Update

22 hours later(from my last post), it's all said and done. My Girlie was such a champ. After checking into the hospital this morning at an unearthly hour, we went into the surgery prep room where she sat pretty contentedly and watched TV while all of the nurses came in to comment on how cute she is, and how good she was being. The surgery was fast, I knew it would be - but I still hated the waiting part (even if it was only 10 minutes).

As was predicted, she did not enjoy coming out of the anesthesia. After speaking with the doctor right after the surgery, I was escorted to the recovery room and I could hear her screaming from behind a set of doors and down a hallway. She was completely inconsolable for about 10 minutes, but eventually calmed down and got to eat a Popsicle for breakfast (she thought that was pretty cool).

So even though we haven't had a problem with infections, the fluid in her ears was very thick and was definitely having an effect on her hearing. Her Doctor reassured me that we did the right thing.

and on a side note...Have I mentioned that we really like this ENT, I've been super impressed with him. We've seen probably at least 5 different ENTs over the last two years, and I'm very happy that this is the one that stuck. I would recommend him, and our audiologist, in a heartbeat. (Just in case anyone is ever looking ; ) ).

Anyway, by the time she went to bed Sister was mostly back to normal. We have a week of using drops twice a day (that I can already tell is not going to be very fun), and she can start wearing her hearing aid again in a couple of days. We go back to the Dr. in a month for a check and a hearing test, and until then, hopefully things can start to get back to normal (well, as normal as things ever are around here. There always seems to be something.)

Ear Stuff

Baby Girl is having surgery in the morning (it's 10:45 as I'm writing this, I really should be in bed). Our check-in time is at 6:20. (yep, That's AM) The rational part of me knows that they were being kind when they did this - the little guys always get to go first. The not rational part of me is thinking "Are you kidding me!". I have to get myself, and the girlie ready and out the door by 5:45 (just in case there is traffic on the way into Seattle). Wish me luck!

It's not a big deal surgery. She is getting ear tubes. We haven't really had a problem with infections, but she has been retaining fluid behind her eardrums for about a month now. In a "normal" (hearing) child they would give her a few more months, or infections before they would do anything. Fluid causes a conductive (temporary) hearing loss though, so in a kid with a permanent HL, they tend to be a bit more aggressive, just so that we can preserve the hearing that she has.

I know it's not a big deal, yet I'm not looking forward to another morning spent at the hospital-we've been there too much the last couple of weeks leading up to this, and I'm way not looking forward to having her under anesthesia (Sister isn't a nice "drunk"-she's had to be put under before, and she is mean and super angry as she is coming out of it).

My sister and I were complaining to each other the other day (something we are apt to do quite frequently). Her little guy is about the same age, and just got his second set of tubes. She said to me: "I am so sick of ear problems", and all I could reply was "Me Too!!!". Who would have thought that we would be having such a strange conversation. Go figure...

It's Pink!

I haven't written about this yet because up until recently it was still just an idea, and when we finally decided to act on it things moved so quickly that I haven't really had time to process it completely. 

But first, let me show you Baby Sister's newest fashion accessory:

I've been trying for three days now, and can't get a good picture of her, she is far too active.

A few months ago, Sister's therapist told me about a pediatric audiologist who has been putting hearing aids on kids with a unilateral (one ear) hearing loss and has had really great success with it.  Up until now, we had kind of been told that hearing aids weren't really done for kids like her, because she could hear out of one ear.  Some of the more recent research is showing that kids like Sister (with a unilateral loss) fall through the cracks (educationally speaking) more often than they should, and that aiding them at a young age is having some very positive benefits. 

After a lot of deliberation, and talking with our therapist, and my sister (who has the same kind of hearing loss) we decided that it would be a great benefit to Baby Sister to look into a hearing aid for her.  We met with the new audiologist - who is fantastic - and things went quickly from there.  Sister got fitted for her aid at her first appointment and we got her hearing aid on June 1st.

