Weekly Surf:

Inspiration for maternity photos
LOVE these fun cookie pop ideas
I need ideas for decorating the nursery
Ways to help baby "spin" & not become breech 
Perfect card for the expectant mother in your life
I want this print
Homemade Oreos.....YUM!
This is how a breech baby is born at home {caution, nudity} 
Gorgeous images of motherhood that melt my heart
I'm dreading converting the office into a nursery. This conversion is gorgeous though.

Very sweet Cesarean birth first moments 

Love this mom's cry face after baby is born

{I love how involved Conrad gets to be in our weekly visits with my midwife. 

He gets to help find his "Brister's" (brother OR sister's) heartbeat.}

It makes my heart very happy.

{I'm 29 weeks this week! Twenty-Nine-Weeks!? How can it be?! Eeekkk! It's almost over. Baby is measuring perfectly, although baby "brister" is laying sideways right now, so I've been encouraged to use the birthing ball to bounce, not lounge in chairs, not lay on my back, walk more & do my pelvic rocks so we can possibly get that baby to go head down before the big day! It's getting harder to find tank tops that cover my growing belly & I'm at the stage now where I'm wearing my husbands Tee shirts to bed to stay comfortable. Grow baby grow!}

Happy Wednesday!

Bump Watch: Week 27

 

{See the previous belly growth progression photos HERE}

I am finally in my THIRD trimester! Only 11 weeks left to go!!! I can't believe it's almost over. I've been feeling great, for the most part. Except I'm getting BIG! Yesterday my sweet husband lifted me nearly half a foot off the ground trying to pull last years bathing suit up over my belly. Lets just say it was not a pretty scene with me yelling, "Stop! It hurts!" as he tugged while grunting, "I've allll-most got it! Hold still!" with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The whole crotch of the bathing suit nearly busted open. It was a pretty sexy moment for me, let me tell you. It didn't even go up over my boobs! SO it's safe to say, It's TIME for a maternity suit! (womp-womp!) 
I just bought THIS one & I love it on.

I've noticed that my appetite has increased quite a bit recently though (I ate TWO whole grilled chicken burgers yesterday as Dustin looked on in horror, warning me to SLOW DOWN as I neared the end of my first sandwich. Maybe he was scared he'd have a wife with two stumps instead of hands. He quickly whipped me up another sandwich in an effort to prevent stumps! What'a guy. I've been eating a ton of eggs. I'm craving them like crazy! I went through 2 dozen eggs last week alone. I feel like that's probably normal?...

During our Bradley Method birthing class this week, the instructor said that the penis is like a sword and the vagina is like the sheath of a sword, but most "feminists" would rather refer to the vagina as a "yoni" (she included herself in this feminist opinion of the name). I then politely raised my hand and said, "Actually, I'd rather refer to my vagina as a sheath to my husbands penis, the "sword" because I like the sheath meaning much better. It makes woman's vagina's sound more powerful!" Everyone just looked down at their work books and didn't acknowledge my statement. I guess I thought more woman would chime in and agree?? I don't know what exactly possessed me to object to the "yoni" name for the vagina, but it rubbed me the wrong way and I needed to let the class know. (I make really great first impressions.) The teacher just smiled and nodded and continued on with her point. (My poor husband. I feel sad for him-having to deal with my outbursts. But really, he knew what he signed up for when he married me.) And I felt passionate about expressing my views on the subject. So whatever.

Dustin (and Conrad) are convinced we're having a girl and I'm sort of convinced it's a boy. I still don't want to know though. I feel like the surprise of not knowing will be that extra motivation to get the baby out while I'm in labor. When I was carrying Conrad, I was all out in front and this time, the curve in my back has disappeared and now I'm just round.all.over. Which makes me think it could be a little lady...

I can't get enough of Ina May. Seriously, if you're pregnant, read her books. They WILL rock your world. Her book has been a life saver for me. I feel like every time I seem to hear that little voice that says that I'm broken and won't be able to birth my baby, all I have to do is stuff my nose in one of her books and get my confidence back. I'm learning that a big part of having a successful birth is seeing how the emotional, spiritual and psychological aspects of a woman's heart and mind can hinder her birth and even stop the laboring process all together. The mind and body have to be in agreeance with one another. Through this process, God has been healing and teaching me so much about who He is, and has answered SO many prayers along the way. 

I also feel incredibly blessed to have such a great support system around me. The more I meet other VBAC mom's who have successfully done what I'm attempting to do, the more confirmation I feel about birth being a natural process where when a woman is supported and when unnecessary intervention is not interrupting the act of birth, she is able to trust her body and let it do what it knows how to do.

OH, and I also got to be apart of my friend's home birth this week.
You can check out the photos I took HERE.

The Diaper Debacle: Trying Not To Go Completely Broke With Baby #2

My cloth wearing man enjoying his afternoon snack of sea weed and banana:

A friend of mine gave me some cloth diapers to try out when Conrad was first born. We used them a lot when he was little and liked them, but stopped using them because we already had a butt load of disposables. We put the cloth diapers in a pale under our guest bathroom sink and I washed them almost everyday or two. We never really noticed a smell and it didn't seem like I was doing anymore laundry than I already did....AND THEY'RE PRETTY CUTE on too! Conrad can still fit comfortably into those same cloth diapers because of the adjustable snaps! Pretty nifty huh? AND they're cozy and soft!

When we were pregnant with Conrad, we asked for everyone to bring us a pack of diapers to our baby shower and we ended up using the disposables from the shower until he was 7 months. Not having to buy diapers for the first 7 months was amazing, let me tell you! But the cost of buying disposable diapers every 2 weeks now is a such a burden. It adds up!

Now with the 2nd baby on the way, I was on the fence for a while about cloth thinking that it would be a lot of work, would cost a lot of money up front whereas disposables are bought overtime... AND I'm not thrilled about dealing with the POOP! (Even though the directions on disposable diaper instructions tell you to flush your baby's poop in a toilet so that over time baby poop doesn't mix with soil in our landfills possibly spreading disease....I missed the memo on that one.)...BUT Dustin wasn't on the fence. He is totally sold on cloth diapering our baby EVEN CLEANING OFF THE POOP! and mostly because he wants to save money, we are planning to cloth diaper our next baby.

***I wish I could say that I'm a tree huggin' hippy who cares so deeply for mother earth, and this is my reason for cloth diapering, but the truth is, I'm a cheap ass who is desperate to NOT go completely broke raising baby #2!

I've started to do some research on the cost and what it would take to cloth diaper,

and I've come to some surprising conclusions.

Here are the facts:

Costs to diaper for 30 months (2.5 years):

Disposable diapers: 9000 changes averaging 24 cents per change = $2160

Disposable wipes: Average 84 wipes per week * 4.4 cents per wipe = $480

**Cloth Diapers laundered at home: $300-1000 (Depending on what brand you buy)

I need advice from the cloth diapering mom's out there!

What diapers do you like best & what have been the pros and cons of diapering? Was it worth it? What are your thoughts on the topic? (even if you're a disposable diapering mom, like me, please feel free to weigh in on the subject as well!!)

{I was thinking about these diapers so they could grow with the baby...I'd like to stick with one size.}

Weekly Surf:

In Mama's arms....these images are so sweet!
I'm not the only "crazy" woman choosing it...
Yup, I'm baby obsessed and I LOVE this room!
How to make your own crib sheets
Inspiration for my next DIY project for Conrad's room
Love this super girlie-vintage fabric project to decorate a nursery
Is this fabric too girlie?? I'm considering it for baby #2's crib bedding along with this fabric
Super cute for baby (whether it's a boy or girl)
My favorite song at the moment
Thoughts on a better way to do things after birth
Obsessed with these gorgeous grey & white stripes
I "love" this headboard

Things that make me terribly happy: 
My toddler crosses his eyes cross when he drinks his juice

Little rubber critters that I can whip out of my purse when little boys
get impatient while waiting for their pancakes

My son's long eye lashes, that first hot sip of decaf coffee & pink lipstick! 

My husbands handsome smile & how my little man dips his pancakes with such precision 

 Leaving my wet laundry to be hung later, after I'm done reading stories with him in his choo-choo tent!

{Have a happy weekend!}

Is It True What They Say About #2?

"I feel like maybe since I haven't formed as strong of a connection with this baby (as I did with my first baby during pregnancy), maybe that means that God is preparing me for a baby that I won't get to keep....Maybe by taking my baby from me, he would be teaching me a lesson or punishing me for something."

I shamefully, admitted this fear with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes to a dear friend recently.

