Feeling good

10 days left and I am feeling pretty good! No signs of labor.

Potty?

We haven't seen Geoff's Elmo potty for a few days. Sort of an odd thing to disappear, but we recently moved all of the furniture out of what will soon be Geoff's bedroom in order to paint it, and we thought maybe it was in the playroom somewhere behind the furniture or perhaps in Danny's room. I wasn't overly concerned because I really would like to graduate towards using the big potty, which he seemed to be doing really well the past few days.

So today, we were getting ready to go and we told Geoff to try to go to the potty. He said he already did. "Where?" we asked him.

"On my little potty."

Grant and I sort of looked at each other - like what was Geoff using for his "little potty?" Visions of a pee filled trash truck sprang to mind as Grant said, "Little potty? Where is your little potty? Show Daddy!"

"It's down hur," Geoff said, pronouncing here with his signature sound - the same way he pronounces Bear (bur) and there (thur).

So Grant follows Geoffrey into the living room where Geoff shows Grant his potty, hiding inside his Cars tent, almost full! Guess Geoffrey has known where it was the whole time - and has been using it!

Geoff wants to swim

Geoff was so cute today. He wanted to go swimming int he jacuzzi and Grant said he could after his nap, but after his nap we went out to dinner. So we are leaving John's pizza and Geoff says, "Can we go swimming now?" and Grant says, "Sure, when we get home we can go swimming." SO Geoffrey starts taking off his clothes in the parking lot to get ready to go swimming! ha ha!

Geoff's speech

Just got this email regarding speech milestones for Geoffrey's age. I guess we have no worried in the speech department...

Your 2-year-old now

Look for reassuring signs that your child's language skills are on track by watching his behavior as well as listening to his words. Among the language-related skills expected between 24 and 36 months:

• Listens to a story with pictures (staying engaged as you discuss them).
• Plays pretend games.
• Enjoys looking at picture books, turning pages, and naming what he sees.
• Can answer questions with "yes" or "no."
• Can follow a simple request.
• Learns new words quickly.
• Copies words parent speaks.
• Names common foods and objects he has regular contact with.
• Identifies body parts.
• Refers to self by name and knows last name.
• Knows about 200 words by 24 months and 450 words by 30 months.
• Uses two words together by 24 months and three- to four-word sentences by 36 months.
• Sings songs and knows a nursery rhyme or two.

Geoffrey makes me laugh

He is full of gems tonight!

While watching a trash truck video on Grant's iphone, I asked Geoffrey to turn the volume. His response, "I can't because my back hurts."

 Gee, I wonder where he got that from!I've been telling him I can't lay down with him in his bed or pick him up because my back hurts lately.

Also: Earlier he heaved a big sigh and I asked him what was wrong.

Geoff: "I'm just taking a break." Me: "From what?" Geoff, "From not listening."

37 weeks

I hit 37 weeks last friday. 37 is technically full term, although I am really hoping this baby will stay until the due date - or much closer to it than this!

I had a growth scan ultrasound - the baby is head down. It is measuring in aprx. the 37% for growth - about 6 pounds, 2 ounces.  My fluids are 9 cm. The heart rate stays pretty consistently around 140. Everything is looking good there.

On Thursday I had an appointment with Dr. Hargrove. I am about 2 1/2 cm dilated and 70% effaced - so who knows! That could mean anything - you can be dilated and effaced several weeks before labor.

Thursday night I had some lower back pain that had me kind of worried, but I felt good all day Friday. THe baby is very active, so that is good! This morning I have some cramps, too. But the ache is more constant - not coming and going like a contraction would be, I think. Who know - Geoffrey's contractions were so different what with everything coming on so suddenly. I know a lot of this can come early  (Braxton Hicks, etc.) I just don't want to have the baby yet!

My mom will be here in about 10 days. They are leaving next Friday morning and driving out, so they should be here Monday or Tuesday.

Still, with my worries, I have been trying to get stuff ready. My birth plan is updated, we got down all of the newborn clothes, the Moses basket, etc. I can't find my favorite nursing pillow - but lots of friends have offered to lend me theirs. I am just feeling irritated that I can;t find mine. I need to pack my hospital bag - which I will probably finish today. Mom had a good point on the phone yesterday. If I get everything ready, the baby won't come until January. If I procrastinate, the baby will come early. Right, Murphy?

The other worry is baby names. I think we are feeling pretty settled for one gender, but are clueless about the other gender.

I am also VERY out of shape. My legs hurt pretty bad, and my left leg is especially stiff. I don't want to exercise or stretch or walk too much since I don't want to go into labor yet, but I don't want to be this out of shape when I go into labor, either. Sigh.