So far, I've been truly amazed.  I figured we would be constantly fighting with her to keep it on and that we would only get a few hours a day at first, but she has proved me wrong.  She has tried to take it off a few times, mostly when she's bored, but usually if she is successful, she tries to put it back in almost immediately.  Most of the time (except for when we're in the car for some reason) she leaves it alone.  Which makes me think that it must be doing something good for her, because there is no other reason why she would be willing to keep something in her ear like that all the time.

We won't know the full benefit she is getting from wearing it for a while, but we are going back in a couple of weeks for some more extensive hearing tests to see if things are working properly, and if /how much it is improving her hearing.

Although this whole thing has been stressful and made me worry a lot (more than I usually do), overall it has been a pretty great experience too.  I can only hope that as time progresses things will continue to be positive.

And I'll keep trying to get a good picture.  It is super cute, but very tiny.

More Bits & Pieces

Not to jinx myself, but we are on day 3 of strictly underwear (during the day) with no accidents. Obviously we are still using diapers at night, and he still wears a pull-up when we go out, but for the last few days it has stayed dry. I am starting to see a small pinprick of light at the end of this tunnel!

He begged me to let him wear just underwear to church today. I compromised and let him wear them through sacrament meeting, then we went potty and put on a pull-up before he went to primary. He did great. I think sometime this week I may find the courage to let him venture out in just underwear. We'll see if I get brave enough.

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Baby Sister has a CT scan coming up this week. Not super looking forward to this one. I know in theory that there is really nothing to be concerned about with the actual procedure. I just really don't love the idea of having to have her sedated. I'm struggling with that one a little bit.

She also has her first meeting with her "teacher". I'm not sure what else to call her. It isn't really speech therapy that we will be doing, it is more just a program that provides an educator who will come in and help us learn how make the adjustments we need to give Sister her best "hearing" advantages.

This program also includes music classes, playgroups, and other events that allow the kids (all with varying degrees of hearing loss) a chance to interact and socialize. We have a music class this week, but due to the busyness of the week already I'm not sure if I'm going to make it or not. Even so, I'm very excited to be making some progress where her hearing is concerned.

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My husband informed me recently that he hasn't been feeling enough love on my blog. So I am remedying that situation now. He has been busy turning the closet under my stairs into a usable space. The pile of junk that used to occupy it has been organized/tossed and I now have a wonderful pantry with lots of extra storage. My favorite feature is the wall of kid-level hooks and the basket for shoes so that I no longer have to hang up jackets and pick up tossed around sneakers. I really need to take pictures. Thanks Babe! I love it.

He also helped me spring clean the Garage this weekend. It looks fabulous, if I do say so myself.

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Speaking of spring...(this is especially for my Utah readers). We've had a beautiful week here in the great Northwest. We've had at least 2 days that neared (if not reached) 60 degrees, and my boys have been out riding their bikes nearly every afternoon.

Just keep this in mind come June when you are bragging about how great your weather is - and it's raining here. We take it where we can get it.

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I recently started going to the chiropractor. It has taken a lot of courage for me to start going, but my back was hurting to the point that I needed something. My husband has been going multiple times a week for the last year and a half, and it has been working great for him, but anyone who know me very well knows my skittishness around any kind of thing that might be labeled "alternative medicine". I am strictly a doctors and drugs kind of girl.

I have to eat my words a little bit now though, and admit that it is actually working really well. I feel lots better, and I think the adjustments are making a difference. It helps that we have a pretty great chiropractor too.

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And just on a final note, lest Buggy feel left out...I am seeking opinions on 5-year-old boys. I know my son has a tendency to be a bit high strung (he comes about it honestly), but lately it seems like I'm raising a hormonal teenage girl rather than a little boy. He gets upset and starts crying over the silliest things lately. And somehow, he has learned how to pout.

I have have a very, very low tolerance for any form of drama -this is not boding well for him. So, now I just have to ask: Should I be worried, or is this normal/just a stage/hopefully going to pass very soon? Help me out - I'm kind of starting to be concerned here (and my unfeeling -his word, not mine - husband, is not).

