My Boys

Well, yesterday was the first visit to my specialist. The nurse took me back, weighed me (I think I've gained about 5 lbs), and took my blood pressure. It was 136/78 - Yay!! Then the moment we'd been waiting for - the ultrasound. We told her we wanted to know the sex of the baby. But it seemed like it took forever, because she was checking the baby head to toe. We got to see it's eyelids, the heart beating, its kidneys, fingers and toes. It was so amazing to see this little person literally doing somersaults, yet I couldn't feel it. Finally, the nurse said, "It looks like...a girl!" I'd be lying to you if I said I was excited. I felt guilty about it, but I was a little disappointed. I immediately started thinking about all the boy clothes, toys, bedding, etc. that I've saved over the past two years. Also, I'm just used to boys - I helped with my little brother (who is now 12!), I'm married to a guy, and I've been raising my own little man. However, I have yet to meet someone that was worried about what they were having still feel the same way after the baby was born. So it was a fleeting moment of disappointment. Then the nurse said, "Well, now it looks like a boy. This baby won't stay still." She took lots of pictures and said the doctor would make the determination. When the doc came in, he asked lots of questions and looked at the baby himself. He turned the machine off and asked if we had any questions. I said, "What are we having?"



"It's a boy!"

Of course, he gave the usualy warning - you can't be 100% sure until the baby gets here, "but it sure does look like a boy to me!" That was good enough for me. I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm most thankful that the baby appears to be very healthy and growing just like it should. I go back to my specialist in 7 weeks, and hopefully I'll get to see my little boy again. And now I don't have to teach Gehrig how to say sister. His daddy has already taught him "Brother". It's so sweet to hear. And now I can say "My Boys!!"

Happy Health

Yesterday, Brian called me @ work and said that he thought Gehrig had another ear infection. He had one about 3 weeks ago in his right ear, and he started pulling on his left ear yesterday. Brian said he wasn't too fussy, but just wasn't acting like himself. He didn't play at all, but sat in Brian's lap most of the day. I went ahead and made him an appointment with Dr. Miller to try and catch this one early. When we got there, Ms. Joy checked him out from head to toe, and no ear infection!! We were so glad :) He did have a low-grade fever, but she said that was probably a sign that his two-year molars were getting ready to come through. We went to Brian's parents' house last night for dinner, and Gehrig was playing a lot more than he had through the day. He didn't really act like he felt horrible. He slept all night and was his normal playful self today.

In other medical news, Brian's mom took my blood pressure last night, and it was 118/74! PERFECT!! I was so relieved. Most of you already know, but I delivered Gehrig 6 weeks early because of high blood pressure, and at my last doctor's visit with this pregnancy my blood pressure was 160/100. They put me on a low-dose medication, and it's working! It's been a constant worry of mine, but I know that worrying and stressing doesn't do anything good for the body. I'm having to make a conscious effort daily not to get worked up about things. And with my hormones, that isn't an easy thing to do :)

Getting Started

Okay, so several people have asked me why I don't start a blog. Here we go...not really sure what to write, but I'm sure I'll come up with something along the way.

Here's the latest - I'm currently 14 weeks along in my pregnancy, and a total emotional train wreck. That sounds really bad, but it's the only way I know to describe it. A lot of you already know the story, but for those of you who don't, I had a major meltdown Sunday night.

Here's what happened:

Brian and I went to the movies and left Gehrig at his Granny and Grandpa's house (Brian's parents). The movie lasted longer than expected, and it was nearly 9:30 p.m. before we picked him up. On the way home, I was telling Gehrig that we were going to get our jammies on when we got home and get in the bed. Of course, he said, "Milk." It was then that Brian mentioned the fact that we probably should start weaning him off his nighttime cup, or at least giving it to him earlier. I totally agree - I don't want him wetting the bed when we start potty training. But the more I thought about it, the more upset I got. When we finally got home and I put Gehrig down for the night, I absolutely lost it. I was crying hysterically. Brian was just looking at me like I was crazy, and at that point I felt like I was. The nighttime cup of milk is "our" time. It's the only time, other than when he's sick or Brian spanks him that he'll actually sit in my lap and cuddle. I'm not ready to give that up yet. So, I told this to Brian. Then I proceeded to say, "I don't want to potty train him, either. I love changing his diapers. I want to hold him like a little baby again. I don't want him to grow up." And poor Brian, all he could do was go to bed. There was nothing anybody could say to make me feel better at that point. I went into Gehrig's room and picked him up out of his crib (he was already asleep) and rocked him for a while. Then I got in the bed and cried myself to sleep.

The next day I was fine. Brian and I talked about it, and I couldn't help but laugh. It's very hard to see your baby growing up. Sometimes I'm afraid that he won't need me anymore. But I'm learning that he'll always need me in some way, just not for the baby stuff. Gehrig is growing into the neatest little man. He has such a great sense of humor and is really a well-behaved child. I guess no matter how old he gets, he'll always be "Mama's boy". Soon enough I'll be able to experience all the baby stuff again. I'll be praying Gehrig out of his diapers by then :)