{Pregnancy Update} 30 Weeks: BabyMoon, Braxton Hicks… Busy Bump

August 26, 2013 By Cori

Well, hello there third-trimester! –I can’t even believe it.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m busy with the kids, or the move, or summer, and back to school– but this pregnancy is flying!

30 weeks belly bump pic - pregnancy

Life.

Although I am just at the start of my third trimester, and may want to take these words back soon– barring that 1st trimester, I have to say this has been the best pregnancy of all three.

I went through a little bought of hating the body changes, panicking about being “older” this time around and not being able to lose the weight…. but I decided to say, SCREW IT… lets embrace and make the most of this whole pregnancy thing because this is the last time you will ever experience it. Ever since that day, that is exactly what I’ve been doing and I’m feeling great.

The summer has been keeping us busy.

Just a collage

Besides trying to keep the kids entertained, running around to parties, and now back to school madness, this month we took the bump on a bit of a concert tour, seeing Justin Timberlake/Jay-Z and John Mayer a week apart.

pregnancy going to concert

28 weeks

{{ Oh hey! –Kids? This would be your mother doing her best concert moves in the mirror and your father practicing “brushing his shoulder off” in anticipation of seeing Jay-Z. We are totally ready for those school parent dances– you lucky kids, you! }}

Last month, the stars aligned just right and we were crazy fortunate to be able to take a mini-baby moon to San Francisco, while my mother and step-father took the kids away on vacation.

photo 1-2

26 Weeks

The San Francisco weather was a bit chilly (can you see it in our eyes?) and dreary but it was fun to play tourist in a new city and have some alone time.

Oh, right… and then this happened–

A buckle fracture while WALKING at camp. Oh, Ryan.

It put a little bit of a damper on his soccer practices, but the boy was a champ handling the pain and I’m happy to say it is almost healed!

Cravings and Weigh-ins

Pregnancy Cravings

Psst… that stuff on the right there? Heaven in a Jar. Trust me. Get it!

Pellegrino still reigns king, but a few weeks ago I experienced the strongest craving of my life for PIZZA! I’ve always been a pizza lover, but this craving came on at 10pm and my mouth was literally watering thinking about a slice. It was hilarious.

Try hard as I did to fight this late night craving, James ended up making a preggo craving run – and got there just in time. Not even kidding, you guys– when he came back, I smelt the pizza before he opened the door… and it was the best slice I’ve ever eaten in my life.

I have no guesses as to the gender of the baby, because I am carrying completely different from both.

29 weeks / Photo credit: Tammy Cedar Photography

The weight gain slowed a bit and plateaued for a few weeks– which has NEVER happened before. I’m not complaining, but it is definitely not my “norm”. Since James is following Paleo, we are eating a lot less processed foods in the house–I’m guessing it could be because of that, mixed with all of our crazy summer running around.

My total weight gain at 30 weeks is 18 lbs, (**Updated: 15 lbs was in my dreams- lets just blame pregnancy brain lol) and the belly is measuring +3″ – cause yes, I’m measuring my belly this time too– ha.

Getting To Know Babe

Movement started around week 20. And so far, this baby moves considerably less than the other two. I remember when I was pregnant with Ryan, that boy was doing gymnastics on a daily basis and one time I swear I felt a complete flip. This time its mostly at night and I love to just lay there and watch the belly jump around.

When the baby does move during the day, it seems to enjoy jabbing my bladder. I swear I’m going to pee my pants one day. And those “shocking” feelings I had earlier in the pregnancy? Still have them. It’s so weird. When I move a certain way, I just feel this electrocuting sensation in my belly, from what I’ve read- it’s completely normal but a very weird sensation nonetheless.

We got to enjoy this scrumptious beverage this month. photo 1-1

After having the orange flavor twice, I can tell you the fruit punch is way better. I drank the drink before my doctors appointment at home and the kids, who of course thought I was holding out some delicious hawaiian punch on them, had a lot of questions.

Why do you have to drink that?, Can we drink it?, Does it hurt when they take blood?… Does it taste good?

It was funny to see that at the end of their game of 20 questions, they drew totally different feelings from it. Ryan excitedly said “Cool! Maybe one day they will make it for kids, right Mom?” …. while Laina (ever her mother’s daughter) could not see past the blood draw and said “Mommy, I don’t want to have babies”.

