Surprise!

When I went to bed on Saturday night I didn’t expect to go into labor. I had told Adam it would be neat if both of our kids were born in May and wouldn’t the 25th be a perfect day? We really didn’t think it was possible at 36 weeks. Even though I was exhausted I agreed to watch “The Brave” with Adam. It was a Netflix rental we’d been holding on to for far too long. I feel asleep around 10 p.m.

Just before 2, I got up to go to the bathroom. When I came back to lie down in bed, I was having a hard time getting comfortable. When I rolled over my water broke. Slightly puzzled (my water broke with Ryan, but it was a trickle) at the large amount of fluid, I woke up Adam and told him that I’d either wet the bed or my water had broken. He asked about contractions and I said I hadn’t had any and planned on going back to sleep.

Well, it’s hard to sleep with fluid trickling so I got up and did a few things instead. By 3:30 contractions had started and I’d about finished scrapbooking all of my 2008 photos. At 4 I tried going back to bed, but only ended getting up to take care of Ryan who had a wet diaper. At five I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart and figured I should wake Adam and have him get ready.

We arrived at the hospital at 6, the main entrance was closed, so we entered through emergency and were greeted by a security guard. Before he could ask why we were there, Adam announced, “She’s stubbed her toe.” We all laughed and then got a wheel chair ride to the maternity ward.

The nurse later confessed she didn’t think I was in labor because I was so calm. When she checked me I was already six centimeters dilated and 80 percent effaced. She warned that if I wanted any sort of pain medication that I needed to decide now because my window of opportunity was rather small. While my contractions weren’t anything like when I had Ryan, I knew there was no way I’d risk that same amount of pain again so I asked for my intrathecal.

While we waited, Adam searched the baby name book for a boy’s name. The lab tech who took my blood must have thought we were out of our minds. Adam was throwing out names like Kirby and Gandalf. We pretty much laughed the entire time we were waiting for my antibiotics.

Time went by really quickly because by eight thirty I had my iv and all my antibiotics for GBS and the doctor had checked me again and said I was about eight and almost ready to deliver. He figured I would deliver between 9 and 11. Adam made a few phone calls and when he came back into the room he was shocked to see things in motion for delivery. In 10 minutes I went from and 8 to 10 and fully effaced.

I pushed four times (incredible compared to my hour of pushing last time) and baby boy was born. We were glad we spent so much time working on the boy name. Right before delivery we had it narrowed down to three choices and we decided about an hour after he arrived that he looked like Timothy James.

So, Timothy James was born May 25, 2008 (at 36 weeks and 3 days) at 8:51 a.m. He weighted 7 lbs 13 oz and was 21 inches long. They are pretty sure if I had gone full term he would have been a 10-pound baby.

Ryan came to meet his brother on Sunday with his grandparents. He ignored him for the first half of the visit and then wanted to see everything. When he left he said “bye-bye” to him. Today he’s made sure no toys are anywhere near his baby brother in case he might steal them, but he’s been helpful in getting diapers and such.

Aside from being exhausted, Adam and I are doing well and so is baby Timothy. We’re working on breastfeeding again and just looking forward to some family time while Adam is off work.

The 36th week

My visit this week was almost the same as it was two years ago at this point in my pregnancy. I'm dilated to a 2 and not effaced at all. My doc was excited that things have started because she's hoping it will mean I won't go to 40 weeks which will make it less likely that baby will be huge. I have some mixed feelings about going to early. My parents planned their trip so they could be here and not miss out, but I have so much pressure that some days I wish baby would arrive sooner rather than later.

I am well aware, though, that baby will arrive when he/she wants to arrive. I'll keep walking and eating spicy foods in hopes that this will help speed up the process, though not too much. I was eight days early with Ryan and some number around there would be fine.

I've been having lots of cramps, which doc says are contractions, though for me they are different than any I've had before. I know each pregnancy and labor can be completely different so I take her word for it. Whatever happens, happens.

Well child check-up

Ryan had his two year well child check up today. We waited 45 minutes before ever making into the room. He'd been up since 5 this morning so he was pretty cranky and I kept praying we were up-to-date on shots so we wouldn't leave in a horrible crying fit.

Thankfully, there were no shots and Ryan is doing incredibly well. It's amazing what a difference five months can make. He's now int eh 25th percenitle for weight as opposed to the fifth percentile so we don't have a million more blood tests to take. I seriously would have done the happy dance had I not been so tired.

Ryan, however, will be going for a speech evaluation. While we all hope it's just that he's slower than most at speech, we would like to nip any issue in the bud. He hasn't been putting two words together. If you ask him to say down please or up please he usually opmits the first word and just says please. If you pester him to say the first word, he says that one alone too. He also substitutes easy words for harder ones or just simply calls EVERYTHING a car. Of course, it doesn't help that the words he wants to say all sound similar, though he uses car for cars, trucks, color, crayons, chalk, cup. He loves to read and responds VERY well to instructions he just can't use his speech the way I think he wants to.

This visit with a speech therapist makes Adam more happy than it makes me. I do want him to advance, but I guess I'm not ready to admit there might be something wrong that needs therapy just yet.

I go for my 36 week check up on Thursday. But I want to share my wacky dream with you guys. Last night my dream was that I gave birth on Friday, May 23 (this was Ryan's due date) to a boy who weighted 10 lbs and we had no name picked out. I doubt any of it. I think it all has to do with us still not having a boy name picked out.

Our little helper



These photos just may be proof that Ryan really is my sister-in-law's child. We joke that my SIL has OCD and Ryan seems to be the same. Last week he got down and dirty and helped his grandmother clean the mini-blinds. The bubbles and water were really fun and having a scrub brush just his size was even more exciting.

Our little boy is two

I can't believe that Ryan is officially two today. Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem like it was that long ago we were looking at him on my belly in the delivery room trying to figure out which of our family members he most resembled.

It had been raining for days on end when he arrived. Someone said we should have named him Noah, but that never crossed our minds. On our way to the hospital we were almost in an accident, not by anything we did, but because there was construction on 111 and some guy decided to drive off road and into some construction cones. We made there safely and six hours later Ryan was born.

On the way to the hospital we discussed boy names. He had no name until the following morning. I still have the list of names we considered that night as we looked at him in the recovery room.

It's hard to imagine life without him. While some days are a true challenge, I'm glad he's ours. He's become quite the practical joker and reminds me of my brother in that respect. I love watching him play with his dad and I love how he calls out "night" to everyone as he goes down the stairs to bed at night.

I excited to watch him continue to grow and learn and though I know it won't be challenge-free, I'm sure he's going to make a great big brother.

Week 35

Week 35 started out really bad. Ryan was in a bad mood and gave me a run for my money on Monday that lead to a major break down when Adam got home. I was glad to have a Pampered Chef party to go to that evening to get away for a few hours.

Then yesterday, I went against my better judgement and let Ryan go outside in his PJs (it's a long story, but basically the rule is he has to be dressed to go outside to make getting dressed less of a struggle) with his grandmother and then he got a big boo-boo and we didn't sleep so well last night. I was ready for major break down number two this morning because I am so tired.

But there is good news...

The week 35 visit was short and sweet. I got to miss out on the Group B Strep test. I'm really thrilled about this because there's nothing worse than having that test at this far along in pregnancy. I understand it's necessary, but it's a really bad joke. Anyway I apparently have another bacteria they already know about growing so they will spare me the test and I get antibiotics anyway.

And Adam has the day off tomorrow after working way too many days in a row. He will be studying most of the day for his NCLE, but at least he'll be around. It's a nice feeling.

