Chicken Soup for Mother's Day and a GIVEAWAY!

Chicken Soup for the Soul...we've all heard about the amazing series of books that have sold over one hundred million copies since 1993! In fact, USA Today has named the original Chicken Soup for the Soul one of the most memorable and impactful books in the last 25 years...that's pretty impressive. Two new titles have been recently released and would make great mother's day gifts...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Do you ever get the feeling you are turning into your mother? (YIKES!) The similarities that moms & daughters share make up some of the most heartwarming and amusing stories in this book. You can read about this and many other mother/daughter topics such as learning from each other, a mother's wisdom, raising teenage daughters, and becoming best friends with your mom.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Moms and Sons

A collection of stories written by moms, grandmothers, and sons about their special relationships. It includes touching and funny stories about many topics such as being a good sport and how to raise a wonderful man. According to most of these mothers and sons, being a "mama's boy" is a good thing.

Check out all of the books in the Chicken Soup series on their website. There are so many to choose from...sports, religion, pets, college...there is definitely something for everyone! I am thinking about picking up the one on Empty Nesters for my mom. And with Mother's Day right around the corner, I am going to send TWO lucky winners a copy of one of these books! To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment about a happy Mother's Day memory from your past or tell me your exciting Mother's Day plans for this year. Don't forget to leave me your email address so I can find you if you are one of the winners. Please make a note if you would be more interested in receiving the Mother/Daugther or Mother/Son copy. For an extra entry, post about this giveaway on your blog and link to me. For two extra entries, follow me on twitter. The winners will be announced next Thursday...good luck to everyone!

Belly Pics 23 weeks

We have slacked big time with taking belly pics. I am pretty bummed because we kinda missed the pop. I am currently 23 weeks. Of course I can't seem to find a 23 week picture of me with Eliza so I am sandwiching my current pic in between a 22 week and 24 week of me with Eliza. My husband the fab photographer couldn't manage to get a normal looking picture of my face so I apologize for my wacky expression. I think my belly is noticeably bigger this time around. Or maybe it is just more round. Don't you also love the string on my pants? I think we will be doing a retake very soon.

22 weeks with Eliza

23 week with Baby #2

24 weeks with Eliza

Wordless Wednesday Blooper Edition

Bitch/Beach Fest

I never made it to my mom's. I had to go and pick up my blood work prescriptions this morning and then go to Quest to give them more darn blood. I think at this point they have more of my blood then I do. They actually know me by face. I don't think it will be long before I start going on lunch dates with my phlebotomist. Also, I had no clean clothes for Eliza and no food that I could toss in a bag and take with me. So I decided to stay home and wash my hands like a fiend. How many layers of dermis do we have? Just wondering because I think I have scrubbed about 3 off so far today.

in less bitchy and more beachy news

We took Eliza to visit Dana and Brian in their new beach house on Saturday. Although it was about 87 degrees in mots of NJ it was about 50 at the beach! it was windy and cold but E didn't care. She was ecstatic. I don't think I have ever seen her so happy in all her 19 months. I think the word elation best descried her overall reaction to the beach.

Here are some snap shots of our trip.

My husband took all of these.

I am responsible for catching THIS adorable moment!

Eliza and Brian

and one last bitch- Coxsackie Coxsuckies. We are going to miss Alessia's first birthday tonight. We just didn't think a virus was an acceptable gift and we don't know if Eliza is infected. Argh

Sure to Make You Smile

I think (not 100% sure yet) we are going to stay at my mom's for the rest of the week. I am hoping E does NOT have coxsackie. My fingers are crosses so hard they hurt. Hopefully, staying with my mom will help me limit my exposure until we know for sure.

anyhoo...

I wanted to share some pics from my husband's latest infant shoot. I think he is amazing. When I think about him sitting at a desk all day not doing something creative it kills me.

“If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.”

Here is his website link if you would like to contact him directly.

