Thursday, May 27, 2010

My 3D ultrasound experience...

So last weekend, my boyfriend and I had our 3D/4D ultrasound scheduled. We had seen how detailed the pictures are online and decided that this is something we definitely wanted to experience, especially since this is our first child.

I had come into contact with a girl via my pregnancy community on Live Journal, who happened to live very close to me and had the ultrasound done as well for a very reasonable price. She recommended a place called Treasure Moments a few miles away from me. It turns out that her best friend is the ultrasound tech there which is I'm sure the reason the place came so highly recommended to me. I looked at their website and although it wasn't the best, I thought that they had a great portfolio of pictures and very reasonable pricing packages. They advertised a 100" theater screen, and a 'living room' like setting displaying pictures of comfy leather couches. They said you can bring a maximum of 15 people along to share the experience.

Saturday morning we wake up at the crack of dawn to get ready for the appointment. I originally told my boyfriend that we need to stop by Starbucks because 1) I was extremely tired and 2) I wanted to get some caffeine and sugar in me to get the baby moving. He decided we would go to a Starbucks close to the freeway instead of the one right by our house. Well, we get to the freeway when we realize that the Starbucks he was thinking of was no longer there and we now had no time to find another one. I was definitely irked, but tried to brush it off and stay positive.

We arrive in the area and start looking for the office building. As our surroundings become more and more seedy, I can't help but start to feel a little worried... Pretty soon we are in an industrial area filled with warehouses. I couldn't believe it when I saw the address we were looking for in a deserted alley filled with 1 room offices backed with a warehouse. We had my mom, older sister, nephew, MIL, FIL, BIL and SIL all meet us there and I could see them looking around curiously as well. We go into the 'lobby' and I'm immediately handed paperwork including a release form that says they basically don't guarantee anything and my signature was required.

Pretty soon we are called back into the ultrasound area and you can imagine my surprise when I realize their 'living room' setting was 10 plastic folding chairs and the 100" screen was really a projector image on a wall. The tech tells me to lay down on the table and puts the warming goo all over my belly. She immediately starts poking around and exclaims that both of Cayden's arms are in front of his face blocking her view. She starts taking pictures anyway of such exciting things as his legs and a close up of his scrotum. She's not letting the image stay in 3D allowing us to get a good look at all. I suggest that I lay on my side to try to get him to move so she can get better pictures. No luck. I get up a try to walk around, shake my belly a little, and even drink a disgusting can of Sunkist orange soda in hopes that the sugar will wake him up and get him moving. During this time, the tech completely leaves the room. She comes back in several minutes later to try again. I lay back down, am covered in more goo, and she starts looking again. Still no luck. He had moved one of his arms, but was still sucking on his fingers so she couldn't get a decent shot. After about 3 minutes, she says sorry, that's the best she can do and quickly escorts us back to the lobby.The session was supposed to be 15 minutes long (she probably tried to get shots for maybe 5 minutes of that) and was supposed to include 10 black and white pictures, and 15 colored pictures in 3D. We were also supposed to receive a DVD movie of the experience including the sound of his heartbeat (which she let us hear for a grand 5 seconds). The receptionist hands me my receipt ($85 down the drain...) along with an envelope containing a few black and white pictures, a screen shot of his measurements, and a screen shot of his heart beat (?). Included was also about 7 colored 3D pictures: 1 of his legs, 2 identical pictures of his scrotum, and a few decent face shots, with and without arms covering. Our movie turned out to be an old school VHS which we STILL haven't seen because WHO THE HELL HAS A VCR THESE DAYS?

In the end, I'm glad we got to see Cayden and get a brief glimpse of our son, but I would NOT wish this experience on anyone else. I thought I did my research, but after getting this done I found out that most places will let you come back free for a 2nd try if you don't get good shots, or spend some extra time getting shots if the baby isn't in a great position. Mine offered none of these things.

After the ultrasound, my boyfriend and I and all of our family went out to a big breakfast which was of course my favorite part of the day (I am OBSESSED with breakfast food!). Naturally, as soon as I sat down and got some food in me the baby started moving all around in my belly... Little punk!

After everyone went their own ways, we went to go talk to Cayden's future nanny/babysitter. Like I said, she's an old family friend and a SAHM to her 1 year old son. I wanted Mando to meet her and get comfortable with her, and as soon as we sat down I knew it was going to work out great. She is so laid back, has a great personality, and our parenting styles are pretty much identical. We talked about all the details and everything just fell into place. I feel so much more at ease now and I'm not dreading leaving my baby while I'm at work anymore. :)

I did unfortunately catch a cold sometime last week and it had been getting progressively worse each day. I saw my OB on Monday who recommended Tylenol Cold and a lot of rest. I took the day off yesterday and relaxed at home with some tea and medicine, and I feel a lot better. I'm back at work today and just looking forward to a 3-day weekend!


Our first glimpse of baby Cayden!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

30 weeks

I'm not feeling so good this week, and keeping up with everything is starting to finally hit me (like a brick wall). I'll be 30 weeks on Sunday and I'm still working full time and will be for another 2 months or so until I'm able to go on maternity leave. I have my last final for school this Monday which means lots of studying, homework, plus a project/paper due. We also registered for our Preparation for Birth classes this week which begin in July (I should have done this months ago, but waited until the last minute of course). I still have to find some extra time to do the breastfeeding class, infant care class, get maternity photos taken, find a pediatrician, do my belly cast, and finish getting the house ready for a baby! I'm so thrilled that I'm getting closer to meeting my baby, but all this preparation is wearing me out. I am so jealous of the women who get to stay at home and relax during their pregnancies. That is the way things should be!


