A girl

Let me set the scene for you....

We have been working really hard to keep Henry from having accidents. I truly believe he has problems feeling the urge to go until it's too late, but that is beside the point. We have a sticker chart reward system and as of two days ago, he filled the chart up. As a reward he got to go bowling (his choice). When we were up at the counter the lady who was taking our money was talking about Henry and referred to him as a "her." Excuse me? Really?

You see, I have no problems with Henry being called a girl. For a while when he was a baby, his hair was curly and thin. I expected it really, but now, with his sleeveless t-shirt, short hair and manly demeanor (okay this one might be a stretch)? Hmmm. Ok, fine, I'll take it.

After the lady called Henry a "her," I wasn't sure how to proceed. I knew Henry needed shoes and a ball. Should I call him Henry, or him or even her to spare the lady's feelings? In the end I pointed to Henry and said "his shoe size is a 12." At that point she brought out the big men's size 12. I guess she thought I was talking about Aaron. So, my polite attempt not not embarrass her didn't work. She had to take them back and get the little kiddie shoes and then had to admit to herself that she guessed wrong. Really, I don't think she cared much, but it's interesting that it happened now. The above photo was take right after bowling. Not too girly, right?

In other news, my pregnancy has started to slow down to almost a creep. I feel like I've been 21 weeks forever. This seems so strange because the first 4 1/2 months just flew by. I have a few thoughts on this. My first thought is that all the big things I was looking forward too are past (like the ultrasound and vacation in Minnesota). Now instead of looking at a few weeks, I'm looking more at the big picture (only 4 more months to go). Also, these last few weeks everyone has told me I have "popped out." I suppose this is a good thing, but that and the fact that little swordfish (our affectionate term for the baby) is moving around a ton, makes me always conscious of her.

It's like I can't forget about things. On top of that, we have bought absolutely NOTHING for this kid. I think it's time. We really don't need that much, just a dresser, cloth diapers and some hand me down clothes. Still, we need to get organized. Henry's room currently has his bed, a crib and his toys all over the place. I'm not sure how everything is going to fit. I just want to rearrange it and organize it now so I know things will work out. Once in a while I try to get organized, but usually it is just small things like a craft room or a closet or a bathroom. I feel like to get ready for this baby I need to do a whole house take down. Talk about exhausting. I've been looking a little on-line for tips, but really I think I just need to do it.

On top of that, I know a lot of people getting married and I'm trying to sew them some fantastic wedding gifts.

Usually what happens is that I know I should sew, cook, clean or organize, but I don't. I sit and play with Henry and then go to bed thinking about everything I should have done. Maybe one day I'll do it all.

Henry's Camera

These are picture Henry took with his camera. I have never seen Aaron more animated in my life! As for me, um, not so animated.

Henry

A couple days ago was my father's birthday. We called him on the phone and Henry said "Happy Birthday Grandpa." Well, actually the first time we called my dad was not there and so Henry decided to try "Happy Birthday Grandma" instead. Later my dad called back and Henry got to talk to him. My dad asked Henry if he knew how old my dad was. Henry guessed 15. When it was wrong, he tried 16, 17 and 18. Then I gave him a little help and said the real number, which is 60 (sorry dad if you are trying to keep this hidden). After he guessed 60, my dad asked if he could even count that high. Then Henry started wispering "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc." I took the phone from him and started talking to my dad. About 5 minutes later Henry announced " I can't count that high."

So cute! Can't help but love that boy.

My New Chair

Oh man, I finally did it. I think it took about 9 months in total, but it is done and I feel quite happy about it. When ever I create something, I want there to be some element of new in it. Whether it is a new sewing technique, a new knitting pattern or something I have never done before. Figuring out new things is interesting and it makes me think. For instance, at our wedding I made stained glass center pieces for every table. I had never done it before, but it was a ton a fun (I expect I'll get back to it some time). Most of our furniture is either hand-me-downs or from Ikea. While this has been really great, I have never been able to have something that I 100% love. Because furniture is so darn expensive, I felt the only way I could get something I love would be to make it myself. How hard could it really be to reupholster, right?

My parents agreed to buy me a chair as a gift for residency graduation. I told them my plan and I'm sure they were happy about it. I found this duo below for only $50. This is a bad photo but it was the best the dark basement and my cell phone could do. For now just focus on the chair on the right (I am completely ignoring the fact that I also bought a couch!). I checked out a couple books from the library and started plugging away. I was going to take everything apart very carefully so I would know how to put the new stuff back on. There was piping all on the edges. I was surprised to see that this was just glued on and was very easily removed. Next came the horrible part, removing all the staples. I really didn't think it could be that bad, but all the staples are in little wooden grooves that make it almost impossible to grab the staple in the first place. Second, who placed those staples was definitely trigger happy. I would like to let that person know I do not appreciate it. With the chair being in the dark basement and this task needing hours and hours of time, I found myself avoiding the project. With a three year old at home, how often can you sneak away and hide in the basement? Not too often. Eventually, the staples were out and this is how it looked.

Not too pretty. You might be able to see that in the end I just tore the fabric and batting. I was pretty sick of the whole process. Now the creative process actually begun. I knew I didn't like the lighter color to the wood so I took a visit to a home improvement store. To do things right, I put on a couple coats of primer, a couple of coats of color and a couple coats of protective layer. Between each of these layers needed a few hours to dry, which for me usually meant at least a day because I would put on coats at night and it would get too late before I could come back to it again. When I was done with that I bought fabric and started stapling. Not the best of times. My hand was so sore. I could have bought and electric stapler, but I went cheap.

After the stapling was the sewing. It has been really hot here in KC and my sewing machine is upstairs in the heat so the sewing portion was placed on hold for a while. Finally I was ready. I sewing up all the piping and the cushion and I glued the piping in place and voila!

