Oh look, a weiner!

That's right... It's a boy!!

     Today I had my second trimester ultrasound  As soon as the sonographer put the paddle to my bump, I saw my baby moving around on the big plasma screen that was set up in the room. Then BAM! This little one turns over, and I get a glimpse of a weiner on the screen. "Yep this is definitely a baby boy," said the sonographer. I honestly don't think I have ever been so amazed to see a penis in my life, but there it was, and I couldn't help but shed tears of joy knowing that I was going to have a little baby boy! Yes, I was hoping to have a girl, but I am actually really excited to be having a boy. (I even went to the store straight after my appointment, and picked out an outfit for when I bring him home in August!)

Brayden 3D Image 1

Brayden 3D Image 2

Brayden 2D Image 1

     After the sonographer took all the measurements, I went to another room to wait for my doctor to come talk to me about the results of the ultrasound. All in all she said that Brayden is developing wonderfully, the only concern right now is that I have whats called "placenta praevia", or low-lying placenta. What this means is that the placenta (an organ connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord), is partially or fully blocking the cervix (the opening  the baby passes through during delivery). So basically the doctor told me that unless the placenta moves away from the cervix, they will have to deliver Brayden by Cesarean- section. Other then that everything else is going along just fine. So here are my questions: Has anyone else encountered this problem in their own pregnancy? And did it fix itself before delivery, or did you have to have a Cesarean scheduled?
          
     I do have a name picked out already, for those who are new to my blog. Brayden Leigh Lazar. I come from a European ancestry, so I tried to pick out names that meant something special. If I remember correctly, I chose Brayden because it meant "Brave". Leigh (pronounced Lee), means "Healer". My last name Lazar means "Helped by God". So if you put it all together it could mean "Brave Healer Helped by God". If you ask me that sounds like a pretty special name! I just hope that's what the names actually mean. I can't recall what website I looked at to find the meanings, but even if the names actually mean something else, I'm going to stick with what I've chosen. It just has a nice ring to it, even without the meanings behind the names. 

     As mentioned before, after my appointment I went and bought what shall be Brayden's first outfit. I then met with my mom, and revealed to her Brayden's sex, by letting her be the first to see said outfit. I also gave her a little card to read with the outfit. Inside I had written, "This kid has a BIG weiner! It's a boy! <3" (I also posted this on my facebook). Bottom line it was a very enjoyable surprise, one that I will remember for the rest of my life! I'd love to hear what other people did when they announced the sex of their first child. 
    
     So far this has been the best day out if my pregnancy! Next on the to do list: Child birth classes! 

     

Ramblings

     So today was one of those stay home and clean days. Mom, Eli (brother), and myself worked together to get a few things done. I cleaned the kitchen and swept the floors, mom mopped the floors and cleaned the bathrooms, and Eli took out the trash and vacuumed  the carpets. We also worked on laundry and cleaning our rooms. All in all, I'd say the house looks pretty tidy.

     It will be especially important to keep everything clean once the baby comes. The only thing I'm really worried about is that Monkey (baby's nickname) might be allergic to the animals. We have two dogs, two cats, a bird, and a hamster. Here are some pictures! (Note: I do not have a picture of the hamster, but her name is Bella.)

Raxel the Pug

Smudge the Poodle

Zoey the Conure

Patriot the Ragdoll

Cubby the Burmese

                                                                                             


     We have had Patriot and Cubby since I was a little kid. Zoey we've had for about two years. Raxel is six months old, and the poor guy will be getting fixed this Wednesday (sorry Raxel, but we can't have you making Pugapoos with the poodle!) Smudge is about three months old, and she is half the size of Raxel! Anyways, I'm hoping the baby won't have animal allergies, because I would hate to have to let go of any of these guys. The only one we would be able to keep is Smudge, since poodles are hypoallergenic.

But enough about the animals, here's the big thing that's happening this week! 

     This Tuesday (March 12th), I will be having my second trimester ultrasound. This particular ultrasound is very special to me! Why? Because I will be finding out whether Monkey is a boy or a girl. (Hurrah!) I can't even begin to explain my excitement. I'm hoping for a girl, but if it's a boy then I'll love him all the same. Brandon (baby's father), his dad Peter, and Peter's fiance Nichole, are hoping its a boy. Even some of my family in California are hoping for a boy, but I think that's just because they want to send me all the hand-me-downs from their own kids (LOL). I have names picked out already. For a girl, Anna Raquel Lazar. For a boy, Brayden Leigh Lazar.
     Other then that, there is not much else going on this week except for training for my job at Starbucks, and a few other appointments. Please feel free to leave comments! Any tips about parenting would be very helpful. Thanks!