Peter Miller Photography


Here is his Flickr link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22183551@N07/

any feedback is appreciated!

Not the update I planned

I am back after a tv free/computer free week. I had planned to update on how my week went. However, I guess that was too boring because I found out today that E and I were exposed to Coxsackie yesterday. We had direct contact with a lil boy who was diagnosed this morning. His mommy called me right away to let me know so that I could call the Ped. and the Obgyn.

I am not sure if E has it yet because there is a dormancy period of 3-6 days and last time she showed symptoms after about 5 days. If this is a different strain she can become infected again. I need to look out for fever, irritability, rash, and sores in the throat.

I also have to give blood tomorrow and again in three weeks for the Ob to monitor. Additionally, I need to limit my contact with Eliza until I know if she is infected. This is not going to be easy since I am her primary caregiver. She also has allergies and I have to wipe her nose about a zillion times a day which exposes to me to the virus if she is infected. So I am using gloves for diapers and washing my hands a zillion times.

I am trying to stay positive. This is no easy task for me. I made the mistake of googling and of course read some stuff that sent me into a tizzy. I am much calmer now.

That is what is new with me. Sooooo what's new with you?

Picky Eaters Unite

Miss Eliza Marie has decided she is going to join the picky eaters club! All of a sudden she is shunning food she once devoured. She is still scarfing down most fruits and veggies so I can't really complain. AAHHH well I knew her eat anything attitude was too good to last. I am not really stressing it though because I am not about to get into a power struggle over food with a 19 month old.

I offer her what I am making for dinner. I try to make things I know she likes. I may give her one alternative-like pasta-but I am not a short order cook and that is not going to change.

I am going pack my muffin tins with healthy snack options a little more often. She is just super busy most of the time. I think she is just too busy to eat. It doesn't really bother me if she comes and goes and snacks here and there.

Only two more computer free days and I will be back.

On why I have snaggle toes...

I am still not here but my snaggle toes are alive and well.

I am in desperate need of a pedicure.

I have read some pretty negative stuff about nail polish lately and since I try to err on the side of caution and haven't purchased and safe polish yet-my toe nails are bare.

Add to that the fact that at E's last doctor appointment they were playing one of those horrific documentaries in the waiting room that showed the dangers of pedicures from a salons. It was enough to turn my stomach. So I am pretty sure I will be avoiding salon manis and pedis during pregnancy and nursing.

I will just have to settle for Pete massaging my legs and painting my toenails. ;0

I am looking into some safe nail polish options. One that I have found is a water based nail polish called Polished Momma that you can get at the Cotton Babies site. This is where I purchase my cloth diapers and my cloth diaper detergent etc. I might as well throw a little treat for momma into the shopping cart. Mother's Day is right around the corner after all.

According to Safe Mama Nicole by OPI is a safe option. It doesn't contain DBP, Toluene or Formaldehyde ad is available at Target. I'll have to check this one out too.

I am also looking into nail polish by Zoya and someone also mentioned one by Chi?

Here is an article- pro and con- on whether traditional nail polish is safe during pregnancy. Babble!

What is your take on the topic?

Wordless Wednesday

Are you ERF'ing?

Still not really here. Hope I am doing something fun with all my computer free time.

I am a proud ERF momma.

Pete I decided a long time ago to keep Eliza in the rear facing position for as long as possible. It just seemed like common sense to us. I want to do was is safest for Eliza and that is not always what is easiest or convenient for me. I must admit that sometimes I wish I didn't have to check on her through a shoddy plastic mirror. However, if facing backwards would save her life in a crash that it is a no brainer. Now I am happy to see the AAP has finally recommended that toddlers be kept in the rear facing position until at LEAST 2! This is of course in accordance with car seat manufacturer guidelines. I did receive quite a few strange looks when I explained to some- my mom and the guy at the car rental place in Kansas- that rear facing position was much safer. I am just glad that I am not the only one who is a FANatic about this issue.