I had my first encounter with Braxton Hicks contractions last week while cooking dinner. Belly tightened, pressure down low that did kind of feel like mild cramps… it was a little scary. I didn’t want to be “that girl” and call the doctor right away, so I just sat down for the rest of the night drinking LOTS of water and the feeling went away.

The Name Game

Oh, the name game. We are still playing with it. Thought we had a boys name… now we are between two boys names– and still no clue if it’s a girl.

I shouldn’t say “no clue” actually. We do have a front runner, but James is not 100% sold on it. The man is a tough sell when it comes to names.

So if anyone reading this has any favorite names they want to throw out there- we are STILL taking suggestions.

The House

Still not ready. New projected close date mid-to late October. Sigh.

I can’t even stress about it anymore.

A {Bay-B-Moon} Weekend In San Francisco

August 2, 2013 By Cori

Before baby number three arrived, James and I thought it would be fun to hop on the Babymoon trend and spend a weekend away, before we embarked sleepless nights once again.

The stars aligned for us when my mother and stepfather were taking the kids for a week in the summer, the same week that James had a business trip planned in the lovely city of San Francisco. So, we thought why not extend it and explore the city!

When we arrived, we of course stopped at In-N-Out, because we’re from the east coast and this is a big deal.

Stocked up on the sparkling water because… it’s my preggo thing.

And hit the roads of San Francisco– the steep- steep-roads.

Tony Bennet left his heart in this fine city, (possibly right outside our hotel in Union Square) and it quickly won ours over– despite the summer chill. I had no idea San Francisco was chilly in the summer before planning this trip. Seriously, summertime visitors, don’t let the palm trees mislead you– pack a sweater.

In this obligatory tourist picture of the gorgeous Golden Gate bridge, we. were. FREEZING. It’s laughable actually. In between shots, our eyes were watering and the out takes were pretty hilarious. I should have saved some.

If you follow Complicated Mama on Twitter or Instagram, you may have seen some highlights with our #BayBMoon hashtag– and now we’re sharing some more details.

If you are planning a baby moon or just a quick get-away to this city by the bay, I found this trip to be the perfect mix of relaxation and fun to pack into one short weekend.

Here are some of our suggestions for a short fun weekend in San Fran:

1. Golden Gate Bridge

As seen above, is clearly a staple and must have photo opp. We drove down beneath the bridge to a beach area to get the full shot of the bridge. It was foggy, and as I mentioned already- chilly, but it was still gorgeous. You can also walk across the bridge, which I would have loved to have done but our trip was a short one and we had been walking all day when we were nearby.

2. Muir Woods

While I’ve never considered myself a nature lover, as I travel more I am learning that maybe to some extent, I am. There is just something so peaceful and therapeutic about taking a hike through a beautiful wooded landscape.

When you visit the Muir Woods in San Fancisco, you have the option of taking 1 of 3 trails:

The Main Trail (2 miles)

The Sun Trail (4.7 miles)

The Ben Johnson Trail (5.2 miles)

We took the sun trail and it was absolutely breath taking.

There are tons of beautiful photo opportunities along the trails. We set ours up with a timer and captured this Bay-B-Moon of ours perfectly.

I didn’t bring sneakers, as per usual when I find myself in these hiking situations and ended up doing the trail in ballet flats-which I do not recommend (especially 6 months pregnant), but I did survive with a few “charlie horse” breaks and water.

3. Ghiradelli Square

A pregnant woman’s heaven, but really… is chocolate not heavenly for everyone?

When we visited Ghiradelli square, it was lunchtime mid-week and the store was hoppin’. I’ve heard it gets busier on weekends and at night. That being said, the deliciousness inside was well worth the wait. We sat in the cafe area and took in the sweet smell of the chocolate that surrounded us and indulged in a milkshake and brownie… it. was. magic.

3. Lombard Street

Famous for its steep-winding road, this street is said to be the crookedest street in the world! (And really? Who even knew crookedest was a word? Not I.)

Lombard Street is a one-way block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, with eight sharp turns surrounded by tall apartment buildings and colorful flowers draped about.

4. Fisherman’s Wharf + Alcatraz

Pier 39, part of Fisherman’s Wharf has a lot of great sights to see including Alcatraz, which unfortunately was SOLD OUT when we went! So if you are planning with some more lead time than we were, book it!

In addition to Alcatraz, Pier 39 is known for their sea lions, good eats (hello, Boudin’s Bakery sourdough bread), shops. You could spend the day walking around and seeing it all.