Mommy Talk

     So today I'm going to be doing a little Q&A. There are a lot of questions out there relating to pregnancy and being a single parent. Today any new mom could look on the internet or download an app, to find information on what to expect. Can we really be completely prepared to handle the responsibility of first time parenting right away? In my opinion: No way! My pregnancy was unplanned, and even though I've done everything possible to learn what I can, I still feel like it won't be enough. So far as I have seen, parenting is something everyone has to learn on the job. I have read blogs and articles about different women (with and without planned pregnancies), and according to most of them they are still learning what to expect! I think the only time we parents can be completely prepared for a new child, is when we already have one that we've been taking care of. So here are the questions I'll be answering today:

1. What does it feel like to be a young, single, expectant mother?

    

     There have been so many emotions I have felt since I found out I was expecting back in December. Name any emotion, and I can tell you that I have most likely felt it. I have my ups and downs, but that's to be expected for any new mother. Being young brings up the subject of maturity. Of course when it comes to parenting, I have no experience what-so-ever (OBVIOUSLY), but that doesn't mean I'm going to be immature about it. So far I have a general idea of what to expect (thanks to the book What to Expect, When You're Expecting), but I feel that I won't start to gain any experience until I actually start doing things with my child once he or she is born. 

     So how do I feel about being single? Honestly? I'm okay with it. Sure there are going to be many people who will judge me for having a child before marriage, but it really is none of their business. Being single makes everything twice as hard, but in the end I'll be a stronger person for working through it. I have my friends and family for moral support, and really that is all I need to work through the tough times that are ahead of me. As for relationships, I plan on staying single for a long time. For me dating is no longer a priority.

2. Are you still working or going to school?

     

     Yes. Yesterday I started my first day as a coffee barista for Starbucks. It may not be the highest paying job in the world, but at least I'll be able to save money while I live with my family. Also Starbucks provides health insurance to it's partners (employees are referred to as partners, isn't that neat?) This is great, because then I can have the baby covered at birth. 

     I am still going to school part-time. I would go full-time, but the stress of full-time school work could be harmful to my pregnancy. I have been able to cope well with my two classes, and believe it or not I have very good grades. I consider myself very lucky to have already graduated high school AND started college before becoming pregnant. It makes me feel sympathetic to those even younger girls who had to drop out of school. Let me tell ya, education truly is key to getting a job, even if it doesn't pay well. 

3. How does your family feel about your pregnancy?

     

     All of my family have been very supportive, especially my mom, who took me back into her home when I had no place else to go. If not for her, I'm sure I would be couch surfing right now. My mom has done everything she can to help me, and it's because of her that I hope to be the best mom I can be for my own child. My brother Eli is thrilled to become an uncle, at least that's what I've gathered since moving back home. Him and I sometimes have our little arguments, but I'm glad to have him at my back. If I have a boy, I will definitely be enlisting Eli's help to teach the little booger how to aim for the toilet. 

     Although they are far away, my family in California is very excited for the new addition. If I am correct, my child will be the first in the next generation of our huge family of Lesley's and :Lazar's. I can't wait to take Monkey (that's the nickname of the baby until I know the gender) to see them. We'll all go to Disneyland and have a blast! I especially want my great grandparents to meet their great-great grandchild. I don't think many people have the opportunity to meet their great-great grandchildren before death, so it will definitely be a special treat for them. 

     I plan to answer more questions in other blogs. These ones I came up with by myself, but if anyone has a question they want me to answer, please feel free to ask, so long as it is appropriate. Feel free to comment below or email me at lazar.shari@gmail.com. Thanks! 

"... Her mission: To blog what no new mom has blogged before!"

     This is my first blog, EVER! I've know about blogs for years, yet never tried to start writing one. The first time I ever saw a blog was about 4 or 5 years ago. Nowadays there are vlogs (video blogs), but I think writing is much more intimate. 

     So a little bit about myself. For those of you who don't know me well my name is Shari Scarlett Lazar. I prefer to be called by Scarlett, but for those who knew me when I went by Shari, Shari is okay too. I was born in Florida, USA in 1994. My birthday is the 22nd of March (I'll be turning 19 two weeks from now). I currently reside in Alaska, and I have lived here since I was about 4 years old. I live with my mother (Layla), my brother (Eli), and my stepfather (Ruben). 

     I am a mommy in training. I am preparing to bring my own bundle of joy into this world, and I couldn't be happier! Right now I am in my second trimester, about 19 weeks pregnant. (Halfway there! Hurrah!) No I am not married, but please don't judge me before you even know me. Despite becoming pregnant, I have not dropped out of college, and I plan to take classes even after the baby is born. 

     Today I started a new job working as a coffee barista for Starbucks. I am very excited to be working there, and I hope my new coworkers will enjoy working with me. As for the customers, I hope to always make their day when I serve them a delicious coffee! 

     Since I am relatively new to blogging, any suggestions or comments on how to get started are most welcome! I am also open to any requests on sharing my opinions on a variety of topics.