Old Wives Tales

My dear friend Ashlee played this fun game at her gender reveal party based on all the old wives tales about baby gender prediction. Her sister asked her a bunch of questions and based on her response, a sticker got placed in either the boy or girl column. Cute idea for a gender reveal party or a baby shower where the gender is unknown. Based on the wives tales, it was predicted that Ash would be having a girl, which she is. I was playing along in my head, and the wives tales predicted girl for me, too, which was obviously the case. Here's a list of some of the questions: mamas out there-check it out and see if it was accurate for you, too!

Heart Rate 
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.

Prediction: Girl-Ryleigh's heart rate was a steady 150 bpm at every appt, so this was right on.

Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.

Prediction: Boy -My belly was definitely small and lower. In fact, the cutest little Armenian lady at the jewelry district in downtown LA informed me (when I was about 8.5 mo pregnant) that my ultrasounds HAD to be wrong, because she was certain I was carrying a boy b/c of my belly size and shape, so this one was wrong for me.

Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.

Prediction: Girl-Every time I did this, it would swing back and forth, so this one was right for me.

Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.

Prediction: Boy-I never had acne during pregnancy. In fact, my skin was probably the best it's been, so wrong-o.

Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.

Prediction: Girl-This one was right on. I have NEVER had a sweet tooth and would rarely order dessert. I don't even really like ice cream (gasp). I am all about salty foods, but during my pregnancy I could not get enough sweets. I ordered dessert after almost every meal. It's amazing that I didn't gain 100 lbs.

Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.

Prediction: Girl-As far as I could tell, my legs stayed the same size as before. The weight that I did gain was right around my mid section.

Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.

Prediction: Boy-Well, 90% accuracy huh? According to the Chinese, Ry should have been a boy...

Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.

Prediction: Girl-The sheer fact that I didn't fall down the stairs or slip off my high heels during my pregnancy was nothing short of a miracle, because I do this on a regular basis. So, I suppose this prediction was right for me. Now that she's here, though, all bets are off-the bruises on my legs speak for themselves!

Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.

Prediction: Girl-I have to be careful here, but I'll say this one was right only b/c John joked that he was putting on sympathy weight....but this probably has more to do with the said sweet tooth-I was constantly bringing sweet treats home for us to eat! That and the sheer sight of most foods made me want to puke, so cooking was out and John lived on take out for about 6 months, which isn't always the healthiest...

What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.

Prediction: Boy-I would have bet my right arm that this babe was a boy. Good thing I didn't.

Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.

Prediction: Girl-Ha. We all know the answer to this one. I was sick enough during my pregnancy that the thought of doing it again is like free birth control.

Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.

Prediction: Girl-Meat disgusted me while I was pregnant. If my baby turns out to be a vegan hippy, that's my bad.

Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.

Prediction: Girl-No headaches. Just stomachaches

IntelliGender Test
Ok, this is not a wives tale, just a public service announcement to save your money, folks! This $35 test claims to predict gender with 85% accuracy. You pee into a cup and the pee mixes with a chemical and if it turns bright yellow/orange, that's positive for a girl, and if it turns dark green, that's positive for a boy. The test I took turned dark green instantly. I knew that that didn't mean I should run out and paint the nursery blue, but since I already thought there was a little dude in there, this made me more certain. Wrong! Next time around I'll be patient enough to wait for the early U/S @ 14 wks = )

So, 9 out of the 13 wives tales were right on for me. Coincidence, or is there some truth to these crazy old ladies' tales? Either way, they make an entertaining guessing game while you await the big day.

Precious Moments

Ryleigh was a bit fussy the other day. I think she was just plain bored of sitting in her rocker. I went out of the room to do something and came back to this preciousness. I love how she is just staring at John.

2 Months...and Other Happenings

I'm a little late on the two month post since the little lady is fast approaching 10 weeks. Here's what we've been up to around these parts.


Let's start with Easter weekend.


The Friday before Easter, John and I had our first real night out since she was born. We met up with friends at a new Irish bar that just opened by our house. We had dinner, drinks, and socialized until about midnight. It was so great to be OUT and be able to have a few drinks with friends. I haven't really been able to enjoy a night out since before I was pregnant. By the time I stopped feeling sick, I started getting achy and uncomfortable, so I really never had a pleasurable night out the entire pregnancy. When we got home, my parents delivered our kiddo back to us, and our friends came back to our place to finish out the night. We didn't go to bed until after 3am, but it was great to be up that late for a reason other than feeding a baby or changing a diaper! I can't wait to do it again, but it takes so much planning since I have to pump for days ahead of time so little Miss has enough food to keep her going.

My parents kept sending proof of life photos. Here's a cute one of her enjoying her bath!

Fast forward to Easter Sunday. I had 4 different Easter outfits to choose from (yes, I have a problem). Luckily the decision was an easy one since only one of them fit her. The others are just a tad to big still. We got all dressed up and headed to the inlaws for an Easter brunch with the entire fam. Ry got a lot of cute things in her Easter basket and was looking darling in her dress. Afterwards, we headed back to my parents' house for a BBQ. It was a great day, but I am really looking forward to next year when Ry can run around and collect eggs.

Just Chillin' in my Easter Basket

Looking Pretty with Daddy

On her 8 week b-day, Ryleigh had her first doc appointment with her new pediatrician, and got her shots-all three of them. I debated on spacing them out, but decided to just get them over with. I never understood how heart breaking it was until I experienced it myself. She had an expression of pure horror on her face as she encountered her first experience of pain. Poor baby. Luckily she stopped crying the moment we picked her up, and she slept for hours afterwards. She woke up in some pain, but nothing a little medicine couldn't cure. Here are her stats from her appt at 8 wks exactly: 9 lbs 10 oz, 22.5". So, she's gained a little over 3 lbs and has grown 3" since her birthday. She was weighed on a completely empty stomach since she had a little projectile incident right before we left and I didn't have time to feed her again, so I think her weight would have been around 10 lbs had she not thrown up the entire contents of her tummy ; )


Here is her 2 month pic compared to her one month pic

Later that day, Ry got to meet her Great Grandma Hall and Great Auntie Amy, and cousin Allison. They flew in from Texas to meet her, and it was a wonderful weekend. Our plan was to take her swimming for the first time, but it was cold and rainy, so that didn't happen, but we still had a great day with the entire Hall fam.

Snuggling with cousin Allison

That same weekend, my gf's and I held a little surprise "sprinkle" for our best friend Megan. Megan's little man is scheduled to arrive in June, and is the FIRST boy to join this bunch of baby girls. Since my group of gf's has all been having babies for the last 2 years, Brooke and I realized that the two of us haven't had a drink together since 2009! Between her two pregnancies and mine, we had some catching up to do!

Cheers!!

Can't wait to meet you Hudson!

Speaking of baby girls, my bestie Ashlee found out that she will be adding another little girl to the group! That is the 6th girl to join our little group of ladies. Here is the video of their reveal party where they found out that a little girl was on the way. I missed a bit of the reveal b/c when I saw those pink balloons float out, I started jumping up and down! Everyone was convinced that this kid had to be a boy, but I had a feeling there was a little lady brewing in there! So happy for Ryleigh to grow up with all my best friends' babes!

I love how you can hear Joe's dad yell "what the hell" in the background at the end. See-everyone thought this little babe would be a boy!

This weekend was our first weekend in ages without plans or obligations. John also just got home from being out of town all week, so we spent the wknd with just the three of us. We took Ry to South Coast for the first time, and it was really the first time we've been out with her as a family. I've taken her all over the place, but this was the first time it was just the three of us. It was nice, and I must say Ry knows her way around Nordstrom. It was her 4th visit in 2 months, so that's an average of every other week since birth. Her dad pointed that out to me. Got to train this girl early! It was also the first time I left the mall without a single thing for her, which is a feat.

Looking Pretty at SCP

Shopping can be Exhausting!

OK, there's one last update, and it's the best one yet. Baby Girl has been sleeping through the night!!She would have a long stretch once or twice over the past couple weeks, but for the last 4 nights in a row, she has gone to bed btwn 9-10, and slept until 5:15-6am. She then will eat and go back to sleep until around 9 or 9:30. It has been glorious!!! She has always been pretty easy at night. She would wake up every 2.5-3 hours, but she would just eat then go back to bed right away. But, I forgot what a full night of sleep felt like. I woke up that first morning and it was light out and I had to check her to make sure she was still alive! Pure gloriousness!


Finally, here are some pics of general cuteness from this past month!

Trying Sophie Out. She doesn't really get the concept of sucking on something and not having it produce food, so she isn't the biggest fan of Sophie for the moment. 

Shopping with Grandma!

Snuggle time with Daddy

Headed out to dinner on this stormy night

Enjoying her ocean adventures at Grandma and Grandpa's House

General Merriment

Favorite Things: Baby Edition

I loved reading these types of posts when I was preggo. I found them really helpful as I was preparing a shopping list of things to get for baby, so I thought I would write one of my own in case any mom to be's are reading...

As my baby shower approached, I browsed the aisles and website of Babies R Us aimlessly, having no clue what items we would REALLY need for our little one. Aside from the obvious essentials like carseats, strollers, diapers, etc, I didn't have any idea which gadgets would be used religiously, and which ones would collect dust in the back of her closet. My mom friends were awesome and they went through my entire registry pointing out things that worked for them, which was great, but every babe is different and what is the miracle device for one might be the what another baby loathes most.

Here is a list of what has been awesome for us over these last two months:

1. My Brest Friend

seriously the best thing ever! I had a boppy, but the first time I tried to nurse with it, it was awkward and Ryleigh didn't fit right on it. When I took her in for her well check when she was four days old, the doc wanted me to nurse in front of her so she could make sure we were doing it right. She offered me a Brest Friend to use while I did it. I strapped that thing on and swore I heard a choir of angels! You mean I don't have to awkwardly hold her head with one hand my boob with the other?! You mean I can do this hands free?! Sign me up! I went to BRU the next morning to pick up two of my own-one for my house and one for my parents' house.

2. Wipe Warmer

OK, so this seemed a little silly to me when I registered for it. Like one of those things that was more novelty than practical, but I got one anyway. When we brought Ry home from the hospital John plugged it in. When it was time for her first diaper change, I grabbed a wipe and it was so nice and toasty I almost debated buying one for my bathroom! Ry didn't even wake up during that first diaper change because that wipe was nice and warm, like the heated towels they bring you at BBQ joints. When I change her diaper at other places, I notice just how cold those wipes get, and she looks really startled by the coldness on her little butt. So, go buy one-worth it.

3. Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper

John is very sensitive about the baby bed subject, because, well I think I've purchased almost every type sold trying to find one that worked for my picky sleeper. Ryleigh clearly didn't inherit her mama's ability to literally sleep anywhere. We bought her the pack n play lite (a smaller version of the pack n play) to act as her bassinet. We figured we could kill two birds w/ one stone-she could sleep in the pack n play while she's in our room, and then we would have it for when we travel as she gets older. When she first came home, she slept next to me in bed (I know, I know, that's a big no no, whatever). It just made sense bc I was feeding her so frequently, and in those first few days home, I felt like I had to watch her every second to make sure she was breathing. Well, I never slept well with her next to me out of fear that I would roll over on her, so I decided it was time to put her in her bed. She HATED it. I think all the space around her freaked her out because her little legs would flail around and her arms would jet out and she would cry. So, we tried it with her swaddled, and same reaction minus the flailing. What I initially thought was that she was just used to being next to us and was protesting her solitude. I went back to BRU and found the Snuggle Nest-which is a little enclosure that is meant to go in bed between mom and dad, but it's protected on the sides so you can't roll on the baby, and the baby can't roll out. This actually worked well in the beginning. She slept pretty well in it, but it took up so much room in our bed and it wasn't comfortable to sleep next to. After a couple of weeks, it didn't matter, because our sweet girl began protesting the Snuggle Nest too. She also started to spit up a lot around this time. I started to learn that laying her down flat made it worse, and seemed to make her uncomfortable. Maybe that was the problem, I thought. Maybe she doesn't like to lay flat. So, onto the Rock n Play. This little bed is at an incline, so baby can sleep upright without being propped up by blankets. It also rocks, which helps soothe them to sleep. Finally, it's pretty narrow, so the baby feels nice and secure since there's not a lot of open space. When I brought it home for John to put together, I thought he was going to punch me in the face. Not really, but he rolled his eyes and put it together. We put our babe inside and she instantly slept. And, she's slept peacefully in it ever since! So, note to all mom's to be-my babe isn't actually picky-turns out most babies out there do not like to lay flat, and find a lot of open space disconcerting, so look for a bed that addresses those common issues.

4. Swaddle Me Blankets

I bought the really cute and soft Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, and while I do use them every day, I don't use them to swaddle anymore. Maybe I'm not a good swaddler, but I was never able to get her swaddled in them the way the hospital did. She is very crafty, and always found a way to free her hands, despite how tightly she was wrapped. I would find her with the blanket pulled out around her face, and a little hand sticking out. I had a few of the Swaddle Me blankets that I had received as gifts, so I tried those out one night, and what a difference! First of all, it didn't take me 10 tries to get her wrapped. More like one. These blankets have a little insert for their feet, then velcro for the parts that wrap the arms in. It makes swaddling so easy, and there is no extra fabric around their face. Much easier at 3 am than dealing with blanket folds.

5. Baby Connect iPhone App

So, when you are in the hospital, they want you to track feedings and diapers. They give you a log to fill out so that the doc can make sure that baby is eating, peeing, pooing enough. They usually have you bring the log to the well check a few days after delivery. I found that damn log so helpful bc it reminded me when she ate last, and for how long, what side, etc. You would think that this would be something I could remember, but my brain was so overloaded that I would have no clue when I fed her last if it wasn't for that log. Once we filled up all the paper logs, I decided to search for a similar app. The one I found that had the best reviews was like $4.99, a little pricey for an app, but let me tell you, that was the best 5 bucks I've ever spent. Ry is 8 weeks tomorrow, and I still use this app for every feeding. I stopped tracking diapers, but it's wonderful for feedings. For breast feeding mom's there is a timer so you can time how long she eats on each side. There is also an option to set an alarm after a certain amount of time (helpful if you accidentally fall asleep during the 2am nursing session). I depend on this thing to let me know how long it's been since her last feeding. Sometimes she'll be really fussy, and I know I just fed her, so I'll try to rock her, walk with her, etc. If she doesn't stop, I'll just do a courtesy check on my app to see when I fed her last, and most of the time, I'm wrong and she's right-it's time to eat! The time between feedings literally flies by, and I will think that there's no possible way it's already been 2-3 hours since she last ate, but her body clock is much more finely tuned than mine! If I didn't have the app, I would think that I had just fed her, and I would try to calm her down while the poor kid starved! It also does other cool things like track sleep, moods, doc appointments, immunizations, etc. There is so much to remember w/ a new baby, and this app will free up some room in your already overloaded brain!

Well, that's it for now...I may do another post in a few months bc she has a bunch of contraptions that are ready for her as soon as she grows a bit...