34 Week Update

34 Weeks Today!

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted! Work has been nuts and I'm just plain tired to do anything that isn't 100% unnecessary these days. There isn't much new in BS2's world. She is a big girl and she likes to be on the move! She gave me a bit of a headache the last couple weeks as she decided to flip around and become BREECH! Thankfully on yesterday's ultrasound, she was back to being head down, let's just hope she stays that way. I started having weekly Bio-Physical Profiles (BPP) done at 30 weeks, which is basically a quick ultrasound that looks for certain things and is kind of like a pass/fail test. They look at baby's measurements, breathing, movements, and fluid levels, you want to score an 8 out of 8 (2 points for each item) and so far BS2 has scored perfect each week.

I go back for one final appointment with Dr. Bennett at Childrens Mercy in KC on January 9th. I'll be interested to see how big she is by then. The last time we were there at 30 weeks she was in the 76th percentile and I can't remember how much she weighed, but it was alot! On my weekly ultrasounds she keeps creeping up in the 80-some percentile for her size. My mom is going to get to go with me for this last trip to KC because Chris will be traveling, I think she will like getting to see the ultrasound. I'm not even sure they had them when I was born? And the ones in KC are so good and clear and they do the 3D/4D stuff, I'm pretty excited she will get to go and see it!

It looks like we will induce at 39 weeks, unless she comes earlier than that on her own...I was really hoping for a January baby, but oh well - Dr. Shaw said there is no way I'm talking her into inducing before 39 weeks...but I'll keep trying each and every time I see her!

Jack enjoyed Christmas so much this year, it was great! He was really into opening the presents and his canned response was, "That's Awesome!" It was pretty cute. I'll try to do a Christmas post if I can get some pictures from the day from a few people because of course I didn't take any...mom fail!

And now...pregnancy highlights!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Weight Gain: 15 Pounds

Maternity Clothes: Pants - Yes, I can still wear my regular dresses and most tops though.

Gender: Girl

Movement: Constant, she rolls and rolls...

Symptoms: The tiredness is back with avengence

Cravings: Jalapenos, McD's, Diet Dr. Pepper

BS2 Stats

Food Size: Cantaloupe

Weight: 4 and 3/4 pounds

Length: 18 inches

Developmental Info: Her fat layers are filling out, her nervous system and lungs are also both continuing to mature.

Week 27

It's getting closer and closer, week 27 starts today! We had our 2nd ultrasound in KC at Childrens Mercy with Dr. Bennett on Monday, unfortunately we didn't really hear anything new or different.

Remember there are 3 issues:

1. Ecogenic Focus on her Heart

2. Elevated amniotic fluid level

3. Placenta Previa

The focus is still on her heart, Dr. Bennett said that it might stay forever or it might go away on it's own, but either way it isn't something that should ever affect the function of her heart.

My amniotic fluid level was about the same as it was a month ago, which I guess is good that it hasn't increased. They still don't see a reason for there to be the extra fluid - they watched BS2 swallow the fluid, then watched her stomach fill up, they saw fluid in her intestines and bladder too, so it seems like that whole process is working correctly. Dr. Bennett said sometimes there isn't reason for the extra fluid so who knows.

The one good thing we found out is that my placenta has indeed moved up and is out of the way so I don't have to have a c-section, also she is already head down.

Dr. did discuss that the extra fluid could lead to pre-term labor and he gave me some things to look out for and instructions for if I start having contractions and when to call Dr. Shaw, etc.

A month ago BS2 weighed 1 pound 4 ounces and Monday she weighed 2 pounds 4 ounces so Dr. Bennett was quite pleased with her growth! :-)

That's about it for now. I have my next appointment with Dr. Shaw on December 1st and then after that will go see her every 2 weeks. Dr. Bennett also wants to continue monitoring me so I have an appointment to go see him on December 5th for another ultrasound.

Halloween Continued

I got a few more pictures from Jack's Halloween Party at daycare from Tonya and thought they were just too cute not share! Enjoy!

xoxo

26 Weeks!

26 Weeks

Yesterday was our 26 week mark, woo-hoo! Another exciting achievement was that we hit the double digits on our baby countdown! As of today 97 days to go! :-) I had my monthly check in with Dr. Shaw yesterday and also had my glucose test done, you know, that Glucola really isn't that bad if you just make sure it's cold! Also while I was there she talked me into a flu shot, the only other time in my life I have gotten a flu shot was the year I was pregnant with Jack - heck Jack or Chris haven't had their flu shots this year either, but since it was there and available and my insurance covers them 100% and she made the stern comment, "Well, you are due in the middle of flu season so I would get one..." I decided to just go for it! So I had blood drawn and a shot all in the same arm, sorry lefty.

We have an appointment in KC again on Monday with Dr. Bennett to do a growth scan and make sure BS2 is growing appropriately, check the heart, my placenta and my amniotic fluid levels - have you noticed the list keeps getting longer...ugh! I will try to update after the appointment.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Weight Gain: 8 Pounds

Maternity Clothes: Pants

Gender: GIRL

Movement: Constant and getting stronger

Symptoms/Complaints: Just tired and some slight swelling at the end of the day

Cravings: Soda

BS2 Stats

Food Size: English Hothouse Cucumber (?)

Weight: 1 Pounds and 2/3

Length: 14 inches head to heel

Development Info: BS2's network of nerves in her ears is more developed and she may be able to hear our voices! She has also started to inhale and exhale amniotic fluid which helps develop her lungs!

xoxo

Happy Halloween

Jack had an AWESOME time Trick or Treating! He ran from house to house saying "More Candy!" and he would promptly say "Tick or Teat" and "Tank You" at each and every house! He was a bit scared of the scary costumes - werewolves, dinosours, anything with a scary mask, etc. but overall he loved it and this morning said, "Momma, I wanna go Tick or Teating!" I had to explain it was a once a year thing and that DID NOT make him a happy camper! :-)

xoxo

Crying for Momma

I'm not really sure what I'm about to say/explain means, but it's definitely odd. Jack has a sudden attachment to his Momma. This week has been a wreck and at first I thought it was because he had spent the night at Chris' parents house and to say his schedule lacks while he is there is an understatement - so the lack of sleep, the constant cakes, cookies, chips and pop, and his overall running a muck for 2 days turned him into a nightmare! Monday and Tuesday might have been the WORST days ever. Then on Wednesday his Momma obsession began. He wanted to stay in bed and "snuddle", he didn't want to go to Tonya's - which by the way has never happened (he usually wakes up and says " Milk please Momma. Can I go to Honya's?"), the has started wanting me to carry him again and when I try to leave him (whether at Tonya's or just at home with Daddy) he has a major meltdown! MAJOR, I had church Wednesday night and he was going to stay home with Chris - when he saw me grab my purse he ran to me and buried his face in my legs and wrapped his arms around my thighs (as much as he can at this point) and when Chris tried to peel him off he wrapped his feet around my ankles, I almost died - he has never acted like that! Then Thursday and Friday at daycare Tonya said he whined for me all day, again never happens.

I'm beginning to think this is all baby driven, but I'm hoping I'm wrong, although Tonya agrees. We have started talking about baby alot more because I thought that would help him, but I think I was wrong. Chris hasn't been traveling as much lately so he has been trying to help me out and give Jack baths and get his jammies on or make his dinner, etc. - just all the regular things I normally do and Jack does not like it. He will say, "No, no, no Daddy (with his hand up in the stop position), Momma do it" or "No, no, no Daddy, Momma got it" and when I tell Jack that Daddy is just helping me out he freaks - FREAKS! Usually I can convince him to let Daddy help me out, but he is always reluctant and I usally have to say, "Will you please just let Daddy get you started and I'll come check on you?"...

Another new thing is that Jack wants baby out of my belly. I think I again started this, but by accident. Here is a conversation we had Tuesday night as we were laying in bed...

Jack: What's Daddy doin?

Me: He is listening to baby.

Jack: Oh me too, me too.

Me: Do you want to talk to her?

Jack nods and I pulled my tank top up so he could see my belly

Me: Say hi Baby...

Jack: Hi Baby

Me: What is she doing in there? (Now I asked this in a "wow" type of way, but Jack didn't take it like that)

Jack: I no know? (concerned face) Whatta you doin in there? (leaned in close) GET OUTTA THERE! (in almost a frantic tone)

Me: Well Bub she can't come out for a few more months

Jack: No, now. Get out, get out, get out (as he got increasingly upset)

Me: Bub she can't come out, it's OK, she needs to stay in there

Jack just kind of looked at my belly then pushed my shirt down and said "Go night-night baby"

He moved on quickly, but now ever since then when he is noticing my belly he says, "Baby get out."

I really am starting to worry about his sudden attachment and what I think might be a dislike of his Baby Sister...

xoxo

24 Weeks

Today is our 24 week mark! In one sense it feels like we are getting there, but then I look and say, well that's still 16 to go and that's 4 months and that feels like forever!

I haven't updated since we had our appointment at Childrens Mercy in KC a couple weeks ago, we went up on a Monday morning, the 10th and it as the doctor put it "everything today looks good and is good news." Me being me though had a couple days of "what about" "what if" etc. In reality I guess there were 3 things he was looking at; BS2's heart, My amniotic fluid levels, and My low lying placenta.

BS2's heart - doctor said there is a calcification or calcium deposit on a muscle that is attached to one of her heart valves. He said it could go away or stay, but if it stayed that it wouldn't grow as BS2 does - it's more like a "birth mark" and would get smaller as she gets bigger/older. He never said what causes them, I don't think they really know. He did say that it's a soft marker for Down Syndrome, but that all of our screenings had come back normal and he didn't see anything else on the ultrasound that would lead him to believe that would be something we need to worry about or consider. He did offer us an amniocentesis, but we declined. At this point, Chris and I don't feel the risk is worth it and really, if she does have Down Syndrome it doesn't change anything. We took the approach of "if it's something we could do or something to impact or change the outcome then we would do more testing" - this just doesn't fit that bill. And in reality, when I was pregnant with Jack he had dilated kidneys, which is also a soft marker for Down Syndrome, but again all our screenings were normal so it was never a worry.

