Test results

I found out today that I do NOT have gestational diabetes! WOO! I'm still a bit skeptical and probably will be until my next doctors appointment, but there are no other tests scheduled. I'm feeling rather lucky that somehow I beat the odds. Maybe I should play the lotto this week!

I’m happy not to have to drink the super sugary drink one more time, happy not to have to maintain a very STRICT diet, happy not to have to prick my fingers multiple times a day for the next few weeks, and mainly very, very happy that there is less risk to the baby during the remaining weeks of the pregnancy and during labor. I knew this time around I’d be less worried and less concerned since I knew I could manage it, but it is still a BIG relief.

I am officially in the third trimester now and the baby weighs something like two and one quarter pounds and is probably around 15 inches already. I now need to monitor kick counts; every day, I need to make sure the baby kicks at least ten times during one hour (the doc recommends checking the same hour every day). So far, measuring kicks won't be a problem. This little baby of mine is one active kid!

Pumpkin Patch Trip #2 and Random Pictures

Most Sunday mornings, we try to spend time at a park to give Owen a chance to play and run around. Today, we decided to go to the"pumpkin patch park", aka Zittel Farms, to pick out a second pumpkin to carve and give Owen another chance to enjoy the season. He had a blast. The farm is just perfect for kids- it is set up with tractor rides, pony rides, a great layout, and a crazy "gym" for a couple of goats. Owen was quite impressed with the goats and laughed as he watched them run around on their platforms. He also really loved the tunnels they have set up. We have some fun pictures and decided to post them to a picassa web album (link below) so you could see a few of the different photos in sequence. There is one set of him laughing at the goats, one set where he's running through a tunnel, and others of him just playing around.

We also took some photos of him this evening. He just received one of the softest pairs of PJs we've ever felt for his birthday (thanks Aunt Donna), and he loved them! We couldn't resist a photo shoot... and luckily, Owen was in the mood play along.

Pumpkin Patch + Other

Enjoy!

P.S. We want to welcome into the world Colton's little brother - Jacoby More. He was born on Friday and is just precious.

October Pregnancy Update

Today, I had my October pregnancy check up. I am now in my 26th week and the baby is very active and his or her heart beat sounded healthy and lovely. In the last four weeks, I have gained 7 pounds. On average, the doc generally likes to see a pound a week at this stage, but given the low weight gain during the first trimester, she's happy that I am catching up. All in all, I have gained 17 pounds to date. She thinks it is unlikely that I'll double my weight during the last trimester but she won't be worried if I do. This is nice to hear given the Holidays are just around the corner.

Of course my dreams of enjoying the upcoming dessert season may soon be a distant memory. Next week, I have to take the 1 hour gestational diabetes test. Since I had gestational diabetes during the last pregnancy, I am more likely to have it again. If I fail this first test, I'll have to take a second – three hour test the next week. If I fail that, the strict diet police will arrive and I'll be watched like a hawk! I'll keep you posted.

Here is a picture from a couple of Sunday's ago – my belly has popped out quite a bit in the last few weeks, but I'm guessing I look even bigger now because strangers no longer hesitate to ask me about the pregnancy and baby. I'll try to take another picture this weekend with a tighter fitting shirt.

Kick-Off to Fall Adventure

To kick-off our Fall adventures, we went up to Apple Hill on the first Sunday in October. The skies were blue, the air was chilly, and the leaves had started to turn. We visited a petting zoo, made our way through a kids hay maze, picked out a couple of pumpkins, ate yummy hot apple donuts and drank delicious hot apple cider, and Owen even had the chance to ride his first pony. We’re planning to go back soon for more delicious desserts and apple picking. After arriving home, we decided to put out our Halloween decorations. Our decorations have a long ways to go before we’ll really be excited about them, but Owen gets a kick out of them – which is all that really matters. As a couple of the pictures show, Owen was a big help and if you can’t tell, he was quite proud of his work.

Owen's 24 Month Well Visit Check-up

Today we had Owen’s 24 month well visit check up at the doctors. He doesn’t seem to mind the doctor’s office at all and was happy and easy going for the entire check up. The doctor and nurse really seem to enjoy his visit and they are both very good at keeping him entertained. He had to get one shot at the end, but we had him laughing so hard right before the shot that he barely cried once he felt the shot. He was then easily distracted with the snoopy band-aid and stickers that followed.

We found out that Owen has a bit of an ear infection but that it is on its way out so she didn’t need to treat it. We’re hoping this is the reason for an increased level of tossing and during the last few nights.

The doctor shared that APA still recommends that we wait until age 3 for Owen to have any peanuts. The risk is low since we don’t have history of allergies, but it’s still safer to wait. We’ll probably follow her recommendation – especially since he seems to be content with soy peanut butter. She also prescribed Fluoride drops since Folsom does not have fluoride in the water, and recommended that we take Owen with us to the dentist too. She thinks he’ll do great there so we should expose him now before he gets scared.

The doc gave Owen a great bill of health and was happy to see him so happy.

Owen’s measurements: He’s back on the charts for weight!
Weight: 23 lbs and 13.3oz – 7%
HT: 32.5inches –9%
Weight for his height ratio – 25%
Head circumference- growing right on track for Owen’s specific trend line – 21%

Owen's birthday weekend- part 2- The Little Gym

This year, in addition to the family birthday parties and Skype sessions, we decided to have a small party for Owen and some of his friends at the Little Gym. We had a few kids from Owen's day care, one of our neighbors, the Chandrapal girls, and Aiden join us. The kids were SO cute together. The party is structured for parents to be included and to be there to help their kids with the different activities. We spent most of the party in the gym- enjoying a mix of free time and organized time with a couple of moments focused on Owen - where we all sang to Owen for his birthday. The kids had the chance to tumble, run around, and play on the various gym equipment and also participate in the "organized" activities such as a bounce track, parachute game, ball time (imagine a dozen kids chasing, kicking, stumbling over, throwing, running with, and falling over two dozen different size bouncy balls) and of course, a toddler favorite- bubble time. After gym time, we moved to the party room for some cupcakes and brownies. All the kids seemed to have a really fun time, and there is no doubt in our minds that Owen loved every minute of it. It was a very special day.

We ended up with great photos of all the kids, but we've only posted a couple shots of some of the other kids since we're not sure if all the parents are in favor of internet photo posts. We did include a couple blurry shots/back shots so you could see some of the activities!

Owen's standing on the deflated bounce track - making up his own dance

Parachute time

Colton and Owen playing together

Owen and a pal on the gym mat

Owen and Colton playing around

Aiden on the low beam

Owen really enjoying his cupcake

Owen's birthday weekend Part 1 - visit with cousin Aiden

This past weekend, my cousin Danielle, my Aunt Cheryl, and Aiden (Danielle's son - 3 weeks younger than Owen) drove up to visit and celebrate Owen's 2nd birthday with us. We had a wonderful time watching the boys play together and we're happy to report that most of the time, the boys shared and played very well. Of course, they weren't perfect and there were definitely times Owen was territorial, but all in all it was better than we could have hoped for a weekend-long "sharing" session. On Saturday, we took the boys to a nearby park with a water feature and on Sunday, we had Owen's birthday party, other than those activities, we mainly just hung around playing with the boys. There were so many great moments, but here are a few highlights: