I’m trying to catch up on the milestones and videos here on the blog. :)
Raelyn has started using a spoon or fork to feed herself. I fill the utensil and hand it to her and she puts it in her mouth. This makes dinner last a little longer, but it’s worth it! I’m actually getting to take a few bites of my own food here and there now.
Sometimes Mark and I say to her, please stop growing up. We want you to stay this little forever!!!
Last Thursday I had my 34 week appointment and my final ultrasound. I’m fairly certain my OB was humoring me with a placenta check this late in my pregnancy. The results are in… I still have placenta previa, which means that part of the placenta is covering a bit of my cervix. And that means my OB has determined it will be safest to plan for a c-section. Mark and I had plenty of time to expect this news so we aren’t surprised and want to proceed in the safest way possible.
It’s a bit weird knowing the date and time this little guy will be entering the world, but it’s also nice that we can plan ahead. I’ll share the date later since we haven’t told all of our immediate family that piece of info.
The rest of my appointment went well. Baby boy is measuring right on track, his heart rate was 140 (very good), and I had another 0lb weight gain. I guess the boy is taking in all of my calories. :)
Aside from another sinus infection (which my dr prescribed antibiotics for), a few aches and pains, and pregnancy fatigue, I’m feeling pretty good.
I can’t believe we are in the final stretch and will be a foursome sometime in June!
A few weeks ago we decided it was time to close the chapter on the ducky tub. We had not had much luck with bath tub baths while on vacation or in other people’s homes. Our first try at home was a huge failure starting and ending quickly with lots of tears. I figured out that she was scared of the slippery tub surface (duh) and bought a tub mat. I also brought out more of her bath toys and added extra bubbles. Who doesn’t like bubbles and toys in the tub? ;)
Here we have her first successful big tub bath from May 3, 2011.
This week our new fence was completed. We now have a fully enclosed backyard where Sheba can run free and Raelyn can’t make a dash to the street. We also have privacy from our backyard neighbors.
Although Raelyn is only 4 days away from turning 16 months, we had her 15 month check up with Dr. Rob this morning.
Raelyn’s stats:
Dr. Rob suggested that we try adding a sippy cup a day of toddler soy formula for some extra calories. Since Raelyn needs to drink soy milk instead of whole milk she is getting less fat & calories which may be slowing her weight gain. We’re going to try that along with adding in some other good fats. If you have suggestions on good fats we would love to hear them!
Raelyn is meeting the proper milestones (words, walk/run, climbing stairs, etc) and Dr. Rob said she is developing wonderfully. Yay! She was such a good girl at her appointment today and didn’t scream or cry (like she often does) while he was examining her. She saved the tears for her booster shots.
Here are a series of pictures that show off Raelyn’s true personality. She’s so inquisitive and active!
Mark taught Raelyn a new “game” last week and now she loves dumping blocks on her head! Blocks and just about anything else she can fit in her bucket.
This Easter we celebrated Christ’s resurrection in Springfield, MO. We attended James River Assembly with Mark’s Uncle Warren, Aunt Jean, and cousin Lisa. It was a great service with amazing contemporary music! Raelyn enjoyed bouncing to the music and even did some of her own singing. She, of course, was as cute as a button in her Easter dress. :)
This past Sunday we enjoyed a “game day” with our buds, the Billmeier’s. This edition of game day was for the kids…an Easter Egg Hunt.
Peeper brought the eggs and of course there was a special grand prize and a runner up egg (Hello Kitty and a bluebird). We filled each egg and hid them around the backyard. Raelyn had her own hunting space on the deck so she could avoid the grass.
Keith and Addy enjoyed searching for eggs so much that after the initial search they stayed outside and hid their eggs a few more times.
The Brother/Sister Team
The Mommy/Daughter Team
The Egg Hunters
You might remember that last year April 15th was a very special day for our family. We decided to celebrate the one year anniversary with another picnic. This year was much colder than last year though!
We headed to Butler to enjoy a picnic, walk along the river, and take a few photos all before the rain came down.
I’d say we had a successful celebration. :)
She and Daddy checking out the ducks.
Our tulips are blooming and the temperatures are rising (at least on some days). I still can’t get Raelyn to stand in the grass, but she will stand in the mulch. Baby steps…
Raelyn has another molar that is working it’s way out. This tooth has her chewing on her fingers all day long and creating a lot of extra drool. But man, she sure is pretty!
I keep hearing things like “You’re not that big.” and “You barely look pregnant.”
Well, my perspective tells me something different. I’m pretty sure that my normal size is NOTHING like my current 7 month pregnant size. I know people are just trying to be nice, but a pregnant woman can’t take the verbal abuse. ;)
This Wednesday I had my 28 week appointment. It’s hard to believe that I’ve entered the 3rd trimester! This appointment was “fun-filled”. I went directly to the lab and was given the wonderful orange glucose drink to swig down. The lab lady told me 10 times to make sure to drink it all within 5 minutes. “Don’t forget, FIVE MINUTES!” Ok, ok, I think I get it. ;)
My second stop was with the ultrasound tech. Mark and I enjoyed watching the screen as she did a very thorough job of measuring Baby Boy. She even did a quick “recheck” to assure us that we are indeed having a boy. lol He is measuring perfectly. Some measurements were exact at 28w2d, overall his average measurements showed him at 27w5d and 2lb 7oz. Perfect! The tech also checked the placement of the placenta and it is still lower than what the doctor would like. She is calling it moderate previa and we’ll have another ultrasound in 4 weeks to check it again. Hey, another chance to see Baby Boy!
