Car Seat Safety

This morning I scheduled my appointment with the CHP officer to get my car seat checked. Last Saturday at my baby shower my mom gave us our car seat. In our childbirth classes, it was recommended that we install or car seat but have a local CHP officer check that the car seat was installed correctly. I tried our local Torrance office but their first availability wasn't until March 26th. That's cutting it pretty close. In fact, I sort of have a feeling this baby might come a tad bit early so I definitely didn't want to do that. I then called the Culver City office and their first availability was March 16th. Who knew you needed to get on the books so early. I guess I should have called a few weeks back. Luckily though, the Culver City office had a cancellation and so I am down for my appointment for Friday, March 6th at 1o:00am. That means, this Sunday Sonje and I will be installing our babies car seat. If that's not a sign that baby is on the way, I don't know what is....

Speaking of baby on the way, my doctor said that babies can come, on average, up to 2 weeks early. I don't think my baby will be that early but let's just say he or she DID make their grand appearance 2 weeks early, that means that I could realistically have a baby in just 21 days time. Isn't that a scary thought. I've got a lot to do around this house to get ready if that's the case. Sonje and I are no where near ready for that. So, this weekend we are packing our hospital bags too.

2nd Breastfeeding Class Completed!

Last night was our second breastfeeding class. Seriously, this class was so awesome. Sure, I bet everyone is wondering why do the dads needs to be at a breastfeeding class and what in the heck can you talk about for 6 hours (6:30-9:30pm each session). We'll, both nights we went beyond 9:30 and I think we could have even added a third class session. It was soooo informative. I loved the class, loved the teacher! Not that I expect myself of my baby to be a pro because its obviously a new skill for both mother and baby to learn together but I definitely feel more prepared for what is in store and I am convinced that no matter how tough, I will not give up. Sonje and I really learned so much. It really says something when my husband got a lot out of the class too.

On another little note, it was really special last night. Towards the middle of our class one of the dads was getting up from his chair. The teacher asked if he was leaving and he said, yes. At first I thought it was sort of rude from them to leave in the middle but just after I had that thought the teacher asked the man if she can tell the class why they were leaving. The dad said yes. The teacher told us that his wife's water just broke and that they would have their baby within the next 24 hours. It was soooo neat!!! Everyone starting cheering and clapping for this couple. The dad looked like he'd been hit by a truck. He couldn't gather up his things. He was such a mess scrambling to get all their papers, water bottles and such and he kept dropping things. It was so funny. He was totally beside himself. But, it was neat and very touching. Of course, I got teary-eyed. Hearing the teacher say that they would have their baby in 24 hours time or so painted such an amazing picture. Who knows, perhaps that couple has had their baby already.

Baby Shower by Grandma Haven & Auntie Joy

This morning was my shower hosted by Grandma Haven & Auntie Joy. It was a wonderful day. I feel very lucky and blessed to have such special friends and family. Eighteen women celebrated Baby Berg's soon arrival. Orange with polka dots were the theme and the cake coordinated perfectly (see pic of adorable cake). The most sentimental moment was when I was surprised with a mother's ring from Sonje. We got beautiful gifts- all of which are useful and much needed for us first-time parents. Thanks to everyone for their generosity. Thanks to my mom and aunt who worked really hard..I loved my special day.

"Breast is Best"...

at least that was our motto for our first breastfeeding class last night. We knew you could talk 3 hours just about breastfeeding- and that's just one of 3 classes. Our class started at 6:30 and ended at 9:30. It was VERY imformative. The teacher is a great speaker, funny, entertaining, etc. We learned a lot and it was so interesting. I enjoyed this class so much more than the childbirth classes. Of course, a classroom setting is much different than trying to feed in real life but it was great for Sonje and I to hear the information together so we can do everything in our power to have a successful breastfeeding experience when the baby arrives.

more moon pics...

