Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Pregnancy Time
It’s interesting how time passes when you’re pregnant. Depending on how you look at it, it can be going as slow as molasses and other times, it seems to be flying by. All in one run on sentence yesterday, I thought, “I’m basically half way, 10 more weeks until I’m 30 weeks--which is just about done--but I guess 10 more weeks is like 2.5 more months and then I’ve still really got 2.5 more months after that, so I guess I’ve still got a long way to go.” Fast to slow in 3 seconds. Hmm.
People around work have just started to notice the bump despite the baggy scrubs. One person asked me rather perfectly so as to not stick her foot in her mouth if I was not indeed pregnant: “Are you expanding your family in the next year or so?” I thought this was brilliant—I’ve never had it worded this way. Yesterday, though, someone else was not quite so clever: “Are you having a baby (as she reached for my bump)?” I wish I’d said no…I’ve always wanted to do that! But, the telling smile crept over my face and the game was over before it began. So, the news is out at work—what a relief. There’s something in the water around here though—seems there is a growing number of us who are expanding the families. I wasn’t the first and the number keeps rising.
I’m feeling good and looking forward to the 20 week anatomy-scan ultrasound mid-August. No, we are not going to find out—the surprise was too fun last time. No, we are not going to share the names we have picked out. Sorry, mom(s). With Bella, I was absolutely convinced we were having a boy—not that I was disappointed, I was just shocked! I had been certain. Yesterday, Charles asked me if I had a “mother’s intuition” type hunch. No. I suppose I was so jolted by having been wrong that I haven’t assumed that I can possibly have even a hunch or a feeling this time! What will be, will be and what we’ll be is amazed and blessed beyond words.
People around work have just started to notice the bump despite the baggy scrubs. One person asked me rather perfectly so as to not stick her foot in her mouth if I was not indeed pregnant: “Are you expanding your family in the next year or so?” I thought this was brilliant—I’ve never had it worded this way. Yesterday, though, someone else was not quite so clever: “Are you having a baby (as she reached for my bump)?” I wish I’d said no…I’ve always wanted to do that! But, the telling smile crept over my face and the game was over before it began. So, the news is out at work—what a relief. There’s something in the water around here though—seems there is a growing number of us who are expanding the families. I wasn’t the first and the number keeps rising.
I’m feeling good and looking forward to the 20 week anatomy-scan ultrasound mid-August. No, we are not going to find out—the surprise was too fun last time. No, we are not going to share the names we have picked out. Sorry, mom(s). With Bella, I was absolutely convinced we were having a boy—not that I was disappointed, I was just shocked! I had been certain. Yesterday, Charles asked me if I had a “mother’s intuition” type hunch. No. I suppose I was so jolted by having been wrong that I haven’t assumed that I can possibly have even a hunch or a feeling this time! What will be, will be and what we’ll be is amazed and blessed beyond words.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Passport Photo
We're planning a weekend jaunt to Canada at the end of August, so we took Bella to get her passport card yesterday. We had just come from the pool and she had fallen asleep in the car. So, I woke her up, dragged her in, smoothed out her pool hair, and the lady snapped her photo! Well, for the next 5 years this will be her mug shot!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Isabella Grace
These pictures remind me of how my "baby Bella" is turning into a little girl. I'm not sure what it is about the pictures, the angles, the clothes, the accessories, the hair...that makes her look like a little girl. Or, maybe, it's the truth in pictures. My "baby" isn't so much a baby anymore...until I catch a glimpse of it in pictures every now and then, I still see my baby, and I suppose I always will.Her vocabulary and speech is phenomenal. She occasionally says things to me in Spanish that she's picked up from school (or Dora)...good thing I took spanish otherwise I'd have no idea what she was saying! Several weeks ago she was trying to get Charles and I to move faster. So she took my hand and said, "Vamanos, mommmy!" I looked at Charles and said, "Did you catch that?" We had a good laugh. Just a few weeks ago, she was trying to put her shoes away in her basket and she got stuck, so she said, "Ayudame, mommy!" (Help me, mommy") Amazing.
Her memory seems to be developing at lightning speeds. She remembers what we did and what we call things and where we stayed. She recalls words and patterns and routines. She insists on doing most things independently and she can accomplish most of what she sets out to do on her own.
She loves her baby Sally. (Charles came up with the name.) For a girl who never had a comfort item (a soothie, a paci, or a blanket), she really seems to be clinging to this baby of hers. She has to tuck Sally in just so and if I lay the blanket on Sally wrong, she says, "No not this way mommy. This way (as she redoes it)". Sally sits down at her table for coloring or coffee. Sally goes for rides in her stroller. Sally gets fed an assortment of items from Bella.
Bella has a love/hate relationship with the sun and the beach. She LOVES going to the pool and the beach, but she gets sooooo heat exhausted and crabby shortly after. We've been spending a lot of time outdoors and enjoying water play with the weather being so cooperative lately.
She's sweet and affectionate. She purposefully says "I love you" and "I love you, too". When I went to wake her up yesterday, I crawled in her bed and snuggled, and she just wrapped her little, warm arms around my neck and scooted closer. She loves to give us kisses and hugs and play. She's gentle and cooperative (most of the time).
She's pretty amazing. She just needs to use the flippin' potty.
For Beth!
I've often found myself wanting to go back to the old website to follow along and compare current state to past state, but with the site down, it's been cumbersome to get the CD out and load it. So, I took the time to copy & paste onto another blog account so that I could easily refer to it. Voila, in just a few minutes I can easily go and compare notes (and size)...
Also, for Beth, who also likes to go back and refer now that she has her own bundle of joy! Congratulations!
So, you'll find the link to the right under blogs... Chas and Aubs! Enjoy!
Also, for Beth, who also likes to go back and refer now that she has her own bundle of joy! Congratulations!
So, you'll find the link to the right under blogs... Chas and Aubs! Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
16 Week Check Up
Had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything looks like its progressing well. I'm measuring like a 16 weeker should, baby's heart rate was in the 140's, I've gained 2 pounds (which she was happy about) and we had a great question/answer session thanks to Charles, who is like my notebook so I don't actually have to write anything down.
We talked more about our birth plan and Dr. Gong was super supportive of all of our desires...so, I think we're going to continue seeing her throughout the prenatal period.
It turns out, since I'm due during the holidays, that the truth of the matter is that I'm going to get the on-call doctor for the delivery. None of the practitioners that I visited or questioned could promise they'd be there for the delivery or if they were or were not going on vacation during the holidays. Thankfully this is baby #2 and the labor won't go on forever, so the chances are, I'll be able to bring this baby into the world in under 10 hours, hopefully naturally.
I can't believe we're 16 weeks... this pregnancy is flying by! It's probably due to the fact that we're not on top of every detail, every stage, every feeling this time around - there's just no time! So every now and then it occurs to me to figure out how far along we are and lo and behold, we're that much further along! Almost half way there!
We talked more about our birth plan and Dr. Gong was super supportive of all of our desires...so, I think we're going to continue seeing her throughout the prenatal period.
It turns out, since I'm due during the holidays, that the truth of the matter is that I'm going to get the on-call doctor for the delivery. None of the practitioners that I visited or questioned could promise they'd be there for the delivery or if they were or were not going on vacation during the holidays. Thankfully this is baby #2 and the labor won't go on forever, so the chances are, I'll be able to bring this baby into the world in under 10 hours, hopefully naturally.
I can't believe we're 16 weeks... this pregnancy is flying by! It's probably due to the fact that we're not on top of every detail, every stage, every feeling this time around - there's just no time! So every now and then it occurs to me to figure out how far along we are and lo and behold, we're that much further along! Almost half way there!
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Tricycle
Bella finally showed interest in pedaling herself on her tricycle. She used to say, "Mommy pedal please" and then sit back and relax. This time she insisted on doing it herself and she did just that! Perhaps there was a little showing off for Emily involved. So, she's just getting the idea here in this video, but she'll be cruising in no time.
P.S. I love this site...so easy to upload videos and pictures! Love it and hope you do, too!
P.S.S. I took this video with my awesome iPhone 4...I love it.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Where is Jesus?