5. The Painted Ladies, AKA “The Full House, House”

These pretty houses all in a row can be seen from Alamo Square Park. This former DJ-tanner fan was stoked. Unfortunately, due to over the fog my picture does not reflect the gorgeous colors of these buildings (That fog San Francisco is known for is REAL, you guys!), but it’s a sight you don’t want to miss.

There really was so much more to be seen, I wish our trip were longer but alas our Bay-B-Moon had come to an end.

We have family that live nearby so we hope to visit again soon and explore it some more.

Are Expecting Moms Today Feeling Pressure To Be “Skinny Pregnant”?

July 15, 2013 By Cori

We have returned from our “Family Babymoon” in Oahu! (You can see some pictures on my instagram feed. More on that later in the week.)

The first few days we were away, I realized something about myself that was both hard to admit and dare I say a little scary.

It seems somewhere between when the world was obsessing about how Jessica Simpson would lose that “horrifying” 70 lb baby-weight gain and how Kanye was ready to leave an expecting Kim Kardashian for “ballooning” up to 200 lbs. … this Mom of two apparently sipped a little bit of the Koolaid– even though I knew better.

Like many women, body image is something I’ve struggled with from a very young age. I have curves. Those curves expand all over while I’m pregnant– even when I am not over indulging and eating healthy– no surprises there.

So why after having experienced the gaining as well as my ability to lose the baby weight twice already, did looking at vacation pictures of myself nearly bring me to tears? Immediately I saw the cellulite and nothing else. Was I expecting to suddenly see a woman who was “Skinny Pregnant” (as Khloe Kardashian once coined it)? Sadly, I think I was.

When looking images in magazines, today’s pregnancy standards seem to go far beyond just gaining the recommended 30-35 lbs., they come with a whole new set of unwritten rules. As Charlotte of The Great Fitness Experiment noted –

“Your hips should not widen. Your butt should not expand. Your arms must remain perfectly defined. And your cheeks, while they should “glow,” should not be round.”

The damaging headlines like the ones I included above and images of celebrities showing off her post baby bod just 2 weeks after giving birth speak to us whether we want to hear them or not.

Are we living in an age where not even during pregnancy, are women given a pass on feeling body conscious?

and side note– while we’re discussing- Do we actually have proof that Claire Danes is human?

It’s true that some women naturally sport “basketball” bellies and have picture perfect pregnancies, but often, how a woman carries has to do with genetics and many of us with curves will carry more like Jessica and Kim than Kourtney and Claire- and that is ok.

I think women everywhere need more reassurance of that, because I know I am not alone. I know there are other expecting mamas out there that are beating themselves up over the scale or some cellulite in a photo.

So here is me at 23 weeks.

I’m up 14 lbs, of which from what I can see is mostly being carried in my hips, thighs and upper arms for reasons that will never make sense to me. But– I’m vowing that as long as my doctor is ok with my weight, and I know that I can join my friend Nikki with her online fitness challenges post baby, I will focus only on the little (some may say vain) things that make me feel good- like mani/pedis, makeup, maxi dresses and not picking up tabloids at airport terminals.

Pregnancy Week 19: Weigh-ins, Pelligrino and Names

June 10, 2013 By Cori

Week 19, and I feel like I’ve been pregnant forever. I don’t say that in a whining, complaining way (not yet anyway)– but I feel like “only week 19??” I find myself obsessing over not feeling the baby yet. 3rd time Moms are suppose to feel it sooner!…. But I’m “only 19 weeks”.

*Sigh* guess that’s what happens when you know you’re pregnant practically the day after you’re actually pregnant. You’re on pregnancy fast forward.

Life.

Since my last update, we’ve been semi-settling into our temporary apartment while our new home is finished. The apartment is nice enough, nothing to complain about, but I just want to feel permanently settle. Unfortunately though, we were informed that that “permanently settled” date may actually be more like WEEKS (or days!) before the baby arrives, not months. This news triggered my very first crazy, hormone induced, preggo meltdown … which began in the kitchen cabinet store. Yep. Totally in public. That was fun. When we got back to the apartment James whipped me up a Crystal Light Margarita Mocktail and listened to my rambling. If that doesn’t scream love, I don’t know what does.

Cravings and Weigh-ins

No pregnancy cravings to speak of, except for my addiction to sparkling water and seltzer. In the past few days, I’ve downed bottles Pelligrino like they were the bottles of the merlot I truly needed.

