Oh, my. Time flies when you work 60+ hours a week and sleep every moment you have a chance!
First...I have to do a baby update!!! On March 6th I will officially be in the third trimester!! Isn't that unbelievable? I'm actually starting to gain weight and trying really hard not to take it personally. :-) I don't care if you're pregnant or not, but when you've struggled with weight your entire life, watching the scale go up is not fun....whether you have an excuse or not.
Josh got to go with me to my last doctor's appointment. Him and I got to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time together. We've only tracked the heartbeats through ultrasound before and you don't actually get to "hear" it with those machines. I was so glad he got to be there. He said, 'That sound makes me tired.'.
I haven't been paying attention to my weekly updates lately and today I read this weeks and was floored with the changes with baby. Check this out!!!
Your baby weighs more than 2 lbs (1000g), measures 9.6 inches from crown to rump (24cm) and its total length is about 15.3 inches (34cm). If your baby were born now, she would have about an 85% chance of surviving. Nonetheless, your baby still needs another 13 weeks of in utero development to be considered full term.
Your baby's eyes, no longer fused shut, are now open.
Your baby's skin still has a very wrinkled appearance, but it is protected and nourished by the covering of vernix, a waxy coating that keeps the skin supple.
Your baby looks almost like a full term baby, but is still much thinner and smaller than she will be at birth.
I think I can finally relax and believe that this baby will be born and we will actually have another member in our family. With all the problems in getting pregnant, the spotting (which still occurs) and every other stress in this pregnancy, I don't think that deep down I believed this would really happen for us.
Well, I'll take that 85% chance of survival and add another 15%!!
Ya'll, I'm sorry.....It's tax season!
I KNOW it's been forever since I've posted but you all had to know that tax season was going to put a damper on my posting. That being said, I've got to find the time to do this because I miss it!!!
Anyway...today is 23 weeks pregnant!!!! Can you believe it?!?!? I've got to get Dustin to take a picture of me because I can't believe how much baby is growing!! Here was my update today....
Your baby is now about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (21cm) and weighs about 1.2 pounds (530g).
Your baby's face and body now look more like a full-term baby. She now looks close to how she will look at birth.
The eyes, though they are still closed, are now close together on the front of the face and the ears are in their final position. Eyelashes are fairly well-developed and hair is growing on your baby's head.
Your baby's movements are becoming more restricted now as she fills up the uterus more. Cartwheels and somersaults inside the amniotic sac are no longer possible, but she can still hold the umbilical cord and touch and feel around her. Though your baby is already living in tight quarters in the amniotic sac, she will soon have even less room to move around.
Her vital organs are now quite mature. However, since the lungs are not yet fully formed, your baby would have breathing problems if born prematurely at this stage.
Your baby is becoming increasingly conscious of the world outside and may feel startled when you are startled.
Your baby may alternate between having very active and very calm periods.
Your baby may have facial expressions such as frowning, squinting and pursing of the lips.
My feet have offically begun to swell a little. I try and keep off my feet as much as possible and I have a pair of slippers under my desk for during the day. Jim looked at me one day and shook his head. I told him it was this or I was going to start calling in sick. He said I could wear them as much as I wanted. You'd think after 6+ years of working with me he'd know not to mess with me! Especially when I'm pregnant!
It's snowing like crazy here today and the high is -1 degree. Gotta love Iowa!
Anyway...today is 23 weeks pregnant!!!! Can you believe it?!?!? I've got to get Dustin to take a picture of me because I can't believe how much baby is growing!! Here was my update today....
Your baby is now about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (21cm) and weighs about 1.2 pounds (530g).
Your baby's face and body now look more like a full-term baby. She now looks close to how she will look at birth.
The eyes, though they are still closed, are now close together on the front of the face and the ears are in their final position. Eyelashes are fairly well-developed and hair is growing on your baby's head.
Your baby's movements are becoming more restricted now as she fills up the uterus more. Cartwheels and somersaults inside the amniotic sac are no longer possible, but she can still hold the umbilical cord and touch and feel around her. Though your baby is already living in tight quarters in the amniotic sac, she will soon have even less room to move around.
Her vital organs are now quite mature. However, since the lungs are not yet fully formed, your baby would have breathing problems if born prematurely at this stage.
Your baby is becoming increasingly conscious of the world outside and may feel startled when you are startled.
Your baby may alternate between having very active and very calm periods.
Your baby may have facial expressions such as frowning, squinting and pursing of the lips.
My feet have offically begun to swell a little. I try and keep off my feet as much as possible and I have a pair of slippers under my desk for during the day. Jim looked at me one day and shook his head. I told him it was this or I was going to start calling in sick. He said I could wear them as much as I wanted. You'd think after 6+ years of working with me he'd know not to mess with me! Especially when I'm pregnant!
It's snowing like crazy here today and the high is -1 degree. Gotta love Iowa!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
This week has been absolutely crazy. No other way to describe it. Last weekend we finished Josh's bedroom. He's happy with it and we're glad it's done. Here were the results...
Josh had been running a wicked temperature all weekend and I actually was able to capture the one time he played. He kept fluctuating between 102 and 103 degrees. I thought that the fever had finally started to break on its own on Monday and had Grandpa Larry watch him.
Monday night when Dustin brought him home he was still not himself so I came home from work early and we made a doctor's appointment with his pediatrician. We headed off to the doctor's office only to find out that the poor child had Strep Throat. I felt AWFUL! His throat was all bloody and red. I swear he only complained about a sore throat a few times all weekend. In fact he seemed to complain of an upset stomach more than a sore throat. After three years of being a mother there are days when I don't feel like I've learned a thing. Monday was another one of those days.
That brings us to Tuesday. Well, obviously we couldn't take him to daycare. So Titi was nice enough to come over and watch him for the day. Only to get a phone call from our daycare provider on Tuesday night....she was in labor. I swear when it rains it pours. So Titi came back on Wednesday, Josh went back to Larry for Thursday and Friday Grandma Toni watched him. Talk about a frenzy.
Thursday I had my doctor's appointment and ultrasound. I'll post the pictures tomorrow, but someone had his/her legs tight and crossed at the ankles so determining the sex was IMPOSSIBLE! I was so disappointed. I had looked so forward to that appointment for weeks only to leave with no answer. So as every pregnant woman does...I cried. I'll give the rest of the details with the pictures from the ultrasound.
I went to work for awhile on Saturday (tax season is here again!) and once I got off work we went to the timber to pick up the plow for Dustin's quad. We had a great time and Josh had fun playing in the snow.
There were rumors of a snowstorm for today but we had NO idea that we were going to get what actually came!! I think we have about 7 inches of snow and Josh, Mattie and Daddy had a ton of fun in the white stuff!!
We plowed out our house and then drove over to Dustin's work to plow over there. Josh and I followed him in the truck and I snapped this photo at the stop light. It was hysterical.
Then we went over and plowed out Mom and then Titi. We got home and tried to take a nap but never seemed to actually fall asleep. It was a full day and we are busy picking up the house so Grandma Cathy can watch Josh all week.
Anyway, here's a few more pics from today!
FYI - The picture above is of Josh making "Joshie Angels"...not "Snow Angels". I was corrected a number of times.
Josh had been running a wicked temperature all weekend and I actually was able to capture the one time he played. He kept fluctuating between 102 and 103 degrees. I thought that the fever had finally started to break on its own on Monday and had Grandpa Larry watch him.
Monday night when Dustin brought him home he was still not himself so I came home from work early and we made a doctor's appointment with his pediatrician. We headed off to the doctor's office only to find out that the poor child had Strep Throat. I felt AWFUL! His throat was all bloody and red. I swear he only complained about a sore throat a few times all weekend. In fact he seemed to complain of an upset stomach more than a sore throat. After three years of being a mother there are days when I don't feel like I've learned a thing. Monday was another one of those days.
That brings us to Tuesday. Well, obviously we couldn't take him to daycare. So Titi was nice enough to come over and watch him for the day. Only to get a phone call from our daycare provider on Tuesday night....she was in labor. I swear when it rains it pours. So Titi came back on Wednesday, Josh went back to Larry for Thursday and Friday Grandma Toni watched him. Talk about a frenzy.
