IKEA Bound

On Saturday morning, Mike and I were off to an early start to drive to Atlanta for our last "hoorah" before Lil' Shaffa's arrival.  Unfortunately it didn't go as planned.

The first part of the day went well, although we stopped about four times for restroom breaks on the way down.  Luckily Mike is very patient with me.  We arrived at IKEA on schedule, and began the shopping experience as usual with a trip to the cafeteria.  We thought it was our lucky day when we saw coupons offering a "free lunch" for spending one hundred dollars.  This day was starting off well.  We strolled through with our list, a pencil and the handy tape measure they provide.  We found everything we needed along with a few extra things for Lil' Shaffa and the house.  At four o'clock we were finished and at the end where we were to pick up our furniture.  We went to the bin where our dresser was located and the bin was empty.  I looked up and thought I could see more dressers on the shelves above about thirty feet in the air.  I was heartbroken!  I knew there was no way they would be able to retrieve the dresser while it was full of customers.  However, I did not give up.

I attribute my of "finagling" skills  to my mother who has always had the ability to work out situations where everyone is happy and gets what they want.  I only wish there was a more positive connotation for the word, "finagle".  The first IKEA employee told me that it would be the next week before I could get my furniture.  He said they were sold out and I would have to wait for another shipment to arrive.  I wasn't getting anywhere with him, so I moved on to another employee.  This guy told me that we could come back in the morning when the store opened and pick up the furniture since it would have to be lowered by the overnight stockers.  At least he confirmed that they were on an upper shelf, however we had to be back in Nashville by 1:00 pm on Sunday for our first Birthing Class.  I did not want to miss this first class, but there had to be a way to get this dresser!  In the meantime, Mike had checked for the crib and it too was up on a shelf thirty feet in the air. 

Mike and I finally approached Xavier who worked at IKEA and he lead us to the answer we were desiring. We explained to Xavier that we had driven all the way from Nashville, and that it was our last trip before our baby was to be born and we were there to get furniture for the nursery.  We finally found compassionate ears to help us with our dilemma.  Xavier told us that we could arrange an "Emergency Furniture Pick-Up", but that we would have to return just before the store closed that evening, pay for the furniture and wait outside until every last customer had left. The stockers would have to pull the furniture down with a forklift and bring it outside for us.  That was not the most ideal answer, but it was the best yet, and we were accepting it.  Our persistence paid off!  It did however, ruin our plans for a nice romantic dinner and relaxing evening. 

When we returned that evening, we decided to have dinner at IKEA which meant another free meal for us. I was, to say the least, satisfied that we were getting two free meals out of this escapade.  We went through the emergency furniture pick-up procedure and by the time we were finished and back at the hotel it was 11:00 pm.  We crashed.

On Sunday morning, we were up and ready early to start our journey back to Nashville.  When the valet brought our car to us, we noticed the "malfunction" light was on and the car was sputtering down the street.  We had no choice but to return to the hotel and have the concierge direct us to an auto mechanic about two miles away that luckily was open on Sunday.  We arrived, they looked at our car and said it would take about three hours to fix.  Finally, about five hours later, our car was ready, but we didn't get out of there without paying a pretty penny to the mechanics.  We were at their mercy, what could we do? 

So, by 4:30 that afternoon, we finally arrived back in Nashville just in time to miss our first birthing class in its entirety.  We were pretty devastated, but very glad to be home.  It was not at all the trip we planned and hoped for, but it at least was memorable and we arrived home with all of the baby furniture we had gone after. 

MaterniTEA Party

On October 23, Mike and I attended a tea party given for the members of our birthing class hosted by the group at Nine Months and Beyond.  It was so informative and really nice to be surrounded by other couples in our shoes. 

They gave away door prizes and free prenatal massages for the moms.  We learned about the service provided by doulas and all of the support classes they offer.  We have signed up for the Hypnobabies Childbirth class which will teach us techniques for giving birth naturally.  I really want to bring our baby into the world naturally and hope I have the strength to do so.

http://www.ninemonthsandbeyond.com/

A Bun in the Oven

Every year for Halloween we spend the evening with our Friends Ben and Monika. This year was no different. Halloween is Ben's favorite holiday and he exhibits his excitement through all of his Halloween preparations. His house is decorated, he and Monika invite friends over and Ben spends the night haunting the neighborhood in his twelve foot skeleton costume. This year Mike and I decided to dress up. This is the first year our costumes have ever coordinated and we had a great time pulling it all together. I had done research trying to find a good pregnant Halloween costume and after a little searching I decided to dress as "a bun in the oven" and Mike as the Chef. I felt a little silly and Lil' Shaffa may be embarrassed by this one day as it is technically his first Halloween costume, but we obviously didn't care. It was fun. Below are some photos from the holiday.

