Breach Baby Scare - 33 weeks along

We had a nice little scare on Monday when the midwife examined me and asked me to go for a sonogram because she thought our baby was breach...which automatically means a c-section. The earliest I could get in for a sono was Wednesday...well, everything is fine!! All that worrying for nothing! Baby Reis is in a great position - except for the fact that he/her legs are up in my ribcage...though that is fine for the birth, it's really uncomfortable. The sonogram isn't very accurate on size, but it's estimate was that our little one is 4pds 9oz...right on track to be a 7 pounder at birth...which I would LOVE! :).

I think out of all my girlfriends here in the expectant moms group it's down to Pam and I to have our babies...everyone else has already popped. Pam is expected to go in about two weeks and I've got about a month and a half. It will be so nice to have a reunion and see all the new babies!

It's weird, but some nights I have to get up at 3am to empty my bladder and other nights I can sleep right through...the nights where I have to get up I always wake up feeling more rested...doesn't make sense.

Aurelio and I have been looking at SUV's and have fallen in love with the Mazda CX-9, unfortunately that's out of our price range...so we're seriously looking at the Nissan Rogue...hopefully we'll have decided what we're going to do by this weekend. It's been raining here and last night I had to stop by his work and swap cars because mine was hydroplaning everywhere and I had a dinner date with some girls up in Carrollton. (30miles away). I'm really looking forward to having a bigger car and one that I feel safe in. As my belly grows, so do my fears of getting in a car crash...

After a couple interviews; we've found our pediatrician! I really enjoyed visiting the offices; they were all dect out with toys and cute paintings on the walls. The one we ended up going with had a beautiful office that was all underwater themed...a women who takes her kids there painted the walls and even stuck real shells to them. I wish I was able to get a good picture...it was just beautiful. Though, of course that's not why we chose them... ;)

I finally broke down and went to the chiropractor...I had so many complaints..."my back hurts, my ribs are sore, i have heartburn, my legs ache, etc" Something HAD to give...and the tums weren't doing anything for the heartburn so I figured the only thing I had SOME control over was the back pain. Our chiro did the best he could to "adjust" my back, but with my belly in the way it was hard to get my lower back - where most of the pain is...so I'm going in for a nice maternity massage on monday!! :) I'm looking forward to getting some relief there.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far!!

Chihuahua = DoubleTrouble

I just got back from a nice long walk - in search of our two chihuahuas...they escaped our backyard again and wouldn't come back when I called - and hour later they are found. Where you might ask??? In some bushes! They jumped out as I walked by and started following me - like nothing had happened! We were just out for a stroll! Needless to say, they are both in their kennels right now! I hope I can keep a better eye on our kids! Geez!!

I'm excited to say that I finished the dresser for the nursery this morning. And actually have a blister on my hand from the screwdriver!! Aurelio finished the crib while I was in NH for my baby shower - so the room is practically ready! I still need to move all the cloth diapers into their shelves and we have to get a diaper pail. The crib is made and all the baby clothes are washed and hanging in the closet. Now if we could just get the baby turned the right way we'd be all set! I had my doctors appointment this morning and the baby is butt down...so I have some exercises to do that work 80% of the time and another sonogram scheduled for Wednesday. Lets all pray this little one isn't stubborn about it!

Here are some pictures of the nursery:

(Crib; Closet; Collection of Dr. Seuss books)

This weekend was the ID Luncheon, for all the ID wives. It was so nice to meet the other wives and chit chat about our families and such. Some of them had some great recommendations for babysitters, pediatricians, etc in the area. Others were very new to the area like me.

On Sunday we tried to go looking for an SUV - but apparently they are only allowed by TX "blue law" to be open on EITHER Saturday or Sunday...and they chose Saturday. Though we were able to test drive a Nissan Rogue because one of the managers was there...hopefully we'll have a chance to check out the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mazda cx7 sometime this week. I joined a new group - Wylie babies of 2008 and 2009; we met for the first time Sunday afternoon. Great group of ladies and cute babies. I'm looking forward to soaking up as much advice as I can from them before Baby Reis arrives and then hopefully have some ladies to hang out with while he/she is still small.

Well, it's about that time to start fixing dinner. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I look forward to hearing all about it!!

Laundry Fun

Who knew folding baby clothes would be so enjoyable! I'm sure this will wear off real quick...but right now I'm in a pile of heaven! Every little sock just melts my heart! Wish I felt that way about my husbands socks...lol!

My motto lately has been "If it fits, I'm wearing it!" So if I can pull an article of clothing over my belly - it's still fair game. I haven't broken down and bought maternity shorts yet; though I know I'll need to real soon. At 10am it was 70 and when I checked again 30min later it was 75 and supposed to get to 90 today! So, for my outfit today...bikini. lol. It doesn't look as hot as it used to - not even close - but I'm planning on lounging by the pool in my backyard today and no one will see :). Though I'd better find a more suitable outfit for my grocery shopping.

