Happy Halloween!!!

Spoooooooky

We are ready for a Halloween weekend! We took Aliyah to her Grammy's work for trunk-or-treat Wednesday night and she really got the hang of it. She liked collecting the candy and putting it in her bag. Her treat after all that hard work? A box of raisins... yup, she has such mean parents (she loved them!)

What to Do When You're "Overdue"

First off, I don't truly believe in being overdue. I believe that babies are born at the perfect time and are never "late"... saying that, I was 2 weeks past the day that my doctor had estimated so I know what it means to play the waiting game.

I didn't have to fight too hard to hold off on scheduling an induction because Aliyah's fluids still looked fine and I didn't have any other complications such as high blood pressure, etc. Although, my doctor would ask me every time I came in her office if I was ready to have a baby yet. I would always reply, "Of course! But some things are worth waiting for."

BUT... I think no matter if you fully understand that your EDA is in fact just that, an estimated date of arrival, there is still something in your brain that says "Dang!" when you don't have a sweet, soft baby in your arms after that day passes... and then another week... and then a few more days... Maybe because that is the date you share with all your friends and family (and some strangers) for 9 months over and over again. It is marked on the calendar and at every doctor's visit you are told you are measuring at X weeks as you count up to 40.

Most first time moms go past their estimated due dates so try to avoid any worries! Plus, every day you wait (as long as your doctor/midwife is okay with it) allows your body to be one step closer and prepped for a smoother and faster delivery! SO... remember some things are worth the wait!

Either way, if you are pregnant and waking up every morning wondering if today is going to be THE day, here are a few things you can do to stay busy, relaxed and have some fun while you wait. This blog was inspired by a friend who is patiently waiting... Come On Baby!!!

1. Try to enjoy those last few days... the round belly, the kicking feet in your side. Yes, it's true, babies are so much more fun on the outside, but these are the days the two of you share solely together. There is no other time you share two hearts in one body.

2. Go see a movie. (I think I went to 3 in my last week) It's fun to get out of the house and munch on popcorn even if you are wearing sweats and your husband's t-shirt.

3. Head to Hobby-Lobby (or any craft supplies store) to pick up some items to make your own belly cast. After the baby is born, you can put baby footprints on your belly cast. Another idea is to flip it and put a few blankets in the tummy, lay the baby inside for a cute picture.

4. Soak in the bathtub (it can be as simple as that!). Maybe add a good book or relaxing music of your choice.

5. Find a place with an indoor pool (click HERE to find your local YMCA). It feels so good to feel weightless when you are carrying around those extra pounds. I would also suggest using some type of flotation device (noodle, kick board, etc) so you don't have to work hard to stay above water.

6. There are plenty of old-wives-tales out there that you can find on the internet if you are really desperate to get the ball rolling. However, most of them are not going to give you a Baby Day. My advice? Order a pizza, sit on the couch with the hubs and have a movie night - you will get the same results. Babies come when they are ready!

7. If your husband is into video games, try and play one with him! It maybe a new way for you to release some stress.

8. Write your little one words of encouragement (or try some bribing) on sticky notes. Put them all over your tummy - it makes for a cute picture. This picture is from my 41 week tummy. We tried some "tough love" and wrote Aliyah eviction notices - it didn't work :)

9. Make a rice sock for during pregnancy and/or to help with labor. It can be cool or warm!

10. Bake! You can eat the treats yourself or share with others. Make the baby a "birthday" cake to try to entice him/her.

11. I stayed busy one night by making personalized mini candy bar wrappers. I gave these out to the people who came to visit us in the hospital and shared them with nurses. We had plenty that I continued to give them to visitors once we were home as well. They had "Aliyah Jacquelyn" on one side, and "sweet baby girl" on the other.

12. If you don't already have music to take with you to the hospital, make a playlist. We had music ready for me to listen to while I was in labor, but we also made another playlist for hanging out in the hospital afterwards. We listened to it every night when we went to bed. It helped us sleep and drowned out any hospital noises.

13. THIS was hands down my very favorite video to watch. Strength. Peace. Love.

14. Learn sign language so that you can start early communication with your little one! We started signing "MILK" with Aliyah from the day she was born - every time she would cry because she was hungry and while I nursed her - over and over and over again. When she was 5 months old, she would smile and react when we signed it to her. When she was 8 months old, she signed it back! Learn a new sign every week for free at www.withsign.com

15. Make a romantic dinner together with the hubs.

16. I have heard that a romp in the bedroom is really the only old-wives-tale that has some truth behind it... just saying...

17. Get connected with a breastfeeding support group! Check out your local hospital and/or La Leche League to ensure that you have peeps to bounce ideas back and forth, answer any questions and who will have your back when it comes to providing your baby with mama milk.

18. Take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back for creating such a wonderful and comfy place for your sweet baby to hang out (so comfy he/she doesn't want to leave!)

19. And above all... when the time does come (and it will, I promise!), remind yourself that your body and baby know what to do. You are a link in a long (and strong) chain of women who deliver babies - with or without medical interventions!! Birth is a powerful experience and such a gift no matter which path you use to get there.

One October Afternoon

Aliyah and I took advantage of a warmer day a week or so ago. Our afternoon looked like this:

Lunch at our favorite pizza place in Downtown OP

An unexpected high school homecoming parade

A quick stop at Old Navy to pick up leggings for Aliyah

...Where she met a few new bffs! She LOVED these manikins (and their dog).

Maple Leaf Weekend

The Parade

Spending Time With YaYa

Baker University

(this picture makes me smile)

Signs That You Might be Raising a Toddler...

1. You've said “I need to go potty” to another adult and meant it.

2. Everything on your front porch is covered in a layer of sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

3. You have heard kids' tunes belted from the shower (or have been guilty of a song or two yourself).

4. All hell breaks loose in your house if you run out of bananas or peanut butter.

5. You’ve actually had to say the following things outloud “Don’t lick the cat, please” and “We do not put hummus in our ears!”

6. Crackers and Cheerios mysteriously appear in your shoes and coat pockets, and are crushed into every seat cushion you own.

7. You’ve back tracked on your walking route for half a mile in search of a lost shoe, binky or hair clip.

8. You’ve learned to accomplish 5 hours worth of work in the span of an hour and half naptime.

9. You have had serious discussions about The "Itsy-Bitsy" vs The "Eensy-Weensy" Spider

10. You feel like you are in a spelling bee again - "Tyler, are we ready to E-A-T yet?"

11. You sneak a sweet treat for yourself when little eyes aren't watching.

12. When something goes missing you look in the toilet, trash or the play-kitchen oven first.

13. You have been roused from a dead sleep by someone spanking your butt like bongo drums.

Our Little Lady