Most Sundays we do make it to church and Bella knows the routine. We wake up, we tell her we're going to Jesus' House and she calls it that or the church house. As we pull up to it, she usually lights up and says, "There's Jesus' house!"
So, today, she was pretty sleepy (which I love because then she cuddles in church). She suddenly sat up and holds my face in her hands and asks, "Where's Jesus?"
Hmmm, funny you should ask.
So, my first response was, "Well, Bella, Jesus is in your heart..."
She looks at me, perplexed, as I expected and repeats, "But, where's Jesus?"
Hm, ok, "Bella, Jesus is everywhere..." and I point around the room.
So, more persistently this time, she asks, (with her hands out, palms up), "Where's Jesus mommy?"
I nudge Charles for some help at this point, tell him what's on the table. He chuckles.
He finally came up with something a little more concrete for her to chew on: "Bella, Jesus is up in the sky in heaven."
She looks up at the sky and finds this an acceptable answer. How else do you explain it?
So, today, she was pretty sleepy (which I love because then she cuddles in church). She suddenly sat up and holds my face in her hands and asks, "Where's Jesus?"
Hmmm, funny you should ask.
So, my first response was, "Well, Bella, Jesus is in your heart..."
She looks at me, perplexed, as I expected and repeats, "But, where's Jesus?"
Hm, ok, "Bella, Jesus is everywhere..." and I point around the room.
So, more persistently this time, she asks, (with her hands out, palms up), "Where's Jesus mommy?"
I nudge Charles for some help at this point, tell him what's on the table. He chuckles.
He finally came up with something a little more concrete for her to chew on: "Bella, Jesus is up in the sky in heaven."
She looks up at the sky and finds this an acceptable answer. How else do you explain it?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Redmond Derby Days Parade
On July 10th, with Emily N. in for a visit, we ventured off to Redmond for their annual Derby Days Parade. We've been to many parades with Bella and she LOVES the sensory overload that they bring...but most of all, she loves the candy that gets tossed out to the onlookers. So, we thought, let's enter in the kids' parade. One of the themes was patriotism - and of course - we had plenty of Americana to adorn her wagon with. As we walked, one of the cameramen zoomed in on her and we found her TV debut and posted it here for your viewing pleasure. Everyone loved her sailor outfit!
In Baby #2 news... we finally felt B2 kick and squirm last night! I think I've been feeling B2 faintly...but Charles felt a few strong kicks finally last night! It was just as amazing as the first time with Bella. B2 definitely wanted to let us know that he's/she's in there! So exciting! Now that I've crossed the threshold into the second trimester I'm finally feeling better...the nausea seems to have subsided and I suppose I have a bit more energy (which isn't saying much)! We have our 16 week appointment on Monday July 19th.
We visited a birthing center yesterday, staffed by wonderful midwives. It was lovely and I fell in love with the idea of giving birth there, in an environment where they allow the mom and baby to experience the birth as it was meant to be. It was everything we'd wanted to experience with Bella. So how come we're not going to go with it? Because, being a pediatric nurse has ruined my ability to "just go with it". Because, in my line of work, I can't ignore that things don't always go well. Because, I read my patients' histories and I can't forget them. So, we're back to the hospital and looking for someone who is going to help us have the birth that we want, but in the safety of the hospital.
Couldn't Stay Away
In light of the fact that Bella has many a detailed entry to her first two years of life, I couldn't simply let this second pregnancy and second child go undocumented. How unfair would that be? I was beginning to create the conversation baby #2 and I would have one day:
B #2: Seriously, mom? Seriously? You didn't write anything down?
Me: Honey, things were different, we were busier when we were pregnant with you.
B#2: Bella has two years of her life and the pregnancy documented and I have nothing!
Me: It doesn't mean we love you any less!
B#2: Well, it means you love Bella more!!
>>Door slamming ensues...<<
Couldn't let that happen now could I? So, I did manage to write a few thoughts down when we first found out we were pregnant. So, here they are. Oh yeah, and welcome to our new site! Town Hall, get it?
21 April 2010
Chas and I officially started "trying" to have baby #2 in December, by that I mean that I stopped taking the pill. I figured it would happen quickly - that's what they say is true for the second pregnancy. However, should have remembered that everything is relative and everyone's story is a bit different. So, here we are in April, today is the day that we have found out we are pregnant!