Ben and Monika at the Fall Festival in Franklin, TN

Ben at his house Halloween night.

Pretty Pumpkin Chocolate Cake that Ben and Monika made.

The "Bun in the Oven"

The entire ensamble.

Making Progress

We are anxiously preparing for the arrival of Lil' Shaffa and have had several weekends full of hard work around the house.  We've decided to build a new closet attached to the nursery, so we have been demolishing the old and building the new. We are trying to make as much space as possible for our new addition.  Our first project was to build a shed to create more storage room in the house.  I'm posting a few photos of our progress.  Our goal is to have our household projects done by the end of november in order to give us time to nest and enjoy our last few months together as a couple, as we realize our lives are about to change forever.

It's a Boy!

On Friday September 24, 2010 we had our 20week ultrasound.  We were so excited and had been anticipating this day for many weeks.  This was the day we were to find out the gender of our Lil' Shaffa.  Throughout the entire pregnancy I have had mixed feelings about whether we were having a boy or a girl.  I had heard that my food cravings would indicate the gender of the baby, and my boss, who had twin boys had the same cravings for hot peppers, vinegar and oil dressing, olives, and pickles as I have had.  But, another lady that I work with performed the "pencil test" on me which determined that I was having a girl and a third friend that I work with had two dreams throughout my first half of the pregnancy that I was having a girl.  She swore upon her psychic abilities and actually had me convinced.  Apparently it is a good thing she is not attempting to cash in on these so-called abilities. But, to her credit the only other "baby dream" she'd had previously was regarding her sister's pregnancy who actually did have a girl. 

Mike and Brennie were there with me for the appointment and when we were shown the determining view I screamed immediately, "it's a boy!"  Mike and Brennie caught on a few seconds later and we were all so happy.  I think we all cheered at once.  Mike of course had his camera in hand and we were able to capture a few photos before, during, and after our big day. I would like to give a special thanks to the bearer of our good news, Susan the ultrasonographer.

The second we returned to the car, we began making phone calls.  We called Mike's mom, "Nona" and she was thrilled to hear that there would be another Shaffor to carry on the name.  Later that evening we posted the news on Facebook and were pleased to see overwhelming congratulatory comments.  Mike and I truly feel blessed that we have so many people excited for the arrival of our baby.  It has really made this journey a pleasure.

What a Relief!

Last week we made a huge decision.  We decided to change Doctors.  We had been experiencing some reservations all along about the OB we chose, but felt as if it would be too late to change in the middle of the pregnancy.  After a little research we realized that changing Doctors in the middle of the pregnancy isn't actually uncommon.

It is extremely important to make sure that this birth experience is everything that I've always envisioned. I realize that we can't control everything throughout this experience, but I want to feel good about all of the decisions I do have control over.  

Before we became pregnant, we watched a very interesting movie called "The Business of Being Born" which had a huge impact on how we felt our birth experience should go.  The reservations I was feeling toward our current OB prompted Mike and I to rewatch this movie.  After seeing this movie for the second time, our feelings were solidified in knowing that staying with our current OB was not what we wanted.  I definitely knew at this point that I wanted us to go through this experience with a midwife and not an OB. 

Last Wednesday we had our first appointment with the Vanderbilt Midwives.  It was everything I had expected and they are totally in tune with the experience we want to have.  The comforting thing is that I will still have Lil' Shaffa at the Vanderbilt Hospital (and not our home).  I have been hesitant and somewhat scared up until now, but for the first time since the beginning of the pregnancy I am actually excited to give birth.   

We are now at nineteen weeks and our big ultrasound is Friday September 24, 2010.  We will find out that afternoon whether we are having a boy or a girl.

Very much looking forward to the next 21 weeks!

Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth. - Virginia Di Orio

Week 16

We are officially into week sixteen of our pregnancy and well into the second trimester.  I think it's important to document the "not so good" along with the "great" through this journey, so here goes.

Many people have told me that once I entered into the second trimester that I would feel so much better.  Well, I'm still waiting.  Maybe since I had a relatively easy first trimester I'm not quite feeling the reprieve that I expected.  I do have a little energy back, but now that I can't lye on my back to sleep I'm having difficulty getting comfortable throughout the night.  Poor Mike who has to deal with my pregnancy pillow on one side, a pillow for my head, and another pillow for the other side of me.  We only have a full size bed and he's beginning to make comments about being squished out of bed at night.  I'm so sorry Mike.  Maybe one day we will have that king size Tempurpedic that we dream about. 

On a good note, our Doctor called today with the results of our prenatal testing and everything has come back within normal range.  So, Lil' Shaffa seems to be perfectly healthy which makes us perfectly happy. We are looking forward to the long weekend and hope to finally take our first "belly shots".

