Messy Marker

I have a problem. Not a huge problem, but I would say it’s definitely an issue.
When Parker is old enough to start daycare I really don’t want to write his name on everything with a marker. For some strange reason I've been thinking about this a lot lately. In fact during lunch today I searched online for cute washable labels.

I had never even thought about labeling until earlier this week when Chris and I went to visit daycares. One of the ladies who gave us a tour told us about these plastic bottle labels that slide on the baby bottles.
Does anyone know where I can find these?
Chris' mom is also very crafty so when she returns from Italy I might also ask her to help me sew or embroider Parker’s name on his diaper bags and toys.

Of course I am not naïve and I know that we are having a little boy! I know that when Parker is a toddler smeared marker will be nothing compared to the booger graveyard he will more than likely leave on his bedroom wall. But for now marker labeling is out.

This morning my friend Molly had a baby girl. She was 7lbs 2oz and so very precious :-) I am so excited for her and cannot believe she is already a mommy.

This was us last year in June. We were throwing a baby shower for Missy. I cannot believe very soon we’ll all three have kids!

Good Dogs

After dinner last night Chris and I decided to take Copper and Duke for a 15-20 minute walk around our neighborhood. During our walk I started to wonder how they feel about the new baby situation.

They know something is very different.
Oddly enough neither one of them seems to be stressed out by Parker’s arrival, or at least they don’t have any of the warning signs.
They haven’t misbehaved or destroyed anything inside our house.
They haven’t gone to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
Neither one of them have avoided or ignored us.
They’ve been good dogs.

I must give most of the credit to Copper. I have never been around such a calm dog and because of his larger size I forget that he is still a puppy. I haven’t always shown it during my pregnancy but I am glad he is part of our family.

To be honest...I don’t have too many fears when it comes to either of our dogs and Parker. At the same time I know it will be quite an adjustment to have a newborn around so it’s important that we plan ahead and set our rules now.

Yesterday I found a great article with a lot of tips on familiarizing your dog with baby.
It recommends that we get Duke and Copper used to baby things before Parker arrives. It suggests that we even rub diaper cream on our hands and let them smell.
Do you know of any other things we should try?

Lost Control

After our drop in visits yesterday I feel much better about daycare. Both centers we visited were nice, clean and felt safe. After visiting the second daycare Chris and I just knew it was our place.
It was also nice to see that one of Chris’ co-workers was there to pick up her baby during our visit. After our tour of the baby room Chris and I had Parker’s name put on the waiting list for January.
We really like the different activities that the teachers do with the babies. They read, have belly time, and go outside for fresh air when we have nice weather. We also like that they will give us a chart of Parker’s activities, general mood, as well as his changing and feeding schedule at the end of everyday.
Chris and I are very excited for Parker’s daycare!

I only wish that I had an exciting story to share about my doctor's appointment yesterday. My blood pressure isn’t any lower. My doctor now wants to determine if it’s just high blood pressure or if it’s a condition that has been brought on by pregnancy. On Sunday I have to collect a 24 hour urine specimen and on Monday more blood work. If they find it’s a condition that has been brought on by pregnancy we have been told the only treatment would be delivering Parker early.
I feel overwhelmed. I feel upset. I feel like I’ve lost control of my pregnancy.
I know that having a healthy baby and a healthy mommy is more important than anything so I will continue pray for the best.

Daycare Search

After my doctor’s appointment this afternoon Chris and I are going to visit two daycare centers. Now this might sound strange...I am excited, but also dreading our visits.

Chris and I are very fortunate that we don’t have to worry with childcare outside of our home until January, maybe even February. Once our families found out that we were having a baby everyone pretty much cleared vacation time and volunteered to stay at our house with Parker.
I don’t think I would be this calm if we had to enroll our tiny baby in daycare after my maternity leave.

I have heard from our friends who have kids that the best daycare centers fill up fast so we want to find one now so we won’t have to worry during the holidays. I just need to know where our baby will be when I am at work, and that he’ll be safe.

