21 Weeks - 15ozs and growing

Today was a baby bean day.  Appt with the ob in the morning and ultrasound in the afternoon.  She's doing great per both visits.  My belly is a whopping 21cm which aligns with her 21 weeks.  And heartbeat was within normal range at 140 something.  The ultrasound guesstimated her weight at 15ozs (per measurements of arm/leg bones, abdomen and head circumferences).  And all organs looked healthy and normal.

Ellie's really starting to get this sister thing too.  Baby Bean (via my belly) has been getting lots of daily hugs and kisses.  Ellie tells me all the time that her sister will sit next to her (I'm presuming she's talking about in the car since she likes sharing car rides with cousins).  And the cutest of them all was her question last night as I was leaving for hypnobirth class.  She asked if I was taking "her sister" to the class with me.  I giggled and nodded yes...the baby was going to have to go to class with me.

Side Note: I'm sorry to the universe for all the times I rolled my eyes at little people prior to having Ellie.  Cause' it really is amazing how far their minds come in such a short amount of time.  I guess that's part of the you just can't understand until you have your own stuff.

Happy Ellie and Walking on Water

About a month ago, Braden and I were able to escape to Arizona for a long weekend.  We had the best time and even better, when we arrived back home, we were greeted by a very happy, appreciative Ellie.  It was the first time I felt she got that we, as parents, shouldn't be taken for granted. 

The well mannered and appreciative child has (pretty much) stuck around since then.  She has been a happy little person.  I've been a happier Mom.  It's all flowed.  I keep wondering if this good time, all loving phase can be bottled for the next not so fun phase that might come up?

Another cute story Ellie story, as passed on to me by Ellie's Gigi.  This past Sunday (Father's Day), Ellie and Gigi were hanging out at the lakefront (her grandparents live on a lake) looking out at the water.  I don't know how they got on the topic but Ellie looks out at the nearby dock and boat and declares "You need the dock to get to the boat because we can't walk on water."  I think it was her matter of factness that caught her grandma's funny bone.  Ellie's starting to put the pieces of the world together and it's so fun to watch.  Gigi hasn't been able to look at the water this week without thinking, "Cause' you just can't walk on water, Gigi" :)

20 weeks - Half Way!

So here we are...half way thru the pregnancy.  The baby has been very active this week or she's just gotten big enough that her movements are very noticeable.  Yes, I don't think I've mentioned it yet but it's a girl!  We are very, very excited that Ellie is getting a sister.

And the belly is already feeling big and stretched out by evenings end.  And there's so much more to go.

We also started a hypnobirth course this week.  It's a very interesting premise.  And in a funny twist, Kate Middleton was rumored to be considering hypnobirthing for her July delivery.  So I know people are going to be asking a lot of questions about it and wondering if we're doing it because she is.  But I have to say that it's a good course for a second pregnancy.

Otherwise, we're collecting items for the new nursery, investigating birth photography and working to collect more information on double vessel umbilical cords.

First Day of Preschool

Ellie started preschool yesterday.  I love this new school!  On Monday, I received a note that described the weekly planned activities as the following:

Monday: In the morning, we will have choice time with Yoga enrichment.

Tuesday: In the morning, we will be testing different materials down the hill (ramp) on our playground.  The children will explore cause and effect when testing balls, trucks, and even tires down the hill and applying what they already know about ramps.

Wednesday: In the morning, our playdough group will be able to use the small muscle in their hands to manipulate the playdough and make representations.  Our volume group will compare and measure using cups, sand, rocks and bristle blocks.

Thursday: In the morning, we will be using different materials to create boats.  Then we will test our boats in tubs of water.  The children will be using what they know about boats, and how they float to make their own boats.

Friday:  In the morning, we will be making art using flowers that we pressed a few weeks ago.  The children helped press the flowers, they are now ready for us to use.

 

 And here's Ellie's first day note from her teacher.  I figured she explained the day better than I could :)

Ellie had an amazing first day!  I heard her drop off was text book.  She was happy and smiling ALL day!  This morning Ellie painted in the sunroom.  I asked her a little bit later if she painted, she said yes.  I told her I could tell because she had orange paint on her face! ;-)  She had snack. She came outside and immediately jump on a bike and started riding around!  She played in the sandbox and seemed to enjoy watching the other children.  During group time we rolled things down the 'ramps' we found outside.  Ellie rolled many small plastic balls down the hill and the slide.  At lunch she sat next to Zavi, another new friend in our group.  She did not nap, which I am not sure if this is normal or just a first day thing. (Can you let me know?)  This afternoon she played outside again.  During afternoon group she was very interested in the dinosaur 'poop'.  She also really enjoyed watering the plants, especially with the watering cans.  She is a very happy girl and really seemed to enjoy CDC!  Overall, great day!  I have attached some pictures of Ellie on her first day.

Week 18 - Wiggles

Baby is doing great.  Very wiggly.  Last week we had the "big" ultrasound.  The tech really struggled to get all the pictures she needed/wanted.  Baby flipped and rolled and arms were moving up and down.  All measurements are spot on!  14cm, 7ozs for 17weeks along.  We got to see hands, feet, heart, brain, eyes, arms, legs, spine.  The placenta is just under the belly button.  But that didn't seem to stop baby...I really started to feel them last week.  There's a lot going on in that cocoon!

Baby is special in one way...the umbilical cord is a double vessel cord instead of the a standard triple vessel cord.  So that means baby gets extra attention for the rest of the pregnancy...monthly ultrasounds to track growth and a super duper echo at U of M in the 22nd week. Here's more detail for all you medically minded :)  http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-problems/articles/two-vessel-cord.aspx?MsdVisit=1

But really, it's not anything the dr was concerned about at this point since all measurements were correct and baby is still measuring a couple days ahead.  Just being conservative.

I just think Baby Bean wants equal attention ;)