some adorableness...

He's all EYES!!

the giantness of the belly!

20 days?!?! You're kidding, right?

I just glanced at my ticker and realized...3 weeks minus one day is 20 days...20 days! Of course, I might not make it that long but we'll see. Last night at about 1 I started feeling really crampy and got a little worried. I tried to go back to sleep but that just wasn't happening so I got up, went to the bathroom, then got some water and read a pregnancy book for about an hour. After that I felt better and the crampy feeling started to go away so I did end up getting back to sleep. The bad part was that I had to be up early to get to work by 8 so I'm pretty tired today.

Chris came into town this afternoon. He and Bob are going to see the new Batman movie tonight. I heard it was really good! Too bad I have to be the babysitter. Oh well, maybe Oliver and I will watch a movie, too. Of course, if we do it'll be a Baby Einstein one...woohoo. I'm supposed to figure out where we are having dinner tonight. I have no idea! Someone suggested a new place called Jennifer's in Friendly Center. If we go there I'll post a review.

Other than that everything is normal. I still haven't gotten emails back from Mom OR Dad in response to the stuff I sent them.

Mom - did you get the directions?!?!

Dad - did you get the suggestions?!?!?!

I ordered a Happy Heiny diaper for Oliver because he kept asking for a red diaper and the BumGenius only comes in white, blue, green, yellow and pink. I like the wide velcro tabs but the liner seemed to bunch up more than the BG did. The second time I tried it was a little better so maybe I had it in the wrong the first time. I really like those wide velcro tabs - maybe I can figure it out and get some assortment of colors too. If anyone else is looking to get me something I'd like an orange one, a royal blue one, a lime one, a peach one - any of the bright colors, really. The other good thing about the HH diaper was that it came with two inserts. One for the smallest size and another that fits all the other sizes. Of course, the new BG 3.0 comes with two inserts as well...and they are about the same price. Anyway, if anyone's still looking for a gift we really NEED this is it!! With both boys in diapers I'm going to need a lot more than the 13 I have. (although hopefully Oliver will be out of diapers soon!!)

How adorable is this boy?!?!?!

Sometimes I just can't get over this FACE!

playing in the new pool...

Bob picked up a little plastic pool at Home Depot yesterday. It fills up pretty quickly and Oliver just loved it. He had lots of fun pouring water on his head! He also played with his watering can. There was a toy boat with a little pirate in it (thanks Aunt Rachael adn Uncle Dave) but he mostly used the boat to ...you guessed it! ...pour water on his head.

all about the appt

We got in pretty quick for the ultrasound. Bob and Oliver came with me. We got to see Roy standing on his head. Oliver got restless toward the end so Bob took him back out into the waiting area while we finished up. She said everything looks good, everything is normal...the amount of fluid, the heartbeat, all the organs, she even confirmed (again) that he's a boy.

After the ultrasound we went in to see the dr. We waited a good long time, but remember how much I didn't like the last dr? Well this guy was fantastic! He came in and introduced himself to all of us (even Oliver) first, then he showed Oliver a book about babies in bellies. Then it was down to business - my strep b test was negative, as were the other tests they did for STD's. He said the ultrasound looked great, as did my blood pressure and my labwork. He looked at my sugar readings and said I was doing a great job (he looked at this week AND last week - the same ones the other lady looked at and said weren't so good). I gave him my birth plan and he said everything on there was totally fine, but did have a few suggestions (such as starting an IV but not putting anything in it just in case they need one for an emergency situation...i don't really want one, but I see why it is a good idea) We went over everything...he told us WHY things were done a certain way instead of just telling us that's the way it was. Oh yeah! He also said I can start testing 2 times a day instead of 3!!! Once in the morning before eating and once 2 hours after dinner. Hooray!!

I had a few questions which he answered and made me feel better about things in general. I really really liked this guy!! Anyway, everything's good and Roy is in position for launch! I scheduled my two appointments for next week but we'll see if I end up needing them...hehehehe!

Hooray!

Roy is standing on his head!! More info about the appt later, for now I'm off to celebrate with Mexican food!!!

sick of it!!

I'm tired of being pregnant. Tired of waddling around with this huge belly. I'm sick of dr's appointments and getting poked and prodded.

