We finally have a due date!

I actually look like a baby now!

(Head to the right. Rump to the left.)

I went to the OB doctor yesterday for my routine visit. They repeated an ultrasound because we had conflicting due dates from the first ultrasound and the usual method of calculation :) Now we have a confirmed due date of June 17, 2009. That means I am 11 weeks today; almost through the first trimester! The baby was very active and trying to suck on its thumb. It was really exciting. The heart beat was strong and at a rate of 154/min. We go back in 4 weeks for our next visit. They will do the AFP test that tests for an increased risk of Down's syndrome at that time. They will do another ultrasound the following visit (late January) to look at all the organs and determine the gender.

Bear gets his hair did.

Putting on the cape.

Attempting to distract him with a toy. Key word: attempting.

All done!!! Looking suave!!!

(He was more interested in his prize than cooperating for a picture.)

As you can see, Barrett got his hair cut today. I felt so sorry for the stylist as he did not cooperate very well this time. He is in such a busy mode right now. She gave him a prize anyway; probably just to get rid of the "bucking bronco" as she called him. So sorry! Any suggestions to get a 20 month old to sit still for 15 minutes?

"Where the baby?! Where'd it go?!"

Barrett is really too young to understand the whole pregnancy concept yet, but we keep trying because we never know when he will understand and we want him to be involved and excited about it as much as possible. Last night we were sitting on the couch and I asked him if he liked babies. He emphatically nodded his head yes and smiled while saying "baby." Very cute. I explained that there was a baby in mommy's belly even though he couldn't see it and some day it will come out and play with him and love him very much. He then gave my belly a kiss, looked at my belly, poked my belly button and looked quite puzzled while asking, "Where the baby?! Where'd it go?!" Priceless.

"B" is for blogging, "beebees", and Brother Bear

So, I have jumped on the blog bandwagon. I know it has been a great way for me to keep up with friends and family and stay up to date with what is going on in their lives. I thought this would be a good way to keep everyone updated and also to save all those little moments of motherhood that everyone tells me I think I will remember forever, but I won't if I don't write down. So here we go...

For those of you who may have gotten missed in the announcement...we are expecting our second child sometime in June. We are very excited as this child was a planned blessing if you will. In hindsight, my pregnancy with Barrett was very enjoyable...a little fatigue, some low blood sugar, and the general aches and pangs toward the end, but I enjoyed being pregnant most of the time. I guess that was helpful as I am not sure we would have jumped right in had I thought this one would be any different. This pregnancy has been quite different. I have the beautiful and unwavering pregnancy "glow" of acne, extreme fatigue, BLOATING, and whoever named it morning sickness must have been a man because all day sickness would be more accurate. Regardless, we truly do feel so fortunate to be able to be parents again and it truly is amazing to carry a life within me. Just making a concerted effort to focus on the big picture daily for a few more weeks.

I have been surprised to have all the anxiety of parenthood rush upon me once again. All the worries of inadequacy and wondering if I will be able to handle the task of motherhood have swarmed again. The idea of adding another child to the mix is a bit overwhelming at this point. Barrett is full speed ahead, learning by the second by exploration of boundaries. He is very fascinated with "beebees" (babies) right now so that is very encouraging. However, he does not like sharing his mommy and is not so great at "be gentle" yet so we are working on that. Fortunately, "beebees" are not made in a day and he has 7 more months of maturation before he will be Brother Bear. I have no doubt he will rise to the task and be an amazing big brother. He has a very tender heart.