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Well that is about all from me for now. Until next time...

The Worst

So, I have mastitis. I've never had it before, and I have to say it's the worst. It hit sudden and hard yesterday afternoon. I was out shopping at about 12:30 yesterday, and by 3:00 I could barely move. By 5:30 I was calling my friend to come sit with the kids so I could go to the walk-in, I couln't wait any longer for my husband to get home.

It is without a doubt the sickest I've ever been. I think I would even take my 3 c-sections again over this. I've got some antibiotics now which are supposed to help - they are, a little. I've heard from others that this is bad, but I never realized how bad until I got it myself. And - we were supposed to go out tomorrow night for the first time in like forever. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be better enough and that we will still be able to. This just SUCKS!!!

The Hearing Test

Yesterday was attempt number 6 at a "good" (i.e. no fluid in her ears) hearing test for Baby Sister. Thankfully, it was mostly a success.

She was slated to have an un-sedated BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test, and an EOAE (evoked otoacoustic emission) test. The funny thing about these tests is that she is expected to sleep through them, naturally, with probes attached to her head, and things stuck in her ears. You can guess how well it went.

After an hour and a half of trying to get her to sleep, it finally happened - just as I was ready to give up.

As far as results go...the Audiologist was confident in the results, there was no fluid, her ears were clear, and they look about the same as last time. Her left ear is good, her right ear isn't. We saw a slight improvement in the right ear, but she is still going to be classified with a moderate-severe loss in that ear.

The loss is permanent. Her hearing in that ear isn't going to come back. But, it is likely not going to get any worse. She will continue to have hearing tests every few months for the first couple of years, just to make sure that it isn't getting worse, and that her good ear is still good.

In most cases like hers the loss is there from the very beginning and the kids who have it cope remarkably well. She qualifies for early intervention services, and they will be able to help her as she learns to speak so that we don't see delays there.

Overall, I still feel like I did after our last test. I am surprisingly calm about the whole thing, and I know that she will be fine.

I am truly grateful that we have access to such a great children's hospital. Being able to catch it early, and having so many great resources available to help her learn to compensate for the loss will be a real advantage to her.

And in other Baby Sister news...Her new tooth from the other day won't be alone for long. She is showing signs of at least two, possibly three more that are on their way in. Stay tuned for their appearance.

Kid Stats - July 2009

Buggy (5 years):

Height - 42" 30%

Weight - 39lbs 50%

Buggy has also recently been to the dentist (no cavities!) and the eye doctor (doesn't need glasses!). I think we can safely assume that he is all caught up and ready to start school in a month (eek!).

Baby Sister (4 months):

Height - 25" 75%

Weight - 16lbs 13 1/4oz - +97%

Head - 41 1/2cm - 70%

Yep, she's a chubbo. She is also smiling/laughing all the time, rolling to her side, and playing in the excersaucer/jumper. She is drooling all the time too, and I wouldn't be surprised to see teeth one day soon (bummer).

Kiddo Stats - May 2009

Baby Sister and Beef both had well-child check-ups on Friday last week. Here is where they stand on the growth charts.

Beefy (3 years):
Height - 36 1/2 inches 30 %
Weight - 34 lbs 75%

I was actually really surprised to find out that he hasn't gained any weight at all since last fall, and he's only grown 1/2 an inch. I should probably start prepping my self for a huge growth spurt soon.

Baby Sister (2 months):
Height - 23 inches 75%
Weight - 13 lbs 6 oz 97%
Head - 39 1/2 cm 75%

Yeah, I think she's getting enough. Considering that these were her newborn stats:

Height - 19 inches 50%
Weight - 6 lbs 8 oz 25%

The Doctor didn't seem concerned about the jump. It just means she's healthy I guess. It always amazes me how fast they seem to grow. Especially my kids. For some reason they like to start out on the small side, and then get really big, really fast. Oh well, I don't mind.

Not Sad to Say Goodbye

Over the last 9 months, I have stuck roughly 190 of these little beauties into my stomach (daily, minus the 2 1/2 weeks before I gave birth -in which I switched to a different kind of injection).