I'm so ready for Roy to get here, but not really ready because there's still so much to do. I need to get the house cleaned up for guests. I need to make a place to put the bassinet. I need MORE DIAPERS! I need to wash the stuff from the attic. I need to install the car seat. I want to find time to cook some meals and put them in the freezer but that probably won't happen. I want to do so many things but it seems like I'm always so tired. I don't sleep well at night anymore because of the frequent pee breaks.

Speaking of which - Last night I had a dream that I was eating cake with strawberries and cherries on it. All things I'm not supposed to have. GRRR! Then I was trying to get frogs off my (younger) sister while she was in the shower...weird.

Anyway, tomorrow is the ultrasound to see if Roy is standing on his head yet. Let's all pray that he is!!!

Things for Roy

If anyone is still thinking about getting something for Roy here's what he needs:

Diapers!! - We still have a good many that we use for Oliver but with two kids in diapers I'm going to need at least 12 more!!

Bottles - BPA free plastic or glass bottles only, please!

I'm sure I'll think of more as we get closer to the actual date so check back!

Boppy Pillow - we still have the one from Oliver but Bob has bent it in half so many times that it doesn't hold any weight anymore. So we need a new one...with a pretty cover

The good part about having another ultrasound...

Look how cute he is!! I think he looks a lot like Oliver. We also confirmed again that he is definately a boy!!

It just keeps getting better and better...

I went to the dr yesterday and they did the NST then they told me that instead of an NST they were going to do a biophysical profile ultrasound. Nice...I already spent 20 or 30 minutes sitting around doing the NST (which looked GREAT they said) then I spent another 20 or 30 minutes waiting to see the doctor before they told me that I was getting an ultrasound. Bob was at home because Oliver was napping so I texted him to get there quick if he wanted to see it. Luckily we live about 5 or 10 minutes from the dr so he got there just at the end. Why didn't they wait? Well, because I wasn't actually scheduled for an ultrasound. They made someone who had an actual appointment WAIT so they could check me out. Anyway, Roy weighs about 6 pounds and 1 ounce. The part that sucks is that he's in a transverse position - which means he's laying sideways with his head to my left and his butt to my right. Why is that bad!? Well, they say by now he should have turned head down and if he doesn't hurry up and turn they'll have to try a manual version and if they can't turn him, or if they rupture membranes or rip the placenta off the wall then they'll have to do an emergency c-section right then and there. She also said that since the placenta is sitting so low that it might not work anyway, in which case he'll have to be delivered by C-section anyway. I asked if I could do anything to help him decide to turn and she said no...well...thanks a lot for your LACK of INFORMATION yet again. I looked online and there are plenty of "old wives tales" and things that say they'll help turn the baby. I'd rather try something that may or may not work than have a section, that's for sure! None of them are "medical" things...just positions or playing music low on your belly or shining a light or something but seriously she kind of made it sound like I might as well go ahead and get the section. I'm very opposed to having a section and want roy to be born as naturally as possible but it just seems like things keep going wrong this time. First the low placenta, then the diabetes, now this (1 in 25,000 babies lays sideways). I also read that most of the time the baby will turn by itself, even if it's when you go into labor. Babies know what to do, right? I certainly hope Roy can figure it out!!

Oliver's birthday wish list

I guess it's not too early to post this since his birthday is 2 months away. Here are a few things that Oliver wants or needs.

24 months fall/winter clothes
wooden puzzles with big pieces
books with bright pictures, preferably learning ones...colors numbers letters
Savings bonds or cash (cash will go in his savings account)


Things we'd prefer he NOT get:

stuffed animals (he only plays with a few)
toy tools (he has so many!)
anything large (we have a small house, and it just seems to get smaller all the time!)
cars (he has a whole bucket full)
anything LOUD (with a new baby this is BAD BAD BAD)

I guess that's it...hope this helps those of you who will get him a present.

Testing testing and more testing...

I went to CVS to refill my test strips a few days ago and they said my insurance would not pay for it yet! I told them I had only 2 days worth left and they said I could go ahead and get them...for $65!! I said ummmm, no thanks! and called my dr. The dr got everything straightened out so I have to go pick it up today but seriously, how do people without insurance do it?!

