Carrying Crystal Boxes

2 years and 6 months

2011-07-04T18:01:00.004-04:00

Here's to trying to get back onto the blog wagon.
The boys were at the nurse practitioner the other day for their 2 year/ 6 month checkups. Silas got shots, Trent didn't. Silas didn't really feel the first one, but the 2nd made him cry...
Here's some stats:

2 years old

Trent
Weight: 34 lbs
Head Circumference: 52 cm (20 in)
Height: 92 cm (36 inches / 3 feet)

Trent falls into the following percentiles:
Length = between percentile 75 and 90
Weight = above percentile 95
Head Circumference = between percentile 95 and 90

Silas
Weight: 21 lbs
Height: 69 cm (27 inches / 2.26 feet)

6 months old!

Head Circumference: 45 cm (17 inches)

Silas falls into the following percentiles:
Length = between percentile 50 and 75
Weight = in percentile 90
Head Circumference = in percentile 25

Where does the time go?

2011-05-31T23:02:00.018-04:00

Silas is now 5 months old, and Trent has turned 2. I've had almost NO time to blog. Trent will not allow me to use the computer during the day. He has to climb up in my lap and abuse the keyboard, and we can't have that, so the computer stays away during the day. And at night, I am usually getting in some of my TV shows, since I am not allowed to watch my choice of TV during the day either.
Silas is awesome, cute as a button, happy as a clam. Seems to be following in his brothers footsteps when it comes to sleeping, as in, I can't just put him down and have him close his eyes and go to la la land. He needs a little help. Knock on wood though, he is somewhat easier to put down than Trent. And so far, he hasn't done that thing where he wakes up in the middle of the night for a three-hour playtime.

He doesn't nap during the day the way that Trent did, because I don't have the time to work at it like I did for Trent. But then, he sleeps really well through the night, better I think, than Trent did. Knock on wood.

As for Trent, he is doing really good these days. After Silas was born, he regressed bigtime. His sleeping was for sh!t, really bad. And, its just recently started to get better. I read once that most kids get their sh!t together by the time they turn 2 years old. Trent did not get his sh!t together by 2. However, he is getting better. He is sleeping for much longer stretches more and more often.
So things are good there.

Beauteus Maximus

Sleeping Handsome

Loving brothers (most of the time)

Second Birthday

I am going to try and update this more, but no promises!

Trent is 2y, 1m, 1d old; Silas is 5m, 1w, 5d old

Please come out on your own kiddo

2010-12-17T19:42:00.000-05:00

I really don't want another c-section, and this time, for far more basic reasons than before. While I do really really really want to experience a natural childbirth, even more than that, I really really really don't want to be gutted like a fish again.
Being cut open hurts.
A lot.
For at least a week.
I won't be able to pick up Trent, or probably even to hold him, really, because I will be in mah-jah pain, even with whatever drugs they send me home with. I want the introduction of Silas to be as easy as possible, and I don't think that going from nursing him to sleep every night to not nursing him for a long time because I can't lie on my side any more has any chance of not being traumatic for him.
Tonight Rich is putting him down without me.
I am downstairs with the headphones in so that I don't hear the crying. He isn't letting him cry it out or anything, he is with him, and jiggling him down, I think, or laying with him and rubbing his back, but I still hate to hear him cry...
Any way, if this kid doesn't make an appearance on his own, my section is scheduled for December 29. I hate that his birthday is being chosen for him, it really blows. It seems so unnatural. But I guess it has to be done. If I have to be gutted like a fish, I need to have it done before my Mom goes home to LA. Bummer. Major bummer. Trent was only 4 days over, so hopefully Silas won't go more than 4 days over. Fingers crossed.
I almost started to cry in the waiting room of the pre-op office this morning, reading about how I can't eat or drink anything for 12 hours before my surgery is scheduled. Its scheduled for noon. How in the world am I supposed to not eat or drink anything in the morning? I am going to be dry heaving all over the place. When I am super hungry in the morning, I just puke. Its not fun. And its winter now, its dry, with the artificial heat, and in the mornings, I am deleriously thirsty! OK, so I can have some water, but not past 8am. Oh joy.
If you'll indulge a brief moment of whining... I don't WANT a section and all the shit that comes with it!
So, please Silas, lets get this show on the road, and get you out of my belly, K? I promise that I will give you cookies and chocolate and all the toys you could possibly want*. I already have you hooked up with a stellar older brother, he's gonna be awesome.
K? Anytime now.

Trent is 1 y, 7m, 1w, 1d old; Grape Jelly is 39w along

Updates...

2010-12-03T11:51:00.001-05:00

Trent:
18 month appt. His weight and height have really plateaued. He is leaning out. He is measuring 32.5 inches tall, and his weight was 28lbs, so, he has pretty much stopped growing! Well, not really, but its slowed. Although we still get comments about the size of him, I think pretty soon he will just be average build. He was a bit sick last week, and so was kind of off his food, and I got concerned when I could see the shadow of his ribcage, but he is still doing great. He cried this time when it came to the needles, but not for too long. I hate to see his little mouth wide open in a big cry, and tears streaming down his cheeks. I still really just hate to see him cry. I don't know if it will ever not phase me.

