I had my 12 week doctor's appointment today (Baby's heart rate is ~160). I'm sure this isn't the first time I'll ever say this, nor will it be the last, but this pregnancy takes me by surprise. Mostly because I forget I'm pregnant. With Ellie, I knew to the day how pregnant I was, but this time I have to rely on the weekly update emails I get. My 12 week appointment served as just another reminder. I have a doc's appointment? What for? Oh, yeah. Baby.
So, as soon as I receive my next update email, it will be officially the second trimester mark. Weird. On the bright side, this means I should start having more energy, my boobs are getting bigger, I am not threatened by a super sensitive gagging reflex, and I can start gaining weight without feeling bad.
Speaking of weight... I've gained 4.5 pounds since finding out I was pregnant. This is about the same as last time. However, I AM ALREADY SHOWING!!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? The first time around, it wasn't until 19 weeks that I got a tummy over night. That's the equivalent of 2 months from now!!!
Is this normal? Do second pregnancies just tend to POP more? Does this mean that my belly button might pop out this time around??? I could be one of those cute pregnant mothers with the outie that people joke about being the sign that the bun is all done. I've always wanted one of those!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Name that tune!
I have been trying desperately to get Ellie's singing on video. Of course, she usually sings when I don't have the camera, or stops whenever she sees the camera come out. I once got her to sing for me but the camera was on the wrong setting. By the time I started recording, all I got was Ellie saying "you're welcome."
The one I REALLY want to get on video is her singing "The more we get together." We were having ice cream the other day when she started singing that one by herself. "Your fiend. My fiend. My fiend. Your fiend. More togever. Appy we be." It brought tears to my eyes. So what if I was actually crying - you would too if you were there. Unless you were Michael, who was indeed there and did not cry.
Anyway, here are the ones I have been able to get decent videos of. The videos include us helping her with words, but in real life she often sings the entire song herself. It takes us a while to figure out which song she's singing, but once we know it, it's amazing to us that she knows most of the words!
The one I REALLY want to get on video is her singing "The more we get together." We were having ice cream the other day when she started singing that one by herself. "Your fiend. My fiend. My fiend. Your fiend. More togever. Appy we be." It brought tears to my eyes. So what if I was actually crying - you would too if you were there. Unless you were Michael, who was indeed there and did not cry.
Anyway, here are the ones I have been able to get decent videos of. The videos include us helping her with words, but in real life she often sings the entire song herself. It takes us a while to figure out which song she's singing, but once we know it, it's amazing to us that she knows most of the words!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Preparing for the dentist
When bringing your young toddler to the dentist for the first time, I highly recommend going prepared. Learn from my mistake. I thought I was prepared - I told Ellie over and over again that we were going to see the dentist and that she was going to sit in his chair. He was going to show her his neat toys with his water squirter and suction tube. He was going to show her the light that turns like magic when he pushes it down. He was going look into her mouth and see all her teeth. What do you say to the dentist? Ahhhhh!
Every reaction from her indicated that she thought the dentist was a magical place and she was very excited to meet him. So I thought I prepared her well.
We get into the dentist office and she sits on my lap in his chair. Her baby doll, in turn, sat in Ellie's lap. The dentist was very friendly. He talked to the doll a lot and asked Ellie many questions about her. Does baby have teeth? Yes. Does baby brush her teeth? Yes. Can I see baby's teeth? Ahhh. It was going so well. Then he asked the dreaded question.
Dentist: What is baby's name?
Ellie: NAY-KED BABY!!! (shouts it so that I can hear laughter from two rooms down)
Dentist: Your baby's name is...?
Ellie: NAY-KED BABY! (more laughs)
I wish I could say that the rest of the visit went just as well. He never was able to get a look into her mouth. I guess we'll try again in a couple months.
But lesson learned. No matter how much you think you're prepared. MAKE SURE YOUR DAUGHTER'S DOLL HAS A REAL NAME!!!! Susie would be nice, don't you think?
Every reaction from her indicated that she thought the dentist was a magical place and she was very excited to meet him. So I thought I prepared her well.
We get into the dentist office and she sits on my lap in his chair. Her baby doll, in turn, sat in Ellie's lap. The dentist was very friendly. He talked to the doll a lot and asked Ellie many questions about her. Does baby have teeth? Yes. Does baby brush her teeth? Yes. Can I see baby's teeth? Ahhh. It was going so well. Then he asked the dreaded question.
Dentist: What is baby's name?
Ellie: NAY-KED BABY!!! (shouts it so that I can hear laughter from two rooms down)
Dentist: Your baby's name is...?
Ellie: NAY-KED BABY! (more laughs)
I wish I could say that the rest of the visit went just as well. He never was able to get a look into her mouth. I guess we'll try again in a couple months.
But lesson learned. No matter how much you think you're prepared. MAKE SURE YOUR DAUGHTER'S DOLL HAS A REAL NAME!!!! Susie would be nice, don't you think?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Our Story: Deciding to Have Children
The question was "How did you know you wanted to be a parent?"
My response:
I've always known that I would most likely have kids some day. I did, however, tell people that I would be willing to pass up the opportunity of having kids if I replaced it with a lot of traveling. If some day I could be in a conversation with anyone and they asked me "have you ever been to..." my response would be "yes"... That would be awesome! There are so many places in the world that I want to see. Lots that I have seen and I'd want to see again. Lots that I haven't seen yet. So I did feel like if I could replace the children with lots of travel then I'd be willing to give up that opportunity.
As a result we did try to travel as much as possible before having Ellie. We've been to a lot of places in Europe and it's neat for us to watch travel shows (like with Rick Steves) and see that we've seen many of the places they often talk about. But there's still so much more to see. One of Michael's ideas, which I LOVE, was to come up with a Worldwide Treasure Hunt List. We have items on the list from all the places we'd love to visit (locally and internationally). Some of the many items we have already found include: glass rose from Venice, tea set from England, cow bell from Switzerland, Mozart music from Salzburg, town clock from Ellicott City and maple leaf from Canada. There are still so many items left to find like: Bone art from Australia, Celtic Knott from Ireland, Nesting Dolls from Russia and chess set from Poland.
Anyway, as much as we love seeing other places, in the end the tug to have kids won over the tug to travel the world. It would be cheaper. LOL.
The thing that excited me most about the idea of having kids was the chance to see the world again through a child's eyes. I'd like to consider myself someone who appreciates the small things in life. I probably do notice them more than the average person, but not like a child. When I see something that I take notice of, I may appreciate it, but I"m not learning about it for the first time. Like so many adults, I just forgot what it was like for *EVERYTHING* to be new. Maybe that's what I like so much about traveling to other countries.
Anyway, I absolutely LOVE watching Ellie discover new things for the first time. I LOVE watching her perfect a technique that she has fun with. I LOVE watching her imitate us, trying to be so grown up. I LOVE seeing how much there is to learn, that I took for granted knowing (like sipping through a straw). EVERYTHING, every action, every reaction... is learned. Even being scared about something is learned. I never knew that. The first time Ellie experiences something scary, she's almost never afraid of it. She's quiet, and takes it in. The next time she sees it, though, she's scared. It's incredible how much a child learns.
So in a nutshell (a big nutshell), I knew I wanted to be a mother because I wanted to experience the world as the magical place I so easily forget that it is.
My response:
I've always known that I would most likely have kids some day. I did, however, tell people that I would be willing to pass up the opportunity of having kids if I replaced it with a lot of traveling. If some day I could be in a conversation with anyone and they asked me "have you ever been to..." my response would be "yes"... That would be awesome! There are so many places in the world that I want to see. Lots that I have seen and I'd want to see again. Lots that I haven't seen yet. So I did feel like if I could replace the children with lots of travel then I'd be willing to give up that opportunity.