On top of that, this weekend I'm 'interviewing' the girl who will be Cayden's nanny once I get back from maternity leave. I use that term loosely because I've actually known her for like 10 years. She is my oldest sister's best friend and was the maid of honor in her wedding. She got pregnant at 17 and had another baby about a year ago so I know she's not only familiar with raising babies, but understands what it's like to be a young mom. She also has very similar parenting styles as I do (she breastfeeds and left her baby boy intact!) which is great. Plus she has a great sense of humor and is willing to watch the baby for a low price because she'll get to continue to stay home with her baby while making some extra money so it was a win-win situation for both of us. I'm excited about the arrangement and I really hope it works out.


We are going to get 3D/4D ultrasound pictures taken this weekend and I'm SO excited. I've wanted to do this ever since I first saw how crazy and detailed the pictures are. It's like getting a preview of your baby before actually seeing him in real life and it just blows my mind! I just can't wait to see what Cayden's face looks like and see him in so much detail while he's still growing inside my belly. I know a lot of people are iffy about it (and ultrasounds in general), because they feel like you shouldn't be able to see your baby until they're born, but I am going to take full advantage of this incredible technology! We are going to a free standing ultrasound boutique that has a living room like setting (big room, couches all around) and can seat up to 15 people. It also has a 100" screen so that everyone can see your baby up close and in detail. Because our families haven't been able to come to any appointments or ultrasounds thus far, I thought it would be fun to bring them so we can all experience this together. Mando's parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law will be there along with my mama, sister, and nephew. I can't wait to show you all the pictures.


Despite everything that I have going on, I'm still trying to find the time to do some of the things I love. I'm trying to spend a few minutes every night working on the baby blanket I'm knitting as well as get some prenatal yoga and swimming in for exercise. My baby shower is less than a month away and I AM SO EXCITED! You all know how much I love planning parties, and although my mama and sister are doing most of the planning they are kind enough to let me be involved knowing full well how neurotic and obsessive I can be. I just can't wait to see everything come together. The theme is sailor/nautical just like Cayden's nursery will be. I go wild with themes.


Last night I also baked for the first time in what seems like forever. I kind of cheated (boxed brownies), but it felt good to get back in the kitchen, put my apron on, and whisk away the day!




Mando drew a heart on my belly with the batter! Xoxo

Monday, May 17, 2010

The 'Mommy Club'

Being 28 weeks pregnant with my first little one (and yes, I do plan on having more), I can't help but feel like I've been initiated into some secret society, or what I like to call 'The Mommy Club'. The club you can only get into by beginning the wonderful journey called motherhood filled with teething babies and poop splattered walls. Whenever I see other pregnant women I glance at them with a knowing look and smile as if we're sharing a deep secret that only us mothers can understand... Finally I can weigh in on such important subjects as the importance of waterproof crib mattress pads (you layer them with sheets so if your little one has an accident, you can just strip 'em off and have another clean layer waiting for you... a secret my own mom taught me), and give my oh-so-helpful advice to those who are 'less' pregnant than me (prescription prenatals ALWAYS go down better than over the counter ones, especially if you take them at night after a big meal). Ironically when people do this to me it DRIVES ME CRAZY, but what can I say...
Once the little one is actually here I can't wait to have play dates with other mama's so we can complain about the cost of child care and constant lack of sleep. (Yes, it's the little things in life that keep me happy...) I can't help but feel a sense of importance about my life now that my main focus isn't on what bars I'll be going to this weekend or who slept with who.... again. Instead I get to sit with the other moms at baby showers and family gatherings and gossip about the younger girls who are (GOD FORBID!) being SOOOOOO promiscuous and throwing their lives away... And oh yes, I am officially responsible for bringing dishes and desserts to holiday dinners at my in-laws house. This is a BIG DEAL. I'm sure all of this self-righteousness will backfire and I'll soon be begging to go back to the good ol' days of one night stands and puking in the driveway, but for now, I'm enjoying feeling like I'm part of this members-only club...

My little sprout at 18 weeks!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Welcome!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog and my first official post! I hope I can be successful at this whole blogging thing and keep at it! I would love to be friends and follow all others out there and hopefully you feel the same! So just in case you don't know me 'in real life', here's a little background about me...

- I'm currently 22 years old and living in South Orange County, CA in a fabulous yet overpriced apartment. It may be small, but I do everything I can to make it feel like 'home'.

- I'm with the man of my dreams even though we aren't married... yet ;)

- I'm pregnant with my first child... a BOY! We couldn't be more excited to begin this new chapter of life. EDD 8/1/10.

- I love all things domestic! Hosting/planning parties and events, decorating, crafting, cooking and baking, shopping, and children! Being creative is such an outlet for me and it brings joy to my life!

- I truly believe that family should be the number one priority in anyone's life. I am a huge mama's girl and my 2 big sisters are my best friends. I'm lucky to come from a family consisting of all loud mouth and opinionated women and I wouldn't want it any other way. I can't wait to start new traditions with my own family in the not-so-distant future.

- I work full time at a really boring office job (that happens to pay pretty damn good), and I also go to school some nights during the week. I have awhile to go still, but my dream is to be an elementary school teacher. Preferably 2nd or 3rd grade.

- Last, but not least: I LOVE SPORTS. I'm a die hard Lakers and Steelers fan and I would rather spend my money to go to a play-off game then get a pedicure ANY day!

Most of my posts will probably be based on a clumsy mix of the above subjects, and hopefully will be interesting to anyone else reading this. I am very opinionated, but also very open-minded (if such a thing exists...) so although some posts of mine might be ranting about MY views on some things, keep in mind that I don't judge anyone else... what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. :)

So hopefully your eyes haven't glazed over yet and we can move on to my first post! :)

Mando and I :)