Second Birthday Party



We had Ryan's second birthday party this past weekend. It's a little early, but we had no other free weekend and we figured he really wouldn't know it wasn't his birthday yet. Last year, we had the party a week late so both of our parents and as many of our friends as possible could be there to celebrate Ryan's first year. This time, I'm glad I was smart enough to realize I'd be tired and I only invited a few people.

Ryan had a lot of fun playing with his cousin Madison while we waited on his godparents to arrive. They were late due because of their work schedules. Ryan loved opening his gifts, but got stalled after he opened his Mater toy from his Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Nick. They also got him a dust pan and broom as a gag gift because Vanessa and Ryan both like to clean (case in point, I was doing laundry when he woke up and he told me "what a mess!").

Ryan was enjoying everyone singing Happy Birthday until he realized they were singing it to him so he hid under the table. He managed to blow out his candle with a little coaching from his dad.

At the end, I was beat and glad I didn't wait till later in the month. I still have a few weeks left to go (three to six, depending on if I deliver at 37 or 40 weeks, I guess), but I am really, really ready. My back hurts and I'm at the point where sleeping is difficult because belly is so large. I know there is an end, but I am ready.

Pregnancy update

Today was my 33 week visit with the good old doc. I also had an ultrasound before seeing her. Baby is very cute and has hands in mouth and eyes open. He or she is practicing his or her breathing, which was really fun to watch.

Adam was sad to have missed this ultrasound, but my mother-in-law came to keep an eye on Ryan who loves to get into the tech's papers.

Anyway, baby is average. At this stage of pregnancy a baby generally weighs around 4 lbs. Our little munchkin weighs about 4.5 lbs and is in the 50th percentile for weight. The heartbeat was 139 bmp for those of you who think this means something. With Ryan that old wives tale meant nothing.

So we proceed with pregnancy like it was any normal pregnancy. Labor will happen when it happens, though Adam has given strick orders that it wait until he's finished taking his NCLE (National Contal Lense Exam) at the end of May. I think that's do-able.

And, oh, I measured a week ahead... it means nothing, if you ask me. I'd read that most women are supposed to measure within two centermetres give or take at each appointment and that it's considered normal. So I'm considering myself and this pregnancy normal.

Boy names?

The husband and I are struggling with a boy name. We had the same problem the year Ryan was born. He didn't get his name for a full day after his arrival. We've read lots of baby name books. We've read lots of baby name websites. If you read names in alphabetical order, it gets really old after a while. I've read lists and lists and still we have no name.

So now we're taking suggestions in hopes of finding that baby boy name just in case this is another boy. We've asked family and had a few possibilities, but nothing we're sold on just yet. I'm worried we'll have another boy and the nurse will ask what we're naming him and I won't have a clue again. And then we'll scramble that night or morning to figure out a name.

Help!

Messed up measuring tape

I'm convinced my doctor's measuring tape, the one used to measure my fundal height, is messed up. Four weeks ago, I measured three weeks ahead. Three weeks ago, I measured right on target. This week I'm measuring big again. This lead me to ask if there was something wrong with her measuring tape. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just want to know what is going on. She wouldn't say how big I measured this visit. What really puzzles me is that the week I really measured big was the week that I also put on five extra pounds. This time I've managed to keep it down to almost two pounds.

I go for another ultra sound next week. We'll get to see just how big baby is at that visit. Adam and his mother are convinced that I won't make it through May without delivering ( vaginally or via c-section) this baby. I think I'd be okay with that, mainly because I am so uncomfortable and I look so huge. There's a lot of pressure in the areas the baby is hanging out in these days. I'm not sure he or she should be allowed to get any bigger. Punches and kicks really hurt. When baby decides to do other movements I cringe.

I think I'm just going to keep on thinking that the measuring tape is messed up, even though everyone else is convinced I'll give birth to a toddler. My line of thinking gives me some peace.

Ryan's first big boy hair cut

My son had his first hair cut and I am ever so proud. I have to admit, both Adam and I were doubtful about this experience when we left for the barber shop this morning. Adam was worried that Ryan would be terrified of the person cutting his hair based on the fact that he was scared of the Easter Bunny. I was fearful based on the fact that he's been a bit crabby lately.

Yesterday I started preparing Ryan for the visit. I told him daddy was going to get his hair cut and we'd like Ryan to get his hair cut like a big boy too. This morning I reminded him that when daddy got up and ready, we'd be going for a big boy hair cut. No more mommy hair cut attempts.

Daddy went first and had his hair done. We thought the same lady cutting his hair would do Ryan's but then the owner showed up and asked Ryan if he wanted a hair cut to which he replied, "yes."

He took Ramsdell's hand and walked to the chair, got his paper neck thingy and cape put on and let him cut his hair. He hated the cape and neck thing and managed to take both off. Then he saw he was getting dirty, so he allowed Ramsdell to put the cape back on. Toward the end of the hair cut he managed to get the cape off again and proclaimed to all in the barber shop that it was, "trash."

He never cried. We were so proud.

And then he got up and said, "thank you," and picked out his own lollipop.

Amazing.

You know it's going to be...

a fun day when your kid refuses to wear the clothes you've put on him. It's not that anything is really wrong with them, it's just that the shirt isn't a long sleeved one and the pants are just not what he wants to wear. He protests by crying for a half hour before finally giving up.

The terrible twos have arrived.

Seeing God in the small things

We've had some wonderful weather in southern Maine this past week. Today, I just sat out on the deck for part of Ryan's nap and enjoyed the warmth and the sunshine. It was beautiful. As I watched the birds and looked at the flowers slowly popping up, I couldn't help but be reminded that there is a person who created all of these wonderful things.

That reminded me of the sermon two weeks ago at church. We were looking at Luke 24 and how the disciples wanted Jesus to stay with them (this was after he rose from the dead). The guest speaker urged us to find Jesus in our everyday lives giving an example of how simple that can be.

He told a story of how a little boy's mother packed him a lunch and let him spend a sunny day at the park. When the little boy got to the park he noticed all the tables were filled with families sharing food, except this one table. An elderly lady sat alone and he figured this was a good place to sit and eat his lunch. They exchanged greetings and when the little boy opened his lunch he noticed his mother had packed two of everything and he proceeded to share it with the lady who wasn't eating at all. He talked and she listened.

The day ended and he returned home. When his mother asked him how his day was he said he was glad to have spent it with God. She asked what he meant and he told her about the old lady sitting at the table and that he had shared his lunch with her and that she had reminded him of what God is like. She was a good listener, he explained.

The same old lady went to the nursing home that night and when asked how her day was she also said she enjoyed her day with God, commenting that the little boy reminded her of how thoughful God is and how he provides for us. They both saw different aspects of God in each other.

Another story I am reminded of when I think about God being made known to us is the story of a new family. The wife attended church regularly, but the husband couldn't be bothered anymore. The day their child was born the doctor handed him to the father and, as most fathers do, he looked his son over with much care. He stared at his ear and marveled to his wife at how perfectly it was made. It was the first time he'd seen God in a long time. When he returned to church the pastor asked what made him come back and the father said, that looking at his sons ear had made him realize that God wonderful and loving.

Today I found God in nature and in the joy of the sun. Sometimes it's the small things in life, like a warm sunny day, that help us realize how big God really is and how much he loves us to have created such wonderful things for us to enjoy.

May you find God in even the small things.

Adam and Gillian

Our friends Adam and Gillie were married last night. I thought this was one of the only weddings I've been to where the wedding ceremony and reception really matched the personalities of the bride and groom. The food was GREAT and I was thrilled someone had the guts to have an ALL chocolate cake, which was so yummy.

Below: Gillian, Adam, Adam and me.



The groom with Adam (just so you know, there were three Adams all together in the wedding party).
Cutting the yummy chocolate cake.

Adam gives his toast.

Chuck E. Cheese



Here are some photos from Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience. We went with Adam's dad while Adam and his mother were at an optician seminar. FYI: I think the games are fun, but the food was just okay.

Ryan on the Barney train. He hates it when you put the money in to make the ride go, so we mostly just let him get on and off the rides.

Playing in the toddler gym.

Before we left Ryan was so excited he put on his own jacket. Too bad it was on backward becasue he did a really good job.

Pregnancy update and random news

I think I've lost a little bit of sleep this past week with thoughts of a possible c-section, so I was anxious for today's visit with my doctor. I had all these questions. While I am okay with a c-section, there's so much I just want to know. My fears were calmed a bit when I (a) hadn't put on even an ounce this week (must be all that outdoor play with Ryan) and (b) when I actually measured just right for fundal height. If I keep on this track and my next ultrasound doesn't show a mammoth baby we're doing a normal vaginal delivery... complete with an intrathecal (spinal).

Thanks to all who have been praying for us. This news really lifts my spirits mostly because I know what to expect with this type of delivery and it would take place in the same hospital as last time. We also have this huge "to do" list that was being a bit messed up with the thought of having a baby at the end of May. We have all these things we want to do with Ry before baby arrives like go to the zoo (it doesn't open until May 24), go to the New England Aquarium and the Children's museum. Not to mention, his birthday is thrown in this mix too, though we'd decided it'd be really small this year with just family and his godparents.

Of course my "to do" list also includes getting some baby things ready. I'm psycho, so the hospital bag is already packed, and has been packed since six months (just like last time. I just don't want to forget anything). The 0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month clothes have been washed and put into their place. But, I still have things like the swing and bouncy seat to get out of storage and clean up. Of course, I have scrapbooking to finish, too. I'm feeling more motivated already.
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In some random news...

Ry has been sick this week with a cold, which he so nicely passed on to us. He's been up most nights so we're a bit sleepy, too.

The weather has been nice so we've done lots of playing outside. This can be difficult when you have to get to the doctor's office in just a few minutes and your kid wants to go on the swing and draw with chalk on the driveway. It's also really good because I don't have to invent different things to do every day. We just go outside and he's happy to run around. Next week we're expecting lots of rain, so we'll be back to indoor activities. Sigh.

My friend Sarah C. had baby number three on Monday. Little MaKayla and her mommy are fine and we can't wait to see them soon.

I officially turned in my LOA papers at work today. I really miss being there. I like the people I work with so much and I wanted to stay and hang out, but knew that was a bad idea.

Photos will be coming soon of Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience with me and his grandfather.

Bedrest and a possible c-section

I could be having baby number two in about eight weeks. According to dear old doc, if baby continues to grow like he or she has been I'll be having a scheduled c-section near the end of May. The thought is that baby will be too large to pass through the birth canal safely and could just grow way too big by 40 weeks. The magic number here is 37. This isn't a sure thing, but she's simply preparing me for what may happen in a few weeks.

It doesn't help that in just about every four weeks I seem to put on five pounds. I swear I am not stuffing my face with chocolate or any other sinful calorie abundant food, but somehow I've still managed to pack on the pounds. This is a red flag, says nurse, and I'm likely to have another ultra sound in the weeks to come to determine if baby is larger than 9.5 lbs or has too large of a cranium to make the journey south.

I also get to be on a form of bedrest. I will not be working at my part-time job until after baby arrives. On Friday, I started having contractions while at work. At first I was convinced I was imagining things and kept working... for two more hours. The contractions weren't that intense and were about 20 minutes apart. I finally decided to call the doctor who sent me over to labor and delivery for monitoring. I had one contraction the entire time I was there so I was sent home with orders to rest and drink lots of fluids (apparently dehydration in late pregnancy can cause early labor). I had three contractions on Saturday while out grocery shopping, but the magic number to rush back to labor and delivery is six contractions in one hour. Still the doctor thinks we should be careful and do what we can to prevent more contractions and stop working.

At yesterday's appointment, aside from the grand weigh-in, urine sample, measuring of the fundal height (still measuring well ahead of schedule) and listening to baby's heartbeat, I also had bloodwork done. The endocrinoligist called this morning to tell me some great news. I can decrease my thyroid meds to just one pill a day. This could have also been the reason for the early contractions. I've been monitored closely during both of my pregnancies because thyroid disease makes me a high-risk case.

As for the two pieces of news from yesterday's visit, I'm okay with having a c-section if it's necessary to prevent a possibly large baby getting stuck in my vajay-jay (yes, I used Oprah's word) and having to break baby's collarbone to get him or her out. I'm really okay with having a c-section. I'm disappointed in two ways... I'd have to have the c-section in Portland rather than in Biddeford because that hospital is more equipped for such things. I really like the hospital where I delivered Ry. It was so restful there and so much like a hotel with room service. I'm sure I'll get over it though. Plus my mum and dad had planned to be here for actual birth... they missed out last time and I'm sure want to be in on all that hoopla this time. With things up in the air about a c-section I've encouraged them to keep the same plans they already have just incase no c-section happens and baby arrives right on schedule.

As for being on a form of bedrest where I stay home with my little boy and get to actually see Adam for more than a few hours each week is okay. I'm a little disappointed though becuase I enjoy going to work. It's my outlet. I get to be with adults. I enjoy my co-workers and their company. Of course, I'd rather not deliver baby at a register in WM so I can deal with this too.

So I'm okay with all of this. I think it's becasue I know there are so many people praying for me and this pregnancy. I know God is in control, even in the nutty-ness of this pregnancy. I've just come to expect that this pregnancy isn't going to be just like my last.

Adventures with Ryan

I decided to move away from the pregnancy posts and put something here that is about Ryan. As you can see Ryan has made the move to a big boy bed without a pacifier. Yay! The bed was given to us by Adam's cousin who has two kids and is no longer in need of the bed. Ryan loved it from the minute it entered the house. He helped me put the pieces together and move the mattress from his crib to this bed.

The first night he slept in the bed, none of us were sure how things would work. We'd been telling him for months that he was going to get a big boy bed because the crib will then be given to his baby brother or sister. He was really excited when the bed arrived, so we figured the transition wouldn't be horrible, but one never knows with a toddler.

We did our usual bedtime routine and then put Ryan in the bed. He didn't cry. We figured this was a plus. Adam had just gotten home from work that night and needed to get dinner. I stayed to watch from our room. Ryan sat up in bed for a long time just looking around. When I looked a few minutes later I couldn't see him and I was worried he'd made an escape. When Adam came back from the kitchen, he checked on Ryan who was fast asleep in his bed. The photo above is from that very first night. He absolutly loves his big bed.

Another milestone in the big boy world is that we've left pacifier behind for almost a month now. He asked for it a lot the first few nights, just like when we took it away at naptime. Now I don't even think he remembers how attached he was to it.

This weekend, we visited Ryan's godparents again. The guys had planned for a LONG time that they would go to the season opener for the New England Revolution (that's Major League Soccer for those of you wondering). After a small pregnancy drama (more to come in another post) we went up on Friday night. Of course, Ryan looks forward to these visits to see kitty-kitty orange. We all spent most of Saturday together until the guys left for the game and then us girls and Ryan went out for the evening. We took Ryan to a pet store and he LOVED all the animals, especially the turtles and the fish (he calls them shish).

I think we spent an hour looking at turtles and fish. It was great entertainment. He thought the birds were okay and he thought the same about guinea pigs, ferrets and rats. He held on to Kristin for dear life when she showed him geckos, snakes and spiders, but I think those things are creepy, too.

