Baby Update - Week 12

Quiet day today - the girls were both up last night. Emily couldn't get back to sleep and isn't a happy camper when that happens. Nora was up about 3 times - around 5:40 I finally just told Morgan to bring her into bed with us. She fell back to sleep a little but not long. When she gets up during the night she doesn't cry (most times) but she sits there and just screams my name - as I come in the room she goes "There you are!"... cute but not what I want to be hearing in the middle of the night. So needless to say - we're tired. We need to get to the store but I have no energy to do it - we'll try tomorrow... for today - we are just sitting inside on this rainy, cloudy day, right now vegging in front of the TV. I did receive my Week 12 update yesterday so I'll post that here - oh, forgot that I sent out an update yesterday before the dr. called. When they drew my blood on Tuesday the tech didn't refrigerate it so they had to do it again. So my "stay at home day" yesterday ended up not being so - I got ready and headed back to the dr. to have more blood drawn. Whew! Today should be a totally stay at home day! First one since we've been home.

Here's our week 12 update - done with trimester 1 now!
"The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce."

Lazy Day

We are still adjusting to CST - last night both girls were really tired and went to bed early - but of course Nora woke up at 5:15 (would be 6:15 in FL) - I convinced her to go back to bed a little but she was up again at 6:20... so we are just moving slow this morning. I'm pretty tired trying to get back in the swing of things and am trying to take it easy. We have school shopping to do as well as my stamp stuff, Girl Scout stuff... I'm looking forward to the school year beginning again but getting into gear again might be tough.

The girls are enjoying being back with their toys this morning. Nora has been everything imaginable in her dress up things.
While Emily is immersed in Barbies.I spent two hours last night - well the computer did while I vegged in front of the TV - uploading all the pictures to Walmart from our trip. Now, if you are really bored and want to go through them all feel free. Here's the link to the Walmart Album...
http://photos1.walmart.com/share/p=513281248834458488/l=259792004/g=3401034/cobrandOid=1011/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Trip Wrap Up and Baby Update

Well, we are home... tired and worn out. But let's back track some.. Sunday we had a fun day - brunch in the morning with Rich, Maggie and the boys. The kids had so much fun playing together.
Then after brunch we headed over to Charlie and Karin's for a BBQ. Again more good food and company. The kids had a blast with each other. Monday morning we headed out at 7:30 for the airport. We had a rough start because (hindsight) someone didn't want to leave.. but anyway - we finally made it to the airport. We left on time from Tampa - but it was bumpy the entire way - not good for me.. especially since Nora was extra wiggly. Then we were delayed getting to Dallas due to weather. Still had an hour or so before our next flight left but we sat on the runway for about 30-35 minutes. So off we flew after getting the stroller and had to go from B to D (if you've ever been to Dallas you know that's not easy). Got there for them to move the gate - got to the new one to find out they just delayed the flight - good thing since we got there at 1:20 and we were due to take off at 1:35. We ended up not leaving until 3:00 - then to sit on the runway until 3:15. Finally on our way but not before Nora fell asleep in the stroller - so when we boarded in Dallas I had to get her out (sound asleep) and collapse the stroller and still manage our carry on and Emily... whew! I was beat. Thankfully she slept most of the flight to home because it was bumpy and quite icky! Finally home, then had to track down our luggage (not the bags - just the car seat - wouldn't that have been great if it was lost!).

Today, it's just been unpacking until my doctor's appointment. Hearing the baby's (now fondly known as "Peanut") heartbeat was the best sound ever - worrying about this blood stuff, all the stuff we did in FL, and being exhausted from the trip had me worried. Peanut's heartbeat was a good strong "in the 170s". We are now into our every 4 week visit as well as the blood test to monitor my antibody count. Right now it's at 2 - as long as it stays under 16 we are good to go! If you want more detail on that I can fill you in... whew! Well, here's the recording of the heartbeat - the whoosh, whoosh, whoosh sound is it. Emily recognized it right away - Nora just looked stunned but after that kept saying "we heard baby heart in your belly" and kept lifting her shirt. Cute!

Silver Springs

Yesterday we went to Silver Springs with the whole gang. We had a great time but boy was it hot.
When we first got there we rode on the glass bottom boats and enjoyed seeing all the fish, ducks, birds and a gator.
We then wandered around looking at animals, feeding the animals in the petting zoo including a newborn deer. We then went on a ride where the bears were. After we all loaded up, they gave a warning about riding with back problems, etc. due to the bumps so I opted out of it and sat and nibbled while everyone else went.After lunch we went to the other side of the park where all the gators are including two white alligators. The kids watched two animal shows and then we headed home.

On the way home I got sick again, I guess long days out in the sun aren't so great for me right now. I was in bed by 7:30 - out for the night! Today we are packing and getting ready to go - plus brunch with Rich and BBQ at Charlie's.. busy fun day to wrap up the visit.

