Every so often I am struck by how blessed I am. Different things happen and bring it to my attention again. I'm glad for this because I think it helps my perspective on things. It can be so easy to get down about the little things that aren't going quite right. I'm sick, Steve is starting to get sick, Mia is still a bit sick too, Ella has no interest in potty training, my nose hurts, the economy is bad. I mean, it's not hard to find some reason to whine and complain. So I am very thankful for times when I am reminded of how many things in my life have gone well.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. My sister, a cousin, and several other acquaintances have mentioned this. To my knowledge, I have been pregnant three times. I have two beautiful, healthy little girls and am 15 weeks into another healthy pregnancy. One in four women will lose a pregnancy. The number sounds high, but if I think about all the women I know who have lost a baby, it sounds accurate. I wish it didn't. For whatever reason, I am one of the three that hasn't lost a child. Since we plan on this being our last pregnancy, it will probably stay that way. As my heart hurts for everyone who has lost a baby, I feel incredibly grateful for my own blessings. I have no idea why my little family has been spared that particular pain but I am immeasurably thankful for my healthy kids.
From there, it expands. While three of the four of us are currently sick, we're mostly healthy. We have no chronic illnesses, no injuries, no disabilities. For the most part, that extends to our families too. Any chronic illnesses are under control. In our home, we have more toys than our girls need, enough food, heat, running water, even extras like cable and internet. Even in this economy, we are fortunate to have a full-time job with good health insurance and a part-time job. Although our two cars aren't fancy or new, they run well and get us everywhere we need or want to be. We have friends and family who are generous with their time and resources. We've even found a church and small group that are a good fit for our family. Little things don't always go the way I'd like, but overall my life has been smooth and I'm more blessed than I know.
Another thing to be thankful for: a great OB! I had an appointment yesterday. He addressed all my concerns (little aches and pains). He told me I'm measuring right where I should be and he found the heartbeat easily. The baby moved a few times while we were listening, which is nice, considering I can't feel any movement yet. Heart rate is between 140 and 150 - draw any conclusion you want from that. My ultrasound is scheduled for November 16 so I'm trying to wait until then to guess one way or another on gender. Steve already took that day off, so we're all set. Can't wait!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sick :(
I'm sick. It started out last week as a runny nose and a scratchy throat at bedtime. No big deal. Friday I started getting more congested so I started taking Tylenol Cold (about the only thing a pregnant woman can take). Saturday it got worse. I was sneezing and blowing my nose a lot. Luckily that helped me avoid too much drainage and junk in my throat, but ugh. Sunday was worse and my voice started to go last night. Today my throat is killing me, my voice is barely there, and I'm still congested and sneezing. I called into work.
Luckily it's mostly me. Ella and Steve have had slightly runny noses and I hope that's all they get. Mia had the runny nose too, but seemed okay otherwise. Friday night she woke up crying about an hour after she went to bed (so it was 9:30). Steve tried to calm her down, then I held her while he gave her Tylenol, and finally I brought her downstairs when I noticed some raised bumps below her eye. Sure enough, Mia had broken out in hives. Part of her face, her back, her chest and stomach, her arms, and her legs. She didn't seem itchy but you could tell she was uncomfortable. Steve called his mom (our standby anytime the dr's office is closed, because after raising seven kids, she's seen every ailment there is) and she recommended a cool bath. So we stripped Mia down to her diaper and sponged her off with a cool washcloth. It seemed to help a bit and the bumps seemed to lose their redness and smooth out. Poor kid would have nothing to do with her bed though. She finally let us lay her down around 12:30. The only thing we could figure out that caused it was a blanket. It's a lightweight comforter from Kat, my wonderful friend and sitter. We hadn't washed it since she gave it to us, but she uses the same laundry detergent we do. However, they do have a dog and Mia's translucent skin is pretty sensitive. The hives never came back once we removed the offending blanket.
But that wasn't the end of our night. Mia woke up crying and coughing around 2:30. We already had a humidifier running in their bedroom, so we gave her another dose of Tylenol. But the poor kid refused to let us put her down again. Finally Steve brought her back to bed with us, where she fell asleep on his chest and he fell asleep too. He finally laid her back down in her crib around 3:30. By morning she seemed fine, other than a horrible sounding cough. To be safe, I took her to the doctor. We saw the NP in the office instead and she said Amelia seems to be doing okay and give her half a dose of Benadryl as needed. We haven't needed to give her any and she still has a bit of a cough and a runny nose. Since there's no fever and she's still having plenty of wet diapers, I'm not too concerned. I just hope we both feel better soon and we don't infect anyone else.
Luckily it's mostly me. Ella and Steve have had slightly runny noses and I hope that's all they get. Mia had the runny nose too, but seemed okay otherwise. Friday night she woke up crying about an hour after she went to bed (so it was 9:30). Steve tried to calm her down, then I held her while he gave her Tylenol, and finally I brought her downstairs when I noticed some raised bumps below her eye. Sure enough, Mia had broken out in hives. Part of her face, her back, her chest and stomach, her arms, and her legs. She didn't seem itchy but you could tell she was uncomfortable. Steve called his mom (our standby anytime the dr's office is closed, because after raising seven kids, she's seen every ailment there is) and she recommended a cool bath. So we stripped Mia down to her diaper and sponged her off with a cool washcloth. It seemed to help a bit and the bumps seemed to lose their redness and smooth out. Poor kid would have nothing to do with her bed though. She finally let us lay her down around 12:30. The only thing we could figure out that caused it was a blanket. It's a lightweight comforter from Kat, my wonderful friend and sitter. We hadn't washed it since she gave it to us, but she uses the same laundry detergent we do. However, they do have a dog and Mia's translucent skin is pretty sensitive. The hives never came back once we removed the offending blanket.
But that wasn't the end of our night. Mia woke up crying and coughing around 2:30. We already had a humidifier running in their bedroom, so we gave her another dose of Tylenol. But the poor kid refused to let us put her down again. Finally Steve brought her back to bed with us, where she fell asleep on his chest and he fell asleep too. He finally laid her back down in her crib around 3:30. By morning she seemed fine, other than a horrible sounding cough. To be safe, I took her to the doctor. We saw the NP in the office instead and she said Amelia seems to be doing okay and give her half a dose of Benadryl as needed. We haven't needed to give her any and she still has a bit of a cough and a runny nose. Since there's no fever and she's still having plenty of wet diapers, I'm not too concerned. I just hope we both feel better soon and we don't infect anyone else.
Monday, October 12, 2009
This and that
We don't have a lot to report right now. I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow. I started feeling better and then felt worse. I think I had some sort of bug, because I had to balance eating often with eating only bland foods in small amounts. Last week was better, but I still had a few days when I didn't feel very good. I'm hoping this week is even better.
Amelia will be 18 months this week and has her well child check. I'm hoping the two of us can get flu shots then but we'll see. Last I heard the office was out of them. Last year was the first in several years that none of us got the flu shot. None of us had the flu until last year, when we all got it twice in the span of a month. I'd really like to avoid that this year, especially while pregnant.
We've decided to back off potty training for now. I still ask Ella multiple times a day if she wants to use the potty. She always says no, maybe later. She hasn't shown signs of readiness yet and the whole process was incredibly frustrating to both of us, without any progress. So I'm hoping and praying she decides she's ready before this baby comes but we're not going to keep going in circles. I just really don't want to pay for three kids in diapers.
Ella has had a pillow on her bed all summer but we recently put a Barbie pillowcase on it. Ella loves it and keeps reading the letters off. Amelia then decided she needs a pillow too. A few nights she slept with a blanket balled up under her head. Then I folded up a towel for her to use. After a few days of repeatedly refolding the towel for her, I bought her a small Barbie pillow. She loves it.
