Birthday Boy

Wow - has it really been two weeks since I've updated this thing? Time sure does get away from me these days. That's exactly what I thought on August 9 when we had Gehrig's birthday party - two years old already??? Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital.

He went from this...



to this...



...all in just a matter of minutes in my mind. I know we'll be sending him off to school before we know it. Boy, I don't even want to think that far ahead. I'm a wreck now just thinking about potty training him. I'm sure you all remember my last meltdown (or at least the one I told you about!)

We had a Blues Clues party for him on his birthday. We had a houseful of people, and Gehrig loved every minute of all the attention he was getting. He got lots of neat stuff. Mostly cars, but that suited him just fine. He's definitely 100% boy! Here are a few pictures from the party -








Of course, with a second birthday comes a doctor's visit. I lied to Gehrig and told him there wouldn't be any shots, but there was a follow-up shot he had to get. He was a very brave little man and only sreamed for a few minutes. The nurse gave him a sticker and that seemed to fix everything. Dr. Miller said that he was in the 25th percentile on his height, 33 inches, and in the 5th percentile for weight, 24 lbs. She said that most premies had already caught up by now, but that he might just be a smaller child. Brian is right at 6', and is the shortest man on his side of the family. I've got lots of tall people on my mom's side. We'll just have to see if he'll inherit any of that. The doctor said that he seems to be perfectly healthy, and that's all that matters to me.

Whatever he lacks in size, he certainly makes up for in brains. I know all moms say this about their own kids, but Gehrig is the smartest little man in the world :) He already knows all his colors, enough so that he will intentionally tell you the wrong color of something just to get a laugh out of you. He left several of his trucks at the sitter's house over the weekend. He kept telling us exactly which ones he was missing - "green car, black truck, yellow truck." It's just amazing to me that he knows exactly which ones he didn't have and where they were. He also remembers the color of everybody's vehicles, even when he's not looking at them. His memory is unbelieveable! He definitely takes after his daddy on that trait.

Nothing too much is happening with the new baby. My next appointment is this Friday, so unless something exciting happens in our household before then, I'll write back after my doctor's visit. Talk to you soon!

Poo Poo in the Potty

As soon as I found out I was pregnant again, some of my first thoughts were that 1.) I need to get Gehrig in a big boy bed, and 2.) we'd better start potty training. Well, after lots of advice, some solicited, most not, I went out and bought a Winnie the Pooh potty seat. Gehrig was thrilled to have it. He would sit on it in the living room and watch TV, read books, etc. Then we moved it into the bathroom. He knew exactly what it was for - he'd say "tee tee" and "do do" everytime he saw it. But when I tried sitting him on it naked, he flipped out. I just figured it was because it was new. Well, after the third or fourth time trying, I realized that the cup that you sit on just wasn't big enough. Everything (if you know what I mean!) wouldn't fit the way that it should. So, we decided not to use it. And of course, I was stressing out about the whole process. Thank God for Kim Brooks :) She reassured me that when it was time, Gehrig would do his thing. I wouldn't be able to force him out of diapers, just like I can't force him to eat his veggies. I can only offer encouragement.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, while in the tub, Gehrig informed me that he had to "do do". I picked him up and sat him on the toilet. Boy, did he scream! I think he was afraid that he was going to fall in. That's a mighty big hole for such a little tushie! I was determined that he was not pooping on the floor or in the tub, so squatted in front of him so he could hold on to me, and he finally pooped in the big boy potty. I let him see what he had done, then flushed. He said, "Bye-bye, do do!" Of course, I went totally overboard praising him for such a good job. He loved it :)

The next time we were in Wal-Mart, we bought him a seat that fits on top of the regular toilet. Yesterday, he became fascinated with it. He wanted to just sit on it for a while with his clothes on, so I let him while I worked on a Sudoku puzzle. Later in the day, he said, "Tee tee, pot" I ran in the bathroom with him, stripped him down and sat him on the toilet. Nothing. So I got him dressed again, and we practiced getting up and down from the potty. "Step, step, turn."







Once he got the climbing part down, we stripped again. He finally did go - only we didn't make it up the step stool in time for the wet part. But he did poo poo in the potty. Boy, were we excited!! Afterwards, he DID NOT want to get dressed. He was just so happy to be running around in nothing but his shoes. Here's proof -





I know we're a long way away from no diapers, but this sure is a start. At least he's asking for it, and I'm not having to push to much. We'll see what happens. Sorry if this is too much info, I'm just so excited :)

Doctor's Visit

I visited my doctor yesterday for a check up/follow-up from the specialist. The doctor I saw, Dr. Alexander, is new to the East Metro group. Brian and I both really liked him. He was very friendly, seemed to be extremely knowledgeable, and just generally a nice guy. Here are the results:

My blood pressure was 120/80, which is PERFECT! Praise God! I've gained about 7 lbs, if my math is correct. They told me I was only allowed 13, so it's not looking too good :) But they didn't say anything about that (not yet anyway!)

The doctor mentioned that I had what's called placenta previa, which just means that my placenta is very close to the opening of my cervix. He said that it would probably correct itself since it was still very early in the pregnancy, that as my uterus grows it should move it away.

In two weeks, I have to collect my urine for 24 hours. Because I developed preeclampsia at week 34 when I was pregnant with Gehrig, they want to get a baseline of my protein in my urine. Later in this pregnancy, if my blood pressure goes up, they'll collect more and test it to see how it compares to my baseline to determine if my medicine needs to be increased for my blood pressure or if I'm developing preeclampsia again.

We also discussed what kind of delivery I wanted. I had pretty much made my mind up before yesterday that I was having another c-section. But now I'm having second thoughts. I had a c-section the first time when I developed preeclampsia because after trying to induce labor, I was still only dialated to one after 24 hours. If I decide to have a c-section this time, I wouldn't be able to have a normal delivery if I were to get pregnant again in the future. I could have a third c-section, but the risk would be greater since I would have already been cut twice. In my mind, if we go with a c-section, that's it for us as far as pregnancies go. We haven't completely ruled out having a third child, but I'm thinking that two will probably be it for us, unless we adopt down the road. The thought of having a vaginal delivery scares me to death, for whatever reason. Probably because I don't know what it's like. Fear of the unknown. My main thing is trying to take care of Gehrig and the new baby after major surgery. My first c-section was great, but it took a good week before I was up moving somewhat normally. I'm sure it would be fine because Brian is the best dad and husband in the world, and he's always such a huge help around the house. We'll just have to pray and see what God says about it. I've still got a while to think about it.

Ah - decisions, decisions. What's a girl to do??

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 :)