After baby comes I...

Things that I'm looking forward to after the baby comes, and that will help me push through labor:

Wearing clothes that fit.

Wearing clothes I like.

Not having a constant jabbing in my ribs.

Going hiking, or going anywhere farther than my car without getting out of breath.

Hiking the Subway next spring, and being able to get in shape for it prior to going.

Wearing high heels.

Bending over.

Being able to take a bath with the water covering my whole body and not having a giant belly jutting out getting cold.

NO MORE SWELLING FEET!

Loosing my water weight (not to mention baby weight).

Sleeping in any position I like without pain :)

Being able to look down and see my feet.

Being able to put my book in my lap and read it, or on my belly without it getting kicked around.

And of course the best and biggest reasons:

I'll have an adorable baby to take care of and love (What? Me a Mom?? That's right :)

I get to see her everyday, feed her, clean her, dress her, and love her.

I get to see Ben be a cute new Daddy (so excited about that!).

I can't wait to share loving her with family and friends and letting them love her too!

Being a stay at home Mom, and that includes seeing her grow and develop each and everyday 'cause I'll be there! :D

Things that I will miss about being pregnant:

Seeing her squirm around in my belly.

The feeling of her squirming around in my belly.

The connected feeling I have with her, kinda like...I can feel what she's like, personality-wise, and she kinda keeps me company (sounds weird I know).

Yeah, I think that's all I'll miss about being pregnant, not much there. ;)

Overall, I really want to meet her face to face and carry her in my arms. As well as I want to wear my favorite t-shirt again (that doesn't fit me right now).

To Doula, or not to Doula?

Wow, this picture makes me feel so much better about myself :D

ANYWAY...

Since the time of "baby delivery" is drawing near, and I want to be all prepared, and I would like to get some input from you. I guess in my mind I thought that my midwife would be there from when I started labor 'till the end, but in reality she only gets there when I get to the hospital. Which is still a long time, since they are there for all the more intense labor and of course the delivery, but I've been thinking about possibly getting a Doula. A Doula is like a labor coach, someone who knows all about pregnancy and delivery, the good signs and the bad signs, etc. They know the positions and things to do to make you more comfortable during the first round of labor pains into the rest of labor. They help the Dad know what kind of massages and things he can do to help. I guess you meet with them 2 or 3 times before you go into labor and then they are there for the ENTIRE labor from when you first start feeling it at home. I'm probably not making sense. Okay, for a better definition click here.

One of the main reasons that I want a Doula is that I would like to be in the hospital for as little time as possible. I'm not a big fan of hospitals and especially the way women in labor tend to be rushed through the process when they're there. Well, they can't exactly rush me when I'm not going to accept any drugs so, I guess that's moot, but still I don't like being there all the same. So, I would like to labor at home as much as possible, and then get there and just be ready to deliver! If that's possible...I did see it on one episode of "Deliver Me" that was on youtube. I've watched a lot of natural births on youtube now, and a lot of them tend to have Doula's, unless they're birthing at home, then they just used a midwife.

What I'd really love is to give birth in a birthing center (much more comfortable, and you don't have to clean it later ;), but sadly the closest one is in Tucson. Ohhhhh... :(

I've only known one other person that has used a Doula, so I just don't know if I really need one since Mom and Michelle will be there too, but at the same time...gah, I don't know. So, what do you know of Doula's and what's your opinion on them? If you had one, did you find it helpful? The statistics are pretty awesome, see them here. I'm all for shorter labor!!!

Anyway, let me know you're opinion, or what you've heard. I'm just trying to get as much info as I can, while I can ;)

~Crystal

Okay, REALLY??

While at the gas station the other day, I saw this on the gas pump:

On this gas pump. Good 'ol number 9.

Okay, really? Really??

Who's fault was this one? Who was it that decided that it would be a good idea to try to smoke gasoline?

I sure don't know, but I'm glad they got that warning out to the rest of us. Just in case ;)

Wahh!

I'm so depressed! I just got back from the Midwife's office for my check up and I've gained weight again!!! I'm not even going to write how much I gained, it's really embarassing. I'm getting anxious about my midwife too. She doesn't really seem to listen to me when I ask her things. It could be because she had a girl that was in labor and "pushing", so she was trying to get through all her clients really fast, but I'd much rather reschedule and have her listen to me, then have no appointment at all. Gah. And if I were that woman in labor I'd be mad 'cause she wasn't there. That makes me anxious too. I think I like the other midwife in the office better, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch to her. We'll see. I have another appointment next week.