Here is the AAP article

Here are additional resources on ERF position.

AAAP Car Seat Guide

Informative Article on ERF!

Brochure on Rear Facing Position

Car Safety.org Info

Just for fun- If you have a picture of your child ERF'ing you can post it to the extended rear facing photo club!

Digital Detox Week- UNPLUG YOURSELF!

I am signing off for turnoff week - April 20-26

What does that mean for me?

It means No TV, No Desktop and No laptop. However, I will still be texting. But...I will not be texting on twitter or facebook. I was going to post on Twitter through my phone but decided that would be wrong and defeat my overall goal. However, I have scheduled some short posts that will appear in my absence.

Maybe in September- or even next spring- I will start a team for this event. Unfortunately, I think I might be the only member because those around me don't seem to be jumping on my no TV bandwagon. Even my husband refused to give up his one or two shows just this week. I guess I am just not all that inspiring.

Here is why I am unplugging...

I love camping. One of the things I love about camping is the simplicity. I usually have no cell phone service, no computer access and no TV. I leave feeling refreshed. My mind is clear. I have had a chance to connect with nature and converse with people in person. I wasn't worried about checking comments, or e-mails or updates. And I usually could care less about all of those things. I hope to experience that same feeling at home. I want to be more in tune with Eliza and with Pete. I can't do that just by turning off the TV. It MUST be both for me.

Honestly, who the heck really cares if you miss a couple shows, tweets or blog posts. Really? Is it that big of a deal. All that stuff means nothing in the long run. I hate to be so negative, because I do enjoy my computer time- but if it ever becomes so important than I can't live without it-then I have a SERIOUS issue.

Do challenge yourself to NOT watch TV or use the computer for the week. I understand many people need to use the computer for work. That doesn't count. I am talking about recreational use. Unplug yourself and give your brain a rest for 7 days.

I will be keeping a short journal to record my thoughts and feelings during the week. You remember journals right? It is kinda like a blog but on paper and you write with this cool thing called a pen.

If you decide to unplug I would love to hear about your experience.

and now I must pull the plug... gurgle gurgle gurgle

What is your stance?

I am not really here. My computer and TV are off for turnoff week. However, I decided to schedule a few posts during my absence. I am not gone for good. I am sure you are all blogging some awesome stuff-but I will just have to try and catch up after turn off week is finished.

Have you heard?

The AAP is now changing their stance regarding the connection between introducing certain foods and food allergies? It seems there is not enough evidence that introducing certain foods at a later time will prevent food allergies.

I first saw this on Baby411 blog and decided to investigate it further.

Quote taken from Pediatrics

In summary, the evidence from these conflicting studies, in balance, does not allow one to conclude that there is a strong relationship between the timing of the introduction of complementary foods and development of atopic disease. This raises serious questions about the benefit of delaying the introduction of solid foods that are thought to be highly allergic (cow milk, fish, eggs, and peanut-containing foods) beyond 4 to 6 months of age; additional studies are needed.

The article also discusses guidelines for pregnant and nursing moms if you are interested.

I have been dying to give Eliza peanut butter. We have no food allergies in out family and so far she has not had a reaction to any food. Up until now I have been a nut case about this and it seems that it was all for nothing. I think I will soon be saying bring on the PB & B! I do it up Elvis style with Peanut Butter and Bananas!

Organizing E's Toys

I am pretty sure I previously mentioned that I rotate Eliza's toys. Eliza is learning to clean up after herself-sometimes. It is a work in progress. However, I think it is much easier for her to clean up when there are not too many things to mess up.

I am NOT a fan of toy boxes. I refuse to buy one for Eliza because I think toys end up broken, with missing pieces and mostly forgotten. There is nothing more annoying that attempting to play with a toy or game that has missing pieces. Up until now I have been storing E's toys in all kinds of hidden places around the house. It wasn't really working for me and Marcy suggested I try some clear plastic bins. SCORE! I love this idea. I purchased four clear bins to organize and rotate her toys. Now, every week or two I can just rotate the bins. As she receives new toys I will make adjustments to the bins.

