Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Queen of the Castle
I want a baby girl. There I said it. I want to braid someones hair, take her shopping, paint her nails, dress her up in gigantic headbands, buy her frilly baby bikinis, etc. I even want someone to share in my Tri Delta legacy, all the things I learned and friends I'd made in two short years.
I was glad that my first was a boy, someone to protect their little sister and make sure boys stayed away from her until she was (at least) 18. I thought for sure I'd be one of the lucky few that gets to have one of each. I'd have my perfect nuclear family - minus the dog, no thank you. And then I would be done having kids. Two arms, two parents, two kids.
When I was pregnant with Jake I had no morning sickness, gas, sleepless nights, or loss of appetite (normal things some women experience during pregnancy). The worst I experienced was some acid reflux at the end of the pregnancy. At that time I remember reading an article that some women who experience those above symptoms are more than likely carrying girls. Apparently little girls produce more estrogen in the womb therefore giving the mother morning sickness. I have three friends/friends of friends that had some sort of morning sickness, I guessed little girl and was right. The theory MUST work!
A week after I found out I was pregnant with number two I began to get nauseous, tired, gassy, indigestion, etc. Thanksgiving and Christmas were terrible because I didn't have much of an appetite. Needless to say this pregnancy is completely different than my last. I even checked the Chinese gender calendar (because I believe in that stuff and tried to plan both of my pregnancies by this calendar.) This MUST mean I'm carrying a little girl right?! But I told myself not to get my hopes up just in case it wasn't a girl. I'd tell people "I'd like one of each but would be happy so long as its a healthy baby." My fear was that I'd get in the ultrasound, see a penis, and start crying with disappointment. So I tried not to get my heart set on one or the other.
When I had Jake the ultrasound was done at 17 weeks, it has now been pushed back to 20 weeks. I contemplated going to a 3d ultrasound place in week 12 because I am impatient. Luckily my Mom talked me out of it and instead I called and scheduled my ultrasound asap...week 19. Last time family was allowed in the room immediately, this time only I was allowed. After the tech took pictures I'd be able to get Mom and Ryan, then we'd all find out together. The tech and I made small chat as she took pics of Cashew. It seemed like we'd been in there for at least 15 minutes making small chat. She asked if I preferred one gender over the other. I responded with the usual "as long as its healthy." She said "well it looks like he...the baby is healthy." SHIT. I let it go. When I went to get Mom and Ryan in the waiting room I think I had a "look" on my face because Ryan said "you know already huh?" "Nope." The tech turned the screen around so we all could see Cashew. The first thing we saw was him, spread eagle, sitting on the camera, penis floating. Ryan got the biggest smile on his face, I said nothing, and Mom gave a sigh of sadness. We left the hospital with little words and when Mom and I got in the car she told me she was sad because she had already begun planning all the fun girly things she wanted to do with her granddaughter. She fears that this is her only chance at grand kids because Zach is no where near the thought or possibility of it.
The next day I Facebooked an old high school friend who has two boys. I feel horrible because I AM excited to have another baby but I feel like my plans for a 4 person family are incomplete and that makes me feel horrible. It even hurts to admit it to other people because you never want to admit those kinds of things or feel ungrateful. And I don't want Cashew to feel my disappointment I already love him very much and can't wait to meet him. Anyways I messaged her for some advice on what she did and how its worked for her. It really helped because she shared that she too wanted a little girl but in the end its been the best thing to have two little boys, play mates, buddies to look out for each other, sure they fight but they are very close. That day I saw a Microsoft commercial; three brothers working on a project, the older one helping the little ones. I started crying, happily, thinking that those could be my boys one day.
It took a few days and some advice from a friend but I am so excited and I can't wait til July when I can meet Cashew. I know that Jake would be a great big brother either way but I think he will be an awesome big brother to his little brother. It never crossed my mind that I'd be a mom to two boys but it also didn't cross my mind that I'll have two mommy's boys who will love and protect me. I'll be the Queen of the Castle, I can totally handle that! And who knows, maybe one day I'll consider a third. Just don't tell Ryan. :)
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| How is this not one of the cutest things you've ever seen?! |
I was glad that my first was a boy, someone to protect their little sister and make sure boys stayed away from her until she was (at least) 18. I thought for sure I'd be one of the lucky few that gets to have one of each. I'd have my perfect nuclear family - minus the dog, no thank you. And then I would be done having kids. Two arms, two parents, two kids.
When I was pregnant with Jake I had no morning sickness, gas, sleepless nights, or loss of appetite (normal things some women experience during pregnancy). The worst I experienced was some acid reflux at the end of the pregnancy. At that time I remember reading an article that some women who experience those above symptoms are more than likely carrying girls. Apparently little girls produce more estrogen in the womb therefore giving the mother morning sickness. I have three friends/friends of friends that had some sort of morning sickness, I guessed little girl and was right. The theory MUST work!