You'd think for the second pregnancy I'd believe the test the first time, but yet again, I've taken three pregnancy tests today and they were all positive! The first two tests were the double lines equals positive type. Well, that second line was so incredibly faint and I had lost track of time... so I wasn't positive that it was positive. So, I brought a test to work intending to take it in the morning. I promised myself I would watch the time. I did, but that second line was so, so, so, barely there that I still needed to feel more certain before I shared the news with Charles.
On the way to the dentist I stopped by Safeway and picked up the digital test, aka, the idiot proof test. I hydrated and hydrated some more. At my dentists' office, I was asked to stand in the panoramic x-ray machine. I obliged. As the tech stepped out of the room, I suddenly remembered that I was pregnant! I shouted for her to stop before she started and like an idiot said, "Wait, I've literally just found out I'm pregnant, I mean, I had 2 positives, but that second line was so light, so I have a digital one in my car to make sure, I mean, my husband doesn't even know--" To which she responded, "Oh my gosh, so I'm the first to know!"
So, no x-rays were taken.
I picked up Bella and raced home with a full bladder. I plopped Bella in the living room to play with Shooey the fish and ran to the bathroom. By then my bladder was soooo full I barely had time to read the directions - didn't want there to be any question - and did the deed. Waited the three minutes and voila! "YES +" appeared on the screen!
I anxiously awaited Charles' arrival home, however, he had a young man with him to go over some quick "stuff". I waited it out thinking it would only be half an hour... TWO hours later, I could hardly contain myself.
Me: Charles, Bella has something she wants to tell you. Bella, what did you learn today?
Bella: (whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: What? (Looks at me for answers)
Me: Say it again, Bella.
Bella: (whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: What? (Clearly not understanding)
Bella: (Whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: She wants a popsicle?
Me: No! I hand over the test.
Charles: (Looks at it completely puzzled. He later tells me he thought it was a thermometer and he didn't get why it said "YES".) What?
(Silence while I wait for him to figure it out.)
Finally, I see that it's clicked and I start tearing and his eyes start watering...
Charles: Really?
Me: Really.
28 April 2010
I'm finding myself exhuasted... just bone-tired. I don't remember this. (Chas: Yes, Aubs, you were tired the last time, too). Perhaps its because this time we've got a busy two year old to chase after! I'm coming home and just passing out on the sofa. I will nap and nap again later in the day. Being on my feet all day and running all over the place ... just wipes me out beyond belief.
26 May 2010
Today we had our first prenatal appointment with my OB. I was so excited all day, a bit nervous, too. I couldn't wait for my work day to end! I drove to Evergreen and picked up Charles in his office to whisk him away to our appointment.
We liked our OB, she had excellent bedside manner. After all the preliminaries, health history, physical exam, etc, we got to hear the precious sound of B2's heartbeat pitter pattering away at 180 bpm. We rejoiced at the sound of music to our ears.
After a few carefully placed questions and hints, Dr. Gong got our drift and ordered an ultrasound (not typically done at 8 wks)... hooray! We'll get to see our little bean on Tuesday!
We are going to meet a few more OB's just to see who else is out there. A few of Charles' colleagues recommended a couple of others, so we'll meet them. This experience will be so different from our first, now having choices as opposed to how it all happened with Bella in the Navy. We're getting used to the idea of "shopping around" and being more specific about what we want. Now as for what we want this time around... hmm....
B #2: Seriously, mom? Seriously? You didn't write anything down?
Me: Honey, things were different, we were busier when we were pregnant with you.
B#2: Bella has two years of her life and the pregnancy documented and I have nothing!
Me: It doesn't mean we love you any less!
B#2: Well, it means you love Bella more!!
>>Door slamming ensues...<<
Couldn't let that happen now could I? So, I did manage to write a few thoughts down when we first found out we were pregnant. So, here they are. Oh yeah, and welcome to our new site! Town Hall, get it?
21 April 2010
Chas and I officially started "trying" to have baby #2 in December, by that I mean that I stopped taking the pill. I figured it would happen quickly - that's what they say is true for the second pregnancy. However, should have remembered that everything is relative and everyone's story is a bit different. So, here we are in April, today is the day that we have found out we are pregnant!
