Baby update

We had the ultrasound last Fri. Most people can't wait for their ultrasound because they want to find out the gender. We didn't want to know the gender but just wanted to be reassured that the baby is healthy. Although, I think it does cross most soon-to-be parents minds that something could be wrong, you don't really expect something might be wrong. So it was with us. At the end of the ultrasound, the tech said she was going to start her initial report and call the Dr. to see if he wanted her to take any more pictures. Okay, we are sure that's not normal, so we start to worry. She came back and said that there are two "soft" markers for a chromosomal abnormality (most often meaning Downs). There is a spot on the heart, common in a lot of normal babies. And the fluid on the kidneys is a little above normal. Again, not something to worry about, but the two together raises concern. I did not have the triple screen and at this point it's too late anyway. So, we wait for the Dr. to come take a look. And he sees the same two markers as well as maybe, possibly a "hole in the heart". The ventricular septum normally gets very thin as it approaches the valves. So, sometimes it is hard to see if it is really there are not. And he wasn't sure if it was there or not. If a baby has one marker, they usually don't say anything to the parents. But two, they do. But I don't know if they would have said anything about the ventricular septum if the other two markers weren't there and I also don't know if that will be considered a third marker, thus increasing the odds, if after the next ultrasound they determine there is a hole. So, we go in for another ultrasound next week. The fluid on the kidneys might change, they might be able to see more of the ventricular septum, but he says the spot on the heart will always be there. Other than keeping an eye on things via ultrasound, the only other thing we can do is an amnio, which runs the risk of miscarriage, 1/100. Which might not seem like bad odds, but when you are talking about losing a baby already this far along, it's a risk we aren't willing to take. We know there is no point to worrying. It might be nothing. It could be something. If it is, what does worry about it do? But we're still worried. Much of the research says that soft markers don't really mean much and just cause undue worry for the parents. The research also says that some of these markers can be seen better on thin women. Chuck considers me thin, I don't. And many of these markers seen during 2nd trimester ultrasounds correct themselves. It is statistically improbable that we would have a baby with Down Syndrome, but there is always the possibility for anyone. There are so many thought and emotions running thru my head, I don't even know where to begin. So, for now, I won't.

Here I am at 20 weeks. I am starting to tell my butt and legs are getting fatter and I really don't like that! My exercise volume has not changed and I don't think I am eating any more than normal, even though I should be able to eat more right? Oh, and don't worry, the comments about how big I am just keep coming.

H update

I just can't get over how beautiful Hannah is! I adore this little girl. She is talking up a storm, most of which only a mom can understand. She has come to love pizza, only she says it like

pee-a. We are not really getting anywhere with the potty training, but it's okay, I'm not going to rush it. She is going to be a strong willed little girl.

Here are some cute pictures of her.

After fighting quite a bit over this big, red ball, C gave it up for something else he wanted to keep away from H. So, H insisted on taking it to bed with her. I did try to sneak it out of her bed once she fell asleep, but she caught me.

Her downdog.

She was so cute sitting on the edge of the couch here, I couldn't resist a picture.

C update

Cameron started school on Wed. the 12th. He is attending the same school he did last year with most of the same students, but this year he goes M,W and F. On the first day of school, he brought home a sheet saying his favorite food is hot dogs, favorite color is red and his favorite thing to do is go to the park.

I had been trying a "good deeds" chart with him. He would get a star each time he did something like got himself dressed, helped pick up, stayed in his bed all night, etc. He would earn prizes along the way. But this didn't really seem to be motivating him. So, since he wants to buy toys every time we go somewhere, I decided to try motivating him with money. This way I could also try to teach him the value of a dollar. So, for every 5 stars he earns, he gets a dollar. The first week he earned $3. We had a chance to go to Target in the middle of the next week and by then he had earned $5. He chose 5 dinosaurs from the $1 bin. He found a couple other dollar items he liked, but I told him he would have to put 2 dinosaurs back if he wanted the other things. And he said, no that's okay. I gave him his money to pay and we were out the door. It was actually a quite pleasant experience. He gets a star when he stays in bed all night and we did go 5 nights in a row without him getting up, the 6th night, he got up just before 5 and I put him back in bed, but I'll take that. And last night, he stayed in bed all night. So, we are making progress!? But I'm not sure the stars are the motivating factor there.

Just a cute picture of the kids. We have been playing "horses" a lot lately. H created her horse all on here own. I feel like I should go buy her a real stick horse, but then I also think, hey if she's happy with that one, why pay the money for a real one.

Tales from the Trail and Beyond

When I posted our last post (see below), I hadn't had much time to talk to Chuck or my brother to get the stories from the backpacking trip. So, finally...here are a few of the funnier moments.

As Lily and Emma were likely already at camp, Darien and Jonathan were behind with Chuck and C even further behind. Even though it was only a 3 mile day, there was an elevation increase of about 3,000 feet. And to that, this is what Darien had to say, "I hate this stupid trail. Whose idea was this? (My brother responded with a "Chuck's"). I'm never going on a trip Chuck plans again."

One day, Cameron tells Chuck, "Dad, when we get home, we are setting up the black card table, putting all our camping stuff on it and we are having a yard sell." We have never had or even been to a yard sale!