Amniotic fluid - I have always heard that too little amniotic fluid isn't good, but had never heard that too much amniotic fluid was also not so good. I was told, informally I guess, when I was at the hospital delivering Jack that I had a lot of amniotic fluid based on when the broke my water, etc. Well I guess medically I have a lot of amniotic fluid this time. Doctor explained that when they see high levels of amniotic fluid it causes concern that there could be blockages or issues with the babies GI tract, stomach, intestines, bowels, etc. that would cause the fluid level to rise b/c the baby wasn't taking it in (b/c that's what they eat in utero). Doctor said they looked at all of that really closely and didn't see any indication of anything like that happening with BS2. He also said the high level mark was 8 cm (they measure the single deepest pocket of fluid) and I was at 7cm so not technically high, but borderline.

Placenta - I've known since 15 weeks that I had partial previa because we had a scary bleeding episode. We had a follow up ultrasound at 18 weeks and 22 weeks and then with Dr. Bennett at 22.5 weeks. All of the ultrasounds show that it is moving up and both Dr. Bennett (KC Dr.) and Dr. Shaw (My OBGGYN) feel that it shouldn't be an issue at delivery. The worst case here is a c-section for delivery and if that's the worst case, I'm fine with that.

So all in all Dr. Bennett said she looks good, we are going back on November 7th to see Dr. Bennett again, he wanted to take one more look and just make sure she is growing like she should be (which she has been with each ultrasound) and take a second look at her heart. Overal, Chris and I are feeling good with everything at this point and I feel her movin' and groovin' all day every day so that keeps me sane! Oh and the ultrasound lady said baby weighed 1 pound 4 ounces!

And now, our pregnancy stats!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Weight Gain: 6 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Bottoms Only

Gender: GIRL!

Movement: Constant

Symptoms/Complaints: Jack and I have both been a bit under the weather this week, I think mine is just sinuses, but it's pretty miserable.

Cravings: McD's

BS2 Stats

Food Size: Ear of Corn

Weight: A little over a Pound

Length: 1 Foot

Development Info: BS2 is starting to put on fat and plump up and her brain is developing quickly at this point, and her taste buds are also developing!

xoxo

22 Week Update

Well, we hit the 22 week mark today! We had another follow up ultrasound to see if my placenta had moved up some more and on a positive note it has. At our 18 week ultrasound it was 1.5 cms from my cervix, today it was 2.2 cms away!

We did get some not so great news today, the last 2 ultrasounds have noted a "bright" spot on BS2's heart. Dr. Shaw said that it could be nothing, just the angle and the muscle, but since it's been noted twice that she wants to be safe and have it checked out. This means having a level 2 ultrasound done and being referred to Childrens Mercy in KC for the appointment. "Bright" spots can indicate a defect or be nothing. She said that most of the time she is more concerned if she sees 2 bright spots (one on each side of the heart), so I guess that should make me feel somewhat better?

I got a call this afternoon from Cindy at Dr. Shaw's office and she said that she had just heard back from the doctor in KC and she just sent them all of my records and that after they review they will call to set up the appointment. Talk about a bummer, so it could be next week before we even know when we are scheduled, grr...

I'm not freaking out, but I'm not relaxed either. My mentality is: I don't know what it is and even when we do find out (if there is anything to find out), I still won't be able to do anything...I'm not sure if my view is good or bad? But that's where I'm at right now, if I let myself think about it too much I might go crazy so I try not to dwell until there is something to actually dwell on.

I will keep everyone (because I know I have tons of people reading this everyday, haha), but until then here is the standard weekly update...

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Weight Gain: 6 pounds (I'm not sure where the 4 came from, but I'm going to have to see what my scale says tomorrow morning because that was from the doctor's office)

Maternity Clothes: Still just bottoms

Gender: Baby Girl

Movement: She moves and grooves constantly

Symptoms/Complaints: Tired and Big

Cravings: Spicy and Hot Stuff

BS2 Stats

Food Size: Spaghetti Squash

Weight: 11 inches

Length: 1 pound

Development Info: She is already developing her tooth buds, her eyelids, lips, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, her eyes are formed but lack pigment still, and her pancreas is steadily developing.

xoxo

In Love

With This Picture!

It was taken at a friend's wedding this past Saturday!

xoxo

21 Weeks!

21 Weeks with BS2!

We have made it past the half-way mark! WooHoo! I had a friend at work take this picture this morning (not a great hair day, but oh well). I haven't taken a picture YET with BS2 so I just said, "It's time!" Not much to report, but we do have our FOURTH ultrasound next Thursday so I'll for sure have a more in depth report then! But for now, here are the highlights!