The needle is small, a plus, but it burns as it goes in and leaves ugly bruises. Not terribly pleasant.

Today was my last one.

Sometimes you've got to take the small victories where you can get them.

Ears and Other Random Thoughts on Life

Baby Sister didn't pass her newborn hearing screenings, a fairly common thing especially for babies born via c-section. Wednesday this week, we took her to an audiologist at Children's Hospital to have her retested.

Although she still has fluid in her ears from birth, (also common) when the fluid was bypassed and her hearing tested behind it, it was found that she has a permanent hearing loss in her right ear. As of right now, it is being classified as a moderate-severe loss, but because of the fluid we are hoping that as it drains we will be able to reclassify it as a mild-moderate loss.

What does that mean for her?

Surprisingly not a lot right now. Many children with this type of loss are able to compensate for it on their own with no devices. As she gets older (i.e. school age) if we feel that she needs more help, she may be eligible for a hearing aid, or an FM System (although our Audiologist feels like she will probably not need these aids, which is encouraging).

There are support services through the hospital and Early Intervention that will teach her ways to cope with the loss, and help her stay on track developmentally. We also will be doing some testing to find out causes for the loss. Most likely though, it is genetic - my sister and her son also have the same kind of hearing loss.

For the next few months (okay probably more than a few) it will mean lots of Dr. appointments (yay for us!) and testing and evaluations to understand a little bit more of what we are dealing with. Just another adventure of life right? It would have been far too boring for us to graduate down to just going to the doctor for immunizations and check ups - I'm glad we are able to keep things spicy (insert semi-sarcastic smiley face here).

How are we coping?

I will admit that it caught me off guard initially. That is not what I expected to hear. Admittedly there was the understandable worry, concerns over her future, etc. but after the initial shock, and letting it all sink in...I am actually pretty okay with it. I've said it before, and will probably say it a lot more in the future, I am just glad that she is here and healthy. I still feel that way.

This might be a bump in the road, but it is one that I feel like she/we can handle with great confidence. There are outstanding resources available to us, and although I know there will be some tough things ahead, I am feeling really accepting about everything at this point.

My husband is an eternal optimist. From the beginning he says that he knows she is going to be fine. And she will be. We are grateful for the hearing she does have, which appears to be a lot.

Her left ear seems to have almost completely normal hearing, and there is still some hearing in her right ear. Although we don't know the severity of the loss due to the fluid, we know a range of where her hearing could be at right now. The top end of that possible range is, unfortunately, still outside of the realm of the sound of human voices, but hopefully not too far out.

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Other than this newest development, things are still progressing quite nicely. Each day gets a little bit less crazy, and I know that someday soon she is going to figure out this "sleeping at night" thing. The boys are missing their Grandparents, and I am learning to accept the fact that my house probably won't be as clean and organized as I would like it to be for a while. It is a sad realization, but another one that I am coming to be more okay with. (Look at all the personal growth I am having here)

It looks like spring might be here soon, I'm very much looking forward to it. The weather keeps teasing us with a few nice days before it starts raining again. I guess I should just be grateful that we aren't in Utah. I've heard you all have been getting snow.

I'm starting to feel more human everyday too. I've decided that there is a certain irony to a postpartum woman. We are expected to be able to deal rationally with a newborn, and frequently with older children too, take care of household responsibilities, loose baby weight, sometimes return to jobs or other responsibilities, and a whole host of other things. As if this isn't enough, we get to be riddled with these unbelievable hormones that throw all rational anything out the window and make normal functioning that much more difficult. Go figure.

Anyway, I hope all of my readers out there are doing well too. It feels good to be typing again, even if my posts are few and far between (and are mostly pictures sometimes). We really are doing well, and are pretty happy to boot. Can't complain about that.

The Countdown Begins

I did my fetal lung maturity test this morning and Baby Sister's lungs are mature! The hospital also called and changed my surgery time tomorrow to 8:00 a.m. We have 17 1/2 hours to go. Horray!