Aside from that, his language is increasing. His comprehension is increasing, and I feel like he is really growing up. Last night, when we asked him who Mama was, he pointed to me, then we asked him who daddy was, and he pointed to Rich, and we asked him who Trent was, and he pointed to himself. It was just huge to me, real understanding!
Then, this morning, the thing that really made me feel like he is growing up, is that we went to put his boots on him for the first time ever, and he put his hand on Rich's shoulder for support and lifted up his little foot to put it into the boot. He must either have seen me put on my boots, or the other kids at daycare, I don't know, but he is really starting to grasp things. My little angel...

Silas:
37 weeks, so he is at term, and could make his appearance at any time. As much as I want to have him as soon as possible, I don't want to have him before my parents get here! It would be stressful to me to leave him for an extended period with anyone else.
It's time to start with the Evening Primrose Oil, the Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, and the long walks. Lets get this started.
Another friend swears by Thyme tea, but that sounds vile. Not that I won't end up trying it anyway...

Trent is 1y, 6m, 3w, 3d old (18.75 mos); Grape Jelly is 37w along

This, that and the other

2010-11-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

So, my weekly pregnancy updates have sort of fallen off the radar. I don't know if anyone cares anyway, they were mostly for me. I guess I'll do a mini-update:
Week 36: feeling like crap; pelvis kills; getting out of bed is hell; the first few steps after sitting or laying down for long periods would benefit from a cane. Basically, my body is getting beat UP by this uterine parasite. I am so fatigued that if I saw Trent playing with matches from across the room, he'd probably end up burning himself, because I couldn't get to him fast enough. Good thing we hide the matches...
Can't wait for Silas to be out, partly because of the above, and partly because I am just so excited to meet him.
Still thinking about #3, thinking about the timing, hoping I forget about this misery soon. You know, that maternal amnesia. I heard it applies to pain of labour, but I hope it applies to the misery that is your last trimester as well.

As for Trent. He is awesome. Lately, a little whiny, a little clingy, a little mommy-focused, but still my little Bubba. He has a bit of a cold, so I think that's why he is having a rough time these days.
He is probably heading into his terrible 2s, and that has nothing to do with illness. It has everything to do with wanting things and not being able to express himself. Poor bastard. I do my best, but I can't read the kid's mind. I hope that he learns to speak soon!
In other Trent news, I feel like I need to record (for posterity) the fact that Trent LOVES the bath. We have to keep the bathroom door closed at all times, because if not, he would be in there, slinging his too-short leg over the edge, trying to get in the tub.
The faucet is very easy for him to work, and it could go to hot quite easily, so I really have to watch that. Scratch that, he loves WATER. The other morning, he stood on a stool and just sat with his little hands under the stream of water for far longer than Mother Nature would have approved of. But I can't deny my puddin' small pleasures like that!
And that is all for now. I doubt I'll return to my structured posts.
Trent is 1y, 6m, 2w, 2d (18mos) old; Grape Jelly is 36walong

Let the complaining begin

2010-10-25T14:29:00.000-04:00

Part of me knows that I should just be incredibly grateful to be pregnant with a healthy baby.

But then, part of me feels as though half of my blood has been drained from my body, that I haven't had sustenance for a few weeks, like I have been hit by a truck, and that I haven't slept in about 3 months.

This exhaustion is bad.
Really bad. Worse than first trimester. Worse than last trimester with Trent.
Its the kind of exhaustion that makes me want to cry.
You know how you feel when you have the flu? That's how I feel. Just drained. Wrung out. Nothing left to give.

I keep waiting from that spurt of energy, the one where I run around the house cleaning everything in sight. I don't know if I will get that.

I just need to sleep for about 3 days. If only that were possible.

Trent is 1y, 5m, 2w, 2d old; Grape Jelly is 31w, 3d along

30 weeks pregnant (in my 31st week)

2010-10-15T10:09:00.001-04:00

Long time no update. I am bad at blogging these days. Even Trent's updates are few and far between. So, I am 10 weeks to the finish line now (more or less). Halloween is right around the corner, which means that Christmas is coming in a very close second. I have all my shopping left to do, and I am going to have a helpless little newborn baby soon.
The reality of that hit me hard last week when friends came over with their 3 week old son. I have to admit, I had a brief moment of panic. They are just so little and helpless when they are that small. I don't know how I am going to wrangle Trent, and keep Silas's head from toppling off his neck like a crumpled dandelion.
I just have to keep telling myself that I will get it done, and all will be well. Millions of people have 2 under 2, and everyone survives.
Oh, and the name we have decided on is Silas. Silas Andrew Mymaidenname Ourlastname.