Thursday I had my doctor's appointment and ultrasound. I'll post the pictures tomorrow, but someone had his/her legs tight and crossed at the ankles so determining the sex was IMPOSSIBLE! I was so disappointed. I had looked so forward to that appointment for weeks only to leave with no answer. So as every pregnant woman does...I cried. I'll give the rest of the details with the pictures from the ultrasound.
I went to work for awhile on Saturday (tax season is here again!) and once I got off work we went to the timber to pick up the plow for Dustin's quad. We had a great time and Josh had fun playing in the snow.
There were rumors of a snowstorm for today but we had NO idea that we were going to get what actually came!! I think we have about 7 inches of snow and Josh, Mattie and Daddy had a ton of fun in the white stuff!!
We plowed out our house and then drove over to Dustin's work to plow over there. Josh and I followed him in the truck and I snapped this photo at the stop light. It was hysterical.
Then we went over and plowed out Mom and then Titi. We got home and tried to take a nap but never seemed to actually fall asleep. It was a full day and we are busy picking up the house so Grandma Cathy can watch Josh all week.
Anyway, here's a few more pics from today!
FYI - The picture above is of Josh making "Joshie Angels"...not "Snow Angels". I was corrected a number of times.
Speak and He listens
I have been so swamped with work lately that I've had numerous "blog worthy" experiences but just haven't had the time to get online. Tax season has started very early this year...that is for sure!
Like I said, I've already been working long, demanding hours and this weekend was no exception. Bad things started happening the minute I picked Josh up from Angie's and kept happening until I finally hit rock bottom on Monday at about 2:00 pm. So many awful things occurred this weekend that I couldn't even begin to start mentioning them all. I started spotting...again, my daycare provider threw a big curve ball at me, Josh found his Gameboy, then threw his first MAJOR temper tantrum since the stupid thing had first disappeared (It has officially been removed from his possession...permanently), I worked way too much, we didn't get Josh's room finished, etc., etc., etc. It just kept coming. Then I went back to work and I literally got dumped on by 8:03 Monday morning.
Honestly, the fact that my breakdown didn't occur until Monday at 2:00 pm shows that I am doing better with some relaxation techniques. ;-) However, I went into Amy's office and just started crying. I told her that I have been feeling so inadequate lately and that I'm killing myself and still don't feel I'm doing a good job in any area of my life. I don't feel like my work is getting the dedication it deserves, I don't feel like my husband is getting the help he deserves and I don't feel like my son is getting the attention he deserves. After a 15 minute rant, I literally raised my hands to the sky and looked up and cried, "I just want someone to pat me on the back and tell me that I'm doing a good job." I cried a bit more, got back to work and called Dustin to tell him that I wasn't in the mood to cook.
We decided to meet at a restaurant. We sat down, they brought our salads and Josh reminded me to not take a bite before we all prayed. On a side note, the boy has become the little Prayer Police. We ate our dinner and just sat and all talked about what we would do later that evening. We were almost done and this couple got up and got ready to leave. The woman comes over and puts her hands on Dustin and my shoulder and looked at Josh and said, "I just have to tell you that you are the most well behaved little boy I have ever seen in a restaurant. You're parents have done a good job teaching you what is appropriate behavior. So, GOOD JOB Mom and Dad!" I'm telling you, I felt like I was slapped by God. We all thanked her for her kind words and she told us that she taught Kindergarten for 30+ years so she was absolutely qualified to make that statement. We all laughed and they went on their way.
I didn't even tell Dustin about what an impact that woman had on me until the next day. I haven't had an experience like that before. So blatant, so obvious. So many times we ask for God's help, His advice, His strength, a sign from Him...anything. Sometimes we don't think he's listening but on January 8, 2006, I was personally reminded that he is indeed listening. We just need to be ready to hear him.
If only all His messages were that easy!
With all the hoopla of the week I've completely missed my 19-week update and I'm actually closer to 20 weeks! Well, here was my update this week...
Your baby weighs about 9 ounces (260g) and measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches (14 to 16cm) from crown to rump.
Her skin is thickening and developing multiple layers- the epidermis and the dermis, the deeper layer where it will form fat. Your baby is now also developing a waxy protective coating for her skin called vernix caseosa. The vernix protects your baby's skin which is continuously submersed in amniotic fluid. Vernix, which is particularly thick around the eyebrows is held in place by tiny downy hairs called lanugo.
Your baby can now grip with her fists. Toenails and scalp hair are growing.
At this point, it may be possible to determine the baby's sex by ultrasound, if the baby cooperates, but the ultrasound technician will rarely guarantee the sex based on the ultrasound results as mistakes are sometimes made at an early ultrasound.
You can hear the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound device or a stethoscope.
Like I said, I've already been working long, demanding hours and this weekend was no exception. Bad things started happening the minute I picked Josh up from Angie's and kept happening until I finally hit rock bottom on Monday at about 2:00 pm. So many awful things occurred this weekend that I couldn't even begin to start mentioning them all. I started spotting...again, my daycare provider threw a big curve ball at me, Josh found his Gameboy, then threw his first MAJOR temper tantrum since the stupid thing had first disappeared (It has officially been removed from his possession...permanently), I worked way too much, we didn't get Josh's room finished, etc., etc., etc. It just kept coming. Then I went back to work and I literally got dumped on by 8:03 Monday morning.
Honestly, the fact that my breakdown didn't occur until Monday at 2:00 pm shows that I am doing better with some relaxation techniques. ;-) However, I went into Amy's office and just started crying. I told her that I have been feeling so inadequate lately and that I'm killing myself and still don't feel I'm doing a good job in any area of my life. I don't feel like my work is getting the dedication it deserves, I don't feel like my husband is getting the help he deserves and I don't feel like my son is getting the attention he deserves. After a 15 minute rant, I literally raised my hands to the sky and looked up and cried, "I just want someone to pat me on the back and tell me that I'm doing a good job." I cried a bit more, got back to work and called Dustin to tell him that I wasn't in the mood to cook.
We decided to meet at a restaurant. We sat down, they brought our salads and Josh reminded me to not take a bite before we all prayed. On a side note, the boy has become the little Prayer Police. We ate our dinner and just sat and all talked about what we would do later that evening. We were almost done and this couple got up and got ready to leave. The woman comes over and puts her hands on Dustin and my shoulder and looked at Josh and said, "I just have to tell you that you are the most well behaved little boy I have ever seen in a restaurant. You're parents have done a good job teaching you what is appropriate behavior. So, GOOD JOB Mom and Dad!" I'm telling you, I felt like I was slapped by God. We all thanked her for her kind words and she told us that she taught Kindergarten for 30+ years so she was absolutely qualified to make that statement. We all laughed and they went on their way.
I didn't even tell Dustin about what an impact that woman had on me until the next day. I haven't had an experience like that before. So blatant, so obvious. So many times we ask for God's help, His advice, His strength, a sign from Him...anything. Sometimes we don't think he's listening but on January 8, 2006, I was personally reminded that he is indeed listening. We just need to be ready to hear him.
If only all His messages were that easy!
With all the hoopla of the week I've completely missed my 19-week update and I'm actually closer to 20 weeks! Well, here was my update this week...
Your baby weighs about 9 ounces (260g) and measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches (14 to 16cm) from crown to rump.
Her skin is thickening and developing multiple layers- the epidermis and the dermis, the deeper layer where it will form fat. Your baby is now also developing a waxy protective coating for her skin called vernix caseosa. The vernix protects your baby's skin which is continuously submersed in amniotic fluid. Vernix, which is particularly thick around the eyebrows is held in place by tiny downy hairs called lanugo.
Your baby can now grip with her fists. Toenails and scalp hair are growing.
At this point, it may be possible to determine the baby's sex by ultrasound, if the baby cooperates, but the ultrasound technician will rarely guarantee the sex based on the ultrasound results as mistakes are sometimes made at an early ultrasound.
You can hear the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound device or a stethoscope.
Sing it, baby!!
I have attempted to infuse music in my son's life since he was still in the womb. I remember laying in bed and playing Mozart to my tummy, I loved singing to him in church when he was just a baby and I continue to find ways to encourage him to listen to all types of music. Even with all my hard work he is not how I was at his age. My mom tells me stories of when I was just 1 or 2 and I would dance like crazy to Aretha Franklin or when I would sit at a parade and bop back and forth when the marching band would come by.