1 Year

Today was one of those days where it was hard to feel bad about anything. The sun was shining, and it was nearly 60 degrees outside (always a nice thing). My friend Marque took the boys to the zoo so that I could have some quiet time, and go to my NST appointment, and I realized how lucky I am. I am so blessed.

1 year ago tomorrow (march 14), I went to an ultrasound appointment and found out that my 3rd pregnancy (which I was almost halfway through) was no more. It was a terribly difficult time, and my husband and I were in a zombie-like state of shock that lasted a while.

Surgery took place 4 days later, with a preparatory procedure that I could easily categorize as one of the most painful experiences (physically) I have ever had in my life. I had a 3 day hospital stay, and months of follow up appointments afterward.

It was a little surprising how fast I was able to get pregnant again. At the time it seemed like it would never happen, and yet here I am, a year later, a week away from giving birth to what seems to be a healthy, large baby girl.

I was admittedly nervous at first about the whole pregnancy, and especially when I started looking at the dates and realizing that they coincided with my hospitalization last year. Then I realized that I am actually kind of lucky (in a weird way) to have this positive association with what was such a horrible and life-changing experience.

I feel so blessed that things have gone so well. I know I have been watched out for. I am blessed to have really, really good Doctors who have made it a priority to make sure that I did not have a repeat experience. I appreciate that so much.

I've written about that loss a lot on here, so I won't get into it anymore. I will never forget that experience or that baby. It (and she) will always be a part of me.

As I was contemplating the way things have gone for us in the last year, I couldn't help but feel overwhelming joy.

I feel like a whale, and my hips and back have hurt constantly for almost two weeks straight now, but every time "Baby Sister" has "active time". I can't help but be really happy. It feels so good to know that things are going well.

I'll admit that I am still a little scared (how can a person not be) about the upcoming delivery, etc. but, overall I have a good feeling that everything is going to be okay.

There are days when I am pretty sure I must be crazy for doing this all over again, but I am actually very excited to have this baby.

It really is amazing what can happen in a year.

Nine Days and Counting...

That is how long we have until Baby Sister's birthday. Today's ultrasound confirmed that it is indeed still a baby sister. We've had it confirmed at least 6 times now, but the "mom-of-two-boys" in me still has to check every time just to make sure it hasn't changed. We have a pink bedroom, pink blankets, and more pink clothes than one little girl should have (thus the reason I have to keep checking - a baby brother would look awfully silly in all of those dresses).

I have 5 appointments (1 Dr. visit, 3 NSTs, and an Amniocentesis to check lung maturity) in the next 8 days, all leading up to "The Day", next Friday afternoon (the 20th).

She was very active during today's ultrasound, making accurate measurements almost impossible; but, it looks like she will run in the 7 1/2 to 8 lb range (bigger than either of the boys).

Unfortunately, she once again didn't want to cooperate and show us her face. I am a little bummed that we haven't had any really good ultrasound photos with her. We were spoiled with the boys - my husband's brother does ultrasound and was able to give us lots of "just for fun" ultrasound pictures. We did get some good "back of the head" shots, and some fabulous pictures of her brain and kidneys. It looks like she might have hair too, which I am kind of excited about (I've had this weird obsession with baby headbands lately.

So that is where we are in the baby game. I have another Dr. appointment tomorrow, and will post more details if there are anymore worth posting at that time. For now, its time to go relax and see if there is a way for me to sit/lay down that will not make my back hurt. Wish me luck!

Thank Goodness for False Alarms

So, I thought my water broke this morning.

After I got up, I was sitting in my new chair with Beefy on my lap. When I got up the chair was soaked. When I checked Beefy, he wasn't. That only left one other option - Me. So after stewing for a while, and consulting my husband at work, I decided I'd better call the doctor.

Of course they had me come in, thankfully my friend Marque was home, and she was able to help me make arrangements for the boys, (her babysitter was coming over to watch her son anyway) and gave me a ride to the Dr.

