11 Months

My baby is 11 months old!  In 4 weeks he will be a year and will also be close to being a big brother!  Nathan has just started waving and blowing kisses.  He pants to imitate Abby (she is obviously hot a lot more than she barks :) )  His hair is getting thicker and his eyes are constantly changing color.  Nathan loves to play chase, usually walking along the ataman or crawling around it.  He enjoys playing outside in the water, and splashing and kicking in his little "pool".  He wants to eat what you are eating and loves to suck on ice.  He will eat most any kind of fruit, and his favorite vegetable is carrot.  He recently learned how to turn the TV off and on, and also found the cupboard with the plastic containers in it.  I love watching him explore new things and try to figure them out.  

I'll post pictures soon.

Different

*DISCLAIMER ~ These are MY thoughts on MY pregnancy, on MY blog.*

This pregnancy has been so different than when I was pregnant with Nathan.  I had read that every pregnancy was different, but I wasn't expecting all the changes with this one.  I don't know if it had something to do with my age (I'm no spring chicken), or the fact that I got pregnant so soon after having Nathan, or both . . . or if it is just different just because.  

  Like I've stated before, most of the time I forget I'm pregnant.  Too busy with my eldest and trying to keep up the household duties (which I feel I fail at most of the time).  *side note, if you come to my house and it's dusty, it's not because I haven't dusted . . . its because 30 seconds after I dust it comes back ~ the joys of living in the desert. *  However, I feel him move all the time, I see him move all the time.  I love him already, and am anxious to see how different or similar he is to Nathan.  I wonder if he will be a better sleeper, or if he is going to have the same energy he has while I carry him.  Will he have the Peregoy blonde hair, blue eyes, or will he have the brown on brown, or a mixture like his brother?  Will we eventually choose the right name that suits him? 

  Then there's the questions about labor/delivery.  Will he be too big? Will it be fast like Nathan's, or will it take forever?  What are we going to do with Nathan? Who will watch him? What if we aren't home when it's his bedtime - I've never left him overnight before, for that matter I've never left him more than a couple of hours.  Will Nathan be okay?  Will I be okay?

 

It was about a month and half ago that I found out I was low on Iron (which was similar to my pregnancy with Nathan), and that I also needed to take thyroid medication.  Since I've been on both, my energy level has come back and I am in less back/hip pain.  It's been such a relief.  Then, about a month ago I had my Glucose Tests done.  (I passed with flying colors with Nathan, so I really wasn't worried with this one.)  I ended up failing my 1 hour test, so went back in for the 3 hour test.  

  No one really tells you how awful it is.  They don't tell you that besides fasting, which is hell when you are pregnant, that you can't have any fluids during the test and that the four times they draw your blood (one before the sugary drink and then one every hour after) will hurt more and more as you get more and more dehydrated.  I was in tears as I left the lab ~ sat in the car for 5 minutes and cried AND ate a granola bar.  But I still wasn't worried.  

  THEN, I got the news.  I have Gestational Diabetes.  I'm sorry, what?  Me? I can't have that.  I didn't have it with Nathan.  No one in my family has diabetes.  I'm eating healthier than I did with my pregnancy with Nathan.  I just don't understand.   There is such a stigma with GD, at least I had one.  The news broke me.  I felt like such a failure, that somehow I put my unborn child at risk, something that ultimately I had no choice in. After a couple of days of sadness/depression and LOTS of research (& lots of support from family & friends) I snapped out of it and realized that I can do this.  My doctor wanted to try to see if we could get my sugar levels under control with just diet (no meds).  So we tried it for a week, and all looked good.  Then it was another 2 weeks (my appointment was today) and still all looks good.  Praise Jesus!  

  The worst part of all of this is the pricking of the finger.  It really sucks!  I can live with minimal carbs and very little sugar for the remainder of this pregnancy, but the testing 4 times a day is no bueno.  

  The benefit to all this, is my weight is actually staying in one place (according to the doctors scale I haven't gained any weight in 3 weeks.  The baby is still measuring right on track (not too big).  AND we will most likely be induced at 39 weeks, which means a planned birth, so we will be able to get all our ducks in a row and my mom will not have to speed to get here :).  Yes, I know anything can still happen, but right now I rest knowing that God has this under control and it's one less thing that I need to worry about.  

  So, with all this being said, please know that I don't need any more advice, but we covet your prayers for a continued healthy baby, a healthy delivery and that everything falls into place.  

Father's Day

This past Sunday we celebrated Carl's First Father's Day.  Although we didn't do too much, we were able to spend the morning together (as he went to work later that day).  Nathan got him a new pool (more Nathan's size, but will help keep us cool too).  

  Nathan is 10 months and 4 weeks.  Next week we will celebrate his 11th month!  How is it that time is flying by so quickly?  He isn't walking quite yet, but he is getting pretty fast at walking along furniture, and his crawling speed (especially when he wants something) is incredible.  He has started to want to feed himself more and more (even with a spoon), and he does quite well with it.  We are giving him more and more of what we are eating and less baby food.  He has started to climb (just a little) on boxes and just recently the treadmill.  Nathan is so curious and just wants to explore everything - from tasting, to touching to different sounds things make.  He is also taking baths in the tub without a smaller tub in it.  He loves the bubbles and running water.  

Baby Boy 2 is doing well.  I actually have an appointment today, so maybe I will try to catch up on my pregnancy  with him after this appointment.  

Photos . . . finally

10 Months

My First Born is officially 10 months old!  And believe it or not, I didn't take any pictures :(.  Maybe this weekend.  The two teeth that Nathan has been cutting for a week or two finally popped through.  So, he is up to 6 teeth.  He recently started snuggling, and I love every second of it!  He plays copy games with Carl . . . Nathan will say "Da" or "A Da" and Carl will say back "Bubbas".  It goes on and on and makes us all smile.  

  We traveled up to see family one last time before the 2nd boy arrives, this past weekend.  We were able to go see Carl's parents - Grandma & Grandpa and went in the pool for the first time.  Nathan did well and I hope to be able to get him in the water a little more.  It was a lovely 2 days visiting with them.  We then went on to see my parents and family and had a wonderful visit seeing everyone.  Nathan loved playing with his cousins and even walked around with Maile.  :)  I'll try to post pictures later or tomorrow.  

9.3 Months & a catch up with #2

Nathan had his 9 month check up yesterday.  All Went really well.  He is in the 98% for height, 50% for weight (for age), average head measurement . . . according to his height he is underweight, but nothing to worry about.  He is having a VEP eye test done tomorrow, so praying that all goes well :).  
  We had our first mother's day together and I enjoyed being able to kiss my baby on Mother's Day - First one . . . and I am blessed.
  We tried ground up meat this past week, and he loves it!  He is also interested in trying everything we are eating, so that makes things fun :).  He is standing a lot more on his own without holding on to things - I can't believe how quickly he is growing up.  (I think I say that every week).

In other news, littlest is doing well.  i have a check up on Thursday and had a one hour glucose test last week  . . . that didn't go well  - so I am going back for the 3 hour test on Friday.  Prayers appreciated.

9.2 Months

We had a great week and even better weekend . . . We were able to travel to Lemoore to see some of our friends.  It was a wonderful trip (one that I desperately needed).  Nathan did well in the car and did really well for not having his "normal" nap schedule or bed.  He loves people though.  
  Food wise we tried strawberries, blueberries, and today we started kiwi.  So far so good.  Breakfast is his favorite meal.  He has slept through the night (9+ hours) for almost 2 weeks . . . even with 2 more teeth coming through . . . Yes, 2 more on the top. 
  He has started pushing toys around, and it is really cute to watch.