Prenatal Testing

On August 12 at 2:30 Mike and I had our visit at Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine for our first round of prenatal testing.  During the visit, we had an ultrasound which measured different aspects of Lil' Shaffa to make sure that development was within the appropriate range.  To our surprise, the ultrasound lasted about thirty minutes.  It was great to be able to watch and visit with our baby for that long. 

Lil' Shaffa, it seemed as if you were quite cozy and keeping yourself completely occupied which made us very happy.  You flipped and flopped all over, you were opening and closing your hands, which we like to believe you were waving to us, and you were bouncing all around.  At the end of the ultrasound we believe you may have even been sucking your thumb.  The ultrasound tech said that you didn't have the ability to suck your thumb yet, but your dad and I are convinced that you are simply an overachiever. I just want you to know how excited and proud your dad was while we were watching you.  We heard your heartbeat and called your Nona so she could listen.  Your cousin Chloe was there and was also able to listen.  This made them both very happy!  After the phone call, your dad took two or three videos documenting your movements.  We can't wait to show you this some day.

We love you and are looking forward to our next visit with you on September 24, 2010. 

The Black Keys

On August 12, 2010 Lil' Shaffa attended "his/her" first show.  The Black Keys played at the Ryman Auditorium with The Morning Benders opening the show. 

Mike and I were so excited that Lil' Shaffa's first show was going to be such a memorable experience.  We feel so privileged to live in Nashville with such great opportunities to hear good music at good venues.  Music has always been an important part of our lives before we met and also as a couple.  We feel that it is important to pass along our appreciation for music to our little one.  It was a family affair.  Brennie and Grandbob drove to Nashville to attend the show with us which made it all the more special.  We have seen The Black Keys three times and every time with Brennie and Grandbob. 

There were 160 limited edition show posters and Mike was so excited about getting one of these numbered posters for Lil' Shaffa.  Unfortunately we arrived to the Ryman a little late and were at the back of the line to purchase the poster.  Mike gave me the money and I went to the front of the line and explained to this nice couple that we were trying to fetch a poster to commemorate our baby's first show.  They were delighted to help us out and purchased poster number 34 for us.  Hooray!  We did it!  Now we have a token to always remember Lil' Shaffa's first show.  The show was great and we had a wonderful time.

Belly Rubs

This weekend was filled with seeing some of our closest friends.  By now, all of our friends and family have heard the good news of our pregnancy, but we have yet to actually see a lot of these people in person.  So, on Saturday we began our journey to Bowling Green to visit our dear friends Charles and Rondell.  We told them the news several weeks ago, but this was the first time to see them since the announcement.  As soon as we met, both boys hugged us and rubbed my belly.  Now, I was warned about how people completely disregard personal space when it comes to a pregnant belly and I had my first experience with this over the weekend.  I may get tired of it by month nine, but I must say that I felt on top of the world and was proud to show off my little baby bump. It truly reminded me of rubbing a "Jeannie Bottle" with Lil' Shaffa having the power to grant wishes. By the way, the Boogas (Charles and Rondell) are already scheming on how they are going to spoil Lil' Shaffa.

We spent our evening in Louisville with our friends Shannon and Charles.  They just moved into a new house, so it was great to see their new space and visit with them and their wonderful little girl, Renee.  Charles and Shannon told Renee that I had a baby in my belly so she immediately came up to me and started poking me in the belly.  It was so cute and refreshing to see how a child reacts to pregnancy.  We had a great visit, went out for pizza and took a walk around the Highlands after dinner with the three of them.  It made for a late night return to Nashville, but was well worth it.  We can't wait to see them again. 

This morning I met my friend Weslea and her little girl Lyla Q., Weslea's sister, mom, aunt and cousin for breakfast at Monell's.  Let me just say that Monell's is the perfect place for a wonderful pregnancy country breakfast.  I was in heaven surrounded by great food and great company.  When I arrived, everyone congratulated me and Weslea of course, rubbed my belly.  I think she's even been known to rub my belly in the past, but only after I had eaten too much, so this time was much more special.

Lil' Shaffa, you are already so loved by so many people.  All of our great friends are so excited to meet you.  It is definitely going to be hard to wait six more months for you. I'm soaking this up because it has to be one of the best feelings I've ever felt.

I'm so thankful that Mike and I have such wonderfully supportive friends. We truly feel the love. Thank you!

July 26th,2010- Week Ten

On Monday, I had my second visit to see Dr. Reynolds.  It was a pretty rough day with blood work and examinations and to say the least, I was happy when that appointment ended.  Brennie and Grandbob were in town for the Paul McCartney concert, so luckily, my mom was able to go with me to the appointment.  Even though the appointment was rough, it all ended with a great surprise. 