I had put to the wayside any hopes that he would share the same passion for music that I have; however, I think he's just a late bloomer!!! We were going to Angie's the other morning and I saw him nodding his head to the song on the radio and attempting to sing with it. It's one of my favorite songs right now and I just about started crying.
We went right out and bought the cd and now we listen to it over and over again in the morning. I've posted a link to the song below. It just warms my heart to hear a little child sing, "Waiting on the world to change." He tries so hard and it is the cutest thing ever. If I thought he'd let me tape it, I would.
I had put to the wayside any hopes that he would share the same passion for music that I have; however, I think he's just a late bloomer!!! We were going to Angie's the other morning and I saw him nodding his head to the song on the radio and attempting to sing with it. It's one of my favorite songs right now and I just about started crying.
We went right out and bought the cd and now we listen to it over and over again in the morning. I've posted a link to the song below. It just warms my heart to hear a little child sing, "Waiting on the world to change." He tries so hard and it is the cutest thing ever. If I thought he'd let me tape it, I would.
This is gonna be a long one, folks!
Boy, I think with the holidays I'm just a bit behind. We've been so busy lately and it doesn't seem to be slowing down.
First things first, we certainly hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's and that 2007 is a going to be a great year for everyone. We didn't make it to midnight but instead watched the ball drop in New York and called it a night.
This weekend Dad and Thomas came down and we did a TOTAL transformation of the nursery. Saturday Dustin, Josh and I worked on cleaning out the room and painted the ceiling.
Dad and Thomas arrived around noon on Sunday and we had already installed the new ceiling fan. We went out and got paint, installed the plantation blinds and look at the "almost" finished product!!!
I don't think I could possibly be happier with the way it turned out. The only thing we have to do is paint a horizontal stripe for the "chair rail" in either a pink or blue.
We also did a total transformation in our bedroom; however, there are no pictures in existence to verify that activity. We cleaned our hearts out and poor Josh looked at us like he completely understood he was getting the raw end of the deal. I wanted to say so badly, "Yes, I know we make you clean your own room. Yes, I understand you'd rather be watching cartoons. Yes, Mom and Dad should be able to do this by ourselves. But isn't this fun?" He's a good sport and an even bigger help.
This weekend Josh's room will be the one getting a makeover. He unintentionally made his mother and father feel awful about the fact that we didn't paint his room. So we're going to paint his ceiling, replace his fan, get plantation blinds and paint a cool strip around his room. I'm hoping it will make all of us feel better.
With all this excitement, it's hard to believe that yet another week has passed by. Yesterday I hit the 18-week mark and now my half-way point is a mere two weeks away!!! AHHH!!! Anyway, here's the update I received...
Your baby measures about 5.2 to 6 inches (13-15cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces (200g).
The buds for the permanent teeth are forming behind those that have already developed for the first teeth.
Your baby's nervous system and brain development continue at a spectacular pace. By this week, your baby's motor neurons, which connect muscle to the brain, have grown into place so that your baby can consciously direct her movements. Millions of neurons inside your baby's brain are growing and forming connections and the nerves in her body are being covered in a fatty substance called myelin.
Your baby's ears are now placed on the sides of her head and her limbs are now in proportion. Your baby's tiny foot is just one inch long, but is in perfect proportion to the rest of her leg.
Your baby can hear your voice and recognize it.
I think the biggest thing for me about this week's update is the fact that the baby can hear us and recognize our voices. That is absolutely amazing to me!
First things first, we certainly hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's and that 2007 is a going to be a great year for everyone. We didn't make it to midnight but instead watched the ball drop in New York and called it a night.
This weekend Dad and Thomas came down and we did a TOTAL transformation of the nursery. Saturday Dustin, Josh and I worked on cleaning out the room and painted the ceiling.
Dad and Thomas arrived around noon on Sunday and we had already installed the new ceiling fan. We went out and got paint, installed the plantation blinds and look at the "almost" finished product!!!
I don't think I could possibly be happier with the way it turned out. The only thing we have to do is paint a horizontal stripe for the "chair rail" in either a pink or blue.
We also did a total transformation in our bedroom; however, there are no pictures in existence to verify that activity. We cleaned our hearts out and poor Josh looked at us like he completely understood he was getting the raw end of the deal. I wanted to say so badly, "Yes, I know we make you clean your own room. Yes, I understand you'd rather be watching cartoons. Yes, Mom and Dad should be able to do this by ourselves. But isn't this fun?" He's a good sport and an even bigger help.
This weekend Josh's room will be the one getting a makeover. He unintentionally made his mother and father feel awful about the fact that we didn't paint his room. So we're going to paint his ceiling, replace his fan, get plantation blinds and paint a cool strip around his room. I'm hoping it will make all of us feel better.
With all this excitement, it's hard to believe that yet another week has passed by. Yesterday I hit the 18-week mark and now my half-way point is a mere two weeks away!!! AHHH!!! Anyway, here's the update I received...
Your baby measures about 5.2 to 6 inches (13-15cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces (200g).
The buds for the permanent teeth are forming behind those that have already developed for the first teeth.
Your baby's nervous system and brain development continue at a spectacular pace. By this week, your baby's motor neurons, which connect muscle to the brain, have grown into place so that your baby can consciously direct her movements. Millions of neurons inside your baby's brain are growing and forming connections and the nerves in her body are being covered in a fatty substance called myelin.
Your baby's ears are now placed on the sides of her head and her limbs are now in proportion. Your baby's tiny foot is just one inch long, but is in perfect proportion to the rest of her leg.
Your baby can hear your voice and recognize it.
I think the biggest thing for me about this week's update is the fact that the baby can hear us and recognize our voices. That is absolutely amazing to me!
Merry Belated Christmas!!
I certainly hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did. Josh was overjoyed by Santa and didn't even balk at the fact he didn't receive a black Gameboy and a Pokemon game. Friday on my way to work he decided that he wanted to go see Santa. I hesitated but told him we would give it a whirl. The picture isn't the greatest, but he didn't realize they were taking the picture and he was still giving poor Santa his list of requests. Anyway, here it is....
Every year at this time I get all down and want to cry every time I see a bagged Christmas tree on the side of the road. I love relishing in the excitement of Christmas and hold onto the message of the season as long as possible. Hence, I am not one of those people who take their decorations down the second the clock strikes midnight on December 25th. I think the Jewish religion has it right by spreading it out over more than one day. Dustin would say that my reasoning is really a facade and that the real reason my decorations stay up is because I'm lazy. Well, there may be a bit of truth to that.
With all the Christmas celebration I've almost completely missed the 17 week update. That's right, I am officially in the 5th month of pregnancy. For some reason as soon as January 2007 gets here I think it will all seem more real to me. January to May doesn't seem like that long of time and God knows how fast tax season makes things go. Yeah, I'm starting to psych myself out. I'm really hoping that Dad will come down here and help me whip this nursery into shape. I want to help paint and decorate and organize. I know I won't get to do any of that if I wait for tax season to be over, because by then I won't exactly be moving at warp speed. Not that I am now.
At 17 weeks...
Your baby weighs about 5.25 ounces (150g) and now measures 5 to 5.6 inches (12.5 to 14cm) from crown to rump. He is practicing breathing by gulping amniotic fluid into its lungs. This helps the lung's development so they will function at birth. Your baby may also be sucking his thumb.
Meconium is present in your baby's bowels. There is hair present on your baby's scalp and sweat glands are developing.
Your baby is becoming more sensitive to the outside world and is moving around, kicking and punching. As there is still plenty of space in your uterus, your baby can move around a lot, sitting cross-legged, reclining or even turning somersaults!
He can probably hear by now as the ossicles (the bones that pass sound to the inner ear) have hardened and the portion of the brain that receives signals from the brain is under development. Your baby is getting used to the sound of your heartbeat and blood passing through the umbilical cord, but may be startled by loud noises. Your baby is aware of some things in the outside world, including sounds and light. If you let the sun shine on your belly, your baby may be able to perceive a warm red glow.
