Our baby girl was born June 18, 2010. Yes,ExACTLY 7 years to the day from when grace was born. Two girls, 7 years apart. I love it.
She is 3 months old today and we're so in love. She's a beautiful, sweet, happy baby and our whole family adores her.
That's my quick update. :) Perhaps I can get back into blogging now that we've got a decent routine going with Juliette!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
6 weeks to go!
6 weeks until we meet #3! How exciting! I keep dreaming about birthing. EVERY night for the past week I wake up around 3:30am thinking about the baby.
I'm using the Hypnobabies curriculum, hoping to ensure a medication-free birth for our baby. It's very relaxing and the visualization is great. I'm on week 3 of 6 and am finding it helpful to relax in every day life.
The OB's office has convinced me to have an ultrasound at 36 weeks to determine how big she might be. I know it's not certain (the ultrasound with AJ was off by 1.5 pounds!) and big babies don't scare me. I think they scare my doctors, though. I told them, "It's not like I'm birthing a beach ball. My children are long and skinny, and I'll stretch. Plus babies' heads and shoulders do comress through the pelvis. I'm not planning on an epidural, so I won't be lying on my back, which is the worst position to birth in." I don't know if the OB believed me. He told me, "In some cases ignorance is bliss. But you need to make an informed decision in this case."
And I responded, "I know knowledge is power! But it really makes NO difference to me."
And the Ob ended up mentioning that my measurements have stabilized and I'm not quite as big percentage wise as I have been, so this might actually turn out in my favor. I ultimately consented. I hope I don't regret it. I told him that even if the "measurement" looks big, once I say I'm not having a c/s, I don't want to be pressured about it. He agreed. We'll see how it pans out.
But it's MY choice. Not his. I told him I'd do the ultrasound but I don't want to be pressured into a cesarean section. It's my body. My child. And I have the right to make an informed choice, regardless of protocol, procedure, or someone else's fear of a lawsuit.
I keep dreaming about midwives, but it's a little late in the game to switch providers. Not to mention that insurance doesn't support midwives as generously as they do OBs. Even though a midwife charges less, we would have to pay MORE. Doesn't that suck?????
We're still trying to convert our office into a nursery. I need to get moving on that, because something tells me I might not have the full 6 weeks left! Yikes!
In other news, the dog is walking around with her leash. Think she's trying to tell me something?
I'm using the Hypnobabies curriculum, hoping to ensure a medication-free birth for our baby. It's very relaxing and the visualization is great. I'm on week 3 of 6 and am finding it helpful to relax in every day life.
The OB's office has convinced me to have an ultrasound at 36 weeks to determine how big she might be. I know it's not certain (the ultrasound with AJ was off by 1.5 pounds!) and big babies don't scare me. I think they scare my doctors, though. I told them, "It's not like I'm birthing a beach ball. My children are long and skinny, and I'll stretch. Plus babies' heads and shoulders do comress through the pelvis. I'm not planning on an epidural, so I won't be lying on my back, which is the worst position to birth in." I don't know if the OB believed me. He told me, "In some cases ignorance is bliss. But you need to make an informed decision in this case."
And I responded, "I know knowledge is power! But it really makes NO difference to me."
And the Ob ended up mentioning that my measurements have stabilized and I'm not quite as big percentage wise as I have been, so this might actually turn out in my favor. I ultimately consented. I hope I don't regret it. I told him that even if the "measurement" looks big, once I say I'm not having a c/s, I don't want to be pressured about it. He agreed. We'll see how it pans out.
But it's MY choice. Not his. I told him I'd do the ultrasound but I don't want to be pressured into a cesarean section. It's my body. My child. And I have the right to make an informed choice, regardless of protocol, procedure, or someone else's fear of a lawsuit.
I keep dreaming about midwives, but it's a little late in the game to switch providers. Not to mention that insurance doesn't support midwives as generously as they do OBs. Even though a midwife charges less, we would have to pay MORE. Doesn't that suck?????
