3 weeks old

We've had Nico (trying out nicknames) for 3 weeks now and it seems like 3 months. Not in a bad way, I am just used to having him around. I've gotten used to getting him ready for car rides and know that I have to add 10 minutes in to each trip for prep time. I have actually gotten used to getting up at least 2 times each night. I am still looking forward to sleeping through the night, but it is getting easier having to get up. I think somewhere on his tiny little body, he is wearing a watch because he knows when he has been sleeping exactly 3 hours and when that time is up, he is ready to eat. I have gotten used to letting him fuss and know he won't hate me for the rest of his life for letting him cry once in a while. I have even gotten to where I don't even think twice about sticking my nose up to his butt to see if he is dirty.
It's amazing that it has only been 3 weeks and I am glad that I still have another 6 weeks off of work to spend at home with him.
Santa brought Ted and I a video camera for Christmas so I hope to post some short clips of Nico to the blog for all to see. Yes, they will probably be of him laying there making faces and other things that only his parents find amusing, but you having the option of watching or not. Just be thankful that we didn't tape the birth.

Merry Christmas

Ted, Nicolas and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for keeping up with our progress and keeping in touch. Thank you to everyone who has sent Nicolas presents as well. He doesn't even realize how popular he is already. Enjoy your holiday and I hope Santa treats you well.

Cookies and Wine Party

Last night was the first time I was out on my own since the baby was born and the first social night in a LONG time. If you didn't already know this, being pregnant doesn't make you the life of the party. Janice hosted a cookies and wine party with Rachel, Janna and Erin also in attendance. It was a great night of eating awesome cookies, sipping some wine and talking with some great women. We laughed and told stories and for me it was a chance to just relax while Ted took care of Nic.
I got "the finger" from both Janna and Rachel more than once, in a loving way I know, for being back in non-maternity clothes. I really am quite happy with my speedy recovery. I am within 6 pounds of my starting weight after 2.5 weeks. I can wear normal shirts and button my jeans up all the way (and breathe at the same time). I still have the squishy, enlarged uterus belly, but I am working on the ab muscles to hold it in when I need to. I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe being able to go back to my normal clothes. I will have Ted's family take a Christmas picture of us to post for you all.

Merry Christmas

Nicolas is wearing his Christmas onesie from gmojo. Not 10 minutes after this picture was taken, he peed all over it. I don't think it was personal though. We are going to venture out to the dentist (Dr. Pak at the Town of Ayrsley - awesome dentist and great staff) in his bear outfit. It has bear ears on the hood and bear feet.

12 days old

Nicolas finally has his eyes open for a picture. Trust me, he has his eyes open a lot, he just prefers 3am and Mom isn't quick with the camera at that hour.

One week

Nicolas is one week old today. To the right is a cute picture of him napping. Yes, napping - very excited about that.
I will post a Christmas outfit picture soon.

5 days

We are 5 days into the life of Nicolas. He is doing great, eating and sleeping well; making lots of dirty diapers! Mother Jones (Mo Jo) was visiting until Saturday and relucantly went home. Tomorrow Mother Strube comes to help as Ted will be back at work. I will soon have to figure out how to shower, etc without anyone else to watch Nick, but for now I will take all the help I can get. We will venture out together on Tuesday for his first pediatrician appointment (where she will likely tell me that my son is the most amazing child she has ever seen - or maybe it's just me that thinks that).
I ran errands today - Target, etc - which is the first time I have been out since Monday. It felt like I had been at home or in the hospital for a month. I got a hug from the lady at Starbucks who was very excited to hear the news. A lot of stores could learn about customer service from Starbucks - the previously mentioned store included.
You can't see much of Nicolas in the picture, but to the right is a picture of Ted and I right after he was born - me smiling big as the epidural is still in effect!

Happy Birthday!

Welcome to the world Nicolas Leopold Von Badinski born December 5th 2007 at 5:10pm weighing 6lb 10oz and 20in long. Mother and baby are home and doing well.
More to come...

Still Waiting

And the wait for baby Thor continues. 3 days past due, which isn't really much when you think about it but it seems like a long time. The worst is that people act as is if I can perform the delivery on command. If I could, trust me, I would.
I go in for another check up today and that will tell us if I am far enough along to either induce or move him along on my own.
He should be here by the end of the week!