I’ve spent a lot of time researching and asking around about different daycare centers. As of now I have narrowed our search down to two places.
One daycare I like has several different activities for toddlers such as paint class, theater, and sports. If we still live here when Parker is a toddler I would breathe easy knowing that he was learning different activities. I also like how close it is to our house.
The other daycare I like only hires teachers with degrees. In some strange way that I cannot explain this calms my fears. This daycare is also very close to our house.

I have very high hopes for our afternoon visits. I hope that we have two very positive experiences and that we have the hardest time choosing our daycare because they were both great.
I am also sure Parker will love his daycare.

The Best Teacher

I’ve had the biggest smile on my face for the past hour.
It is strange how one phone call can make your day and lift your spirits. I had to share this story since my post yesterday made me sound like a complaining child.

I had only been at work for about an hour this morning when I received a phone call from a woman who is participating in a lock-up fundraiser for us this fall.
I had spoken with this woman yesterday and she didn’t seem too excited about the fundraising part of the event. After we hung up I thought to myself...she’ll cancel.

Our conversation this morning was completely different. She seemed excited and I could tell that I was on speaker phone.
She said: “I am calling you this morning because last night my 8-year old son said he was proud that I was going to help send your kids to camp. He wants to help.”

Then I heard her son: “Can I fundraise too? I will send all of these kids to camp! I promise!”

The woman then explained how her son doesn’t have any friends with disabilities so she was amazed that he feels so strongly about helping. She then got a little emotional and said her son makes her a better person and if he could he would make the world a better place.

I know that Parker will make me a better person. He already has. I think about the simple things that we have already shared like hiccups and kicks. I also think about my strong feelings for this tiny little person who Chris and I haven’t met yet. I would do anything to protect him and turn my life upside down for him. I love him. I am looking forward to the moments we’ll share and all the lessons that I’ll learn.

Hot & Ready

I was not planning on writing so many posts this week but lately it has been the best way to relax.

I am ready for my maternity leave! I know that sounds horrible.
Now that the summer weather is in full force I dread coming to my HOT office. I work inside a tall building that has 31 floors. When you are on the 19th floor you don’t have control of the thermostat. Today I finally broke down and begged for a personal fan!
I strongly dislike the elevator rides. At the very minimum I’ll ride two different sets of elevators at least twice a day...three to five times a day if I take a lunch or go to a meeting. I am never the only person inside the elevator either. Normally it’s packed and I am in the front hoping the doors don’t close on my belly bump.
I hate the smoke filled parking garage. Our parking garage is the only place where you can smoke in the building. This never bothered me too much before, but as a pregnant lady I try to hold my breath until I am inside my car and the air conditioner is running.
I am just a pregnant woman and my office situation is tough for me so I cannot imagine how difficult it can be for the families who attempt to visit us. We might have a great view, but our office isn’t accessible.
I’ve also grown tired of irritating email kudos, silly themes, meetings about nothing, and a supervisor who spends her day playing computer games.
I love the people we help, and they are why I continue to push myself...but I am looking forward to a break.

Above all, I cannot wait to spend time with Parker. After my maternity leave is over and I return to work I am sure those elevator rides and the smoke filled parking garage will be no big deal. I’ll just be excited to go home and spend time with our sweet baby boy.

Chris Sturgess

One of my favorite things about being pregnant has been watching my husband become a dad. I know to some people this may sound strange since Parker hasn't made his entrance in the world yet. But in my heart being a great dad isn't just about changing diapers or holding a baby. Being a good dad starts with being a good husband. It starts with getting involved in the prenatal process.

I have been very fortunate. Chris has never missed a doctor’s appointment. He has never missed one of our childbirth classes. He reminds me to eat my proteins, exercise and get to bed early even if that means he is stuck cleaning the kitchen. He skips lunches or goes to work early so he can take time off to search for the perfect pediatrician and daycare center. He does all of this not because I’ve nagged him…but because he wants to.
He calms my fears, rubs my aching muscles, and above all he makes me a better person.

Dear Chris,
I look forward to the bedtime stories you read to Parker, every hug and kiss you two share, the times you let him have too much soda at a baseball game, and the times he sees you show compassion to someone less fortunate.
Your generosity, your wisdom, and even your jokes will make me proud to say Parker is just like his daddy!
Happy early Father's Day - I love you!