Luckily when I got there, everything was normal. No ruptured membranes, not gushing fluid, safe for another day at least. My OB thinks I might have leaked some fluid, or had a heavy discharge or something (yes I know, TMI).

Anyway, after a non-stress test (to make sure everything is still okay with the baby) and a quick switch of some meds that wasn't supposed to happen until next week (but just in case...) I am now home, and just taking it easy for a while.

It would have been okay to have her now, but I will feel much better if we can hold off just a little bit longer. So far, so good. Let's just hope it stays that way.

Baby Update

There will probably be a lot more of these in the next while, but the thing is - its kind of my life lately, so its what I blog about. Anyway, enough with the disclaimer.

I am officially 33 weeks and 6 days today. Tomorrow I hit 34 weeks, and on Sunday we meet the milestone of where I was when Buggy was born. (Kind of a silly comparison I know, but I always feel better when I reach that point, knowing that anything after that is just a bonus)

I am scheduled for delivery exactly 4 weeks from today. So, pending any early labor/complications/water breaking, Little Sister's birthday will be March 20 (and no later). As of right now I am scheduled for a 5:00 pm c-section. I'm not too thrilled about that part, I really hope that they are going to be able to move the time up, they said they would try.

I am proud of myself - at this point I have gained less than half of the weight that I gained with either boy. I know there is still a ways to go, but so far, I can't complain.

I still am taking a pharmacy's worth of meds every morning, but tomorrow I get to decrease it by one, from 9 pills to 8. Unfortunately, next week I will go from one shot daily to two, so I don't know that I am making much improvement in that area.

My husband finally finished painting the baby's room. And it only took me two weeks of nagging to get it done. It really looks great, and I promised him his own post about it (proclaiming his merits), with pictures when I have the painting junk cleaned out and the crib put together.

I also finished making the bedding (well, the blanket and the dust ruffle) and will include photos with the aforementioned post about the paint job.

Overall, enough to keep me busy. I am now at weekly Dr. appointments, and most likely twice weekly NSTs. I have an ultrasound on Wednesday next week, and will hopefully have more good news to post at that time.

Baby Update

So we are at 29 wks 4 days. Almost there! I had an ultrasound today, everything looks good, it is still a girl, and she is big- 3lbs 8oz. We got a pretty good face shot today. The photo doesn't do it justice, it is kind of smudged and obviously there is a huge shadow over her eye. It was a much better shot on the actual ultrasound. It is sideways because I think it is easier to see that way.




On another couple of positive notes, the "peri" (specialist) doesn't think I need to start NST's until 34 weeks, so I have a little break there, and after my 3hr test yesterday, my glucose levels came back normal (yay!). I was relieved, mostly because I spent most of yesterday afternoon incredibly sick after fasting for 12 hours and then drinking that super sugar drink, and not having anything for another 3 1/2 hours. Awful!

I have an appointment with my OB next Friday, and hopefuly we will be able to set a tentative delivery date by then. I know it is a ways off still, but I am kind of getting excited for her to be here, and definitely to not be pregnant anymore.

Where Have We Been?

Posts have been scarce lately here in my world. Not because nothing has been going on, but because nothing noteworthy has happened I guess, and I just haven't found time.

We just finished up a fun weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, and some Meredith cousins. They were only here for a few days, but we always love having visitors (even 9 at once), and the boys had a great time with all those cousins around.

I've spent the last week and a half in digging mode. I dug out all of the junk in my closet, so that I could move my craft table and all of my stuff in there, so that I could dig out my craft room in order to get it converted into a baby's room soon. Its amazing the difference a little organizing and junk tossing can make. I think I have twice the space I had before.

I've also been sorting through a mountain of hand-me-downs from my sister. She is having a boy, and I'm having a girl, so we are switching clothes. Unfortunately since girls are scarce around my family, they tend to get over-bought for, and now I have to go through and find what will work for my baby from the time she is born until she grows out of a 2T. I can't really see the floor right now of my recently cleaned future nursery.

I am also gearing up for a nice heavy push of Dr.'s appointments from now to the end of March. I have a (or another) glucose test, and an ultrasound this week, an appointment with my OB next week, and then weekly NST's mixed in with more ultrasounds/appointments until I deliver. (Yay for high risk pregnancy) Really though I would rather be on the cautious side than risk complications. Even so-the thought of all of those appointments and trips to the hospital makes me tired.

Needless to say, with all of this going on, I have been crashing at night and keeping well busy during the day. I like it that way, it makes time fly, but I want be better at more frequent posts. I've missed it.

Baby Pictures

For some reason, we have never been able to get a good photo from an ultrasound with this baby. I don't know if they are just too detailed, or what, but they always come out fuzzy.

Yesterday we had a pretty good ultrasound and were able to get a couple of good profiles, and a foot. I decided to share. Hopefully as we get further along, the pictures will continue to get better. Here is baby girl at 25 weeks 2 days.

What's New in Our Lives?

Just a few items, that didn't quite warrant their own post, but that I wanted to get out there anyway.

1. Today was Beefy's last day of therapy (hooray!). All of his testing came back right at the 50th percentile. It was good enough for his therapists, and definitely good enough for me. Plus it means I don't have to get up early on Tuesday mornings, which I am very grateful for.

2. I have an ultrasound next week. I am excited, but a huge part of me is really scared too. Is that crazy? But, we should be able to find a gender which would be great and a definite perk.

3. The boys are very excited about Halloween. Buggy asks me every night if it is Halloween yet. I think that the thought of another week and a half just might kill him.

4. I am tossing around the idea of using cloth diapers with this next baby. Maybe I really am crazy, but I've gotten really good feedback from people who have done it, and found only raving reviews online. I am looking at using this particular version. Kind of cool, no? I would love opinions, on this subject especially.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Neglected News

I realize that it is almost the end of September, but for some reason my brain is still stuck back in late July, or mid-August at the latest. Either way, I confess that there are things I have been neglecting when writing on my blog, and it is probably time to remedy the situation.

Buggy started pre-school at the beginning of September. Not a real pre-school, just a joy-school with four other kids from church. He really loves it though, and I am so glad we did it for him. Every week he goes to someone's house, and every fifth week, they all come here. We got, what looks like, a really fun program for them and so far it is turning out to be great.

Pre-school is something that I have struggled with for about 6 months or so now. We make decent money, but traditional pre-schools are very expensive. I could not ever quite figure out how we were going to make it work in our tight budget. I also had a really hard time getting a strong confirmation that it was a good idea for him. A few days before Beefy's accident, I got a phone call from someone at church saying that they had room in their group and heard we might be interested. It has definitely turned out to be a huge blessing for us.

And so, now onto my other piece of neglected news. I am, with some addmitted trepidation, pregnant again. I had my first appointment two days after Beefy's accident, and my second this week. Because of my history, not just with my last pregnancy but also with the boys, I am not only seeing my regular OB-Gyn, but a Perinatologist (high risk doctor) as well. I have had two ultrasounds to date, and so far everything looks really good. The baby is normal, very active, the right size, and has a strong heartbeat (all of which is a huge relief).

Unfortunately, this all comes with "less-than-pleasant" parts too. I haven't been terribly ill, but I do get the great pleasure of giving myself injections everyday (my stomach is starting to get a collection of little purple bruises). I also monitor my blood pressure and pulse from home at least twice a day, and additionally I have 5 (with a potential of one more) different medicines/supplements to take each day (I currently have very strong opinions about my prescription plan, but that is a rant for another day). All of this is being done in hopes of making sure this one works. I really, really hope it does.

I also have to comment on the baby ticker. Some of you have noticed that it has been up for a few days with no explanation or anything. That was my husband's idea. I really struggle with telling people I'm pregnant. I don't really feel it should be a secret or anything, it is just really awkward for me to come out and say it. He (my husband) thought it would be pretty funny to see how people reacted if I just put it up there without saying anything. So, there you go.

On a side note though, it was pretty funny.