We're still trying to convert our office into a nursery. I need to get moving on that, because something tells me I might not have the full 6 weeks left! Yikes!
In other news, the dog is walking around with her leash. Think she's trying to tell me something?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Free Cone Day
Ben and Jerry's annual Free Cone Day is upon us. Grace asked, "So, they give us the cone and we pay for the icecream?" NOT a bad idea for the company, but the customers would probably be disgruntled, eh?
In other news, Grace has started to learn piano. I'm very proud of her. She practices very consistently, and it's so fun to listen to her. Until Old MacDonald starts to play in my head even when she's not practicing!!! It's really a joy to see my daughter start to pick up my love of music and piano. And satisfying to know that I have the talent and training to teach her rather than pay for piano lessons.
AJ is doing well in preschool. His teacher is very pleased with his progress. We're meeting with the occupational therapists with the school board this week to evaluate his gross motor skills as well as sensory issues. We've been waiting for this appointment since NOVEMBER. I hope it leads to something fruitful for him.
Terry's traveling again, in Utah for 10 days this time. I've developed a very strict routine with my children and it is working wonders. Their behavior has been stellar for the most part. I'm seeing them helping more, squabbling less. I've learned not to stress myself out over their happenings and utilize timeout more. Time out really benefits ME as well as them. And bedtime has been seamless. 7:00pm is lights out for AJ, Grace is in bed with a book by 7:15, and usually both are asleep before 7:45. That gives me a peaceful, relaxing evening and helps me recharge for the next day.
In other news, Grace has started to learn piano. I'm very proud of her. She practices very consistently, and it's so fun to listen to her. Until Old MacDonald starts to play in my head even when she's not practicing!!! It's really a joy to see my daughter start to pick up my love of music and piano. And satisfying to know that I have the talent and training to teach her rather than pay for piano lessons.
AJ is doing well in preschool. His teacher is very pleased with his progress. We're meeting with the occupational therapists with the school board this week to evaluate his gross motor skills as well as sensory issues. We've been waiting for this appointment since NOVEMBER. I hope it leads to something fruitful for him.
Terry's traveling again, in Utah for 10 days this time. I've developed a very strict routine with my children and it is working wonders. Their behavior has been stellar for the most part. I'm seeing them helping more, squabbling less. I've learned not to stress myself out over their happenings and utilize timeout more. Time out really benefits ME as well as them. And bedtime has been seamless. 7:00pm is lights out for AJ, Grace is in bed with a book by 7:15, and usually both are asleep before 7:45. That gives me a peaceful, relaxing evening and helps me recharge for the next day.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Growing. . . and shrinking.
The scale has dropped another 3 pounds. Which brings my total weight loss to 30 pounds. Yikes! So fun to eat low fat while PREGNANT. YOU try managing cravings for chocolate covered potato chips from Grimaldi's with poor substitutions, such as pretzels and Gatorade and strawberries! It will be so worth it in the end, though, to know that our baby is healthy in part because I was careful.
In other news, our little girl is kicking away. Grace and Terry have both felt her, which is such a neat part of pregnancy. And she has currently lodged the whole pound of herself in a ball just under my ribcage. I'm not sure why, or how she is defeating gravity right now, but I really wish she'd set up camp in an area with a LITTLE more space. So that I could lean forward.
We're on our 4th consecutive week of Terry traveling for work. I miss him. I miss the respite he provides when he comes home every day. The one sucky thing about homeschooling is that there is NEVER a break. Unless I go to the gym. And believe me, I'm using my full 2 hours of childcare every day that he is gone. He spent 3 weeks in Utah, came home for the weekend, then jet-set off to Alabama for NASA meetings. And just as I suspected, he anticipates more travel to Utah in about 2 weeks and another trip to Alabama.
I looked into cruises, thinking that would be a fun family vacation before the baby comes. And something to look forward to while my husband is away. It turns out that you can't travel on ANY cruise ship if you're more than 23-24 weeks pregnant. Except for Viking cruises, which doesn't have any local travel. Bummer. I briefly considered not telling them I'm pregnant, but decided it wasn't worth the risk of preterm labor, gallstone problems, or food poisoning. Or SARS or Swine Flu or whatever the next pandemic will be.
