The Girlfriends Guide To Pregnancy

Many many moons ago when I got pregnant the first time I rushed out to buy a pregnancy book. I looked at many and remembered my Sister-in-law telling me this was the book she liked this best when she was pregnant with my nephew. So I followed he advice and purchased it. I wish I had borrowed it from her.

I have enjoyed reading this book, but I don't know if it was the most medical sound book out there on pregnancy. It reminds me more of a book that would have been written by the leader of a click, and it seemed to contain stories about her friends. I have stopped and started reading this book several times. Now, I'm so glad that I have finished it. It is one more thing off my to do list before the baby is born.

I will say that when I had my two miscarriages I read this section over again. Which was helpful to get information from a friendly voice. Will, I keep this book more than likely, but would I buy this book again - not really. This is an easy read that doesn't take long to read when I was into reading it.

This is what came from back of the book:

Your Girlfriends, of course -- at least, the ones who've been through the exhilaration and exhaustion, the agony and ecstasy of pregnancy. Four-time delivery room veteran Vicki Iovine, "the Carrie Bradshaw of pregnancy" ("Wall Street Journal"), talks to you the way only a best friend can -- in the book that will go the whole nine months for every mother-to-be. Now, in this newly revised and updated edition, get the lowdown on all those little things that are too strange or embarrassing to ask, practical tips, and hilarious takes on everything pregnant.
What "Really" Happens to Your Body -- from morning sickness and gas to eating everything in sight -- and what it's like to go from being a babe to having one.
The Many Moods of Pregnancy -- why you're so irritable/distracted/ tired/light-headed (or at least more than usual).
"Plus," the latest scoop on . . .
Staying Stylish -- You may be pregnant, but you can still be the fashionista you've always been (or at least you don't have to look like a walking beach ball) -- wearing the hippest designers and proudly showing off your bump.
Pregnancy Is Down to a Science -- from in vitro fertilization to scheduled C-section, the latest technology provides so many options, alternatives, and tests, it can all be downright confusing.
. . . and much more For a reassuring voice or just a few good belly laughs, turn to this straight-talking guide on what to "really" expect when you're expecting.

Supper

Bo and I cleaned out the kitchen cabinets on Saturday. While doing this we came across a bean soup mix that at one time must have looked interesting to us because we purchased it. Since it was almost out of date we decided to try it Sunday for Supper. Lets just say it wasn't that appealing once it had been cooked and it smell horrible. So I guess this one should have just stayed in the cabinet lost forever.
Bo did find a bag of black eyed peas or one cooking show we watched this week called them black eyed beans. He decided to make himself some. He even called his mom at 11pm Saturday night to see how long he needed to soak them. He thinks they taste wonderful. I just can't get over the looks of them to even try them.

After checking out both pots of beans I noticed on the counter that the salt shaker was empty. It was at least half way full before Bo started cooking. I'm hoping that he spilled some and really didn't use that much in the dishes he made. But I'm sure he used it all.

Not much sewing this weekend. We are trying to get ready for a yard sale. One more room down and two to go. I think I can make by the next two weeks.

Funny Story

Last night I was filling out the form for Bo and I to take Childbirthing classes I filled out the form and under name I put both of our names. Later on the form asked for the Coach.

Me: What do you think I should put down for Coach?

Bo: You could always put down Saban. (The U of AL Football Coach)

I kind of gave him a look like you are kidding and he just smiled at me. So I knew he was joking.

Bo: You know you wouldn't be the first person to put that down.

Me: That is sad.

Latest Project

I know that it doesn't look like much now, but this will be Baby Bo's Easter outfit. This will be another day gown. He will only be 3 months old at Easter so a day gown will still be appropriate for him. This should take me a while to make and then I have several other projects on my list to make.

Coming Home Outfit

I know this is a horrible picture, and for that I apologize. I was having trouble with my lighting and then my computer wouldn't act right.

I finally finished my first french hand sewn day gown. I think I have been carrying this around for years, and I glad it is finally finished. You really can't tell from the picture but it is robins egg blue with ivory lace. I have a great husband that told me he doesn't mind our baby boy in lace which is an amazing step for most men. I think it helps that we went to a church for several years that all the children wore lace and fancy clothes. Kind of made it not seem so strange to him. This day gown just looks classic to me. My plan is to make two more day gowns one in white with a little lace for Easter and a blue linen one (different pattern) for spring. That is the plan for now. I do have the Easter one cut out so that is a start.

