On a streak...

Avery has been managing to pee on the potty once a day since her breakthrough.  We've also had a big poop on the potty right at bedtime the past few nights.  I'm pleased with her efforts!

I also wanted to make some notes on the books that Avery has been adoring.  She definitely gets on kicks with books.  A while back she was obsessed with Pat the Bunny.  As of late her obsession is Dog's Colorful Day.  We often see I'm a Little Teapot too (not my favorite).

As to her Christmas gifts it seems that the art easel is well loved, but I think the biggest success was the ice cream stand.  She plays with it most every night and I can see how her play with it will evolve as she learns and gets older.

Ups and Downs

Avery did well all weekend after we got through Friday with the exception of last night, which I'll blame on an overfeed.  Her poops however still smell like she has expelled a demon.  Needless to say, this is on the "to discuss" list for her next pediatrician appointment, as from what I've read they shouldn't be that bad.

We sat out on the get togethers on Saturday, but did power on for Sunday (Christmas Eve) and his parents came here on Christmas day, so we still had lots of visiting.  We also had a crazy amount of gift opening!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, what on earth am I supposed to do with all of this stuff for this little girl?  We even have a lot of books.  I need to get those sorted again (the more mature ones are stored downstairs for now and the others are upstairs), but I need to also get them more handy so we can start reading to her more regularly.

I need a better routine with her (including the reading time).  There are too many days when I realize (after she's fallen asleep) that I didn't wash her face (and I'm not going to put a wet wash cloth on a sleeping baby).  I guess it's hard to label something routine as there are so many variables.  Today we woke and were ready super early - but on another day that same set of tasks can have me running late.

I also want to post about watching her swinging a candy cane around.  It was the most adorable thing.  I snagged some video and photos, but it isn't quite the same as being there.  She just immediately started swinging it back and forth like she was getting a workout.

Breastfeeding class

This past weekend I went to the Breastfeeding Basics class I had signed up for.  It was informative enough and I came back with more reading materials.  We have another class later this week - the labor and delivery one - which spans two days, that should be ... interesting.

I've been trying to get through a book I pulled from the local library:  Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.  They only give you two week loans now, what's up with that?  I'm not that great of a reader!

My sister is in visiting and today she is ironing the goodies for the baby's room.

I also had a small miracle last night - I didn't get up once to go to the bathroom.  Heck, I didn't even move.  When I woke I was expecting to be in major pain from not budging, but I feel great today.  That is definitely worthy of the miracle label.

Expecting what to expect?

It's funny how reading from what to expect can make you paranoid. My intuition tells me I am not prego, but when you read about your sense of smell and think of at least 4 scent related items that are prominent in your mind immediately there after, it does give you pause.

I admit, the smell of my tenant's food has crunched my nose and nearly turned my stomach a couple times this week, but I think it's because I've already been nauseous in the evenings - attributed to med withdrawal. Fun times.

Feeling blah, starting prenatals, and planning

I'm not feeling great today and I didn't take a prenatal last night. It feels a little like cramps, but different and more persistent. What on earth is this body trying to say? I did take the first prenatal tonight however, so we'll see if I feel bad tomorrow too. If so, I can blame it on whatever my issue was today and not the prenatal so I don't get a mental issue with the prenatals.

My copy of What to Expect when you're Expecting arrived today too, so I have something to read since it covers some of the preliminary things you should consider and do.

I also discovered last night that Cryogenics Lab, which was bought by Fairfax Cryobank, lets you see photos etc for free! So, that's kind of cool, I can "shop" there and put off purchasing access for a little while longer. I know already I need to get on the obgyn's calendar and I need to hit the dentist, so I've got some things to get out of the way in the near term.

Last weekend

So this is the last weekend without tests and whatnot. I just thought of that, so I figured I'd mention it. Next weekend I'll start using the ovulation tests to make sure that is taking place.

After my next period I figure I will start the prenatals (since they finally arrived). Let me tell you, they look rather large and smell like a pill for the dogs.

I was going to order the "What to expect when you're expecting" book (seems like the status quo for reading, but I can't find the overstock gift card I KNOW is around here somewhere.

Coming out

Yesterday, for the first time I admitted to someone that I was looking to pursue a sperm donor and pregnancy.  It was in written form, a little easier to do than say face to face and part of the process of admitting things to myself.  I know it's important if I make this decision to own it and "Knocked up" reinforced that point of view when I was reading last night bringing up the very topic.  Embarrassment about it could translate to how people respond to my decision and how the child would feel about where they came from.  A good lesson to keep in mind.

Knock yourself up

On a whim, while at the mall and needing a distraction I happened upon a book on the clearance rack called "Knock Yourself Up".  I'm less than 100 pages in, but I've already learned some of the questions I need to ask myself, things that I wouldn't imagine most people consider before thrusting themselves into these thoughts.

If I follow through...

• Open or anonymous donation:  do I want the option for my child to be able to contact their biological father after they turn 18?
• What to see and what to leave to chance:  do I want to pay a few extra dollars to see a childhood photo or hear an audio interview with a potential donor?
• What to base my selection on:  should I look for someone 'similar' to me so the child is more likely to look more like me or go for what I find attractive and question what I see in a child as 'traits' of a person unknown?

But looming larger than the clinical type questions...

• How do I bring this up to my mother?
• How do I explain this to people who didn't think I wanted kids for all those years?
• Can I do it on my own?
• What if I lost my job?

 The questions inside seem endless.  But I think they outweigh the possible regrets and what ifs that might come up in 15 years if I don't follow through.