On another (completely unrelated) note, the next few weeks will test my dedication to heels. From what I've read, increased relaxin (a hormone) will start coursing through my body, and just as it allows the pelvic bones to expand in preparation for giving birth, it can also loosen other joints. In short, my feet may expand (oh, yay! *cough, sarcasm, cough*) and my balance may be affected. Gulp.

In other news, word will be spreading soon around my workplace as the top bosses are made aware of my condition. I'm ready to share the news with anyone interested, but it's funny how seamless and appropriate opportunities to bring up the topic with coworkers just haven't manifested themselves. Everytime the idea crosses my mind, it seems like an akward attention grab. Just waiting for that perfect segue...

We're also exploring two options for maternity leave, and we're hoping the powers-that-be agree that three months paid leave followed by about nine months of part-time work (three days a week) will be best plan for all parties involved.

And while I think it's way, way early to be thinking about child care, apparently I'm wrong. Otherwise, there wouldn't be waiting lists 20 to 30 infants deep at local centers. So I'm gathering basic info and touching base with Jess's in-home daycare giver to lay the groundwork. Sounds crazy, but I think people must have started planning daycare before they got pregnant.

Headaches, shoes, co-workers and daycare. That should suffice for an update and a strange association of completely unrelated things.

Apologies to Julie and Chrissie

Two gals who were supposed to be among the first to know our news, but who ended up just finding out this week by hearing/seeing congratulations messages from others.

That's not the way it was supposed to work :(

But we're glad you know now, and we're thankful for your good wishes!

12 Weeks

As compared to ten weeks and eight weeks. No real change yet, but my leather pants seemed just a *wee* bit tighter than usual yesterday.

We found out yesterday we've been assigned to the control group for the research project, so we'll enroll in the standard childbirth classes. Would have been nice to have the additional info from the Childbirth Plus series, but on the bright side we have less classes to attend.

Weight seems to be a common inquiry recently, so I'll just put it out there. I've gained three pounds between Nov. 18 (five weeks pregnant) and yesterday's doctor's appointments. "Normal" and recommended weight gain is two to four pounds in the first trimester, so I'm right on track.

To think I'll start packing on about a pound a week in the next few weeks is a little intimidating, though!

Yup, still pregnant.

If you look closely at the video while it's playing, the little flickering shadow to the right of the head, towards the middle of the screen is the heart. While I think the head and nose are pretty clear in this one, don't feel bad if you don't see anything but black and white blobs. Pictures that look as clear as could be to moms often make no sense to other people. At least that's been my experience, when I've tried to identify figures in the shadows on friends' ultrasounds.

We had our first trimester genetic screening today, and everything looks good so far.

First we met with Hershey's prenatal genetic counselor, who explained how genetic mutations happen, what three abnormalities for which they screen, how the tests would be done and how family genetics play a role. The tests they do indicate risk for the three most common genetic mutations: Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome), Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18. In all three cases, the defect is an extra copy of a chromosome from either mom or dad, so that rather than having the normal two copies per cell -- one from mom, one from dad -- the 21st, 13th or 18th chromosome has three copies of genetic material. That extra material causes birth defects, developmental defects and retardation.

After taking our family histories (where, by the way, I learned grandma-to-be, Barb, was born without a hip socket -- really!), the counselor concluded we have as risk-free a genetic history as possible.

The screen itself consisted of an NT scan via ultrasound and bloodwork. The Nuchal Translucency measurement (the width of the fluid in the baby's neck, which will eventually turn to neck tissue) was 1.49 mm, and anything under three-point-something is considered normal. The bloodwork (testing for various proteins) and family history will combine with the NT measurement, get plugged into a really complicated formula, and then we'll have our risk score.

So to sum it all up, it looks like we're low risk for any of the three genetic defects based on the family history and the NT measurement, but we have some time to wait to get the bloodwork results and our "official" score.

But the ultrasound was fun! Squirt's heartbeat was 167 beats per minute, and we're measuring at 12 weeks, two days and 5.69 centimeters. So July 22 sticks as the estimated due date. My uterus is tilted back, which isn't a problem except for the fact that it made it difficult for the attendant to get the NT measurement from the screen. The baby wasn't facing the right way, so she had to jiggle the ultrasound wand around and I had to roll back and forth from my back to my side until squirt moved around. I saw him/her jump one time on the screen, and apparently Brian saw a lot of movement while I was on my side, faced away from the screen.

Oh, and we scheduled second trimester screening today, too, which includes sex detection. So we'll be looking for a weenie or lack thereof the morning of Feb. 24.

Oh, and one more note on shopping

Public Service Announcement for the ladies: The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale is going on now in-store and online (OK, guess that could benefit the men as well).

For me, that meant scoring three larger-than-life coconut harnesses at $25 each, half the normal price. If, in the next 87 days I don't grow into these puppies, or if it becomes obvious they just won't accommodate the mam growth, I'll return them for a full refund.

Go treat yourselves to some discounted frilly underthings!

