SURPRISE!!

Wow I'm so fortunate to be working with such an amazing group of people! I've only been at my current job for only 6 1/2 months and they threw me a surprise baby shower today :) And quite the surprise it was! A couple of my bosses took me out for coffee which I thought was nice enough but I was completely oblivious to the fact that everyone else was setting up for the baby shower. Needless to say, it made my week!! One of the ladies made a wonderful diaper "cake" - will post pictures soon. Too cute!!

more testing...

So I went for a non-stress test (NST) at the hospital today for baby where they hook you up to a machine to monitor the baby's heartrate when baby is moving vs. not moving. I highly recommend that you eat a meal or drink something sugary before you go to avoid the gross "juice" they give you if the baby is sleeping. Yuck!! But, hey, the solution did work. Two seconds later the baby was doing somersaults!!! Got to wonder what they put in that drink. Anyways, all is well and I'm just ready to go home and sleep........

baby and....hitched??!

Been a while since my last post. I am now 36 weeks pregnant and....married!!! Just had a nice, small wedding at my (now) mother-in-law's house with just our families present. Now it's time to start planning for the big day...make that TWO big days - baby & wedding! So much to think of, so much to prepare. It's a good thing I have a strong support system in the form of families and friends - otherwise I'd go completely insane. Wish my mom was more of a support and not so fake but we'll get to that later.....

how much is too much .....or too little?

You've been invited to a baby shower for a friend that you know more as an acquaintance. How much do you spend on your gift for the mama-to-be? Is there a limit?

Let me know what your thoughts are....

pregnancy brain freeze

I know all of you mamas out there know what I mean - pregnant brains turning to mush. I feel like I'm forgetting anything and everything and it's driving me insane!! I've also been told that it doesn't get better once the baby arrives. What's worse than walking halfway to the kitchen only to forget what you were going there in the first place, and then walking back and forth 10 times before you finally realize you were going for a glass of water? I mean, how simple is that??!!

On the other hand...in some situations, brain freeze might not be all that bad...

wow, it sure adds up...

If anyone would like to contribute to swankmama's poor M/C fund, please send us a quick note and I will give you further details. It's so sad how every purchase slowly creeps up on you and then you get your monthly bill and panic sets in. I have to stop my shopaholic tendancies. Any suggestions to cure this pandemic is strongly encouraged....

- swank mama

mama mio - so addicting!

So I know all you mom-to-be's out there are desperately trying to fight the devil that is STRETCH MARKS. Well have no fear - i've discovered the mother of all creams: mama mio's Tummy Rub Butter (http://www.mamamio.com/us/finals/trbutter.html).

It's a protector against stretch marks, feels like butter and smells yummy too. And it works! Take it from me - I'm entering my 33rd week and there are still no signs of any stretch marks!! I've been using the Tummy Rub Butter since my 3rd month of pregnancy (feel free to use it earlier or as you please) as I was worried that I would get the same stretch marks as I did when I went through my growth spurts as a teenager. An added plus is that my fiance loves, loves, loves the smell and can't get enough of it.

Also recommended is the Boob Tube which is equally amazing and addicting (http://www.mamamio.com/us/finals/boobtubepregnanc.html).

sleep deprivation - already?!

Is this my body's way of trying to get me used to the long, sleepless nights up ahead? If it is, it's not funny and I wish I could get through a day without my eyes slowly drooping or without the constant need of a Starbucks latte in my hand. I understand the need to wake up 2-3 times a night when there's a mouth to feed but before that is actually a reality, it's just plain annoying!! My only wish is to get one full nights sleep without any interruptions - is that too much to ask for??!!

- swank mama

lady in waiting

We're supposed to be on our way south of the border to do some quick shopping in Bellingham but I'm waiting for my fiance to beautify himself in the washroom - never fails. So I find myself searching for post-pregnancy "must-haves" and I come across the Belly Bandit (http://bellybandit.com/) I wonder if this actually works! I know I'm going to cave in eventually so I'll have to keep you all updated on the results.

As for now, my lazy butt is going to find its way to the couch and station it there until my man is ready to make his appearance.

- swank mama

mama-to-be

Wow, how time files! I probably should have started this blog ages ago when my journey first started. But hey, it's never too late right?!

So the short story goes: I'm a mama-to-be (in less than 8 weeks!). Actually, allow me to correct myself - I'm a nearly broke mama-to-be but who isn't? Don't get me wrong. I'm working full-time at a dead-end job (we'll get to that later) but what's killing me is all the cute, teeny tiny baby things out there. And may I mention all of the "mom made" things that are now suddenly absolutely essential to getting through a pregnancy and/or first few years of a child's life? Seriously, there are so many products and websites devoted to these items that it's absolutely mind blowing! And tempting - trust me, it doesn't take a lot for me to whip out my credit card at the mention of a discount or freebie.

Luckily, I've been listening more to my gut feeling and that little voice in my head saying "Do you really need it or is it just a novelty?". After splurging on a baby sling, Bebe Au Lait nursing cover and a diapees & wipees diaper and wipes holder early on in my pregnancy, I figured I should listen to that little (and annoying or just plain smart?) voice in my head that was saying "Stop!! Slow down and buy only items you NEED".

It's so hard to go completely overboard with buying baby products especially if it's your first child. You feel the need to have to provide for your lil one and at times it'll be more than you can actually afford. So now I'm only thinking of what I really need and not everything that I want the baby to have. I mean, seriously, did we have all of these products 5, 10 or 20 years ago? Our moms obviously got by okay - look at us!

Basically the top 5 things I figure I need when the baby is born are:

1. Diapers
2. Wipes
3. Stroller
4. Car seat
5. Crib

All of the other items such as a high chair, toys, bouncer, etc. can wait until 3-6 months into the child's life right? That's what I have to remind myself every day especially when I walk by that posh store with all the cute little gadgets that I know I will use one day. Riiiggghht!! Although in my mind, I love it when my "swank" side takes over. I feel like I can rule the world. And one day I will.

- swank mama