You'd think for the second pregnancy I'd believe the test the first time, but yet again, I've taken three pregnancy tests today and they were all positive! The first two tests were the double lines equals positive type. Well, that second line was so incredibly faint and I had lost track of time... so I wasn't positive that it was positive. So, I brought a test to work intending to take it in the morning. I promised myself I would watch the time. I did, but that second line was so, so, so, barely there that I still needed to feel more certain before I shared the news with Charles.
On the way to the dentist I stopped by Safeway and picked up the digital test, aka, the idiot proof test. I hydrated and hydrated some more. At my dentists' office, I was asked to stand in the panoramic x-ray machine. I obliged. As the tech stepped out of the room, I suddenly remembered that I was pregnant! I shouted for her to stop before she started and like an idiot said, "Wait, I've literally just found out I'm pregnant, I mean, I had 2 positives, but that second line was so light, so I have a digital one in my car to make sure, I mean, my husband doesn't even know--" To which she responded, "Oh my gosh, so I'm the first to know!"
So, no x-rays were taken.
I picked up Bella and raced home with a full bladder. I plopped Bella in the living room to play with Shooey the fish and ran to the bathroom. By then my bladder was soooo full I barely had time to read the directions - didn't want there to be any question - and did the deed. Waited the three minutes and voila! "YES +" appeared on the screen!
I anxiously awaited Charles' arrival home, however, he had a young man with him to go over some quick "stuff". I waited it out thinking it would only be half an hour... TWO hours later, I could hardly contain myself.
Me: Charles, Bella has something she wants to tell you. Bella, what did you learn today?
Bella: (whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: What? (Looks at me for answers)
Me: Say it again, Bella.
Bella: (whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: What? (Clearly not understanding)
Bella: (Whispers) I'ma big sishtah.
Charles: She wants a popsicle?
Me: No! I hand over the test.
Charles: (Looks at it completely puzzled. He later tells me he thought it was a thermometer and he didn't get why it said "YES".) What?
(Silence while I wait for him to figure it out.)
Finally, I see that it's clicked and I start tearing and his eyes start watering...
Charles: Really?
Me: Really.
28 April 2010
You will probably hear me say a thousand times throughout this pregnancy... "I don't remember this... xyz." I've already said it countless times, looking for reassurance from my excited husband and daddy of 2! Each time, he patiently and lovingly assures me that, "Yes, Aubs, I remember you saying that you felt/had xyz the last time, too. I'm sure you're fine. You definitely said the same thing with Bella, too." I hope his patience never runs dry!
I've also noticed, it seems, that my body remembers. Like my body says, "Oh, I remember those hormones, lets start stretching & growing..." Or maybe it was the thai food I've been eating... a lot... of. Seriously, though, I have my 4.5 month belly already. Serious. Overnight.
There are several things I've set out to differently this pregnancy. I know a lot earlier than I did last time, so I aim to take better care of my body earlier and throughout the pregnancy.
I cannot believe we're growing our family, that Bella is going to be a big sister. I cannot wait to see them play with each other, I can't wait to see Bella love on baby. It's going to be a whole new set of amazing and beautiful.
Today we had our first prenatal appointment with my OB. I was so excited all day, a bit nervous, too. I couldn't wait for my work day to end! I drove to Evergreen and picked up Charles in his office to whisk him away to our appointment.
We liked our OB, she had excellent bedside manner. After all the preliminaries, health history, physical exam, etc, we got to hear the precious sound of B2's heartbeat pitter pattering away at 180 bpm. We rejoiced at the sound of music to our ears.
After a few carefully placed questions and hints, Dr. Gong got our drift and ordered an ultrasound (not typically done at 8 wks)... hooray! We'll get to see our little bean on Tuesday!
We are going to meet a few more OB's just to see who else is out there. A few of Charles' colleagues recommended a couple of others, so we'll meet them. This experience will be so different from our first, now having choices as opposed to how it all happened with Bella in the Navy. We're getting used to the idea of "shopping around" and being more specific about what we want. Now as for what we want this time around... hmm....
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