As a result we did try to travel as much as possible before having Ellie. We've been to a lot of places in Europe and it's neat for us to watch travel shows (like with Rick Steves) and see that we've seen many of the places they often talk about. But there's still so much more to see. One of Michael's ideas, which I LOVE, was to come up with a Worldwide Treasure Hunt List. We have items on the list from all the places we'd love to visit (locally and internationally). Some of the many items we have already found include: glass rose from Venice, tea set from England, cow bell from Switzerland, Mozart music from Salzburg, town clock from Ellicott City and maple leaf from Canada. There are still so many items left to find like: Bone art from Australia, Celtic Knott from Ireland, Nesting Dolls from Russia and chess set from Poland.
Anyway, as much as we love seeing other places, in the end the tug to have kids won over the tug to travel the world. It would be cheaper. LOL.
The thing that excited me most about the idea of having kids was the chance to see the world again through a child's eyes. I'd like to consider myself someone who appreciates the small things in life. I probably do notice them more than the average person, but not like a child. When I see something that I take notice of, I may appreciate it, but I"m not learning about it for the first time. Like so many adults, I just forgot what it was like for *EVERYTHING* to be new. Maybe that's what I like so much about traveling to other countries.
Anyway, I absolutely LOVE watching Ellie discover new things for the first time. I LOVE watching her perfect a technique that she has fun with. I LOVE watching her imitate us, trying to be so grown up. I LOVE seeing how much there is to learn, that I took for granted knowing (like sipping through a straw). EVERYTHING, every action, every reaction... is learned. Even being scared about something is learned. I never knew that. The first time Ellie experiences something scary, she's almost never afraid of it. She's quiet, and takes it in. The next time she sees it, though, she's scared. It's incredible how much a child learns.
So in a nutshell (a big nutshell), I knew I wanted to be a mother because I wanted to experience the world as the magical place I so easily forget that it is.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Our Story: The Engagement
It was a cold winter morning...
Actually, it was Valentine's Day weekend of 2004. The plan was to have my sister and her boyfriend come into town for the weekend. I didn't think anything of it because I figured he wouldn't propose on Valentine's Day itself (too cheesy, right?) and my sister was spending the weekend with us (he wouldn't propose with her there because then she'd be jealous).
As we're about to leave to pick Erin & Justin up from the airport, he brings our bags to the car. He tells me we're actually going on a trip as soon as they land. Oh road trip! Fun!
We got to the airport and parked in "Long Term Parking", at which point I learned that I was going on a flight. Michael said that Erin and Justin were just in Dulles for a layover.
Inside he managed to check us in without me knowing where we were going. The lines were incredibly long! I had never seen so many people. Over and over again flights were being announced with final boarding calls and I had no idea if they were our flight. Apparently they weren't.
I left the bag with the ring in it at security. Poor Michael nearly had a heart attack, but it was still there when we went back.
Erin and Justin were waiting in the terminal for us. Apparently she didn't know where we were going either because she was told that Dulles was her final destination.
We didn't know the destination until we actually got to the gate. Paris!
You heard right. Erin suddenly got suspicious but I still wasn't. I didn't think that Michael would ask with Erin around.
To make this story a little shorter, they proposed to us at the top of the Eiffel Tower. They did it at the same time, but took advantage of the crowds to separate us, so we were "alone".
So that's the story. It was so cool that Tom Cruise copied it a couple months later when he proposed to Katie.
What's your story? I'd love to hear it!
Actually, it was Valentine's Day weekend of 2004. The plan was to have my sister and her boyfriend come into town for the weekend. I didn't think anything of it because I figured he wouldn't propose on Valentine's Day itself (too cheesy, right?) and my sister was spending the weekend with us (he wouldn't propose with her there because then she'd be jealous).
As we're about to leave to pick Erin & Justin up from the airport, he brings our bags to the car. He tells me we're actually going on a trip as soon as they land. Oh road trip! Fun!
We got to the airport and parked in "Long Term Parking", at which point I learned that I was going on a flight. Michael said that Erin and Justin were just in Dulles for a layover.
Inside he managed to check us in without me knowing where we were going. The lines were incredibly long! I had never seen so many people. Over and over again flights were being announced with final boarding calls and I had no idea if they were our flight. Apparently they weren't.
I left the bag with the ring in it at security. Poor Michael nearly had a heart attack, but it was still there when we went back.
Erin and Justin were waiting in the terminal for us. Apparently she didn't know where we were going either because she was told that Dulles was her final destination.
We didn't know the destination until we actually got to the gate. Paris!
You heard right. Erin suddenly got suspicious but I still wasn't. I didn't think that Michael would ask with Erin around.
To make this story a little shorter, they proposed to us at the top of the Eiffel Tower. They did it at the same time, but took advantage of the crowds to separate us, so we were "alone".
So that's the story. It was so cool that Tom Cruise copied it a couple months later when he proposed to Katie.
What's your story? I'd love to hear it!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Our Story: The Beginning
A year or so after moving out to MD, I had long ago broken up with the boyfriend and Michael was still in CO getting his Masters degree.
I was alone in MD and spent a lot of time talking on the phone with my mom and sister. During one conversation I was complaining to my mom about how I didn't feel like I would ever meet someone who matched me out in MD. I felt like even though I had met a lot of nice people, they just weren't what I was looking for. She told me I needed to make a list of all the traits I wanted in my ideal guy. The way she figured it, if I could envision him, he would come to be.
What a stupid idea. But I did it anyway. I figured it couldn't hurt and at the bare minimum it would clarify to myself what it was I was looking for. So out came the list. I still have it, but I don't think I need to share it, do I?
Months later Valentine's Day was approaching. I called my mom again, lonely and depressed. "Your list idea was stupid. It didn't work!" She told me to read the list to her because maybe I forgot something. How would she know if I would forget something on MY list? But I humored her and read it out loud. "Yep, you definitely forgot something very important. You forgot to say that he is present in your life."
What? You can't be serious! That's just stupid. But again, I figured it couldn't hurt and as silly as it felt to do, I penciled in "He is present in my life."
The following day (February 14, 2002) I received the following email:
Dear Jennifer,
I wanted to take a moment of time to let you know what you mean to me. I know you can't possibly hear this as much as you deserve.
One afternoon we were sitting in the Engineering Center lobby, and you were looking out at the snow falling. You turned to me and asked, "What do you think people take for granted? I think they don't appreciate the snow." I always thought you were attractive, but in my eyes, that moment made you beautiful. Never since have I ever watched the snow fall, and not thought of you, and really appreciated it.
I can honestly say that you have brought so much light into my life, that I am a better person for having known you. I just thought you should know.
So, have a Happy Valentine's day, and if you would excuse me, I am going to go watch the snow fall.
Always,
Michael
A couple weeks later I was in CO for a ski trip and invited Michael to join us. Our first kiss was on the ski lift at Brekenridge and the rest is just details.
I was alone in MD and spent a lot of time talking on the phone with my mom and sister. During one conversation I was complaining to my mom about how I didn't feel like I would ever meet someone who matched me out in MD. I felt like even though I had met a lot of nice people, they just weren't what I was looking for. She told me I needed to make a list of all the traits I wanted in my ideal guy. The way she figured it, if I could envision him, he would come to be.
What a stupid idea. But I did it anyway. I figured it couldn't hurt and at the bare minimum it would clarify to myself what it was I was looking for. So out came the list. I still have it, but I don't think I need to share it, do I?
Months later Valentine's Day was approaching. I called my mom again, lonely and depressed. "Your list idea was stupid. It didn't work!" She told me to read the list to her because maybe I forgot something. How would she know if I would forget something on MY list? But I humored her and read it out loud. "Yep, you definitely forgot something very important. You forgot to say that he is present in your life."
What? You can't be serious! That's just stupid. But again, I figured it couldn't hurt and as silly as it felt to do, I penciled in "He is present in my life."
The following day (February 14, 2002) I received the following email:
Dear Jennifer,
I wanted to take a moment of time to let you know what you mean to me. I know you can't possibly hear this as much as you deserve.
One afternoon we were sitting in the Engineering Center lobby, and you were looking out at the snow falling. You turned to me and asked, "What do you think people take for granted? I think they don't appreciate the snow." I always thought you were attractive, but in my eyes, that moment made you beautiful. Never since have I ever watched the snow fall, and not thought of you, and really appreciated it.
