Gender Predictions | Old Wives' Tales

We have our anatomy scan this week, so in just a few short days, we'll know once and for all whether Max will have a little brother or sister. Our family and friends have had a great time speculating for the past 4 months whether there's a little gent or a little lady growing in my belly. I thought it would be fun to put some old wives' tales to the test to see what they collectively predict. We'll know soon whether their predictions are correct!

Boy or Girl? Old Wives' Tales for Gender Prediction

Chinese Gender Chart:  I consulted 3 different websites for a Chinese gender prediction chart. They take the mother's age at conception, along with either the month of conception or the baby's due date, and give you a prediction. 2 said girl, 1 said boy.

Verdict: Girl

Wedding Band Test: Place your wedding band on a loop of string and hang it over your belly. If the ring swings back and forth, you've got a girl. If it goes in a circle, you're having a boy. It swung in a circle.

Verdict: Boy

Needle and Thread Test: Similar to the test above, but opposite predictions (weird, right?). Hold a needle dangling from thread above the palm of your hand. If the needle swings in a circle, you're having a girl. If it swings back and forth, you're having a boy. This test was performed on me by two different ladies at Victor's cousin's baby shower. Both times, the needle swung in a circle. (It swung back and forth for Victor's cousin. They're not finding out their baby's gender, but according to this test, a boy is on his way in February!)

Verdict: Girl

Baby's heart rate: above 140 bpm or below 140 bpm. At each appointment, baby's heart rate has been between 150 and 160 beats per minute.

Verdict: Girl

Mom's hair: dull and limp or thick and glossy. I was still losing a lot of hair due to postpartum hair loss when I got pregnant this time. I'm not losing as much hair, but still lose some. My hair doesn't have much body, and it's not too shiny, either. But it's always been that way. I really haven't noticed much of a change from what my hair usually looks like.

Verdict: Inconclusive

Cravings: sweet or salty. My cravings haven't been too strong this time around. The biggest craving I've had is for a bagel and cream cheese after seeing someone eating one in a movie. What do carbs fall under???

Verdict: Inconclusive

Sleeping position: right or left side. Now that I can't sleep on my stomach anymore, I usually sleep on my left side.

Verdict: Boy

Bump: High or low. I feel like I'm carrying right in the middle at this point. Might be too early to tell.

Verdict: Inconclusive

Skin: breaking out or blemish free. I've been breaking out more during this pregnancy than I'm used to.

Verdict: Girl

Toddler boy's interest in belly: This was for realz on a list of gender prediction items I saw. If a toddler boy (must be boy, doesn't have to be your own child) shows interest in your belly, you're carrying a girl. If he couldn't care less, it's a boy. Max loves to kiss my belly and hasn't tried to blow a raspberry on it at all.

Verdict: Girl

Morning sickness: yes or no. I was fairly nauseous during the first trimester. I never actually got sick, but I felt pretty rotten.

Verdict: Girl

Hands: soft or dry. Up until recently, they've been very soft, even without the help of lotion. They're getting drier now. This could be due to the cold weather, but we'll say it's a predictor.

Verdict: Boy

Balance: graceful or clumsy. Haven't done much tripping or falling at all.

Verdict: Girl

Demeanor: moody or pleasant. Definitely moody, much to Victor's dismay.

Verdict: Girl

Big brother's prediction: Ok, this one I totally made up. I drew a pink bow and a blue bow tie on a piece of paper and asked Max "Which one is for the baby?" He pointed to the pink bow and scribbled all over the bow tie. I later circled the pink bow for emphasis. Obviously he wants a sister.

Verdict: Girl

Results:

Girl: 9

Boy: 3

Inconclusive: 3

I must say, if we're expecting a boy, these old wives' tales are gonna have some 'splainin' to do! Look for a post later this week to find out what we're having!

Oh hey, Friday! | 5 Reasons I Love "Parks and Recreation"

I've recently gotten hooked on the show Parks and Recreation, which is available for streaming on Netflix. I never watched it when it was on network television, but man, am I a fan now! And if I'm being completely honest, I much prefer watching sitcoms in binge-watch form as opposed to waiting each week for one 30-minute episode (with commercials--blah!).

I'm somewhere in season 5 at the moment, and I know I'm going to be slightly depressed once I blast through all 7 seasons and I can't hang with Leslie Knope and the crew anymore. I sneak in some episodes during naptime once my chores are done or on the weekends. Sometimes I have to rewatch some episodes because I end up falling asleep because pregnancy. I don't like to multitask while I'm watching because the show is just so stinkin' funny that I can't stand to miss anything!

