November Doc Visit + Owen getting to know his baby bro or sis

Here is a quick update on my recent November doctor’s visit. I’m now at 30 weeks, my belly measures to 30 weeks, and I’ve gained 19 pounds. The best part of the appointment (as it is every time) is hearing the baby’s heart beat - it's so beautiful. The baby continues to be VERY active, but I'm enjoying this part as feeling the baby move is my favorite part of being pregnant. I also had my H1N1 flu shot to help protect me and the babe during the rest of the flu season.

We're not too sure if Owen really understands that a baby is going to arrive soon, but he regularly pets and kisses the baby/my tummy and says goodnight and such. Just now, he walked over to me, patted his belly, and said hi to "his" baby. Here is a picture from the other day when he was especially cuddly and into kissing the baby.

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween!

We hope you all had a really fun and special Halloween. Our weekend started out with a bang with a Trunk or Treat event at Owen's day care. We decorated our trunk like a jungle and dressed accordingly. I may look like a black cat, but Owen will tell you that I was a black panther. Kris is dressed up as a jungle/safari guide - just in case it's not obvious. We don't have any pictures from the actual event because at the end of the night we realized that there was no memory card in the camera. So sad! Luckily, a few other parents were snapping up pictures so we're hopeful we'll get a few of Owen's friends too. Owen wasn't into the trunk event very much this year - although there was a good thirty minute period when a bunch of his classmates were there at the same time and they had a lot of fun together running around, dancing to music, and playing together. It was really cute to watch them all playing in their costumes.

Owen definitely enjoyed the actual day of Halloween more. We played outside most of the day- before and after nap and he really loved jumping in leave piles and playing in dirt piles (both activities were repeated for a long time on Sunday). Then we dressed up, had a photo shoot to capture the trunk memory, and started off in the neighborhood at dusk. He was a big hit with our neighbors and liked trick o treating at the non-scary houses. After we walked around our neighborhood for a bit, Owen helped his Daddy pass out candy and really enjoyed eating his chocolate. There is no more denying that the words chocolate and candy are a part of his vocabulary now.

A few pictures of Owen, the trunk, me in my costume - WK 28, and Owen playing in the yard are below. We also made another Picasa album. Some of the pictures below are in the album, but there are more of him in his costume and playing in the yard, too.

Halloween 2009

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%