I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and support! The blog has many views and I've received many compliments, both in person and by messages or emails! So please don't be shy and share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment sections of the blog!! I'm excited to keep writing and updating as much as I can. Unfortunately, we're still in the middle of this waiting period... all the action and excitement will be in full swing once Maia is born, but for now time seems like it's both going in slow motion and fast forward, all at the same time! D-day (delivery day) will be here before we know it!... about 6 more weeks to be exact!
One thing I've been asked several times, is how to subscribe. The easiest way is to put your email in the "Follow By Email" section to the right of the blog. Click "Submit" and a small window will open asking you to verify a code. Then Click on "Complete Subscription Request" and an email will be sent to you. Check your email, then click on the link to "Activate the Subscription." You will then be sent an email whenever the blog is updated. I hope this helps.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend and enjoying some great weather (at least in the Bay Area it's great!). For right now, we're just spending time with Marcus since these are his last days he'll have us all to himself! So as long as he's being a "good boy" we take him to parks or just leave the house with nothing planned, and see where we end up! So far it's worked out great and all the walking has taken the place of regular exercise for me! So until next time, make it a great day! =)
Many people have asked us about having a baby shower... and we've decided not to have one. First of all, we were a lil bit traumatized after what happened last year. Flashback to G having back problems during Marcus' shower (2007). He could barely walk and had to sit in the corner for hours while everyone took turns talking to him like he was the Godfather! Then last year for Marissa's shower, he ended up breaking his right leg and ankle and spent most of the day in the ER! Receiving our amnio results just 3 days later with the lethal diagnosis was the icing on the cake! So that somewhat left a bitter taste in our mouths! Technically, this is our third baby, so I think we should know by now, what things we need and don't need. But then again, it seems like so much has changed when it comes to technology and style... all these new & improved things I could've used with Marcus five years ago! We're ok though, we have most of the essential baby items and anything else we'll get when we need it. Not having a shower this time did make me feel a bit guilty at first because I felt like we weren't celebrating this baby the way we should. It was hard enough in the beginning of the pregnancy, when I felt so uncomfortable announcing the news to people. I was excited but still nervous that something could happen, similar to last time, so I was hesitant to plan or buy anything, much less share the news. As of right now, most of Marissa's things are still in a big box, including gifts from her shower and random things that I couldn't resist buying at the time. Probably sometime in the next couple of weeks I plan to go through those items and see what we can use for Maia... it'll be like a gift from her big sister. I actually started buying things for the baby just recently, I think because I finally felt ok about buying things and not having to think about all the "what if's." But I think it's the procrastinator in me! Plus, we're expecting the baby to stay in the hospital for about the first month of her life, so I've avoided shopping for newborn sized clothing, since she will literally be topless while in the hospital! Woo hoo! But after surgery, I think she will mainly be accessorizing with some tubes and wires. The doctors and nurses did say we're allowed to dress her up in beanies, socks and legwarmers! I'm trying to avoid the color pink... I'm getting tired of seeing pink everywhere! I much prefer lavender, coral, or even yellow!
To be honest, I don't feel a shower is necessary for us this time around. I'm not as nervous about having a baby as I was before, and now it's for different reasons. I do feel bad about having to keep her away from family and friends for the first few months. So we're thinking about having some sort of celebration, after we get the ok from her doctor... maybe a meet the baby and christening party, all in one! So we'll see!
So as we continue to wait and anticipate Baby Maia's arrival, we know we have to make some changes before she's born. Everything from rearranging furniture to cleaning up the house... and trying to find ways to be as germ-free as possible and avoid exposure to illness!
Right now the focus is on changing some furniture in our bedroom. Sad to say, but the furniture in our room is made up of mismatched hand-me-downs from the 1980's! We're due for a new bedroom set, which we'll get eventually, but for right now we got things started by getting a smaller and more modern looking desk... so we can say goodbye to my old grade school desk that takes up so much space, and it's not really usable space either. What this all means for us is that we'll have more space for a little crib! I imagine the first several months she'll be in our room with us, so a crib is essential. All other baby-related things, like her clothes, will go into big brother Marcus' room. He's been so good and more than willing to help out with anything he can, it's really too cute! He gave up almost half his closet space for his baby sister and also 2 drawers in his dresser. At first he wanted the baby to sleep with him in his bed (not one of his greatest ideas!), but realized he's kind of a "wild" sleeper and will most likely hurt her.
Speaking of Marcus, we've been thinking of ways to keep him as clean as possible, especially once Maia comes home from the hospital. The doctors have told us that staying away from germs is imperative, especially after heart surgery, since her immune system will be compromised. We've slowly been letting family and friends know that although we'd love for them to meet the baby, catching a cold or any kind of sickness is just too risky the first few months. Unfortunately, with Marcus going back to school at the end of August, he will be exposed to many kids and germs! So other moms of heart babies with older siblings, have suggested a routine, one that would also work for adults, like daddy. So before coming near the baby, whether the person is coming home from work or school, first thing to do would be to take off/change clothes and then either shower or scrub down surgeon style! I think this is what we're going to end up doing because I really can't think of anything better at the moment, but I'm always open to suggestions! In general, anyone that comes near the baby would have to wash up regardless if they plan on holding the baby or not... so I think I should start stocking up on not only diapers, but also some antibacterial soap and sanitizing gel! I might as well add lotion to the list too!
Anyway, so that's what's mainly been on my mind lately... preparation! I'm 31 weeks right now and that means we only have 8 more weeks to go!!! I'm not yet feeling a sense of urgency. But then again, I usually don't worry about anything unless there's actually something to worry about!... It doesn't help that I'm a big time procrastinator, so I'm hoping Maia doesn't plan on arriving early!
Before I go, let me introduce you guys to Marcus - he'll be documenting our journey too with his own video diary!