Night and day, right? There are small things that show I'm an obvious beginner, but that's okay. I learned a lot and it is done! Such a relief. Now on to the next project. Sorry this is so wordy, but I thought some people might like to replicate it. It doesn't take that many tools (a screwdriver and a staple gun) and I definitely saved money. Hope everyone can see it in person.

The Ultrasound

Well, it happened. The ultrasound is done.

Yesterday morning before we went to the doctor, we showed Henry his ultrasound pictures so he could see what things would look like. Then, instead of just waiting in our house, we all went shopping. My stomach was already getting little bubbles inside so I thought it would make more sense to be productive. Henry starts preschool in a month and he needed a backpack. We went to a couple of stores on the Plaza and ended up finding some great backpacks at Pottery Barn Kids. As soon as we got in the store Henry started grabbing backpacks (I took this as a good sign). They were all well made with lots of different pockets and clasps. I personally like the dinosaur backpack, but Henry picked out his own. I actually couldn't be prouder because among the Spider-man and Batman ones, he picked out a Star Wars backpack. As soon as we left the store he asked to put it on. He really loves it. I know some people get sad when their kid goes off to school. Maybe because it is just preschool and maybe because I know he'll love it, but I'm really excited for him. I can't wait for him to start.

After the purchase, we went to my OB's. We were early, but he was ready for us. We got in the ultrasound room and the tech started her job. She was super nice and knew how to treat Henry and obviously loves her job. She started out by showing us the profile of the baby. At first I was a little nervous because I saw the head looked a little hollow, but I think it was just a mid-line picture and only showed the corpus callosum (the thing that connects the two hemisphere's of the brain). Then she moved the probe around and all the brain came into picture. She even measured the ventricles and they were normal. Then she went to the heart (4 chambers), spine (intact) and then she started measuring the bones. It was at this point I felt a wave of relief. Seeing all this, I knew the baby was perfect. She finished up with looking at the stomach, bladder and kidneys (of course they were good). I was exactly 18 weeks when the ultrasound was done and the baby measured 17 weeks 6 days. Not too shabby ! Also, the baby iweighs 7 ounces.

Here, enjoy some pictures.

Profile showing the perfect spine. You can even see the legs folded up and some intestinal bubbles.

This shows a thumbs up sign and then on the right you can see the legs folded up.

A scary picture of the skull with the hand right next to the face.

This is probaby the hardest to see, but on the left-hand side there are 2 little feet.

After making sure the baby was healthy, she tried to see if it was a boy or girl. Now the baby is situated breach with its legs folded up, and that made finding out quite difficult. The tech pushed on my belly a little bit to get the baby to move, and the baby totally responded. It was fun to see the baby kick its little legs. Still, no definite answer. Later my doctor tried and the tech had me roll to one side and then tried again. She said she couldn't see any boy parts (me neither) but couldn't definitively say it was a girl. I asked her how sure she was and she said 90%. Now I consider that a very high percentage. If someone told me there was a 90% chance of rain, I would bring my umbrella.

During the ultrasound, Henry did great. Right off the bat, the tech gave Henry a photo of the baby. Half way through he said "this is great." I love his enthusiasm and know he'll be a great big brother.

So now things are great. Baby looks perfect and probably a girl. Next time I have an appointment, they will try again. No more nervousness toward the baby, just excitement. I know some people feel like in their 2nd pregnancy, they are ready to have the baby right away, but that is not true for me. This pregnancy has gone by super fast and I feel now I am only grasping what is occurring. I had my first baby dream only 2 nights ago. Pregnancy isn't so bad for me right now and I'm content to let the baby cook in their a while. I'll let everyone know when I'm ready.

Two More Days

I'm just biding my time until Wednesday, for that is the day we have our ultrasound. It will tell me how the baby's brain looks, how many chambers their little heart has and if it is a boy or girl. It so strange thinking about it, but these results will change my life. I suppose my life is already changed, but I just don't know it yet. Pretty soon all the secrets will be told.

I am a little anxious about seeing all the anatomy. Last time when I was pregnant, the ultrasound was just done spur of the moment so I had not time to think about it (not a bad way to go). This time all I do is think about it. With a lot of medical conditions, I feel competent to care for the baby and I know Aaron would do well too. There are just certain conditions, mainly hypoplastic heart, that I am terrified of. Hopefully my fears will be erased on Wednesday. If they are not, well then I'll have time to prepare and get mentally ready.

It's still crazy hot here in KC which means Henry doesn't get out much. Poor guy. If he doesn't get his exercise he can really go crazy.

To help with his boredom (and because he always asks), he went to work with me on Saturday. This is normally a light day so I can keep an eye on him while seeing patients. Of course when he comes to work, all he wants to do is eat snacks and play on my computer. I wonder if that's what he thinks I do all day. No, actually, he gets it because sometimes he asks me how many babies I see. He had a great morning by eating all my snacks, gum and mints.

Yesterday I took him to Leawood pool and we had fun. http://www.leawood.org/parks/aquaticcenter.aspx I didn't realize it at the time, but we stayed for 1 1/2 hours. They have a fantastic kiddie pool and then another little pool that is even more shallow. Henry loved it all, but especially this one kiddie slide. He went over, and over and over. It's so funny how much Henry loves swimming, yet is scared to do some things. He is getting better at taming his fear. Yesterday he voluntarily went underwater once. He did this last time we swam too. So maybe there is hope for my timid boy. I wish now I had some pictures, but it was just Henry and me so I didn't grab the camera. I supposed I could take a picture of the nice sunburn on my back. I put sunblock on Henry, but we were running low so I skipped myself. Not a good idea. I thought I was too old to sunburn (or something like that).

So we're still having fun despite the weather and despite the waiting game.