The girls have plastic dishes and a set of wooden food. Lately they've been spreading bandanas on the coffee table and pulling up chairs to have a tea party. They do it almost everyday. With that many pieces, I am so glad I taught them early to help me pick up toys. Seriously. Some days they're less cooperative, but I never have to pick up all their toys anymore. It keeps me happy.
And because it's cute: Last night I was starting the dishes and put in a CD. Ella and Amelia were playing and watching tv. When Ella heard the music she came running. She said, "I heard the dance start and I'm going to dance. My necklace is going to help me dance." And she danced and hopped around the kitchen for probably ten minutes before returning to her toys in the living room. Amelia, the shadow, danced too and then stayed in the kitchen with me. She dragged out a chair and stool and sat in the chair with her feet up while I did the dishes. Goofy girls.
Amelia will be 18 months this week and has her well child check. I'm hoping the two of us can get flu shots then but we'll see. Last I heard the office was out of them. Last year was the first in several years that none of us got the flu shot. None of us had the flu until last year, when we all got it twice in the span of a month. I'd really like to avoid that this year, especially while pregnant.
We've decided to back off potty training for now. I still ask Ella multiple times a day if she wants to use the potty. She always says no, maybe later. She hasn't shown signs of readiness yet and the whole process was incredibly frustrating to both of us, without any progress. So I'm hoping and praying she decides she's ready before this baby comes but we're not going to keep going in circles. I just really don't want to pay for three kids in diapers.
Ella has had a pillow on her bed all summer but we recently put a Barbie pillowcase on it. Ella loves it and keeps reading the letters off. Amelia then decided she needs a pillow too. A few nights she slept with a blanket balled up under her head. Then I folded up a towel for her to use. After a few days of repeatedly refolding the towel for her, I bought her a small Barbie pillow. She loves it.
The girls have plastic dishes and a set of wooden food. Lately they've been spreading bandanas on the coffee table and pulling up chairs to have a tea party. They do it almost everyday. With that many pieces, I am so glad I taught them early to help me pick up toys. Seriously. Some days they're less cooperative, but I never have to pick up all their toys anymore. It keeps me happy.
And because it's cute: Last night I was starting the dishes and put in a CD. Ella and Amelia were playing and watching tv. When Ella heard the music she came running. She said, "I heard the dance start and I'm going to dance. My necklace is going to help me dance." And she danced and hopped around the kitchen for probably ten minutes before returning to her toys in the living room. Amelia, the shadow, danced too and then stayed in the kitchen with me. She dragged out a chair and stool and sat in the chair with her feet up while I did the dishes. Goofy girls.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Conversations with an almost 3 year old
This morning:
Ella: Mommy, I'm eating a cookie. It's my favorite kind.
Mommy: Oh yeah? What kind is it?
Ella: Scrumptious.
Mommy: Remember yesterday how we talked about the baby in Mommy's belly?
Ella: Yeah. The baby is in your pants.
Mommy (holding a bowl just in case, because I'm not feeling so good)
Ella: Mommy, what do you have there?
Mommy: A bowl, there's nothing in it. (hold it up to show her)
Ella: Mommy, you don't have any popcorns!
Ella: Mommy, I'm eating a cookie. It's my favorite kind.
Mommy: Oh yeah? What kind is it?
Ella: Scrumptious.
Mommy: Remember yesterday how we talked about the baby in Mommy's belly?
Ella: Yeah. The baby is in your pants.
Mommy (holding a bowl just in case, because I'm not feeling so good)
Ella: Mommy, what do you have there?
Mommy: A bowl, there's nothing in it. (hold it up to show her)
Ella: Mommy, you don't have any popcorns!
Pregnancy brain
Even though it had only been maybe 30 minutes between the conversation yesterday and when I posted about it, I forgot parts of the conversation. This morning I'm remembering, after a night of weird dreams and waking up early just because.
I told Ella that Mommy has a baby in her belly. She thought for a moment and asked if the baby is in my belly button. So I explained that the baby is behind my belly button, in my belly. She was quiet and then asked if she could wake the baby up. I said I thought the baby was sleeping and probably will for a while. Then I opened the baby gate so we could all go downstairs. As I was getting Mia out of her crib, I told her there was a baby in my belly. She patted my belly and said, "baby."