Well, that's the update for now. Just typing this update has made me feel better, so that's good. I am such a worrier! The baby is moving right now, too. (o:

Holiday Trip to Disneyland

Steve signed us into disneyland today sonwe could see all

Of the Christmas stuff. We haven't been here since September so we are pretty excited. Our first stop was playhouse Disney at dca. Geoff was really excited to hear Jake and he neverland pirate songs and to see Mickey mouse clubhouse. 

Next we went on monsters Inc. Geoff didn't want to go. He thought it would be scary! We told him it was funny and that he would like it. When we got off he said, "I told you you would like it! Can we go again?" 

We went through bugs land and rode heimlich's chew chew train and then the walked over to paradise pier and rode king triton's carousel twice. 

So far we have visited three bathrooms. Geoffrey has only peed once, but his underwear are dry! (we are using pull ups today) oops spoke to soon (o:

We went on the fun wheel. Geoff got a little afraid when are car started swinging, but seemed to like it otherwise. 

We stopped for a snack/lunch. Half way through, geoff said, "my foot tickles!" ha ha! This is the first time I am aware of that his foot has fallen asleep! We have a table right next to the band shell And an Irish rag band is playing a cross between Christmas carols and Irish rag. Geoff had fun dancing along to the music!

Scardy-cat geoff did well on the next few rides - the golden zephyr and the little mermaid, but in redwood creek challenge trail, he dint want to go down the hoot and holler slide! He went ahead and played on the smaller slides and the ropes, though! Now we are going

To attempt a nap on our way to

Disneyland! 

Geoff fell asleep before we made it to the hub. Grant and I swung by star tours and through a combination of a baggy sweater and bad posture we hid my pregnancy enough to get a child swap for grant. He is going to get fast passes to haunted mansion holiday and then ride star tours while I chill here with geoff. I found a place on the parade route so we can watch the Christmas parade - it starts in about an hour and a half.

 Yes, 5:30. I am hoping this area won't get too crowded because it is past main street. It's a pretty quiet spot. Mostly. I just hope the Monorail doesn't blow it's

Horn! My text is taking forever to send! I have tried to send 

The timing work

d out perfectly. Geoff fell asleep at 3:30 and the parade got to us at about 5;40. The music woke him up and he got to chill and slowly wake up as the parade went by! He loved it! He laughed at donald duck and chip and Dale, and he thought the snowflakes on roller skates were really cool! 

Next, we rode the monorail, which geoff had been requesting for days. We got to ride in the very back, which was awesome! Now we are taking a round trip om the train! 

After the train, we had dinner at redd rocket's sharing a pasta and a salad. Next, grant and geoff had time to ride autopia - geoff was very eager to drive! He said they went "crash boom bammers"'on the ride, which I am sure means they wacked the rails more than once!

We found a great spot to watch "believe in holiday magic" fireworks. At the end, geoff got a real kick out if the snow! 

On our way to new Orleans square, grant had to go for the bathroom so he went ahead since I was moving slow. I noticed that dumbo had no line so geo and I hopped on. Geoff was excited to tell daddy that he made it go up and down and we rode in his favorite color green dumbo. 

We finished the evening with the holiday rides - haunted mansion holiday and then it's a small world holiday!

Such a great day with my wonderful family. I feel so lucky to have them! I am feeling pretty sore now, but today was magical and so worth it!

35 1/2 weeks

I am about 2 cm dilated. This really means nothing because it is a 2nd pregnancy, but I thought it was interesting. Everything is looking good - baby is head down and everything is progressing normally.

The worst part is the hip pain - hip/thigh/lower back. Sleeping is uncomfortable. I am slowly trying to regain my strength from the bed rest, but I get tired easily from walking.  I had a prenatal massage yesterday - it felt great!

We still don't have names picked out. Sigh.

Geoffey does love me

"I love you," I say.

"I DO love you." Geoffrey says back, every time.

pregnancy update -33 weeks

Had the most uninformative doctor's appointment today with the high risk doctor. Went in to get a cervical length and they said that they made a mistake scheduling it because they don't check cervical lengths after 32 weeks, because the cervix starts to thin naturally at that point. Um.. ok... ?

They did measurements - this kid weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces and is measuring in the 46 percentile for size. Head down, strong heart beat, fluids look great - they couldn't be happier.

"Ok... so, am I still on bed rest," I ask? "Well," the doctor says, "SInce your cervix was short its probably a good idea to just take it easy and stay off your feet as much as possible. We'd like to see you get to 34 weeks..." Ok...