Ask the Magic 8 Ball

Ask the Magic 8 Ball when the baby is coming. That's about all you can do. I've heard it all so far.
I'm really, really tired one day and a woman tells me that I will deliver the next day because that's how it happened for her. Then I'm supposed to experience that "nesting" phenomenon where I have limitless energy and the insatiable desire to clean and in 2 days I will deliver. Then I am nauseous for 10 days straight and that's supposed to be a sign because that's how it happended for someone else. So...I've concluded that no matter how I feel it indicates that labor and delivery are right around the corner.
The truth is that there are numerous factors that need to be present in order for it to occur. You can't just have some of them, you need them all. Not even the baby knows when they will all come together, but until then, we wait.
Over the past 11 days I have had a sore throat, sinus congestion, lost my voice, been sick to my stomach, had gastrointestinal distress, and just pretty much felt like dog doo. So now that I feel somewhat normal again, a little waiting is OK.
If you picked a day before 11/24 in the baby Thor pool, you lost. We'll keep you posted!

Smiling Elephant

The elephant has officially arrived! He is all smiles for Thor. The lion is close behind, but we ran into a color issue. It appears Mr. Lion has hit the haircolor isle one too many times and cannot decide on what his natural color should be.

Home Stretch

Here I am on the home stretch. 37 weeks, full gestation, ready to come out any time. I looked at the picture and all I thought was - I really need some highlights. Maybe that will be a project for January.
The belly measures 36 3/4 inches, the doctor said he is dropping, and the "practice" contractions have started! So for all of you who are excited as we are to see this little guy in person, it won't be long.
There is a Thor pool at work for when he will actually arrive. I am going to ignore my friend Malfrieda who is betting on the week of December 10th.
Thank you to everyone who has given Thor all the necessities to start his life with us! It really means a lot to us.

Horoscope on dogpile

Here is my horoscope on dogpile.com today:
If you can't see the finish line in the near distance, don't get frustrated -- turn around! There you will see it, miles behind you. You have been going at such a furious clip for so long, than you may very well have eclipsed your original goal. You could just keep going on to the next milestone, but the stars say it's time for you take a break. Stop this forward momentum for a while and just enjoy where you are in life -- it's a heck of a nice place!
I like dogpile.com horoscopes because they are fun and straight forward. No, I don't believe they will predict how my day will go - you should know better than that. Especially from someone who will roll her "fortune dice" until she gets something she likes!
I thought it was appropriate to how I feel right now. I have 26 days until my due date and it seems like FOREVER. But given that I have made it through 36+ weeks, it really seems to have gone fast. It also tells me to sit back and relax. Enjoy watching Thor move in my belly, sleep in a quiet house, and take long showers (oops we are in a drought) - make that go get a pedi with Janice.
The nursery is ready and the bag is packed. All we need now is our baby to arrive happy and healthy!
Pictures will be posted when my photographer gets home! Also, the times posted on the blogs don't accurately reflect the current time. Traci - at 4am I am snoozing, don't worry:)

Update

I just realized it's been 15 days since my last post, eek. Good news is that all is well and I am 5 weeks from my due date. Thor is getting bigger by the minute and still as active as ever. I start going to the doctor every week now. It's exciting and scary all at the same time... I am sure I have said that before, but it's very true.
My (Thor's) second shower is today with work folks. We are excited to see all the cute stuff come his way and for a fun and relaxing day. The last 3 weeks have been very hectic and stressful, more stress than a 36 week pregnant lady needs. I look forward to next week when my schedule opens up a bit and I begin the final stretches of my journey to motherhood.
New belly pictures coming this week!

Animals

Yeah, the animals are coming! At present the nursery has one faceless giraffe, but the rest of the animals should arrive this weekend. Look for pictures to come!
As of Saturday the 20th, the giraffe is done! The elephant is on its way.

33 Weeks

Here I am at 33 weeks. In the background and also in the picture below is the nursery minus the jungle animals. The giraffe, lion, elephant, and monkey are set to arrive next weekend (I hope).
Ted and I started pre-natal classes last week.
We went on a tour of the maternity area;
we saw the nursery (with 2 adorable newborns in the window);
we went through the check-in process (which involves going upstairs and telling the OB nurse that you are going to have a baby);
AND the role of the Support Person.
The book says the Support Person should avoid eating onions or other spicy foods prior to delivery. This is because of their role in helping with the breathing - hee hee who.
Should I write that again? - NO ONIONS OR OTHER NASTY SMELLING FOODS ON YOUR BREATH PLEASE. Ted will be on a special diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and water starting week 38, just in case. Love you honey!

