Anna's Dr. Appt. and My Cubbie!

Anna's doctor appointment went well this morning. She had gained a pound since her last appointment, which was great since the doctor was concerned about her weight. She now weighs 16.4 lbs. She is in the 35th% for weight and 90th for height. The doctor said she seems like she doesn't have any neurological problems (at her last appt. the doctor was concerned about this because she shakes when she's excited). She wants to recheck her in a couple months to make sure she's met all of her developmental milestones.
I thought I would share some pictures of my little Puggles. Aren't they adorable?!
And here is my big Cubbie!!! Can you tell from her face how proud she is of her new Cubbie vest?! She learned three verses and the Cubbie motto to earn her vest and book. I'm very proud of her too! She's getting so big!

Weekly Weigh In

Another pound lost! That brings my weight loss total up to eleven pounds! Ryan hasn't lost any this week, but he hasn't gained either. Both of us could have done a lot better at counting our calories. It is definitely harder the busier we get. We have had to eat out a lot this week, which is never good for weight loss! I really need to include exercise into my life, but I can't seem to find the time or the motivation. Something to work on!

Homeschooling is going well. The picture is of Rylie making the letter "B" in shaving cream. She really enjoyed this, even though her face isn't showing it in this picture! We also made "B"s out of shrinky dinks and she cut out pieces of blue ("B" is for Blue) paper and glued them in the shape of the letter. The other picture is of her doing ballet (another "B" word). She got the Bella Dancerella DVD for Christmas from Aunt Elisa. Her favorite part about it is that it came with a princess wand. She had to wear her ballet outfit that we got at a garage sale for a quarter!

I took Anna to the doctor yesterday. It was a combination of her being sick and her six month well baby check up. I hadn't made an appointment for her yet because her primary doctor didn't have any available until the middle of October. I didn't want her to wait that long for her shots, but I also didn't want her to see another doctor if I could help it. I called the phone nurse yesterday morning to ask if there was anything I could give Anna for her cold (she was up a lot the night before coughing, etc.). The phone nurse told me to bring her in to check for ear infection and said I could do her well baby at the same time. It turns out that Anna's primary doctor had a cancellation for yesterday, so Anna could see her! I was thankful for that answer to prayer! Another answer to prayer was that Anna doesn't have an ear infection, it's just a virus. I figured as much, since I have been fighting the same thing.

She now weighs 15.9 lbs and is 27 inches. She is in the 50% for weight and the 90% for height! The doctor noticed that she does this shaking thing when she's excited or scared. I had been concerned about this, but didn't want to bring it up, because I didn't want to be a hypochondriac. The doctor said that she wants to reevaluate her in a month because this could possibly be a neurological problem! She said it probably isn't anything to worry about, but wants to be sure. She also said she wants Anna to be sitting up and rolling over both ways by that next appointment. (This morning she rolled over from her back to her belly, so now she can both ways and she can sit up for about 45 seconds and the developmental mark for this age is 30 seconds, so I'm not too concerned) Anna seems to be making all the other milestones and is very social and makes good eye contact and is talkative, but the possibility of a problem still freaks me out a little! I'm dreading and looking forward to Oct. 8th to find out for sure!

She also upped her Zantac. We were hoping that she would have outgrown the acid reflux by this age, but she hasn't. Hopefully soon. She isn't eating much right now since she's been feeling so miserable. She's such a cheerful girl though and is still giving us smiles!

I forgot to mention that the picture of Rylie from the previous post is her trying to "look like a white gorilla"! Quite the imagination!

Linky Love, Pretty Dress, and Other Things

First of all, thanks to Aunt TeeTee (Sarah) for Rylie's pretty dress. She loved it! She also liked her "ballerina" hairdo. Unfortunately, by the end of Sunday School her up do was more of a messy braid, but she was still cute.

We started having her do some chores. She really enjoys her "special jobs". She got upset the other day when I forgot and put my clothes down the laundry chute instead of having her do it. We are also working on a children's catechism with her. So far she has four questions/answers memorized. For some reason she feels she needs to yell the answers half of the time! My favorite is hearing her answer number two, "Why did God make you?" Answer: "To glorify and enjoy him". To hear this in her little voice is just precious!