So guess they aren't measuring my cervix anymore so I have no idea if it is still short or not. Hopefully my regular doctor tomorrow can be a little more informative - but she is young and newer and still kind of going more off the book than experience. I am thinking of scheduling the following appointment with Dr. Feldman just to see him one more time and to get a little more information from him - but at that point I will be at 36 weeks, and I know the attitude then will be "do whatever the hell you want, it's fine if the baby comes then!" Sigh...  

I guess the whole frustrating part is that this whole scare was probably for nothing and everything would have been just fine.

On Wednesday, I saw Dr. Hargrove. The feedback seems to be pretty much "take things easy, stay off your feet, listen to your body." She said I can start doing some yoga stretches and things.

I am feeling ok. Still quite a bit of pain in the hips - the soreness is the worst. I feel the baby moving a lot. I really think everything is going to be fine and I am easily going to carry this baby full term. I mean, I haven't even had any braxton-hicks contractions.

On the downside, I am embarrassed and feel disappointed. I wanted to be the strong woman who easily carried the baby to it's due date. I feel like a wuss. On the other hand, I am certainly enjoying being home with Grant and Geoffrey, and I certainly don't get opportunities to just get to hang out and relax and actually have an excuse to be lazy. (o:

Geoffrey potty training

We have been potty training Geoff since September. We started out having Geoffrey go naked and using his elmo potty. He actually picked it up pretty quickly. At home, he uses the potty chair pretty consistenly for pee - but loved to wait until the diaper goes on for poo at nap time or bed time.

We've recently started doing underwear when we are out - and bringing several changes of clothes. He is getting better about using the big potty, but we have to take him like every 30 min. He won't tell us he has to go - until after he has went when he wears underwear and we are out. That's kind of where we are at right now.

Geoffrey - School

So Geoff goes to "preschool" once a week with daddy now. It is a class through Huntington Beach adult school called "Parenting the Toddler." His teacher is Ms. Lisa.

He really enjoys the play time and snack time, and he loves making art projects. His least favorite part is circle time, although he is showing progress here. At first he wouldn't sit in the circle - he would sit over to the side. Then he started sitting behing Grant. Now he will sit in the circle, but he doesn't participate in the songs. He particularly likes sitting right next to Ms. Lisa and observing her intently - but when she tries to engage him he looks away.

He's had two field trips this year. His first was to a pumpkin patch. He dressed as a firefighter. THe class had a parade, did some "trick or treating," and wend on a costume parade. We bought two strips of tickets thinking that he would use them up quickly. As it turned out, he would not go on any rides by himself. Grant went on the train once and the merry-go-round once with Geoff, and he had a lot of fun in the petting zoo, but we ended up spending most of the tickets in the bounce house. This worked out well because it was Geoff's first time in a bounce house - and there were very few other kids here, so we got to see if Geoff was ready for it - and he was. He loved it! He was also quite happy with the two little pumpkins he took home.

The second field trip was to Pretend City. We've wanted to visit here, but it is a bit expensive so we were glad to have this opportunity. Pretend City was fun. Geoff enjoyed this - he played in the farm area and liked the trucks in the building area. He spent a LOT of time "picking up trash" on the beach, and he very much enjoyed the water table. He spent the last part spending time in the grocery store picking up groceries and bringing them to the cash register and ringing them up.

I was happy because I got to go on both fieldtrips - a fortunate result of finding myself out of work on pregnancy disability 2 months early.

As far as tumbling goes, we think we are not going to register next session. Geoffrey doesn't seem to enjoy it much anymore, so we'll look for something else in the winter session.

 

More geoff

"look there is a pumpkin! On the top of that roof. On the roof on top of the house. But not our house. There is an orange pumpkin"

That's a pretty good paragraph, right?

By the way, he says Jack-o-lan-tren. So cute! He was a firefighter this year.

Sent from my iPhone

number song

Disney Junior has a "Number Song" between shows. It counts to five in English, then in another language.

"In English! one, two, three, four, five! In Italian! Uno, deu, tre, quattro, cinque!"

Geoff started singing along:

"one, two, three, four, five! - blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!"

Bed Rest Update

So I have been on bed rest for over two weeks now.

Each week my cervix has thickened up. The Tuesday after I was released from the hospital (Oct. 25) my cervix was up to 1 cm and the following Tuesday, November 1, my cervix was up to a 1.83 cm. Obviously the bed rest is helping to thicken my cervix.