Sorry for the rambling.

=)

I kinda feel like I don't post enough, like I wait too long in between posts, but when I post I want it to be something good...and with any luck some good pictures too. But there's no harm in updating I guess ;)

I was going to make my next post about my work trip to Laguna Beach, but I guess I'm not getting those pictures for a while, so I'll just wait. Since everyone is posting about their 4th of July day I guess I'll join in.

For the 4th Ben and I left in the morning for our ward's...correction: old ward's (sigh of sadness, we're going to miss them), Patriotic 4th of July pancake breakfast. I have to tell you it was awesome! Between Sis. Moritz's 4th of July/constitutional trivia, the musical numbers, and the BEST pancakes I've ever eaten, it may have been one of my best 4th's ever! I really appreciate the time the ward took into putting together the program and event, it was awesome! We sure are going to miss you all!!! But we'll keep in touch :)

Then Ben and I went to Home Depot to look at some ceiling fans, and paint colors (some decorating may be going on soon in our new apt). After that we came home and started to unpack some boxes. Did I mention we just moved? Maybe I didn't. We just moved. haha. Last week, right after I got back from Laguna we started packing and on Monday and Tuesday we moved everything out. Thank you John for letting us borrow your truck! We really like our new place, but I'll come back to that in a min. Anyway, after unpacking for a while we were getting hungry, and after moving it seemed that we had eaten through a lot of groceries before leaving, so we decided to go out that night. One of my favorite things is breakfast food, even for dinner. So, we went to IHOP! Yummmy! Afterwards we were going to go to MCC for fireworks, but we overheard at IHOP that they were canceled and the only one close by was at Tempe Town Lake. I've heard they're awesome there, 'cause they play patriotic music and you can see the fireworks reflection in the water, but there's really only one way in and out of there, and it gets super crowded. Well, Ben and I decided that we would rather go see Transformers 2, so we did! It wasn't crowded at all, and we enjoyed ourselves. I liked the movie a lot, but it was way more crass and crude than the last one. Plus, lots more swearing.

Anyway, right as we came out from the movie we noticed some people in the parking lot staring off into the distance. They were watching the fireworks from Tempe Town Lake right from the parking lot, and we could see them really well! Plus, the best part was that there was a flagpole nearby that had our beautiful American flag waving just to the left of the fireworks...it was amazing! So, that was our 4th, it was a lot of fun!

Back to our new apartment. Well, one great thing is that we live right across the way from some of our friends, so we already know people, yeah! The apartment is much roomier (2 bed, 2 bath) and we even have a little laundry room, woohoo! Like I was saying about the paint, they told us that we could paint as long as we paint it back before we move, but it's going to be so cute, they won't want us to change it back ;)

We're not going to paint everything, probably just a couple of accent walls in the living room and bedroom. Maybe we'll do the kitchen, not so sure. We'd love to do the bathroom a nice mint color, and check out the idea I'm stealing from Thrifty Decor Chick's nursery. For baby's room a nice chair railing molding (her explanation makes it so simple!).

Then the stripes, but we're going to use a light purple and cream instead of greens and cream. Cute huh?!

Well, those are the plans for now. I luckily have the week off (the whole office does) so it gives me time to unpack, unpack, unpack...not to mention DECLUTTER! I can't believe we have soooo much STUFF! Yuck. I wish I could have a yard sale 'cause I definitely have plenty to get rid of. Anybody want some stuff?? Maybe I'll post some things (good stuff) on here in case someone does want it. :)

Have a great week, and keep blogging (to those of you that do), 'cause I love reading them!

~Crystal

P.S. - Did I mention we live right behind a Sonic! Happy Hour from 2-4, drinks and slushes 1/2 off, I love it!!!

Let's catch up on some waves...

Thank goodness for Sundays...day of rest. I truly need it after the past couple weeks. Let me start with the weekend before last. Actually I'll just do a post about that, then I'll do one for this last week, 'cause this might get long :)

Lecith (my cousin) came down to visit her boyfriend Blake. We had spent some time visiting with them and on Friday they asked if Ben and I would like to go down to Blake's family's condo at Rocky Point and spend a day at the beach! Well, since poor Ben wasn't going to be able to come to my work's Convention this year at Laguna Beach we thought this would be a nice substitute.