The trip began on Sat. and by Thurs. C had not pooped. After many false alarms, Chuck was inspired to have C walk naked from the waist down. Which apparently did the trick. I'm sure there are some pictures of that out there somewhere.

C didn't come home any different then he left. His first words to me, were "Mom, will you play with me." And when I said I'd like to help unload the car first, he said I was stupid and he hated me.

We were getting out of the car the other morning and C says, "It's too hot here. I hate Arizona. I want to move to Colorado." I wonder who he heard that from?

Now, you might think they didn't have fun. But every camping trip I've been on, this is how everyone talks excluding Chuck. I'm sure everyone will be back next year.

Summer Backpacking Trip '09

For many, many years, Chuck has gone backpacking for a week each summer with a group of friends (many have come and gone). This year, he decided to make the trip gentle enough that Cameron and any other kids that wanted to go, could handle it. Unfortunately, the only people that went, out of many that were invited, were my brother, Jonathan, his son, Darien (age 5) and Lily and Emma. But despite the small turnout, they had a great time. Chuck said the boys did great. C hiked all but about a mile and Darien just about the whole thing. And they were only "sore" with each other about 45 minutes the whole trip. (Now, I found that hard to believe. Normally these boys just beat each other up!) The trip started Sunday morning in Vallecito, CO and ended Saturday in Needleton where they caught the train to Durango. It was 6 nights, 7 days and about 25 miles. BSofA look out! They experienced rain, hail, and snow along the way. They also saw goats, marmots, and a moose. C told me that Darien saw a bear, but I don't think that is true. Hannah and I missed them and we are glad that are back safe and sound. Maybe next year, H will go to! Here are just a few of the many pictures.

With the Boys Away...

the girls will:

sleep. H is a great sleeper. She takes naps and does not get up during the night! She has even been sleeping in past 5am although she has been resisting going to bed. Thank goodness she's still in a crib!

go for runs. H is a great running partner. It's always harder to push a stroller but especially in this heat (it was 115 yesterday, probably close to 100 when we ran) and being pregnant. But it's better than not doing it!

do some shopping. H loves to push the little shopping carts at Trader Joe's and she was a great shopping companion while we went to Old Navy where I found killer deals on maternity clothes!

bake pumpkin bread and take it to our friends and neighbors.

take Grandpa Joe out to lunch.

Hannah will:

play by herself

enjoy getting to be first.

not get pushed around by her big brother.

not get potty trained. Although it was my intention, she is resisting.

Mom will:

get to sit down and blog as well as catch up on her friends and family's blogs.

get to clean and organize house (while H plays by herself).

get some of her yoga teacher training requirements checked off the list.

pull the weeds in the garden. Not my favorite thing to do, but the garden is dead and I'm sick of looking at it. Plus I'd like to surprise Chuck and do it for him.

I can't believe how different life is with just Hannah. She is so easy! I think I'm a pretty good mom, but if C were more like H and play by himself, I'd be a much better wife and homemaker! I am spending time with H, reading and playing etc. But she will just play by herself while I cook, clean, whatever! It's really how I thought life with kids would be until I had C. I miss C and Chuck but it's really nice to be able to feel productive and not so exhausted! Oh, BTW the boys are backpacking in Colorado for the week.

This and That

I am 16 weeks pregnant. I look pretty big for a couple reasons: it's my 3rd baby, I don't have a shirt on, and I have an excessive lumbar curve as it is. I am using the midwife that delivered H. She is working for the hospital where I delivered H and is covered by our insurance. The bad part is I have to go all the way to downtown Phx for appts. but it will be worth it I'm sure. I had an appt. last week and heard the baby's heartbeat. So, it seems a little more real now. C took this picture for me this morning after I had the most glorious run. Yes, it is mid-July in Arizona but it was cool and pouring rain. I love to run in the rain! Other news that I haven't mentioned, is that I have finished my master's level yoga teacher training. I still have quite a bit to do before I "graduate". But I won't have to be going to class for what seemed like every weekend.

This is what I call surviving. Whatever it takes to get the kids happy and quiet so I can cook dinner. They are eating bowls of whipping cream.

This is where H liked to sit while her daddy was training.
C would ride his trainer (or just sit on his bike) while daddy was training.
C is a total nut. I didn't want to risk taking a picture while he was actually sleeping, so he is pretending here. I just wanted to document what his bed looks like at bedtime. He has books, blankets, stuffed animals, cars & trucks, a robe, my jacket and one of my t-shrits that he sleeps with each night.
I love, love, love this picture. C has been wanting to sleep in one of my t-shirts at night lately. This one is my favorite! It has a picture of Chuck when he was a mere teenager on it. Love it!

This is H who insisted on putting on her sleeper when it's 100+ degrees outside.

H would probably sit for hours putting coins into her bank. Whatever makes her happy!

I found a face mask sample under my sink (while going thru things after we'd had a major leak). So, I put it on and H wanted to too. I don't think she knew what was going on.

Hannah is really starting to talk. It is the cutest thing! C never really went thru the learning to talk stage. He just started talking. So, it is really fun to hear H learn and try new words. Almost all of her sentences begin with "I want" and end in "Mom". She really likes to say, "I want to eat, mom" and "I want a snack, mom"