Momma Stats

How Far Along: 21 Weeks

Weight Gain: 3 Pounds

Maternity Clothes: All my bottoms are maternity, but dresses and tops are still primarily my pre-pregnancy stuff.

Gender: Baby GIRL - I think we are close to a name announcement as well!

Movement: Tons! This little girl is constantly movin' and groovin'!

Symptoms/Complaints: Just tired and using the restroom non-stop!

Cravings: Still spicy stuff for the most part, NACHOS with tons of JALAPENOS.

BS2 Stats

Food Size: Carrot

Weight: 3/4 of a Pound

Length: 10.5 inches head to toe

Development Info: BS2's eyebrows are now present! And her vagina has begun to form!

xoxo

Potty Training

We started potty training Jack last Monday (9/19/11). Tonya (his daycare provider, we love her) told me the end of the prior week that Jack had started asking to go potty. I wasn't sure if it was because Tonya was just finishing up potty training another little girl so it had sparked his interest or if he maybe was really ready...either way Tonya said she thought we should at least give it a good try and see how he did! Well I'm happy to report he is doing GREAT!

Tonya didn't want to use Pull-Ups (she said in the past with kids she has done the pull-ups with that once they figure out that the pull-up will hold pee/poop it usually deters their progress), so off to JC Penny we went to get some of the thicker training underpants (we refer to them as "unders". Chris and I were going out of town for our anniversay so we decided to wait until we got home Sunday to give them a try.

Sunday night Jack wore his unders for about 3 hours and used the potty one time to go pee. I was excited that he didn't have an accident on our first try! So Monday was the real start of training and to say he didn't do great would be an understatement!

Here is the timeline of the week...

Monday - 7 accidents (6 at daycare, 1 at home)

Tuesday - 2 accidents (both at daycare)

Wednesday - 2 accidents (both at daycare, one during quiet time)

Thursday - 1 accident (at daycare)

Friday - 1 accident (at daycare)

Saturday - 1 accident (at home)

Sunday - 1 accident (during his nap - although he was in Columbus all day with Chris so who knows what really happened)

Monday - ZERO ACCIDENTS ALL DAY!

We are really pretty proud of how well he is doing! He doesn't always tell you when he needs to go, but it's obvious he can hold his pee (most of the accidents later in the week were poop) and will hold it until you take him to the potty! We do a jumping high five and a cookie as a reward (he doesn't like stickers/tape/sticky things so we didn't do the more common sticker chart)!

A friend that has a little boy a week older than Jack asked me what we were doing and what the key was...I told her number one is consistency. We (either at home or daycare) would take Jack to the potty about every 30 minutes and have him sit on the potty and try to go - every 30 minutes! The second thing, I think is, is not doing pull-ups or diapers at all during the day! Jack has only had a diaper on at night and not until he actually gets into bed. He doesn't even wear a diaper during nap time and has only had 2 pee accidents during his nap - awesome! Third and probably tied with second is having an awesome daycare that works just as hard as you do at getting them potty trained! Tonya is awesome and she even works harder than we do/did because she has him the majority of the week while we are at work! I think if your child goes to daycare and the daycare isn't totally on board and you aren't using the same methods it will never work or at least will take a lot longer!

I will say Jack is no where near trained at night time. He still has quite a big of pee in his diapers in the morning, but hey I can do 1 diaper a day, that's nothing - especially when little Miss is slated to arrive in 4 short months! :-)

Way to go Jack, you are an all-star potty trained boy! We are so proud of you!

xoxo

IT'S A GIRL!!

That's right! Jack is getting a little SISTER and we couldn't be more excited! As a friend wrote on my FB wall, "A perfect pair!" Here is BS2 Girl's "money"shot from yesterday's ultrasound - definitely a girl! :-)

After we had our ultrasound we saw Dr. Shaw and she said baby looked great and was measuring perfect and that my placenta seems to be moving away from the cervix. At the ultrasound we had at the hospital the placenta was covering the cervix and yesterday the tech measured it at 1.5-2cm away from the cervix! Dr. then explained that as long as the placenta isn't covering the cervix and is still just low lying then it's my choice to attempt a natural delivery. She said we could try, but if I were to start bleeding then we'd have to do an emergency c-section. OR we could just do a planned c-section, but she said we don't have to opt for either choice right now because we have plenty of time and she feels good that the placenta will keep moving up and we will be good to go for delivery!

She also said at this point since the placenta isn't covering the cervix that my "restrictions" could be lifted as long as I'm not bleeding, but if I start bleeding again then I have to go back to the home, work, no exercise, no heavy lifting, no sex, etc. But I have to admit I'm still scared to really go back to "normal".

We also hit 18 weeks yesterday so here is a recap!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Weight Gain: 2 Pounds

Maternity Clothes: Bottoms - YES!

Gender: Baby GIRL

Movement: Starting to feel a few flutters and jabs here and there but nothing consistent yet!