Here is my plan. I would love to take pics but hubby has the camera on a photo shoot today.

Step one
Round up all of E's toys from various hiding places. I am going through them to check if anything is broken. Also, if she no longer is interested in a toy I will either find it a new permanent home or put it in storage for baby #2. So far, I have two missing pieces that I am attempting to track down. This is extremely annoying. I have searched high and low and still can't find the pieces. Hopefully, something will turn up soon.

Step 2
Arrange them into the bins. I plan to divide the puzzles up, stacking toys, sorting toys etc. so that there is usually one of each kind in each bin. I have a LOT of puzzles so I will either double up or or put some away for a long while.

Step 3
Find a place to put the bins! :) They need to be accessible to me but not to E!

I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ babies- at least not until 36 weeks

This morning I had my OB appointment. Can I ask why they have to weigh me before the appointment? Can't they wait 'til I am smiling and on my way out the door? I know I am going to gain weight but then I spend the next ten minutes doing calculations in my head of how much I have gained and how much I will still likely gain. So far in 21weeks I have gained 14-15 lbs. I have 19 weeks left and if I gain a pound a week my total weight gain would be around 35 lbs which is a fine wight gain. However, I gained 6 lbs over the last four weeks. What the heck have I been eating? It was those darn jelly beans!

Today I met the other doctor at the practice and unfortunately I was not a huge fan. Luckily, I will see the other doctor 90% of the time. Unluckily, this doc. could deliver my baby. However, last time my doctor swooped in about three pushes before Eliza made her entrance so in my opinion the doctor is not quite as important as the hospital, nursing staff and of course my husband. It also could have been a not so great first impression. She is a close talker and I know she is used to get VERY close to people-however, I am not really a close talker, huggy, kissy kind a gal.

I was so rattled after my visit that I missed my exit and had to call my husband for directions home. There were two things that upset me during the visit. She asked if I had any questions/concerns about the pregnancy. I honestly didn't but mentioned that I am already thinking about labor/delivery and about breastfeeding.I was not thrilled with her responses-especially after I overheard her discussing constipation with another mom- to-be in the next room for like 10 minutes.

In regards to breastfeeding...
She told me not to worry about it until I had something to breastfeed. This was pretty much her response even after I told her about my difficulty last time. She said all babies are different. DUH! I know all babies are different but this momma is the same. Am I just supposed to hope the baby latches on a goes to town? She said the hospital is very supportive of breastfeeding. I already knew this and it makes me very happy. However, I did ok with Eliza at the hospital. It was after we got home that the trouble started. I think she was basically telling me not to stress yet. However, I think it should have been handled differently. I am an anxious person and I need to do more than just wait and see how it goes. I actually think this is pretty lousy advice for any mom who plans to breastfeed. At the least you need a support system in place. Trying to find a lactation consultant when I was already having problems was stressful. If I had someone I knew and trusted things would have been much easier.

In regards to labor and delivery...

She told me we would discuss it at 36 weeks. What? She didn't even ask about my concerns. I would have been happy to tell her about my previous experience but it didn't seem all that important. I delivered Eliza at 38 weeks. Somehow I think discussing my labor plans at 36 weeks is little too late.

I know I could switch doctors but I do like the other doctor at the practice. Also, new doctors cause me lost of anxiety and I don't know which seems worse at this point- finding and meeting a new doctor or delivering with a doctor who doesn't thrill me. In all honesty I have spoken to numerous moms in the area and they all have had similar experiences. What is with New Jersey and birthing babies?