The Banana had her two month well baby check up today. She is now 10lbs, 10 ozs. She has gained almost a pound just in the last two weeks. She is now in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th for height (23 inches). She had to get four shots, which are always hard to watch. Her little bottom lip was sticking out so far, it was so sad. The doctor confirmed that she did have acid reflux and was pleased to see that the Zantac is starting to work. She said that Anna will need to be on that for the next couple months at least. She also reiterated that Anna needs to be on hypoallergenic formula (which is ridiculously expensive) due to allergies, etc. The Doctor said that neither of these treatments will help with her excessive spit up. I've decided to just tell people that it is my new perfume. Other than these things, Anna is very healthy. The doctor said that she thinks she is going to have a "sweet personality". Anna was smiling and cooing at the Doctor during the whole exam.

Have I mentioned that Anna has said "Mama" 6 times now?! I know, I know, she's only two months old and I am an unrealistic mother, but, I have had four witnesses (at different times)! I'm not saying that she knows what she's saying, but she is at the very least imitating me. Hundreds of times a day I'm telling her, "Mama, Mama, Mama". She also gets a big smile and watches my mouth very closely. If I can capture it on video, I'll post it!

Rylie and I have been gearing up (translation: scouring the house for change) for garage sale season. She has her own change purse and wants to stop whenever we see a sign. Last weekend I got myself a lined black Gap coat for only a dollar. Rylie bought herself some new books, and stuffed animals (because we don't have enough of those!) for less than a dollar.

I'm going to start a new feature, "Linky Love". There have been several web sites I've found that I'd like to share with you all. I'm going to try to post links once a week. If you have any favorites you think I should include, email me or leave a comment. Be looking for the first edition on Friday.

And now, I need to get to bed. My new schedule of getting up at 6:30 every morning is making me very tired around this time of night.

Progress!

My doctor gave me some hope today! He said I am now dilated to a TWO!!! I know that's not a ton, but after weeks of painful contractions with no dilatation, a two is wonderful progress! He also had me on the monitor for a non stress test and her heart was doing great and not in any distress. He did another ultrasound and my fluid levels remain the same as last week, in the high normal range. We were able to get a glimpse of her adorable face and the top of her head. Ryan thought maybe he saw hair! (When I had my last ultrasound with Rylie they were able to see hair on the ultrasound and she was born with a ton of it!) I have another doctor's appointment on Thursday, when he is going to strip my membranes (moving the bag of waters off the cervix). Usually people go into labor within two days of having that done! He said we would also discuss induction at that time. Things are progressing and we might have a baby this weekend! My sister-in-law, Pam, is very excited because she's been predicting the whole time that Anna will be a leap year baby, and now there is a real chance that may happen.
After my exam today (in which he tried to push her head down some), I started having stronger contractions, so Ryan and I went and walked a mile to try to get her lower. I'm not sure if it worked but I'm still having some contractions. If nothing else, then we're getting good exercise!

It felt like Spring!

It was such a beautiful day today! We even ate ice cream outside (an "ice cream pic-a-nic on ice cream day" as Rylie said).
My appointment went well, other than the fact that it will take dynamite to open up my cervix! I have been having painful contractions every night this week (including right now), but they have not done a thing! On a positive note, when he checked my cervix, I felt him push Anna's head and she did too, she moved right away. That means that her head is lower, so that is a good sign. He did the Non Stress Test again (put me on the monitor), and Anna's heart rate was wonderful. She continues to not be in any distress, praise the Lord! He wants me to come back on Thursday and do the monitor again. The monitor monitors her heartbeat and also my uterus so it can tell if I'm having any contractions. Apparently, it also notices if your husband makes you laugh uncontrollably! Ryan kept making me laugh and the harder I tried to stop, the harder I laughed. It showed up on the monitor as a big spike. We had to explain to the doctor, that that wasn't a contraction!
He also did another ultrasound to check my fluid level. Last week, I was at a 25 which was on the line for being too high. Today, it had gone down some and is now at 23, so that is a praise! We didn't get to see much of Anna because the ultrasound was focusing on measuring the fluid. We did get to see her ribs and her practicing with her little lungs. My doctor said that if I haven't had a baby yet by next Monday, he wants me to come in for another ultrasound to check the fluid levels again. I'm now having two appointments a week. When we were leaving, the nurse asked me, "Can you please try to be dilated next week? I keep starting to get excited for you!"
Before our appointment we went out to lunch with our friends, Becky and Jenaya. They offered to watch Rylie during the appointment, since Jenaya only lived a few minutes away from the doctor. I was getting worried when the appointment lasted about an hour and a half longer than we had anticipated. I knew Rylie loves them, but she had never been to Jenaya's house, and it was nap time. I was thinking she might be missing us or needing us to help her feel secure in a new enviroment. After the appointment we called them and they met us at Cold Stone for ice cream. When Rylie saw us she said, "What are you guys doing here?" I told her that we came to get her and have ice cream together. She said, "I want to stay with Becky and Jenaya. I didn't miss you guys." So much for her needing us! Later on during our visit, she told me that I wasn't her Valentine, Becky was! Little stinker! I am actually very glad that she does have other people that she loves and that love her back!

