We are having a baby.....

BOY!!!

Joe and I both thought we were going to be having another girl, so we were shocked when the ultrasound tech found "boy parts," as she put it. I started to cry, Joe was trying to keep Ella quiet and occupied. We thought it would be a good idea to take Ella, but she could've cared less. So word to second time parents...don't bring your 20 month old to the big ultrasound. The perinatologist came in at the end and confirmed the "boy parts," and told us that all the measurements looked good and things appeared normal. Yay! We were both relieved to hear that. My due date remains October 19th. The baby weighs 12 oz., or a can of beer, as Joe said. The quad screen results came back completely normal so there is very low risk of any birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities.

In between the 8:00am ultrasound and my 11:15 OB appointment, we took Ella to the park to run around, since she really was a good girl during the lengthy ultrasound. For this appointment, we decided to drop Ella off at one of our friend's houses. Joe finally got to hear the heartbeat at 150 beats a minute and I finally gained some weight. Yippee! Blood pressure was fine and my platelets continue to be low, but not low enough for concern at this point. Since I've been having frequent migraines (sometimes 3 times a week) my OB suggested I see a neurologist to see if there are any alternatives for medication during pregnancy.

During Ella's nap, I went through all of the bins of Ella's old clothes. I separated them into piles, one for consignment (might as well make some money) and one pile for the really cute things I will offer my pregnant friends and family (if they want them.) I was able to find quite a few gender neutral items (like white socks and onesies) mixed in with everything. Now I'm in planning mode for the nursery. I'd like to go with a blue and brown theme and have already found bedding at a couple different places. It's all so real now and I still can't get over that we're having a boy! I'm just thrilled to have a girl and now a boy. It's what I always wanted. I would've been happy either way...I LOVE my little girl! Now we'll have both!

Oh, and by the way, I am officially half-way through this pregnancy!

One Year Ago

I can't believe my baby was this little just last May! Haven't been able to get in the pool yet...hopefully soon!

19 Weeks...just about half-way there!

In less than one week, we will be able to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. June 2nd is quickly approaching and I am getting so excited! My ultrasound is at 8:00am and then my 20 week OB appointment is at 11:15am. I never got a call with abnormal results from the Quad Screen, and my doctor said, "No news is good news." So, our baby seems to be healthy! What a relief! As you can tell, I am rapidly expanding. Since I wear scrubs every day, it's really hard to tell that I'm pregnant, unless you know. But the minute I put on my "real" clothes, it's so obvious! The baby is really starting to move around. If I put my hand on the right spot, I can sometimes even feel it move on the outside. Joe has tried to feel it move, but it's stubborn and never cooperates. Soon enough though. I wanted to share my cravings this time around: anything that is bad for me (i.e. fast food, ice cream, candy, etc.), mustard, Fruit Loops, strawberries, grapefruit juice...that's all I can think of now. After that awful first trimester where I actually lost weight, I'm positive I've gained it all back, and then some. As of my last appointment, I hadn't gained any weight. According to my scale yesterday, I definitely have. At least I have my appetite back!



I picked a few pictures to post from the past few days. Yesterday, Memorial Day, was the nicest day so far this season. Sunny and low 80s. Joe, Ella, and myself went to a local parade. Ella was a little scared of the fire truck sirens, but got really excited when the airplanes flew over. Airplane, or "airpane" is a new favorite word. After her nap, we played on the sun porch, where she decided to pose like a super model, sitting on the window ledge. What a riot! Our friends, newlyweds, Brian and Jen came over for a BBQ. It was so nice to be able to sit on the patio and enjoy the weather. Ella had a blast playing in her new sandbox. Unfortunately, I think we bought the wrong kind of sand, as I am still trying to get the stains out of her clothes. Oh well...she loved it!



Today I had the day off since I worked this past weekend. We thought it would be fun to go to the zoo since Ella had never been there. Well, it was windy and about 45 degrees...not sure what happened there! It wasn't crowded...nobody wanted to be outside. Ella got really excited when she saw the monkeys and the giraffes. You can tell by the picture just how cold it was. We didn't stay too long this time, but I'm sure we'll be heading back this summer, when we can't see our breath.

I will post again on Monday, June 2nd, with the results of the BIG ULTRASOUND!!!

My Tranquility Fountain

Even though Mother's Day was cold and rainy, it turned out to be a wonderful day. Joe cooked me a special breakfast of his famous chocolate chip pancakes and they were delicious! Ella got me a card and made beautiful crayon drawings inside, she even wrote her name! (With Daddy's help.) Joe and Ella got me a small rock fountain which makes a calming trickling water noise...which I'm sure will come in handy in 5 months! Later that morning, we tried out a new church, a Methodist church not too far from our house. We liked the service, and I think Ella enjoyed playing in the nursery for an hour! After church, Joe and Ella treated me to lunch. To top it all off, Joe painted the kitchen for me! All in all, a very nice Mother's Day!

16 Weeks and Counting...

I went to the dentist the other day and I had to tell the hygienist that I was pregnant, in case any x-rays needed to be taken. (They didn't) The hygienist asked me how far along I was, and I said, "16 weeks." I could see the wheels spinning in her head, then she finally said, "So about 4 months, huh?" She proceeded to tell me that people who haven't been pregnant go by months, not weeks. I suppose that makes sense...I mean, when else do you really use weeks like that? Can you imagine, "So, when do you go on vacation?" "Oh, in about 13 weeks." That would get confusing. However, I still plan on counting by weeks. No cavities, by the way!