Last night Josh told me he was excited to hold baby and wanted to make sure we would let him hold the baby. I told him, "Of course. You're the big brother." He was so proud and said, "Yeah, I'm the big brother." I just had to squeeze his cute, chubby cheeks and give him a hug. He's going to be the best big brother!
Every year at this time I get all down and want to cry every time I see a bagged Christmas tree on the side of the road. I love relishing in the excitement of Christmas and hold onto the message of the season as long as possible. Hence, I am not one of those people who take their decorations down the second the clock strikes midnight on December 25th. I think the Jewish religion has it right by spreading it out over more than one day. Dustin would say that my reasoning is really a facade and that the real reason my decorations stay up is because I'm lazy. Well, there may be a bit of truth to that.
With all the Christmas celebration I've almost completely missed the 17 week update. That's right, I am officially in the 5th month of pregnancy. For some reason as soon as January 2007 gets here I think it will all seem more real to me. January to May doesn't seem like that long of time and God knows how fast tax season makes things go. Yeah, I'm starting to psych myself out. I'm really hoping that Dad will come down here and help me whip this nursery into shape. I want to help paint and decorate and organize. I know I won't get to do any of that if I wait for tax season to be over, because by then I won't exactly be moving at warp speed. Not that I am now.
At 17 weeks...
Your baby weighs about 5.25 ounces (150g) and now measures 5 to 5.6 inches (12.5 to 14cm) from crown to rump. He is practicing breathing by gulping amniotic fluid into its lungs. This helps the lung's development so they will function at birth. Your baby may also be sucking his thumb.
Meconium is present in your baby's bowels. There is hair present on your baby's scalp and sweat glands are developing.
Your baby is becoming more sensitive to the outside world and is moving around, kicking and punching. As there is still plenty of space in your uterus, your baby can move around a lot, sitting cross-legged, reclining or even turning somersaults!
He can probably hear by now as the ossicles (the bones that pass sound to the inner ear) have hardened and the portion of the brain that receives signals from the brain is under development. Your baby is getting used to the sound of your heartbeat and blood passing through the umbilical cord, but may be startled by loud noises. Your baby is aware of some things in the outside world, including sounds and light. If you let the sun shine on your belly, your baby may be able to perceive a warm red glow.
Last night Josh told me he was excited to hold baby and wanted to make sure we would let him hold the baby. I told him, "Of course. You're the big brother." He was so proud and said, "Yeah, I'm the big brother." I just had to squeeze his cute, chubby cheeks and give him a hug. He's going to be the best big brother!
REWARD!
First I must show everyone our beautiful cookies for Santa and his reindeer.
He had so much fun decorating the cookies and picked up every sprinkle that didn't stick to the cookie for a little snack.
Last night on our way to church, we were discussing baby names with Josh and he was a little confused at first because the only baby we seem to be talking about lately is baby Jesus. So we asked him what we should call the baby inside mommy's tummy, he said......Baby Jesus 2. Yeah, we'll have to think about that. Maybe we'll call him/her J.J. for Jesus, Jr.
Josh had a milestone today. Every Tuesday and Thursday when I pick him up from Angie's to take him to school he asks if I am going to pick him up. It starts when I buckle him in his seat to leave Angie's and ends when I give him a "thumbs up" at the door on my way back to work. Today was the first day he didn't ask. Yippee!!! Our little boy's growing up!
We do have some other news at our house.....the Gameboy is missing. Josh had it on Saturday morning and I told him to pick up his toys and now we can't find it. He is absolutely convinced that we shouldn't be worrying about this because Santa is certain to replace it with a brand new black one. Tonight I had the audacity to insinuate that Santa may not bring him a Gameboy for Christmas. Upon hearing this he collapsed on the kitchen floor and wailed. Oh my. I woke him up on Monday morning and instead of saying, "Good Morning!" he said, "Mom, my Gameboy is missing because I losed it."
Obviously I am not as heart-broken as my poor son has been. Josh and I actually don't argue in the morning anymore and we have nice conversations on the way to and from work. He's not so pre-occupied by that stupid thing and his world isn't revolving around it. However, everytime Josh brings it up Dustin looks at me with a raised brow because I think he's convinced I'm just hiding it.
What kind of mother does he think I am? Of course I have an idea of where it is, but I've told that boy a million times that I am not responsible for that thing. I'm teaching him a very good lesson and getting a nice return for my investment....PEACE AND QUIET!
He had so much fun decorating the cookies and picked up every sprinkle that didn't stick to the cookie for a little snack.
Last night on our way to church, we were discussing baby names with Josh and he was a little confused at first because the only baby we seem to be talking about lately is baby Jesus. So we asked him what we should call the baby inside mommy's tummy, he said......Baby Jesus 2. Yeah, we'll have to think about that. Maybe we'll call him/her J.J. for Jesus, Jr.
Josh had a milestone today. Every Tuesday and Thursday when I pick him up from Angie's to take him to school he asks if I am going to pick him up. It starts when I buckle him in his seat to leave Angie's and ends when I give him a "thumbs up" at the door on my way back to work. Today was the first day he didn't ask. Yippee!!! Our little boy's growing up!
We do have some other news at our house.....the Gameboy is missing. Josh had it on Saturday morning and I told him to pick up his toys and now we can't find it. He is absolutely convinced that we shouldn't be worrying about this because Santa is certain to replace it with a brand new black one. Tonight I had the audacity to insinuate that Santa may not bring him a Gameboy for Christmas. Upon hearing this he collapsed on the kitchen floor and wailed. Oh my. I woke him up on Monday morning and instead of saying, "Good Morning!" he said, "Mom, my Gameboy is missing because I losed it."
Obviously I am not as heart-broken as my poor son has been. Josh and I actually don't argue in the morning anymore and we have nice conversations on the way to and from work. He's not so pre-occupied by that stupid thing and his world isn't revolving around it. However, everytime Josh brings it up Dustin looks at me with a raised brow because I think he's convinced I'm just hiding it.
What kind of mother does he think I am? Of course I have an idea of where it is, but I've told that boy a million times that I am not responsible for that thing. I'm teaching him a very good lesson and getting a nice return for my investment....PEACE AND QUIET!
16 week update!!
Well, my update today said this....
It's the end of your fourth month, and your baby now weighs 2 ½ ounces. She's able to kick her legs, which are measurably longer than the arms that she often swings about as she floats in a sea--actually, 7 ½ ounces--of amniotic fluid. You may be able to discern some of her movements now; some women say they're like butterfly wings flapping gently. Some first-time moms don't feel anything, though, until the 24th week.
I can verify that our little one is kicking his/her legs! He/she was kicking up a storm during the ultrasound yesterday.
I told Dustin that mom and I didn't see anything between the legs yesterday, but that it's still early. So I was asking Josh last night what he would think of a baby girl. He seemed okay with it and but wasn't overly excited by any means.
Then this morning. He went running into Angie's front door and yelled, "We have a baby girl!" I explained what actually happaned and told her that it was still early, but there is a good chance it's a girl. I guess he's excited.
It's the end of your fourth month, and your baby now weighs 2 ½ ounces. She's able to kick her legs, which are measurably longer than the arms that she often swings about as she floats in a sea--actually, 7 ½ ounces--of amniotic fluid. You may be able to discern some of her movements now; some women say they're like butterfly wings flapping gently. Some first-time moms don't feel anything, though, until the 24th week.
I can verify that our little one is kicking his/her legs! He/she was kicking up a storm during the ultrasound yesterday.
I told Dustin that mom and I didn't see anything between the legs yesterday, but that it's still early. So I was asking Josh last night what he would think of a baby girl. He seemed okay with it and but wasn't overly excited by any means.
Then this morning. He went running into Angie's front door and yelled, "We have a baby girl!" I explained what actually happaned and told her that it was still early, but there is a good chance it's a girl. I guess he's excited.
That was one sick emotional roller coaster!
I've had a few very scary moments in my life. Scariest moment was May 8, 2003, when I thought I was losing Josh. Second scariest was the first time I spotted with this pregnancy. Third scariest was when they couldn't find Josh's heartbeat. All of those have officially moved down a notch today.