"Chelsea, THAT.IS.A.LIE! God doesn't operate like that. He loves this baby EVEN MORE than you EVER could. Would you kill Conrad's pet dog to punish him? No. Out of our heartache, sure, God can reveal things to us and teach us, but he doesn't cause death to teach lessons. I don't believe that describes the heart of God."

Is it true what they say about #2? The second pregnancy flies by without a thought for many woman because you're so preoccupied with your (other) children. Does it make me a monster for not having baby on my brain 24/7? Instead, I've got birth on my brain!

Some days I forget that I'm even pregnant. I've been so busy with my toddler and busy preparing my heart, mind & spirit for bringing my baby into the world that I've forgotten about the baby I'm carrying. 

I had such a deep connection with Conrad when I was pregnant. Or maybe I just had too much time on my hands to agonize about pregnancy.... I had dreams about holding him, I had dreams about nursing him, I had a dream that he had blond curls, & I dreamed that he was a boy. I haven't dreamed about this baby at all though. Is that bad? Am I too consumed with my 1st child to realize the miracle of being pregnant with my 2nd child? Have I feel like last time I concentrated SO much on making sure I had the baby's room fully stocked, hospital hat embroidered with his name (which seems totally ridiculous to me now.) & had every random-unnecessary baby item possible but didn't think AT ALL about how I was going to birth my baby!

My thoughts this pregnancy are consumed with making sure I'm remembering to do my Kegels (I even get texts from my husband daily that read, "KEGELS! ....SQUEEZE!!!!!" & "Do your Kegels or I'll Keel you!")  I'm counting my protein intake, watching every birth video I can find <----watch this video. I've been going to VBAC birth meetings where other woman have birthed successfully (at home) after cesarean & share their experiences with me, I'm going to Bradley Method birthing classes and reading every birthing book I can get my hands on. My husband has called me a "Birth Junkie." And rightfully so. He has sat through four birth documentaries so far this pregnancy & doesn't flinch when I show him really amazing pictures of placentas!

I have fallen in love with birth. I am a junkie, and I am OK with that. This time around, ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT is the BIRTH! I fear I've forgotten about the BABY! I know now that all I really need are a few white onesies, a good baby carrier & supportive friends who don't let you give up with breastfeeding! Everything else is just fluff. I totally feel like I have felt in the past when I've trained for marathons. Your whole self goes into the preparation for the race ahead of you.

I haven't thought much about the sex or the name. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "Let's just get the baby out, and then we can think about it's gender and name!" Those two very important details have been far from my mind. (Dustin says we should name the baby Otto if it's a boy and Otta if it's a girl. He's REAL serious about naming our child. Every name he comes up with is some weird random name that he tries to convince me would be perfect for our child and pretends to be offended when I disagree.) 

Dustin took me on a really long walk the other night and we got to talk about the baby, just the baby! We reminisced about the early new born days with Conrad and how he made those sweet, delicious little coos and how he used to smile after he ate. How cuddly he was. How special those late nights were feeding Conrad together (Dustin fed while I pumped milk for the next feeding.) Those late nights together, taking care of our new baby are dear memories to us. Neither of us ever complained. Dustin reminded me how our baby added to our lives, he didn't take away from it like people are notoriously warning new parents about. Dustin is sure that another child is only going to bless our marriage more and draw us closer to the Lord. I love being reminded of that.

I'm trying to focus and enjoy this precious baby inside and make that strong connection. Today at church I barely paid attention to the message because I was all weepy and emotional watching my friend in front of me care for her 4 week old little boy with his cute little Mohawk hair. My heart is so focused on the goal of birth but I can't forget about the prize waiting for me (IN 11 WEEKS! OH-EM-GEE! I can't believe it!)

Here are a few pictures from our weekend:

Breakfast at Panera Bread.

 

Then we chased birds at the park.
Conrad insisted on wearing his hat and insisted that Daddy wear his hat as well.

Conrad got really excited when he saw the horses on the carousel. 

We checked out the butterfly exhibit at the Bellagio.

