Monday, October 22, 2012

Update to the abnormal anatomy scan

So at 20 weeks when I had the anatomy scan, I wrote about how the baby had an echogenic bowel. Today, we had the follow up ultrasound and the bowel looks perfectly normal! Yay! Honestly, I wasn't that worried, but it is a relief to know that the baby looks good. We got some more profile pictures of the baby and a few face pictures (which are kind of creepy). He is weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces which is crazy to me! Just 4 weeks ago he was 9 ounces. It is amazing how much they grow!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Second post today...

So, I have been meaning to update my blog and just keep forgetting, or keep not having time, or I fall asleep...anyway...

This week I hit the 22 week mark in my pregnancy! This means there are only 18 weeks remaining in my pregnancy. This is crazy. I have a list of things that I need (well, Tom and I need) to get accomplished before this baby arrives.

The first big thing is Lily's big girl room. We don't have a ton to do...already have the bedding for the room, which was the first thing we really needed. We picked out some paint chips, but we need to pick out the official color (it will be yellow, just not sure which shade of yellow). I have been looking at different things to decorate the walls, but haven't made up my mind what I like the most. I have also been looking at valances and fabric for the room, but can't decide on that either...so maybe this decorating comes down to my indecisive nature (and explains why it is taking so long to make decisions!). The room is mostly cleaned out, though, which is a big bonus.

We are decorating Jack's room in a baseball theme (well, a modern-ish baseball theme). Lots of geometric patterns...baseball wall decor...then just plain bed sheets. I like the idea of a "theme" but not a super baby theme. I can't wait to see what it looks like when things all come together.

What else...the baby moves A LOT. He really moves a lot after I eat, so I suppose he loves food. We have picked up a few things for the little man...a few little outfits...and we got the stroller and a new car seat. We made registries, not because we are having another shower, but because I want the coupons you get to finish them! We do need some new stuff for him, so registries are also a good reminder for me about what we will need.

Tomorrow is our follow up ultrasound. I am looking forward to seeing the baby again. My fingers are also crossed, and prayers are being said, that the echogenic bowel has resolved itself. I suppose we will know at around 9:30 tomorrow morning.

16 Months!

At 16 months Bean loves...
 
1. ...lift the flap books.
2. ...trying to jump (this looks rather comical).
3. ...any type of ball (and a balloon is a ball and a pumpkin is a ball...).
4. ...cuddling before bed and watching Sprout.
5. ...dancing to music.
6. ...taking walks outside.
7. ...bbq chicken pizza (Who knew? She walked up to me the other day when I was eating it and wanted some.).
8. ...moving Fred's crate all around the living room and dining room.
9. ...anything with a zipper on it.
10. ...and, of course, mama and dada!
 
 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Confessions and 21 weeks!

First...I am 21 weeks! MORE than halfway there! Crazy. Baby is starting to move much more, and in definite sleep and awake patterns. He also likes when I eat. He moves a lot after getting food. It's very amusing! I am not really craving anything to weird. I feel pretty good. Tired. I have a cold that really is really lingering, but I don't know if it's a cold...or allergies...or pregnancy related congestion. Hard to say. I am definitely achy and feel everything pulling...much more than with Lily. It's crazy how your body is conditioned to just be like "oh, hey! pregnant again! I know this!"

Now my confessions...

I would love to see the Os beat the Yanks (but I am not sure they will...but I hope they will!)!
I am really tired.
Work is hard. Harder than it usually is. And I am really getting tired of everything.

So, go me for ending this blog on a Debbie downer note. But yay for 19 weeks remaining until I meet my little baby boy!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Rainy days and Mondays...

Well, it's a rainy day here in Baltimore. It's also a bit chilly; fall is definitely in the air. I am excited, though, I LOVE FALL. I already discussed my love for the season, so I will refrain from naming all of the reasons again. I do wish the cold rain would go away. It's be an ok little Sunday. I always grade on Sunday, so I graded. Watched the Ravens beat the Chiefs (in awe-inspiring not-so-convincing fashion). The Orioles, yes you heard right, the Orioles, play tonight. They beat the Texas Rangers in the one and only wild card playoff on Friday, and they are playing the beloved hated Yankees tonight.

While I am on the the topic of the Yankees, I should mention my husband is a Yankees fan. We still can't figure out why. He has no ties to NY or NJ or even northern PA. His father is an Orioles fan. He is a Ravens fan. No one gets it. Anyhow, I love the Orioles. Always have, always will. They haven't done squat in the past 15 years, but I still watch games and follow the team. It's just what you do when you are from Baltimore. I figure this week will be a cold war in the house because of split allegiances. Good thing we are raising Lily an Orioles fan. Sports are like religion right? You go by mother's religion, so you go by her sports teams ;-) (It was also in the pre-marital contract my husband signed that my father drafted. It stated that the the kids are to be raised Orioles fans).

A bit more on the Orioles. Like I mentioned it's been 15 years since the Orioles made it to the playoffs. That is a long time. That is as old as my sophomores. It's been a rough road for the Os. Different managers, players, office members have come and gone. Finally, finally, we have a team that clicks. There isn't a superstar, just players who want to play and a manager who gets them to play like a team. This is what baseball is about. It's not about egos, it's not about money, it's about guys enjoying their sport and excelling as one unit.