I am thinking I def. want to take the Bradley classes. I am not sure about a Doula but I am still considering it as an option. I would REALLY have to click with someone to have them assist with the birth.

and now a scene from my favorite movie-

Prissy: Is the doctor come?
Scarlett: No, he can’t come.
Prissy: Oh, Miss Scarlett, Miss Melanie’s bad off.
Scarlett: He can’t come, there’s nobody to come. Prissy, you’ve got to manage without the doctor, I’ll help you.
Prissy: Oh, lawsy, Miss Scarlett.
Scarlett: Well, what is it?
Prissy: Lawsy, we got to have a doctor, I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ babies!

Side Effects of Going Off The Pill

So I decided last Christmas that I would stop taking the pill.  I was planning on staying on it until this summer which would give me a year for my body to get back to normal before ttc summer of 2010 hopefully.  But when it was time to renew my prescription, I just figured that I would save the money and January was my first official month with no pill.  I am very interested in hearing what other people's experiences were like going off the pill because so far I am not really loving life so much.

I had been on ortho tri cyclen since college, before that everything was totally regular with my periods & my skin was great.  I went on it strictly for birth control reasons.   I thought it was going to be smooth sailing when the end of January rolled around and my period came right on time.  The February came and no period...kind of strange to me.  I was pretty convinced I was pregnant for a while but a test was negative and I finally got my period in the middle of March.  That would have been fine except this time it brought horrible cramps which had me up at night and sleeping with a heating pad on my tummy.  That wasn't the worst of it either, now my skin is freaking out big time.  Concealer is my new best friend these days!  I have more pimples than I ever had when I was a teenager and now my skin is extremely oily.  I am hoping I can get that under control with some stronger face wash and zit cream, but i'm trying all kinds of makeup in the mean time to try and cover everything up.  I'm not sure but I also think I am gaining weight too.  

I guess it could be worse.  I have read that some people experience the following effects of going off the pill:  hair falling out, periods lasting over a week and  mood swings.  On the up side, I have read that your sex drive increases.  Still waiting for that to happen!

US Pics!

Here are the pics of my lil bean. He/she is 13 oz.




Seeing the baby has thrown my nesting instinct into overdrive. All of a sudden I am looking around thinking that we have A LOT to do before baby arrives. The problem is that we live in a tiny condo-ok! not really that tiny- and have a lot of stuff. We also have very little storage space with no attic, basement or garage. We need to get rid of some stuff and reorganize. I am thinking of selling our bassinet and getting a Moses basket. We actually have two swings this time-one for each floor. We also have two bouncy seats for the same reason. I thought we did- now I can't seem to remember where one bouncy seat went. I can't see myself lugging equipment, Eliza and baby up and down the stairs. Sometimes I dream of living on one level. Any suggestions from other moms living on two levels? I will also need to set up another changing station. We currently change Eliza downstairs on the floor near the bathroom. With two little ones I need to be a bit more organized.

I know I still have time but it suddenly doesn't seem so far away. I better get a TO Do list together for myself and a Honey Do List together for my Pete. I am sure he will be thrilled to bits.

Wordless Wednesday

Eliza's Birth Story -19 months Later

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Eliza's birth. I originally intended to write up a birth story after Eliza was born but my mood was not good and I just did not feel like writing. I had a really hard time after she was born. I expected to have a hard time. I have dealt with depression before and I had a feeling my hormones were going to give me a a bit of the downers. My failure at breastfeeding didn't help the situation. I was in no mood for sharing. If anything I was feeling very distant from everyone even in a room full of people. So 19 months later, with the birth of baby #2 coming very quickly, I have started to look back at my experience more closely.

The interesting thing is that my husband and I view things from completely different perspectives. We went to the hospital. I delivered. We brought home a beautiful baby girl and for him that is the story. For me things are not so cut and dry.