I can honestly say that you have brought so much light into my life, that I am a better person for having known you. I just thought you should know.
So, have a Happy Valentine's day, and if you would excuse me, I am going to go watch the snow fall.
Always,
Michael
A couple weeks later I was in CO for a ski trip and invited Michael to join us. Our first kiss was on the ski lift at Brekenridge and the rest is just details.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Our Story: The Friendship
Ok, so this is a step away from the usual, but Spleeness has convinced me to document our story. I think it's a good idea, so here I am... talking about Mommy and Daddy's story instead of Ellie's. I think it will be the theme for the next few days.
Michael and I first met each other in the halls of the engineering center at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I recall writing class notes to a friend of mine (I later asked her if she still had them, but she didn't... sigh) about how I kept passing a guy in the hallway and though I did not have a clue who he was, I was strangely attracted to him. We would pass each other in the halls and I'd always give him a big smile and he'd return with a great wink.
Months later Michael and I passed each other again, but this time my friend was with us. "Oh, that's Michael" she said. Apparently they went to high school together. So, that's how I learned his name.
You might wonder why I didn't grab the opportunity to say more to Michael than just an occasional smile. The answer to that was that I was dating a guy at the time - seriously. In fact, the day that Michael finally got the courage to ask me out on a date, he was walking up to me and in came my boyfriend for a kiss. Poor Michael turned in his heals and headed for the drinking fountain.
So for the time being, we just became friends. And good ones at that. I recall having some great conversations with Michael and thinking that he was just an amazing guy. He was the topic of a lot of class notes between me and my friend. Wouldn't it be neat to still have those???
Michael and I first met each other in the halls of the engineering center at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I recall writing class notes to a friend of mine (I later asked her if she still had them, but she didn't... sigh) about how I kept passing a guy in the hallway and though I did not have a clue who he was, I was strangely attracted to him. We would pass each other in the halls and I'd always give him a big smile and he'd return with a great wink.
Months later Michael and I passed each other again, but this time my friend was with us. "Oh, that's Michael" she said. Apparently they went to high school together. So, that's how I learned his name.
You might wonder why I didn't grab the opportunity to say more to Michael than just an occasional smile. The answer to that was that I was dating a guy at the time - seriously. In fact, the day that Michael finally got the courage to ask me out on a date, he was walking up to me and in came my boyfriend for a kiss. Poor Michael turned in his heals and headed for the drinking fountain.
So for the time being, we just became friends. And good ones at that. I recall having some great conversations with Michael and thinking that he was just an amazing guy. He was the topic of a lot of class notes between me and my friend. Wouldn't it be neat to still have those???
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ever noticed the zebras?
You know the animals, right? They're the ones that look like little horses with black and white stripes? They make funny sounds that are nothing like horses, but they're still pretty easy to pick out from a crowd of other animals, right?
Now tell me this... which direction do the stripes go? Last I saw a real zebra (and I admit it's been a while, so my memory may be failing me) the stripes go up and down. Maybe the zebras you've seen are different. Maybe I was looking at the ones I've seen with my head tilted or something.
I have you wondering where this is going now, don't I? ***EVERY*** zebra we have on a toy, in a book, or even on a recent birthday card invitation (for those of you who know Andy) has the stripes going from head to butt. Are there two types of zebras? Why would companies that make products related to children put the stripes horizontally if they weren't real?
Let me know if you have that kind of zebra at your local zoo and maybe I'll come visit you!
Now tell me this... which direction do the stripes go? Last I saw a real zebra (and I admit it's been a while, so my memory may be failing me) the stripes go up and down. Maybe the zebras you've seen are different. Maybe I was looking at the ones I've seen with my head tilted or something.
I have you wondering where this is going now, don't I? ***EVERY*** zebra we have on a toy, in a book, or even on a recent birthday card invitation (for those of you who know Andy) has the stripes going from head to butt. Are there two types of zebras? Why would companies that make products related to children put the stripes horizontally if they weren't real?
Let me know if you have that kind of zebra at your local zoo and maybe I'll come visit you!
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