Rock Me Amadeus

My beloved, favorite and only sis =) treated me and the hubby to a much needed massage at Amadeus Spa. After all the changes my body has been through in the last 7 months, a pregnancy massage was just what it needed. Of course, this time, because of the everpresent belly, I lied on my side throughout the massage, and then sat up at an angle for the latter half. But surprisingly, it was really very relaxing and comfortable. The hubby also enjoyed his spa massage.

I think I will treat myself to another one of those, or two=) before the baby arrives.

In return for the massages, we gave my sis the morning off, and took her kids to have a ginormous breakfast at the famous "Griddle Cafe." Plus, we thought it was time to let the baby have his first taste of griddle pancakes. I don't think any words can describe how humongous and enormous these pancakes are. Luckily, the hubby took pictures for proof.

Needless to say, we were all in a food coma afterwards. I needed to walk it off, and so I did. But then now after all that walking, I am in need of another massage again! It's a vicious cycle I tell ya!

Put a Sock in it

It's about 29 weeks now into our lil adventure and all is well. Baby is kicking up a storm every day! We're in our third trimester now, and so it's getting close. I can't believe how fast it's all been...and there is still so much more to do!

So this morning, I was faced with another new challenge. I was having trouble putting my socks on! Yup, the belly is now fully in the way, and so I've got to find new positions to bring my feet closer to me so I can put my socks on! Who knew?

My poor feet! First of all, they must be wondering why the heck they are carrying much more weight around now. Second, I can't really bend over anymore to treat them to a nice pedicure, and I can't go to "Polished" - my usual salon of choice here - cause the smell of acetone in there just makes me nauseous. Next, instead of giving them my more sexy, sleek shoes, like my nice heels, or my marc jacobs, or my trendy brown leather boots to wear, they've basically been spending their time in my uggs, converse, or ballet flats. Sorry feet, we'll be back to normal soon enough.

But for now, I'll just put a sock in it.

Big Daddy

You know what's equally as amazing as this transformational baby experience? Watching my hubby turn into a daddy. It's awe inspiring. I already knew I married one of the best guys out there, and now our baby is going to be so lucky, as he will have the best daddy as well!

He's been awesome throughout our pregnancy. From satisfying all my cravings, to helping me maneuver around with this new belly. From comforting me through all my hormonal mood swings, to supporting me through all my hormonal changes. From walking a bit slower so I can keep up, to always giving me a place to prop my legs up so I can avoid the dreaded cankles!

He's been to every single doc appointment, even with his insanely busy work schedule and commute. He's been there right by my side through it all. But the best part is, he makes sure we have a major laugh every single day! This baby will probably come out laughing, with all the cracking up we do. Can babies laugh in utero? Ours probably does.

People always comment on how happy I always am, and how often I am laughing. They just have to look to my hubby to know why.

Those who know him, know how remarkable he is. I just can't wait for our baby to meet him and discover that for himself.

It's taking a while to register...

So the hubby and I had "heard" how complicated it is to register for a baby. Well, we finally did it and they LIED! - Not only is it "complicated" - it's downright "bewildering!"

We decided to register at 3 places, for variety's sake, and so our first stop was to actually do an in-store one at the Calabasas Babies R Us. We feel cool, calm, confident. We can handle this.

Well to start things off, we're greeted by an "older" man, like from my grandpa's generation, and he immediately greets us with some disdain. EEW! And to top it off he immediately comments on how "young" we both look. Double EEW! So I reply with an annoyed statement on how we're actually much older than we look. But let it be said, that I never revealed our real age, since I felt like it wasn't his business at all, and we really didn't appreciate his condescending and disappointed tone. Come on people, we're not a teenage pregnancy case, my goodness! But it is comforting to know that I still have my youthful look =)

Anyhow - so armed with our mighty scanner and ready to create our list, we're off! And our first stop is....Breast Pumps? Ok the hubby didn't know what to make of this one =) To make a long story short. "Too late." About only 10 minutes later, I was sitting and rocking in the gliders section and left the hubby to scan away on his own =) I was exhausted!

It's not easy, so many things to get, so many products, even more brands, and you only want the BEST for the little one, but who's advice do you take? Do you go with the "Top Picks" by the store? Do you go with the fellow moms shopping that same day who stop by to give you their 2 cents? Do you go with your girlfriend's advice? Or do you go with our internet research? Cause they all recommended different ones. Sheez!

Well we're almost finished, just some tweaking here and there. But for the most part it's done.
What complicates things more is that the hubby and I have never really been of the conventional or traditional sort. Our tastes really gravitate towards the more modern, mod, bold colors, minimalist look. We've never really been pink and blue, teddy bears and pooh, frills and curves kind of people, and trust me - thats a majority of what is out there. I think its high time that someone starts a modern baby line that's affordable. hmmmmmm.....

But registering for the baby, I think in the end, we did a good job. The fact that this baby will be arriving soon...Well, that's still taking a while to register...

The Divine Secrets of the Ma-Ma Sisterhood

Well, I've become a member of a new secret club...

...The Ma-Ma sisterhood!

Although pregnancy is indeed a time of excitement, wonder and miracles. Once pregnant, you come to discover that it is also a whirlwind time of some secretly "unpleasant" and "unexpected" factors. Factors that you don't really hear about or know about until you eventually become a member of the ma-ma sisterhood. Once you join their club, then the honesty, the gory details begin to unfold.

All you moms know what I'm talking about!

Some secrets are just too embarassing to share in this blog. Just know that it aint all about glowing and growing outward gracefully. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes action taking place. Let's just say your body and hormones have some great surprises in store for you once you become pregnant.

I highly recommend Jenny McCarthy's best-selling books: "Belly Laughs" (while pregnant) and "Baby Laughs" (post partum). Her honesty and humor have helped me so much throughout my pregnancy thus far. It's like having a best gal pal on hand to tell me the honest to goodness truth as to what to expect. She doesn't glamourize it, she doesn't sugar coat it. Every mom-to-be needs this dose of Jenny.

I'd also like to thank all my girlfriends who are mommies - for sharing and being honest with me, and for welcoming me into their sisterhood!

Just kickin' it

26 weeks now and counting...

We have ourselves a little soccer star in there. The kicking is out of control! Our doctor said its not a surprise at how early, often and severe I am able to feel the kicking due to my size. Since I'm a tiny one, and there really isn't that much space in there for the baby, smaller women tend to feel the kicks earlier on and also with more gusto!

My hubby and I love to just stare at my belly while the kicking is going on, cause you can literally see the baby kicking through my skin! It's amazing! You can see my belly shifting, bumping, thumping, sorta like ALIENS! It's so crazy.

The kicks happen so often now that it actually worries me when there is no kicking action. Sometimes I just want to tap my belly to wake the baby up to start kicking again hehe.

There are certain sounds that somehow get the baby kickin' more, one being the sound of his daddy's voice. When the hubby puts his head right at my belly and starts talking to the baby, we swear the baby reacts! The kicking gets stronger. That's just priceless.

Oh! and the other kickstarter? Beyonce. of course.