Can Someone Please Tell Me...

Who the heck came up with sizing for baby clothes, and why can't they all be sized the same way? I think I kinda figured it out, but not completely... Cohen is not all that chubby, but he is tall and weighs more than most babies his age (he was in the 90th percentile for both at his well-baby check up)... He is now in 3-6 and 6 month clothing and he is barely 3 months old... I feel like I need a baby scale, just to know what size clothes to put him in! There were a lot of clothes that I didn't pull out of the storage box quick enough for him to wear more than once at the 3 month mark because I thought that 3 months was bigger than 0-3 months, like it was the age he should be to wear them, but i think they are pretty much the same size as the 0-3 month clothes... Gah... My baby is getting too big too fast!

A Belated Welcome to Mr. Cohen Robert

My long awaited son was born on November 27th at 4:16am, weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and 22 inches long, and in true new Mama fashion, I dumped blogging down to the last thing on my priority list... Cohen was 6 days overdue (not the start to a be habit I hope) and had given us about 5 false starts so I arrived at Kaiser Roseville to be induced with Pitocin at around 5 am on Thanksgiving day because my Doctor was going to be on duty at Labor and Delivery all day (Kaiser has whatever Dr. is on duty deliver you) and because we figured Cohen was going to be a "Little Turkey" anyway and somehow manage to make us miss dinner again... He took about 23 hours of labor to finally grace us with his presence due to being stuck in a "Sunny Side Up" position (head down, but faced up, hopefully a clue as to what his disposition will be) for a while... After some hallucinations from a janky narcotic, one very painful epidural (the only time I cried all day) and some "maneuvering" (entailing laying on my side with one leg up in a stirrup for about an hour and a half and then flipping over to the other side pretty quickly) Cohen decided it was time to play like Beethoven and roll over... When it can time to push, I got a new wind and was determined not to end up in the OR for a C-Section, so I got my game face on and my Mom, Mother-in-Law, and one of my Best Friends (the one with the stronger stomach :-P) banded around me and coached me through a couple hours of pushing... The first two weeks were (as I hear is the norm) tough to say the least... Day 6 led us back to the beginning (Kaiser Roseville) because Cohen decided to give us a scare by going limp and not eating or fussing for 7 hours... We were there for 3 days, the worst 3 days of my life (oh yes, way worse than Labor and Delivery) watching my son be poked, prodded, and weighed like livestock and trying to be patient while waiting for the results of his Lumbar Puncture, Urine, and Blood work all while trying to get my body to function properly again (lets just say I was stopped up in every possible way, ever had to self catheterize? Not something on my Bucket list to ever have to do again lol)... In the end, he perked back up from the fluids and antibiotics, but they never figured out what was ailing him in the first place (the first blood sample they took was contaminated, and the second one was taken after he had been on antibiotics for 3 or 4 hours) but none-the-less we went home exhausted, but healthier... We laid low for the rest of the month, but decided life is too short not to take chances and took off for LA the day after Christmas to spend a couple of weeks with my family... We came back last Tuesday and then I got the last minute chance to go back again on Friday with my two best friends (which we have done for the last 2 years together on MLK Jr. Weekend) and I jumped on it, taking the boy in tow only 3 days after getting back home... It may not have been the best idea for such a short turn-around, but I guess you live and learn... I celebrated my first birthday as a Mom yesterday and it was interesting not having the one day that is usually all about me go as planned,not because of Cohen at all, just a bunch of random miss-haps that all happened at once, but it was as hard on him as it was on me and we both melted down at various points in the day... I guess I am just breaking him in a little for life on the go with Mom... He is a trooper, but a baby can only handle so much... He'll be 2 months old in 7 days, I can believe how quickly this time has gone by... Today marks my first day on the job as a full-time mom as Toby goes back to work... Wish us luck!

This Kid Is Keeping Me On My Toes!

I figured I am allowed a lazy post... Pasting in some of my Status updates from this crazy week... Tuesday there was a big storm and my phone went dead (I panic when that happens and started having contractions, but they settled after my friend Katie got to my house and helped me pack a bag just in case)... Wednesday I went to Safeway with Vicki for like 10 minutes and started having contractions, when I called Labor and Delivery they told me I had to come in because I had more then 4 in an hour preterm... We took our time and ate something just in case I got stuck there and by the time we got there I was very calm and the contractions had pretty much stopped... Note to self, stop getting overly excited!!! Thursday was uneventful, just laid low and then took a short trip to the store to get some baby hangers in the evening with Ashley and Dani after we made Roast chicken and vegetables, Mashed potatoes, and Gravy for dinner... Thankful for my friends and my family for helping me stay calm :)
Tuesday 4:38pm LenaLoo is in early labor... 1 cm dialated and been having contractions since Saturday afternoon (thought they were just Braxton Hicks)... This child is as impatient as his mama lol, he could come anytime between now and his due date though... I am voting for Sunday night after the baby shower or later...

Tuesday 4:50pm Trying to (just rest, take it easy and let him "cook" a little longer)... the doctor didn't seem worried at all... i am 34 weeks 4 days and she said if i progress to active labor, they are not going to try to stop it, so I am fighting a serious urge to make a tree out of paper bags for the baby room and trying to stay in bed for the most part ( i have a wicked cold too)

Tuesday 4:59pm Due date is November 20th, but I have long suspected they were incorrect... My estimation was Nov 12th...

Tuesday 5:49pm I have been having real contractions off and on since saturday... so that seems to be what he is up to lol... hopefully he will wait until sunday night so i can attend my baby shower, otherwise ya'll may have to bring the shower to me :)

Tuesday 5:57pm I am in bed right now... staying here as much as possible...

Tuesday 11:55pm LenaLoo is going to bed... if the contractions get stronger and closer together, we've got our bags (mostly) packed...

Wednesday 10:20am LenaLoo thinks labor may last a while... Thanks a lot Mom lol... Hopefully Cohen will stay put... Still having contractions but they are not strong enough or long enough to go in to Labor and Delivery... Sadly though, I think I have to give up my dream of seeing RENT onstage yet again... This time I even had tickets purchased!

Wednesday 10:26am RENT is tomorrow... and I don't think I should go cuz of this nasty cold, not cuz of the contractions...

(had to talk certain family members - Mom and Tony - out of hopping a flight from LA or jumping in a car and saying "I'll drive you up now! I'll have you there in 6 hours!" after the trip to Labor and Delivery)

Wednesday 10:49pm You (Mom) said you were dilated with Drew for like 20+ days... :-P I have to blame someone for this lol... I kid I kid I yoke I yoke...

Wednesday 10:50 Lol Tony would say that, and no guys, it's not "time" yet... I will update my status right now...

Wednesday 10:55 LenaLoo is pretty sure that Cohen's karate kicks and chops have been some of my "contractions," they even confused the nurse! Pretty sure I have at least had some contractions but I was definitely not having them when I was hooked up to the monitor... Gotta lay low for a bit though, we don't want him to come preterm (he will be "full term" in 9 days though)...

Wednesday 11:44pm I kept telling him that he is gonna have to learn some patience from his dad, cuz I have none lol... Hopefully he will stay put for at least 9 days... I don't see why he wouldn't if I lay low like I need to... I gave up going to see RENT tomorrow :( I am super bummed, but it will be worth it if I can stave off Active labor till at least Sunday night :)

Wednesday 11:56pm Not nervous, just cautious... Laying low does not equal traipsing around San Fran all day and being woo'd by Anthony Rapp and Adam Pasqual's amazing voices unfortunately... I started having "pains" (since they were not proven to be contractions) after walking around Safeway for 10 minutes with Vicki... I just don't think anything is worth speeding up this labor when Cohen is not even full term yet, no, not even RENT :(

Friday 10:38 am LenaLoo has not had contractions for two days now! Praise God! Hopefully this impatiant little boy listened to his Aunties, Uncles, and Grandmas and is going to stay put till he has at least reached term (another week to go!)

Baby Swag

I got some amazing stuff for baby Cohen from all my friends and family in LA this weekend as well as some our friend Vicki (loads of furniture and some clothes) and some from a super sweet sample sale! I figured I'd post a few pics so ya'll can see what we have already (in case the stores messed up on updating the registries as usual hee hee)...
Sample Sale: Only spent $100!!!

Cocalo Alphabet Soup Set: Growth Chart, 2 photo frames, 2 sets of wall hangings, Matching blocks, Switch plate cover, Night Light, & Wall Border Decals; 2 blankets, Baby timer, Nursing cover by Hooter Hiders, A box of 6 pairs of socks, Booties, 2 Swaddling blankets, A Sun shade for the back window, and some chewable jewlery...

...But wait there's more... A comforter that coordinates with the one we have in case it gets baby puke on it :), Teresa got one for her crib too (at $10 a pop you can't beat it)

...And even more! Diaperbag by gr8x with changing pad and pacifier holder (the side pocket is insulated for a bottle)... and a coodrinating Diaper "wallet" by Skip*hop that is mostly a changing pad that has pockets for the included refillable wipes case and a couple of diapers... I like it, very grab-and-go... But everything in the last three pics was included in the $100!!! We even got Gracie a Diaper bag as well!
Baby Shower:

Crib from Vicki, Moremi by Cocalo Crib set from mi Mama

Matching Mobile from Auntie Marcie "Boo Boo"

Daddy Diaper Bag from Uncle Larry, Aunt Sandy, and the girls, Felice and Marisa

Froggy Bath Tub Kit from "Tia" Aimie

High Chair from Sadie (she made Cohen a "Sadie Blanket" too, my fave baby blanket I had was made by her, super special lady, and one of my Nana's dear friends)

Swing that turns into a Toddler Rocking chair, also from Auntie Marcie "Boo Boo" :)

Pack and Play Yard from Liz and the Girls, Mandy, Allison, Angela, and Sasha

The start to a great wardrobe :) Many people contributed to this :)

Lots of Bibs, a couple hats, and a couple pairs of shoes

Bath and Safety Stuff

In The Dresser: Drawer #1 - Sleepers and some socks

In The Dresser: Drawer #2 - Lots of Onesies, Some Rompers, Shirts, Pants, A cool Harley Davidson outfit (thanks Amy), a cute brown sweater, and a cute "church shirt"

In The Dresser: Drawer #3 - Lots of toys, which I know will quickly outgrow the drawer and soon be on the floor :) We should look for a toy box or something on CraigsList, Joanne gave me the cute Giraffe Band and the Monkey Harness!

In The Dresser: Drawer #4 - Diapers and Wipes of the Earth Friendly Variety, My little way of "consuming less and creating more" I guess... We will be cloth diapering at home, but sometimes when you are out and about, you just really need a couple disposables...

Okay I know these shelves need some organization, but I was starting to lose steam... I just wanted stuff off the floor... Up here is A car organizer, a travel blanket, and sunshades for my car from Joe and Vivian, a nursing cover by Bebe Au Lait, A Baby Ka'tan wrap that Teresa got me at Goore's, and a whole bunch of the other stuff listed in the first picture from the sample sale...

So many beautiful balnkets, from so many beautiful people (the yellow knit one is Nana-made and the white one is Sadie made)

More Diapers and Wipes and blankets :)

Lots of receiving blankets and a couple burp cloths

Cohen's first Buddies :) Giraffe from Grandma Terri and Elephant from Auntie Marcie "Boo Boo"

Musical "Buddies" Giraffe from Liz and girls, Elephant from Auntie Polly and Rachel

Chillin'

All the Buddies (including March of Dimes "Auggie Doggie" from Julie and Ashley)

Feathering the Nest

I know I haven't written in a while, but I have been quite busy nesting... I know, right? LenaLoo? Nesting? Lol... But seriously, with a little help from my friends, this apartment that looked like a tornado had hit after my first 5 months or so of pregnancy is now starting to look pretty darn good! Okay, so the dishes may not be clean all the time,

but I have organized Cohen's bedroom and gotten all (well, most) non-baby stuff out,

Gotten the cats used to doing their business out on the porch by making them a kitty paradise,

Organized our electronics and some books we had in baby room onto a new unit,

Re-purposed the old unit we had our TV and stuff on as a coffee table with storage to further organize the electronics, Got most of the extra stuff out of our bedroom (still working on this), Had the back bath tub re-caulked (thanks Dad and Hubby for the joint effort) so we could finally use it again (have to do the front still before baby gets here),

Brought my baby dresser up from LA and organized all the gifts from LA baby shower immediately (like didn't even sit down and take a break after the car ride, I got right to work),

and Put Cohen's bedding and mobile up in his crib (I know I have to take it off again and wash it before he gets here, I was just really anxious to see how it looked on the crib)

Nesting?

Is it supposed to start this early? I "dropped into" a baby store (Goore's, for people in Sacramento) yesterday and 3 hours later came out shell shocked but giddy... I got to see the crib set we picked out before we knew it was available online only, Talked to reps about cloth diapering, baby wearing (she talked me into buying a sling), and diaper bags...

I also found a humongo giraffe that I really really want to put in baby's room, I even have the perfect corner for it, alas it is $99... I also got talked into registering there because they are the only store around that has the cloth diapers that we think we are going to go with (Bambino Mio, anyone heard of it or used it? It is a prefold system with cover just like Tidee Didee uses), and I signed us up for a cloth diapering class sponsored by the company later this month... Like Becky said, "It's like all of a sudden you are really pregnant" lol... She was referring to the fact that I can actually eat for two now (I proved that at Ikea the other day, eating in a sitting what Toby and I normally share)...

I also was able to stomach (and enjoy) Dill Pickle and Cherry flavored shaved ice last weekend in front of Becky who tasted it and nearly gagged... I came home from the 3 hours of awe at Goore's to a room full of baby furniture that needed to be assembled, so I enlisted Tim's help... He took my crib apart and painted it for me, so he kinda knew better than the rest of us how to put it back together (we should have taken pictures before taking it apart, cuz he had even painted over the brand name and totally couldn't remember it to look online for instructions lol)...

When Toby got home, he helped Tim also put together the changing table my mother in law got us the other day...

And then I cleared all the posters and books that reflect Toby and I and put them up in the hallway (still need to find a home for the books though) so we could move the bookshelf around and figure out how we like the setup...

I think this is what we are going to go with...

Diapers Part Deux

So I have been doing a little research and I am thinking about hiring a diaper service, at least while we live in this apartment with no washer/dryer in unit... I think we will still use some disposables (the biodegradable kind) for when we are out and about and at church (no nursery worker wants to deal with clothies)... The service starts at about $19 a week and about $30 to start for the diaper hamper and diaper covers (less than a Diaper Genie)... and that is if we exclusively use clothies... I have to figure out if that is reasonable... The numbers show that disposables cost just a little bit more than using a diaper service... But $40 savings per year is better than no savings... And I won't have 6500 disposables sitting in a landfill for 500 years weighing on my conscience... I still have to talk to Faith and find out how many I might need per week if I am using some bio-disposables...