Correction

I received an editorial on the blog that should be shared. A correction to the last post...the shower is a party for Thor. It's just the first step in taking a back seat. Oh well, he'll be much cuter than me anyway. I'll just remind him for the rest of his life of the sacrifices I made for him:)

Week 28

So I am a little late in posting a week 28 picture (as well as the new haircut for those of you far away). I am now at week 31. The thought for weeks 28-31 is FATIGUE. All the new moms I talk to just nod their heads. It's amazingly tiring is it to create a new person. I am still working out 4 or so days a week. I figure I am going to be tired either way, I might as well try to stay in shape, so at least keep some kind of shape.
Thor continues to be very entertaining. He doesn't so much kick as he rolls over and wiggles with the strategically placed kick that makes me jump half out of my seat.
The next couple weeks will be about preparing. My friend Rebekah has been so kind as to throw me a baby shower this coming weekend and Erin, Andi, and Janice at the Y are hosting one at the end of October. In addition to getting the necessities for Thor it's also really nice to have a party thrown for me. At my age people don't usually throw you birthday parties and prior to this our wedding was the biggest shindig where I was the guest of honor (along with Ted, of course - didn't forget you honey!).
Speaking of which, Ted thinks I am ... hyper-preparing, let's say. And maybe I am. I just like to know that I have taken care of the little things before all the excitement begins.

Haircut for a Cause

Well, I did it. About 2 weeks ago now, but I did it. I cut 10 inches off of my hair to donate to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Check them out at www.locksoflove.org. Do you have long hair? You do it too, it's easy, just takes some sissors, I'll help if you'd like!

The new hair do is fun actually. It's a forced change (like I needed another change right now), it's a break from the heat, and it's actually kind of cute! Will it stay this short? Who knows, we will have to see what the other changes in my life bring.

I'd like to ask everyone for a minute to think of what small act they could preform or task they could take on that could help out someone in need. It could be as simple and painless as cutting your long hair, or you could spend a couple weekends building a house for Habitat for Humanity, or you could volunteer at a hospice to help families in need.
You know you can do something, what is it?

Agony of De-Feet

Pedicures have been that fun, little woman indulgence that I developed several years ago. What could be better than having an hour to have your feet rubbed and scrubbed; to have your toenails polished so much better than you ever could on your own? Pedicures are good for that and they are time to spend with my friend Janice. To talk about the week, the baby, work, whatever. Now they are a necessity that health insurance should cover. But, since mine doesn't pay for more than one ultrasound, I don't forsee that happening.
Unable to reach my toes without getting breathless my monthly trip to the nail salon is a must. Sure I could go without and leave my toenails nude all summer.........who am I kidding, no I couldn't!
Since it's after Labor Day, I think I need a nice burgundy!

Unwritten Rules

A woman told me the other day that there is an unwritten rule about pregnant women. This is that one should be careful around pregnant women. Let then cross safely at the cross walk, hold the door for them, etc. The people of Charlotte may need this rule to actually be written down because they appear to be unaware of it.
As I cross the street at work each day in search of my DECAF coffee, I face the same challenge as always. Maybe the people in their cars are thinking that they will hurry and get out of the way so I have a clear street to cross? Maybe I don't look pregnant enough? Maybe they are thinking that I could use a sprint across the street to workout all those extra pastries? Looking at the 6 month picture here I don't think that could be the case. The distribution of weight definately says PREGNANT.
So for anyone who reads this, slow down for the pregnant lady and consider holding the door once in a while.

3rd Trimester

The 3rd trimester is certainly looking different than the last 2. Mom says there is no hiding the fact that I am pregnant. That's as if I wanted to. Thor is kicking like he means it now and often moves into a new position causing all kinds of motion in my belly. It is definately one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. I could forget about all the backaches, heartburn, fatigue, and moodiness while watching him move. The books say he will triple in size between now and birth and maybe my belly will too. I will keep you up to date with each new belly picture.

Diet Coke and Starbucks

Diet Coke is my new wine. For 10 months I cannot drink alcohol. Not really a big deal most of the time, except for those days you just need "something". Aspartame is a "use sparingly" substance for pregnant women, so its not an every day thing. But sometimes a dose of the articifially sweetened, carbonated, carmel colored liquid is just that "something".

Then there is the grade, half-caf, iced americano with a splash of skim milk. Somedays its all decaf and some days Thor gets a little shot of caffiene. I can tell he likes it by the acrobatics in my belly. A Starbucks opened around the corner from my house about 3 months ago and I have already become a regular fixture there most mornings on my way to work. I think I enjoy the coffee shop atmosphere as much as the drink itself. My dad used to drink decaf all day long and my brother and I used to think - what is the point of coffee without the caffiene. Well, now I know.

The pregnancy books warm against the use of cocaine and heroine during pregnancy. I think I should be fine with my 2 little indulgences!

For Thor

This blog is for my son. We are not telling is name until he is born, so for now he is Thor. Thor is the God of Thunder and War. Maybe we should have chosen something else.

Marvel Comics had a character named Thor seen to the left. Looks like a boy that loves his mama! Ted is proud of the fact that he will know how to use a hammer.

My Thor looks more like the picture below at 12 weeks. Now at 25 weeks he is much bigger. More pictures of his growth to come.