Childbirth Classes: Check

For the last five weeks, Kevin and I have been attending the "Ready, Set, Deliver!" series of childbirth prep classes hosted by Sutter  Hospital. Overall, it was a really great experience and a fantastic way to ease us into what to expect around the Labor and Delivery process.

We learned about the 3 stages of labor, and the various breathing techniques to get us through! Kevin will be a GREAT labor coach - I know it!! (No pressure Kevin!) We also talked about the potential medical interventions we can expect, toured Labor & Delivery at Sutter Memorial (labor and postpartum rooms), and how to cope with the numerous physical and emotional changes that we'll both be experiencing.

Last night, we attended a breastfeeding class, in which we covered how to get our baby girl to "latch," the importance of the bonding and skin-to-skin contact that will occur immediately after delivery, and the feeding schedule we should prepare for during the first 6 months.

LOTS of information - how are we going to remember it all!?! How will we know if we're doing it the "right" way??

The good news is that we're going to figure it out together and the best thing that we can do is take in all of the information made available to us, leverage the resources we've been given, but most importantly, we'll follow our instincts and our hearts and we'll be just fine.

Another Party in Honor of Baby Fitz

The gang's all here!

We were fortunate to celebrate for a second time in honor of Baby Fitz, last Saturday, March 12th. Grammie Dawnie and Grandpa Jud hosted a great party for close family and friends that included a delicious lunch, Baby Shower Bingo, and of course, presents and cake!

Daddy Kevin tests out the new stroller

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Baby Shower Season Has Begun!

Thanks to Hillary and Sunny for hosting a SUPER Baby Shower on Saturday, March 5th. Everything was so adorable - the decorations, the cakes, and great friends to share it all with!

Baby Fitz is building quite a fashionable warddrobe, thanks to all of her "Aunties," and even has a customized collection of Onesies.

Lots of yummy food and games, and great conversation and advice filled the day, and to top it all off, Sunny surprised the Mommy-to-Be with a note that her wonderful husband had written:

Roxana, 

I want you to know that I'm so excited to be having a daughter with you and can't wait to be Mommy and Daddy together. Like everything else you are amazing at, you are going to make a wonderful Mom and I only hope I can keep up with you in being a Dad.

You become more beautiful to me everyday that your little belly sticks out further and seeing it every morning makes my day. I love being your husband and can't wait to be a parent with you.

Love you!

Kevin

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26th Week Update

Had another checkup today! Dr. Chan reported that my glucose results came in normal (spent two plus hours in the lab last week having my glucose levels monitored - which includes fasting and downing a VERY sweet "orange-soda-flavored" drink) and that my belly size is perfect. :)

26 Weeks

In two weeks, I'll start tracking fetal movement, which includes making sure that I feel at least 10 movements within a two hour period, at the point in the day when the baby is at her most active. This is something I'll be tracking daily. There has been a substantial increase in movement the last few weeks - little pokes here and there and then some big kicks. Last night I was staring down at my belly and saw the whole thing move!

The nursery is pretty much ready for the furniture at this point! Still have to put up the crown moulding and new light fixture but painting is complete  - including the closet. And the closet is already getting some use!

Doodoo and DUDU

Those were two of the topics we covered last night in our first parenting class, "Surviving the 1st Month." The class was hosted by Sutter Memorial and it was the first time we actually stepped foot in the hospital that we'll be delivering at!

So yes, we talked about the topic of "elimination" or doodoo - and what to expect it to "look" during the first month. And DUDU, refers to the swaddling method taught by Harvey Karp, MD, who spearheaded the approach explained by the "Happiest Baby on the Block" books and DVDs. Kevin definitely mastered the down-up-down-up (or DUDU) swaddling method during our hands-on practice in the class. If you've never seen Dr. Karp in action demonstrating the Five S's to soothing a baby, it's amazing - check him out! He should be known as the "baby whisperer!!"

The key for us will be to identify which combination of the "S's" will work for our baby girl.

In a thought-provoking new view of infancy, Dr. Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not really ready for the world when they are born. Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies…improving their sleep…and, soothing their senses:

• The Missing 4th Trimester: As odd as it may sound, one of the main reasons babies cry is because they are born three months too soon.
• The Calming Reflex: The automatic reset switch that can stop a baby’s crying…and boost a baby’s sleep…during the first months of life.
• The 5 S’s: Five simple steps that trigger the calming reflex (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking). For centuries, parents have tried these methods only to fail because, as with a knee reflex, the calming reflex only works when it is triggered in exactly the right way.
• The Cuddle Cure: The perfect mix the 5 S’s that can soothe even most colicky infants and add hours to their sleep.

The instructor also touched on the topics of feeding, "wearing" a baby (using slings or carriers) bathing, cord care, and the well-being of the parents. It was definitely reassuring to know that there is no "normal" and that there will be quite a learning curve. We'll have to be very open to this new experience, to not getting sleep, keep our communication open with each other, be very understanding, and allow ourselves to make mistakes. Each baby is different but one thing we learned is that their needs are extremely limited! They need their parents, food, and sleep. And that's about it the first month!

One of the things I loved most about this class was that it brought Kevin and I closer together in this whole experience. We really are two lucky parents-to-be.

Waiting for our Girls!

Viv at 24 weeks and Rox at 22 weeks.

"56% of the way there!"

That's what Dr. Chan said today. Everything continues to look great, medically speaking! All test are coming back negative and my belly size is on track (fundal height measurement.) We didn't do an ultrasound today but we did dust off the old monitor in his office and listened to her little heart. In a couple weeks, I'll go to the lab for glucose testing, but other than that, he hasn't ordered any further testing. Which is a good thing!

So you've seen pics of my insides - here is finally one of me on the outside! There's no hiding the belly now. I am very comfy in my maternity jeans and have found some pretty cute maternity tops.

22 weeks 3 days

We are now starting on her room. We've emptied out the closet (of course I was using it!) and cleared out the furniture. We'll do some painting soon, followed by putting up some crown molding. Thanks to Grandma Ericka and Grandpa Mo, Baby Fitz's furniture is on order! And the bedding, a gift from Auntie Yoli, is on its way. Thank you all!

The furniture that we've ordered. Thanks Grandma Ericka and Grandpa Mo! :)

Her bedding (not her actual room!!) Thanks Auntie Yoli!

And the gifts keep on coming! I hope this little girl learns that she'll have to do some chores to earn presents like these!

Clothes from Grammie Dawnie and Grandpa Jud!

Adorable sneakers from Elaine and Joanna Lima!