Symptoms/Complaints: I've been going to the bathroom NONSTOP this week!

Cravings: McD's (takes me back to my HS days)

BS2 Stats:

Food Size: Bell Pepper

Weight: 7 ounces

Length: 5.5 inches head to rump

Development Info: BS2's uterus and falopian tubes are formed and in place! WooHoo!

17 Weeks!

Today we hit 17 weeks! Yea! Not alot to report, but we do have our follow-up ultrasound next Thursday so our 18 week update should be a good one! ;-)

Pregnancy Highlights!

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Weight Gain: 0 Pounds - I somehow am right back to where I started!

Maternity Clothes: If I wear pants, then yes, but I can still wear my normal dresses!

Gender: We know, but it's a secret until confirmation!

Movement: I swear I'm starting to feel some flutters!

Symptoms/Complaints: Tired, Fatty Fat Fat!

Cravings: Dt. Dr. Pepper - YES I've been giving in!

BS2 Stats!

Food Size: Turnip

Weight: 5 ounces

Length: 5 inches head to bottom

Developmental Info: Baby can move their joints and sweat glands are starting to develop!

xoxo

Pictures of BS2

This is a cute profile picture of BS2 that we got yesterday at our "stat" ultrasound! Baby was bringing their hand up to their mouth and then started sucking it's thumb! Too cute!

xoxo

A Scare...

Today we had a scare with the baby...I was at work and started bleeding. Not like spotting, it was full blown, gushing, dark red bleeding...a total mess! I immediately called my doctor and they had me come right in. My doctor wasn't at the office so I saw her nurse practioner, Kaye. She came in asked what was going on and then felt my tummy and then grabbed the doppler. A rush of fear came over me, I wanted to know, but I didn't want to know - thankfully she found the baby's heartbeat fairly quickly and also said the baby was moving around.

She next did a vaginal exam and determined that the bleeding wasn't urinary, like she had thought/hoped, but that it was coming from the vagina. She said she couldn't tell why I was bleeding from the exam and that I needed an ultrasound done over at the hospital. So I got dressed (oh and Chris was out of town working, but on his way back so he wasn't at the doctor's office) and was then given my "stat" order to take to the hospital at 1pm (it was 11am when I left the doctor's office...so much for "stat"...)

My mom was on her way in town and we met at my house and then headed back to the hospital for my appointment and Chris met us there. I think I was pretty numb at this point, not really thinking one way or the other about what was potentially going on. Kaye made sure that I knew it was a good thing that we heard the baby's heartbeat, but that it also didn't mean that we were in the clear. I was definitely on auto-pilot. I expected our ultrasound to be one of those where they don't talk to you, don't show you the screen, that they would just do their thing and send Kaye the report. Thankfully our ultrasound tech was awesome! I wish I would have gotten her name! As soon as she saw the heartbeat she turned the screen to where we could see and walked us through the whole ultrasound - it was just like our "big" 20 week ultrasound with Jack, she took all the measurements and pointed out all the body parts and organs for us. Now, when she started she asked if Kaye had said what she thought might have been the problem, and I said she just said that sometimes the placenta can be too low and cause bleeding. She paused the screen and said, well I think she is right and it was clear as day that the placenta was sitting, covering my entire cervix! I immediately felt a bit of relief, the ultrasound tech said that she sees this alot and that more times then not she sees that the placenta will move on its own as the pregnancy progresses! Which is good news! She also said she was pretty sure the worst case scenario is that if the placenta didn't move it would mean a c-section at delivery - I was thinking, if that's the worse I'll take it!

Now, most of the time ultrasound techs aren't supposed to give so much info, but I appreciated it and after we talked to the doctor she confirmed everything the tech had said so that was nice! So what does all this mean? For now I'm on a "modified" bed rest I guess you can say...I can go to work and come home and that's pretty much it. No exercise, I'm on pelvic rest (if you know what I mean!), and can't lift Jack (we'll see how that one goes, I think I'll just have to be selective about when it's absolutely necessary to lift him b/c Chris travels and he has to get in his crib somehow...). We have another ultrasound scheduled in 2 weeks on September 8th to check the placenta's position.

The doctor did confirm that there were no tears in the placenta, that it was fully attached to the uterin wall and that my cervix was closed - all good things! She did say I should expect more bleeding off and on and it would probably tie with how active I was being. If I do start bleeding I'm supposed to call the doctor and let them know so that they can note it in my file.

Everything I have read (which I tried not to Google too much b/c somehow you always manage to find the worst case scenario) has said that if you are diagnosed with Placenta Previa (the technical term) prior to 20 weeks (we are almost 16) then only a small percentage of women still have the condition at the time of delivery! I did read that it can lead to pre-mature delivery in some cases if the bleeding is heavy and uncontrollable and lasts for a prolonged period, so that really makes me want to take it easy and PRAY that the placenta will move on it's own!

The best part of the day was definitely getting to see the baby AND finding out the gender! But I'm not telling just yet, I want confirmation in 2 weeks at the next ultrasound! :-)

xoxo

Extra Lines!