A week after I found out I was pregnant with number two I began to get nauseous, tired, gassy, indigestion, etc. Thanksgiving and Christmas were terrible because I didn't have much of an appetite. Needless to say this pregnancy is completely different than my last. I even checked the Chinese gender calendar (because I believe in that stuff and tried to plan both of my pregnancies by this calendar.) This MUST mean I'm carrying a little girl right?! But I told myself not to get my hopes up just in case it wasn't a girl. I'd tell people "I'd like one of each but would be happy so long as its a healthy baby." My fear was that I'd get in the ultrasound, see a penis, and start crying with disappointment. So I tried not to get my heart set on one or the other.
When I had Jake the ultrasound was done at 17 weeks, it has now been pushed back to 20 weeks. I contemplated going to a 3d ultrasound place in week 12 because I am impatient. Luckily my Mom talked me out of it and instead I called and scheduled my ultrasound asap...week 19. Last time family was allowed in the room immediately, this time only I was allowed. After the tech took pictures I'd be able to get Mom and Ryan, then we'd all find out together. The tech and I made small chat as she took pics of Cashew. It seemed like we'd been in there for at least 15 minutes making small chat. She asked if I preferred one gender over the other. I responded with the usual "as long as its healthy." She said "well it looks like he...the baby is healthy." SHIT. I let it go. When I went to get Mom and Ryan in the waiting room I think I had a "look" on my face because Ryan said "you know already huh?" "Nope." The tech turned the screen around so we all could see Cashew. The first thing we saw was him, spread eagle, sitting on the camera, penis floating. Ryan got the biggest smile on his face, I said nothing, and Mom gave a sigh of sadness. We left the hospital with little words and when Mom and I got in the car she told me she was sad because she had already begun planning all the fun girly things she wanted to do with her granddaughter. She fears that this is her only chance at grand kids because Zach is no where near the thought or possibility of it.
The next day I Facebooked an old high school friend who has two boys. I feel horrible because I AM excited to have another baby but I feel like my plans for a 4 person family are incomplete and that makes me feel horrible. It even hurts to admit it to other people because you never want to admit those kinds of things or feel ungrateful. And I don't want Cashew to feel my disappointment I already love him very much and can't wait to meet him. Anyways I messaged her for some advice on what she did and how its worked for her. It really helped because she shared that she too wanted a little girl but in the end its been the best thing to have two little boys, play mates, buddies to look out for each other, sure they fight but they are very close. That day I saw a Microsoft commercial; three brothers working on a project, the older one helping the little ones. I started crying, happily, thinking that those could be my boys one day.
It took a few days and some advice from a friend but I am so excited and I can't wait til July when I can meet Cashew. I know that Jake would be a great big brother either way but I think he will be an awesome big brother to his little brother. It never crossed my mind that I'd be a mom to two boys but it also didn't cross my mind that I'll have two mommy's boys who will love and protect me. I'll be the Queen of the Castle, I can totally handle that! And who knows, maybe one day I'll consider a third. Just don't tell Ryan. :)
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| My adorable little boy at 19 weeks. |
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bass Pro Shop
One of Ryan's coworkers raves about Bass Pro Shop. He has two young sons and takes them to see the stuffed animals for entertainment and suggested we take Jake. Not knowing anything about this store, other than its HUGE and in the next town over, it sounded like a great plan for a rainy day - especially since there is no zoo in our area. In my mind I'm thinking they have rows and rows of stuffed giraffes, elephants, bears, lions, etc. FAO Schwartz style. So one Saturday I promise Jake that if he takes a nap we will go visit the animals. He was so excited that when he woke up 3 hours later he reminded me of where we needed to go.
As we pull into the full parking lot, groups of people are filing into the store. Jake starts to whimper at the unknown beyond the gigantic doors. "Oh look Jake, a deer made out of branches!" As you enter the store a man is sitting behind a turnstile; almost as if you are about to board a ride at Disneyland. Let me just say that this store is unlike any other store I have ever seen in my life. Its like a Man vs. Wild wet dream. There are sections for mens/womens/kids clothing, fishing/hunting/camping gear, a gigantic fish tank - complete with large fish, a waterfall, and hundreds of taxidermy animals in every corner and hanging from the ceiling. There is even a fudge shop!
We spent over an hour walking around the store checking out each of the different sections. I even bought a bag of popcorn to up the entertainment value. Lucky for me I grew up with a hunter for a Dad so when Jake asks "what's that?" I can expertly say "its a mallard/trout/pheasant/etc." It was so much fun to see the look on Jake's face when we pointed out the animals.