(And if you're looking for the Pink PSU line, don't go to the Colonial Park Mall. They don't carry it, but the Harrisburg Mall location does.)

OK, seriously. Do the maternity buyers in central PA think all pregnant women are 5'2" and either pediatric nurses or homemakers?

I have to believe so, otherwise maternity pants in this area would come with inseams longer than 30 inches, and tops would not all be obnoxious pastel prints or loungewear. It's as if an Easter basket and a Footlocker for short people puked all over every maternity section/store I've seen.

Now I've seen pregnant women around here dressed cutely and classily. So that leads me to believe that the maternity clothes of all stylish moms-to-be in the Harrisburg area came from one of three places: (1) pre-pregnant wardrobes, (2) the Internet or (3) major metropolitan areas.

Pause, and rewind. I've been told by a few ladies over the past couple of weeks that pickins are slim in this area for maternity clothes, and I should start my search early to avoid frustration down the road. Since the idea of not finding what I want when I'm fat, emotionally charged and desperate for something that fits scares the hell out of me, I decided to take that advice.

So no, I don't need maternity clothes yet, but since finding regular pants with 34 inch inseams is kind of a pain in the ass, I could only imagine how difficult it would be to find long maternity pants. So I've casually browsed through the maternity sections of Kohls, Target and Walmart recently, and I made my first trip to the Motherhood Maternity outlet in Hershey this past weekend.

Apparently there are very few pregnant women in central PA who work in professional office atmospheres, or maybe we're just not a vocal enough group. So let me voice my frustration here.

NO, I CANNOT AND DO NOT HAVE ANY INTEREST IN WEARING LEGGINGS/YOGA PANTS AND UGGS TO WORK WITH ANY REGULARITY. AND I'M HAVING A BABY, NOT INTERESTED IN DRESSING MYSELF LIKE AN OVERSIZED BLIMP VERSION OF ONE.

Is it too much to ask for a store that carries decent-looking professional attire in stock, so that I can TRY THINGS ON? After all, it's not like I've EVER HAD TO WEAR MATERNITY CLOTHES BEFORE, SO HOW THE $#&% AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT SIZE I AM, ESPECIALLY IF ALL THE SIZE CHARTS SAY I'M BETWEEN SIZES?!

Looks like my reality will be buy-it-then-try-it from online collections (where, cruelly and ironically enough, there are plenty of longs and professional styles at much more expensive prices) and perhaps a trip or two to Mimi Maternity in King of Prussia, a store that specializes in professional and stylish maternity clothes.

To hold me over until I bite that bullet, however, I did get two "tummy bands" at Motherhood on Saturday (thanks for the gift card, mom). I'm still not sure I buy it, but these things are supposed to act as big rubber bands that will hold my unbuttoned and unzipped pants up when I'm too big to make them close. And they're supposed to look like cute little tank tops peeking out underneath shirts. I think you're totally going to be able to see through this elastic band that my pants are miles away from closing, but some people swear by these things. I guess we'll see in the coming weeks.

Hey, maybe I'll get really lucky, and these rubber band tank top thingies will work perfectly throughout the entire pregnancy, so I'll never have to torture myself trying to find maternity pants. A girl can dream...

Happy New Year! (a few days late)

Our new year's eve was spent with Brett, Lynn, Brad, Katie, Jess & Dave. I polished off three O'Douls (which, by the way, really and totally suck) and stayed up until 12:30. OK, and I had a bit of champagne at midnight. Just a touch. Darling hubby missed the midnight kiss because he was shaking the weasel and checking text messages, but I've since forgiven him. After all, his sense of time was a bit affected at that point.

It was just what we were looking for -- good times with good friends, and a comfy place to crash. (Brian arranged in advance for us to take the guest bedroom, because of my delicate condition. He's so good to me.)

New Year's morning was spent chatting with Lynn & Katie and watching baby Avery, who is almost exactly the same age our little one will be next year at Christmas/New Year's. (The very hungover boys ate cookies and choked down coffee in supine positions.) I also made sure to check out Avery's nursery to start taking notes on furniture, storage and some of the nutso machines/gadgets every new mother and baby just MUST have.

As for how I'm feeling: in a nutshell, not pregnant. This has been a weird couple of weeks. I look the same as I always have, and now I'm feeling pretty normal. No nausea, no headaches, no food aversions, no frequent need to snack. Just a little tiredness and the occasional after-dinner bloat. I almost went to buy another POAS test just to see the two lines again, until Brian smartly informed me, "Doll, I think you're pretty much pregnant until somebody tells you you're not anymore." I'm thankful for the ease of the past two weeks, but I'm particularly looking forward to Tuesday's appointments, when we'll get another ultrasound. Just the reassurance my irrational "am I still pregnant?" mind needs.

Oh, and one more note. After suffering through the O'Douls, I asked Brian for one very simple, very small push present at the end of all this. A six-pack of Lancaster Brewing Co. Hop Hog. Mmmm, that will be wonderful. Enjoyed one beer at a time, of course, since I expect to be breast feeding, but enjoyed like nothing else. I have never so looked forward to a good beer in my life.