Breast feeding

I've been reading up on breast feeding and I truly hope I'm able to do it. Not just for the reasons below but more so just because I simply WANT to do it. We'll see!

I don't know if number 5 is incredibly accurate or not. I was only breastfed for 2 weeks and I'm quite smart (mentally gifted, not kidding).

10 Reasons why you'll want to breastfeed:

1. It's simple and quick (no bottles, measuring or mixing!).

2. It protects your baby from diseases, viruses, stomach pain, and infections, and lowers their risk of allergies and asthma.

3. Your milk contains oxytocin - the "love hormone", which helps you and your baby bond with one another.

4. It also contains over 400 vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins NOT present in any formula out there.

5. Breastfed babies have higher IQs. (The longer you breastfeed, the higher the IQ of the child.)

6. It's custom-tailored specifically to your child's nutrition and immunity needs.

7. It protects your baby against SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

8. It burns about 500 extra calories a day for YOU. Breastfeeding = quicker postpartum weight loss!

9. It contains special brain-promoting proteins and fats not found in any formula out there.

10. It's 100% free (well, pumps and nursing bras aren't, but they're still cheaper than a year's worth of formula).

Geibs married 60 years - Lebanon Daily News

Geibs married 60 years - Lebanon Daily News

My husband's grandparents have been married for 60 years! They're an amazing love story.

I hope he knows how lucky he is to have both of his grandparents nearby. My grandfather lives in OCNJ and I wish we lived closer.

My Nana died in 1989 (who Elliot is named after) and my Mommom died in 2007. I miss them both tremendously. I can't wait for Elliot to get here so that he can have a seat on his grandparents' lap.

28 weeks from babycenter

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

Mission Rhogam = complete

Well - the third trimester blood work is DONE!

I've had all the testing and so far so good. Yesterday, I had Rhogam administration because I'm B- therefore Rh-. The only thing that stinks about the Rhogam shot is it is a LARGE needle and it goes right into the thigh muscle (or butt if you choose). But the serum in the shot is thick so it takes about 90 seconds for it all to get in there - it burns! But it's worth it! I really need to ask some questions about it because Rh- for baby number one isn't an issue but if we were to go for baby number two... there might be issues? Not certain.

The cool thing was the only available room was the jacuzzi room at Labor and Delivery which was neato because I'd like to be able to use the water during labor if possible.

I've also signed a lot of Elliot's paperwork for the birth. I've signed off on having him on my insurance, I filled out my list of permitted visitors and non-permitted visitors, and a few other silly policy papers.

He's doing great and is very active these days. I'm so in love with this little boy. So in love.

Baby classes

Last night, we started our prenatal/baby classes.

The class seems like it's going to be very beneficial. The first hour of class is all lecture and discussion. Last night I learned a few interesting things.

1. A pregnant woman SLEEPING is doing just as much work as an average woman mountain climbing (metabolically speaking).

2. A pregnant woman has such an increase in estrogen that its almost like taking 100 bcp's.

I don't know how accurate that is, but it got my attention. I also learned about some nutrition and how it's healthier for baby if I were to make a sandwich at 10pm rather than eat a pack of donuts.

The second hour of class is rather intimate. Lights are dimmed and we're taught a wide variety of exercises to do with our husbands/coaches as well as on our own. We bring our own blankets and pillows and they provide mats and music. It was very informative!

Classes will be 2 hours a week until the end of September. What's neat is so far hubby gets the homework. His homework this week is to find ways/techniques to massage and relax me. His final exam is to pack my hospital bag without my help and present it to the class on the last night with what he packed me and why. I so hope I can get that on video. :P

27w5d

My son - the comedian.

He is breached right now which is fine. We have time for him to flip. He is 2.8lbs and likes privacy. He is pretty much standing on my pubic bone and facing my spine as if he were climbing up my body. I think the techs will forever call him the little stinker because once we tried to move him.... he mooned us. Cute butt, Elliot! He's a funny kid!

OCNJ week 26/27 belly pics

Car Seat! Thank you!!!!

The UPS man delivered this car seat to us today - so if you sent it - please reveal yourself so we can properly thank you!

It's just what we wanted - straight from our registry! We have a car seat for Elliot to start him off and we thought it wise to register for the next size up and we ended up getting the seat! So thank you to whomever sent this!

We really appreciate this gift and your concern for our son's safety. :)

Rascal Flatts-I Won't Let Go Lyrics

I really like this song!

It reminds me a lot of my husband and his amazing love, support, and patience over the years as we confronted our problems with PCOS and infertility.

PCOS baby!

Today, I came home to a package from one of my Cysters FILLED with hand-me-downs for Elliot. SO exciting! Of course I had to take a photo of the PCOS onesies!

I can't wait to take his picture in these! It proves that having PCOS does NOT mean having children is a hopeless endeavor. I am feeling continually blessed!

AND.... AND....

I got my results back from the Gestational Diabetes test! I'm in SHOCK! I thought for sure I'd have it considering the risk factors.... but I aced the entire test. I do not regret going straight for the three hour test at all - I'm just so relieved to know I did so well.

God is good. ALWAYS.