We're looking forward to going to York Wild Animal Kingdom as soon as it opens, which I think is May. We've planned a family day for the zoo and we know he's going to love it. I've warnned Adam that we'll have to spend lots of time at each exhibit, but at least we'll get our money's worth.

In another adventure, Adam brought home a balloon for Ry the other day. He runs around with it in a circle and yells, "GO!" It's really cute. He also attempted to stuff the balloon behind the TV. I tried to explain it wouldn't fit and that it could pop, but he tried anyway. Amazingly the balloon is still around. Speaking of the word "go" Ryan also pretends to race like Mater and McQueen in the movie Cars. He'll say "GO!" and run in a circle and then we have to pretend to be the finish line and say "stop."

I'm happy to report we've had a few nice days, which have resulted in adventures outside. He wanted to go on the swing and in his pool right away. I told him once the snow made a path to the swing we would go. Two days later he led the way as we went for our first time on the swing since last fall. Of course, it hasn't been warm enough for the pool, but he keeps asking. We've made the best of bathtime, though I know it's not the same.

I'm looking forward to more adventures with Ryan outdoors in the coming months.

Longing for a pregnancy like my last

This week’s prenatal visit went a bit more like I expected, though it still wasn’t pleasant. Since Sunday, I’ve been having pain in my nether regions. It’s not the kind of pain I’d get all worked up about, but it’s pain nonetheless. I was going to wait until my appointment today, but Adam was worried and threatened that if I didn’t call the doctor to get reassurance (mostly for him) that he’d call them for me.

The pain started on Sunday in church when Ryan refused to let Adam hold him. I ended up having him in my arms and on my lap for most of the service (in a few months, Ry will be old enough for Sunday School. Until then, he’s stuck with us.). Anyway, I noticed the pain during church. The pain increased as the days went by. It occurred to me that maybe I have a UTI, but I was just going to wait for Thursday’s appointment.

I called my doctor’s MA around noontime and had an appointment for 1 p.m. Basically, there weren’t enough symptoms to diagnose me over the phone so someone needed to take a look just to be safe. It would mean I could cancel my appointment today, which was fine with me.

I have no fever, no vomiting, no nausea, no bleeding. I just have this dull ache in my nether regions that makes me wonder if I have a UTI. Urine sample is collected, OB/GYN is consulted and we’re off for another ultra sound to rule out things like appendicitis, placental abruption and anything that could be wrong with baby. The doc’s best guess is that I’m having some ligament pain, not the round ligament pain associated with earlier pregnancy, but the kind in which something was strained while picking up Ryan. The worst-case scenario is that my uterus is constricting my urethra and I’ll need hospitalization and some fun tubes to open things up. In a what could be a bizarre twist, that cyst that I had earlier in pregnancy may have come back, but that’s not likely.

At this point of the visit it was almost 2 p.m. and Ryan was really tired. We’re moved to another examination room so the OB/GYN in the practice (I use a family doc) can take a look. While in the process of moving, Ryan decides to open the biohazard trashcan. The MA says, “Oh no, Ryan don’t touch that it’s yucky.” My kid is exhausted and has just been told not to do something. Not a good combination, though a needed warning because who knows what’s in those biohazard bins. Anyway, he’s staring at the floor and the MA asks, “is he okay?” And I say, “Yes, he’s just tired and thinks you’re being mean.”

And the kid cried for over an hour! Nothing I did could console him. Nothing the doctors or nurses tried to do could make him happy either. Daddy was called in to help (which I didn’t want to do because he’s having a really busy week at work). I just couldn’t imagine being on the table for another ultra sound with a SCREAMING little boy some how in my arms. I knew if any one in the world could get him to calm down it would be his daddy.

Yet another ultra sound was preformed. Baby is fine. My placenta is fine. I’m not having appendicitis. We’re not sure about my ovaries or my urethra because they weren’t visible. Basically, I get to come home and wait to see if the pain gets worse or if my urine culture shows I have a UTI.

While I realize that some people have way more difficult pregnancies, I’ve hated this one for the constant uncertainty. I often wish it were a pregnancy like the one I had with Ryan. At least I’d know what to expect (seven months of throwing up and four hospital visits for IVs).

It’s hard to remember that God is in control when things seem to always be a bit nutty. As you may imagine, I’m not looking forward to my next prenatal visit next week.

Easter 2008

It was really nice to have a day with family. Adam and I work on Sundays so we haven't had a Sunday together in about a month. It used to be I was the only one and I worked after church, but Adam had to start working on Sundays when his store changed hours. It really stinks, but his job is the big one and we just suck it up for now. Plus, there's always church on Saturday night, though it's not the same.

Anyway, we had a nice Easter. Adam came home from church and took a nap because he had worked in Windham until 10:30 the night before. Ryan refused to take a nap mostly because he wanted to keep playing with his cousin Madison (she only takes half hour naps) and we let him. He ended up staying up until 9:30 last night so I imagine he'll have a really big nap today. I played cards with the rest of the family and had a great time.

By the end of lunch, I was the only one of our three to still have on my Easter clothes. Ryan threw up at lunch. Apparently he doesn't like cranberry sauce, even though he asked for it. He has this horrible habbit of throwing up after ingesting the second bite of something he hates instead of saying he doesn't want anymore. We've learned to deal with it, but it's still frustrating. Adam had already taken off his nice clothes in order to nap. So Easter pictures weren't as lovely as I had wished.

Ryan got more toys than I care to count. Easter was like Christmas almost. I'm just glad he didn't get candy.

And here's a bonus picture of the pregnant lady.

The joys of maternity shopping

Shopping for maternity clothing can be a challenge, especially if you aren't tall and thin. When I was pregnant with Ryan I managed to wear the same size pants for most of my pregnancy. Not so this time. The way this baby has taken up residence in me requires larger waistbands. Anyway, I was on the hunt for pants to go with this really cute shirt I wore the Easter I was prego with Ry.

We went to the mall to the maternity store and tried on just about every pair of pants in the store. Either the waist was perfect and they were tight in the legs or the waist was too big and the leg part was fine. I was rather frustrated, though the clerk was rather helpful in getting me all sizes and all styles of pants. I'm sure she was anxious to make a sale. We were the only ones in the store.

This particular maternity store doesn't have doors on the changing rooms...just curtains. Ryan decided it would be fun to push the stroller in and out of the room through the curtain while I tried on numerous pairs of pants. The clerk was again wonderful in helping keep him occupied and giving him books and other little toys with which he could play.

When I couldn't find a pair of pants (and we'd already looked at other stores) I started trying on dresses. This is when I got a little frustrated with the clerk. Every dress, no matter how much it looked like a muumuu on me was "perfect" or "looks great on you!" I also tried on every dress in the store, even ones she had to get from the back that were new.

I got to the last dress and was surprised that I actually liked it and thought I looked beautifully pregnant in it. We bought it and got the heck out of the mall. I was exhausted. Ryan was bored. I'm glad I have something to wear for Easter and to an April wedding.

But pregnancy shopping is so tough. It's worse than non-pregnancy shopping because the stores are limited. And it's only more furstrating while someone lies to you. I hope I don't have to do any more maternity shopping...ever.

Fun weekend

We had a really fun weekend with our friends Vince and Kris. I'm only sad the weekend had to end and that I am exhausted from all the things that we did together. We'd planned this weekend for over a month and it was well worth it.

We went to Palm Sunday services with them and then to an Easter Egg Hunt for Ryan. He loved the hunt, but hated the bunny, which he called a cat.

He loved their cats and played with them non-stop the entire weekend. I think the cats were happy to see us leave.

