12 weeks & a cooperative baby

I had my 12 week check-up and ultrasound today. The doctor joked that our baby was his favorite because it was in just the right place to take the measurements for the Downs test. We don't have the blood results yet, obviously, but the doctor indicated that everything looked good and totally normal. He had to wake the peanut up so we could see he/she move around a bit, which is always my favorite part. We got some 3-D pictures, which I will try to get Tony to scan in tonight.

Childcare

I'm sorry you're having trouble with the daycare, sissy! It definitely sounds like you need to look for something different. I was telling a friend the other day that if when I was going back to work after giving birth, I had to take Julian to a corporate day care, I don't think I would have lasted more than 15 minutes before turning around and going to get him. It's got to tug at your heart that she was crying when you picked her up and no one was trying to help her. I know your preference is to go with in-how versus "corporate," but you may want to consider the Minnielands, etc of the world - at least when she turns two. I know the costs for toddlers drops fairly significantly when you move out of the "infant" stage. While we pay a good bit for the Goddard School, I know a number of other places that cost much less and offer quality service. Don't know what the options are around Stafford, but there are several Childcare centers around us that independent (not part of a chain) where the people seem much more involved with the kids. That's one of the reasons we're moving to the Cedarhouse School. Beyond the behavioral modeling, it's also indpendent and locally owned. We honestly can't wait until it's time to switch. One more week and then we're moving on. I know the transition will be a little rough on Julian, but I think he's a pretty adaptable guy so cross your fingers and say a little prayer for us on Sept 2nd!

The Grandparent Mojo

Gotta tell you Nicole, there's something to the Grandma magic. Same rules don't apply at home as they do with Grammy's/Grandma's or even Aunts and Uncles. Sorry to say, but I'm afraid you're just not as cool as those other people! =) When Julian spent the weekend with Grammy and Grandpa Harold earlier in the summer it was made quite clear that Dave and I were the B team. Grammy called around 7:30 and Julian picked up the phone. He then proceeded to run screaming down the hallway shouting - "She's on her way. Yes, Yes, Yes!" - with accompanying fist pumps in the air. When she arrived, he stayed outside with me to put his carseat in the car and immediately wanted to climb in; he was NOT about to be left behind with "those parent people." He did reluctantly come into the house to potty before leaving (after all Grammy was going to do so), but then was ready to go. He practically dragged her out of the house and we only barely got a kiss and hug (from the carseat of course). He couldn't wait!

I'm sure you both agree how utterly wonderful it is to have our parents (on all sides) near by and how very special those relationships are for our children. I love that Julian has that connection with both his grandparents and looks forward to seeing and spending time with them.

Then there's the added bonus of shipping off the offspring for a kid-free weekend for us! Can't discount that benefit! =)

Pregnancy Brain X2

Sarah, I totally hear you on the pregnancy brain. Got it with Julian and took me 3 years to finally get those brain cells back - only to loose them again within two months of being pregnant. I've got to make list after list - of basic chores and things I need to do around the house. On the plus side, I'm getting plenty of exercise by running up and down the stairs because I can only seem to remember one thing at a time.

The itchy belly is DRIVING me NUTS! Ugh. I've got the Aveeno lotion and I've been trying Grammy Jo's (Jenn's mom) suggestion of a tablespoon of olive oil a day, but so far neither is actually solving the issue. Sarah - you mentioned Cetaphil lotion - where do I get that?

Pregnant Brain

So it's official, I've made it to twelve weeks! There's a good heartbeat, the sonogram, and bloodwork came out fine. My nausea is getting better. Michael is starting to get food for dinner. Although many times it's still frozen stuff because I don't have the motivation for real cooking yet.

I told my principal I'm pregnant. She took it very well. I feel very blessed!

My biggest problem lately is that I have the "pregnant brain" syndrome! I can walk into a room, get distracted by something else, and walk out without doing what I walked in for. It's getting really bad sometimes. Things that are important float in and then out of my brain in seconds and then don't come back again for awhile.

We found daycare for Elizabeth! It's a home daycare, in the neighborhood, and I don't have to pay over the summer. Now after three days in daycare, I'm starting to look again. It's not horrible, but I don't think she's happy. The last two days I've come to pick her up, she's crying and no one is doing any attempt to soothe her in anyway. She's not sleeping well at daycare and comes home starving. She eats and eats when she gets home. I'm just praying the God will help Elizabeth settle in or help me find a new place.

Food

Things have calmed down slightly, but I'm still trying to avoid thinking about food until I'm actually consuming it. Reading seems to be contributing to my queasiness, which is frustrating. Even watching TV-- I've found myself looking away from commercials with too much motion. I didn't have anything like that last time.

On the topic of food, Nathan's pediatrician told me to start smothering his food in butter, cheese, or salad dressing-- basically, add more fat to put a little more meat on his bones. He's still under 24 lbs, but he's 34 inches tall! It's not like I've been feeding him low-fat or diet foods; he just is a skinny boy like his daddy, I guess. For some reason, his Grandma can get him to eat anything, but for me, he is a little more picky.

The bitty belly bumps

I can't believe I'm only coming up on 23 weeks. Somehow it seems to be flying by and that I should be further along. Or perhaps it's that I was looking at the photo album the other day and found pictures from when we moved into the house; I look about the same now as I did then - and I was 10 weeks further along in those photos!!!! Yikes!

There's quite a bit of bumping going on in my belly these days! I definitely felt this little girl move sooner than I did Julian. The flutters in my stomach started around 15 weeks and by 18 weeks, I could definitely feel movement. The boys didn't get that privledge until closer to 20 weeks, but she's all about the gymnastics these days. I don't remember bed time being as much of a problem with Julian, but this one likes to keep me up when I'm ready to get settled down!

How's the eating aversions going for you guys?

Due Date

My due date is February 21st.