So, Friday night Lecith, Blake, Ben and I drove the 4 hours to Rocky Point and made it there by around midnight. Most of us had taken turns sleeping on the way down (I don't know why we were all sooo exhausted!), but when we got there we were pretty awake so we watched "7 Pounds." Well, we all started the movie but everyone fell asleep or went to bed before it was over...except for me. I just couldn't fall asleep without knowing what was going on!! Plus baby girl was SUPER awake all that time and was doing those crazy movements that make it look like there's something trying to escape from my big belly! Interesting movie, I must say. Not my favorite, kinda sad, but a good one to watch at least once.

Anyway, the next day we went out for some traditional Mexican breakfast. I had chorizo w/eggs, tortillas and beans. Ben and Blake had breakfast burritos, and I can't remember exactly what Lecith had, I think the same as me. All Delicious! Ohhh, how I miss great traditional Mexican food :( Oh, and on the way out of the restaurant Ben bought some sunglasses from a street vendor. He loves, loves cheap sunglasses.

Then we went back to the resort/condo place, and headed down to the beach. It was such a nice day, fairly hot, but not too bad...at least not Arizona bad ;)

Ben and Blake went to find out how much the jet skis would cost, I think $90/hr for two. So, Lecith and Blake went back up to get the money while Ben and I stayed on the beach so he could buy MORE sunglasses! He ended up with 3 pair by the end of the trip. Haha...I did get one pair of white Dior knock-offs, and I really like them. We got the 3 pairs from the beach for $15, not bad.

When Lecith and Blake got back we hopped on the jet skis (yes, even 6 months pregnant 'ol me). Don't worry I took it pretty slow. Eventually we traded partners and Lecith hopped on with me while Ben and Blake went crazy on the other one. Oh, I wish we had gotten pictures, but we don't have a waterproof camera...one day.

After that we played in the pool for a little while and then went out for some tacos and shopping downtown. We had to leave by around 5 that day to get back for a birthday party, and time was getting short so we went over to Tio Reyel and Tia Leecha's condo to see if they were home and say hello. We chatted for a good while, and Tia Leecha gave us some of the most delicious pie she got from her Young Women. I think it was Cream Cheese, Sweetened Condensed Milk, and whipped topping??? I'm not sure on the 3rd ingredient, so maybe try it and let me know ;)

We chatted a little too long, and by the time we got going and then stopped for gas (oh and we had to stop at Thrifty for a little ice cream), it was pretty late when we really got on the road. So, I think we ended getting home around 11 pm, and of course we were "beexhausted" (in the words of Ben), from swimming and riding all day, and we just passed out when we got home.

It was an awesome trip, and we had TONS of fun. Thanks Blake and Lecith!!!!

Here are the few pics we did take:

Haha, I didn't notice that Lecith and Blake have patterns and Ben and I are solids. That's cute.
View from the condo.

On the balcony.

Getting some Tacos, yumm...

Blake and Lecith...oh how cute!!!

Fast Food Tippers

Thanks to everyone who voted on my poll about tipping when ordering food to-go. The votes were 1-6. 1 Said to tip, and 6 said no.

This is something that commonly bothers me, because I'm always at a crossroads as to what to do. Usually I'm ordering to-go food from a fairly nice place, and they always add that little line on the receipt for a tip amount, but those places, I'm sure, are paying those people (not waiters and waitresses, but cashiers) on an hourly (not tip based) basis. And a lot of times they ask you to sign and add up the total before they give you your food, then I get really worried thinking "If I don't put a tip, what will they do to my food?" You know they're going to look at the receipt before they give you your food.

When I worked at a Mexican resturant as a cashier/to-go girl I never expected a tip, but when I did get one on occasion it was very nice; still I never expected it 'cause well, how hard was it to ring them up and hand over the food? Not hard at all, seriously it was hardly work. But then on the other hand, when I worked at Olive Garden there was a girl that would specifically work the to-go's, and she said she made bank in tips. That she even had repeat customers that would fork over $30 in tips each time (of course those were much larger orders). But for most places, to-go is hardly any work, so I don't really feel like it's worth tipping.

So, it always bothered me...what is the kosher thing to do? What does everyone usually do? Well, that's why I put up the poll. I decided that whatever the majority came out to be, is what I am going to do from now on. So, unless I get really good service from my next to-go person (which I always feel deserves a little something extra), I'll be doing the common thing from now on. No more tipping when I pick up my to-go food. I've joined the NTTGFF (Non-Tipping To-Go Food Force), and I'm feeling pretty good. :)

~Crystal