Saturday, October 9, 2010

10 Weeks and Counting

This week we reached the ten week mark and things are getting exciting. On Wednesday we had our first prenatal check up at BirthCare in Virginia. Originally Toya was going to come with me but things worked out that Chris was home and able to come with me instead. The appointment was a normal first check up, urine test, blood test, pap smear and the first attempt to hear the heart beat. We tried but the baby was just too tiny for the Doppler to pick up the heart beat. Our next appointment isn't for another four weeks and I will be 14 weeks then so maybe ... fingers crossed. We were thinking of doing an ultrasound around now, like we did with Ty but because the insurance is different up here they may only cover one ultrasound so I think we would just go ahead and wait until the big 20 week ultrasound.

Besides that, things are as expected. I am almost always, tired and always hungry and always feeling woozy. I had my first episode of emotional breakdown ... which compared to this time with Ty is a lot better. In the middle of the week, after the appointment I was just looking around at all the stuff that wasn't getting done properly (or at all) at work, at home and just everyone. I was feeling very low and ashamed. Since then things have certainly improved. I have caught up a lot at work and my boss is so caring and understanding that he has given me Monday of next week off. And my home is in much better order thanks to Chris' help and Ty's cooperation. Things aren't perfect but at least I don't feel like a failure right now. Which is nice.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Cheese Burger Anyone?

I just wanted to share with you that it seems that this child has a strong desire for cheese burgers. I strongly believe that I have just finished eating my tenth cheese burger for this entire pregnancy. And seeing that I am only 10 weeks along, that isn't good.

Thanks the Lord that I am also eating plenty of fruits and veggies to balance out the McDonald's attacks.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Ty Can Talk

Did I tell you that my son can communicate with us?

Okay so he isn't speaking actual words yet but Chris and I, along with the support and help from all the lovely ladies who take care of him while we work, have successfully taught him several baby signs. Ty has not only learned but perfected the use of the words 'Please' and 'Thank You.' He also has 'Hello' and 'Good Bye' down but uses them very selectively.
All of Ty's signs learned so far.
  1. Please
  2. Thank You
  3. Hello
  4. Good Bye
  5. More
  6. What is that (Pointing)
  7. Excitement (Clapping and moving feet quickly) 
Right now I have set myself a goal of introducing at least two new signs to him each week. Now I understand that teaching them does not mean that he will automatically pick them up and start using them right away. But the more we teach and show him the faster he will start to pick them up.

It is so fun watching him learn, and I know that he feels and experiences the sense of accomplishment when he learns them also. You an almost see the pride in his little smiling face when he does a sign and we respond to it. He feels so much better knowing that he actually communicated with us a need or desire he had.

I can't wait to see how much this help his further development. And I can already see him encouraging his little sister (or brother) to learn the signs also. How fun!!!

While we haven't used the program mentioned in this video, I found that this is a good explanation of the benefits of teaching our babies signs for communication.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Nine Weeks and WE HAVE A MIDWIFE!!!

So after weeks of searching we have finally found a midwife that will work with us. After much praying and consideration we have decided to go with BirthCare midwives in Virginia. The only condition is that my sister law would need to come with my to all my appointments so I don't have to drive alone.

I just can't believe we are already into our ninth week. This time around is just so different from with Ty. Because I have him, I am working full time and now I have a home that I need to up keep it is much harder on my. I am much more tired and weak ... oh and hungry.

There are some things that are similar though. Mainly my need for cheese and meat. I can't tell you how many cheese burgers I have had in the past two weeks. It is crazy.

I don't remember, but I am about to look back to Ty's blog, but I don't think I started to show this early last time. It is not huge and most people probably wouldn't see it but I can certainly feel and see it.