I am up a grand total of 10 lbs. And find that I’m treating every doctors visit like a Weight-Watchers weigh-in … that always ends with food. The days leading up to the visit, I am the picture perfect healthy eater -all salads and fruit. The morning of, I pray for nature to call (yes, I said it), wear the lightest clothing possible, remove shoes before I step on the scale (because every ounce counts)… and when I leave, I either eat through the sadness of gaining too much (like last month when I gained 4!!) or eat to celebrate a “good month” (like this month, when I gained 1 – woohoo!).

It’s comical and twisted all at the same time.

Getting To Know Babe

As I said earlier in the post, no movement as of yet. A few days ago I felt a zap type feeling- not the flutters I remember in early pregnancy, but a larger feeling that kind of felt like movement you might feel later in your pregnancy- so I’m doubting it was movement. I have no idea what that was.

This month we have our 20 wk sonogram, which can tell the sex of the baby. We still want to keep it a surprise, but I can tell already it’s going to be hard. Besides the fact that part of me wants to hear its a boy so I don’t have to research anymore girl names, the kids are dying to know, and part of me wants to start baby shopping when I see something cute. I must admit though, I caved last week and bought a cute Sully onesie. If its a girl I will make a froofy bow and make her Sully’s girlfriend.

The Name Game

We are 98% sure we have our boys name…. but girls? Impossible. I almost forgot how I married the pickiest man ever when it comes to children’s names. When we were having Laina, he vetoed so many names that I finally said her name is Delaina- and you’ve used all your vetoes, so there! {stomped feet, stuck out tounge} … ok that tantrum part might not have happened, but luckily, he loved the name and our child is not nameless.

So, once again I’m finding myself constantly looking for new names, throwing them out randomly… even the kids are weighing in– but so far, no dice.

Laina recently suggested we name the baby Delaina S. (for Sparkles) if it’s a girl… which, honestly may not have been the worst suggestion in the world because it is inevitable that whether a boy or a girl, this child will get called Delaina at some point (Ry, I mean Delaina, I mean…).

Tell me, do you have a favorite girls name I might be able to borrow in the event I cannot convince James to love my number one choice? … It’s only a 50/50 shot that I’ll use it and my bets are on a boy right now.

Complicated Cash (not real money) to the first person to come up with a name we can both agree on 😉

3 Cute Ways We Announced We Were Expecting Our Third (The Sibling Pregnancy Announcement Is My Favorite Ever!)

April 12, 2013 By Cori

You may have seen on Instagram that this week we had big news to share!!!

Baby number 3 (or Blueberry, as the kids call him/her) is on the way and due early November!

We are all OVER-THE MOON excited and kind of love having fun with the whole baby announcement thing.

Announcing your first baby, second baby, or your third– I say every baby is a celebration and should be announced with some excitement! Here are 3 fun ways we announced our baby news this time around.

Fun Ways To Announce You’re Expecting… Again!

1. Get The Siblings Involved

We really wanted to include the siblings in our announcement this time– and we researched and came up with a lot of ideas. We selected this one because it was fun and playful and I loved the idea of Ryan showing Laina ‘the ropes’ so to speak.

I could not possibly be more obsessed with the way the sibling pregnancy announcement any more. It really displays the genuine excitement of big brother and big sister!

2. Early Morning Donut Surprise

This is how we let the kids know they were going to be getting a baby sister or brother. Delaina (4) initially thought the booties were a toy/gift. She excitedly shouted “PRESENTS!!! The pink ones are mine!” Then we asked Ryan (8) to look at the sonogram picture and asked if he knew what it was. Slightly confused, he replied “A Flood?” …ummm not quite. ha

Once we clarified, the grins were ear to ear with lots of follow up “For real?”s

We have the whole thing on video, ending with Ry turning to us and asking … “How did the baby get in your belly?” … Uhhh.

3. Bun In The Oven

The kids couldn’t wait to share the news, so we announced baby #3 to our parents over Easter by delivering a special “bun in the oven dessert”.

As for me? No nausea, but the exhaustion this time around has been debilitating. I had exhaustion with Ry, but this time? ALL NEW LEVELS, my friends. ALL. NEW . LEVELS . Of course not to over look the obvious, my husband did point out that I am “older” this time around. We’ll give him a pass. He is a saint in picking up the extra slack as we attempt to pack up the house for our move, and all I want to do is sleep.

The good news though, is that the first trimester is almost behind me (thank God for that) and this week I am feeling back to my old self. Woohoo!

maternity