When I called my doctor she asked me why I hadn't been in for the non-stress tests once a week. Well, had I KNOWN I was supposed to be getting a test every week I would have scheduled and been there but since no one told me then how was I supposed to know?! She said it was ok but I need to come in ASAP...so another last minute appointment at the doc's today. She also said I will need another ultrasound to make sure Roy isn't too huge. Hooray for another ultrasound but now I'm worried that Roy will be 10 pounds. It'd be super nice if my doctor would have told me all this 2 weeks ago when I was there. Then I could have made plans and not freak out like I am now.

Cool Dude and his new bike

Here is the cool dude on his new bike. We got this at Toys R Us. It is a rocking bike for inside and the rocking part converts into a handle so outside he can ride it himself or I can push him. He LOVES this thing! All day long all I hear now is "bike! bike! bike!"

Been busy...busy...oh so busy!

We've been keeping the house consistently clean! The laundry was caught up but I need to do a load of diapers and a load of clothes tomorrow. The playroom is pretty straight, all the dirty dishes are in the dishwasher waiting to be washed, the toilets and shower are clean. I do need to vacuum and sweep but maybe I can do that tomorrow.

We joined a gym on a 30 day free pass. It's the Rush, but we haven't been back since that first day because we can't use the child care facility because we aren't paying members. I'm thinking maybe we could just join the YMCA. It's pretty close to the house and it's about $50 cheaper than the gym! They also have a pool that Oliver can go it, which the gym doesn't. We're going to check it out tomorrow or Wednesday.

I ate a huge dinner (salmon, beans, steamed veggies) and even cheated with a sip or two of Bob's coke, a sip or two of Oliver's chocolate milk and a Ghiradelli carmel filled chocolate and STILL got a good reading this evening!!

Bob borrowed a saw on a pole and chopped up the trees while Oliver and I were out visiting a friend. I can really tell the difference in the amount of light that comes in the front window! He has a bit more to trim but it's looking good already. Great job, Honey!

I'm so tired!

I can't seem to get enough sleep lately. I took 2 naps today and still feel totally exhausted right now. I've been eating the special diet and all my readings have been pretty good this week. Hopefully I'll be able to test less next week. I guess I'll email my numbers to the dr and see what she thinks.

Oliver needs a haircut.

I'm eating my snack early and GOING TO BED.

The past week...

We've been busy. At least, I feel like we have been but I can't really remember what we did. Pregnancy brain!

Friday Oliver and I went to the Children's Museum with Elizabeth and Isabel. We had a great time! They played together pretty well although most of the time they were just running around doing their own things. We went out to lunch afterwards at Mimi's - have I mentioned that I *love* that place?! I think we're going to get together more often now. We've both been so busy with our kids and our pregnancies that it's been a while. Oh, she also said they'd come get Oliver when I go into labor so he doesn't have to be in the room with me while I'm suffering...I don't think that would be good for him. We will, of course, return the favor when she goes in!

Saturday Oliver and Bob went to Raleigh to visit Bob's dad. They spent the day out on the boat having a grand time...they even had a picnic out there! Bob said Oliver really enjoyed it even though after a while the rocking nearly put him to sleep. There are pictures but I don't know where Bob saved them so I'll try to post them at some point.

Sunday we lounged around a lot. I got some housework done, Bob did some yard work. Oliver played a lot. We took a long walk - which was nice. Monday we were both home from work again so we did some shopping. I got a new purse/bag that is waaaay bigger than my old one. It's big enough to fit everything I need so I retired the old purse AND the book bag that I usually carry. There's even enough room for an emergency diaper and wipes!! I also got a new water bottle. I've been refilling an Aquafina bottle but that's not a good thing to do. That type of plastic is not made to be reused like that. Anyway, the new bottle is red and it's made of (BPA free) Nalgene. I wanted a cute bottle to take to the hospital so now I have one! It's about a liter so according to my dr I only have to drink 2 of them a day. I'll probably do 3 or 4 though, it's HOT outside!

I had my followup visit at the nutritionist today. She said that everything looked pretty good except a few readings. She asked me what I ate those days and I pulled out my food journal and showed her. She was pretty impressed that I had started the journal since she hadn't mentioned it at the first appt. Anyway, she told me what I could do to get better readings and said that if I keep good readings for another week then I can start testing only once a day instead of four times!!! I will definitely be following the diet to the LETTER for the next week because I hate hate hate testing! She also said I should do my exercise in the evening instead of in the morning because that made my morning reading better, too. I guess I'll still try to do the walking in the morning but also do prenatal yoga when I get home from work...if I'm not too tired.