Parenting Book

Overview From Books A Million:

In Boys Should Be Boys, one of our most trusted authorities helps parents restore the delights of boyhood and enable today's boys to become the mature, confident, and thoughtful men of tomorrow. Boys will always be boys-rambunctious, adventurous, and curious, climbing trees, building forts, playing tackle football, and pushing their growing bodies to the limit as part of the rite of passage into manhood. But today our sons face an increasingly hostile world that doesn't value the high-spirited, magical nature of boys. In a collective call to let our boys be boys, Dr. Meg Meeker explores the secrets to boyhood, including - why rules and boundaries are crucial-and why boys feel lost without them- how the outdoors is still the best playground, offering the sense of adventure that only Mother Nature can provide- the essential ways to preserve a boy's innocence (and help him grow up)- the pitfalls moms and dads face when talking to their sons- why moody and rebellious boys are not normal-and how to address such behavior- how and when the "big" questions in life should be discussed: why he is here, what his purpose is, and why he is important Parents are blessed with intuition and heart, but raising sons is a daunting responsibility. This uplifting guide makes the job a little easier.

What I thought about it:

This was a book that was easy to read with a lot of good information most of it being common sense. One thing that bothered me was that I wanted the 7 Secrets to be stated and then information or reasons give about these secrets. This really wasn't the case. The seven secrets I think this book was trying to say is that boys need are: 1. to use there imagination and explore, 2. to know that they are loved, 3. guidance and direction from boyhood into manhood, 4.down time is important, 5. God is important, 6. Fathers are important and many times a boys hero and 7. time. Again since they are not listed I'm just giving you what I thought. I would recommend this book to anyone who is having a boy.

This book did make me question again do we really need cable in our house with a young child. Mostly because of the junk that is on tv, and because of the amount of time it sometimes takes out of ones life.

Many times the stories in this book reminded me of my brother, my cousin Z (my brother's best friend growing up), and Bo. Since I didn't know Bo as a child I just have to imagine him that way and relate to his childhood threw the stories he and his family tell me. But all of these boys have turned into great men. But everytime a story reminded me of them it was about being outside, adventure, imagination, and the time that was put in them as children, and the boundaries that were set and they more than likely followed.

One of my favorite quotes from the book was: "Every single boy is born for a reason. And every boy needs to know this. He is no accident. He exists to do something and to be someone unique." I can't wait to meet my little boy in 15 weeks or so and help him find out what he has that will make him uniquely him.

Every Girls Dream

Isn't it every girls dream to have a shark hanging in their bedroom? Well, I can tell you it wasn't mine, but the shark had to be moved from the so to be nursery.

This is Bo's shark and in some weird way I really like it. Mostly because I can see how happy Bo is to tell people about the day he caught it. I'll give you the Reader's Digest version: Bo went deep sea fishing as part of his graduation gift from high school. He said he wasn't to far out when he had a bite. He was the only one in his group of friend to catch anything that day.

From the tip of its tail to the tip of his nose the shark is right at 6 ft. long. Lets just say I wouldn't want to swim in the Gulf knowing it was in the water.

The shark has moved around our house several times and I think we have found a permanent place for it. It started off in the living room above the couch, then it moved to the guest room, and now it is in our room. I have also decided to start calling it Tommy.

Now, if only I could find a place for the deer head that has to move out of the baby's room!

By the way the art hanging under the shark came from the Nassau, Bahamas. I love to collect artwork from different trips we go on, and I picked these up while we were on our cruise last year. The artist is Tiff Barrett.

Crib

I ordered our crib today. So now I have the bedding and a crib. If only the room was painted and all the stuff that is in there had been moved out. I love white furniture for a baby. Bo and I still have to find a changing table/dresser and a chair to go into the room. Who knew babies need all this stuff?

Making Room For Baby

I really can't believe I'm showing you this picture. No! this isn't a pile of clothes that need to be folded. It is a pile of clothes that I can no longer wear or that are worn out. I can't believe I have held on to them this long. It actually felt good to get rid of these items. Some of them still have the tags on them which bothered me the most. On to the next closet.

Baby Moon

I think Baby Moon is a funny name for a vacation a couple goes on before there baby is born. So this past weekend Bo and I went on our Baby Moon. We went to Atlanta for the weekend. Friday we took off work and went and heard Dave Ramsey, EntreLeadership. This was interesting and we both learned a lot.

Saturday - We went and watched the Braves v. the Phillies. The Braves Lost! We were there the day they honored Bobby Cox before he retires at the end of the season.

Bo and I at the game. The couple in front of us got on the big screen.