Aurelio had the house so clean when I got home; I was able to spend yesterday working on crafty little projects - like a baby shower scrapbook and putting together this frame for the baby's room (12 pictures in one frame!) Those days I don't spend cleaning are awesome! :) Though it's Wednesday, so that means Grocery Day. I've got to finish up my little crafty projects this morning and get started on the vacuuming and then get my grocery list together...Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Back in Dallas TX

What a great trip to NH!!! The Baby Shower was great! It was SO nice to see everyone again and you've all started spoiling the baby already!!!! Thank you SO much for all the wonderful gifts! I was able to bring most of them back in my suitcase!! I'm really looking forward to decorating the nursery this week. Aurelio was busy while I was gone putting together the crib and getting everything set. So, now it's my turn to pre-wash all the baby clothes and blankets and get them folded/hung and ready for baby!! If you have some pictures from the baby shower, I'd love to have them! If there not too big, maybe you could e-mail them to jenniferlynnreis@gmail.com ? :) Thanks in advance! :)

Here are a few my mom took during the shower!



You can tell by the way the couch looks that my suitcase was filled pretty full :) Thanks again everyone!! I can't wait to share baby photos with you!!

18 hours left in the NH countdown!! :)

What a week! If you haven't checked out flylady.net; you should! :)

It's really helped me with my daily schedule and I've gotten SO much done without feeling completely overwhelmed. I'm really looking forward to my flight to NH; though I admit I'm a little nervous to be flying pregnant - on my own.

I've been working on crocheting some baby bonnets; but have not had success with the booties. The ones I made looked like little elf booties...pointed toes and everything! LOL! There's no way I'm going to have my child wearing those! haha. So, I'm still trying to figure out how to make them look cute.

The weather here has been really nice; and although they are calling for thunderstorms this afternoon, right now it's 76 and sunny. I should go for a walk around the neighborhood, but my lower back has been really painful lately. My midwife really wants me to get some more aerobic exercise, but it's hard to push yourself to do so when it's painful.

Wish I had some more exciting things to share with you; but I'll have some great pictures and thoughts to share when I return from NH! :)

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

(For my family members: SEE YOU SOON!!!!! :) )

Just finished packing my suitcase...and found my old camera!!!!! :) Here are some oldies but goodies :)





This picture was taken in PA; the weekend Aurelio proposed :)







This picture was taken just after he proposed! We were horseback riding in the woods of PA.










This was the day we got Aurelio a new iPhone and I received his 'hand me down' and pink-de-fied it. :) Back when I had a flat stomach.....

First Day of FlyLady Program!

Well, it's official; I'm a FlyBaby. I'm sure you're wondering what that is exactly. It's all explained at flylady.net...but it's basically a cleaning/organizing program that's free and gives you certain tasks to do each day so that you're household duties don't overwelm you. The very first "baby step" is to shine your sink...which I normally would think crazy and 'who cares if you have a shiney sink'...but Fly Lady said to do it...so off I went to first soak it in bleach - then scrub it down with backing soda. I couldn't believe how great it looked when I was finished!!! Who knew those black lines all over the sink would come off with some baking soda and elbow grease? Her second challange is to get up every morning, shower and "dress to the shoes"; meaning you must get dressed INCLUDING your shoes, do your hair and make up...then make your bed. This sounds simple and normal enough; but I have to admit I do not always do this each day. Especially since I'm at home now full time, I have found myself staying in my PJs while doing housework well into the afternoon and that bed - hasn't been made in weeks! So, today I started my first full day of the Fly Lady 'chore list'.

Back to FLYing!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!




Aurelio and I started our morning with waffles and some Easter egg decorating.


The Pooch Parade was canceled due to inclement weather...but of course we didn't find out until we were already in downtown Dallas, with the dogs in their little dresses ready to go. Should have called first; but I just couldn't believe they'd cancel because of a little rain. We were all a little bummed...



We didn't do big baskets or anything this year - though we did indulge a little. I got some peeps and Aurelio got a giant hollow chocolate easter egg. We also enjoyed decorating our glitter easter eggs :).

Next year we'll have plenty of fun hiding eggs for our little one :).

He/She's been moving around a lot lately. A sign that he/she's healthy :).

31 Weeks

After a few rough nights; I finally got some good sleep!! The baby has been pretty quiet this week; but must know the weekend is here. She/he's been kicking and moving around a lot Friday and today. Which is a nice change after the lull. I can tell room is depleting in there for baby Reis, and although I feel bad about how squished she/he must be I'm really not looking forward to my belly growing anymore. I had an appointment with my midwife yesterday and I'm already at 151 Pounds!! Which means I have at least 10 more pounds to gain in order to reach the ideal 26 pound weight gain mark. We also determined that I'm not getting quite enough protein in my diet - so I've had to start drinking protein shakes...but I can't have the yummy chocolate kind because they contain coco...so I'm stuck with the vanilla...and not loving it. I thought it might help to use milk instead of the water...um...NO! It became all chunky...ugh. On the bright side my belly is measuring just perfect - 31 cm; so it seems like the baby is doing just fine. :)

Yesterday I went to Babies R Us for the first time...what a HUGE store they have here!! I got a changing pad for the dresser we bought and sheets to go on the mattress; and I couldn't resist this one girls summer dress with matching hat! I also bought a boys polo onezie to be fair. I also found this yellow onezie that says "Daddy's Little Alarm Clock" HAD to purchase that too! :) I did however show some restraint...I found the cutest little tutu and somehow pushed my cart away from the rack.