Here are my 5 favorite things about Parks and Recreation, in no particular order.

1. Leslie Knope: Her passion for Pawnee, Indiana is so refreshing. She'd do anything for that weird little town. She's so quirky and such a thoughtful friend and coworker. Plus, it's super entertaining to watch her attempt to navigate some unexpected crisis in nearly every episode. She also says "I love you and I like you" to her love, Ben, and I just think that's the sweetest. And let's be honest, how could you not love a character played by Amy Poehler. I love that woman.

   

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2. Ron Swanson: This guy. I decided a couple of weeks ago that when he talks, he kind of sounds like Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl. He's so mysterious, wise, and secretly sweet and considerate. He's almost crotchety in his preferences, which is highly comical. 

   

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3. Andy Dwyer: His "doofiness" has me cracking up in every episode. He has excellent mannerisms and facial expressions that just add to his humor. I laugh so much during his scenes that Victor has begun asking me if I have a crush on him. Haha! 

   

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4. The way Chris Traeger says "literally." It's annoying how often people say "literally" these days, but I don't mind it when Chris says it. "That is LIT-rally the best news I've heard all day." I die. I also chuckle when he cheerily says "Ann Perkins!" every time Ann comes near him. Speaking of Ann Perkins (played by Rashida Jones), I'm so glad she's a likeable gal because I didn't like Rashida after she (or rather, her character Karen) got between Jim and Pam on The Office. But I like her now, because Ann Perkins rocks. 

   

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5. Tom Haverford's slang terms and abbreviations: Aziz Ansari is perfect for this role. I love his stand-up, and he's a natural as Tom. "Most people would say 'the deets,' but I say 'the tails.' Just another example of innovation." "'Zerts' are what I call desserts. 'Tray-trays' are entrees. I call sandwiches 'sammies,' sandoozles,' or 'Adam Sandlers.' 'Air conditioners are 'cool blasterz.' I call cakes 'big ol' cookies.' I call noodles 'long-ass rice.' Fried chicken is 'fry-fry chicky-chick.' Chicken parm is 'chicky-chicky-parm-parm.' Chicken cacciatore? 'Chicky-cach.' I call eggs 'pre-birds' or 'future birds.' Root beer is 'super water.' Tortillas are 'bean blankets.' And I call forks 'food rakes.'" That whole last quote may not have the same effect when you're reading it on my blog as opposed to hearing Tom say it out loud, but I was giggling while I read it. And no, I didn't transcribe that quote myself. I found it on a list of 25 Best Tom Haverford Quotes. Because I have a life, guys...kinda.   

   

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Have you watched Parks and Recreation? If not, perhaps I've convinced you to check it out! Have a great weekend!

Linking up with 

Karli at September Farm

and

Amy at The Farmer's Wife

Oh Baby! | Week 20 Bumpdate

I decided not to do weekly "bumpdates" for this pregnancy (I didn't even take weekly bump photos when I was pregnant with Max!), but I figured it's a good time to update you all on what's growing over here since we're halfway through this pregnancy! I can't believe we're at week 20 already. This entire pregnancy has felt like it's crawled by, but the halfway point really snuck up on me!

How far along? 20 weeks

Due date: May 26, 2016

Baby's size: A banana | 10.5 oz and 10 inches from head to toe (according to BabyCenter). At my 19 week appointment, the doctor said my fundal height is measuring right on track.

Gender: Unknown--we find out next week!

Symptoms: Fatigue (though not nearly as bad as in the first trimester), round ligament pain, and occasional dizziness. Also, my nesting instinct is kicking in. I want to organize all the closets and PURGE as much as possible!

Weight gain: I'm up about 5 pounds at this point.

Maternity clothes: Yes, and so happy about it! I was able to hold off on maternity pants until about 16 weeks. I probably could've gone longer, but all of my jeans needed to be washed at that point, and we all know how jeans get a bit more snug right after a wash. Not worth the discomfort! I also went through my closet last weekend and packed away all of the shirts that are too short to cover my belly (which was most of my closet) so I could free up some hangers for my maternity clothes. My mom and sister gave me some cute new maternity tops for my birthday/Christmas, and I washed all of my maternity clothes from my last pregnancy and put them up in the closet.

Cravings: I don't have too many, which is weird to me. I'm loving bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, and munching on red grapes is a favorite of mine. I've also had a hankering for deli sandwiches occasionally, but it's not earth-shattering that I can't have one.

