Pea in the Blog

Newborn Registry Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:08:00 +0000

Here is a guide to the BEST most HELPFUL items we've used in the first month with Henry. If you're shopping for a baby shower, I guarantee these to be a hit with the parents...leave the cutesie outfits for someone else to buy. This is what they'll REALLY use!

Diapers:

We LOVE Cloth Diapers - find a local Diaper service to wash them!

Nursing:

Burp Cloths...and plenty of them
Boppy Nursing Pillow (don't forget a fun slip cover)

Glider

(with NO ottoman...get a Medela nursing stool instead)

Comforting a Crying Baby:

Moby Wrap Sling! (#1 most used item in our house)
Kiddopotamus Swaddler (so much easier than fussing with a blanket)
HoMedics White Sound Machine
Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (I hate Dr. Phil, but he was right on this one! Highly recommend for techniques in comforting your fussy little one)
Sissel Swiss Pro Exercise Ball (to sit on and bounce with baby in your arms...sure fire way to quiet them!)

Bathtime:

First Years Sure Comfort Bathtub
Infant Bath Thermometer
Hooded Towels & Washcloths

Clothes:

Winter babies stock up on long sleeve, footie PJs that SNAP - not zip! (it's pretty much the only thing Henry wears)
Gerber Side Snap Shirts (for under the PJs)

Sleeping:

Cradle
Sony BabyCall Monitor (just make sure the frequency doesn't interfere with your cordless phone or wireless router)
Nightlights!

Play Time:

Tiny Love Gymini Play Gym
Lamaze Toys

Travel:

Chicco Cortina Travel System: Carseat/Stroller

3 week old Henry

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:52:00 +0000

Our son has quite the personality!

Welcome Little Henry Woltz!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:20:00 +0000

Our little bundle of joy was born 2 days before his due date on December 29th, 2007. He's healthy and beautiful and we're the proudest parents! I'll continue this blog as he grows, but for the immediate future, my posts will hardly be weekly...he's keeping us mighty busy! Stay tuned...

Week 39: Build-a-Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:06:00 +0000

We're just putting the finishing touches on the little guy...he'll be here soon!

Week 38: Where the heck is that stork?!?

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:55:00 +0000

The waiting is driving us crazy! Is that dang stork lost or something?

Photos at Week 38

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:53:00 +0000

Week 37: Impatience (Illo Friday: "Little Things")

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:12:00 +0000

Illustration Friday's topic this week is "little things". When you get within weeks of your due date, every little thing makes me wonder "is this it?"
...it's pretty hard to concentrate on anything else and certainly makes patience impossible! Since Henry is due on New Years Eve, I've made a baby advent calendar to count down the days.

Week 36: Fear of Blizzards

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:07:00 +0000

Month 9: impending labor is only scary because of how unpredictable it is. Having a winter baby in Denver after the December blizzards of last year is certainly fear-inducing. In 2006, the streets were shut down for days as the city plows tried to catch up with the snow-fall. It has been snowing for the last 3 days here. It's beautiful, but this is NOT how I want my trip to the hospital to go:

Photos at Week 35

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:02:00 +0000

*click on image to enlarge*
I *hope* this will be our second to last photo since we take them every 3 weeks! The next will be at 38 weeks...lets just hope there are no 41 week pictures to be had! ^_^

Week 35: Thanksgiving Limerick

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

*click to enlarge*

So I'm a few days early on this one, but I felt compelled to do a Thanksgiving entry - hope you like it!

Week 34: Birthing Prep Class

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:06:00 +0000

Last weekend Mike and I attended the dreaded "Birth Preparation Class". It turned out to be really great! The instructor was fun and informative, the tour of the Labor & Delivery rooms was awesome, and we tried all of these positions to cope with labor pain. Mike is going to make an amazing coach...he was already so comforting just in our practice session. I think we're getting close to being ready for the big day!