Aurelio has lots to do this weekend; cutting the grass, finishing the washer/dryer stand, completing our taxes...so I'm going to try and leave him to it. I've got plenty of cleaning to do and I've got to put the finishing touches on Lily and Daisy's Easter dresses. We are entering them in the Dallas Pooch Parade tomorrow. I'll make sure to get some pictures to share with you! :).

The weather has been up and down this week; I'm really looking forward to a steady heat so our pool warms up to bearable temperatures. I am looking forward to floating around in the pool. It's nice to have some relief from the weight of baby.

In 6 days I'll be boarding a plane to NH!!!!!! :) I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone! Feels like it's been a really long time.

Hopefully Aurelio and I will have a chance to enjoy some nice weather today and maybe make it down to the Dallas Arboretum. We'll see how it unfolds. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

On Saturday Aurelio and I went for a bike ride near the Arboretum in Dallas. They have a beautiful lake there that you can ride around. Though I don't think we'll be going again until the end of summer. It was a little too far for me to ride with my big belly. Hard to put enough air into your lungs when they are being squished by a baby. It was really nice to be out and about and the weather was just perfect for us. Aurelio kept seeing the dads carrying their kids in a cart behind their bikes and it was great to see him looking forward to that. By the time we got home around 5pm; I was exhausted and took a nap.


Sunday we went to the Renaissance Festival in Scarborough, TX. We both enjoyed walking around seeing all the different shows and booths; but of course; I was an idiot and wore high heals (because I insisted in wearing my rennfest dress - that amazingly still fit) and by 3pm my feel were torn up and swollen and it was time to go home. Aurelio made some fantastic steaks on the grill and mommy and baby were happy. :)



Last night I had the craziest dream about our baby - my first. I felt some pressure on my belly button and when I pulled up my shirt the baby stuck it's arm out! I though this was cute and immediately put my finger near his/her hand, she/he held my finger tightly...then more pressure and before I knew it the whole baby had come out my belly button! I was freaking out trying to get everything ready to go to the hospital because delivering via belly button is not "normal". I couldn't find my cell phone and therefore couldn't contact Aurelio...I just kept running around the house holding the baby who was now cooing playfully...then I woke up and had to pee...

We got our crib and dresser on Friday; a surprise to the both of us since everyone and every book told us that they take months to arrive and you should order them early...though now we have plenty of time to assemble them. Any suggestions on where we should put them? I was thinking the nursery - but I've read that for the first 6 months you should have the baby sleep in the same room as you. Should we set up the changing station in the master bedroom?

Crafty Hump Day

Well, I actually did it!! I completed my first baby hat!! :) Something I certainly didn't think I'd be able to do so well. Not sure what has gotten into me; but I'm becoming crafty :).

I am almost done with the dogs Easter dresses; and I've started a new project - cross-stitching a baby announcement, to hang in the nursery.

After a long day yesterday researching cribs, I've finally picked out the perfect one. Affordable, safe, and I like how it looks...It will take months to get here; but we have a bassinet for next to the bed if it doesn't arrive in time.

I got my first 'charlie horse' last night - woke me out of a sound sleep screaming "Aurelio! Help me!!" Poor guy probably thought something major was happening. I couldn't believe the pain and how the muscle just wouldn't loosen up! My girlfriends had warned me that as I progressed those things could happen - but I wasn't prepared. (Two of my pregnant girlfriends have already given birth and another is already doing the nesting thing - so I think she's going to deliver soon.)

The baby has been entertaining me by wiggling my belly all around in little kicking frenzy's. It tends to make me a little nauseous when he/she does it, but it's so neat to watch and feel that I don't mind too much.

I spent the better part of the morning in the bath; it was SO nice! I read almost all of my nurse-midwife book right there! I absolutely love baths; not that I haven't always, but they seem so much better these days.

In Texas you have to have sprinklers all around the base of your house to keep the foundation moist throughout the warmer months. Aurelio just learned how to program these...only problem is that now everyday at 10am our lawn gets "sprinkled" for about 15minutes - by the time the sprinklers turn off the grass is just one large puddle. The poor dogs don't know what to do and where to go potty. There pen was so full of water today that they were unable to play in the backyard. It got up to 90 degrees today - and yet the water stayed!! :/ Now Aurelio just has to figure out how to change the timer on the sprinklers so they don't drown our house!

Well, I should get back to the books. Aurelio and I are studying up on home births so we'll be prepared in June. I've already done so much research on everything from what diapers to buy to what kinds of positions work best...but there's so much more to learn.

I hope everyone is having a great week!!