I am one of those people who actually liked Lamaze. It was the only class offered at my hospital and I really didn't think of taking anything else. I didn't have a definite birth plan because I had read over and over again that you just never know what is going to happen. However, I think that once the reality and pain of labor set in a lot of things I wanted to happen didn't happen. I lost a sense of what I wanted out of the experience. I lost my ability to be in charge of what happened to me. I was weak. I admit that I am a big freaking baby. I was hoping to deliver drug free. I wasn't set on a drug free delivery but deep down I wanted to see if I was strong enough. Needless to say after six hours of contractions every three minutes I caved. I was so close to saying no, but I said yes to the epidural. Even with the epidural I was a big baby. When it came time to push I really did try to find a happy place- a stool at the swim up bar in Mexico. However, it didn't help and I remember saying I wanted to leave. I wanted to go home to my mom. If I wasn't attached I think I might have tried to leave.

I remember when my dog, Chiquita, gave birth to her first litter of puppies. My dad and I had read up and were as prepared as possible for her delivery. After the first pup was born she ran around the room scared dragging the puppy by its umbilical cord. She was freaked out big time. She was not naturally maternal. Luckily my dad and I had read that it was important to get the puppy to nurse right away. Once that first puppy latched on and started to nurse it was like a sudden calm came over her. She delivered the rest of her litter carefully cutting the umbilical cord and cleaning each puppy. It was like seeing two different dogs . When I was about to give birth to Eliza I absolutely felt like getting off that table and running the hell away. I was scared and in pain and so not naturally maternal. I know it sounds terrible but it is the truth. On top of that, I asked to nurse but was told that I couldn't because the doctor wanted to see the baby first. I didn't get to see Eliza again for a few hours.



I think the first bad decision I made was to stay at the hospital. Even though my contractions started at three minutes apart I still could have returned home for a while. I think I was so excited to be in labor that I figured staying at the hospital was a good idea. It was about eleven o'clock at night and I wasn't sure what I would do at home. I think if it had been day time and I could have walked around outside I would have made a different decision. Instead, I was immediately hooked up to monitors and pretty much bed ridden for the remainder of the delivery. I continued to contract every two or three minutes. At around 1:oo am I think they asked about the epidural. At this point I was already getting something for pain in an IV. I don't even know what they gave me but they basically told me I needed to rest. So I did sleep until the pitocin they gave me kicked in and I was in even worse pain.



Then came the epidural which took about 4 tries and about 45 minutes. Of course I had a lovely catheter as well. Most of what happened is a big blur to me. At one point they turned me on my side because of something happening with the baby. Then they basically forgot about me until I buzzed them to ask what was going on. It was a really busy night and I was in a room at the end of the hall. I thought my catheter was irritating me but it was actually Eliza's crowning.


The epidural (or possibly something else they gave me?) ended up giving me what I would call the shakes. I was shivering uncontrollably and my teeth were chattering. It was really scary. I ended up pushing for 1 1/2 hours and E was born extremely alert.


It wasn't exactly the birth story I had envisioned. I felt like I failed by getting the epidural. I know I didn't fail and that it is a silly thought but in my mind it will always seem like a failure. I wonder if there had been more people telling me I could do it and less of the, "you don't need to be a martyr speeches" I might have resisted the drugs.

I am not really sure what I want this time around. I have been considering The Bradley Method and trying to go natural again. However, I am just not sure if I can handle the pain. Like I said I am a big baby with a very low pain tolerance. If I attend Bradley classes I think when push comes to shove Pete is going to hold me to my no epidural! I have been going back and forth and I am more confused now then before. I didn't enjoy feeling like a patient at the hospital. I have considered hiring a Doula but I am not sure I am entirely comfortable with that either.

On a side note...
I think it is funny that people who drop thousands and thousands of dollars on a wedding think it is strange to hire someone to assist with a birth. People need help coordinating napkins and invitation but not with easing the pain of labor or with breastfeeding or with the overwhelming reality that is motherhood? I get it that the people at the hospital are there to help- but they aren't really there for the mother. They also have other patents and procedure they follow that are not always in the patients best interest. Shocking-I KNOW- they sometimes do things that make their jobs easier. Lastly, I can assure you that my wedding day will probably become a little fuzzy-but I will always remember giving birth.