Of course we had to stop in the small town of Cambria on our way south. Is our baby a little girl? If so, Cambria is the chosen name for our little one.While in Cambria, we went to Moonstone Winery. Of course I didn't drink. For me, water and crackers were my treats but I still had fun. In Paso Robles at Eagle Castle Winery. I was on a mission to collect my marble winery coasters. All we did was drive around to about 9 wineries, stopping only to purchase my coasters. Next trip we'll have to come back to try a few selections.Summerwood Winery. They even have a goregous little Inn next store. Maybe next time we visit Paso we'll have to stay there. With a baby coming, who knows when that will be...

Babymoon- 33 weeks, forty-something days left

That's right... our last little vacation with just the two of us for awhile was this past holiday weekend. We left Friday, February 13th and went north to Solvang. On Saturday we headed further north and stayed in Monterey which of course was Valentine's Day! Sunday we made our way back down the coast and stayed in Paso Robles. Today, Monday, Feb. 16th we drove home. Just a short trip with a lot of driving but it was really nice (weather excluded). It was a wonderful babymoon, Valentine's, President's Day 3-day weekend, etc. Here's a (small) bunch of pics from our trip.


Although I really haven't had cravings during my pregnancy, I think I may be enjoying the taste of chocolate more.

Solvang is a cute Danish town- lots of yummy pastries and every building looks like something out of a movie.

Valentine's Day at the aquarium. We got sucked into a clam shell.

Happy Valentine's Day Daddy! (Baby at 32.5 weeks)

Pic 1: Smiling and Pic 2: Face Scrunch

Pic 3: Sleeping

Today for a little surprise Valentine's present to Sonje, I went and had a 4-D ultrasound. They were having Valentine's Day specials so the pricing had come down a bit and I thought it would be fun to surprise him on Saturday with some more photos of our baby. The baby didn't exactly cooperate as well as I had hoped (possibly a sign of what is to come) but it was still neat. The baby keep smiling and the technician said we have a happy baby. In fact, whenever I'd laugh, the baby would smile. One time I even accidently burped and the baby smiled at that too. A few times the baby scruned its face. I watched the baby on the monitor open/close its eyes, pucker its lips, yawn, take its little hand and rub its eye, swallow, etc. Unforunately the baby consistently had one of its little hands up to its face so it was hard to get images. Plus, the way the baby is positioned, the placenta is in almost every shot. The placenta is in the left side of the picture. The technician said the ultrasound machine can't depict from the placenta and the baby itself since its using sound waves. The way the baby is positioned the poor little guy or girl is basically kissing the placenta so that's why the left side of the face isn't visible. The good news...for now.. the baby is already down so hopefully he/she will stay there at this point. The technician said the baby appears to have fuller lips so I think it has daddy's mouth. Also, we were told our baby has a ton of hair....guess it runs in the family. Eric's babies were born with a ton of hair and Sonje's sisters little girl was also born with a nice head of hair.

Completion Certificate

Tonight was our last lamaze class. We were awarded our completion certificate. We've been going to this class for the last four Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:00ish. Can't belive the month has already gone by. Our homework is to practice our breathing techniques until the baby arrives. We met some interesting couples and learned a few things. It wasn't quite what we had in mind or hoped for but it was good we took the class nonetheless. Next week we begin our breastfeeding class. We'll keep you posted on that...

Hiccups- poor baby

Our baby has hiccups ALL THE TIME! So much so that I was worried and asked my doctor about it. She said that everything is fine and it can be very normal for some fetuses to get hiccups often. I feel bad for my baby though because it has to be so annoying for him/her since it happens so regularly and lasts for such a long period of time. The doctor told me that hiccups are likely caused from the baby swallowing the amniotic fluid. When I did a little reading about it online it said that mature fetuses hiccup in the womb because their central nervous system is adequately developed in order to allow this to happen...hmmm maybe it's no so bad then. I have to admit though, the feeling can be a little annoying for me too (if I'm allowed to say that). Such a weird sensation. Chances are if our baby hiccups a lot inside the womb, we'll have a hiccuper once the baby arrives.