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 29 pounds. So far, the rate is less than the 1lb a week that the baby is supposed to be putting on, but still, I am the hugest I have ever been in my life. Past the threshold that I said I would throw myself in front of a bus for. But then, this is pregnancy weight, so I guess I won't kill myself, I'll just have to start working out.
Stretch marks? I think maybe a few new ones. Yay.
Sleep: Not ideal. I am always tired. Even when I go to bed at 8pm and sleep till 6, still beat.
Best moment this week: Hearing Silas's heartbeat again. It was a nice strong 158 BPM.
Movement: All the time. And its starting to get pretty uncomfortable.
Food cravings: None.
What I miss: Being able to bend over. That's really fallen by the way side. When something gets dropped, it stays on the ground these days.
What I am looking forward to: Getting back on even keel with my emotions. I have been crying at the drop of a hat lately, and its distressing, since normally, I don't really cry much. And its not like the crying is a release either. Darn hormones. Now I fear that I have PPD waiting for me on the other side.
Milestones: He can open his eyes and see now!
Symptoms: Heartburn, with a vengeance, light-headedness when standing for too long (like at the mall) and this insane emotional stuff. Crying all the time.
Hopes: That I don't have PPD, that Silas will sleep better than Trent, that I will be able to breastfeed more successfully than with Trent, that labour will all go well, and that Silas is totally healthy and fat when he is born.

*from babycentre.ca
How your baby's growing

From now on, your baby will gain weight fast. His lungs and digestive tract are nearly mature and he's probably been able to open and shut his eyes for a while now, so he can see inside you.
You've probably gained quite a bit this month, typically 3-4 lb. Gaining 1 lb a week is quite normal during the last three months. Your baby's demands for nutrients are at their greatest in the final pre-birth growth spurt.

Your baby's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. While your baby may soon slow up growing in length, (he measures about 15.7 inches/ 40 centimetres from crown to toe by now), he will continue to gain weight until he's born.
This week your baby continues to open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what's going on in utero, distinguish light from dark and even track a light source. If you shine a light on your stomach, your baby may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow. Some researchers think baring your stomach to light stimulates visual development. But don't expect 20/20 vision when your baby is born -- newborns can see a distance of only about 8 to 12 inches/ 20 to 30 centimetres. (Children with normal vision don't reach 20/20 vision until about age 7 to 9.) To complete the picture, your baby now has eyebrows and eyelashes.

A pint and a half/around a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus. As you and the baby continue to grow, don't be alarmed if you feel breathless, as if you can't get enough air; it's just your uterus pressing against your diaphragm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. At about 34 weeks (or just before delivery, if this is your second or third pregnancy), your baby's head will move down into your pelvis as the baby gets into the right position for birth. That will make breathing and eating a lot easier.
Trent is 1y, 5m, 6d (17 mos) old; Grape Jelly is 30w along

26 Weeks Pregnant (In my 27th week)

2010-09-20T08:58:00.000-04:00

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Total gain is 26 pounds. Way more than what I wanted, but still less than with Trent. The midwife isn't concerned about it, so neither am I. Well. not from a health perspective. From a have-to-join-the-gym perspective, I am...
Stretch marks? They are the old ones, I think but they are very visible.
Sleep: Up at night at least twice to go to the bathroom, trying to find a position on my side/belly that doesn't squish my basketball sized ute
Best moment this week: Deciding on a name for our little Grape Jelly. Its not really a secret, but I don't feel like posting it at the moment. But now, he has a real name, aside from his nickname of Grape Jelly.
Movement: All the time. Mostly noticeable when I am nursing Trent, but that could just be because its a quite time that I can notice that. Also sometimes kicks up a ruckus when I eat something sweet. Like the orange syrup for the glucose diabetes test.
Food cravings: Nothing really.
What I miss: Not being tired and nauseated. I still have spells of nausea that are starting to become a real PITA.
What I am looking forward to: Not being pregnant any more. It's wonderful to be able to bear a child, but the experience has lost some of its sparkle. I don't feel like a walking miracle this pregnancy. I am also being uber snippy with Rich. Which, isn't necessarily completely uncalled for, but it might be a little but amplified.
Milestones: I think that his hearing is now all up and running.
Symptoms: Nothing new since the last update.
Hopes: That all is well with Grape Jelly.
*from babycentre.ca
Measuring your baby from top to toe with his legs extended, he is about 14 inches/35.6 centimetres. He weighs a little more than 1.6 pounds/ 760 grams. Your baby's eyes begin to open around now. Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born.

Since your baby is now growing so fast, and brain development is so intense at this stage, your nutrition is very important.

Trent is 1y, 4m, 1w, 4d old (16.75 mos); Grape Jelly is 26w along

16 months old

2010-09-07T10:21:00.000-04:00

Weight: 28lbs 7oz
Length: 32"

At 16 months:
your child is 28.5 pounds, and that is
at the 87th percentile for weight.
your child is 32 inches, and that is
at the 60th percentile for height.