Anyhoo, I still haven't made a decision. I am kinda of hoping for a birth epiphany!

Transportation- Weekly Unplugged Project

I have been meaning to write about this amazing blog called Unplug Your Kids. This family lives a life free of TV, Video Game and loud toys. Each week the blog hosts an unplugged project. I decided to participate in last week's unplugged project. The theme was transportation. In honor of the theme we worked on a puzzle about transportation, took a trip to the canal museum in PA, and played red light/ green light!

Here are some pics from our trip to the canal museum.

Please check out Unplug Your Kids if you are interested in participating in the 3rd Annual Turnoff Week blog challenge. I will be participating in the challenge. I am hoping to turn off my TV (it isn't on much anyway) and computer for the entire week. Yup! Cold Turkey on the computer just might kill me. I could try to cut back but I am afraid I would end up cheating. I am already considering no TV at all for E in the summer but am not 100% sure yet. I currently use 25 minutes of Signing Time to get cooking done that I just can't seem to get done while E is tugging on my pants. If Pete was home a little earlier I would not put it on at all. There is certainly something to be said for cutting back on screen time. My niece was not allowed to watch TV while Eliza was awake and instead taught herself how to knit. Something tells me that would not have happened if she was glued to the TV all week. I personally believe it is all the wonderful things you miss out on while zoning out to mindless shows that makes watching TV so harmful.

What are your plans for TV turnoff week?

Screens & Young Children Fact sheet

Easter Pics!

Here are a few pics from Easter!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Eliza was busy playing with her new treasures this morning. I will post some pics later. We are going to her grammyita's for dinner tonight.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Bring Your Baby To Work...Everyday?

I heard a very interesting story on the radio yesterday about mothers who bring their babies to work with them full time. There are around 100 companies in the US that have implemented this kind of a program.  Obviously it wouldn't work if you are a teacher, cashier, or many other kinds of jobs...but for someone like me who basically sits in an office all day and works on the computer it would probably work out ok.  This is assuming the child is basically in a good mood most of the time and would allow me to get my work done.  I think most of the companies will make sure you have the permission of a co-worker to leave the baby with them if you have extra work to get done, need to go to a meeting, etc. Now there's a perfect job for my assistant!

I must admit that the cost of child care is one of the top concerns my husband has that is keeping me from having a baby before we are a two income family (he is still in school for another year).  We are guessing that it will cost us about $1,000 a month for a nanny/daycare 5 days a week for the baby.  I think bringing a baby into work might actually be an option for me, maybe a 2-3 days a week, and the other days with the nanny/daycare.  Hmm...I will have to forward this website to my boss asap.  For more information on babies at work programs, check out this website.

What are your thoughts?  Have any of you heard of this or tried it?

Belly Pics! 20 weeks

I have been a little MIA this week spending lots of time with my niece and E. My niece used a loom to make a bunch of pot holders, we made more recycled crayons, and she taught herself to knit. Tomorrow we are off to the Crayola Factory. Pete is off and it is great having him home.

Here are my belly comparison pics for 20 weeks. It is hard to believe I am halfway baked. It sure is going fast. I have my level 2 ultrasound scheduled for next week. Overall, I am feeling great. However, I have been anxious about feeling the baby move. I was feeling the baby constantly for a few days and now practically nothing. It all makes me a bit nutty. I think we might be getting a Doppler tomorrow.

20 Weeks with Eliza

20 weeks with baby #2

Spring Photo Shoot

Pete took some pics of Eliza yesterday. It was a beautiful day and I didn't want to come inside. Of course today it is raining. BOO! My niece is staying with me this week so we are busy, busy, busy! I am going to get started on some spring cleaning. Wish me luck!