His cute face. He has full cheeks and lips already.
After the ultrasound I headed back to the lab for the glucose test blood draw. My final stop was with the doctor where I had my belly measured and she told me everything seems great. Woot! And for anyone wondering, I gained the perfect 1lb a week between these last two visits.
Now we start the every two week appointments. It seems unreal we are this far along! Next week we begin the three week birth classes.
I really NEED to get started on his nursery. Poor little guy is already going to have baby #2 complex. ;)
I spent a few days working with Raelyn on climbing the stairs. She started with a max of 4 stairs and worked her way to 6. Earlier this week, she went all the way to the top and we captured it on video.
As soon as the weather warmed up we ran to the outdoors! One never knows how long the warm spell will last. Is spring here to stay or was this just a treat for a few days? We shall see…
Raelyn’s outdoor play currently consists of walking (running) up and down the driveway looking for “treasures” (dried leaves, rocks, sticks) to hand to mommy. Hopefully soon she’ll be ready to venture out into the grass. As of now, she’s not a fan of walking on the green stuff. ;)
To celebrate our 10th anniversary I thought I would share 10 things that I have learned about marriage. I don’t claim to be a marriage expert and I won’t say we have it all figured out. We try hard and love with all that we have though.
Oh how my list could go on and on. 10 years feels like forever and like yesterday all at the same time. I’m looking forward to the next 10 (x 10) and learning what blessings God has in store for us!
“I found the one my heart loves.”
~Song of Solomon 3:4
Yesterday Raelyn and I had our first outing to the Children’s Museum. We met our good friends (Jennifer, Keith & Duncan) there and spent a few hours exploring.
Our first activity was to ride on the carousel. I wasn’t sure how Raelyn would react, but she loved it!
We spent some time at the ScienceWorks, Playscape, and Dinosphere exhibits. Raelyn really enjoyed splashing in the water at Playscape. She also had fun playing in the “Babyscape” play area with a few other toddlers.
I’ve been trying to come up with (or find online) fun age-appropriate crafts or activities for Raelyn and I to enjoy together. We recently tried out what I am calling an indoor sandbox activity.
To my mom readers: If you have any favorite sites or blogs with kid activity/craft/etc ideas, I would love a link! Here are two I recently found with some great ideas: No Time For Flashcards and Family Fun (from Disney) I appreciate that with both of those sites I can search by age.
After bath time one night, I decided to see if Raelyn’s hair was long enough for pigtails. To my amazement she sat still just long enough to throw these clips in. Now that I know her hair is long enough I better run out and buy the proper pigtail holders. :)
Our toddler. TODDLER! Just a month ago she was crawling around and now she is running around. She’s so good at it you would think she’s been a runner since birth. How do these changes happen so quickly?
Raelyn has a hearty laugh. A laugh that comes from her belly. You can almost see that in the photo above.
She can also be a serious thinker. Here she was just staring out the window, probably wondering when mommy would be done with all the photos. ;)
Raelyn is quite active. She has a ball just playing all day long. I love to see her excited look. Oh, here you go… (she was excited about finding something in this box). Her eyes get big and she makes this cute little “O” with her mouth.
Plus we are learning new songs in our Kindermusik class. Raelyn and I go on Monday morning and it’s fun to dance around and sing songs with the other mom’s and toddlers.
Time continues to fly by and we are soaking in every moment. It seems like each day she shows me something new she has learned. For instance today, she decided to incorporate peek-a-boo with her tunnel. She sat inside the tunnel and when I would say “Where’s Raelyn?”, she would peek out her head and wait for me to say “peek-a-boo!” We did this over and over. I just love being able to spend my days with my sweet girl.
I’ve officially entered the crying phase of pregnancy. I’m not sure if everyone hits it at 6 months but this is where I am. I actually find it ridiculous when tears form in my eyes over something I would usually laugh about.
Let’s see, yesterday I teared up reminiscing about Raelyn’s first weeks and how I went through a mini-post-postpartum and cried back then about not giving birth to her or being able to breastfeed. I also cried last night when Mark called me from his business trip and said he missed us. Oh yes, let’s not forget the tears formed because my OB reminded me, “1 lb a week, Stephanie.” (I gained 6 lb in the last 4.5 weeks.)
So far this morning I teared up when reading another mom’s blog celebrating her daughter’s first birthday and her reminiscing about one year ago today when they received a call that a baby girl had been born and the mother wanted them to be her baby’s parents. I also cried when my mom called and I told her Raelyn was up every hour last night and has vomited 4x this morning. (Although this cry was most likely exhaustion tears.)
At this point in my pregnancy I am happy that both Mark and I get to feel the baby moving quite often. It’s easiest to feel his kicks and punches when I am laying still but I am noticing his movements at other times too. It’s so strange to feel him and be reminded that there is indeed a little life growing inside of me. (Cue the tears.)
Yesterday I had my 24 week check up. All is well with baby boy. His heart rate measured around 153. Everything with the pregnancy seems to be normal and the only directive my OB gave me was to cut back on carbs and sweets (which made me laugh since we don’t eat too many of those) and do more walking (since I gained those dreaded 6 lbs. lol). My next appt is at 28 weeks where I’ll have another ultrasound to check my placenta (remember it had been too close to my cervix) and I’ll have the glucose-screening test (bring on that thick orange drink). I’m looking forward to seeing more pictures of the baby!
And no post is complete without a few pictures of the cutie pie of the house. (These are both from my phone so quality is just eh.)