I feel fine. The baby is moving a lot. Part of me wonders how much of this is really necessary - I mean, everything could have been fine. On the other hand, I feel fortunate to be home - once I got over the stress of being pulled so abruptly out of my classroom, it was nice to be able to relax and be home with Geoffrey and Grant. Grant has taken such good care of me, and I feel so fortunate to have such a caring, loving husband.

My only complaint is that my hips still hurt a lot - even though I am on bedrest. Not as bad, but it makes me feel grateful that I can rest at home then working.

Articulate Geoffrey

Geoff went out in the front yard to get a toy - but he went out without an adult. I said, "DId you go outside by yourself?"
"Yes"
"Are you allowed to do that?"
"No,"
"Then why did you go?"
"Because daddy was cooking pizza and you were sitting on the couch eating candy."

Geoff is just so articulate and good at talking things out. He likes to say things like "I am going to put the trash in my favorite color green trash truck."

Yup. still loves trash trucks! He has also taken a real liking to coins.

He loves to say "I'll show ya!"
"Oh I have an idea."
"Now don't forget..."
 
He also likes to say his favorites - his favorite color is green, his favorite show is mickey mouse clubhouse, his favorite character is Goofy, Izzie (on Jake and the Neverland Pirates), June on "Little Einsteins," Jesse on "Toy Story," etc.

He sings along a lot with songs he knows - like the theme songs to his shows, ABCs, FIve Little Monkeys, Five Little Pumpkins, etc.

His potty training is going well at home. He pretty much is naked from the waist down the entire time he is home and has about a 95% success rate at home with pee, especially on his little elmo potty. He has pooped on the potty a few times, but mostly waits to do that in his diaper/pull up. He doesn't like using big public potties yet, so that is our next goal.

Bed Rest - 29 weeks (The quick(er) version)

On Thursday, I had a doctor's visit that included an ultrasound to determine whether my placenta had moved away from the cervix opening (at the 2nd trimester ultrasound they had noticed marginal placental previa, which meant it was very close to the opening.)

During the ultrasound, I was diagnosed with a shortened cervix At this point in my pregnancy, I should be at 30mm (3 cm) but I was at 5 - 6 mm (1/2 cm). The concern here is going into early labor. I was sent directly to the hospital for bed rest and further monitoring.

The good news is that I was at 28 weeks and 6 days, and 29 weeks is the "magic number," that they want patients in this condition to get to before delivering the baby. I guess 29 weeks is a solid preemie status.

At the hospital, I received a steroid shot that helped to increase the development of the baby's lungs, intestines, and brain, in case of premature labor.

Other monitoring would indicate how long I would need to stay in the hospital. In many cases, it is until the baby is born, or at least until 35 weeks, at which point the premature risk is no longer dangerous.

Luckily, I was low risk - having carried Geoffrey 41 1/2 weeks, no prior cervical complications, etc. In addition, I had no contractions or signs of labor, and all of the baby's testing was perfect - plenty of fluids, strong heart beat, size measurements in the 50 - 65% - exactly where he or she should be.

The icing on the cake was a protein test that they did on friday night. The results were negative, which meant I would not be going into labor for the next two weeks.

Since everything pointed to things going well, it was determined that I could come home and be on modified bed rest here rather than in the hospital. Modified bed rest means I can shower and go to the bathroom, and sit for short times at the table to eat - otherwise I am to be reclining on the couch or in bed. The idea is to keep weight off of my cervix in order to prevent it from further thinning.

I will be monitored by both my regular doctor and a NICU doctor weekly or more often. I will not be returning to work before the baby is born. If labor signs become apparent , Iwill likely be readmitted to the hospital for the duration of the pregnancy. Needless to say, I am going to follow the instructions perfectly. I want to be home with Grant and Geoff!

I am feeling pretty positive about the baby, and very glad I get to be home with geoff and grant. (Mostly stressed at this point about work and helping make a good transition for my long term sub, who will now be teaching almost half of the school year! Luckily I have a great sub!)

Grant has been amazing through all of this. He is truly the most supportive, wonderful husband I could ask for.

If you want a longer, even more detailed narrative about my hospital adventure, go ahead and read the next post.

Bed Rest - 29 weeks (The long version)

What a crazy few days! Seriously a week of roller-coaster emotions.

On Wednesday night, we had gone to the 4-d ultrasound. It was fun and really neat for Geoffrey to actually see the baby - it was the first time he really seemed to get it and connect it. You can see pictures at http://grantandbobbi.shutterfly.com/ or watch the 12 minute you-tube video here: You Tube ultrasound video

I was so excited to go to my Thursday doctor's appointment. I was anxious to see how everything was progressing - this pregnancy was feeling more and more real to me. I was also eager to really talk with Dr. Hargrove, my new OBGYN, and get a good feel for her. Plus, I had an ultrasound scheduled, which is always a nice treat.