And what would this post be without a pregnancy photo? Yes, the belly is HUGE. I am exhausted and already ready for this baby to arrive. Too many more weeks (approx. 12 of them)! There are more photos on facebook for those of you who have that.

Grammy

My best friend's grandmother died this week. I found out through facebook. I know it's kind of a weird way to find out that someone's realtive has died, but I suppose in a world of ever changing technology, it's not that odd.

I'm really sad I'm so far away and can only offer words of comfort rather than actually be there to hug and help. BF had been living with and taking care of her grandmother for quite some time now and I can't imagine how even more difficult that makes the situation.

I have good memories of Grammy. She used to pick us up from school on Fridays when we were let out earlier than the other days of the week. We used to be embarassed to be seen in her car because she drove so. slow. She drove with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake.

We spent summer days with Grammy teaching us how to crochet. I never quite understood any of it until many years later. Grammy made good food on these days too. I'm sure she always made good food, but these were the only times I was actually with her to find out.

Grammy took a long time to get dressed and often was mismatched. We thought it was funny and would roll around laughing about it later. Grammy was always interested in our lives. It's sad to know she's gone.

It really stinks to be so far away from someone you know could use some extra love, too.

Pretty feet

For Valentine's Day Adam decided to get me a pedicure. We had to figure out how this would work since I'm always with Ryan. He enlisted the help of Ryan's godparents who reccomended he set me up at a place called Not So Plain Janes in Manchester and then they'd watch Ryan for us. We had to set things up for one of Adam's days off that didn't fall on a day when I also worked.

We planned it all out probably a month in advance and set out Tuesday night for Manchester. Ryan was thrilled to see the cats and his godparents, of course. I'd been looking forward to the pedicure and couldn't wait for Wednesday.

After a big breakfast we all set out and had pastries at Lala's Pastry shop in Manchester and then I was escorted to my pedicure appointment. The place was wonderful. The room was in a private part of the salon/spa and the treatement was wonderful. I felt like a queen. My feet also feel wonderful and look pretty! After all the loving my feet recieved I was taken to a relaxation room to wait for Adam to pick me up. It was delightful.

Then we had a late lunch/early dinner at Rovers, which serves Irish pub food. If you know anything about the husband you will know he has to order buffalo wings with every meal we eat out. The menu had five options so we ordered jerk wings and Vin and Kris ordered spicy teriyaki wings. Both we delicious, for which I am really thankful. My dinner of Finn's Stirfry was not so good, but I was too full from the salad and wings to really care.

We ended the evening with Ryan getting a chance to play more with the cats. I had photos, but seem to have left my camera in Manchester. It's okay since we're going back for Palm Sunday and an Easter egg hunt for Ryan.

Big Baby = Girl?

I thought my six-month-check-up would be quick and pretty straight forward. What was I thinking? I mean nothing about this pregnancy has been "normal" and it seems like every visit lands me for another test or ultrasound. Why would this month be any different?

Let's start with weight gain. Apparently you can attempt to eat healthy and watch what you put in to the body and discover you've put on five pounds in one month and that you almost weigh what you did when you had your last baby. My doctor's office has this HUGE scale they weigh everyone on and I call it the cow scale. I hate the cow scale and generally don't look, but for some reason I looked this week and was shocked by the numbers on the little digital screen.

Needless to say, we had that talk. The one where the doc says weight gain has a direct correlation to the size of baby. I'm not fully on board with this tought simply because two my my friends both had a 60 pound weight gain for their pregnancies. One delivered a six pounder and the other a 10 pounder.

I agreed that my weight gain was more than I wanted it to be. I know I can't lose weight while pregnant and that we'll just be careful. And she slipped in that my GD test was a close pass and I may have to take that one again. I jokingly said I would as long as I get to drink the orange drink this time.

We moved on to the heartbeat. Ryan thought that was pretty cool.

Lastly, we did the fundal height measurement. I was measuring two to three weeks ahead. While I think they have my due date off by a week (based on my careful calculations) I don't think I'm almost a month ahead. Of course, this is what sent me to the hospital a few hours later with Adam and Ryan in tow for yet another ultrasound. I've lost count of how many I've had this pregnancy.

Baby is cute, but apparently big, weighing in at 2.2 pounds putting baby in the 71st percentile. That puts me a week ahead of my due date, according to the tech. Of course, the tech couldn't tell us anything else. Someone else gets to read her report and tell our doctor whatever it is that needs telling. I have photos on a CD this time, but have no idea how to export them. I wish I could. At one point baby had its eyes open and Adam, the lover of all things eyes, was glad to see baby has a developed iris and pupil. =-)

Anyway, it seems like all my friends who have had or are having girls have measured large in terms of fundal height. Does that mean this baby will be a girl? The jury's still out.

Random

Here are a few random things that don't quite make up an entire post.

* I had my blood glucose test on Friday. Instead of the orange soda like stuff I had the one that was supposed to taste like Sprite, but just tasted like artificial sweetener. I’ll know the results this coming week when I go for my six-month check-up.

* Friends of my mother-in-law gave us a double stroller. Yay for double stroller!

* My mum sent a book with lots of activities for Ryan and I to try. There was a new toy for Easter in the package, too.

* I like my job, but I hate it when people get mad at me for things I cannot control. This week, a lady had her check denied. Usually most people just pay with a credit card. She said her check shouldn’t be denied because there was money in the bank (like we haven’t heard that before). I explained that there was a check that bounced for $35 at our store and I couldn’t take her check. She got upset and dug herself into a deeper hole when she said the check wasn’t her check, it was her husband’s (it was one of those starters with nothing at the top). I explained that the check had to be her own check that meant I definitely could not take the check. She wanted to know what she should do with her stuff and I explained I could suspend the transaction for a few hours and she’d be able to come back to our service desk and pay for her items with another form of tender. She stormed off. Came back an hour later demanding to know where the items she intended to purchase were. And did I mention the guy behind her wanted to know what was taking so long. And the person behind them handed me wet money. And a few customers after that a lady hands me money that looks like someone crumpled it and tossed it into the trash. Come on people!

* My day off was approved for Palm Sunday. We’re going to visit Ryan’s Godparents in Manchester. We rarely get to see them and we're really looking forward to this opportunity. A few days before that Adam’s taking me to get a pedicure, manicure and foot massage. This is my Valentine’s Day gift. We just had to plan for the right day (he’s been working a lot).

* I finished my Michael Connelly book in two naptimes. I’m now reading two books… “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult and “Odd Thomas” by Dean Koontz… only because Adam said “Odd Thomas” is really good and we have to return it to the library soon.

* Facebook is fun because I can post videos of Ryan for my parents and others to see.

* I’m hungry. I’ll go look for a snack.

Out and about

Ryan and I spent the afternoon out of the house. It was really nice to get out, even if the first part of it was at a doctor's office. I had my podiatrist visit today. I have been diagnosed over-pronation which is an issue with with plantar fascia, or the heel and arch of my foot. I get to wear pretty orthotics in my shoes. We get to hope that this goes away after pregnancy, but there's a chance, like my hyperthyroidism, it'll hang around.

After that visit we spent daddy's lunch hour with him and had a drink at Dunkin Donuts. We also saw Ryan's great aunt and looked at pictures of Ryan's cousin, who is just so cute. We also walked around WM, visited the shoe store to get my orthotics and put money in the bank.

Ryan loved being in the car, pointing out other cars as we drove along. At 24 weeks prego, I can no longer carry him around like I used to, so he got a lot of exercise from the car to each store or place we visited.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the day I go to my breastfeeding refresher class, but we're expecting a snow storm. I just wanted to go for new tips since I had such a hard time getting Ryan to latch on and ended up giving up breastfeeding and went to pumping for three months before going to formula. There's another class in March, so I'm not worried, plus I've read just about every breastfeeding book I can get my hands on thanks to the library.