I can remember my brother and his friend Michael sliding around our living room to the "Orioles Magic" album when they were maybe 5 years old. It was hilarious. After warming up to a rousing rendition of the song, they would go outside, go down the hill, and play bullpen. This consisted of Michael playing catchers and Timothy playing pitcher. I remember watching them, and how much they loved to play. They would play for hours.

When people talk about Orioles magic, I think this is what they are talking about. Not about a team magically winning. No one magically wins. I think the magic is something that the fans feel. It's little kids who see their idol on the field, and want to play just like them. It's the fans that stick out a 15 year drought and finally, finally, see their team make it to the post season. It's my grandfather who watched the Orioles his whole life, witnessed many of their ups and downs, and might be able to see them make it back to the World Series. It's players who believe in themselves, and more importantly, each other. Orioles magic isn't something real, it's certainly. You can't hold it. You can't see it. But you can feel it. It's about being in Baltimore. It's about a city and their team. You can travel to many other sports cities, but there is something about Baltimore. It is a small city. Everyone knows everyone. And everyone loves the Orioles and the Ravens.

In my favorite movie of all time, A League of Their Own, Tom Hanks' character has the following exchange with Geena Davis' character:

Jimmy Dugan: Shit, Dottie, if you want to go back to Oregon and make a hundred babies, great, I'm in no position to tell anyone how to live. But sneaking out like this, quitting, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Baseball is what gets inside you. It's what lights you up, you can't deny that. Dottie Hinson: It just got too hard. Jimmy Dugan: It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great.

This quote to me is baseball. I think, too, it is something very true for the Orioles. It was a hard fight, these past 15 years, but here we are. So win or lose, we made it. Making to the World Series, hell, winning the World Series, would be amazing. But just being in the dance, that is special. Watching my team play in October, that is exciting. So, thanks Os, I am glad you made it this far. I am proud to say that I am an Orioles fan. And, yes, I do believe in Orioles Magic.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Just a Wednesday Post...

I am 20 weeks today! Halfway there! I can't believe how quickly things are moving. I think having a toddler at home definitely helps push time along (because I can't say school is really moving time along at all...). As far as how I am feeling...right now I feel pretty good. I am definitely feeling the stretching and pulling now, which is much earlier than I felt any pulling or stretching with Lily. Little man is moving around a lot lately, which was clearly evident on the ultrasound and when the doctor used the Doppler (there were a lot of thuds in there). I haven't been craving anything in particular, I just get very hungry. All-in-all things are going well, which is really everything I could ask for!

Tonight for dinner I made homemade Alice Springs Chicken (like the Outback version). It was AMAZING. Better than the chicken from Outback (at least, in my opinion). You can find the recipe here. I didn't make the honey mustard, just used pre-made Ken's honey mustard dressing. Also, we didn't use the onion flakes, we used the fried onion bits (which, I think added more flavor). It takes some time to make because the chicken has to rest for 30 minutes and the bacon needs to be fried, but the results are awesome. Even Tom ate the mushrooms! (We also used the thin cut chicken breasts, so I didn't need to pound the chicken. Ours didn't need any extra sauce, I think I may have over-sauced it initially, but you could definitely serve some on the side, if so desired. We will definitely make this again!

And you know...school is school. Nothing earth shattering going on. I am kind of dragging lately, but that is sort expected. Everyone is a bit overwhelmed lately, but being a teacher can be just plain overwhelming sometimes. I am just trying to make sure I always have my priorities in line, that I don't take anything (or myself) to seriously, and I try really hard not to let my kids get to me (even when they work really hard to do so...). It usually works!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Some good things...

So school is a bit...much lately...so rather than venting about school, I am going to update on some good things going on...

Today I had my monthly OB appointment. It was also the follow-up to the anatomy scan that we had last week. My OB was completely reassuring and said the echogenic bowel is probably nothing. She said she has been a lot of these lately, and suspects it might be the equipment. She also said, since it is the only soft marker the baby has that it will likely clear up on its own. She was so optimistic about everything, and really reassured me that things should be ok. I know it's not 100%, but I feel really good about the health of the baby. He is growing as he should be, his little heart is beating as it should be, and he is moving around like crazy! We will definitely be doing follow-up ultrasounds to make sure the bowel clears up, but we don't need to do any further testing. Yay!

Yesterday, was October 1st. In honor of the month change I will be listing the things I love about October:

1. It is really autumn. The leaves are turning. The air is chilling. It's really the best time of year.
2. Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
3. Sweaters and boots (and leggings, because let's face it, anything that has stretch in it is a huge win right now).
4. Halloween! Lily is going to be a pumpkin this year!
5. Ravens football is in full swing, and that is ALWAYS a good thing.
6. The Orioles are still playing! I cannot say this every year, so I am really enjoying it this year. Hello October baseball!
7. Delicious comfort food..stew, chili, casserole...yum.
8. Turning off the a/c and opening windows. And smaller BGE bills.
9. This is also not a normal October thing, but I am seeing Wicked this month. It is my second time going, and I am super excited!
10. It's quickly becoming the holiday season! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and I can practically taste the turkey and hear the carols!