Once we got downstairs Ella asked if there was a baby behind the front door (her way of asking if the baby is here). I said no, the baby is in Mommy's belly and needs to grow for a while before it comes out. I continued by telling her the baby needs to grow until it's almost as big as Haylie (Haylie is a few pounds lighter than Abigail, lol) and then it will come out. I asked if she wanted a baby to come live with us. She ignored me, lol. It'll be interesting to see what else they have to say when we're closing to D-day.
I told Ella that Mommy has a baby in her belly. She thought for a moment and asked if the baby is in my belly button. So I explained that the baby is behind my belly button, in my belly. She was quiet and then asked if she could wake the baby up. I said I thought the baby was sleeping and probably will for a while. Then I opened the baby gate so we could all go downstairs. As I was getting Mia out of her crib, I told her there was a baby in my belly. She patted my belly and said, "baby."
Once we got downstairs Ella asked if there was a baby behind the front door (her way of asking if the baby is here). I said no, the baby is in Mommy's belly and needs to grow for a while before it comes out. I continued by telling her the baby needs to grow until it's almost as big as Haylie (Haylie is a few pounds lighter than Abigail, lol) and then it will come out. I asked if she wanted a baby to come live with us. She ignored me, lol. It'll be interesting to see what else they have to say when we're closing to D-day.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Out of the mouths of babes...
Heard today at our house:
- "'Mewia, don't eat that. It's yucky. " (Mia was putting a letter magnet in her mouth.)
- "Okay, kids. Soccer is over." (At the end of nap time...?)
- "Mommy, is the baby in your belly button?" (After I tried telling Ella I have a baby in my belly.)
- "Mommy, do the funny face!" while squishing her cheeks with her hands (It's called the chubby face and has an accompanying monologue. Leslie got it from one of her friends and it always cracked me up. The girls love it too. After I did it, Ella laughed for like five minutes.)
- "We're super heroes!" while flexing and wearing a cape (Yes, they were super heroes again - too cute.)
I love my girls. :)
- "'Mewia, don't eat that. It's yucky. " (Mia was putting a letter magnet in her mouth.)
- "Okay, kids. Soccer is over." (At the end of nap time...?)
- "Mommy, is the baby in your belly button?" (After I tried telling Ella I have a baby in my belly.)
- "Mommy, do the funny face!" while squishing her cheeks with her hands (It's called the chubby face and has an accompanying monologue. Leslie got it from one of her friends and it always cracked me up. The girls love it too. After I did it, Ella laughed for like five minutes.)
- "We're super heroes!" while flexing and wearing a cape (Yes, they were super heroes again - too cute.)
I love my girls. :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
My little super heroes
As you can tell by the varying moods of my recent posts, my pregnancy hormones are in full swing. (Seriously did not mean that as a pun.) Steve manages to remain patient with me and my mood swings, despite this being pregnancy #3 in as many years. I think he's nearing sainthood. Pray for him and his continued patience if you think of it.
On to the reason for the post... The girls were easier today and I'm feeling a bit better today. Not great but better. I let the girls stay up a little longer before naps, because 1. they don't fall asleep until later anyhow and 2. they had a late lunch. So they pulled out the dress up clothes. This was the result.
Aren't they cute? Ella dressed herself first, asking me to tie her "cape." Mia of course copied Ella and brought another bandanna over for me to tie on her. Ella then announced, "We're super heroes!" Their daddy would be so proud. At one point she said they were super readers (it's a show on PBS about reading). She cried when it was time to put the costumes away and said, "I don't want to stop being a super hero." I responded by telling her Daddy would be happy to be super heroes with them after nap time. After changing her diaper I asked if she was still a super hero. She said no, she wasn't. LOL.
Ella also helped Mia get her sippy cup earlier. Mia had pushed it back in the entertainment center next to the tv and her arms were too short to reach it. Ella rescued it for her. I love it when they play nice and help each other.