Movement: Yes! I started feeling this nugget move at around 16 weeks, which was much earlier than I anticipated. I didn't start feeling Max move until 18/19 weeks, and at our 12-week ultrasound in November, the tech said my placenta was in the front of my uterus, which usually means you feel movement later. Regardless, I'm loving feeling the little pokes and flutters inside! The baby is most active at night or if I sit for a while after eating.

Sleep: Elusive at this point. I'm having a hard time falling asleep, and I wake up a few times a night, sometimes for a bathroom break but not always. My favorite sleep position is on my stomach, but it's starting to get pretty uncomfortable to sleep that way now, so perhaps the transition to sleeping on my side has caused my sleep to take a hit. I never used a pregnancy pillow during my last pregnancy, but I'm thinking I might try one this time around. Any recommendations?

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach; I wasn't able to start sleeping on my stomach again until I stopped breastfeeding Max...he was almost 11 months old by that point, so I think I've got quite a bit of time before I can sleep that way again. Also, deli sandwiches.

Best moment this week: Seeing Max's face light up when he heard the baby's heartbeat at my appointment on Monday. He had been enthralled by the Curious George episode he was watching on my phone, but when the heartbeat came through the doppler, he was awestruck. So sweet. He was also so well-behaved the entire hour we were at the doctor's office.

Worst moment this week: Monday night, Max had a rough night, sleep-wise, which means Mommy did, too. He was up crying from 2-3 AM with what I believe was head congestion and teething pain, and he woke up crying again at 4:30 AM. Add to that the fact that I initially had a hard time falling asleep that night and you have yourself a very sleepy mama on Tuesday!

Looking forward to: Finding out the baby's gender next week at our anatomy scan! Hoping for news of a healthy baby!

How's dad? He's great. He's an old pro at this whole "pending fatherhood" business, haha. Much like my last pregnancy, he asks me at some point every week, usually one night after Max is in bed, how far along I am so he can look it up on babycenter.com. He likes to stay informed.

Check back next week for some gender predictions based on old wives' tales, as well as a gender announcement later in the week!

In case you missed:

Announcing baby #2

How we told our people

New Year's Eve 2015

We've hosted our "Dinner Party Crew" group of friends (affectionately referred to as the DPC) for New Year's Eve since 2011. It started out as 4 couples and has now evolved to include 5 little kiddos under the age of 3 (with a 6th on the way!). Victor's parents also join the festivities, and sometimes Victor's brother joins the crowd, as well. It's a laid back evening at our house, and we always look forward to it every year. One year we had a PJ party, another year we had a photo booth, and every year we have a Just Dance video game competition. Sometimes people spend the night and we have a delicious breakfast in the morning. Regardless of the evening's events, we always have a great time.

This year was no exception. We had way too much food, Max refused to eat (too much excitement), his friend E wouldn't stop eating, and by the time midnight rolled around, everyone was ready to hit the hay (that last hour went by way too slowly!). Here are some photos, most of which include the kiddos. They played so well together!

Max's train set was a hit!

Don't you just love E's outfit?

Waiting for that dang ball to drop. Max went to bed at 10 but E partied till the end!

Happy New Year! Don't worry, I was sipping sparkling grape juice. No champagne for baby!

As I said, we all had a great time! It's so nice to have a low-key evening with the kids! We're very fortunate to have such wonderful friends--and we all love each other's kids like our own! Couldn't think of better company for ringing in the new year!

Christmas 2015

I should've published this post back in 2015 (you know, 6 whole days ago), but I had other things to do, like put together toys, play with toys, take out bags full of wrapping paper, snuggle with family, eat all the sweets, etc. We had a great Christmas at home, and Max is so entertained with all of his new gifts that he's even busier than he was before, if you can believe it!

I will give a little recap of the entire month of December, since we did lots of Christmassy things throughout the month and I wasn't on top of my blogging game. The first thing we did was visit Santa on December 7. I expected Max to be pretty apprehensive about the big guy this time around, and my hunch proved to be correct. But the photo turned out better than I expected.

No smile, but no tears. I'll call that a win!

Next, we ventured to a private home nearby to see its vast display of Christmas lights. I read about the house in our local newspaper and we visited on December 13. I am here to tell you: it was AMAZING! This lady does this display every year, and she begins hanging her lights in October (at least 35 strands of lights per tree!). She lets you walk around her property to see all of her light displays, and she collects donations for the local food bank and breast cancer research from those in the giving spirit. On this particular night, she was even allowing people inside her home to see her Christmas decorations inside.

Max loved it!

This year, she built a "throne" for Santa in her carriage house and passed out candy canes to all the kids. Max was still skeptical of ol' St. Nick, so Daddy had to sit with him.

We had a great time and Max LOVED running around outside right before bedtime. He crashed hard that night!