Last Months Milestones: I can't even keep track of what's gone on in the past 4 months. He's hitting his milestones just fine, except he isn't really talking yet. There is a chance that he is saying "all done" and "don't touch" complete with the finger wagging, but I can't be 100% of that yet. It's cute as heck though!
Oh, he has dropped to one nap a day, from about 12 to 1:30, at least that's what he does as home. At daycare, its hit or miss.
Last Months Worries: Still not sleeping through the night. Rich is worried about when Grape Jelly comes, but I won't worry about something that hasn't happened yet. Besides, Trent might get his shit together by the time Grape Jelly comes. Or soon after...
Trent is 1y, 3m, 4w, 1d old; Grape Jelly is 24w, 4d along

24 weeks pregnant (in my 25th week)

2010-09-03T12:18:00.000-04:00

How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, but I suspect that my weight gain has increased, because my belleh is starting to look bigger. I feel like I should do some belly shots. Poor Grape Jelly, he'll have no pictures of him in my belly! Next week, I swear...
Stretch marks? Nothing new.

Sleep: Starting to get a little more tricky. I have to arrange myself more carefully now that the bump is really starting to get in the way
Best moment this week: Finding out that Grape Jelly is a BOY! So exciting.
Movement: Yup. Its gotten to the point where I start worrying when I don't feel him for a while.

Food cravings: Nothing really.
What I miss: Nothing to really complain about at the moment.
What I am looking forward to: Having him here with us, finally!
Milestones: Viability! Not sure if it happened last week, or this week, but we have hit viability, which is a small comfort.
Symptoms: Heartburn, and my pubic symphisis is acting up again. I should have gotten my Xmas shopping done before this happened. Back pain too. I am starting to limp a little, the first few steps after I have been sitting down for a while.
Hopes: That all is well with Grape Jelly.

*From babycentre.ca

Your fetus weighs more than 1.3 pounds/ 600 grams. Though she still has little body fat and her skin is thin and fragile, she's now well-proportioned. Her brain is growing rapidly, and she is starting to fill the space in your uterus. From crown to heel she could measure 11.8 inches / 30 centimetres. If you went into labour at this time, however, many obstetricians and midwives would make every effort to halt the progress of premature labour to enable your baby to continue maturing.

You may be noticing faint, red or brown streaks known as striae or stretch marks on your abdomen, hips and breasts. While creams won't erase them, wearing a supportive bra may help prevent or minimize them on your breasts. They are very common at this stage of the pregnancy -- about 90 per cent of women get them. After you've given birth, the reddish or brown pigmentation in the stretch marks gradually fades, and the streaks become lighter than the surrounding skin.

Trent is 1y, 3m, 3w, 4d old; Grape Jelly is 24w along

Teeth again

2010-09-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

Quick update.
I can see the upper left canine breaking through the gum. i would think the canine, being a sharp tooth, would be the easiest to bust through, but Trent has a fever, runny nose.
Could be the teething, could be a cold. Could be both.
Either way, nighttime sleep is verging on disastrous.

Trent is 1y, 3m, 3w, 2d old; Grape Jelly is 23w, 5d along

Quick language update

2010-09-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

While Trent seems to be slightly ahead of the curve with his gross motor skills, he is a wee bit slower in the language department. He babbles like a champ, but doesn't actually say anything that I can connect with meaning. Mama can mean many things, but lately, it has been applied to me more and more often, sometimes accompanied by uplifted arms that mean pick me up.
However, in other news, I think Trent might be saying "all done" and making the gesture for all done. We heard about it first from the SIL who is his DCP, and then a day later, Rich and I both thought we heard him say it.
Cool!
It may be another thing I regret wishing for, like the walking, but I look forward to him being able to talk to me!

Trent is 1y, 3m, 3w, 2d old; Grape Jelly is 23w, 5d along

Un-be-freakin-lievable!

2010-08-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

It's a BOY!
I was so sure that it was a girl. I was so sure, that I felt stupid for paying for another ultrasound to find out what we were having. But its a boy after all. Amazing. I can't believe it. I can't believe that I actually get to have another boy. I am so excited.
Many people opt to wait to find out the sex of their baby, because they want the surprise. Let me tell you, I was really surprised when I found out, even though he is still an inside baby.
I saw it with my own 2 eyes, many times, because he was moving around, and the us tech was very good about finding it about four times. Definitely the turtle.
I am still so floored by it, every time I think about it!
Trent will have a little brother... Grape Jelly will have a big brother.
I can't wait for my house to be full of the sound of kids playing. I probably won't be able to have nice things until they move out (a living room turned into a wrestling arena probably doesn't leave the furniture in good condition), but that's OK. It will be worth it.
Trent is such a sweet little boy, I've come to know since this weekend. As much as he is a "goon" and doesn't know his own strength, he is really sweet to babies, and he was always hugging his little cousin Victoria, and he was hugging his Starimama and Staritata and his aunt, uncle and second cousins. He is such a sweet little boy. I am very proud of him.

Except when he doesn't want his diaper changed. Then he is a little imp (I say imp instead of "demon" because Rich doesn't like me to call him a demon. Imp is nicer).

I just hope that Grape Jelly (whose actual name will be revealed on here as soon as Rich can come to a decision. I know what I want, but now its just a matter of getting Rich onto my side), and Trent will love each other, and get along.