Roy is still moving around like a maniac. The dr said he's head down now although he could move back around anytime. She said most babies don't go and stay head down until about 36 weeks. Oh, and I lost 4 pounds! I guess it's the diet I'm on. I was at 136 a few weeks ago, now I'm at 132. I'm not sure that's a good thing but the nutritionist said it was ok.

A big update...if I have time

It's been a long time and a lot has happened.

The weekend I was at my dad's I was on a special high sugar/high carb diet because I had to take the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. You only have to take this if you fail the one hour test, so I was a bit concerned, but not overly so. I got there and sat for four hours and had blood drawn 4 times. Of course after they sugar you up for 3 days they starve you for 12 hours before the test so I was soooo hungry. After the 4th stick with a needle they sent me on my way and said I should hear the results in a few days. That was Monday. On Thursday my dr's office called and said I needed to come see the dr. that day - would 2:45 or 4:15 be better. Well, this made me a bit more worried so I took the 2:45 and we headed over. (Bob and Oliver were with me) They told me I failed the 3 hour test and that meant that I have Gestational Diabetes. So now I'm considered a "high risk" pregnancy - which means no more midwives for me. :-( They are sending me to a nutritionist (tomorrow) so I know what I can and can't eat and also how much or little I should exercise. I guess it wasn't THAT bad of a failure if I don't have to take insulin or anything, but I will have to check my blood sugar throughout the day. That means I'll have to stick myself with a needle...something I'm NOT looking forward to. They also said that I am now at a higher risk to develop diabetes as I get older. Hopefully that won't happen but I'll definately be keeping a closer eye on my diet even AFTER Roy is born. I'm not really sure how this will change my plans for labor and delivery, I was too flustered to ask, but I have to go every week to see the dr now so I will ask them at my next appointment.
This also sucks because all I crave is candy and ice cream and chocolate!

In Oliver news he's using the potty pretty regularly in the morning until after his nap but after the nap he doesn't seem to care anymore. I've tried everything to get him to remember to tell me he has to go but nothing has worked so far. The good news, though, is that I haven't had to change a poopy diaper for about 5 days! I tried him in the training pants today but I'm not sure he's ready for them. I explained what they were, called them "cool dude" pants, and told him cool dudes only pee in the potty. He then proceeded to tell me he had to go potty every few minutes and then when I got him there he wouldn't go. Maybe it's because the training pants feel different than a diaper? Any advice would be appreciated!

He's picked up so many new words, he's just a chatterbox! He talks all day long and now he tells stories...for example he'll say Daddy, truck, drive, working...or he'll say walk, strolly, puppy...which means Daddy is at work driving his truck or that he did/wants to walk in his stroller with the puppy. When we're driving he names everything he sees.

We are still working on colors. He gets them sometimes but I just don't think he cares that much. He gets green most of the time, and blue and red sometimes. Yellow, orange, black and white are completely out most of the time - usually he calls them red. He does know that Daddy's truck is black, though.

We've started getting up early when it's still cool and walking around the block a few times. Saturday we did two laps, today we did 3. Three laps is just under a mile so I thought that was pretty good. We met the lady on the next street who has 4 boys, one of which is just about Oliver's age and she said she would come walking with us some days. She didn't come out today so I guess she was either busy or she didn't see us. I told her what time we'd be around so if we keep our schedule then we'll eventually meet up.

I guess that's all for now. I'm going to try to update more often. I've been obsessed with facebook lately and spent all my time there instead of here.

Father's Day fun in the yard...

We got up early yesterday and went to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast with our neighbors. (Incidentally Mimi's was voted #3 most kid friendly restaurant in Parent's magazine this month!) After a very yummy breakfast we came back home and took a nap - which was exactly what we all needed. Then We had some lunch and went outside to play. It was pretty hot (around 91, I think) but there was a breeze so it didn't feel too bad. Bob and Oliver played ball, then they fed the birds (picture 2), then they played in the rocks in the parking space. We were still outside when Nanny and Pappy showed up to hang out for a while. They stayed for about an hour playing and chatting and such then they had to leave to get home. After they left we went out to dinner at Red Robin (also on Parents kid friendly list, but Bob's favorite burger place) and it was yummy! Bob even treated himself to a delicious chocolate milkshake, which he shared because it was HUGE. Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good day.

Happy Father's Day!!

Oliver loves his daddy!!