Speaking of books, I picked up a book today by Michael Connelly, my favorite author. It's a Harry Bosh book and I couldn't find it in the library because it's only available in paperback. Thank you WM for filling my need for a good book to read. I can't wait for Ryan to go to bed so I can start into it (Adam's working late tonight).

Yay for a day of different things to do!

So far behind

I am really behind on scrapbooking these days. I have half of 2006, plus all of 2007 to put into albums. The task seems so huge, but I know I need to tackle it.

Yesterday I sorted the photos. Most of them were already in order, but I also discovered there were a few missing that I need to print. Today, I've managed to put four pages together... just photos, no journaling. The key is finding time to put a few photos down each day because I'd love to have it all done before LM II arrives.

I really love to scrapbook, but I miss the time I spent with Sarah doing this very hobby. The guys did their thing and we did ours. Now we live miles apart. I haven't found a group of people my age to scrapbook with just yet. Each time I hook up with a consultant in Maine I discover all her clinets are in their 50s. It's more fun when you can scrapbook with people the same age or close to the same age. I'm sure that's part of the reason I'm so far behind. Invites for crops show up in my inbox and I just discard them. Not to mention, each crop has a fee, which really hasn't be affordable in the past year.

But things are looking up in that department. Our house is rented (yay) and tax and bonus season are upon us!

And on another note, we've joinned the world of cell phones (again). We both had pay-as-you go plans until I became a stay-at-home mum. Adam then kept his plan (that was after I washed his old phone) but we're finding that his job keeps him travelling and we could use more minutes for those occasions. Our Vonage also doesn't work so well with our current internet connection so we've opted for a family plan. It gives Adam peace of mind too. I can go places with Ryan and he's assured I have a way of getting in touch with him in case I go into labor (hopefully quite a few more weeks away).

So I'm catching up on scrapbooking and the world of technology.

I'm in one of those moods

I made an attempt at posting a video here, but every time I try it takes forever and then tells me it can't be saved. I've tried posting the shortest one and it doesn't work either so I just give up. It was a cute video of Ryan playing with bubble wrap. Mainly he tried to avoid it and when he did step on it he screamed with delight and giggled. It was really cute.

Ryan had a particularly difficult day with the pacifier. He cried a lot on two occasions before finally going for his nap at 2:30. If you use a pacifier with your baby, don't make the mistake we made. Get rid of it between 9 and 12 months. 21 months... well now almost 22 months... is just way too late.

I haven't been in the best of moods. Baby two is busy kicking and has been since very early this morning. Sleeping is starting to become more difficult mainly because it's hard to find just the right way to be in bed and be comfortable. With Ryan I woke up each night at 2 and went back to bed at 4. At least it hasn't been that bad yet.

In addition to lack of sleep, I fear I may have an ear infection. I'm not too happy about this development.

To add to my moodiness I wish spring were here. I'm so sick of winter and being indoors. I think Ryan would love to be outside were it not nine degrees and snowing. It'd be good for both of us. Since I can't be at home in the Bahamas, I'm just longing for it and trying to come up with new things to do with Ryan so he isn't bored. An endless supply of new, age appropriate toys and games would be so welcome. I'll take any suggestions!

For now I'll take my grr-y self upstairs to clean up our lunch mess.

The five-month check-up

Ryan and I ventured out today for my five-month check-up. I would have preferred to stay indoors and not clean off a truck and then drive in the snow on slippery roads to the doctor's office, but I went anyway.

On Monday, we had the 20 week ultra sound... a week late. Doc says baby is not too big and not too small, ovarian cyst is gone and oh btw my placenta is no longer covering my cervix. She'd forgotten to mention this little tid bit until today. She mentioned she thinks she withheld the info on me because this pregnancy hasn't really been a picnic and she didn't want me to worry. While I'm glad she considered my mental health, I kind of wish I had know about this whole thing.

In another fun pregnancy twist I get to visit a poditrist in the next few weeks. My left foot feels like someone stabbed me there. It hurts when I sit and hurts worse when I walk. Worst of all it KILLS when I have to stand up for hours on end at my part-time job. It just so happens some women have feet problems during pregnancy.

And in just a few weeks I get to take that wonderful Glucose test. I didn't mind it so much with Ryan and I hope I feel the same way this time around.

In an update on the binky thing, Ryan is doing really well. It takes more than a hour to get him to nap in the afternoons, but he isn't screaming like he was a few days ago. I know by the end of the month he'll be fine with the napping and giving us trouble at bedtime. We all went out yesterday and purchased the movie Cars for him. It's his favorite and I've watched it so many times now I could probably recite the movie. Oh well.

Getting rid of binky

We're in the process of trying to get rid of Ryan's pacifier habit. We tried at about 15 months and I failed. I say I failed because I give in when he cries and give him the pacifier. At 12 months I figured getting rid of a bottle and a binky would be too much for him to handle at once. I put off the binky thing. Then at 15 months he did about two days of napping without it and then I couldn't take the crying anymore and gave in to him having binky.

At 21 months Ryan is now asking for binky when we don't give it to him at nap time. He still has it at bedtime. I joke that Adam should have taken a week off of work to help with this, but I know it's silly and that really the timing for him to get off work is just not right at this point.

So Ryan is currently one room away crying in his crib because it's now past nap time and binky is hidden away until 8 p.m.

Sometimes I wish we had never given him a pacifier, but his need for sucking was really great. If we hadn't given him one he'd have been drinking lots of formula or sucking his thumb. Plus it gave Adam comfort to know that they think pacifier users have a reduced risk of SIDS.

So now I wonder how to soothe Ryan who is not only crying for binky but for his beloved Paws who he threw up on this morning and is currently in the washing machine.

Oh the joys of motherhood =-)

Cute Ryan Photos

We all took a nap last Sunday. This is what I woke up to. Aren't they cute?

He plays hard, but knows when to take a real break.

He has learned how to blow bubbles. It's really fun to watch.

And he thinks he can play the same games daddy plays. We posed him for this photo.

An update on Ryan

We went to the doctor yesterday to find out how Ryan's bloodwork turned out and to see if he gained more weight. The bloodwork was fine and he's gained two pounds! Yay! I know it's not much, but it puts him back in the 5th percentile, which is so much better than below that mark. We're happy with that result. We go back in four months for his 24 month check up and we're praying he keeps gaining. We really don't want to go back to the hematologist.

Homesick

I've been feeling homesick lately... for two places. I know it's weird, but it's true.

The first bit of homesick feeling started on Saturday when I talked with mum. As she talked about dinner I had that urge to be at the dining room table eating fish, peas 'n rice and cole slaw and enjoying my family's company. I'd also like a game of dominos... not the mexican train one, but real dominos and a game of spades to be played after the dinner. I'm homesick for the sunshine and the beach and for so many friends, who, over the years, have become like family.

I usually get these feelings around Christmastime. Who doesn't want to be with their family and their traditions around the holidays? I miss different things at Christmas in the Bahamas, though. I miss going to bed at night and hearing faint sounds of Junkanoo music playing in some nearby shack where the costumes are being prepared. I miss the smell of cookies baking the way only mum can make. I miss many a church event, too.

In addition to missing home, I've had a longing for Illinois. Mainly, I long for dear friends still there and some who aren't just because of the closeness we had while at GC. We just don't have the same sort of friends here that we had there and ones I had made here who I thought were just right also moved away. I miss dinners with these friends and guys playing card games. I miss us playing Pit and Dutch Blitz. If you've never played either, you should. Both games are really fun.

