He fell asleep....

Brian and I had our birthing class for 8 hours on Saturday. It was really informative and I felt like the instructor really knew her stuff.

We learned what to expect and about the stages of labor. Of course I know all of this will goes out the window when we actually go through it. No two birth stories ever seem to be the same.

I went into it thinking I was going to go the all natural route. I still might, but the anesthesiologist and the nurse teaching the class sure were pushing epidurals. My favorite line from the doctor...."Women in San Ramon, don't want to feel pain. They ask for pain meds when they hit the parking lot. " :)

My favorite part of the class was not unlike the end of most yoga classes I have taken. Except that it probably went on for 45 minutes.

The instructor was showing us relaxation and breathing techniques. I was deeply into it. I had a focal point in my head. I didn't need a object to look at, I just pictured my happy place which is my friend Katie's house in Montecito. It is seriously the most beautiful and comfortable home I have ever been in. Right on the water.

Anyway, at some point I hear the instructor speaking softly telling our coaches to check if we were truly relaxed. We were laying in the back of the room and I could see all of the other husbands lifting there wives arms and then slowly letting them go to see if the women were limp enough. I waited and waited and finally turned around to see Brian. He looked to be waking from a slumber. I mean we were all relaxed, but he is suppose to be my coach.

Doesn't build up my confidence in his ability to keep me relaxed on the day I go into labor. :)

Another highlight from the class...
The instructor told our husband to try a technique of massage when their wives seemed tense in a particular body part. Of course most men would rub their wives backs or bellies. Brian chose to rub my boob. Um....I don't think I have ever had a tense boob.

God I hope my Dad isn't reading this.

The Southern California Shower

My girlfriends rock. I couldn't have asked for two nicer showers. Benjamin and I were spoiled once again. We received more gifts than I can ever name.

My favorites...Auntie Allegra bought him some sweet flaming vans. I am so glad he will be rockin those. I'm not going to lie, he will probably possess a mohawk at some point in his toddlerhood.

http://www.psychobabyonline.com/site/psychobaby/productdetail.exc?cmd=view_prod&isApp=true&page=1&co_id=533&item_id=39983&prod_id=1483


Auntie Heather bought him a sweet Mr.T onesie. He will probably wear this home from the hospital. :)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12266757

Auntie Heather also bought him some Angels gear. I am so glad that he won't have to be embarrassed by all of the Dodger and Giants gear he received. We may have to have a symbolic bonfire. ;)

We're getting down to the wire.....

As I was sitting in our infant safety/cpr class, it suddenly hit me that we were about to become parents. I don't know why it hasn't hit me before now, but it was really quite scary.

I don't have a thing ready in preparation for this kid's arrival. All of our gifts are at my In Laws. Including the crib, changing table and dresser.

I haven't packed a bag and the baby will have no place to sleep if he arrives early.

Do I sound panicked? Because I am.

Baking bread in my shoes...

I don't think it is possible for my feet to swell anymore. I had to go shopping for new shoes this weekend and my feet wouldn't fit into anything. Now I finally know what it is like to have wide feet. I normally have pretty large feet, but they are extremely narrow. Most shoes are a bit to wide for me. Not anymore. All I ask is that they eventually go back to normal. Not a size bigger and not any wider please.

I had my first baby shower this weekend. It was so wonderful and nicely put together. Baby Benjamin and I received so many wonderful gifts. Everyone was so generous.

It would take me forever to list everything we received, but for now I will show you my favorite gift.....

We got the Dutailier Grand Glider/Rocker and Ottoman. I believe it was in the dark cherry with a natural color suede or microfiber. It is gorgeous and oh so comfortable.

http://shop.nurturecenter.com/dugrchslstgl.html

More shopping for baby.....

Just when you think you can't shop anymore..... There is so much stuff to buy for baby. I am looking forward to my showers because then I will know exactly what is left to buy. Hopefully not too much. :)

Baby Benjamin is really active lately. He still prefers to hang out on my right side much to my discomfort. My right foot looks like rising dough on any given day.