So then I was thinking North Carolina. But I don't know that white water rafting is really the best choice for a pregnant woman. And hiking in the snow, great for those of us super fit, used to mountains, and in shape, again might just suck for the pregnant lady. Which brings me to the Florida Keys. Now THAT rings my bell. Pool, beach, a dolphin or whale tour, maybe some snorkeling. . . . mmmmmmm. I wonder if they make virgin rumrunners??????
Now that we found out Terry has another week in Utah coming up, he thinks the kids and I should go up there. Spend vacation money on plane tickets and enjoy the nice hotel room paid for by his company. It would be fun to see our friends again. And Terry could take the kids snowskiing for the first time while I take pictures and drink hot chocolate in the lodge. But it will be cold. Probably snowy. I won't come home tanned and relaxed. (Who would be relaxed after an 8 hour flight with 2 young children?)
I can't decide it it's worth it to go and have adult company, help with my children, enjoy seeing our friends and our church. . . . or suck it up, again, and hold out for MY vacation.
We do have Disney passes Mon-Fri, and I suppose I could take the kids and spend the night at Mom and Dad's and then go to Disney for a few days. AJ has preschool Monday, Wed, Friday, Grace has American Heritage Girls Tuesday, Tap dance and church Wednesday, Hip Hop Thursday, and Dance Company on Saturdays. So we'd have to give up some of our regularly scheduled activities to do that. Perhaps leaving Thurs. pm for Orlando and letting AJ miss preschool on a Friday. . . .
In other news, our little girl is kicking away. Grace and Terry have both felt her, which is such a neat part of pregnancy. And she has currently lodged the whole pound of herself in a ball just under my ribcage. I'm not sure why, or how she is defeating gravity right now, but I really wish she'd set up camp in an area with a LITTLE more space. So that I could lean forward.
We're on our 4th consecutive week of Terry traveling for work. I miss him. I miss the respite he provides when he comes home every day. The one sucky thing about homeschooling is that there is NEVER a break. Unless I go to the gym. And believe me, I'm using my full 2 hours of childcare every day that he is gone. He spent 3 weeks in Utah, came home for the weekend, then jet-set off to Alabama for NASA meetings. And just as I suspected, he anticipates more travel to Utah in about 2 weeks and another trip to Alabama.
I looked into cruises, thinking that would be a fun family vacation before the baby comes. And something to look forward to while my husband is away. It turns out that you can't travel on ANY cruise ship if you're more than 23-24 weeks pregnant. Except for Viking cruises, which doesn't have any local travel. Bummer. I briefly considered not telling them I'm pregnant, but decided it wasn't worth the risk of preterm labor, gallstone problems, or food poisoning. Or SARS or Swine Flu or whatever the next pandemic will be.
So then I was thinking North Carolina. But I don't know that white water rafting is really the best choice for a pregnant woman. And hiking in the snow, great for those of us super fit, used to mountains, and in shape, again might just suck for the pregnant lady. Which brings me to the Florida Keys. Now THAT rings my bell. Pool, beach, a dolphin or whale tour, maybe some snorkeling. . . . mmmmmmm. I wonder if they make virgin rumrunners??????
Now that we found out Terry has another week in Utah coming up, he thinks the kids and I should go up there. Spend vacation money on plane tickets and enjoy the nice hotel room paid for by his company. It would be fun to see our friends again. And Terry could take the kids snowskiing for the first time while I take pictures and drink hot chocolate in the lodge. But it will be cold. Probably snowy. I won't come home tanned and relaxed. (Who would be relaxed after an 8 hour flight with 2 young children?)
I can't decide it it's worth it to go and have adult company, help with my children, enjoy seeing our friends and our church. . . . or suck it up, again, and hold out for MY vacation.