Yet Another Doctor's Appointment. . .

. . . and no change in my cervix! My doctor actually found it amusing! You would think that experience would have taught him that you don't laugh at a pregnant woman! Of course my husband thought he was amusing too when he suggested that I ask the doctor for an extra large gown so it would go all the way around me. If looks could kill . . .
We had the privlage of seeing our precious Anna on the ultrasound. She was sucking on the umbilical cord. The doctor thinks she's doing that because she's bored! Apparently, I have a large amount of amniotic fluid. The normal range is between 5 and 25 (millaleters?) and mine is measuring at 25, so he said it's "right on the line". Because of this, he wants me to come in on Thursday and have the baby monitored and then have another ultrasound next Monday to see if there is any change or any distress to her. He said that if there is too much fluid that can be an indication of Diabetes, or infection, or Down's Syndrome, or other "fetal abnormalities". He said that since I'm right on the line, he doesn't want me to worry, but he also wants to do the monitoring in case there is something wrong. Hopefully, I will know more on Thursday.
I woke up this morning with a lot of pelvic pain and could hardly walk. As the day has gone on, it has gotten a little better, but I am now officially waddling! I did have some contractions last night and a few tonight, but nothing regular. When I have the hard contractions, it leaves me with a killer headache though, so that's not too fun.
Something that is fun though, is going to my pregnancy buddy's Baby Shower tonight! Becky M. has been on bedrest for over three months, but her doctor let her come to her shower at the church. I think she enjoyed being out and seeing everyone, but she was also exhausted by the end. It was so good to see her though! Keep praying for her and for her little baby, Haley to grow and stay in for a few more weeks!
I went to Old Navy today and used my gift cards. I am sitting her now in the comfort of pink fleece pants! I love them! I also got the cutest little jeans for Anna and some matching shirts and pajamas for my girls! I can't wait to see them together!
I want to thank my husband for cleaning the house for me today while I was gone! It was quite the disaster after our "Rachel and Luke are in town" party! He worked very hard, and I am very grateful! This was after he spent the morning in the cold praying with some other folks outside of the local Planned Parenthood. He truly is an amazing guy!

The Reality of Anna

This afternoon, at my doctor's appointment, he said that after next Thursday (34 weeks) if I go into labor, he's letting me go! People that's one week away!!!! That doesn't mean I will have her then, for all I know she could be overdue, but all of the sudden there is that possibility that is opened up. Of course I know that I will be having a baby, but it's way off in the distant future. It will happen in March, which is also when Rylie turns three. Both those events are often talked about as happening a long time from now. I have been feeling like I will be pregnant forever. Anna is part of our lives right now, I just can't fathom her being outside of my womb. Am I crazy? Is this a second child thing? Am I going to be able to mother two children? Shouldn't I have taken a course in having multiple children or something? Is it just the panic that is setting in as I realize I still have to fix the bassinet, put up the crib, buy diapers . . .! Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to hold her in my arms and kiss her, I was just struck today by the reality of that happening soon!
My cervix is still closed, but is now soft (sorry Matt and Dad, but people want to know). He did the FFN test to see if there is protein which would show some uterine activity. I won't get the results for a few days. My blood pressure has been dropping so he said I need to lay down more. He also said my blood sugar has been low so I need to be eating more during the day, several small snacks throughout the day. I never thought I'd have someone tell me I'm not eating enough! (I really don't eat that much during the day though, nothing sounds good and I'm usually too tired to actually make something. Don't worry I do feed Rylie though, she is gaining weight.) Bottom line was that I need to eat more and lay down more.
Thank you to all of you who have been praying for my little Anna Banana (otherwise known as Anna Sophia!) and helping us with meals, housework, and Rylie watching! We truly have been blessed by all of you!

Dr. Appointment

I had a good Doctor's appointment this morning. He said my cervix is still closed, that is a huge praise! Anna's heartbeat is nice and strong and I'm measuring right on target. I am anemic which explains why I've been so tired. I have iron now, so that should help.

On another note, my daughter said she wants to have a "Dora, Ariel, dark brown" birthday party this year. Anyone have any ideas how to accomplish that?!