I began spotting again this weekend at almost 16 weeks pregnant. Today I went into the doctor's office. They used the doppler and couldn't find the heartbeat. Then they used the portable ultrasound machine and did an external scan. The doctor could find the bleed. Basically the placenta is pulling away and there is a small bleed underneath it. I am to avoid stress, anxiety and heavy lifting for the next 24 weeks. For Josh that means I can't carry him and for everyone else that means don't stress me out! :-)
Well, after finding the bleed the doctor still couldn't find the baby. So she went to an internal ultrasound. Still no baby. At this point she had looked for about 30 minutes. I said, "I don't see a baby." and she said, "I don't either. And I should at 16 weeks." Basically, at that point I was hysterical. She went back to do another external scan. She found a flickering of a heart, but no baby. Just a mass. So I lay there sobbing thinking that I am going to have to face the decision of having to terminate this "non-viable" pregnancy when there is still a heartbeat or wait until the baby dies and I miscarry.
The doctor stopped the examination and said she was going to send me to ultrasound downstairs. The machinery is way more sensitive and would be able to see more. By then I'd been in there for over an hour and it was 12:20. I got dressed and the nurse said she could get me in for an ultrasound at 1:00. Still crying, I said, "Thank You." I walked out and immediately called Dustin.
He only heard me crying and kept asking what happened. I told him and he said he'd try to get there as soon as possible. I called mom's office and she was at lunch. I walked the agonizing walk down to ultrasound and checked in. The woman at the counter could tell I'd been crying and said she'd tell the tech I was there. I had just enough time to tell mom where I was and the tech left her lunch early to come save me from waiting any longer. I'm telling you, I HAVE THE BEST OB-GYN OFFICE IN THE WORLD!
She got started and mom miraculously appeared at my side and this is what we saw....
A perfect baby. The heartbeat was at 154 and baby is measuring exactly to date; 15 weeks, 6 days. I am completely drained from emotion today. As low as I felt at 12:20, it was the polar opposite by 12:35.
I am so glad mom got to be there. She got to see all those kicks, the stomach, the heart, the hands and arms flailing, the spine....everything! Tonight I am going to go home to my beautiful son and make cookies for Santa with him.
Then I am going to go to bed and thank God again for giving me Josh and then thank him again for keeping me pregnant. My children are my world and the thought of losing one, even an unborn one, is unbearable.
I began spotting again this weekend at almost 16 weeks pregnant. Today I went into the doctor's office. They used the doppler and couldn't find the heartbeat. Then they used the portable ultrasound machine and did an external scan. The doctor could find the bleed. Basically the placenta is pulling away and there is a small bleed underneath it. I am to avoid stress, anxiety and heavy lifting for the next 24 weeks. For Josh that means I can't carry him and for everyone else that means don't stress me out! :-)
Well, after finding the bleed the doctor still couldn't find the baby. So she went to an internal ultrasound. Still no baby. At this point she had looked for about 30 minutes. I said, "I don't see a baby." and she said, "I don't either. And I should at 16 weeks." Basically, at that point I was hysterical. She went back to do another external scan. She found a flickering of a heart, but no baby. Just a mass. So I lay there sobbing thinking that I am going to have to face the decision of having to terminate this "non-viable" pregnancy when there is still a heartbeat or wait until the baby dies and I miscarry.
The doctor stopped the examination and said she was going to send me to ultrasound downstairs. The machinery is way more sensitive and would be able to see more. By then I'd been in there for over an hour and it was 12:20. I got dressed and the nurse said she could get me in for an ultrasound at 1:00. Still crying, I said, "Thank You." I walked out and immediately called Dustin.
He only heard me crying and kept asking what happened. I told him and he said he'd try to get there as soon as possible. I called mom's office and she was at lunch. I walked the agonizing walk down to ultrasound and checked in. The woman at the counter could tell I'd been crying and said she'd tell the tech I was there. I had just enough time to tell mom where I was and the tech left her lunch early to come save me from waiting any longer. I'm telling you, I HAVE THE BEST OB-GYN OFFICE IN THE WORLD!
She got started and mom miraculously appeared at my side and this is what we saw....
A perfect baby. The heartbeat was at 154 and baby is measuring exactly to date; 15 weeks, 6 days. I am completely drained from emotion today. As low as I felt at 12:20, it was the polar opposite by 12:35.
I am so glad mom got to be there. She got to see all those kicks, the stomach, the heart, the hands and arms flailing, the spine....everything! Tonight I am going to go home to my beautiful son and make cookies for Santa with him.
Then I am going to go to bed and thank God again for giving me Josh and then thank him again for keeping me pregnant. My children are my world and the thought of losing one, even an unborn one, is unbearable.
Whoops....missed the 15 week update!
With all the hilarity of the Christmas program I completely forgot to do my 15 week update and now I'm almost to 16 weeks. Goodness!
According to my email update....
Fine hair called lanugo covers your baby, who now measures about 4.3 to 4.6 inches (10.8 to 11.6cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 2.8 ounces (80g).
Fingernails are well formed and the arms and legs may be seen moving on an ultrasound. Your baby already has his own unique fingerprint pattern!
Your baby can hold his head erect and he can also make faces with his slightly developed facial muscles. Your baby may practice squinting, frowning and opening and closing his mouth.
Your baby's bones have enough calcium deposits to show on an X-ray. If your baby is female, her ovaries will be in place in her pelvis and more than five million ova (some of which may be fertilized to become your own grandchildren in another generation!) have formed.
I'm still having a problem with sleeping lately. I'm up around three and can't seem to fall back asleep. Yesterday was no different and I was up watching the movie The Aviator. Anyway, as I'm laying there on my side all of a sudden a feel this swoosh feeling. Well, swoosh with a little "roll". I'm guessing someone changed positions in there. It totally reminded of me when Josh would move around and you could just feel a big "roll". Then last night we had a very late supper and I had a pop with caffeine. Well, that must have woken someone up because then I started feeling all these taps and flutters. I don't feel much very often at this stage, but when I do there is no denying what it is!!!
My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday and I'm down another 5 pounds. I'm really hoping that we get another ultrasound this time. And I'm really, really hoping that we get it before Christmas! The last real picture I have of this child is where it looks like a dot.
Well, it wouldn't look like a dot anymore!!!
According to my email update....
Fine hair called lanugo covers your baby, who now measures about 4.3 to 4.6 inches (10.8 to 11.6cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 2.8 ounces (80g).
Fingernails are well formed and the arms and legs may be seen moving on an ultrasound. Your baby already has his own unique fingerprint pattern!
Your baby can hold his head erect and he can also make faces with his slightly developed facial muscles. Your baby may practice squinting, frowning and opening and closing his mouth.
Your baby's bones have enough calcium deposits to show on an X-ray. If your baby is female, her ovaries will be in place in her pelvis and more than five million ova (some of which may be fertilized to become your own grandchildren in another generation!) have formed.
I'm still having a problem with sleeping lately. I'm up around three and can't seem to fall back asleep. Yesterday was no different and I was up watching the movie The Aviator. Anyway, as I'm laying there on my side all of a sudden a feel this swoosh feeling. Well, swoosh with a little "roll". I'm guessing someone changed positions in there. It totally reminded of me when Josh would move around and you could just feel a big "roll". Then last night we had a very late supper and I had a pop with caffeine. Well, that must have woken someone up because then I started feeling all these taps and flutters. I don't feel much very often at this stage, but when I do there is no denying what it is!!!
My next doctor's appointment is Wednesday and I'm down another 5 pounds. I'm really hoping that we get another ultrasound this time. And I'm really, really hoping that we get it before Christmas! The last real picture I have of this child is where it looks like a dot.
Well, it wouldn't look like a dot anymore!!!
My God that's a big three-year old!!
Well last night was Josh's first Christmas program. It pretty much feel to crap the second he walked down the aisle and saw us. The tears came and he ran right to my lap screaming, "I want to stay with you". Dustin was busy throwing out any promise he could make in order to get him up there. With each promise came more tears. I told Dustin to stop and I whispered in his ear, "If you go up there you can get something Star Wars". At that point he was ready to bargain. Anyway, he ended up there.....and so did Dustin.
Sorry the picture isn't great, but between me laughing and the kids moving around it's the best I could get.
I couldn't even really watch him because everytime I'd make eye contact with him he'd start crying. I totally have to give Dustin credit because he even helped with ringing the jingle bells during one song. God, I'm sure he wanted to die, you all know how he is.