Trent had such a great time this weekend! We took a very short weekend trip to Montreal, and the family we visited has HUGE property for the kids to run around on, and lots of toys for them to play with. He had a blast. All he wanted to do was be outside running around, playing catch-me-if-you-can. This weekend marked his first taste of dirt and sand. He ate a handful of black earth from Starimama's potted plant (that's what I get for allowing silence to go unchecked for more than 15 seconds). He didn't like it the first time (as evidenced by his grimace and wide open mouth), but he did it again later. And then, while playing in the sandbox, he ate about 2 spoonfuls of sand.

He pooped out mud... literally.

I felt bad taking him home and making him leave all that fun. I really wish that we could raise him in Montreal. I just have to find an incredible job so that Rich can be a stay-at-home-dad, and not worry about the fact that he speaks ZERO French.

It was such an amazing time. Just the act of sitting down to a fantastic home-cooked dinner with 4 generations of family, all 15 of us (babies/kids included), it was great. If only my folks and sister could have been there, it would have been complete.

Trent is 1y, 3m, 3w old; Grape Jelly is 23w, 3d along

OK, the time really does fly

2010-08-22T19:34:00.001-04:00

I feel like Trent is really getting older, and I am feeling the passage of time a little bit.
Today was the first day that I feel like he really said "Mama" and knew that it meant me. He put up his little arms, and said "mama!", meaning, "pick me up". It felt pretty damn great. I think that I am going to count that as his first word. The first word that he said that actually had meaning behind it.
He makes the uh-oh sound too, but that's not as great as a first word, and also, not consistent or anything, so, Mama it is!
He is also getting really good at feeding himself with his spoon. I am very impressed. He eats off a plate now, that he doesn't try and toss to the floor until the very end of the meal, and after dinner, he isn't surrounded by a Pollock-esque array of food on the floor. Its quite nice.
I held up his shorts to him the other day, and he came over, and lifted up his little foot to help me put his shorts on. That floored me. It was unexpected.
He almost has a full set of chompers. The lower left first molar is through, the lower right first molar is still breaking through, and I think that I saw a canine making its appearance.
I just look at him and can't believe that he is mine, still. He is just so incredibly perfect.
I hope that when he is 16 and stealing the car and sneaking out at night and quite possibly drinking while underage, that I can remember the days when I would just look at his smiling little face and be in awe of what a wonderful little creature he is.
Sometimes I just think that life is great.
Trent is 1y, 3m, 1w, 6d old; Grape Jelly is 22w, 2d along

22 weeks pregnant (In my 23rd week)

2010-08-20T09:18:00.002-04:00

How far along? 22 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I think, in total, I have put on 13 lbs so far. Which I can't complain about, because I think I put on 13 lbs in the first month with Trent.
Stretch marks? Holy smokes! I had one that looked like the cat scratched me! It was vivid purple pink, but it was almost like a restretch of an old stretchmark, because it was in the same location as one of Trent's. Small favours, I guess...
Sleep: Not as great as I would like, but not as bad as it could be. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd say that sleep hovers around a 7.
Best moment this week: Really feeling GJ kick. Sometime between the last us and this week, this baby has started to become less of an abstract idea, and more of a distinct reality. I am now looking forward to when s/he is an outside baby. I can't wait until Trent is able to play with his sibling. He really is drawn to kids, but is still kind of "shy" around new kids. Unless they are playing with a toy that looks interesting to him. Then he has no problem going right up and taking it.
Movement: Big time. Its really contributed to me starting to really bond with this baby as a person-to-be.
Food cravings: Nothing really.
What I miss: Nothing to really complain about at the moment.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out what we have on our hands here!
Milestones: Nothing recently I don't think.
Symptoms: Heartburn, and a weird vertigo-type feeling. Its impossible to describe. I know this since I tried to describe it to my midwife, and I couldn't.
Hopes: That all is well with Grape Jelly. I have an irrational fear of spinal tube defects and clefts palates.

*from babycentre.ca

The baby now weighs almost one pound / 430 grams, measures nearly 11 inches/ just over 27 centimetres long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled because she needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.

Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through.

You've probably gained between 12 and 15 pounds / 5.4 and 6.8 kilograms. Starting now, you'll begin to put on weight more steadily, averaging about half a pound / 225 grams per week. You may crave certain foods and you may notice an increased (but not bloody) vaginal discharge. Both are a normal part of being pregnant.

Trent is 1y, 3m, 1w, 4d old; Grape Jelly is 22w along

Nap officially dropped

2010-08-16T10:27:00.000-04:00

I heard about this nap-dropping phenomenon. Wasn't sure exactly when it was going to happen, but I got the impression that it was a frickin' hard transition to make.
I think that we can safely say that at around 15 months, Trent dropped his morning nap. He now has only one "big" afternoon nap. I put big in quotations, because it started out at 3 hours, then went to 2 hours, and so far is now only 1.5 hours. I hope it will beef back up to at least 2, but 3 would be awesome. Anyway, it was only painful one day, the day that I tried to get him to sleep for his morning nap, and he wouldn't, and it was frustrating as hell for me (I might have cried). But, since figuring out that he doesn't really need that second nap during the day, its actually been quite nice.
There is only one con, being that I don't get that morning break, but there are numerous pros to this:

There is more time to do things between naps. The window has gone from 3 hours, to about 5.
He goes down for his nap and his bedtime like *this*. It's not really a fight, nor does it take 45 min to get him to sleep anymore. It usually within 10. I count this as 2 pros, since its 2 times I am putting him down that are far less painful than before.
Although this is a new thing, and I hesitate to make snap judgements, his nighttime sleep has gotten a bit better. Still wakes up once a night for a bottle, but then is out like a drunken sailor after that
Once he is asleep, he is asleep. He has fallen asleep a few times in the car or stroller when circumstances have ensured that we are out around nap time, and I can now take him out of his carseat, take off his shoes, and put him to bed, all without him waking up entirely.

