Random January stuff

What are we doing as this new year has begun?

1. CLEANING! The pantry has sort of been my nemesis for a while now. I would look at it in disgust as I pulled food out. I would make excuses in my head. Well, no more. Dave went back to work after the holidays and I got busy on the pantry. With the boys' "help" it took me two full days but it is organized to my liking now. Yeah!! I also got the new wall calendar hung up, and who doesn't love a brand new clean calendar?!?

2. ORGANIZING! I came home one night in early December from a solo outing to find the office that David and I share (we each had a corner and the adjacent walls) had been flip flopped due to some computer issues. It was a disaster! So, finally, post pantry clean-up, I got busy in the office. It is nearly done. I am SO excited to have a place to scrapbook (again).

3. SNOW! We finally got a decent amount of snow. The boys and I went out to play. Seth got new snow boots - Lightning and Mater from the movie Cars. He was so very excited to go out and "skate" in them. That's what he calls playing in the snow. And this was our first substantial snowfall so out we went. Luke was surprisingly unphased by the whole thing. But he did seem intent on cleaning off the slide, swings, etc. It took nearly 45 minutes to find all of our gear and get "suited up." I will confess, a small chunk of that time was allotted to me as my clothes aren't quite fitting and maternity clothes are not something you want to sacrifice to a romp in the snow so it took some digging to find apparel for me. But, thankfully, they stayed out that nearly another 45 minutes so it was worth it! They had a great time.

4. OUCH! Don't sneeze with a curling iron in your hair. Really poor planning on my part. Enough said there. I think I finally self-exfoliated all the dead skin off the side of my face. NO pictures of that one.

5. SLACKING! We have been spending way too much time at home! Between me not feeling 100% and then sniffles here and there and the very cold weather, we've just been home too much! Plus, Luke seems to have hit the wonderfully terrible twos (or maybe he's just in a mood lately?) but he can throw one ugly tantrum. And he's pretty flexible about where he does this. The library was my favorite.

6. MAKING BAD FOOD! I have been missing donuts. They aren't really safe for a peanut allergic child since nearly every donut shop serves some donut with a peanut/tree nut on it and the cross-contam factor is high. So, I got a cooking magazine in the mail that had a recipe for homemade donuts. I took a stab at them. Admittedly, I killed the yeast in the first batch, I guess, as the dough just laid there limply in my bowl. But, not to be defeated, I started over. And the look on Luke's face made it pretty much all worthwhile!

7. SLEEPING! Well, not as much as I might like, but we did get a new bed and coordinating furniture. We got a larger bed, which meant I got to shop for a new comforter, curtains, etc. Very fun. Buying a new bed has been on "the list" for years now but it's the selfish item that always gets bumped for things like baby beds, or a car we can all ride in, etc. But we took the plunge. It was our Christmas gift to each other (and my Mother's Day gift, birthday gift, next Christmas gift, etc.). To complete the look my wonderfully talented mom made me some pictures to hang in the room as well. They are done on canvas. I did the very basic striped one and I watched her do part of the other two (watching counts for something, no?). Well, anyway, I love them.

Bread

You win some...

You lose some!

Ultrasound

hand

face

spine, etc.

foot

more face

I can't really explain it, but I was completely freaked out about this ultrasound. I kept trying to remind myself that God knew what was going on in there and me seeing in there didn't change a thing but I didn't do a very great job of remembering that most of the time.

For starters, I am old. By reproduction standards anyway. Every doctor's appointment is another discussion of another test to determine whether the baby is likely to have this abnormality or that genetic issue, etc. My stand has always been that they can do any test that they would need to know the results of to help the baby at birth. However, I would not terminate a pregnancy so none of the other stuff really matters. Many of the tests just determine if you are more likely to have a baby with certain defects, not a for sure answer until an amnio, which I personally would not have (because it's risky AND I'm a wimp!). Besides, God gives you the baby He wants you to have. I have known plenty of people my age to have healthy babies. I have also known of plenty of 25 year olds who have babies that are not well, have genetic issues, etc.