I suppose this is like the Kama Sutra for baby labor! ^_^

Week 33: Insatiable Hunger

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:30:00 +0000

Knowing how much weight Speck is packing on right now, it makes sense, but MAN! Sometimes I wake up at night with a hunger pain in my stomach that you wouldn't believe! Anyone remember Little Shop of Horrors? That's what it reminds me of...well, if Audrey the man-eating plant REALLY craved ice cream.

Week 32: Ham-Roids!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:07:00 +0000

Another joy of pregnancy...hemorrhoids. Of course, I spared you an actual illustration of that...this seemed more fun ^_^

Photos at Week 32

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:00:00 +0000

Aha! I finally look as big as I feel! ^_^

*click on image to enlarge*

8-lb. Man Removed From Woman's Vagina

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 15:01:00 +0000

I don't know why, but I recently remembered this hilarious Onion article from years ago. I can't believe I was able to find it in their archives after 10 years! (it is dated October of '97) Come to think of it...I can't believe I still remember the damned thing! It's so much funnier when you're about to have your own eight pound man removed from your vagina. Read it....you will laugh.

"The Onion" Article: 8 lb. Man Removed From Woman's Vagina
"His dazed state, public defecating and lack of clothing suggest
that he is a mentally ill homeless man who was seeking shelter"

Week 31: Nursery Mural!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:51:00 +0000

This week I finally finished the mural I painted in Speck's nursery. The room is elephant themed, so I had some fun with it!

Week 30: Toni Braxton-Taylor Hicks

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:40:00 +0000

I've started to get a ton of Braxton Hicks contractions in the last week (or at least I'm much better able to identify them now!) My whole belly tightens up for a few seconds...I guess my uterine muscles are practicing for all the work they'll be doing soon. Of course my husband Mike, being the goof-ball that he is, calls them Toni Braxton Taylor Hicks Contractions...which inspired this illustration.

Week 29: Where did my feet go?!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:28:00 +0000

I'm finally losing sight of my toes...at long last, the belly has won! At least with some maneuvering I can still see them...that's more than I can say for other parts. Word to the pregnant wise: don't attempt to shave your bikini line in the third trimester...you're flying blind!

PS. I'm not sure why my right pinky toe has a mustache...he just does.

Photos at Week 29

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:28:00 +0000

I think I look bigger at week 26, don't you? Well, I know Speck has turned in the last week (he was sideways and now he's head down...maybe that makes a difference?)

And this photo is of Mike & me at the baby shower my family threw in Oakland, CA.

Week 28: Gearing Up for Third Trimester

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:12:00 +0000

Backaches, increasing clumsiness, decreasing energy level, and a much harder time sleeping...yup I can distinctly FEEL third trimester starting! I think its going to be a steep climb to the finish line.

Week 27: Shopping for Baby-To-Be

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:17:00 +0000

Shopping for baby is SO overwhelming! Try registering nowadays and the choices will boggle your mind...safety, aesthetics, ease-of-use...there are just too many things to consider! How am I supposed to know what I'll need in a diaper bag? Do I actually NEED a bassinet? Will baby hate or adore his new little swing?! Agh!

(click on the image to enlarge)

Week 26: My Nose Won't Stop Running!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:33:00 +0000

One pregnancy symptom they don't tell you about...constant runny noses! It's really annoying. It's called "rhinitis of pregnancy" and has something to do with higher amounts of estrogen that can contribute to swelling in the mucous membranes lining the nose and even cause you to make more mucus...fun, right?

Photos at Week 26

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:35:00 +0000

Sorry, I've been falling behind lately. I just got back from a week long trip to California...my last trip before Speck arrives! Anyway, you can expect my illustrations for week 26 & 27 shortly. Thanks for being patient! ^_^

Week 25: Prisoner of the Pee Break!

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:13:00 +0000

Constantly having to pee is getting old.

Funny Baby Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Anna Woltz) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:20:00 +0000

I haven't been outright reviewing products on my blog, but I just couldn't resist this one - I think its my favorite baby design out there (besides my shirts, of course!) ^_^ For all of you Johnny Cash fans out there...

I think Speck is just gonna have to sport one!

It's from TrendyTadpole.com - you should also check out their other stuff too!
You can buy one here