Anyway, as I say every year when I break another diet.....There's always next year!
Sorry the picture isn't great, but between me laughing and the kids moving around it's the best I could get.
I couldn't even really watch him because everytime I'd make eye contact with him he'd start crying. I totally have to give Dustin credit because he even helped with ringing the jingle bells during one song. God, I'm sure he wanted to die, you all know how he is.
Anyway, as I say every year when I break another diet.....There's always next year!
What a nice weekend!
With everything we accomplished this weekend, you'd think I'd be more tired today. Maybe I'm still on some high from the paint yesterday.
I finished decorating the tree and Dustin hung my new star on my foyer wall. Josh and I worked on a Christmas project yesterday and we had such a great time. We decorated Styrofoam cups and baked them. They turn into hard little plastic shaped "bells" and then we hot glued little jingle bells inside and put some pretty ribbon on top. They will be his gift to pretty much everyone who reads this blog.
Every time the cups would get hot in the oven and expand and then shrink rapidly, he just squealed with delight. Here's a few pictures Daddy took for us!
We had my office Christmas party on Saturday night so Dustin and I were all dressed up for the holidays. I decided to try and get a nice family picture for a Christmas card. I got Josh in his suit, found the perfect spot in the house and got everything else all ready. Josh practiced with the camera's remote control and I will say, much to my surprise we actually accomplished the mission! It was quite a feat but in the end, I won. Sorry, but with all the work it took to get that thing, you're going to have to wait to get it in the mail!!
I do have to share one other picture though. There is a cute one of Josh and I when we were finishing the tree and practicing using the remote for the camera. There are a bunch of goofy ones but this is my favorite (excuse the hair).
Now for a nice family moment this weekend. Dustin and I both had a vision of what Josh will be like as a teenager. We had gone out to lunch at Wendy's on Saturday while doing some Christmas shopping. Josh got the kids meal and the toy was a cd from Goosebumps. He kept yelling, "It's a movie! It's a movie". Without even looking at it Dustin assured him that it must be a computer game. I concurred and reinforced our belief that this was indeed a computer game. This went on for about the length of our lunch. We had finally convinced him that it was for the computer and then last night he finds this cd again. I put it in my laptop and spent the next 45 minutes trying to figure out why my computer didn't have the right software to run the game. Dustin picked up the packaging and read that it was actually a DVD. Our son ridiculed us like a trained professional with years of experience. "I told you so, Mom. I told you so, Dad. I was right. Josh was right." God, having to admit your wrong to anyone is not fun, but having to do it to a three-year old is down right awful.
We watched Prancer on tv last night and then the boys and Mattie headed off to bed. After I finished a few projects I came upstairs only to find this. Pretty much sums up everything. Even the dog was snoring!
I finished decorating the tree and Dustin hung my new star on my foyer wall. Josh and I worked on a Christmas project yesterday and we had such a great time. We decorated Styrofoam cups and baked them. They turn into hard little plastic shaped "bells" and then we hot glued little jingle bells inside and put some pretty ribbon on top. They will be his gift to pretty much everyone who reads this blog.
Every time the cups would get hot in the oven and expand and then shrink rapidly, he just squealed with delight. Here's a few pictures Daddy took for us!
We had my office Christmas party on Saturday night so Dustin and I were all dressed up for the holidays. I decided to try and get a nice family picture for a Christmas card. I got Josh in his suit, found the perfect spot in the house and got everything else all ready. Josh practiced with the camera's remote control and I will say, much to my surprise we actually accomplished the mission! It was quite a feat but in the end, I won. Sorry, but with all the work it took to get that thing, you're going to have to wait to get it in the mail!!
I do have to share one other picture though. There is a cute one of Josh and I when we were finishing the tree and practicing using the remote for the camera. There are a bunch of goofy ones but this is my favorite (excuse the hair).
Now for a nice family moment this weekend. Dustin and I both had a vision of what Josh will be like as a teenager. We had gone out to lunch at Wendy's on Saturday while doing some Christmas shopping. Josh got the kids meal and the toy was a cd from Goosebumps. He kept yelling, "It's a movie! It's a movie". Without even looking at it Dustin assured him that it must be a computer game. I concurred and reinforced our belief that this was indeed a computer game. This went on for about the length of our lunch. We had finally convinced him that it was for the computer and then last night he finds this cd again. I put it in my laptop and spent the next 45 minutes trying to figure out why my computer didn't have the right software to run the game. Dustin picked up the packaging and read that it was actually a DVD. Our son ridiculed us like a trained professional with years of experience. "I told you so, Mom. I told you so, Dad. I was right. Josh was right." God, having to admit your wrong to anyone is not fun, but having to do it to a three-year old is down right awful.
We watched Prancer on tv last night and then the boys and Mattie headed off to bed. After I finished a few projects I came upstairs only to find this. Pretty much sums up everything. Even the dog was snoring!
Mommy always wins, you should know that by now!
Well, this weekend was full of exciting and tiring moments. Dad was in town and he got to experience Josh's "Independent Phase" first hand. I think it frightened him and amused him all at the same time. It took that child 3 timeouts and numerous threats to get him to say, "I'm sorry" to the dog. But in the end, Mommy always wins. You'd think that his father would have taught him that lesson long ago, but somehow Josh just hasn't caught on yet.
Friday night we went out to dinner at Culver's when Dad got into town. I wanted a burger with Thousand Island dressing on it. I know it sounds disgusting, but that creamy dressing and chunks of pickle....need I say more? We sat down as my brother, husband and father were all gagging at my meal and I was trying to enjoy it. Dad joked and said that I am officially pregnant. And then I gave him my desert order; an eggnog shake with chocolate chip cookie dough. Yeah, as I'm typing this right now I'm not quite sure how I thought of combining those two ingredients. Nonetheless, it was delicious and I'm certain that Dustin will have to order me another one in the future.
I got my 14 week update today and I had to chuckle.
Most of the discomforts of early pregnancy, such as nausea and fatigue are behind you for now and you are probably feeling better.
All I can say is, WHO WRITES THIS SHIT? Probably a man.
The baby's update was much more exciting....
Make a fist--that's how big your baby is now.
At week 14, he weighs close to an ounce and measures between three and four inches from top to bottom. Like you, he can make a fist, too, with fingers that have a unique set of prints; an epidermal layer in his skin shows genetically determined ridges on the tips and palms.
Keep drinking those glasses of skim milk, because in the next eight weeks the bones throughout his body will harden as calcium gets deposited. Your son's neck is now getting longer too, which means his chin doesn't have to rest on his chest anymore.
Friday night we went out to dinner at Culver's when Dad got into town. I wanted a burger with Thousand Island dressing on it. I know it sounds disgusting, but that creamy dressing and chunks of pickle....need I say more? We sat down as my brother, husband and father were all gagging at my meal and I was trying to enjoy it. Dad joked and said that I am officially pregnant. And then I gave him my desert order; an eggnog shake with chocolate chip cookie dough. Yeah, as I'm typing this right now I'm not quite sure how I thought of combining those two ingredients. Nonetheless, it was delicious and I'm certain that Dustin will have to order me another one in the future.
I got my 14 week update today and I had to chuckle.
Most of the discomforts of early pregnancy, such as nausea and fatigue are behind you for now and you are probably feeling better.
All I can say is, WHO WRITES THIS SHIT? Probably a man.
The baby's update was much more exciting....
Make a fist--that's how big your baby is now.
At week 14, he weighs close to an ounce and measures between three and four inches from top to bottom. Like you, he can make a fist, too, with fingers that have a unique set of prints; an epidermal layer in his skin shows genetically determined ridges on the tips and palms.
Keep drinking those glasses of skim milk, because in the next eight weeks the bones throughout his body will harden as calcium gets deposited. Your son's neck is now getting longer too, which means his chin doesn't have to rest on his chest anymore.
It's Friday!!!
I have offically been up for 12 hours! Lately I have been waking up in the middle of the night and my mind starts churning and I can't go back to sleep. This morning I managed to watch a marathon of Designing Women, an episode of Emeril, A Different World, Mad About You and a bunch of news channels. Really, there isn't much on at that time of night except a bunch of advertisements for sleeping aids.