I went shopping with my Mother in law this weekend. We picked up the stroller and infant car seat. I can't wait to see them out of the box. The guy at Baby Super tried to convince us to leave with the matching tall dresser to the crib set. I said I had to think about it, but MIL and Brian's grandma think we need it. Go figure. We also left with the cutest little train on train tracks with Benjamin's name.

If I had any doubts before that Ben was going to be spoiled, they are gone now.

I also looked into a glider/rocking chair. Good Lord they are expensive. I thought I could find one I like for about $300. Looks like we will probably spend way over double that. They are extremely comfortable and I do need to buy the matching ottoman for my ridiculously swollen feet.

I ended up registering for a diaper bag at PBK. I don't love it as much as the Kate Spade, but I know I will get over it.

Biggest baby related news this weekend. Restoration Hardware started selling their baby line. I love, love, love it. For those that know me in real life, check out my registery there. I finally made a decision. ;) Unfortuanately the incompetent people at Bananafish Inc. have yet to send me samples after a month long process of emails and phone calls. I'm taking it as a sign that it's not the right bedding for Benjamin.

We celebrated Father's Day today with Brian's family. Benjamin and I got Brian some I love my Daddy socks with a matching hat. He also got his Daddy/himself a Dodger plush ball and bear with security blanket. Not an easy purchase for an Angel fan Mommy.

All in all, it was a good weekend.

More confused about baby bedding than ever :(

I have found more stuff I like. Not sure if I love any of them, but I am still waiting on some samples in the mail.

I am a huge fan of Restoration Hardware and they are now releasing their baby line. Here's the link....
http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rhbc/catalog/category/category_collections_gallery.jsp?navAction=jump&navCount=12&categoryId=rhbc_cat101037

I like the majority of them in the cloud color. What do you guys think? Would these work with my espresso furniture.

Some I like are...
the cuddle plush bumper and Italian dot sheeting
the european dot matelasse bumper and the italian contrast stripe sheeting
the european classic stripe bumper and the contrast piped sheeting
and a couple of others.

Looks like I can mix and match the sheets, bumpers, bedskirt etc. I like that idea.

I am also partial to a couple of others I came across...

http://www.babystyle.com/common/jj-cole-blue-bulls-eye-crib-set-p.asp?pmid=27010&dept=4&sc=489

and this one

http://www.babystyle.com/common/jj-cole-blue-mod-crib-set-p.asp?pmid=26339&dept=4&sc=489

I really need to decide soon. The two showers are approaching so fast.

On another happy note, I thought I would include links to the stroller and carseats my MIL bought us.

We got both in the bubbles black...

http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?sid=7538e553d9c3f0241f321d0d3bd2470f&pageid=UJVNL001&idp=0000000159&pg=02&cl=N
and
http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?sid=7538e553d9c3f0241f321d0d3bd2470f&pageid=UJVNL001&idf=04&idp=0000000160&cl=N

Thanks for reading....

Committing to a Name

This little boy is going to have this name for the rest of his life. I think that this is one of the most important decisions we will have to make. That is a bit of an exaggeration...well maybe not.

What if you name him Bob and he looks like a Harry? What if you pick a name and that name comes with an awful nickname?

These are questions that run through my head.

I had a girl name all picked out. Brian actually liked it right off.

Unfortunately Brian did not like most of the boy names I picked. I always thought it would be cool to name my son Crash. When my last name changed, I saw my perfect opportunity. What does my husband think of the name Crash? Not a big fan.

I love Sebastian and Tristan. Brian thinks those are names that will get his son beat up.

Brian liked Jacob, which I liked also. It is the #1 most popular name right now though. I don't want him to be Jake C because all of the other kids on the playground are named Jake. He needs to have some uniqueness.

We agreed that the middle name would be William or Joseph after our fathers. We also agreed that we would pick whichever one sounded better and so we arrived at the day a few months ago where Brian finally picks up a baby naming book.

Benjamin Joseph......

On my list, but I am not 100% sure that I love it.

I keep hoping to wake up and know that this is his name. Or, better yet, find another name that we can both agree on.

Oh well! We may have another boy. Maybe I will have first dibs on the name next time around.