We do have Disney passes Mon-Fri, and I suppose I could take the kids and spend the night at Mom and Dad's and then go to Disney for a few days. AJ has preschool Monday, Wed, Friday, Grace has American Heritage Girls Tuesday, Tap dance and church Wednesday, Hip Hop Thursday, and Dance Company on Saturdays. So we'd have to give up some of our regularly scheduled activities to do that. Perhaps leaving Thurs. pm for Orlando and letting AJ miss preschool on a Friday. . . .
Monday, January 11, 2010
Just wait and see. . .
This is where I plan to go. After our baby is born and after I take the Miller Analogy Test! :)
Gold rings in pigs snouts'
"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without sense." Proverbs 11
For my daily devotions this month, I'm reading a proverb a day. This verse really jumped out at me this morning. It's made me contemplate beauty and the way our culture pursues youth and beauty obsessively. I am amazed at the high cost of going to salons, plastic surgeries, expensive hair and makeup products, teeth whiteners, wearing the latest styles. As a stay at home mom, I've been convicted that I do not need to buy new clothes constantly. There is nothing inherently wrong with having nice, classic clothes. This is coming from the girl who is proud of her Platinum Lane Bryant credit card. :) But I've pulled out my 7-year old maternity jeans, and they're still in pretty decent condition. I've bought some basic plain tees and am committed to not breaking our budget on 6 months of fashion here.
And yes, I'm going to the salon for a hair cut and highlights. It will feel so good every time I look in the mirror. It's worth it. I haven't had a haircut since Terry treated me to an upscale salon in Vegas 18 months ago! I'm so excited!
But I am cautioned that all this beauty without sense or discretion is pointless. I certainly don't want to be compared to a gold ring in a pig's snout. Terry and I have signed up for a class at church that we're really excited about next month. We're involved in a new small group from church. I'm trying to grow in wisdom and learn from my own, and others', mistakes. Our Utah pastor said that knowledge is learning from one's own mistakes, while wisdom is learning from someone else's. I really like that. I want to ask the experts for help and not just rely on what feels right or what I think we should do. I want godly wisdom, not worldly information. I want to see the big picture and how we fit and where we're going and see how far we've come.
I hope that I can better my family because of my actions. And I want to have an eminently useful and productive life--not just a vain, self-seeking moment to moment existence, like so many women pursue. That is my prayer.
For my daily devotions this month, I'm reading a proverb a day. This verse really jumped out at me this morning. It's made me contemplate beauty and the way our culture pursues youth and beauty obsessively. I am amazed at the high cost of going to salons, plastic surgeries, expensive hair and makeup products, teeth whiteners, wearing the latest styles. As a stay at home mom, I've been convicted that I do not need to buy new clothes constantly. There is nothing inherently wrong with having nice, classic clothes. This is coming from the girl who is proud of her Platinum Lane Bryant credit card. :) But I've pulled out my 7-year old maternity jeans, and they're still in pretty decent condition. I've bought some basic plain tees and am committed to not breaking our budget on 6 months of fashion here.
And yes, I'm going to the salon for a hair cut and highlights. It will feel so good every time I look in the mirror. It's worth it. I haven't had a haircut since Terry treated me to an upscale salon in Vegas 18 months ago! I'm so excited!
But I am cautioned that all this beauty without sense or discretion is pointless. I certainly don't want to be compared to a gold ring in a pig's snout. Terry and I have signed up for a class at church that we're really excited about next month. We're involved in a new small group from church. I'm trying to grow in wisdom and learn from my own, and others', mistakes. Our Utah pastor said that knowledge is learning from one's own mistakes, while wisdom is learning from someone else's. I really like that. I want to ask the experts for help and not just rely on what feels right or what I think we should do. I want godly wisdom, not worldly information. I want to see the big picture and how we fit and where we're going and see how far we've come.