All that said, I did let my doctor (who is also my age and pregnant) talk me into a more extensive ultrasound, which has to be done at a specialist's office. The appointment starts with a consultation with Debbie Downer (as I am choosing to refer to her). I understand it's just her job but she started out explaining all the terrible things that could be wrong based on my age and really tried to force the amnio issue. We let her do her job and then informed her we didn't want one. I said yes to the ultrasound in the first place, knowing there are some soft markers for chromosomal issues that would be looked at during the ultrasound. But selfishly, I knew for me it was a longer peek inside there to see what was going on. Well, the baby did not disappoint! I was nervous going in as I really couldn't feel any movement (okay, I was only 18 weeks and a couple of days but still!). Well, baby did a complete somersault mid-ultrasound, flipping all the way around (and I couldn't feel that either). We looked at the heart, the heart rate, measured upper arms, lower arms, looked at blood flow, etc. The tech declared this was a really cute baby. Of course, I agreed, but really the baby looks a little, well, skeletal on an ultrasound! Then came the doctor to interpret the results. My doctor's office had scheduled the appointment for me so when I got the packet in the mail and found out our appointement was with the head of the department I figured he'd be all business. He didn't disappoint either. He walked into the room, sat down, and said, "Everything looks great. Any questions?" Yes, that was the extent of the actual doctor's visit.

So, without further adieu, I introduce you to baby BOY McNichols (or Little Mr. No Name as he is affectionately being called). Here's where I give a little shout out to Jill, Janel, and Simone - all moms of 3 boys who are still very feminine, enjoy girly time, and love love love their boys!

Blog post 100, aka "The Announcement." And some answers to some questions...

So, post #100! Okay, I started this post a few weeks ago but then the holidays happened and it just didn't get posted. So, let's do it now!


Yes, this is my 100th post. I worked hard to time this out just right. : ) So, I seem to recall hearing on lots of decorating shows that odd numbers are more aesthetically pleasing. As such, we needed another baby to balance out the family photos. Okay, maybe we didn't do it for the pictures, but we are having another baby!!


Answers to your questions: First, people keep asking if we planned this. I have decided that must mean no one in their right minds does this? So, for you inquiring minds, yes, we planned this. Talked amongst ourselves, prayed a lot, talked some more, and did this on purpose! Although I know of at least three people, with whom I am very close who did not plan at least one of their children and they seem to adore them just the same!


Second, due date. I am due May 30th. I am planning another planned c-section so will likely deliver the week before that. Not that 18 hours of labor and then a c-section wasn't fun the first time, woo hoo, but let's just cut to the chase when it's time (pun intended). Anyway, this weekend I am 20 weeks pregnant - halfway there!


Third, we do know what we are having. For now, I will just tell you it is a healthy looking baby, via ultrasound anyway. A baby who had its hand up by its head, its feet crossed at its ankles and did a full somersault, just to annoy the ultrasound tech I think.


Fourth, yes I feel just as crummy this time as the last two times. Three has been "my number," I think since Seth was born. And every time I get sick I feel that number being confirmed! I am very much looking forward to the baby at the end of the pregnancy but pregnancy and I just don't get along very well. Nevermind that I'm not getting any younger. I thought it would be so much easier being at home and being pregnant, but instead I feel like I have more time to think about feeling sick and be tired of feeling sick and then feeling sad that I'm feeling sick. I'm just ready to feel good. This is the second trimester and supposed to be the "honeymoon phase" so to speak, where you're not puking and you're not huge. Well, I'm still puking, although much less often. And if I really think hard, I realize that I have come along way and I do feel so much better, but still nauseated more than not!


So, that's our story. We're very excited. Seth sort of gets it. Although he keeps asking if he can have a puppy when we're done with the baby. I keep reminding him it's like when Luke came - the new baby will also stay forever. As for Luke, he hasn't a clue what's in store for him. Poor little guy.