12 Week Baby Appointment

Last week Thursday was my 12 week appointment with my obstetrician. Everything was checking out fine; weight gain, only 1 pound (amazingly!!), blood results came back good, no relief for the constant fatigue until probably week 18 etc. Then it was time to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. Ryan was with me for what we hoped would be a momentous occasion. Unfortunately, despite the doctor trying for more than 10 minutes, up, down, sideways, high, low, he could not find a heartbeat. He started going over different scenarios: (1) my due date is wrong; (2) my uterus is titled, or (3) there is a sac but no baby. Of course #3 scared me enough to ask what we could do. The doctor recommended an urgent ultrasound and thought I might be able to get in the next day already. Taking his advice, I was in for an ultrasound the next day. Unfortunately Ryan could not get out of work with such late notice and my mom offered to come along with me to the hospital the next day.

So we started the ultrasound (without my mom in the room) and right away the technician said "oh there's the heartbeat" and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. She took a few more measurements and I got to see my baby on the screen for the first time. The technician brought my mom in too so she could take a look and see her grandbaby.

So everything seems to be on track, and there doesn't seem to be any concerns after all. Huge relief. We even got our first baby picture (good thing she labelled the head or it might be hard to tell at this point). If anything, the technician said the baby is measuring a little small (well, that's ALL we heard throughout my entire pregnancy with Kaitlyn and I think these medical professionals keep forgetting how short this child's parents are!).

So here's our first baby pic:

Shopping

Well today turned into a bit of shopping day. Something I don't do a lot of as I hardly ever let myself spend money. Today the kids' swap meet was happening in town (only happens twice a year) so I figured I better go and check it out since Kaitlyn has about 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants that fit her right now, never mind summer is just around the corner. What I like about the swap meet is everyone takes only cash so if I take out a certain amount in the morning, I know that once it's gone, it's gone and I'm not allowed to take out more. I decided to be cheap and save the extra $2 and not hit the early bird entrance since I wasn't looking for any big ticket items which is basically what early bird is used for. I managed to hit some really great deals and get some really cute stuff, all within budget, most of it barely used and a lot of name brands - something I said didn't matter to me anymore but the price was right!

The best thing about this? I was petrified Kaitlyn would run off and be impossible to manage by myself. I brought the stroller along to pile the bags on and knew she wouldn't want to go in there so I took her "leash" along. But a wonderful thing happened when I took out the stroller - Kaitlyn wanted to sit in it! And she sat in it the entire time, drank her juice and ate her Cheerios like an angel!! I was so impressed with her. I guess she's not always "terrible 2"!

The dilemna I had before leaving the house was another sort though. Wearing jeans. I have a few "fat" jeans still in my drawer from before I lost my weight, but the problem with those is they are still falling down in my current condition. And my "skinny" jeans are okay except I can't do up the fly or button. So today I wore a longer shirt and left my fly open. Yeah, not that attractive. After the swap meet, I hit a couple consignment stores and found a great pair of maternity jeans that don't look like maternity jeans and are so comfy. So yes, I guess you can say I am hitting the maternity wear already. Sigh. Isn't it too early for this??

Update

Well, not much new to report around here. Kaitlyn is still 75% potty trained - pretty much trained throughout the day and wakes up wet either in the middle of the night or the morning. We now have a goal - she has to be completely out of pull ups by September when preschool starts as the sign up sheet says "must be potty trained and no pull ups". So at least we have something to work towards!

I am feeling really good. I am eating everything that isn't bolted down, and haven't been sick yet. Considering I was violently ill by this point with Kaitlyn, I am quite happy to not be sick daily! Although it is still early and that can change!

Anyway, I better run but wanted to let everyone know we're alive and well!

Ryan and I are Happy to Announce ...

Sooo...

Any guesses?

Some of you have already started guessing, and I'm really bad at keeping secrets.

Kaitlyn will be a big sister in the fall. Our estimated due date is November 2, 2009, and we are over the moon excited.

Some More Pics from Kaitlyn's Photo Session

Grandma

Tomorrow we will bury our Grandmother (Dad's Mom) who passed away last week. She lived a long, full, vibrant life and we are thankful her journey on earth was not full of pain and suffering and she is now rejoicing with her Maker. Tonight we were blessed to be able to spend an evening with cousins who have travelled from all over Canada to be here to remember and say farewell to Grandma. It was a wonderful evening, catching up with some family members we haven't seen in years. Plus I was able to spend some time holding a beautiful 6-month-old Kaitlyn (same name, but a daughter of one of my cousin's) who even when squawking, was still a joy to hold.

I'm sure tomorrow will have its moments of pain, but overall, we are a family rejoicing a woman who loved life, serving the Lord.

Looking Back

I've been looking at pictures today and can't help but think how quickly time has flown by. Somedays it feels like time is dragging on and nothing new happens, but when you start looking at pictures and remembering, things a few years ago seem like they happened yesterday. Here are a few I dug up:

Our wedding - May 2001:



And taken in January 2009 on our cruise:



Kaitlyn - May 21, 2006:



Summer 2007:



And taken February 2009: