10 Things I'll do differently next time around

I often think about what I'll do differently with my next pregnancy/birth/child. Pregnancy was SO FUN. I really enjoyed it. Every bit, right down to my cankles. In fact, I was a little obsessed with my cankles. Still am.

I don't have any regrets, but there are some things I didn't do with Lil' J that I want to try next time. You know, new experiments to do with my next victim. So without further adieu, here's my growing list of "next time arounds."

1. Not tell anyone I'm pregnant until I'm extremely fat. Not even my husband (kidding... sorta). Actually, it would be cool if I didn't even know until I was really fat.
2. I'll get a 3D/4D Ultrasound. It's one thing I didn't do with Lil' J that I wish I had.
3. Whatever my due date is, I'm adding a week to it from the start and calling that my due date. I know no baby of mine is going to be early, so I might as well expect it to be at least a week late. That way when I'm a week late (really two weeks) it won't be so stressful.
4. I won't find out the gender. I'm still not sure I'm brave enough to follow through with this. Maybe with baby #3. But I figure baby #2 doesn't matter if it's a girl or boy cause I'll be happy for Lil' J to have a sister close in age, but I'll also be just as happy to have one of each out of the way. If I have two girls I'll be dying to know if #3 is a boy. So it's the perfect opportunity for a surprise baby.
5. Buy cute maternity clothes. I was so excited I didn't need special maternity clothes, but I sorta wish I had. I think getting a few comfy maternity jeans and shirts can be something I have to look forward to with baby #2.
6. Take more bare belly photos. I only have a few from my maternity shoot with Tara and I wasn't even that big. I want to take a photo on the way to the hospital with skin and all.
7. Give birth in water. This isn't mandatory but I think it could be cool. Unless of course I get induced again. If that's the case I want an epidural right away. Which leads us to #8...
8. I'm getting the epidural ASAP. I waited as long as I could before, which was cool. My water broke and I was 5 centimeters dilated, but next time, just give me the drugs when I get there.
9. Give him/her a binky right away. It doesn't have to be habit-forming, but I'd like the kid to like them. Maybe he/she would have more of a chance if I actually gave him/her one from the start. No milk is coming out of the binky and I have yet to meet a baby who prefers a non-food producing binky over eating.
10. Move him/her to their own bed sooner. Like maybe even right away. Ok, maybe not that soon, but I'm not going to wait 5 months next time.

I think of more of these things daily, but I imagine I'll forget most of them by the time it's time for #2.

My Take on Tangled: From a Disney Freak

If you know me you know I'm a Disney FANATIC! I don't think I know anyone who knows and loves Disney as much as I do. My mom owned almost all of the Disney Classic videos when I was growing up, and now I own all of the Classic DVDs AND their sequels (but one). That's right. Did you know that Mulan 2 was REALLY good? Not nearly as good as the first of course, but WAY better than your average Disney sequel.

Anyway. Some people like the perks of having a "mom blog" because they get free stuff. I don't care so much about the stuff as I do some of the opportunities. So when I saw that one of my friends got to see Tangled I was like "What?! Where's Disney and why didn't they write to ME?!" I'm their biggest fan! And I was so hurt!!

I've been anticipating this movie for over a year. I heard it was going to be called "Braided" and I kept calling it that for awhile. I was looking at some of these concept-art pictures and was SO EXCITED. About it.


Luckily, this blogger is a good friend of mine so she got me in touch with her contact and I wrote to him saying "What about MEEEEEE?!!" In so many words. And then they apologized and got me in touch with the people in charge of the Texas screening and there I was last night, Little J in my lap, watching Tangled two weeks before the official release. And let me tell you it was GOOD! SO GOOD! In my opinion it's the best Disney movie since The Lion King. No joke!

So good in fact that I need to re-do my Disney top 10. In fact, I've been re-watching many of them over again these past few months (especially over maternity leave) and there's a lot of re-working I need to do.

1. The Lion King (1994): Surprise surprise (not really)! I'm not sure this movie will ever be replaced. To this day this movie is amazing to watch. It makes me laugh and cry. It's got a great message, great music, beautiful artwork. Just amazing!

2. Aladdin (1992): Princess Jasmine, the Genie, and of course Aladdin are characters I fell in love with. I will watch this movie any time I catch it on TV, and it ALWAYS makes me laugh. Even though I've seen it a million times, and even though I know it by heart. Some Disney movies have a lull part I want to skip over (like that "Can You Feel the Love Tonight scene in Lion King, or the Be Our Guest scene in Beauty and the Beast) this one doesn't have one of those scenes for me. I love it from start to finish!

I can't believe I'm doing this but...

3. Tangled (2010): Yes, Tangled has made my top 3 in Disney movies, and therefore one of my top 3 favorite movies of all time. I'll have to see it again, and again and again to make sure the excitement of it doesn't wear off but it really was good. It had me laughing, tearing up, and wanting to jump up and sing. All of the beautiful qualities of Disney Classics, plus my favorite aspect--A love story. But they didn't skim it over, they really let you get to know the characters and fall in love with each of them. But it's not too girlie like other princess movies, it has more than enough humor for little boys. It was enchanted like Beauty and the Beast and... Ok, I'll stop and let you see it.

I was comparing it to my other favorites and I like it more than everything after this, surprisingly. It was that good (to me). I think the biggest reason was because of he humor. Lil' J had fallen asleep and I tried not to wake her but I still couldn't help but laugh out loud at so many parts. Music, humor, and plot score higher points with me than the depth of the "message." Which I think some of these others on my list do a better job of developing and conveying.

 4. Mulan (1998): I know it's a newer one too, but music is one big thing I love about Disney movies and this one didn't have a song I dislike. The storyline is great too. The horse in Tangled today reminded me of the one in this movie. I think it's cute how you see a lot of the same characters cross-appear in Disney movies (or maybe I'm the only one who noticed).

5. Beauty and the Beast (1991): I don't really need to give this one a description. Everyone loves this movie. Its a classic. Nuf said.

6. Pocahontas (1995): I love this movie. I love the Romeo and Juliet-style romance, and how strong Pocahontas seems as a woman. Great message about nature, and we really sure resurrect this classic seeing as how we're all "green" focused these days. I'll always love this movie regardless.

 7. The Little Mermaid (1989): My mom says this was the first movie she and I saw together that I could comprehend, and that must have been why I decided to dress up as a read-headed mermaid with "nude" colored (of course meaning a white shade on my dark skin, but I didn't care cause I was Ariel!) for Halloween my Kindergarten year. I re-watched this movie recently and wasn't as captivated as I used to be but it will always be a favorite.

8. Tarzan (1999): My favorite thing about this movie was the music. It also is really just plain hilarious. It's one of those movies that doesn't need a "princess" to be good. It's actually one of Disney's movies more geared towards boys but I like it just the same.

9. Lady and the Tramp (1955): The oldest Disney movie to make my list, but oh it will always be a good one. Not as many songs as some of the others but oh so cute! I haven't seen the sequels yet, even though I own them, I need to get on that.

10. Toy Story 3 (2009): I actually liked this one better than the first one. I don't like many of the Pixar movies as much as the classics (which is why this is the only one on the list) but this one had a sweet message, a great story line, and was hilarious. It's the only Disney movie I don't have in my possession at this time but I hope to change that by Christmas!

Honorable Mentions: The Princess and the Frog, Wall-E, Up, Cinderella.

Honestly, I watched Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella recently and I fell asleep during them. Could be the sleep deprivation, but I think they just aren't topping some of these new ones to me!

So there's a new top 10 Disney Classics list from a Disney critic. I will say one thing I DIDN'T like about last night's movie and that's seeing it in 3D. It was not necessary and actually made me a little dizzy. I'd much rather see it again in 2D and just enjoy it!

What's your Disney Top 10, 5, or 3?

My Top Ten Baby Making Tips

Now I'm not a fertility expert or anything but I do know a thing or two about baby making. Before trying to get pregnant, I researched fertility tips and tricks and thought "what the heck, why not try it."

So in no particular order, here are some things you can keep in mind if you think you may want to try to get pregnant in the next year or so:

1. Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins: Never too early to start. It can take your body a few months to stock up on all of the nutrients you may be low on (especially folic acid), so it's not a bad idea to start a few months before you begin trying to conceive.

I picked up some cheapos at first but then a few people told me they go straight through you and don't break down right. So I got Garden of Life Raw Prenatal vitamins. All of the ingredients are things you can understand, and while they don't taste the best, they're easy to swallow. I also took the Oceans Mom vitamins (and still do) which has DHA and is great for baby's brain development. I attribute Lil' J's advanced intelligence in part to my religiousness of taking these.

Vitamins not your thing? BeNice Prenatal is a drink that comes in a packet you mix in with water to get all the prenatal vitamins you need! (Free shipping right now too!!)

2. Eat Healthier: Really, you should be getting all of your nutrients from food but take note to things you can cut back on, and what you can eat more of. Green leaves are more rich in folic acid, so eat lots of yummy salad. Also, cut back on caffeine. Studies are back and forth on whether or not caffeine affects the ability to conceive but it doesn't hurt to take a break from it. I did, and haven't looked back since. I had my husband give it up too because excessive caffeine can affect sperm count.

Also, think about cutting out artificial sweaters if you haven't already. If you're craving something sweet, BellyBar has a bunch of yummy things to try. I love their shakes but my favorite is their Berry Nutty Cravings. They also have a new "boost" bar that compliments your prenatal vitamins.

3. Keep Warm: I read a great book called Pulling Down the Moon which has 12 steps to optimizing your fertility. One thing I thought was interesting learning about were my body's processes, and how fertility is a warm process, therefore drinking warm liquids (or water at room temperature versus cold temperature) made less work for my body. I dunno, maybe it was all in my head but I ate a lot of steamed veggies, and drank a lot of warm water with lemon, and if I ever ate something cool, I would usually drink something warm with it.

4. Use a Sperm-Friendly Lubricant: Did you know stuff like KY jelly inhabits the swimmers from getting to their destination? It's not birth control or anything but it doesn't help things when you're trying to get pregnant. I used Conceive Plus. Which doesn't inhibit them and supposedly helps the swimmers get there easier.

5. Keep the Legs Up: Ya know. After doing the deed. Use good old gravity for 5-10 minutes to get the swimmers on their way.

6. Get Your Spouse Involved: My husband thought I was a little crazy when I was telling him what he could and couldn't eat and to skip hot baths. But it's good to discuss things and make sure you're on the same page. It's a good idea for him to eat better, exercise too. My husband used these vitamins. Oh, and Horny Goat Weed is supposedly suppose to help male fertility but really... Who the heck knows! Whatever you do, don't be like me and turn in to a sex natzi.

7. Relax: It's the #1 think you'll get tired of hearing from people when you're trying to conceive. But try it. Go on a baby-makin moon, or try Circle + Bloom (a fertility relaxation program). I did both. Use this as an opportunity to try that yoga class you've been eye-balling. Or start a new book. Something to get your mind off trying to conceive (TTC). If it doesn't work, you can always think about all of the reasons why you DON'T want to get pregnant and try to trick your uterus using reverse psychology.

8. Get Regular Exercise: I took my dog for a jog every day (obviously pre-baby. Now he's lucky if I remember to pet him). Gaining or loosing weight can whip your baby making machine into gear! You can try Carmen Electra's Striptease DVDs like I did during my stripper stint and hit two birds with one stone!

9. Know Your Fertile Days: There's a few key days every month that you're most fertile. You can take your basal body temperature every day to track when you ovulate. I did this for a month but it really took the fun out of "being spontaneous" (but even when I wasn't tracking I still knew when I was ovulating I just didn't tell my husband so he thought it was spontaneous). I recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility to learn more about that good stuff.

10. Know it Can Take Time: Only about 25% percent of couples actively trying, get pregnant in the first month of trying. You really have only a 25% chance in any given month but 90% of couples get pregnant within a year of trying. So don't give up!

Questions anyone?

And here's a little something to help--Everyone who comments on this post before October 9th will be entered to win a pack of the Garden of Life Prenatal Vitamins I mentioned earlier!

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Random.org winner: Commenter #37: Brittany!

My Pregnancy Checklist and Finally Nesting!

I'm a list person... Big time. I like lists so much I will write something on my list that I've already done just so I can check it off and feel more accomplished. My problem is I usually forget where I put them. My checklist are best kept in my binders or on my computer somewhere, though I usually like having them in my purse.

When I first found out I was pregnant (and it was still a secret) I used The Bump's website to figure out what kinds of things I should be doing... When should I set up my appointment, what should I be doing differently. I started using their checklist and have been a little bit of a slacker lately but I went in today to see how I'm doing and where I left off.

We decided not to do the genetic testing stuff so I crossed those off my list today too. It's so weird because at 18 weeks I still feel like I'm just starting, but when I stop and think that I'm almost halfway there I can't believe it! If the second half goes as fast as the first half this baby is gonna be here in no time!!

I've done most everything on my list up to where I'm suppose to be. I've been having my regular OB visits, exercising (for the most part) and preparing here and there. But am I really getting to the point already where I need to start looking for a pediatrician? Signing up for birthing classes? HOLY COW!
Granted I'm still looking a few weeks out, technically that's a month away... But still! I get so excited seeing upcoming things to plan such as maternity photos (I'm soooo getting them done, and if you've had some done I'd LOVE to see them cause I want to have an idea of a theme to go for).

Most of the stuff in the upcoming weeks of my list looks like the fun stuff. Notice my extra excitement for one particular item below:
Yep! It's finally beginning to kick in... The "nesting" mode. I'm turning our guest room into the nursery and I'm SO EXCITED! We find out in a week if Spawnie is a boy or a girl and then I plan to GO CRAZY! I will need a clean slate to start with and that means a clean room. I would put up a before picture of it now so you could get an idea but if you know me you know I'm messy so I won't embarrass myself for those who still picture me as the organizational queen.

I told my husband a few weeks ago that soon my "nesting mode" would kick in and I'd want to clean and organize our house. The conversation went something like this:
Husband: *Silence*
Me: "What?"
Husband: *Laughs*
Me: "What?"
Husband: "I'm sorry but I just can't picture that happening to you."
Me: "No, it's going to happen, it's my instincts. I'll just want to clean and stuff."
Husband: "Yea right, I'll believe it when I see it."

If you know us you know that he does most of the cleaning, the laundry, the dishes and things of that sort, and you'd understand why that conversation went the way it did. But now as my friend Heidi put it, it's a battle of my motherly instincts vs my messy personality.

Last night I told my husband that I wanted to organize the room today and tomorrow (my weekend) and he just gave me the same blank stare... He still doesn't believe me. And granted I'm writing this post out rather than organizing right now but hey... I have the rest of the day!

I know once we find out what Spawnie is I'm going to want to shop and I want to have a clean slate in this room to have a place for everything. So wish me luck my friends! I have 21 weeks and 4 days left if Spawnie comes on time, and today's task... Turning the room from guest room/storage room to a baby room in the making!!

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Questions of the day:

When do you think is the best time to have a baby shower?

When do you think is the best time for maternity photos? Have yours? Link them please!

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$145 Fertility Package Winner according to random.org: #14 The Honey B. Congrats! Email me your address to babymakingmachine(at)gmail.com

The Things That Made Me Smile

If you couldn't tell by my last post, my life has seemed like a whirlwind lately. Our of nowhere it's started to fly by and I feel like I am accomplishing NOTHING! Not long after writing that post a series of things happened to me that made me smile. In no particular order:

Emily wrote to me about a surprise her husband got her. After reading this post and this post of mine about Push Presents, she hinted to her husband that she would like one... Half joking half serious. Well, still nearly 4 months away from her due date he surprised her early! She thanked me for the tip that she had never heard of before my post. Please read her story! It made me smile.

My little guy. Ok, he's not really mine, but my husband and I watch him twice a week so sometimes he feels like he's related to me. When his parents are around I try to teach him some booty-shaking moves and slang talk. He's going to grow up to be really cool. He came to visit me at work yesterday... Well, he came because he was waiting for his dad to finish work, but I like to think it was just to visit me. It's always nice to see cute babies at work, and how can an adorable baby NOT put a smile on your face?

My husband. He always has a way to make me smile. No matter how angry or sad I am... He woke up and got us donuts Saturday (second best to Chick-fil-a breakfast, which we woke up too late for). I heart him.

My Faith. Church can bring me to tears and bring a smile to my face all in the same day. I love being around good Christian people. It was a friend at work who reminded me of a long lost favorite of mine:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -Romans 5:3-5

I'm not sure how long it'll take us to get the baby I've been preparing for, and sometimes it may appear as though I assume my child will come right away, I know it may take time. But I KNOW that he or she will come in God's time. I have faith in that, and I know it will all work out the way He wants it to, and that one day I will look back and be so happy it all worked out the way it did.

Next... Mail. I get SO excited for mail, especailly packages. I actually buy things on Ebay just so I can get packages in the mail. So you can imagine my excitement when I got home from work Friday night there was a HUGE box waiting for me. I knew it was from Johnsons & Johnsons, and I couldn't stop smiling. I won a gift basket from them while I was at Blogher in Chicago. There were three different kinds I could have won, I thought I had won the "romantic gettaway" package, so I was excited for it to get here just in time. Little did I know it would be full of baby stuff.
So finally, what makes me smile.. Feeling like Oprah. And since I won't be able to use this stuff for at least a year, I thought I'd play like Oprah again and do another giveaway. I really wish I had enough stuff for everyone who enters... You are all great for participating, and I hope you're not getting giveawayed-out from me! If you don't need it yet either, enter and give it to a friend who could use it!
This giveaway is for MY FOLLOWERS! You are all so great to me, I really love when you pop in from Google reader and leave words of encouragement. Really, all of your comments on my last post have REALLY helped lift my spirits... And made me smile!!

If you aren't a follower, become one, and leave a comment to enter!!
Here's a description of the prize:
JOHNSON'S Baby Powder
JOHNSON'S Baby Oil
JOHNSON'S Baby Shampoo
JOHNSON'S Baby Lotion
DESTIN cream
JOHNSON'S Baby Head-to-Toe Washcloths

All enclosed in an ADORABLE Mini Shopping Cart!

Want to up your chances to win? Here's more ways. Comment again if:
-You subscribe to my blog
-Become a Facebook Fan for my blog -You favor my blog on Technorati
-Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (per day/computer) (just click the link)
-You Tweet/ Facebook about this contest (every day you tweet is an extra entry!) Please say: "I just entered this awesome #giveaway on @futuremama's blog for an adorable baby gift basket http://tinyurl.com/nr3ego"
-Leave a comment on one of my posts for Conceive Magazine (2 entries)
-You have my blog button (3 entries, so leave 3 comments) -You post about this contest (3 entries)
-Vote for my blog in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards (worth 5 entries! So leave 5 comments- NEW: EACH email account you vote under is 5 entries :) )

Giveaway Ends September 13th at 11:59pm! Good luck!

The Blog-a-holic

I know I've become addicted to blogging when:

-I take a picture SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of putting it on my blog

-I start a story and I'm stopped with "I know, I read your blog"

-My colleges at work tell me they now know A LOT more about me now

-I haven't said more than two sentences to my husband on my day off because I'm catching up on my blog writing

-I'm excited to have an iPhone so I don't have to lug my whole computer into the bathroom with me while I Twitter.

-I still lug the whole computer into the bathroom with me when I'm on a good writing high.

-My dog cries and tries to jump on my lap, but he's been replaced by my laptop

-I'm trying to figure out how I can save $400 FAST so I can go to BlogHer

-I hear the word feed and don't relate it to food

-I'm staying up late to be one of the first to check in for Roll Call at SITS

-I feel guilty that I actually have to go to WORK and I can't stay at home and catch up with all my blog friends' blogs and leave comments.

-I get anxious and feel bad when I haven't posted in a WHOLE 24 hours!

-I wonder if anyone else has noticed that I haven't posted in 24 hours

-When I feel SO good because I have the whole weeks worth of posts scheduled to publish

-I get slightly depressed when that scheduled list shrinks down to 0

-I start cheering and running around the house when I see I have a new follower

-I start to cry when I see I've lost 10 followers in one day (only to find out that it was a blogger glitch later... Good news, it's not cause I'm boring!)

-I try to tell my husband about a post I'm working on and when he looks at me strange I just tell him he just doesn't understand

-I test out random marriage and parenthood questions on my husband anticipating using his answers as a topic for my blog

-I try to think of a way to incorporate the phrase "I have a blog" in my church talk and am disappointed when I can't find a way to fit it in

-I'd much rather blog than sleep

-I'd much rather blog than eat

-After reading a great article in some parenting magazine or website, instead of thinking "wow, that will be great to remember for my family" I think "What a great topic for my blog!"

-I get excited every time I hear the tone telling me I have a new email message... Hoping and praying it's a new comment on my blog

-Writing in my blog is on my to-do list

-I'm surprised at the fact that I have 25, no, 26 things on this list!

Have anymore?

The HAIL NAHs and Yes Pleases

My friend Randi sent me a request:
"I request a baby post on what lessons you vow to teach your children. Like something that growing up you were like 'I will never do that to my child' or 'I will make sure my child knows to always to that' or whatever."

As per my her request, I've been thinking of things I currently am thinking "No way in Hell" are my kids doing ___.

#1 The leash. I love custom collars and leashes for my dog but for humans... If my kids are so bad that they need a leash I'm leaving them at home.
#2 The portable toilet. Ok, maybe it's not that bad, but it's NOT going in the living room or kitchen (trust me people, I've heard of this). The poop stays in the BATHROOM!
#3 I'm not going to make my oldest child babysit the younger ones often. The words "Take your sister with you" still haunt me from my childhood.
#4 Cell phones. What is up with the recent epidemic? My 11-year old sister has a cell phone, what does an 11 year old need a cell phone for? My kids won't be getting a cell phone (unless their paying the bill) until they're AT LEAST 16.

Some things I want to do:
#1 Teach them how to swim. I can't swim, not well at least. I suppose I could swim to save my life if it was in water no more than 6 feet deep and within 10 feet of land. Other than that, without a life jacket... I'd probably drown. I want my kids to like the water and be able to swim (to save their mom if they have to)
#2 Teach them manners. But not just that, I want to teach my kids to say "yes ma'am and sir" and "no ma'am and no sir."
#3 Teach them self sufficiently. I want to help my children as much as I can but I don't want freeloaders. I know a lot of people who say "It'll be great if I have kids young because they'll be out of the house when I'm in my 40sand then we can do stuff together" Yes, but that's only if they actually go away: like to college, on missions, whatever. But even then they'll probably be paying for their child's college, missions, weddings, and then the grandchildren come... It's a never ending cycle I'm not sure I'm ready to begin. I want to encourage my kids to save and pay their way through college like I did. Don't get me wrong, I want to help, but I don't want to just hand it to them.
#4 Spankings: I don't really think there's anything wrong with spankings. Obviously I'll have to see what works for our kids, but I never really believed that "time out" did the trick.

That's all I can think of right now. I'll add more as I think of it.