We hosted Victor's office Christmas party at our house on December 18. Earlier that week, Max was sick with a stomach bug, and Victor and I managed to catch it just in time for the party...ick! We both felt fine all day that Friday, but when party time rolled around, we started feeling pretty rotten. I couldn't eat anything, which was a bummer because we had some pretty great Mexican takeout! Here are just a couple photos I took that night before going to bed at 9 PM. Victor followed shortly after.

The next day, Victor and I were zombies. I had been up sick all night, and Victor was suffering from a fever and chills. We were "couch parents" all day Saturday as we slowly started feeling better. Luckily Max was OK with watching Curious George for most of the day.

Even though I felt rotten, I loved having my snuggle bug with me.

Honestly, I'm glad we got all the germies out of the house before Christmas!

The week of Christmas was spent baking cookies, wrapping gifts, and tidying the house. I baked sugar cookies for the first time in a couple of years, and I also made some homemade powdered sugar icing (both recipes from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook!). Part of me wanted to buy all the supplies to make beautiful piped icing designs...but then I just settled for sprinkles. You can't go wrong with sprinkles, people.

I also made Max a flannel tree with felt ornaments to decorate so he would hopefully leave our tree alone. It worked! Until he ripped it off the sliding glass door so he could knock on it while I was outside with the dog.

On Christmas Eve Eve, we opened our family gift of matching PJs (photo evidence in the Christmas Day photo section) and a Christmas movie (Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special). The evening of Christmas Eve, we went to Victor's parents' house to exchange gifts with his family. Then some of his aunts, uncles, and cousins joined us for dinner and a white elephant gift exchange. I won a cute little Nativity set! We got home late and Max didn't get to bed until 11!

Playing with all the "ho-hos" on Vovo's tree.

Victor received this ninja apron from his brother and future sister-in-law.

It was 70 degrees on Christmas Eve...I didn't have Christmassy clothes for that weather!

Christmas morning was relatively laid back since Max still doesn't quite understand the excitement of it all (I'm sure being up late the night before had something to do with it, too). We made our way downstairs around 9, and while Victor made breakfast, I pushed Max around in his new Radio Flyer tricycle, which was by the tree and immediately piqued his interest the second he saw it. He was not happy when we made him get out to eat! Then we opened the rest of our gifts in our matching PJs, pausing occasionally to unbox and play with new toys. Victor's brother and his fiancee visited around lunch time before they headed out of town, and then after naptime, we headed back over to Victor's parents' house for Christmas dinner with more extended family.

Mom, don't take photos. Push me around in this thing!

It was 70 degrees again on Christmas Day. Fleece PJs were a bit much.

Awesome drum set from one of Victor's aunts. Max immediately knew what to do!

Santa brought a train set!

Max loves his "choo choos"

This was after changing into lighter-weight pajamas and enjoying a chocolatey cookie.

My mom came out to visit on Sunday the 27th and brought lots of gifts for us from our family in Ohio. She left on New Year's Eve day. Max loved having his 'Ma in town. My sister couldn't make it out for Christmas this year because she's being a SuperNurse and working a lot over the holidays, but we'll hopefully see her in the next month or so!

We cheered on the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night...but they lost in overtime.

See? I told you we had a lovely Christmas. So lovely that I couldn't post about it until the next year. Ha! Check back tomorrow for tales of our New Year's Eve get-together!

2016 Resolutions

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful week of celebrating the holidays with loved ones. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I took a big ol' break from blogging to spend time with my family. I will do some recaps of our holiday celebrations this week!

Like many of you, I have been contemplating what my New Year's Resolutions should be for 2016. Part of me wants to not make any resolutions. A local radio/TV personality posted this on Facebook the other day and it really resonated with me.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals, dreams or wants, those are powerful things but it seems to me that resolutions often leave us more confused and let down than they bring us lasting change. Building and exploring what we already have seems like the way to make every year a little better and more abundant."   -Sarah Fraser

How many times have you made a resolution, and then when the end of the year (or, more likely, the end of January) came around, you hadn't followed through with it? When I think about making resolutions, I find myself feeling a little defeated before I even get out of the gate, mainly due to my previous track record with resolution success. I'm wondering if I might see more growth by following Sarah's philosophy.

So this year, instead of making a list of things I want to change about my life, I'm going to be grateful for what I have and focus on nurturing what's already here. I'm going to be present. Perhaps some change will occur as a result of this new mindset, but it will likely happen organically as opposed to being forced. I think I might like that--and benefit from it--a lot more.

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What are your resolutions for 2016?