Testing Day #1

Twice a week testing begins this week for H2.  A sonogram was scheduled for Tuesday morning, but clearly that is not happening with Hurricane Sandy making landfall this evening.  I got a call from the OB office this morning asking me if I could make it in this morning, "like now", for my sonogram and appointment since they will be closed tomorrow.

So at 9 o'clock I put on my rain boots and yellow slicker, left Evie with Jason ("working" from home today), and made my trek to Columbia.  Traveling was fine at this point- it was like traveling in a rain storm without tons of bad drivers traffic.

I clearly told the sonographer that I didn't want to know the sex and she actually told me to turn away at certain points.  I guess H2 has to meet certain criteria at these sonograms.  Fluid was good and he was very active.  Unfortunately he was not practicing breathing during the sonogram.  So he scored 6/8. 

Other points of interest- H2 is transverse with his head on my lower left side.  This would explain all the kicking I feel on my right side.  He weighs 4 lbs, 5 oz, which puts him in the 50-75 percentile.  Seriously?!  The percentiles begin already?!?!!!  I don't trust sonograms for size, but I'll take average size.  Hopefully H2 will make the final turn and be head down soon.  That's why I go for acupuncture- they know how to work this kind of magic! 

Dr. Holzy wasn't super concerned about the lack of breathing since it is still early and they only watch for 15 minutes.  But she put me on the monitors anyway.  It sounded like all the high risk pregnant moms were in this morning doing the NST.  I got hooked up and luckily H2 passed so I was able to go home!

We all know I want another girl, but I think this is a boy.  I did not see anything on the sonogram today, however, H2's heartbeat was consistently pumping in the 120s.  I don't believe in wives tales, but this is way lower than Evie's.  Also, white male lungs develop slowly.  Just saying... I think we have a Jason Jr. coming!  See, look at me, this is way we don't find out the sex.  I read into everything.  Surprise us again, H2.  Prove all those crazy wives tales false!!

The lights are flickering, so I better post. Leave me some comments so I have something to read when I rejoin the internet world someday :)

32 Weeks

Under 2 months until we learn whether H2 is a boy or girl!!  Speaking of boy and girl- suddenly our poll is showing 0 votes.  Are you seeing the same thing?  I'm not sure what happened.  Take a look at H2 vs Evie at 32 weeks and vote again!

H2- 32 weeks

Evie- 32 weeks

So far I have gained 20 pounds.  I am keeping my sugars well managed, but the OBs are still putting fear in my heart the more times they say how "bad things happen to babies of diabetic mothers".  That helps me sleep soundly at night!  I tell myself that I am not the average diabetic and none of those bad things will happen to H2. 

H2 is head down at this point and "a good size".  I am having contractions on and off based on how much water I drink and how much lifting I do.  No signs of preterm labor as of Friday at 2:53 PM :)

Hurricane Sandy and Lord willing, I begin twice a week testing next week- one day for sonogram/regular appointment and the other for NST (non stress test).  I am already anxious about how I will manage all these appointments on top of acupuncture, endocrinologist, and having some kind of fun activities for Evie and me.  I don't want H2 super early, but I think about 6 weeks of 2x/week appointment will be enough for all of us.

But Evie reminds me it is all worth it!  Besides being obsessed with my belly button (this month's phase), I'm pretty sure she has no idea what is happening. 

I hope I am able to give 36 week pictures and pregnancy updates.  Keep praying that H2 stays comfy in my belly for another month!

Picky, picky

Evie and I hit up Larriland Farms again, this time with Daddy!  Jason is sick of working decided to take some time off to do some fun things with his girls during the week.  Thursday was an overcast, somewhat dreary day, which worked in our favor.  There was hardly anyone at Larriland.  We picked apples and pumpkins, looked at the goats, and enjoyed some family time together minus the crowds of the weekend.  There were lots of school kids there on a field trip, yet we seemed to cross paths most the morning leaving us with free reign of the place.

Evie enjoyed pointing and running towards the "dug dugs" (farm dogs) as well as carrying apples and pumpkins.  The pumpkin patch was challenging for a little walker.  She tripped countless times over the roots/vines/whatever they are.  Please, I trip over them and I know to be careful.  She was frustrated with pumpkin picking for most of our time there, but warmed up for long enough at the end to get some happy shots of her.

