24 Weeks

We had our 24 week appointment today for Baby 2.  JM's schedule has been all screwy this week but it worked out because he got to go with me, which meant Ali went, too.  I haven't been able to take her with me to any kind of doctors appointment.  We've discovered she does NOT tolerate seeing other people touch me.  I thought it was just the OB appointments and somehow she knew to be jealous already, but I took her with me to the regular doctor the other week and she completely flipped out when they removed this little skin hemorrhage.  Just today the girl took my blood pressure and Ali mean-mugged her beyond belief!

Anyways, baby is fine.  Heart beat is around 150 and she kicked the doctor ;-)  I've been working really hard on the exercises from physical therapy and I've had no symptoms of problems from the fistula.  Sooooo...I was able to convince the doctor to not have a c-section!  I know they're supposedly easier and all of that, but I didn't want one for a few reasons.  One, I know what to expect the other way (and I know what the worst pain feels like!).  Second, you can't lift for an extended period after a c-section and I just don't think that will work.  I'll have a 17 month old who will be slightly jealous and need attention.  And, I'll have a newborn and a 17 month old in the dead of winter who all need to be carried or put in the carseat, etc.  JM won't be able to take much time (if any) off of work.  My mom can probably take a few days off to help, but not the entire time I'm not allowed to lift!  So anyways, I'm excited.  JM's a little hesistant because there is the chance that it makes the whole situation worse.  But, my main problem is the severed sphincter.  Worse comes to worse, I tear again and then she can stitch that up after delivery.  And I've now proven that I can decrease the problems with the fistula by physical therapy.  So it works for me!

When we go back for our last 4 week appointment (the day before Thanksgiving) she wants to do another ultrasound.  She said the baby is measuring big...well, the uterus size is big.  I'm not concerned at all (a little excited to see the peanut!).  For one thing, I've always thought my due date is two weeks before what the doctor thought.  So this would just prove me right!  Also, I seem to be carrying her incredibly high.  Ali was high, but not like this.  The lowest I've felt her at all is just about my belly button.  I can already feel her pressing against my diaphragm and my lungs because it's hard to breathe.  I'm sure it's one of those two things!

Ali dressed up in her Halloween costume for a party at the Y tonight.  She handled it pretty well.  I'll post pictures later when I upload them.  Depending on when JM goes to work we're going to either go to the zoo or up to a festival in Noblesville for Halloween tomorrow. 

It's October already?!?

My oh my, where does the time go?  We've been busy bees and Ali is keeping us on our toes!  I'm not sure if I mentioned this in the last post, but Ali had her one year appointment.  She's growing like a weed...only gained 2 pounds but grew almost 6 inches!  She no longer looks like a baby at all.  Even the chubbiness around her face is gone. 

Ali is still doing her music classes except Nani will be taking her from now on.  I've switched my work day to Wednesday so that I can join the moms group at church on Tuesday nights.  I think I'll sign her up for a painting class at the end of October so I can still take her to something.

We had her little friend, Addalyn's, first birthday party yesterday.  It was quite fun and Ali had her first pb & j.  Definitely a hit.  They say to wait until about 2 years old for peanut butter because of allergies, but I realized I eat pb ALL the time.  I put it on my waffles, sandwiches, ice cream...so she's been exposed plenty.

Jennie took her 1 year photos this week.  It was an absolutely beautiful fall day (although it was about 80 degrees, we dressed like it was fall!).  The leaves had changed and the sky was perfectly blue . JM got out of his class that day early so we even got family photos, which we hadn't gotten yet.  We started out at Forest Park in Noblesville on the train tracks then finished at Potters Bridge with the river and covered bridge.  Ali tolerated the pictures pretty well...luckily she adores Jennie because she was in a bit of a grumpy mood, we have some teeth coming in.  Plus, Jennie brought her son, Cam, who is just a few months older than Ali and she's fascinated with everything he does!  It was hard to get JM to act natural and not so posed, but by the end he was getting the hang of it.  I don't like pictures where your hand is placed exactly here and your head is tilted slightly left!  The more natural the better!

I finished my cake decorating class.  I absolutely loved it and have to say, I can do some cool things now!  The instructor runs Flying Cupcake so you know she's good.  They've cancelled the second class for October so I'm hoping to take it in either November or December, but it will depend on the day and if I can find anyone to watch Ali those nights.  I'd like to get all 3 classes in before the baby comes but I don't see that happening. 

I've picked up some extra shifts so things are a bit more hectic, but it should help a bit financially.  I start Wednesdays this week which will be an adjustment.  I think it will work out nicely because I often pick up Sundays and it stunk to only have Monday off before the next shift.  Now I'll have a bit more time to accomplish things.  We have our first outing Saturday with the families of the moms group.  We're going to the pumpkin patch we actually went to last year for our anniversary.  Ali should have much more fun this year!

I can't believe we're about to hit our 3 year anniversary.  With JM's on-the-job training and our financial situation we couldn't really get away or plan anything bit.  So Ali is having a sleep over at Nani's and we got a hotel at the new JW Marriott downtown.  I think we'll have dinner out and maybe grab a play and then just enjoy a night away from home. 

Ali received her first Halloween package in the mail from Aunt Judy the other day.  She was so funny opening it.  She saw the stuffed pumpkin as soon as I opened the box and she had to grab it and hug it.  Then I opened the first book and she grabbed that and started reading it to the pumpkin.  She's so stinking funny!  It's seriously something new every day.  Just this week she learned how big she is (so big!), where her nose is, how to point, how to ask 'What's that?' (although it comes out 'dat!'), and where her shoes and her hat go. 

Time to get back to work, hope everyone is doing well!