An apple a day keeps the veterinarian away

Your Nipples are Straws

Buzz and I took our first breastfeeding class on Monday night. Here are some of the finer points:

• Think of your nipples as straws
• It takes 20-35 minutes to empty a breast
• The baby should have no other food besides breast milk for the first 6 months
• You shouldn't have any visitors the first 2 weeks because you don't want them disrupting your breastfeeding
• You hold the breast like a sandwich, not like a cigarette
• If you breastfeed between 9 and 12 months you can decrease your baby's chances for Multiple Sclerosis (I'd like to see that study)
• When you have leftover frozen breast milk you can sneak it into your child's mac and cheese or milkshakes

We also saw a lengthy video and I did not realize that the baby really stretches the nipple into the back of her mouth when feeding. I kind of want to quit before I start. We have two more classes to go to.

This is how Buzz feels about pregnancy

Create your own FACEinHOLE

The Melting Pot & the real 26 week photos

Last week I met up with the Elk Grove Pet Clinic gals for Ladies Night at the Melting Pot. I'd never been there because Buzz hates anything creamy, gravy, cheesy... What a treat! We devoured three pots of cheese in probably 10 minutes flat. Then came the chocolate. Insane. We got to see some old friends that don't work there anymore and a good time was had by all.

Who knew that a couple of hours at this restaurant can yield your winter coat unwearable for the rest of the season? Man did I stink when I got home. This is what it looks like when you take your 26 week photos after getting home from the Melting Pot! Yikes stripes. I'm starting to experience some back pain this week and now I can see why!

26 Week photo

I've started a new diet this week and it's really paying off. I'm only allowed to eat orange foods.
What do you think?

Fight Multiple Sclerosis

My sister was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. On March 28th she will be walking in the Dallas area to raise money for programs and research for this crummy disease. Please consider clicking over and sponsoring her. Every dollar counts. We are so proud of her!

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/TXHWalkEvents?px=6045250&pg=personal&fr_id=10980&s_tafId=105905

Work shower and more clothes

On Friday my school had a shower for four of us. There are two preggos, one man with a pregnant wife and one that will be married soon. The directions are for each person to bring a five-dollar gift and then we have cake. I didn't think I would get that many because the early childhood peeps are kind of an island of their own. But, low and behold, look at all of these great gifts. It was so fun to come home and open them Friday night. I even got a few gift cards. The sad thing is I don't know most of the people that got us gifts. The early childhood team is having a seperate shower for me at a later date. I LOVE presents!!!

Speaking of presents, Jill and Rocky gave us this cute little number for Otis, I mean Ella. Otis needs to approve all clothes before they get washed. At first he wasn't crazy about this outfit with his coloring.

Later, he realized that the headband really brought out his cheekbones.

Though he complained that the shoes were a bit snug.
Next it was Greta's turn. She's not used to doing all of this hard work.
Here she is trying her best while Otis yawns in the background. She really needs to learn how to smile with her eyes.

Baby Furniture

Buzz and I finally ordered the baby furniture on Thursday. It's by Creations and it's called, Summer's Evening. We got the three x'd pieces plus the conversion kit for when the crib becomes a full-sized bed. The finish is rubbed white. I love it! We are lucky because my parents and Buzz's mom are each buying a piece. Thanks so much! The furniture arrives in 10-12 weeks so hopefully I won't go early.

Although advised by many friends to get the nightstand now -even if you don't use it, I opted against it. The room is going to be super tight and I'm sure I can always find a cute nightstand down the road. Now we just need to find a glider.

The Finished Bathroom

Well, he's done it. Buzz has completed his first remodeling project. He worked his tail off and boy did it pay off. I can't believe he did this all by himself. I am so proud of him! We probably saved thousands of dollars. So without further adieu...

Don't panic, this is the old bathroom.

And the new...

• New paint
• New tile floors
• New toilet
• New shower curtain
• New towels

He sanded, primed and spray-painted the old vanity. He bought and installed a new counter top and faucet. He also installed new trim. This was his favorite part because the walls were uneven.

Finally, we picked up a clearanced cabinet from Land of Nod and he spray-painted it. He also spray-painted our crummy, old target cabinet.

I guess that the completion of this project allows Buzz to get away with saying things like,

"You've been really good this pregnancy, let's not become too complacent with the next one."

or when referring to the labor and delivery...

"I want it to be a nice, peaceful pregnancy where you don't yell at me. I'll walk out if you do."