If you have one near you and are looking for some entertainment on a cold and rainy day, I highly recommend the Bass Pro Shop! Maybe we will see you there.
As we pull into the full parking lot, groups of people are filing into the store. Jake starts to whimper at the unknown beyond the gigantic doors. "Oh look Jake, a deer made out of branches!" As you enter the store a man is sitting behind a turnstile; almost as if you are about to board a ride at Disneyland. Let me just say that this store is unlike any other store I have ever seen in my life. Its like a Man vs. Wild wet dream. There are sections for mens/womens/kids clothing, fishing/hunting/camping gear, a gigantic fish tank - complete with large fish, a waterfall, and hundreds of taxidermy animals in every corner and hanging from the ceiling. There is even a fudge shop!
We spent over an hour walking around the store checking out each of the different sections. I even bought a bag of popcorn to up the entertainment value. Lucky for me I grew up with a hunter for a Dad so when Jake asks "what's that?" I can expertly say "its a mallard/trout/pheasant/etc." It was so much fun to see the look on Jake's face when we pointed out the animals.
If you have one near you and are looking for some entertainment on a cold and rainy day, I highly recommend the Bass Pro Shop! Maybe we will see you there.
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| The tree house in the kids section |
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| The huge fish tank |
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| He said he wanted to tickle the squirrel |
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Cashew
I have a hard time choosing baby names. I think that people look like their names therefore I'm afraid to settle on a name before I see my kid. What would have happened if I choose Luke instead of Jake, called him that for months and then when he came out changed my mind? Of course I don't think that this is weird if other people settle on names pre-birth. I'm just weird and superstitious. This is also the reason why I don't like to share possible baby names with people. I a) don't really want to hear what you think if you don't like the name I choose (because its probably an uncommon name like Ezekiel-yes, it was considered) and b) there is a very real possibility that I'll change my mind. Just ask my Mom and Ryan. Almost 5 months in and I've "loved" at least 20 names already. This is why I like to choose an obscure name for the fetus-I still need something to call it other than "baby" or "baby A." I think ultrasound pics make babies look like legumes. Jake's fetus name was "Bean" and for a while after he was born he was "Jakey Bean." So this time Mom suggested "Peanut" and for a joke I responded with "Cashew." Guess which name stuck. When Jake is talking to my tummy, saying "good night" or "can't wait to see you" he calls the baby Cashew.
For Christmas Mom found (in her stash of at least 100+) a Beanie Baby named Cashew. A cute, brown, soft bear. Jake saw it this morning and decided he wanted to take Cashew to school. For the record only a small few make Jake's cut for school.
He is such a nice big brother already!
For Christmas Mom found (in her stash of at least 100+) a Beanie Baby named Cashew. A cute, brown, soft bear. Jake saw it this morning and decided he wanted to take Cashew to school. For the record only a small few make Jake's cut for school.
He is such a nice big brother already!
Jake the Snake is 3!
The birthday boy decided that 5am was a good time to crawl in bed to cuddle. Naturally he doesn't want to go back to sleep. He just wants to kick, squirm, and wiggle around. Finally at 6am Ryan got out of bed.
The first "Happy Birthday!" comes from him.
No response.
When I roll over and say "Happy Birthday!"
Jake responds with "Happy Birthday!"
"No silly, its your birthday. Not mine."
"I'm three! I love you mommy."
How I didn't immediately start crying, I'll never know.
We've been talking about turning three for a few days now. He knows a Mickey Mouse birthday party is coming up (his request last month). But when you ask him he now says he wants a Brobee birthday party thanks to a recent YGG episode.
On the way to school he sings the Happy Birthday song to himself. I would join in but its so much cuter to hear him sing it. He's really excited about the blue and green chocolate/vanilla cupcakes I brought for him to share with his school friends. I'm going to have to think of something good for tonight. The only way to top cupcakes is candy...
The first "Happy Birthday!" comes from him.
No response.
When I roll over and say "Happy Birthday!"
Jake responds with "Happy Birthday!"
"No silly, its your birthday. Not mine."
"I'm three! I love you mommy."
How I didn't immediately start crying, I'll never know.
We've been talking about turning three for a few days now. He knows a Mickey Mouse birthday party is coming up (his request last month). But when you ask him he now says he wants a Brobee birthday party thanks to a recent YGG episode.
On the way to school he sings the Happy Birthday song to himself. I would join in but its so much cuter to hear him sing it. He's really excited about the blue and green chocolate/vanilla cupcakes I brought for him to share with his school friends. I'm going to have to think of something good for tonight. The only way to top cupcakes is candy...
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