Holy Stroller

We recently joined a neighborhood list serve which is really awesome. We have scored a free breast pump, maternity clothes, cheap diapers AND we have met a lot of great families.  Our most recent purchase is a barely used Britax Stroller.  It's very much like the Vista we were considering buying, but a little bit lighter, and with more possible configurations.  It comes with a detachable second seat (the lady kept saying "for your second kid", yeah right).We're excited to double stroll with our nephew Kohner or future friends.  We can make it a travel system by putting a car seat in it.   We saved like $300.  Woohoo! Christian was so excited he took pictures and then immediately wanted to practice walking it around.

In other news, I'm definitely feeling some movement in my lower belly.  Sometimes it feels like bubbles, sometimes thumps.  It makes me smile every time. 

Other, less exciting pregnancy symptoms we are dealing with: rapid weight gain (a lot of it in my chest), acne (more than in my teen years), RIDICULOUS gas, foggy head and forgetfulness, constant hunger, sleepiness, snappy mood (poor Chris), lower back pain.  But other than that, I feel great!  I didn't realize I had a waddle, but sometimes after sitting for long periods my lower back gets really tight and it takes me a minute to walk right.  

Coworker: Why are you walking like that?

Me: Like what?

Coworker: Like you're pregnant or something.

Me: Because I'm pregnant...

Coworker: OH MY GOD!  HOW CUTE!  CONGRATULATIONS!!

I guess she thought I was just eating too much.   

A Visit From Family

This week baby Malvaez was lucky enough to get a visit from Aunt Sara. She even talked to Chicharito, whispering to my belly "Are you a Girl?  I want a Niece!".  Lots of belly rubbing which was so gentle and sweet.  While I haven't felt anything yet that I'm sure is baby movement, I know that the little one was happy to get some attention from Aunt Sara, Dad and Teresa.  

Here we are at the Museum of Natural History being scary Dinos:

In addition to walking around the city (which is exhausting!), Teresa and I had a little sewing project.  She was able to cut up the pants I can no longer button and put a maternity panel on them.  It's awesome!  It has tripled my maternity wardrobe and saved me possibly hundreds of dollars!!  I couldn't be more comfortable.  Thanks Teresa and Aunt Stephanie for the sewing machine loan!

Yes, that bump continues to get BIGGER, no doubt helped by three straight days of eating out.  Whoa.  

So, we've been getting a lot of questions about baby names.  We have narrowed down a few, but still haven't agreed on any for sure.  We are having an easier time with girl names than boy names.  I talked to Papa about it today.  He suggested "Charles", which is also my uncle's name!  We like the idea of family names, however, there is a serious lack of boy names that sound good in English and Spanish.  BTW, Charles in Spanish is Carlos.  John in Spanish is Juan.  Andrew in Spanish is Andres. There seem to be no equivalents for Kyle or Duane.  Edwin in Spanish...well, let's not.  Sara had suggestions but only for nieces.  They were Samantha, Christine and Jean.  I thought those were really nice names.  Keep those suggestions coming.  

Yes, we are finding out the sex, but not until Mid-October.  Stay tuned!

A Walk in Fort Tryon

We enjoyed the slightly lowered temps on Weds. by walking around the park.  All is good.  We are looking forward to taking down our air conditioners and using more scarves and sweaters.  Fall is good for pregnant people!!

So Much to Look Forward To

This week has been rough.  And it's only Tuesday.  On the bright side, I've become strangely attached to my pregnancy symptoms (hunger, sleeplessness, frequent urination).  They remind me that I have something developing that is going to change our lives forever.  I can't help but get excited between bouts of panic and exhaustion.

We are anxiously awaiting feeling the first movements.  Christian talks to my belly every night which makes me giggle uncontrollably.  One, because it feels ridiculous.  Two, because it physically tickles.  And Three, because he says the craziest stuff.  But BabyCenter has assured me that our baby now has ear bones (crazy tiny!) and can hear him.  I hope the baby has Christian's sense of humor!!

This is my friend Tara who is 28 weeks pregnant with twin girls. Doesn't she look great?!  I wish every pregnant woman had a friend like Tara in the neighborhood.  It is so great to have someone complain to!  Not to mention eat and laugh with.  Wishing her the best of everything in the rest of her pregnancy and when she welcomes her little chickadees.

 

Week 15

This week Christian got really into preparation.  We started to research strollers, even went so far as to test them out at BuyBuyBaby.

The UppaBaby Vista got good reviews, and Christian really liked it, but it was too heavy for me. 

Currently we are leaning towards the UppaBaby Cruz.   

It feels too soon and too crazy to be stroller shopping. (Who am I anymore?!)

We spent all day cleaning out drawers and closets for the anticipated influx of baby necessities.  We still have a lot of purging to do, but it felt good.  I emptied half of my dresser for baby clothes.  Lucky kid. 

More belly shots to come.  If I'm as huge as I feel they will be something to look at!