Then we headed upstairs for nap time. Mia's crib has a side that drops down and the sliders have grease in them so they actually work. Not a problem unless Mia wedges a toy into one of them. Before it was her doll, Foofa. We had to take it and wash it. Both girls were upset about the missing doll. Both were ecstatic to have it returned, clean. Maybe I should explain here the toys in bed situation. Both girls have certain blankets they're attached to but only for nap and bed time. Both girls have a gloworm that lights up and plays music. Both have a pink doll named Foofa. Both girls have a sheep (Ella's is cream and says a bedtime prayer, Mia's is pink). Ella has an orange Care Bear and Mia has a soft book and a plushie Eeyore blanket. Anyway, the toy in question today was Mia's sheep. It's face was streaked with grease. The rest of it is covered in loops of yarn, probably not a good idea to launder it (there were no directions on the tag). So I tossed it in the hall so I could hand wash it while the girls napped.
Ella cried. She was incredibly upset that Mia lost her sheep. More upset than Mia. So I tucked them in, tried to calm Ella down, and crossed the hall with the sheep. I got it wet and then started scrubbing with hand soap. It came clean easily enough (thank God!) and I rinsed it a few times and got it as dry as I could. I re-entered their room and both girls were so happy. Ella settled down and Mia kept holding the sheep up and saying, "Keen." (That's clean for anyone not well-versed in toddler-speak.) They're still making noise, but they're happy to have the sheep back. Ah, empathy. I can't honestly say it's easy having toddlers, but life sure is interesting.
On to the reason for the post... The girls were easier today and I'm feeling a bit better today. Not great but better. I let the girls stay up a little longer before naps, because 1. they don't fall asleep until later anyhow and 2. they had a late lunch. So they pulled out the dress up clothes. This was the result.
Aren't they cute? Ella dressed herself first, asking me to tie her "cape." Mia of course copied Ella and brought another bandanna over for me to tie on her. Ella then announced, "We're super heroes!" Their daddy would be so proud. At one point she said they were super readers (it's a show on PBS about reading). She cried when it was time to put the costumes away and said, "I don't want to stop being a super hero." I responded by telling her Daddy would be happy to be super heroes with them after nap time. After changing her diaper I asked if she was still a super hero. She said no, she wasn't. LOL.
Ella also helped Mia get her sippy cup earlier. Mia had pushed it back in the entertainment center next to the tv and her arms were too short to reach it. Ella rescued it for her. I love it when they play nice and help each other.
Then we headed upstairs for nap time. Mia's crib has a side that drops down and the sliders have grease in them so they actually work. Not a problem unless Mia wedges a toy into one of them. Before it was her doll, Foofa. We had to take it and wash it. Both girls were upset about the missing doll. Both were ecstatic to have it returned, clean. Maybe I should explain here the toys in bed situation. Both girls have certain blankets they're attached to but only for nap and bed time. Both girls have a gloworm that lights up and plays music. Both have a pink doll named Foofa. Both girls have a sheep (Ella's is cream and says a bedtime prayer, Mia's is pink). Ella has an orange Care Bear and Mia has a soft book and a plushie Eeyore blanket. Anyway, the toy in question today was Mia's sheep. It's face was streaked with grease. The rest of it is covered in loops of yarn, probably not a good idea to launder it (there were no directions on the tag). So I tossed it in the hall so I could hand wash it while the girls napped.
Ella cried. She was incredibly upset that Mia lost her sheep. More upset than Mia. So I tucked them in, tried to calm Ella down, and crossed the hall with the sheep. I got it wet and then started scrubbing with hand soap. It came clean easily enough (thank God!) and I rinsed it a few times and got it as dry as I could. I re-entered their room and both girls were so happy. Ella settled down and Mia kept holding the sheep up and saying, "Keen." (That's clean for anyone not well-versed in toddler-speak.) They're still making noise, but they're happy to have the sheep back. Ah, empathy. I can't honestly say it's easy having toddlers, but life sure is interesting.
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