I love you Buzz!

Ella's clothes

Ella got some new clothes from my sister. Otis insisted on trying them out before we put them away.

This green number really brings out the highlights in his eyes. This cute outfit is from Kerry's neighbor, Robyn.

I also got an adorable little book set from Kerry and Michael. Otis is practicing for Ella.

Greta wanted in on the fashion show too. She needs to pick up some posing tips from Otis.

25 week photos

Ask and you shall receive...Belly pics. No naked bellies until maybe May. Maybe. Don't worry, I'm getting my roots touched up this week.

Organization 101

About a year ago I got an awesome jewelery armoire for a steal. I transferred the bulk of my jewelery when I got it but I still had a bunch of stuff so a few weeks ago I tackled this project. Do I really need this many necklaces? Or earrings? Well, at least it's all contained now...

This weekend Buzz finished the bathroom. Pictures to come soon...My job was to condense my insane amount of bathroom paraphenalia. This is not even all of it! I am so sad to say that I've finally parted with my gobs of make-up that I haven't used for a while. Making room for baby!

Buzz found a spy mirror in my plethora of junk.

Superbowl

We went to the Campbell's house for a Superbowl party. The girls stayed upstairs the entire time munching, playing with kids and gossiping. We didn't watch an ounce of football. It was great. Three out of five of us are pregnant. Can you tell who? Here are the boys. That's all I have to say about them.

Ellie Belly laughing up a storm.

Jacob who wasn't feeling too well. Turns out he was growing some toofers.

Sophia hung with the chicks because her mom was out of town. She dressed in Juicy for the big event.

Luke the Brute. Him and Elliott are great friends and it's so fun to watch them play together.

Addie came to the party ready for some football but we held her hostage upstairs because she's so cute.

24 week appointment

Due to having pregnancy brain, I missed my appointment on Monday because I read the appointment card wrong. So they rescheduled me for this past Friday.

• I've gained two more pounds since last month
• I'm having my glucose screening done next month
• There are some strange girly things happening but I can't discuss them on the blog
• The Dr. was totally cool with my taking the Xyzal and Singulair but he liked the fact that my allergist wants me to switch drugs

After re-reading this entry I am bored off my bottom! My apologies.

Ella has a nickname

By now all of my little students know that Ella is coming. They like to ask if she came out yet and cute things like that. They know that I sit in a chair at circle now because it's too hard to get up and down off the floor. The other day one of my little girls says,

Aullana: Miss Kelly, I have a name for your baby
Romit: She already has a name, it's Ella
Aullana: Well this could be a nickname
Me: Okay, let's hear it
Aullana: Num-Nums.

This child is 4 going on 16. I think it's a pretty cute nickname that I haven't heard before so we'll see how it goes. Everyday since then Aullana kisses my belly and says, "Hi Num-Nums."

The Mayo Clinic?

How to best make this long-a$$ story short? I'll try. I had to go back to my allergist today cuz I needed a refill. Apparently I haven't been there in over a year. Well my allergist who I loved has skipped town and there is no forwarding info. So I had to see this other guy. I thought we'd chat for a few, he'd write my script and I'd be off for another year. Since no one knows what is wrong with me, I prefer to stay away from the doctors. Not so fast rashy girl...
Here are his requests:

• Get off the Xyzal and Singulair for remainder of pregnancy - switch to something safer like Zyrtec. But the gyno ok'd those meds! Well, I'm just not very comfortable because we don't know much about them and pregnancy. Gee, I'm glad I'm only 6 months and haven't done any real damage yet!

• Carry an Epi-pen. I've been told this before but they expire after a year and I've never had to use one...

• Make an appointment with Northwestern's allergy department. But it's so far and I've been there a million times. They are experts on pregnancy and urticaria and will know more about Xyzal and Singulair.

• I'd like you to see this oncologist. Aren't those cancer docs? Actually they specialize in blood and bones too. I'd like you to have a bone marrow test. But I thought I just had cutaneous mastocytosis. You might but this is the way to tell if it's systemic...

• Get tested for Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lymes Disease...

• Get all of this bloodwork done (2 pages). Didn't I just have a ton of bloodwork done last year? Yes, but these are different tests.

• Go to the Mayo Clinic, soon. But it's such a hassle. Will I have to go more than once? I believe you still may have Mastocytosis and they are the gold standard in testing for mast cell diseases.

Now does everyone see why I avoid doctors?