Apple & Pumpkin Picking

17 Going On 18

I am 31, going 32 (weeks).  She is 17, going on 18 (months)!

It has been a fun 17th month of life for Evie, or at least I think so.  I try to do some kind of activity every morning with her.  Some days it is really fun, like going to the farm, other days it is just a trip to Trader Joes.  Even though it is dicey some days, I have Evie down to one nap a day, in the afternoon.  I am becoming a little bit of a slave to the nap schedule. Only took me 17 months!

The biggest change this month is her vocabulary.  Evie can communicate very well through pointing, squawking, and bringing me to what she wants.  We are working on "help".  She repeats more of the words we say to her.  As with any parent/caregiver, I hear and understand a lot more of her words than you would.  "Mommy" has made a comeback after month of "Daddy" was stuck on repeat all day.

My favorite time of day is when Jason comes home from work.  I try to leave the front door open, but Evie likes to keep it shut and Parker likes to bark, so sometimes that is not possible.  When I see Jason's vehicle pull up, I say "Daddy's home!".  Parker starts doing laps and wagging his tail furiously at the front door.  Evie's face lights up and she starts giggling at Parker and running around too.  There are some days when all 3 of us are standing at the front door just waiting for Daddy to come home.  We all love to have some new energy in the house!

Evie will see the pediatrician next month, finally.  This has been the longest stretch away from the Pedatric Center.  I am hoping my little peanut is 20 pounds, but I'm not putting money on it.

Evie brings so much joy to my day and I just love her to pieces.  The creativity in her play is amazing to see.  I wish I could get into her little mind.  She has her moments of meltdown, but overall is easy to please.  She is doing well with her babysitters, both at church and at home.

Less than 2 months left to be the big cheese!

17 Months

Girl's Best Friend

Parker and Evie are becoming best friends.  Or at least Evie thinks so.

What's not to love about a furry cocker spaniel?  (Well... let me list the ways...)  He is just like a teddy bear, but warmer!  Even though Parker quietly growls while she lays on him, he doesn't move.  He has never snapped at her, so I say, go for it Evie!

But wait!  There might be something else just as excited as a 4 legged friend. A Blackberry!  Yes, my daughter has a more advanced phone than me. That is completely by my choice and I'm darn proud to own a non smartphone.

Looking at pictures of grandparents and talking
on the phone

It's amazing to me how quickly babies and toddlers flock to play and real phones.  Look at her- she is already using her shoulder to hold up the phone!  My explanation- what are most of us doing all day?  Checking/talking on our darn phones!  Why wouldn't toddler imitate this behavior? 

I'm glad Evie finds her dog amusing and is willing to give up her Crackberry for some Parker snuggles.  The poor dog could use some attention :)

Home stretch

I made it to 30 weeks!  I know I am not that close to full term, but thirty sounds so much better than being twenty something.  We missed taking belly shots at 28 weeks and for some reason I feel a strong pull to only take pictures at week numbers that are multiples of 4.  So you'll have to wait two more weeks.

Now that we are finally home on weekends, it's time to finish up the nursery and enjoy some family of 4 time.  I am anxious to find out whether we will have 2 girls or one of each, but not ready to give in and find out before H2 arrives.

Don't forget to vote!

Aaaa pull

Today I packed up the car, picked up our new friends Amy & TJ, and headed out to Larriland Farms for some apple picking!  It was crisp fall morning, perfect for tromping around the orchards.

Just as we pulled into the parking lot, a familiar van pulled in right in front of us.  Great minds think alike; it was my sister and her two kids! 

I kept Evie in her stroller for half of the time.  Once I let her out, she ran up and down the apple tree lined rows

She must have said her version of apple ("aaaa pull") at least 63 times in a 10 minute span. 

I caught her mid aaaa... pull

She was more into telling us about the apples than touching them.  But once she saw her 6 month old friend TJ holding one, she wanted one too.  These green apples rocked!  Mitsu or something like that.

After apple picking, we headed to the barn to look at the fall crops, the goats, and had a quick snack.  When Amy said to look at the Llamas, Evie replied "ROAR!" (in her deep voice that Daddy taught her).  She cracks me up.  Lion, llama, it's all the same :)

Evie passed out on our way back home.  When I went to get her out of her car seat, her eyes popped open and she looked at me at said "AAAA PULL!!" 

I guess she was dreaming of her fun morning and/or ready to practice her new word.