This makes me wonder if I was forcing too much sleep on him when he was younger, because it would take HOURS to get him to sleep sometimes, and he would wake up and want to play around for about 2 hours in the middle of the night sometimes. I don't know though, because when he first started going to daycare, and wasn't getting the naps that he would at home, he was a miserable fusspot by the time we picked him up.
It seems that its enough sleep for him based on the charts you can find on the net. If he sticks at 1.5 hour naps, then he will be getting 12.5 hours a day, which is just under the 13.5 that they recommend for his age. Which is fine, since some kids need less sleep, and some need more.

So, all in all, this nap dropping is turning out to be an OK thing.

Trent is 1y, 3m, 1w (15.25m) old; Grape Jelly is 21w, 3d along

Teething Update

2010-08-09T12:00:00.001-04:00

We are at the point where teeth, their appearance, and their affect on Trent's personality and sleep consumes our lives. So, with that in mind, I post a tooth update.
I think this little diagram should illuminate things.
The incisors (lt blue), I feel like they were accomplished on one bout of frequent night wakings, but with no real discernible daytime affect on Trent's personality. I think that bout of night wakings might have lasted almost 2 months, but that time is over now, lets leave it in the past where it can rot.
I wasn't a fan of that bout.
The first upper molar (dark teal) was a B-I-T-C-H (I've taken to spelling out bad words these days). It messed with Trent's sleep for a week, and it made him a miserable little fusspot for about 2 days or so. That was weird for me, since Trent is usually happy as a clam during the day, barring hunger or fatigue.
The second upper molar (green) seemed to poke through without much fuss. Its not all the way through yet, but at least one side is. The other side breaking through might be contributing to the most recent spell of frequent night waking, but I think that's only second to the impending eruption of the lower molars. His gums have 2 swollen bumps where those teeth will soon pop out, and I hope that happens soon, or else Trent will be enjoying the pain-free bliss that only Children's Advil can deliver, for the next week or so.
I hate dosing him with drugs, but it makes things easier on all of us, so it has to be done.
Gah. Teeth suck.
But it is so cute to watch him chew with these new teeth. I will have to post a video of him chomping on a peach soon. Its my favourite thing to watch him eat.
Yes, I enjoy watching him eat. I think its only a little bit weird.

Trent is 1y, 3m old; Grape Jelly is 20w, 3d along

20 weeks pregnant (In my 21st week)

2010-08-06T11:38:00.000-04:00

I seem to skip every other week with updates... ah well, at least I am consistent.

How far along? 20 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, but I am guessing it will be a noticeable difference once I hit the scale at the midwive's, since all the updates say that its around now that baby starts putting on all its weight. Oh joy...
Stretch marks? No new developments in this department
Sleep: Up (sort of, not wide eyed awake, but def conscious awake) every hour it feels like. Its probably more like every 2, but still. Sleeping is hard. I am starting to feel the lump of my uterus when I lay a certain way.
Best moment this week: Well, it was supposed to be finding out the sex of Grape Jelly, but s/he was not cooperating, and we couldn't get a look. Also, we couldn't get a good look at the face (for soft markers, I believe) or the heart. We have to reshedule another one to check those things, and hopefully we will get to find out the sex too. For what its worth, I am pretty convinced its a girl.
Movement: Yes, lots. Seems to be on the same schedule that Trent was. Kicking around at about 6am, and then on and off for the rest of the day.
Food cravings: Carbs. I had a lot of carbs lately.
What I miss: Bending over easily (although its not as hard yet as its going to be)
What I am looking forward to: Finding out what we have on our hands here!
Milestones: Reached the halfway mark. I have as much of this pregnancy behind me as I have in front of me.... and we could also say that is literal, as my ass has developed into quite the badonk.
Symptoms: Heartburn is kicking back in, but not too too badly. Enough that I keep a travel pack of TUMS with me at all times. Have a touch of what feels like muscle pain around my section scar, but I suspect that its just the muscles down there getting stretched out again. As if they were ever taut in the first place, let alone after Trent... Oh, and I think I might be waddling a smidge now too.
Hopes: That Grape Jelly looks like Trent!

