Fabulous Find: Rock & Play

This is for all the new parents with newborns

or soon to be parents!

This is the best find yet :)

Check out the fabulous review here

As soon as I read the reviews we went out and bought it!!

I can't say that my little one is sleeping 6 hours yet,

but we love how portable it is

and she takes all her naps in it very nicely :)))

So make sure to add it to your registry

or pick one up today!!

LOVE IT,

BigSisLilSis

Aria's Birth Story

May 5, 2010

Our day started out normal enough at 7:30am. Adam and I took Cadence to daycare and then I dropped him off at work {so I could have the car}.  I chatted with his coworkers for a bit then I was off to the fabric store to get some last minute items for a project that I thought I should finish before the baby came, since my time would be limited after the baby ;}

I had a doctor appointment that day at 11:45, so when I got home from the fabric store, I got started on my project right away {you can easily loose track of time sewing}. Before I knew it I need to be at my appointment in 10 min, but first I had to go back and pick up Adam at work to go with me!! OOPS!!

I got to Adam's work and he told his boss he would be back shortly and we were off to the appointment!
{we now know he wouldn't be back at work ;}

We hurried into the office and they got my weight and all that good stuff ;} The doctor came in and asked how I was doing? Good, feel great! Any contractions? Just the practice ones like normal, but there doesn't seem to been too much of a pattern {honestly I hadn't been paying much attention since then didn't bother me}

So she decided to check me and said I was about 3cm and 80% effaced and the baby's head was down low :} Adam and I liked this news!! Next she wanted to check the size of the baby and did a quick ultrasound for measurements. She said that Aria was looking to be around 7lbs 7oz {but of course that was just an estimate ;}

After she sat down and explained that since today was my due date {which we thought was the 8th this whole time} that she didn't want me going past my due date and wanted to monitor the baby and get things going.
Adam and I looked at each other kind of confused and then at the doctor again and said okay, when are we going to do that? She said, "Today, go ahead and head over to the hospital from here and we {Dr. Teagle & Midwife Maria Gruelich} will meet you over there in a little bit."

I was in totally SHOCK and just said, "Okay, so we are having this baby today? Do we need to go get our things?" "Yes, you are having the baby and your husband can go get your things once we have you checked in." :)

So off we went {the hospital is next door, so it was pretty fast}.

 We called our parents and my Mom met us there. I was a little overwhelmed at the moment from the news and had a moment {happy though :}, Adam can always make me feel better and I know everything will be fine :}

We went to Labor & Delivery to check in and they were ready for us, got us in a room and the staff was so nice and welcoming. They were excited that I was going to be doing a VBAC {Vaginal Birth After Cesarean}

Once I had my IV and monitors, Dr. Teagle and Maria came to see how I was and decided that breaking my water would be the best route since I was having contractions already and we would see how things went. I was relieved to not get Pitocin right away like they did with Cadence, because it made the contractions SO strong. And I was hoping to get as far as I could without the epidural, so things could progress naturally. Let my body do the work! :}

Breaking my water worked perfectly! I started having mild contractions within a half hour and just did a lot of walking up and down the hall. A couple of hours passed and the family started to arrive in the waiting room and when Dr. Teagle came back to check on me I was 4-5cm and 100% effaced, with the baby's head nice and low :} It is always reassuring to get good progress news, especially when you are starting to get some GOOD, STRONG contractions! It gives you the motivation to go a little longer.

About an hour later I was ready for my epidural {I wanted to get some rest and keep my strength for pushing!}

Now that I was more comfortable and relaxed our families came in to visit with us and I steadily progressed 1cm an hour like the doctor had hoped and me and the baby were looking great on the monitors :} Our family started taking bets on when the baby would arrive and I thought for sure we would be having a Cinco de Mayo baby!

Around 11pm Dr. Teagle checked me again and I was at 9.5cm, 100% effaced and the head was low enough for pushing. She decided to give my a little bit of Pitocin to see if it would help that last half cm.