Well Josh had another morning like Wednesday and I had even less sleep this time around. I really am hoping that this is just a phase for the small boy. He couldn't find his Gameboy this morning and instead of looking for it, he just sat and cried. Well, screamed and cried. Pretty much from the time I told him to take of his pajamas off to the time I told Angie and him to have a nice day. Nothing makes you feel like a "Mother of the Year" like a child screaming at you, "You mean, mom. You mean." as you head off to work. I've decided that instead of saving for Josh's college education we should really be saving for his future therapy sessions. Amy at work keeps reminding me that we are a completely normal family and if I'm lucky he's still too young to remember anything. I'm wondering when exactly he will start to remember....18?
Well Josh had another morning like Wednesday and I had even less sleep this time around. I really am hoping that this is just a phase for the small boy. He couldn't find his Gameboy this morning and instead of looking for it, he just sat and cried. Well, screamed and cried. Pretty much from the time I told him to take of his pajamas off to the time I told Angie and him to have a nice day. Nothing makes you feel like a "Mother of the Year" like a child screaming at you, "You mean, mom. You mean." as you head off to work. I've decided that instead of saving for Josh's college education we should really be saving for his future therapy sessions. Amy at work keeps reminding me that we are a completely normal family and if I'm lucky he's still too young to remember anything. I'm wondering when exactly he will start to remember....18?
I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it. I want it.
The title says what I heard from 6:30 this morning until a little after 7:30 this morning. Add a little whine to it and you've got it down pat. The item being desired was a Gameboy, the person desiring it was Josh and the person listening to the relentless chant was ME.
I had just read the day before where the "Super Nanny" from tv suggested repeating the whine back at the child. Yeah. It became apparent to me that after following her first suggestion, I should have also read on to see what she suggested to do after the child reacts to you immitating them. The phrase "bitch fit" is about all I can say. Holy Moses. The fact that Josh is still breathing and that I didn't run myself off the road this morning is just proof that there is such a thing as a modern day miracle.
I called Dustin when I turned onto East Post Road so that I could share some of the love I was receiving from his son. I held the phone out so he could clearly hear his son, he just laughed and said, "Uh, how'd the morning go?" You can imagine my response.
The whole reason Josh was so cranky this morning and had his Gameboy taken away from him was that he screamed and cried from 9:30 pm to past 11:00 for a popsicle. And instead of whining "I want it" it was "I want a pa-sicle". A phrase which is no less annoying and even more so given the time of day.
I have a rule. I will tell him once. I will tell him again since he probably couldn't hear me over his own screaming. I will even tell him a third time. But after that....he's used his three wishes. So I went back to bed and listened to my dear husband toss and turn and moan something about his lack of sleep and that we should all have to get up at 3 (when he gets up).
I didn't care to hear his rant and turned over so that my plethora of pillows built a small wall between his mouth and my ear. This morning was my punishment. Damn karma.
I had just read the day before where the "Super Nanny" from tv suggested repeating the whine back at the child. Yeah. It became apparent to me that after following her first suggestion, I should have also read on to see what she suggested to do after the child reacts to you immitating them. The phrase "bitch fit" is about all I can say. Holy Moses. The fact that Josh is still breathing and that I didn't run myself off the road this morning is just proof that there is such a thing as a modern day miracle.
I called Dustin when I turned onto East Post Road so that I could share some of the love I was receiving from his son. I held the phone out so he could clearly hear his son, he just laughed and said, "Uh, how'd the morning go?" You can imagine my response.
The whole reason Josh was so cranky this morning and had his Gameboy taken away from him was that he screamed and cried from 9:30 pm to past 11:00 for a popsicle. And instead of whining "I want it" it was "I want a pa-sicle". A phrase which is no less annoying and even more so given the time of day.
I have a rule. I will tell him once. I will tell him again since he probably couldn't hear me over his own screaming. I will even tell him a third time. But after that....he's used his three wishes. So I went back to bed and listened to my dear husband toss and turn and moan something about his lack of sleep and that we should all have to get up at 3 (when he gets up).
I didn't care to hear his rant and turned over so that my plethora of pillows built a small wall between his mouth and my ear. This morning was my punishment. Damn karma.
Et tu?
Well, all I can say today is that I am so glad I get a Joshie break this afternoon when I get to take him to preschool. The last few days have been completely draining and I realized this morning, when I woke up at 3 am and couldn't fall back asleep, that I have too much on my mind. It seems to be coming at me from every direction right now. In turn, my first priority should be my health and this pregnancy and somehow that all seems to take a back seat to the stress.
Top all these problems off with an uncooperative 3-year old and a muddy dog and your morning just ends up in the "crapper". So I'm left fighting like "you know what" to turn this day around.
On a completely happier note, I am officially in the second trimester!!
This week....
Your baby measures about 3.2 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 0.9 ounces (25g). Your baby is now nourished by the placenta.
His face is developing and his cheeks and the bridge of his nose are appearing. His ears are moving from the sides of his neck to higher on his head and his eyes are moving closer together. Your baby's external genitals are now distinct and may be recognized on an ultrasound. Your baby will move away from stimuli near your tummy, such as noise and light.
Your baby's eyebrows have formed and a small amount of hair, called lanugo, has appeared all over his body. Lanugo, which will be shed before birth and replaced with the hairs with which your baby will be born, is thought to have a protective function.
Insulin is present in your baby's pancreas. Some bones may be well outlined. Your baby's thyroid gland, already developed by this week, begins to make hormones.
Baby boys begin to develop the prostate gland at this time and the ovaries of baby girls descend from the abdomen into the pelvis.
See, after reading all that my day is turning around!
Top all these problems off with an uncooperative 3-year old and a muddy dog and your morning just ends up in the "crapper". So I'm left fighting like "you know what" to turn this day around.
On a completely happier note, I am officially in the second trimester!!
This week....
Your baby measures about 3.2 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 0.9 ounces (25g). Your baby is now nourished by the placenta.
His face is developing and his cheeks and the bridge of his nose are appearing. His ears are moving from the sides of his neck to higher on his head and his eyes are moving closer together. Your baby's external genitals are now distinct and may be recognized on an ultrasound. Your baby will move away from stimuli near your tummy, such as noise and light.
Your baby's eyebrows have formed and a small amount of hair, called lanugo, has appeared all over his body. Lanugo, which will be shed before birth and replaced with the hairs with which your baby will be born, is thought to have a protective function.
Insulin is present in your baby's pancreas. Some bones may be well outlined. Your baby's thyroid gland, already developed by this week, begins to make hormones.
Baby boys begin to develop the prostate gland at this time and the ovaries of baby girls descend from the abdomen into the pelvis.
See, after reading all that my day is turning around!
Follow the light....
Well, the Bricker's are just about fully prepared for the arrival of Christmas once again. I will fully admit that being tired and sick most of the time caused the decorating process to drag on over a few days. It also caused it to be WAY more stressful than God ever intended it to be. On a side note, everytime Josh walks in the house he screams "Happy Birthday!" to baby Jesus.
Anyway, I have almost doubled the amount of lights my father put on our big tree last year. The thing honestly glows and puts off such a nice heat that I'm sure we'll save on our gas bill this winter. I learned from the best, right Dad? Since it took me about 15 hours (this includes chasing the dog, getting Josh to get off of the dog and me asking Dustin why he ever took the lights off the stupid tree last year) over a period of 3 days, I do not have it completely decorated; however, check out this glow....
While Dustin was being productive in the garage, Josh and I decorated a gingerbread house. We had so much fun and it honestly couldn't have been easier. He told me where to put the icing and he put the candy on. We had such a great time and he is so proud of his "box". Don't ask.
I'm reaching that point in this pregnancy where every day is an emotional roller coaster. I'm really hoping that Josh won't remember his mother's hormonal moments with this pregnancy and that by the time we have a third child I will either be drugged or have learned some relaxation techniques. You should see my husband, he's a trained professional. I'll be crying and hysterical and he just looks at me and shakes his head. (Which at the moment is completely infuriating!) Maybe I'm just bi-polar. Seriously.
I was in such a good mood on Saturday afternoon/evening. I woke Josh up from his nap and he began screaming for juice. I stayed calm. Then he was screaming because he didn't want to take a bath and I even put on a brave face and got him through a bath without freaking out. I got him dressed and then realized that my husband made the mistake of washing my two red sweaters with my two white sweaters. All I can say is....