*from babycentre.ca
Your baby measures about 6.5 inches/ 16.5 centimetres from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa begins to cover your baby and protects the skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery. The baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

Trent is 1y, 2m, 3w, 4d old; Grape Jelly is 20w along

Toy Success

2010-07-27T09:33:00.003-04:00

I've bought Trent many toys over his past year and a half of life. My impetus has always been "oh, he'll LOVE that". 'Til now, he has never taken to a toy like I thought he would. I bought him toy drums once, because he loved beating on things. No go. He gave them a little attention, but its almost like he knew that's what he should do, because mama bought him a new toy. My boy, he humors me...
But I think this time that I have actually done good.
Trent LOVES this beanbag chair. Its just the right size for him. He was loving pushing around the couch cushions on the floor and flopping down on them, but they are small and the odds of him missing and smacking his head off the hardwood floors was high. So I thought a beanbag chair would be the thing. And so far it seems to be. He loves to run into the living room and toss himself on it. I can see him sitting in it to watch TV when he gets older. I kinda want a grown-up sized one for myself...
I just love to see him enjoy himself. Perhaps I can get some video...

On another note, Trent surprised me a bit last night at dinner. I am trying to offer him many different types of food. I am a pretty diverse eater (meaning its rare I come across a foodstuff that I don't like.. so far its only liver, capers, offal, and skate), so the last thing I want is a picky eater for a kid. Anyway, last night, we had butter chicken. Not from scratch, please... but President's Choice butter chicken sauce is awesome. Its tastes just like it should, but with just a smidge of heat. I made it with zucchini which isn't really traditional, but I like the way the clean fresh taste of the zucchini counteracts the superrich butter sauce. Trent HOOVERED it. He really liked it. My kid has a more sophisticated palate than a lot of people, and he is not even 15 months old yet...

Trent is 1y, 2m, 2w, 4d old (14.5 months); Grape Jelly is 18w, 4d along

18 Weeks Pregnant (in my 19th week)

2010-07-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I can only weigh myself at the midwife's, so I am not sure if I have gained this week, but I hope not...
Stretch marks? No new developments in this department
Sleep: Doing a lot of tossing and turning, and realising that I have to pee every time I reach even the lightest level of consciousness doesn't help.
Best moment this week: No big moment. Still just realising that Grape Jelly is there listening in when I am singing to Trent.
Movement: (this is as of the following Monday, but I think I felt quite a few kicks! Mark it on the calendar, serious movement began at 18 weeks 3 days.
Food cravings: Was craving some Montana's ribs and wings, but they disappointed in the end.
What I miss: Bending over easily (although its not as hard yet as its going to be)
What I am looking forward to: The anatomical u/s in 2.5 weeks!
Milestones: None this week.
Symptoms: Heartburn is kicking back in, but not too too badly. Enough that I keep a travel pack of TUMS with me at all times.
Hopes: That Grape Jelly looks like Trent!

*from Babycentre.ca
This week, you officially begin your fifth month of pregnancy. You're just a week away from the half-way mark. Your baby may have reached 15 cm from crown to rump by now, and he can both feel and hear. Admittedly at the moment, all he can hear is your heartbeat and the flow of your digestive system but soon he'll be able to detect noise outside the womb and identify your voice.

Your baby is approximately 6 inches/ 14.2 centimetres long from crown to rump and she weighs about 7 ounces/ 190 grams. Her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing but she's not taking in air, only amniotic fluid.

If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place. If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.

Trent is 1y, 2m, 2w, 3d old (14.5 months); Grape Jelly is 18w along

1st Visit to the Park!

2010-07-21T13:30:00.001-04:00

Well, it wasn't really our first visit to the park, but it was the first time we've been since he's been able to run and play. He loves the park! The settings on the camera weren't right for a lot of the pictures, so sadly, the color is wonky on some of them.

Fighting holding our hands already!

Not so sure about this slide thing...

Trent is 1y, 2m, 1w, 5d old; Grape Jelly is 17w, 5d along

My first purchase for Grape Jelly

2010-07-19T10:16:00.001-04:00

ABC

I haven't really made ANY purchases for Grape Jelly, except, I guess the double stroller, but that's really for both of them, so I don't count it. By this time, we had bought a bunch of stuff for Trent, I think. But maybe not, because we didn't know what he was going to be...
Anyway, I found a killer deal at woot.kids.com, for these really great quilts. We got one quilt for Trent, and for the love of Pete, I just remembered it... where is that thing...
Anyway, the deal was so great, that I bought three of them. Now, before you say, Cheese Louise, THREE? I know that at least one of these will end up as a gift somewhere down the line.

Happy Trails

Since I don't know what GJ is going to be, I bought 2 "boy" quilts, and one "neutral" quilt, but I don't really think it's that neutral after all. Its kind of girly. Trent doesn't have a blanket or a lovey, but he has lately developed this love of flinging around dish towels, so I think that he will get one of these. Probably Travel Time. Grape Jelly, depending on gender, will either get ABC, or Happy Trails. I think ABC is rather girly, with the hearts and flowers and butterflies. Damn them. Why couldn't they have a true gender neutral one. Millions of girl patterns though. I call bullshit.

It's coming up, the knowing. August 4th. Only a few weeks away. And then we can name this kid, and I can start believing that its real.