May 6, 2010

Around 12:30ish {time is a little vague here} Maria and the nurse came in and just watched my monitor for a little bit and then Dr. Teagle came in and checked me saying there hadn't been any change {funny because this is exactly what happened with Cadee birth!} When she said that I was thinking it looked like another c-section {either way we just wanted a healthy Mom and healthy baby}, but she said if I could give her a good practice push she would be able to tell if we could get passed the last half cm left.
So I gave it all I had and she said, "OK! Let's give this a try!!"

I was so excited to be able to at least try and not have to go straight to a C-section, because I just knew deep down

"I CAN DO THIS!"

Once I started pushing {about 1 am-ish}, all I remember is pushing! That has to be the HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life! I never knew how much strength and energy you have to put into pushing a baby out! But 45 minutes later my precious baby girl was born and it was totally worth it!! That had to be the most amazing experience and rush of emotion that I will probably ever experience!!

She looks so much like Cadee, but the complete opposite in hair and skin color! Aria has super dark hair and a ton of it with a slight olive tone to her skin :}

She is so beautiful and I am in love already!!

ARIA LEIGH HULTMAN

May 6, 2010

1:46 am

7lbs, 14 oz ~ 19in.

Thank You's

Adam ~ My absolutely amazing hubby, you gave me that extra strength I needed to bring our baby girl to us. I LOVE YOU!!

Cadence ~ I LOVE YOU so much sweetie and you are going to be a fantastic BIG SISTER!!

Mom ~ Thank you for being there for me, your energy was perfect and I am so glad to have shared this experience with you. I LOVE YOU!!

To all of our FAMILY, thank you for your support and continued support! You are always there to help when ever we need it! Aria and Cadee are so lucky to have such a wonderful family :}

Dodds Family ~ Thank you for making a space in your hearts and home for Cadee. She loves you guys and so do we. Thank you for all you help!

To all my amazing FRIENDS for being there to share in all the special and happy event in my life! :} You're the BEST!!

I also cannot say enough good things about Dr. Teagle and Maria Gruelich!! They are a fantastic team and had the perfect balance to keep me on track and motivated throughout this birth. I would recommend them to all expectant mothers!! Plus, you get to deliver at El Camino Hospital Los Gatos. We had a wonderful experience there and the STAFF is so kind and really care about YOU! 

Crafty: Baby Shower Favors

I was trying to think of something cute and practical for a

Baby Shower Favor

{So it wouldn't just get tossed when the guest leaves!}

As I was browsing through Target

{no suprise there!}

I came across the travel size hand sanitizers.

I thought, WOW this would be perfect,
{but they just aren't very cute... yet!}

How can I pretty these up? Tie a bow around it?
Put a sticker on it?

If only it didn't have the brand sticker on it...

OH WAIT, it comes off!!

PERFECT!!

{everyone loves to have one of these in their purse, right

and you gotta have clean hands to hold the BABY!}

So my next stop was for stickers and ribbon

I walked into Micheal's

{waddled is probably more accurate!}

To my surprise they had a huge selection of ribbon in the $1 bin

{and in PINK! Of course you can do this in BLUE too ;}

I also found some girly stickers to put on the bottles!

Here is the finished product :}

The guests loved them too!

You can do this with the larger bottles as well

{as long as there is a removable sticker}

They would make great quick gifts for

co-workers, teachers, family 

or anyone that goes out in public! ;}

Have fun,

BigSis LilSis

xoxo

Vijay Rakhra Photography: Maternity Photos

I am a little shy to share these photos ;},

but Vijay did such a great job

I had to show you!

He has been our photographer for many special events in our lives

{Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, and Family}

These are the moments in life that you want to
capture forever and he does it in just the right way! :}

{Please take some time to view his website}

He always has such a great attitude,
which makes me so comfortable to work with him.
Everytime we have done a photo shoot together
I have been thrilled with the results and this was no exception!

THANK YOU VIJAY!!

Fabulous Find: Baby Jogger City Select

I am absolutely in LOVE with this stroller!

{I know... the things that excite me as a Mom}

I wish this was available when we had Cadence,

there would be no need for any other stroller!!

{instead we ended up with 3 different ones that probably added up to the cost of this one!}

If you or someone you know is having
a little one,
this is a must have!!

Introducing...