If anyone knows why I'm getting all these extra lines in my posts, PLEASE let me know! It's super annoying and I try to fix them over and over again and it never helps...

14 Weeks! & Doctor Update

Hello 2nd Trimester! It's so good to see you! :-) We have officially hit the 2nd trimester as of today, woo-hoo! Nothing really new to report, I go to see Dr. Shaw tomorrow so I'll update more then, but here are some stats!

Pregnancy Highlights!
How Far Along: 14 weeks

Total Weight Gain: 1.5 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Only some shorts and capris and primarily for comfort - although I definitely have a majorly growing bump!

Gender: Hope to find out in 4 weeks from tomorrow!

Movement: Nothing yet

Symptoms: Not sleeping well, yuck!

Cravings: Jalapenos!

I also still need to take a belly picture, but I'm trying to wait until my weeks catch up to my gut b/c I definitely look more like 5 months pregnant than 3.5!

xoxo

I went and saw Dr. Shaw this morning and baby sounded great! I think she said the heart rate was 155, way lower than at 10 weeks - which is normal, but I think Chris was hoping that is was still high - I know he wants a girl! But we shall see and the best part is that we don't have much longer to wait! Dr. Shaw said that at my 18 week appoinment we will do my Quad Screen and then we can do our BIG ultrasound the following after she gets the screening results! Yea!
I also was telling her how INCREDIBLY itchy I've been so she had some blood drawn to run a few labs, she said it could just be the dry, hot weather but that it could be something pregnancy related - primarily an elevated bile acid level? IDK, but I'd sure love it if she found a reason for my itchy's! It's driving me nutso! And her scale showed I'd only gained a pound since my last appointment 4 weeks ago so that was nice, with Jack I think the scale went up about 4 pounds (at least) every time I was there! :-)

Hide and Seek

Someone needs to explain the concept of hide and seek to Jack, because obviously I don't know how to get the point across! He has recently developed a love of playing hide and seek, but he is the world's worst hider! He usually just hides his face so he can't see you, but you can definitely see him! Or if he does manage to actually hide the majority of his body, all you have to do is say "Where's Jack?" and he promptly replies with "I don't know!" It's really very cute! He also has a tendency to use the same hiding spot over and over (under our bed pillows that are usually still laying on the floor because Momma isn't great at making the bed). He likes it when Daddy hides and he gets to find him! George usually actually finds him and then Jack just follows George, but it still totally counts! Daddy gets mad at George for always giving him away, but it's still fun! Jack just laughs and laughs when he gets found or when he finds Daddy - it's so cute to see him walk around saying "Daddy? Daddy? Where are you?" Love this kid!

xoxo

Fun in the Sun!

With the steaming temperatures lately, Jack has gotten alot of pool and sprinkler time at daycare!

xoxo

Poo Potty!

I had a proud moment as Jack's momma last night! He peed and pooped in the big potty! Now, don't get too excited (I'm not) because I don't think he is actually ready to hardcore potty train, but he does like to sit on the potty before bath time so we do this reguarly. Until last night he had never actually peed or pooped, he usually would just pass gas and then say "I done!". Well last night he first peed - straight out at me - and then he had to work a little, but he pooped! We were both so excited! I wish I would have had a video camera, because the way Jack's eyes lit up when he heard the poop hit the water was ADORABLE! He was so proud of himself and I was so proud of him too!

Way to go Jack!

xoxo

13 weeks

Today marks the start of the 13th week for Baby Spear #2 (BS2)! I go back to the doctor next Friday, so I don't really have much to update. I saw my thyroid doctor in Joplin again yesterday and he increased my Synthroid another 25mcg/day so I'm up to 150mcg/day. I was only taking 100mcg/day when I started seeing him, but it really makes me wonder why my doctor here in town waited until I had gained 30-35 pounds before referring me to my new doctor when obviously my levels were low! Ugh! It frustrates me!

When I went to see Dr. Shaw (baby doctor), she looked in my file and told me that I weighed at 10 weeks with BS2 the same as I weighed with Jack at 32 weeks! SCARY! So the plan is that I will hopefully even out and not gain much weight (maybe 10 pounds, 15 max) over the course of this pregnancy, it just really sucks being so heavy!

Pregnancy Highlights!

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 1 Pound

Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing maternity shorts just b/c they are more comfortable, but I can still wear all my dresses for work.

Gender: Will find out in September!

Movement: Nothing yet.

Symptoms: Nothing beyond being tired.

Cravings: Crab Rangoon!

If I can find something to wear (that I think will fit the entire pregnancy), I might take a belly picture tonight although my belly isn't all baby - it's the extra 35 pounds too...ugh!

xoxo

Official Blog Announcement!

If the new ticker at the top of the blog didn't give it away already, we are happily expecting Baby Spear #2! We found out super early, like before I even missed my cycle so to me it seems like I've been pregnant FOREVER!