I also miss my old job in Illinois. I loved working at the LU. People there were like family. It wasn't like the weird place I worked here where people were out for their own success. It was truly a family that wanted the entire paper to succeed. Mind you, I'm not sure I'd want to go back to work now that I've been at home with Ry for almost two. Working at WM doesn't really count since I only work there two days a week.

I also miss things like the St. Louis Zoo, the Science Museum, Ted Drews, the arch and its museum, Cards baseball and the many concerts we saw at the Kiel Center. Life felt full there and that's what I truly miss.

Of course, it' s the firendships I miss most. We have friends here, but it's not quite the same. I miss those real deep conversations about faith and the other ones about politics that didn't matter what you thought because we all thought differently and that was okay. You weren't weird for whatever it was you were thinking. We were just accepted.

Some day we'll have that togetherness again. I sure feel far away from others as they have babies and search for new jobs and new avenues in life. I wish we never had to leave, but I do enjoy Maine. I've grown to like it here also. Sometimes I just miss the midwest.

More medical updates

Ryan and I had doctor visits today. Since his last visit after the ER fever incident, he's lost two pounds. So he's put on less than a pound in a month. Funny thing is, he's eating better than ever before. In two weeks we go back for another evaluation and before that we have more blood work to get done. I'm not looking forward to it. I just don't see anything wrong with the kid. He looks normal to me.

I'm measuring right at 17 weeks, which is good. Let's not discuss pounds gained by this mommy. Let's just say it's kind of mean to put a pregnant lady on the scale right after lunch.

After about 15 minutes of trying to find Little McGee II's heartbeat, we ended up being sent to the hospital for yet another ultra sound. And baby is fine. He/She just had their back/butt to us so the heartbeat was hard to find. We found it and it was a wonderful 146 beats per minute. The ultra sound tech almost told us what we were having. Glad we stopped that in its tracks. I prefer just prefer not to know.

On a completly different note, if we didn't have car insurance that deer run-in would have cost us more than $3,000 to fix. Thank you insurance! We only owe $250.

The antler

Adam took an unusually long time getting home from work last night. His first stop was the pharmacy, where they had to sort out new rules about my prescription for my thyroid. It used to be that I could get a one month and five day supply, but now I can only get a one month supply. Really, it's not a big deal to me. We both work in a place where we can pick up my prescription whenever. It took the pharmancy 45 minutes to figure this all out.

Then Adam headed home. For you Mainers, he was just about to cross the Arundel and Kennebunk town lines when a deer ran into the passenger side of our car.

Back in the day I remember Adam telling me how a similar thing happened to Adam G. It seemed funny then.

Anyway, the deer managed to put two large dents into the passenger side of the car and completly wipe out the side-view mirror. So, Adam got out of the car to pick up the mirror. While he was doing so, a guy in a truck stopped, not to find out how he was doing, rather to pick up the antler the deer left behind before limping off into the... well it's not really woods... brush? Too shocked for words at the time, Adam wishes he'd said something like, "Hey that's mine since he hit me!" Oh well.

I'm really glad we don't have a high deductible and that this whole thing will be fixed soon. I'm also glad I wasn't driving. And I'm really glad the car is still driveable.

Hyper

Well, my thyroid is anyway. My blood tests revealed that my thyroid is working overtime to not produce its hormones. So, more meds for me (and for those of you wondering, they're perfectly safe to take during pregnancy. Ryan turned out just fine). Hopefully, I'll feel rested soon and I hope that my one day a week morning sickness will go away too.

Finally!

I've finally finished Ryan's scrapbook. It's the one that documents his first year of life. It was supposed to be done in time for his first birthday, but I was very much behind. I'm just glad it's done before LM 2 will arrive. Now to work on scrapbooking 2007! Like I said, I am really behind. Adam has promised to help, so we'll see if that actually comes about.

Ryan and I have doctor's appointments next week. Me for my four month check up and Ryan for a follow up on his lack of weight gain over the past half year. Since we started the PediaSure he's gained five pounds according to our scale. There is hope!

As for me, I am plain tired. I so don't remember being this tired at this stage of pregnancy with Ryan. I still go to bed with him and nap with him just as if this were my first trimester. However, the morning sickness is mainly once a week sickness, which I can totally handle. But headaches have started to appear, oh, about every three days. It really stinks. I bumped into my doctor after my bloodwork on Tuesday and she kindly told me some women suffer from migranes during pregnancy. I think I'd rather the morning sickness. She and I plan to discuss this more next week.

I've already had some serious headaches early on in this pregnancy, but the drug I was taking isn't approved for long term use in pregnancy. So it's back to Tylenol. I also had horrible headaches with Ryan, but it was just days before delivery and Tylenol with codine was wonderful.

As with my last pregnancy, I am huge for four months. I haven't gained any more weight since the day my doctor told me I'd gained 14 pounds in the first trimester. I think those pounds were due to the need to eat in order to not throw up. As long as I was full the puking stopped. Now that I'm not sick I don't need to eat ALL THE TIME.

Ryan is starting to get the idea that mommy will have a baby. He points to my stomach when we ask where is baby? If you ask if he wants a sister, most times he shakes his head "no."

Oh and we think we've narrowed down the boy names. Yay! We still have our girl name from last time.

Now just to wait for June!

Happy 2008

I'm late in posting Christmas photos, but they're finally here. We drove home yesterday from Vin and Kris' home in New Hampshire in a snow storm. I wasn't happy (knowing about the storm ahead of time I tried to vito Adam's rule, which didn't work) but we arrived home safely. Yay! My knuckles were white and I'm sure my blood pressure was twice what it should have been, but we're okay and ready to enjoy 2008.




The Family photo.

Ryan loves his new "car."
He isn't too sure of the new sled, but I'm sure he'll like it after a few more tries.

He discovered he can feed a baby. He also knows there's a baby in mummy's tummy, though I think he thinks it's a joke.

Merry Christmas

Here's Ry's Christmas photo. If you didn't get one in the mail, don't be offended... we just got too busy to send lots of them out. Merry Christmas to you all.

He's on the mend

And we're so thankful. He even gained a pound even though he was sick. Ryan's been a bit crabby today, but he's at least playing and his fever is so slight I'm feeling way better.

Yay!

Ryan goes to the ER

He's fine now, but it was scary at first. The kid was fine yesterday, but when I put him down for a nap I noticed he was a little warm. He woke up screaming, had a fever of 101.8 and wouldn't eat.

The the throwing up started. It wasn't pretty, but he'd only had one sippy cup of milk and a mini blueberry muffin all day.

Then he was vomiting clear stomach liquid and choking. I called Adam. Then I called the doctor.

And so began our seven hour stay in the ER where Ry's temp spiked to 103.2, they poked him three times before getting blood and starting an IV (he wasn't happy) and discovered that maybe he just has a GI infection.

There's nothing worse than having your kid in the ER and not being able to be in the room to comfort them when they need you. I don't do needles. When I get IVs or blood drawn I have a system that works for me, but if I had to hold him down like Adam did last night I'd been sobbing and most likely pass out.

They put a little cast like thing on his arm to keep him from getting the IV out. He tried to get it out before crying himself to sleep.

We got home at 1:30 this morning.

Good news is he's had all the blood work done and all came back with good results, well except for the thyroid one which we don't have back yet.

We saw the doctor today and she's happy that he's better. He's laughed a little today. Adam stayed home with us for most of the day, but is at work now.

I just wish little kids never had to get sick.

Of cookies and snow

Here are a few photos of Ryan in his big brother t-shirt with cookies and the in the snow. I promised a photo of LM2 in the womb... we need to find the scanner. It's packed and I'm just not sure where it could be.


Ryan loves baking cookies. He is skilled with the rolling pin.
Who knows what happened to the cookie cutter?
Getting ready to go out in the snow Friday.
Both dada and Ryan all ready.

And the two playing in the snow, which Ryan thought was fun with dada. And there's more snow predicted for Sunday. Afterall, it is Maine.

Medical Update

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. My cyst has decreased 45 more percent since my last ultra sound almost four weeks ago. Yay! No surgery! *doing happy dance*

We even brought home photos of LM2 who has a big head just like his/her brother did! We were in the room and Adam looks at me and says, "I have bad news for you. This kid likes touching his head too." It's kind of funny now, but it wasn't when Ryan was born. He came out with his hand on his head and Adam was telling me he thinks this kid will be the same. As long as he/she is healthy, I will eventually forgive them for coming out that way, if that should happen.

Ry also had a well baby check up today. He's still 21 pounds. He's been 21 pounds for a LONG time now. He eats just fine, though if there's something on his plate he loves like meat, pasta or bread, he'll eat more of that than say vegetables. He has to go for fasting blood work (poor kid) soon. They're checking for a lot of things mainly diabetes and thyroid problems (we knew there'd be a chance he'd develop a thyroid problem because of mine and me taking drugs while pregnant). For now we'll start him on PediaSure to see if that will help him gain weight. And no juice. The doctor said he may be filling up on that, which I doubt. Most days he only drinks two to four ounces of it, but we'll do what she says.

We also think he has a UTI, which isn't going to be fun to actually diagnose. Tonight we have to adhere a cup with a bad attached to it for him to pee in while sleeping and then bring that to the dr's office. This kid is going to hate us!

Anyway, thanks again. Photo of LM2 and some of Ryan to follow this week.

The day before the big test

I feel like it's the day before a really big exam... one you just cannot fail. Tomorrow morning is my thrid ultra sound of this pregnancy. The results will determine whether I need surgery while pregnant or if life will continue as normal. There are days when I feel very positive about this experience. I feel like the reduction of the cyst by 20 percent in two weeks (between weeks 7 and 9) mean the cyst will be gone and no surgery will be needed. Then there are the days when I have a complete meltdown because I really can't imagine surgery while pregnant. Well, I cannot imagine surgery period.

Today I am nervous. I cannot prepare as if this were an exam. It's more like a pop quiz. I'll show up and the results will be what they will be. I'm still nervous. It's going to take a long time for 9:30 tomorrow morning to get here.

For now I wait and hope to pass this test.

Did I mention...

that Kyle and Sarah visited in November? Well they did and it was great. Here's a photo of us together. Sarah's due in May for their first baby. I already have a small baby belly. The morning sickness has not yet left, which is so disappointing. I was having a really good week and then this morning things were bad possibly because I went to be hungry... not good.

The man in the bedroom and other stories

There was a man in our bedroom last night. I don't expect anyone to believe me especially after the last time I saw a man on the couch and he was just a sweatshirt and guitar case (see my post from May).

But there was a man standing at the door to our bedroom last night. Adam's convinced it's the new headache medicine my doc gave me. It's a narcotic. It can cause hallucinations. That's his theory. It could be right.

My mother-in-law, however, believes in spirits. I don't mean wine and spirits, though I'm sure she likes those too. I mean the ones that visit you. Once she claims to have seen angels guarding her room while her husband was away on business. My father-in-law has seen a lady in a blue dress walk in our living room. My grandmother used to tell us that my grandfather would come and sit on the bed and talk to her after he had died.

I didn't hold a conversation with the man in the doorway, instead I tried to call for help. Hello, there was a strange person standing in our doorway. I don't know if I believe in spirits the way these other people in my life do, but there was something in that doorway, real or imagined last night and it freaked me out.

In other stories, I am anxiously awaiting my ultrasound next week. I just want to know if I'm having surgery while pregnant or if the cyst has disappeared. It's exciting that this will be my third ultrasound and that we get to see baby again. There have been a lot of people who've sent encouraging messages about this whole situation. I've needed those. Thank you.

And one last pregnancy thing. I'm hungry all. the. time. Someone help me please! I was not this hungry with Ryan. I'm sure that had something to do with being miserably sick until seven months. This time, while sick, I'm not nearly as miserable as with Ry. Having my thyroid under control probably has something to do with this. I refuse to gain one more pound in the two weeks remaining in my first trimester!

Ryan bakes more cookies

This was the finished product. Notice the very green cookie. He worked on that one for a long time.

He's eating and working at the same time!

The post I've been wanting to write

As the title suggests, I've been waiting to write this for awhile, but I've had to wait for the right timing.

McGee's three will become McGee's four in June 2008... we are expecting again!

I feel I should be more excited, but this pregnancy hasn't been any fun so far. The excitement ended the day after the pregnancy test was positive in the Babies R Us bathroom. (I couldn't bring the test here for the in-laws to see it!) The happiness ended because of a yeast infection. Just not nice.

Then there was morning sickness at week five! Week FIVE people. GRRRR! I went to work and quickly came home. Went to the doctor who wanted me to go to the hospital, but I managed to hold that water in until the parking lot! We got our prescription and it's been better, but not the best.

Then there was the UTI. Can things just stop going wrong down there? Please? Pretty Please?!

Oh no. That would be too easy. Pregnancy always has to be complicated for me. Last time it was my thyroid which made my pregnancy high risk because it's easy to miscarry. We made it though. This time, thyroid problems do the same thing, so I had an ultra sound at seven weeks. Baby's heart rate was fine and things seemed fine.

But the doctor and the ultra sound tech had a conversation in whispers... and I wondered, but she said nothing. Well, until this week when she informs me I need another ultra sound because, "you have a really large ovarian cyst that can cause complications in later months."

Okay don't panic because doc says this can be taken care of early and early is better than too late.

Ultra sound number two lands me in an office with a specialist who explains that during the first trimester most women develop a smaller version of the cyst that I have because it keeps the pregnancy viable until the eighth week when the placenta takes over. The problems is that mine is still the size of a baseball at week nine.

So now we wait until week 13 when we do a third ultra sound. If the cyst has gone away, no need for surgery. If it's still there I get to have surgery while pregnant. Fun, huh? And in the meantime if I feel like I might be miscarrying, I.E. in a lot of pain, get to the ER because it's something to do with the cyst!

So begins the life of Little McGee II. While we're feeling excited about giving Ryan a brother or sister (and we aren't finding out the gender until he or she enters the world...much to my sister-in-laws frustration) we're nervous about the whole cyst thing.

Ryan has no idea about baby, though he puts his head on my stomach and listens sometimes. I think he mostly hears gas or other tummy rumblings. Speaking of tummy rumblings, I've been more hungry this pregnancy than the last. More hungry is not good when you are also not keeping food in most mornings and sometimes in the evenings.

And this, btw, was the secret that my dear friend Sarah leaked to co-workers of Adam's. We didn't want family finding out through them and had planned to wait to tell my in-laws last this time (my parents first since they visit this weekend) but that ruined that plan. Oh well =-)

Now to tell my parents tonight. Maybe I'll take photos and post them here later this week.

Ryan goes trick-or-treating




Ryan went trick-or-treating last night, thanks to a borrowed costume from our neighbours. He really enjoyed getting the treats. He went at Squirt from Finding Nemo. Dada helped him knock on doors, though he is really good at it himself. It was fun and he was just so cute. This is my second attempt of this post. The first one ended badly when Ryan pressed some button that made it all go away!