{Hope you had a great weekend as well.}

Weekly Surf:

Fear loses it's power when we learn how to trust
Top 5 ways to get through a contraction
Personalized photo wallpaper
This song reminds me of my hubby
The lengths a doctor will go to amaze me
Obsessed with this gorgeous art wall
Getting inspiration for the tattoo I want to get after the baby comes (Two Robbins (birds) would be lovely.)
Maybe I'll leave this recipe on the counter as a hint to the hubby.... Happy Mother's Day to me!
Material ideas for the baby's bedding here, here, here, & here (Am I incapable of putting together a unisex room or what? I seem to only be able to do boy....)
A birth blog for fathers-to-be
Loving this desk re-do
On the subject of pain during childbirth

{Conrad at the park with one of his besties, Avery enjoying some watermelon.}

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there who have given me encouragement, insight, & wisdom along the way. So many of my girlfriends have helped shape me into the mother that I am today! Kudos to you ladies for loving you babies day in and day out! Even on the bad days, you're all still amazing moms who I look up to!

And happy mothers day to my Mom who I love and cherish dearly! I'm so glad you're in my life.

The Carousel Seemed Like Such A Great Idea...

Since I was starting to feel a little better Saturday night, we decided to venture out and walk around the District with the little man. The carousel was free, so we headed over for a ride or two.

The last time we took him on a carousel ride at Disney Land, it ended badly because he was afraid of the moving, robotic-ish animals. We were hoping this time would be different. 

Once he saw the colorful, beautifully lit carousel spinning in all it's glory, he jumped out of our arms 

and ran to get a closer look. With both hands pointed towards the wondrous carousel before him, he joyfully shouted, "HOY-SEE! HOY-SEE, MOMMA!" 

(He can't quite say his "R's" yet....)

 Dustin took him for his first ride. Conrad pointed to the animal he wanted to sit on. 

This was a BIG deal being that every time we go to Whole Foods, he sees the carousel and we keep promising that we'll go back to ride it but never have had a chance to. 

 Conrad picked a "ZEE-BA-Zzzaaah" to ride.

I could just squish his entire face....That little smile! Ugh!

 They went around a few times....

 The ride stopped and it was time to depart from the beloved carousel.

BUT since the rides were free, we said, what the hay and I climbed aboard to have a turn riding with our sweet, little two year old. Plus, I figured we could get a few cute shots of the two of us joyously spinning round' and round'...."It will make for a cute scrap book page!" I thought to myself with a grin. 

 Well, a fun ride and a cute scrap book page wasn't really in our cards folks. 

He picked out the elephant to ride but once the ride started, he pointed to the frog, and to another horse and also to the bunny but I couldn't take him off of his first choice, the elephant, to put him on all of the other animals, so he threw a fit and started screaming and throwing himself off of the elephant. 

The ride had to be stopped, just for us, to get off. 

Our son was out-of-control.

 I made the walk of shame with my precious, adorable two year old who was clawing his razor sharp nails into the back of my neck and kicking his brister (brother or sister....) in the process of being utterly pissed off and making sure everyone in a 100 foot radius was aware of it.  All I could do was smile and swiftly exit as the other parents kindly smiled. It was more comical than it was embarrassing.... but it was still embarrassing, no less.

His little face makes me sad.

I was having trouble restraining him so I gave him to his father. We walked past the Cheese Cake Factory where beautiful high school girls in their expensive prom dresses and perfectly quaffed hair and picture perfect make-up were dinning with their handsome prom dates, enjoying their dinner outside on the patio. I could hear the a silence as we passed by. I smiled and nodded my head as to say, "Remember THIS CHILD tonight when you go to get your freak on kids!" (Our screaming child should be birth control enough for those young horny souls on prom night, I hoped.) Our son was bending his back and flailing out of Dustin's arms screaming louder than I've ever heard him scream, shouting, "HELP MOMMY! HELP ME! OUCH, OUCH DADDY! NO! NO! H-E-L-P! HELP MEEEEE!" I couldn't help but laugh to myself. He was saying anything he could to get out of Dustin's grasp. He even pretended to be in pain. Sad.

When he finally calmed down, we talked about the carousel being a privilege (as if a 2 year old can really grasp that) and when Mommy says it's time to go, we go. That he needs to listen and obey and that he hurt our feelings by throwing his fit. We told him that when he was ready to say he was sorry for throwing a fit, we would be ready to forgive. 

The whole "NO" thing is so hard at this age. Especially because he was so excited and wanted to ride all of the animals, I felt bad having to leave. He just didn't understand. The carousel seemed like a great idea in theory. I think we'll give him another 6 months or so. Maybe by then, he'll understand it better.