BABY JOGGER CITY SELECT 2010

{click above for more info}

"For Parents on the Grow"

The City Select offers parents the unique opportunity to customize their stroller into 16 different combinations to suit their family needs.

*Patented Quick-Fold Technology - allows you to fold your stroller in
one simple step

*Innovative multi-functional design allows you to select your seating arrangement up to 16 unique combinations
(with double conversion kits – sold separately)

*Hand operated parking brake

*12" forever-air rear and 8" lightweight front wheels with front wheel suspension and sealed ball bearings

*Swivel front wheels lock into place for long distance strolling

*Multi-position seat recline for passenger comfort

*Multi-position sun canopy with peek-a-boo window and adjustable head height

*Adjustable 5-point safety harness with shoulder pads and buckle cover

*Multi-position foot well tilt adds leg support for smaller children

*Telescoping handlebar with wipe clean grip

*Seat back storage compartment and large under seat basket

*Secure fold latch to keep stroller folded for transportation or storage

*45 lb. per seat weight capacity

This stroller has everything we have been looking for!

Throughout our stroller search we have often said,

"This one would be perfect if it just had this too,

or that like the other one."

I think my favorite feature is that it doesn't always have to be
a double stroller...

Or maybe that you can attach the infant car seat and a
second seat and still fit through a regular size doorway...

Or maybe that the seats can swivel so the kiddos can face eachother...

Or maybe it's just everything!!

One thing I do know,

this is going on my wish list for baby #2,

along with tons of diapers ;}


I would love your feedback on this Fabulous Find,
especially if you already have this stroller or also considering it!!

BigSis LilSis
xoxo

Shannon Cline Photography

We recently got the opportunity to take some family photos

with a new photographer named

Shannon Cline

Her specialties are maternity, newborns,
children, families, and weddings.

She posted a message on a family forum

that she was looking to add some new families to her portfolio.

She had a huge response to her offer for a free photo shoot

and we were lucky enough to be chosen!

The last time we had family photos

was when Cadence was 6 months old.

We met her at Vasona and had a great time.

I love how playful the shots came out.

Shannon was very easy going and
a pleasure to work with.

Here are some of the shots from the day!

I believe she is looking for couples to do
engagement photos next!
Check out her website and shoot her an email
if you are interested in finding out more :}

Thank you again Shannon!

MealBaby

I just came across this website

and thought it was a pretty great idea!

The website works like a registry,

where friends and family can sign up

to bring you food after having a baby!

{or recovering from surgery, a loss in the family, etc.}

It is a free website and super simple to use.

Just enter your contact information to sign up

and then follow the quick easy steps

to enter information for

specified dates and meal preferences.

Also, if you have family or friends out of town 

they can purchase gift cards for you

to local restaurants as well!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Oh My!

Okay... So I thought it might be time to post a pregnancy pic!

With my first pregnancy

I took pictures like every other week!

I wanted to capture every moment of my pregnancy...

Round 2, not so much and I feel horrible,

but honestly the weeks are just flying by

and before I know it a month has gone by and then another!

Did I mention that I only have 2 more months? AHHH!

I am actually really excited and cannot wait to meet our little Aria!!

As it gets closer I am becoming more sentimental and excited

about having another little precious baby in the house,

especially since my first baby is a full blown toddler now :}

Since Cadence was a week late and we decided to induce,

{by the looks of this picture}

I am hoping this baby is a little early or at least on time,

considering I am HUGE this time around!

{I know two weeks can make a difference, but come on!}

Everyone think positive that she stays under 8lbs ;}

OMG!

Sew baby sew

So... I have been slowly learning to sew

and have a lot of items that i want to get done

before baby #2 {Aria Leigh} is here {May '10} 

a few of the things on my list to do:

~ hospital gowns {2}

~ car seat cover

~ nursing cover

~ baby blanket

{too ambitious? maybe!}

Luckily my mil {mother in law} is great at sewing

and planning to help me get started!

Now it might help if I actually got my sewing machine out...LOL ;}
 

My ultimate goal would be to get good enough at this

that I could make them for all
my lovely friends and family

that may be having babies in the near future :) 
 

 I know these are things i would love to have,

but i wonder...

{would other mamas & mommies~to~be like these too?!}