Birth and Beyond Class

We just finished our 8 week long session of birthing classes, every Sunday night, 6 to 8:30.  I am very excited to have my Sunday evenings back!

So have to share a few of my favorite moments...

Nick's face when we saw the live birth, needless to say, he will be at the head of the bed with me and there will be no mirror!

There is always that awkward person/people in class...no we weren't them...but we got paired up with them...  We were learning how to give the baby a bath and they asked, "Can we bring our baby in the shower with us?  We already let our dog/cat come in the shower with us?"  Yes, I know there is an economic crisis out there and this is saving money on the water bill, but seriously, I think family showers should probably end when the baby comes along.  Just saying...

Breast Feeding, I agree, that it is great for your baby, but it does not mean you should breast feed your child for 3 years?  Our instructor shared her own personal experience of breast feeding each child for 3 years...  She has 4 children!  I am sorry, I going to opt out on that time frame!  When my child can walk/talk and ask for milk, I think that milk will be coming from a farm animal!

Getting Bigger...Getting Ready...Just need the Baby!

Home Stretch!  6 more weeks and Baby Ward will make their entrance!  I am officially waddling around the office/home and nesting away.  I think every room of our apartment has some sort of baby item and has been organized and reorganized.  I can't believe in 6 weeks I will finally know and hold our little boy or girl!

Here is a pic of the crib Nick assembled on Monday night.  Once we know if it is a boy/girl we (I) can finally decorate!!

And here is the latest/greatest pic of my baby bump...

Nick off to Vegas...

I am a very jealous wife right now...  In 3 days my husband gets to go off to Vegas with 6 of his good friends to golf, watch sports, and drink beer.  Pretty much the 3 best things in a man's life. 

I ponder "why do guys get to live up 9 months before a baby is born, when the ladies have to go to the prison of healthier eating habits, no drinking, and gaining weight?"  Is it because Adam was created before Eve?  Is it because men are less responsible than women?  I don't know the answer...  Maybe one day I will learn the answer...

Tax Incentive for a Mom!

The IRS announced that breast feeding supplies now qualify as medical care expenses.  We can use our FSA, HSA, or you can itemize them on the Schedule A effective 2010 tax year.  Yahoo!  Is it bad this confirms my decision to breast feed?  I guess I am a true accountant :) 

Of course the IRS is very loose on wording.  "Supplies that assist lactaion"  I can only imagine the crazy things people will try to pull over on their returns!

The IRS does note they do not say breast feeding vs. formula is better, but formula is classified as "food" and can't be deducted...ummm...

Oh well, one more way to keep my money from the government!

Parenthood = finding new tax savings!

Entering the World of Elastic Waistbands

Well, it is the 24 week mark and I have officially converted to maternity clothes.  Stretchy waistbands is my new fashion trend.  My bump FINALLY appeared and I am rather fond of it EXCEPT for when working out.  I teach a boot camp class on Wednesday morning and for the first time, I was the "slow" kid.  Usually I am showing these crazy options to the participants and going full out, but now I get to demonstrate once and then do the low impact option...ugggh!  My participants tell me it is motivation to them, bc they don't want to be beat out be a pregnant lady...  Oh goodness!

Pic- 24 weeks, stomach has grown, butt has remained the same, I was hoping that would go down!

Arriving June 2011

The Wards will be a party of 3 in June! 

It is crazy we are at the 20 week mark...yes, halfway there!  We (Nick) decided to be surprise on whether it is a boy/girl, so for the FIRST time in my life I am not able to plan.  Nick thinks it is going to control my spending habits, but does he realize that now I will be shopping for both a boy and a girl?!?

We have lots to get ready for the arrival of our first child; setting up the nursery, child birth classes, picking out names!  At one point in my life I thought I had it all figured out...Zack, Kelly, AC, Lisa, Jessie and have a dog name Screech, can you name that show?  Now when it is reality, it is a lot harder than I thought!  My dad already suggested Al and Alrenia... 

As for being pregnant....I think I might be one of the lucky ones, no morning sickness!  Still am waiting for the converting over to maternity clothes.  I am assuming it will happen in the next week or so.  I am kind of looking forward to the world of elastic waist bands ;)

We also experience our first shower!  Dibelka side.  Lets say we know this baby will be Corn Born, but they will BLEED PURPLE!!  Go Cats :)

That is all for now!  First blog out of the way...many more to come!!