I had my 16 week (or 4 month) appointment on Tuesday. These earlier appointments are so quick and predictable...weight, blood pressure, baby's heartbeat. All were fine. I haven't gained any weight thus far, but my doctor said not to worry until next month. She seems to think I'll catch up just fine. My blood pressure continues to be low, so that's not a concern. And, the doctor was able to find the heartbeat, along with all of it's movements. She said I have a busy baby in there! I had blood drawn to check my platelet count, and we also decided to do a prenatal risk screen, called the quad screen. It looks for any possible abnormalities or problems. Any abnormal results come back in about a week, otherwise I wont hear anything until my next appointment, which happens to be the same day as the big ultrasound, on June 2nd!

We're not sure if Ella really gets what's going on. When we ask her where the baby is, she points to my belly. She waves and gives it hugs and kisses. She recently learned how to say "boy" and "girl." We ask her what the new baby will be and she says, "boy!" Then she says, "girl!" So who knows.

Come this September, my sister-in-law Liz will no longer be our "daycare" since her oldest son will be starting preschool. The timing just didn't work out. So we found a place for Ella, but she can't start until she turns 2...which leaves us about 3 weeks in early September when we will have to leave Ella home alone with the cats. Just kidding...but seriously, any takers??? :) Once she turns 2, no problem! We're set. For one kid. As for the new baby, this new daycare doesn't have an opening for an infant until April 2009. I will be going back to work in January. So there's 3 months where we don't know what we're going to do. It's stressful trying to find reliable and affordable daycare...almost an impossible feat. I'm sure we'll figure everything out...somehow!

Last but not least, I don't think I felt the baby move a few weeks ago when I thought I did, because I really haven't felt much since. I do think last night I started to feel it again though. I'm sure in the next few weeks it will become more obvious. That's all for now!

Could it be???

On Thursday, April 10th, I was sitting at work, typing up a progress note on one of my patients, when I started to feeling a "tapping" or "bubble" sensation in my belly. Normally, I wouldn't have noticed anything like that, but as soon as I felt it, I remembered feeling Ella moving around, and it felt exactly the same! I thought to myself, "No way, it's too early." I then searched the Internet on early fetal movement, and got many reports of women feeling their baby move as early as 12 weeks, especially with a second baby. I was 12 1/2 weeks at that point...so who knows! I haven't felt anything since though. Maybe it was all in my head. I am now 13 weeks and decided to include a picture because I feel like I'm starting to show already. Again, with second babies, I've read that women tend to show earlier. I made the big transition into my smallest maternity jeans, and I am so much more comfortable!

How the heck do you position the pictures where you want them? I'll figure it out eventually. Just hang in there until I learn more about blogging! :)

Joe and I went away for the weekend. My parents stayed at our house to watch Ella for Friday and Saturday night. One of my college friends, Gretchen, got married in Madison. On Friday, all the girls got together for manicures and pedicures at this beautiful spa, and that night we all enjoyed the rehersal dinner. Even though I was not in the wedding, we were included in all the festivities, which was so much fun! I was able to catch up with all of my old roommates...some doctors, some lawyers, some business women, some nurses...quite a bunch! Gretchen looked beautiful and toughed out the very cold, "Spring" day. Her new husband, Michael, has become a good friend and they complement each other perfectly. I was ready to get home to see my baby on Sunday!

Ella had her 18 month check-up this morning. She was very cooperative and the doctor said she is growing perfectly and meeting all of her developmental milestones. She continues to be above the 95th percentile for height...surprised? We're not! :) Unfortunately, Ella had to get 3 shots, which she was not thrilled about, but she did get an ice cream treat from Culver's afterwards! I am going to take advantage of this time while she's napping to lay on the couch and watch "Supernanny" from last week.

One quick note, my friend April found out she does not have Fifth's Disease. All test came back positive! Yay!

We Have a Heartbeat!

I went in to see my OB today at 12 weeks and 1 day to try and hear the heartbeat, since last week she was unable to find it. After a long week of wondering and worrying, I was relieved to FINALLY hear our little baby's heart, thump thumping away! I was even able to hear the baby move. I can only describe the sound as this: "bloop bloop." I left the office with a big smile on my face. I immediately called Joe to tell him the good news. He was relieved as well!

I am officially in the 2nd trimester, which seems impossible. I think this pregnancy is going to go by so fast...it's a bit scary. I was able to schedule my "big" ultrasound for June 2nd. This is when we will hopefully find out if we're having a boy or a girl. It's at 8:00am and I have to drink 32 oz. of water prior...and can't go to the bathroom until it's over. That should be fun. The good news is that they've upgraded their ultrasound machine to 4D technology, so we'll be able to get some pretty neat pictures!

Ella is quickly entering her "Terrible Twos" at 18 months. This is extremely hard to deal with, since my patience is a bit lacking during this pregnancy! I can't help but wonder, "How the heck are we going to do this with 2???" I know it's going to be a challenge, but Joe and I are so excited to add another little one to our family.

My next appointment is May 6th, at which point I will be 16 weeks and 2 days. Thank you for thinking of us this past week. Please send good thoughts to my friend April, who is due a week after me. She was exposed to Fifths Disease, common in schools and daycares, and has a blood test tomorrow to see if she contracted it. It's not harmful in kids, but can be a problem in pregnancy. It's always something, isn't it???