Stepping outside the box.

Several times this week Barrett and I have been playing and it has opened my eyes to how confined and regimented I have become with age. I have to color the animals true to life when we color. The toys have their specific boxes that they go into...trucks and balls do not mingle. And yes, there is a miscellaneous basket for all those that cannot be categorized. The trains should take the correct route on the train mat and not veer off the tracks. It all sounds quite funny, but I know some of you can relate. The rest of you scoff and urge us to lighten up, relax. What happened to imagination! After relizing this, I am trying to step outside the box every once in a while and foster my own creativity. I even colored a green and blue monkey with red hands today. Baby steps!

Halfway mark!

Today marks the halfway mark of the pregnancy. Five months and halfway? Hmmm...Whatever happened to 9 months?! I know the rest of the pregnancy will fly. It seems like it has gone very quickly after I got through the first trimester.

It has been much more difficult picking out a name the second go round. We are narrowing, but have not selected one yet. Will keep you posted when we do.

It's a...

BOY!!!

I have to admit I was quite surprised to find out we'll be having another boy (Adam thought boy all along). It only took me a few short hours to get really excited about it though. Barrett has been so fun and I know the next will be the same. Also, it will be more of a built in playmate for Bear since they will be the same sex.

Of highest importance, the baby looked very healthy. We were told he had a pretty spine and a pretty heart. All four limbs were present and complete with fingers and toes. Both kidneys present. The proper amount of vessels in the umbilical cord, facial features correct, etc... Everything checked out just fine. I was able to sigh a big sigh of relief at that. I guess as a nurse I know too much of what can go wrong, that it was a bit unnerving waiting on the ultrasound.

I go back in 4 weeks for a routine check-up. Then four weeks after that I go back for a routine check-up and my glucose screening that checks for gestational diabetes. We can also opt to do a 4D ultrasound between 29-32 weeks. I believe I am going to pursue that option this go round. I'll keep you updated and try to post some ultrasound pics on here within the next few days. Thank you for your continued prayers for mom, baby, and family.

Just Like Daddy

There is a country song by Rodney Atkins called "I've Been Watching You" that talks about boys and their daddies. The chorus goes a little something like this:
"I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool? I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you. And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are. We got cowboy boots and camo pants. Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad? I want to do everything you do. So I’ve been watching you."
This scene from tonight reminded me of that.

Just like Daddy.

(I think this is my new favorite picture.)

Telling us all about it.

Here, Daddy. I'm done with this one.

Trying to find the next good page.

18 Weeks Today

I'm 18 weeks today. Nearing the halfway mark! I am feeling pretty good now. Still a bit more tired than usual, a bit of queasiness, and some definite heartburn, but very manageable. I have found myself with a much shorter fuse and some moodiness. So pray for Adam and Barrett as they deal with that. I have added "Lord, help me to be kind" to the daily prayers.

I am for sure feeling the baby move now, just as exciting in the second pregnancy as the first. It is mostly when I am at rest and late at night. We find out the sex in 6 days!!! The anticipation is almost too much!

Barrett started mother's day out again yesterday after a very long holiday break. We both were glad that it was back in session! He has been a little stir crazy lately with it being so cold out and limited options for outings. The same old, same old and Mommy is only exciting for so long and that wore out a while back. In addition, he got so used to the excitement during the holidays that when it was over he didn't understand where all the people and the excitement went. Yesterday, he went to "go play," walked right in, and never glanced back. I didn't even get my usual blown kiss. Mom who?!?

Last night Barrett was playing and did the cutest thing. He has a huge bear in his room that he likes to play with. He drug it out into the living room and pulled it up in the chair with him. Then he gets his milk, put it up to the bear's mouth and says, "You want some milk?" He later tickled it, tucked it in, gave it a kiss, and told it "night night." Already putting those big brother skills to use. No coersion. Just unihibited, gentle, and innocent as could be. It was very sweet and touched my heart. I got some pictures of him and the bear...

Barrett sharing his milk.

Tickling the bear's feet. "Get it. Get it. Get it."

This is what you get when you ask him to smile for the camera right now.

Cute, huh?!?

Quick note

Just a quick note. The office called yesterday with the results from my AFP test. The results were normal, meaning this child does not have an increased risk for down's syndrome. Also, just 13 days until we have the big ultrasound. Pray for the health of the baby and the pregnancy...that all the organs will be formed correctly and working efficiently...that my womb will be a healthy and nurturing environment to sustain the pregnancy...and that the baby will cooperate and put aside modesty so that we can determine the gender :) Thank you all for your prayers. I'll keep you updated.

Bear Gives Baby Loves

Barrett was sitting with us on the couch tonight and passing out hugs and kisses. He even gave the baby loves and shared his prized "tar" (star) sticker.