I hope that I can better my family because of my actions. And I want to have an eminently useful and productive life--not just a vain, self-seeking moment to moment existence, like so many women pursue. That is my prayer.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I haven't had much to say recently. Christmas was quiet, and nice. Grace and I are getting through homeschooling. All of a sudden, she's being difficult and I'm moodier than usual. This, too, will pass. Quickly, I hope. She can be so fun, and then completely cop an attitude and push exactly the buttons to completely piss me off! Tonight, we had to unscrew her bright overhead lightbulb (we left on several night lights, because we're not cruel) and had to lock her door to get her to stay in bed. We've only had to do that once before. It sucks. We'll unlock it when we go to bed. This is what the psychologist we consulted last year recommended with regards to bedtime and Gracie. (no, that's not why we visited the child psychologist, but that will take a LONG time to explain!)
AJ, on the other hand, has morphed into my little darling. He's finally matured significantly and I'm enjoying taking him places and hearing him chatter away. He's still sensitive, but in a sweet, kind way. He's obedient, funny, and LOVES HIS MOMMY! The sentiment is mutual, I assure you.
I've managed to lose 28 pounds since discovering my gallbladder full of gallstones. Some of my maternity clothes are hanging off me! But the belly is growing. . .
And in other news, THREE of my friends are choosing to get divorced this year. Which breaks my heart, because I do not believe that God's plan is for people to give up when it gets difficult. Marriage is HARD work. But worth it! "FIGHT FOR YOUR MARRIAGE," I want to scream. But I don't. Because that will help no one. We are so lucky, however, that God does not choose to divorce us, his people, when we make choices that dishonor and grieve Him. Terry commented that even when divorce happens, the married couple still have to communicate constantly about child support, alimony, custody, etc. You're never really free. (he's observed a co worker and her constantly dealing with the ex. . . )
We've thought of some baby names we like for both genders. One name we love but a family member's new baby was recently given a very close name. We might name our child this anyway. Because we have good reasons for it and we love it. So there.
We can narrow the names down on January 22. I'm so looking forward to this day. Ultrasound in the morning, check up just after that, and a HAIR CUT and HIGHLIGHT that afternoon! Talk about the best day EVER! Well, besides the days my children were born. And the day I was married. And. . well. Let's just call it a GREAT day to look forward to!
We'll know! Pink or blue! (Not a huge fan of the small yellow and white selections that are barely available for those who do not know the gender). Then we can select a name! Sort through the baby clothes we've saved! And get a family picture because my hair will LOOK NICE! And blonde again!
AJ, on the other hand, has morphed into my little darling. He's finally matured significantly and I'm enjoying taking him places and hearing him chatter away. He's still sensitive, but in a sweet, kind way. He's obedient, funny, and LOVES HIS MOMMY! The sentiment is mutual, I assure you.
I've managed to lose 28 pounds since discovering my gallbladder full of gallstones. Some of my maternity clothes are hanging off me! But the belly is growing. . .
And in other news, THREE of my friends are choosing to get divorced this year. Which breaks my heart, because I do not believe that God's plan is for people to give up when it gets difficult. Marriage is HARD work. But worth it! "FIGHT FOR YOUR MARRIAGE," I want to scream. But I don't. Because that will help no one. We are so lucky, however, that God does not choose to divorce us, his people, when we make choices that dishonor and grieve Him. Terry commented that even when divorce happens, the married couple still have to communicate constantly about child support, alimony, custody, etc. You're never really free. (he's observed a co worker and her constantly dealing with the ex. . . )
We've thought of some baby names we like for both genders. One name we love but a family member's new baby was recently given a very close name. We might name our child this anyway. Because we have good reasons for it and we love it. So there.
We can narrow the names down on January 22. I'm so looking forward to this day. Ultrasound in the morning, check up just after that, and a HAIR CUT and HIGHLIGHT that afternoon! Talk about the best day EVER! Well, besides the days my children were born. And the day I was married. And. . well. Let's just call it a GREAT day to look forward to!
We'll know! Pink or blue! (Not a huge fan of the small yellow and white selections that are barely available for those who do not know the gender). Then we can select a name! Sort through the baby clothes we've saved! And get a family picture because my hair will LOOK NICE! And blonde again!
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