We had our first appointment with Dr. Shaw on Friday, July 15th and everything looks great! We had about 1,000 tubes of blood drawn, a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound! This time baby looked more like a gummy bear, where as Jack looked like a tiny shrimp the first time we saw him!

Baby's heartrate was a healthy and soaring 178 beats/minute! I've been feeling pretty good for the most part, just extremely tired and food just doesn't sound good most days - but I can't complain too much b/c I know it could be much worse for sure!

Baby's official due date is February 9th 2012!

xoxo

HOT

I thought I should post an update on us since it's been awhile, but I really don't have much to say b/c it has been HOT and when its hot this Momma don't do outside! :-)

Jack has been spending a lot of time at his Papa and Meme's house on the weekends so that Chris and I can try to finish getting our house in order, I'd say we are 85% of the way there. I finally got some pictures up and put around, but I know everything will be moved around 100 million times due to my OCD-ness! I got so mad at Chris once he made me put out pictures b/c he knows I HAVE TO move them 100 times before I decide to leave them alone. I'm not talking move them across the room or to another part of the house, I'm talking moving them centimeters! :-) Chris thinks it's funny, me - not so much!

Last weekend Chris and I did take a mini-vacation to Branson, just the two of us! It was HOT! Chris shopped til he dropped and I complained about it being hot! Chris did buy my a new Coach purse, so that was GREAT! We shopped, slept, ate, and swam - it was nice! No schedule, no places we had to be - NICE!

Jack is talking more and more every week, it's so cute! I'm starting to get concerned though b/c he only wants to do 3 activities/play - #1 Play Ball (baseball), #2 Ping (swing), and #3 Jump (on the trampoline). He has ZERO interest in ANYTHING else and it drives me nutso! I'm sure it's a phase and it will pass, hopefully sometime soon! I'm so sick of playing ball! :-)

xoxo

Happy 4th of July

xoxo

2 year checkup!

We are almost a month late on getting Jack's 2 Year Kan-Be-Healthy checkup done, but oh well. We went this morning and he weighed a whole 24 pounds 2 ounces and was 33 inches tall. I looked back and at his 1 Year Kan-Be-Healthy he weighed 21 pounds 6.5 ounces and was 28 inches tall! So not much weight gain, but he grew 5 inches! Wowza!

Jack is right on track with all of his development which is awesome! He had to have his finger pricked to do the lead test again and 1 shot in his left leg, but he did really good!

Not much else to report!

blah

This is exactly how I feel these days, blah... I think everyone thinks I'm ungrateful or spoiled b/c I have not been excited about our big move to our new beautiful house at all and I can't really explain it. I feel like it's not my house, I fell like I'm staying at a stranger's house and don't know where anything goes or where anything is. I feel empty and alone when I'm there alone, it makes me sad.

I met a couple of our neighbors yesterday and one of them, Casey, she is and her family just moved in directly behind us about a month or so ago and she said the same thing - that it was just now starting to feel like their "home". So hopefully in another 3.5 weeks I'll feel the same way. Casey is also pregnant and is due in August with a little girl, they also have a 2.5 year old, Crew, so I'm hoping him and Jack become fast friends!

I also met Annie, her and her husband, Ryan, have an almost 4 year old, Ace, and an 18 month old, Jackson...so at least we have nice, young neighbors with kids around Jack's age!

The other big item weighing heavy on my mind is George. He has not adjusted well at all since Charlie went to live with Chris' brother and his wife. George CANNOT stand to be alone, at all and he gets so high strung that when you finally do get home he is "tinkling" like a puppy and it's completely unacceptable. If we are home with him he is great, no problems - the minute we leave him he is whining, crying and barking so bad it breaks my heart. I really think he needs to go to a home where there is another dog to keep him company or he needs to live with like an older couple or man or lady that are home all day, but where do you find that?!

I've ran that thought of taking him to the humane society here in Pitt b/c they are a no kill shelter, but then I picture him sitting in a cage - alone, crying and I can't do it...now I'm crying! That's all for now...

xoxo

our new yard

Our new house has a nice sized yard, not too big not too small! I think Jack actually got the best end of the back yard stick...see the last picture - yes it's staying! :-)My most favorite feature of our yard is probably our mailbox, it's so cute!
Front Porch

From the sidewalk!

Back covered porch - with ceiling fan!

Roll down bamboo shades!

Back covered porch view!

Jack's new Play Set! Whoop! Whoop!

xoxo

moving out and moving up...

The Spear Family is finally moving!

Our old (first) home!

Our new (second) home!

More pictures to come early next week!
xoxo

Osage Beach

Our weekend vacation consisted of alot of rough-housing...

playing at the park...

sliding down slides...

and playing with play-doh...

all while enjoying the lake view!

first love

It's official, Jack has his first girlfriend - Bella!

Jack and Bella - They look like they are so much in love, right?