Everyone, pray for Dustin.
Anyway, I have almost doubled the amount of lights my father put on our big tree last year. The thing honestly glows and puts off such a nice heat that I'm sure we'll save on our gas bill this winter. I learned from the best, right Dad? Since it took me about 15 hours (this includes chasing the dog, getting Josh to get off of the dog and me asking Dustin why he ever took the lights off the stupid tree last year) over a period of 3 days, I do not have it completely decorated; however, check out this glow....
While Dustin was being productive in the garage, Josh and I decorated a gingerbread house. We had so much fun and it honestly couldn't have been easier. He told me where to put the icing and he put the candy on. We had such a great time and he is so proud of his "box". Don't ask.
I'm reaching that point in this pregnancy where every day is an emotional roller coaster. I'm really hoping that Josh won't remember his mother's hormonal moments with this pregnancy and that by the time we have a third child I will either be drugged or have learned some relaxation techniques. You should see my husband, he's a trained professional. I'll be crying and hysterical and he just looks at me and shakes his head. (Which at the moment is completely infuriating!) Maybe I'm just bi-polar. Seriously.
I was in such a good mood on Saturday afternoon/evening. I woke Josh up from his nap and he began screaming for juice. I stayed calm. Then he was screaming because he didn't want to take a bath and I even put on a brave face and got him through a bath without freaking out. I got him dressed and then realized that my husband made the mistake of washing my two red sweaters with my two white sweaters. All I can say is....
Everyone, pray for Dustin.
Save the date....May 29, 2007!
12 week update....
You're reaching an important milestone--the end of the first trimester. Your baby is about the size of a peach and is growing rapidly. Crown to rump, your baby measures 2.6 to 3.1 inches (6.5 to 7.8cm) and weighs 0.5 to 0.7 ounces (14 to 20g).
Your baby's legs are longer than her arms and her skin is red and transparent. Her eyelids are fused together and won't open for about four more months. Her arms are long enough to reach her mouth and she may begin to place her thumb in her mouth. Her sucking reflex, however, is not yet developed.
The tissue that will become your baby's bones is being laid out, especially around her head and her arms and legs. Some ribs may be distinguished at this time. The nose and chin are more prominent now.
Your baby will begin to practice breathing in the next few weeks as her chest rises and falls in mock breathing motions. She will also swallow small amounts of amniotic fluid which will be passed as urine.
Your placenta is providing all of your baby's needs for nutrition, oxygen and waste disposal, though the amniotic fluid will become more important later on.
All major components of the body are formed and now must grow and mature. From now on, your baby's development will consist primarily of organ maturity and growth and body refinement.
Now onto the good stuff....
Everything went very well at my first doctor's appointment. I have said it many times before, but I am so thankful to the man upstairs for providing me with such wonderful, kind, intelligent doctors. I thought I would never find a doctor as wonderful as Dr. Cada, but I think I have.
All right, enough about my doc! Baby is doing wonderful! I did have an ultrasound today, but it was only on a portable machine, hence no pictures to show. :-( But I will say, that I got to see our little bean kicking around and the flicker of the heart. IT'S AMAZING!!!! We didn't get any measurements, but she said that I will probably have a full ultrasound next time. Yippee!
I am measuring a bit large. (Are we surprised?) In fact her quote was, "Wow, I can't believe that's the top of your uterus right there!". Yup. It's right there under my belly button already. It was funny because she reminded me that the risk of twins from Clomid is only about 10%. I reminded her that I had already had an ultrasound and that there was only one. She actually looked relieved! :-)
It certainly explains why my pants are tighter and that I really do have an expanding belly. I'm down 11 pounds and my blood pressure was perfect (let's hope it stays that way). I did find out an interesting fact, though. They always test preganant women for their reisitance to the measels and apparantly my vaccine has worn off. Therefore, if you have the measels, STAY AWAY FROM ME! Before I leave the hospital they will give me a new vaccine. Funny, huh?
Her and I talked about having another c-section or if I would want to try a VBAC and we both decided to just go ahead and plan on another c-section. She reminded me that Josh was a good size (no need of reminding me) and that succeeding children tend to be a bit larger. She said we'll schedule a week before my due date and a squeeled, "That's my birthday!" She laughed and said, "Well, do you want that?", I said, "OF COURSE!" She said, "Then that's the date!" I'm so excited!!!! As I sat there on the exam table I flashed to the night that I layed in bed with Dustin. I was on the internet and all depressed because our first round with Clomid didn't work and that month 15 of trying to conceive was a bust. I had a ritual of checking what my due date would be if I got pregnant each cycle and subtracted a week for the scheduled c-section. When it popped up and said MAY 29, 2007, I turned to Dustin and started crying. I told him that if God gave me a child for my birthday all of this waiting and failure would be worth it.
God knew, because it was!!
You're reaching an important milestone--the end of the first trimester. Your baby is about the size of a peach and is growing rapidly. Crown to rump, your baby measures 2.6 to 3.1 inches (6.5 to 7.8cm) and weighs 0.5 to 0.7 ounces (14 to 20g).
Your baby's legs are longer than her arms and her skin is red and transparent. Her eyelids are fused together and won't open for about four more months. Her arms are long enough to reach her mouth and she may begin to place her thumb in her mouth. Her sucking reflex, however, is not yet developed.
The tissue that will become your baby's bones is being laid out, especially around her head and her arms and legs. Some ribs may be distinguished at this time. The nose and chin are more prominent now.
Your baby will begin to practice breathing in the next few weeks as her chest rises and falls in mock breathing motions. She will also swallow small amounts of amniotic fluid which will be passed as urine.
Your placenta is providing all of your baby's needs for nutrition, oxygen and waste disposal, though the amniotic fluid will become more important later on.
All major components of the body are formed and now must grow and mature. From now on, your baby's development will consist primarily of organ maturity and growth and body refinement.
Now onto the good stuff....
Everything went very well at my first doctor's appointment. I have said it many times before, but I am so thankful to the man upstairs for providing me with such wonderful, kind, intelligent doctors. I thought I would never find a doctor as wonderful as Dr. Cada, but I think I have.
All right, enough about my doc! Baby is doing wonderful! I did have an ultrasound today, but it was only on a portable machine, hence no pictures to show. :-( But I will say, that I got to see our little bean kicking around and the flicker of the heart. IT'S AMAZING!!!! We didn't get any measurements, but she said that I will probably have a full ultrasound next time. Yippee!
I am measuring a bit large. (Are we surprised?) In fact her quote was, "Wow, I can't believe that's the top of your uterus right there!". Yup. It's right there under my belly button already. It was funny because she reminded me that the risk of twins from Clomid is only about 10%. I reminded her that I had already had an ultrasound and that there was only one. She actually looked relieved! :-)
It certainly explains why my pants are tighter and that I really do have an expanding belly. I'm down 11 pounds and my blood pressure was perfect (let's hope it stays that way). I did find out an interesting fact, though. They always test preganant women for their reisitance to the measels and apparantly my vaccine has worn off. Therefore, if you have the measels, STAY AWAY FROM ME! Before I leave the hospital they will give me a new vaccine. Funny, huh?
Her and I talked about having another c-section or if I would want to try a VBAC and we both decided to just go ahead and plan on another c-section. She reminded me that Josh was a good size (no need of reminding me) and that succeeding children tend to be a bit larger. She said we'll schedule a week before my due date and a squeeled, "That's my birthday!" She laughed and said, "Well, do you want that?", I said, "OF COURSE!" She said, "Then that's the date!" I'm so excited!!!! As I sat there on the exam table I flashed to the night that I layed in bed with Dustin. I was on the internet and all depressed because our first round with Clomid didn't work and that month 15 of trying to conceive was a bust. I had a ritual of checking what my due date would be if I got pregnant each cycle and subtracted a week for the scheduled c-section. When it popped up and said MAY 29, 2007, I turned to Dustin and started crying. I told him that if God gave me a child for my birthday all of this waiting and failure would be worth it.
God knew, because it was!!
Think of me tomorrow...
With any luck at all, I'll have an updated picture of our little bean!!! Can you believe it?