Cousin Fun

Today we had a fun down at Rich and Maggie's place... the girls had so much fun playing in the pool with their cousins. Bruno and Nora had as much fun in the pool as playing with the hose too.
After getting back and a little rest, Chaz came over and watched the girls while I headed out for a little maternity shopping. When we got back Kellianne had come over to help and they were all having a blast playing and watching videos together.

Weeki Wachee

We went to Weeki Wachee today - the girls were very excited to see the mermaids. We went to see the Mermaid Show first. Emily had a blast - but Nora really didn't like the part with the Sea Witch in it. They did the story "The Little Mermaid" and even Chaz said it was startling when the witch popped out of the wall.We then went on the boat cruise before stopping for lunch. It was a really hot day and once we made it through lunch we headed home.

Week 11 and Lunch with Friends

Today I received my week 11 update - so we're almost done with the first trimester. I have an appt. next Tuesday after getting back from FL - it will be so nice to hear a good strong heartbeat. For those of you not in the know, we are tracking blood issues right now... antibodies in my blood - something to watch but it will be quite reassuring to hear the heartbeat. Hopefully we can get a recording of it.

Here's what's going on with the little one now:
"Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming"

As for other going ons... the girls and I met an old friend for lunch today. Heather and I have known each other since high school. Her daughter joined us as well. It was great to catch up - the last time we saw each other Nora was 10 months old.
Heather treated the girls to a S'mores dessert - it was so neat. They brought a tray to the table with marshmallows, chocolate (Hershey's bar) and graham crackers. In the middle was a little burner so they could roast the marshmallows and then make their S'mores. Yum!
After getting back from lunch, the girls washed off their shells from the beach. They have quite a collection that they are bringing home. After a yummy ice cream snack, our cousin Chaz came over - the kids love playing with him and it gives me a nice break too....

IKEA

Today was a more nauseous day and my congestion isn't helping - hopefully I can get it all better by the time we leave next week.. really don't want to fly stuffy.
We meandering around IKEA today - great fun! Emily was on a hunt for her egg chairs - one of her favorite things to do there. We haven't been to IKEA since leaving MD so it was a real treat. So many goodies..

BBQ Fun

It's always a good time when we head over to my cousin's for a BBQ - the kids have a great time in the pool, good food and good company! Emily and Mark spent almost the entire time in the water - surprised they are not water logged today. Nora enjoyed the attention for the big kids and I enjoyed a little quiet time visiting. :o) Here are some pictures from the pool fun...

Shutlle Launch and Hanging Out

We had an extra treat of seeing the shuttle go off on Wednesday. We watched it on TV but then went outside to see the contrail out back - Emily was so excited!
Yesterday we went to Rich and Maggie's for lunch so the kids got to play some. Lots of kitchen and dinosaur fun!
Then off to Grandma's for a visit before Steve had to leave.
I am now 10 weeks along - still quite nauseous - they should call it all day sickness rather than morning sickness. But hopefully that will get better after I reach 12 weeks. I just received my weekly newsletter about the baby's growth. Here's what it said:
"Although he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby now has completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. "

Anniversary Wrap Up

We are back at Mom and Dad's today. We had breakfast at the hotel before packing up and heading back. We had a lot of fun at the beach yesterday afternoon though. Nora enjoyed being a mermaid in the water - she was so funny... she'd lay down and let the water come up to her!
Emily enjoyed some time in the pool practicing her new skill of going under the water. She also was diving for objects that she threw in there too.
After dinner we took a walk on the beach and searched for seashells. The girls each brought back a bucket full - Emily also found a shark's tooth which she was very excited about.We then went down for some ice cream which wrapped up the night. Nora was pretty wiped out and asleep by 6:15...
Checked out this morning and headed back. I was beat after getting here and took almost a 3 hour nap and the girls are getting settled back in. Lots of fun...

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Part Two

After getting back to Mom and Dad's Sunday night, we had laundry to do and packing to do. Monday Morgan headed back to Arkansas and we were packing for part two of the anniversary celebration. We had bathing suits and sand toys to get ready to head to St. Pete Beach. We arrived (after a pit stop to buy a new suit for me since I left mine at Disney) at the Don Cesar Hotel in St. Pete Beach Monday afternoon.
We then spent Monday afternoon and today at the beach and pool. Great fun hanging out together and a lovely spot. The girls had fun playing in the water, making sand castles, jumping waves, finding fish and collecting sea shells.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Day Two & Three

After watching a beautiful sunrise from our room, we headed enjoyed breakfast in our room - all the little ones muching away were really cute.
We then headed back to the Magic Kingdom. We had great luck with lines and used the fast passes that they gave us for the ticket issue the night before. Enjoyed some rides, the bear show, lunch, a few more rides and then back to the hotel for some pool fun.

After the pool we had plans for dinner out at downtown Disney. Unfortunately I didn't have a great time for that one. The bus ride there made me nauseous and after struggling to stay with the gang finally gave in, Morgan got me a cab back to the hotel, got to our room just in time to toss my cookies.. what a way to end a night!

The next day was a lot better as we headed out for Epcot before heading back to Mom and Dad's.