Dr. Reynolds brought out her fetal monitor and said that it was time for "dessert".  At the end of the exam, she rewarded us with the sound of our Lil' Shaffa's heartbeat. My mom and I started crying and actually, Brennie held it together less than I did.  We called Mike (Daddy) and let him listen and then Grandbob got a listen.  So, everyone heard the most precious sound of Lil' Shaffa's heartbeat.

We have another appointment in four weeks and we can't wait to call Mike's parents, Nona and Pap Pap so they can have a listen.  Perhaps we will record it and upload it to the blog...

Namaste

I look forward mostly to Sundays.  Every Sunday evening at 6:30 I attend my prenatal yoga class.  I love the class for many reasons. 

At the beginning of every class all of the "Moms to be" discuss their concerns or challenges from the previous week and our instructor tailors the class according to our specific needs. 

I'm emersed in class with other women going through this same experience which is so fulfilling.  Each woman in the class is at a different stage in their pregnancy which is so refreshing because I get advice from those who have "been there" and sympathy from those that are "going through it" like I am. 

Lil' Shaffa, I want you to know that we set our intentions for class at the beginning of every practice.  My intention for class is that I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are healthy and will always be surrounded by all the love you need and deserve. 

I've been taking yoga classes for years, but for the first time I now feel as if every practice has a real purpose. 

MY TOP THREE PRENATAL POSES

                                        3). CAT-COW STRETCH

                                        2). PIGEON POSE

                                        1). HAPPY BABY POSE

Going Once, Going Twice....

OK- So I haven't been around very many women that are pregnant, but my very dear friend who was recently pregnant, related to me the crazy remarks people made to her throughout her pregnancy.  I never realized how sensitive pregnant women can be... until NOW!

Those who know me, know that I often have trouble using my "filter" when I speak (although I've gotten better over the years). Therefore, I've decided not to take things too personally, however I thought it would be a good idea to document the crazy comments said to me throughout this experience.

I'm sure it will make for a good laugh at some point...

We are already off to a good start!

So, the first few crazy and insensitive things were said by co-workers just minutes after I announced the good news. 

1) "Well, how far along are you, because my sister just had a miscarriage last month..."

2) "Hey, I have a good idea, You should auction off it's middle name!" 

    Don't worry Lil' Shaffa, your name will be chosen with much love, thought, and consideration by me and your Daddy.

Our First Visit to the Doctor

On July 8, 2010 at 2:30pm we went to Baptist Hospital for our first ultrasound appointment.  I was completely overwhelmed by the experience.  We saw the heartbeat of Lil' Shaffa at 165 times per minute.  I immediately started crying and Mike stood beside me squeezing my hand as we watched in amazement.  We looked at each other and both began laughing hysterically.  It was the most incredible experience.  I can't believe that this is finally happening.  We've talked about it for so long and now it is our reality. 

At 3:10 we had our appointment with Dr. Reynolds and had to wait forever to see her.  She eventually came in and talked with us for a long time.  We got a pregnancy planner and several goodies including prescription strength prenatal vitamins.  All the vitamins I need rolled into one!  We had a long list of questions for Dr. Reynolds and she rattled off the answers like a pro.  I have a feeling she may be used to "first time" parents.  Her answers were more than satisfactory to us and we felt extremely positive about the experience we were embarking on with her.

We are proud to show off the first of many many photos of our little bambino, Lil' Shaffa.

It's About Time

On June 14, 2010 (Flag Day) Mike and I found out we were expecting our first baby. We went out to dinner to celebrate and came home to take two more "confirmation" tests. The next day, I made a phone call to our Doctor and was surprised to find out that I had to wait three more weeks for our first visit. I was about to explode with excitement and wanted to tell everyone I knew. I immediately notified my acupuncturist to make sure that continued treatments through pregnancy was safe. Being able to tell her satisfied my immediate need to spread the news for a short while and I ended up telling my mom the next day. I placed the burden of keeping the secret on her. She was awesome! I had someone to talk to that had been through the same experience while being confident that our secret was safe.

Mike suggested that we wait until the Fourth of July weekend to give our parents the good news, since they would all be at our house together. It was important for us to share the news with our loved ones in person, but we needed a clever way to share the good news. We came up with an idea to design a onesie with the name of what we will call the baby for now, "Lil' Shaffa". Shaffa is obviously derived from the last name Shaffor and was Mike's nickname all through high school and college. It stuck. So, now we are anxiously waiting for the arrival of Lil Shaffa.

This is the design that Mike created for the onesies we gave our family.  The outer design of the circle is reminiscent of the design from our wedding invitations.