Travel Time

I think I might have felt some movement last night. Just a little kick. I sleep on my belly/side, so I think the pressure of my belly on the mattress might have contributed to my ability to feel the movement. I am not saying for sure that's what it was, but it was in the right place, and it did have that feeling of intent that I associate with kicks. Meaning, not some transient random gas bubble, but a deliberate... I don't know, stretching of the leg or something. That's what I imagine anyway.

On another note... I am totally in love with Trent. However, he is making me want to shoot myself lately. Molars making a break for the surface, increased awareness of want but no productive way to express it (ie, tantrums). Its all becoming very challenging.
I remember when he was up once a night, would take a bottle, and then pass out again until morning. Not so anymore. Now he is up every 2 or 3 hours. I think this might be a wakeful period, but I am not sure. Have to look it up. Is there a 15 month wakeful period? I thought it came at 18 months, but I think that his other wakeful periods came early, so perhaps this one is too. That would be OK with me. A wakeful period at 18 months would be too close to the arrival of Grape Jelly, and would likely result in a severely stressed out Mama and Daddy.

I hadn't intended this to be much of a posting, but as I write, more stuff comes to mind.

Trent seems to be responding to requests. Specifically, to get the ball, and to throw the ball. He loves that thing. Not as much as he loves mauling the cats, but unlike the cats, the ball never gets tired of Trent's bullshit and takes off. He is also getting sort of helpful. Will close the freezer door on request (if he doesn't get distracted by it and start swinging it open and closed), will hand us an object. Speaking of which, I never used "ta" or "ta-ta" meaning "hand it over". Is that a relic of childhoods past, or am I the only one not using it? Perhaps thats a question for the message boards (don't judge me).

Trent is 1y, 2m, 1w, 3d (14mos) old; Grape Jelly is 17w, 3d along

*UPDATE: I got hosed on these quilts. They went back into stock and I was refunded my money because there was an issue with the delivery address. I had hoped that someone would just call me and work it out, but they just reversed the order, and put the quilts back into stock. Bummer. Now I have to buy something else for Grape Jelly. Perhaps I'll even wait until we know what GJ is going to be...

17 weeks pregnant (in my 18th week)

2010-07-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I think, in total, I have gained 13 pounds. The first 10 are iffy, because I don't know if I gained weight right before getting pregnant, or what, but over the last 2 months, I have only gained 3. Yay!
Maternity clothes?: I love them...
Stretch marks? Same as last week. No new ones, just old ones getting more prominent
Sleep: Still waking up many times a night, but I am so tired still, which puzzles me. I have been going to bed at like 8 every night, and today I slept 12 hours! And I bet I will still be able to nap at some point later today too!
Best moment this week: Hearing GJ's heartbeat instantly at the last mdwife appt. She made a good guess as to placement of the doppler, and his little heartbeat was right there. 160 bpm. Trent's was in the 160s at the beginning too.
Movement: I thought I felt one legit movement, but maybe not.
Food cravings: No huge food cravings, but I am thirsty as heck!
What I miss: Sitting on a patio. And not feeling like crap. I am tired, nauseated, and crappy feeling. Not as much as first tri, but every once in a while. I think it all stems from being tired all the time. I have really started going to bed as soon after Trent as I can.
What I am looking forward to: The anatomical u/s in 3.5 weeks!
Milestones: None this week.
Symptoms: As I mentioned, still some left-overs from first tri. Fatigue, nausea, general crappy-ness.
Hopes: That all is well with Grape Jelly's development

Went to the midwife on Wednesday. The good part was that I have only gained 2 pounds, the not so good part was the results of my IPS test. We still got a result of screen negative, which I was initially super pleased about, but then I asked them what the comparison between Trent's IPS results were to Grape Jelly's. I shouldn't have asked that.
Just based on age, GJ's odds of being born with a genetic or NT defect was 1 in 360. Not so great, but not tragic either. Based on the testing that we just did, his odd went down to 1 in 660. Much better right? Yes, but not as good as Trent's which went from 1 in 540 (based only on my age) to 1 in 20,000 (after testing). As I said its still screen negative, so I'm putting it from my mind.

Trent is 1y, 2m, 1w, 1d old; Grape Jelly is 17w, 1d along

Random Picture Post

2010-07-12T17:09:00.000-04:00

Pappy was jonesing for some new pics, and I haven't posted any of T in a while, so here are some to tide you over 'til the next installment...

So into the ceiling fan...

Smiley!

He went thattaway

Loves to play with doors

The aftermath of lunch

Loves to read

His first fat lip

Trent is 1y, 2m, 3d old; Grape Jelly is16w, 3d along

This kid is awesome

2010-07-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

There are just so many reasons why this kid makes me smile. He just gets more and more awesome every day. Here is one of the things that he does that just makes my day. Without fail, if there is music playing, any kind of music, Trent is dancing to it. He especially seems to like So You Think You Can Dance, because he boogaloos to that whenever we have it one when he is around.

Trent is 1y, 2m, 2d old; Grape Jelly is 16w, 2d along