Jack and Bella have been going to daycare together for about 16-17 months (since Bella was 6 weeks old!) and they have the stereotypical love/hate relationship! They remind me of elementary kids on a playground, where the boys are mean and tease the girls they like!? Well that's them, except Bella gets her digs in on Jack too!

One minute, these two will be pushing each other down, tackling each other, and "yelling" at each other...the next minute they will be "making out" in a corner! When Tonya first mentioned them making out I thought she was kidding...she.was.not.kidding!

Jack and Bella are both really fond of Tonya's storm door that looks outside, they love standing there! In fact, this is where most fights begin b/c at their age they don't share well! Recently, the storm door has also become their "love nest"! Tonya said they will stand "making out" and hugging while they enjoy the outside scenery! "Making Out" consists of hugging each other and kissing - mouths open! Can.You.Believe.That? Disclaimer - No, Tonya does not encourage the kissing and does not allow the kissing to happen and stops them when it does happen!

Jack and Bella always give each other hugs and kisses before they leave daycare every day! So stinkin' cute!

Jack Update

Here is a LONG overdue update on the Jack Hammer! It started out as an email to my friends Chelse and Chelsea but as I wrote it turned more into a draft blog post! Yea, a two-for or is it two-fer? Either way, you know what I mean! Enjoy!

Note: I just posted this and it's totally crummy format, I'm going to try once to make it look better and if it doesn't I apologize...

Boys are CRAZY or at least mine is!

He is a t-total brat! He whines and cries if he doesn’t get his way and enjoys multiple time out session every evening! And he is such a motha faker (while I was proofreading I almost deleted this b/c it might be blog inappropriate, but I left it b/c it's funny)! Like he will look to see if you are watching him and he will cry, if you look away he will stop, but the second you look back he is back to crying!

Last night he was in the tub and it was time to get out, here is our conversation:

Me: Jack, time to get out.

Jack: No!

Me: Jack, come on let’s get out and get your diaper on.

Jack: NOOOOOO! NOOOOOO! NOOOOO! (never looking away from the picture he was drawing on the shower walls with his blue bath crayon)

Me: Jack, it’s time to get out. I’m going to count to 3… ONE

Jack: (interrupting my count) TTTTTWWWWOOOO (looking at me out the corner of his eye like the little devil man that he is)

Me: (flabbergasted that 1) he was being a brat, but 2) that he knew TWO came after ONE!) Jack, if you get out I’ll give you a piece of gum!?

Jack: (jumping up) GGGUUUUMMMM, GGGGUUUUMMM, GUM!

Ugh, boys!

He is starting to talk up a storm like overnight – he added Tonya, Darin, Piper, Bella, Karlee, Meme, Papa, Coco, Kayla, and Baby K, and Jo (George) to his vocabulary. I think he has like 60-70 words now and he is starting to make more and more 2-4 word phrases!

He is a BIG help when he wants to be – he puts his shoes away every night and throws his dirty clothes in his hamper and dirty diapers in the trash. He puts away his laundry (socks only, but hey it’s a start), he loves to help clean up and put things away. He is also responsible for putting all his toys back in the basket at the end of the evening before bed!

Speaking of bed – we have finally (knock on wood) made it back to his own bed for the majority of the night! I also broke him of his cup/milk obsession in the middle of the night! There were nights he would wake up 3 times wanting MORE and MORE milk! WTH?

He has also decided that he is SCARED.TO.DEATH of the pheasant hanging on the kitchen wall that has been there since he was born. He will NEVER turn his back to it so when he walks by the like shuffles sideways never letting his eyes leave the pheasant like it’s going to jump off the wall and peck him to death! Ha! It’s funny!

He now drinks from a pop can or water bottle by himself and doesn’t spill it – big achievement! He also can be handed anything to eat and he can eat it by himself without leaving a food disaster in his midst!

He is still obsessed with balls, not his own balls (again probably inappropriate, but oh well), sports balls – baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, golf balls! Looks like I might have to give in to the typicall sports themed big boy room when the time comes and those of you that know me know I.AM.NOT.HAPPY.ABOUT.THIS! I hate anything tyical, overdone, and baby/kid-ish...so we will see!

He is also obsessed with being OUTSIDE! Which I love, but sometimes is super annoying! He would always insist that Chris or I were outside as well, but just in the past month or so he will go out and wander around the back yard by himself (well, with the dogs) so that I can comfortably watch him from my view from the sofa! :-)

We go the end of the month for this 2 year – TWO.YEAR. – checkup so I’ll have all the stats then!

Easter + Candy = Happy Jack

Jack had an AWESOME Easter - we all did for that matter!Jack bringing out his inner - Jersey Shore-ness! :-)

I have a friend at work that thinks Jack looks like Ronnie with his new hair-do!

Check out all my candy Momma!
The ONE and ONLY picture of us from the entire weekend!
Candy Melt DOWN!
Check out my stud! He is so stinkin' cute!
And YES I'm biased, but I think you KNOW he is cute too!

Pretty Addy! Love her! She wasn't feeling well, but was such a trooper!

happy st. patrick's day!