I messed up my appointment times, though, and came in 30 minutes late, missing my ultrasound appointment. (I thought my appointments were at 4 and 4:30, they were actually at 3:30 and 4:00.) So I saw Dr. Hargrove first, before my ultrasound. I REALLY got a good vibe from her. She had read my file thoroughly and new all about my first pregnancy, and when I discussed my feelings on delivery she was very open and understanding. I got a wonderful warm feeling from her - and she is a hugger, too, which I of course LOVE.

I went in to do my ultrasound. The main purpose of this ultrasound was to see if my placenta hat moved - I had marginal placenta previa, which meant it was very near where my cervix would open. Right off of the bat, the cervix was 9mm away, which was excellent. She took a few more measurements and then said I could go empty my bladder (which I had been holding since 3:45 for my ultrasound!) When I came back in, she said she had noticed some cervix thinning and wanted to get a better look, so she did a vaginal ultrasound, and discovered that my cervix, which at this stage should be roughly 30mm (3 cm) was at5-6mm (1/2 a cm). Apparently this is not good.

She went to give the results to Dr. Hargrove, and came back to tell me that Dr. Hargrove was going to call Dr. Feldman and then come in to see me. They finished the regular ultrasound - which was all good news - plenty of fluids (14 mm, the goal is 10 - 15) and baby's measurements were all between 50-65% for the gestational age.

However, I could tell that something wasn't exactly right. FOr example, when she finished the ultrasound, the technitician told me to stay on the table - laying down - while I waited for the doctor. Still, as I sat there thinking, I figured that I would get some serious instructions, convince them I would be careful at work the next day, and come in for further testing the following week. Um... no.

Ultimately, it was a good thing that I missed my appointment time and saw Dr. Hargrove first - getting to meet her and have such a positive, reassuring conversation was a much better way to start our doctor-patient relationship then the next conversation would have been! (Plus, it was reassuring to here that she had consulted with Dr. Feldman as well.)

So, with my cervix being "shortened" the concern was of my going into early labor. So the office had already called Hoag, who was expecting me to check in - today. Straight from the doctor's office. I was to go on immediate hospital bed rest while they ran further tests and prepared for a possible premature delivery.

Dr. hargrove said that the good news was I was 28 weeks and six days, and the magic number is 29 weeks - that is good news for preemies. Also, all measurements were looking good and I hadn't had any bloody show or contractions and I was feeling good - although the hip and lowerback pain could be a symptom of the shortened cervix as they hips and back were helping to support the weight of the baby. Still, it was possible that I could be in the hospital until the baby was born, or at least until 35 weeks or so when preemie risk was pretty much not a worry.

In the hospital, I would recieve two steroid shots 24 hours apart, designed to boost the baby's lunch, intestine, and brain development in case of an early delivery.

In addition, I was to have another exam (FFN) that looks for a protein that becomes present in the vagina prior to labor. This test is only useful if the results are negative - if the protein is not present, then the likelyhood of my going into labor in the next two weeks are slim to none. If the results are positive, it is not particularly useful because that means I could go in to labor tomorrow, or in 11 weeks. It doesn't say much. They couldn't give this test for 24 hours, however, because of the vaginal ultrasound, which could inadvertently trigger some of the protein, so they need to give it some time to clear out.

I left the doctor's office a mess. I hadn't seen Geoffrey all day. I was going to the hospital - possibly until January. I hadn't been to the classroom since Tuesday because I had a training on Wednesday and Thursday, and I couldn't even make sub plans. I couldn't even say goodbye to my class. I called my dear friend Cathy, who scheduled a sub for me and wrote my sub plans. We stopped by home and I saw Geoffrey for about five minutes while we explained to Donna what was going on. Then we headed to the hospital.

The lady at the registration desk was very soothing, and as I was being registered, who should walk by but Dr. Feldman. Just seeing him made me feel better. He told me he would come visit me later. Once registered, I was wheeled down into my room where they asked more questions, got me changed into my lovely hospital gown, etc. I was checking in at a shift change so things were a little weird at first, but once the night nurse came in and started explaining things, it got better.

I was given my steroid shot.

Dr. Feldman stopped by. He explained that the last patient he had that had this discovered it at 25 weeks. SHe stayed hospitilized until 32 weeks and then went home and delivered at 39 weeks. He reexplained about the steroid shot and asked how I was feeling, and said that he would be in the hospital the next day and would stop by to see me. (o:

I was put on a monitor to check for contractions - this stayed on for my whole hospital stay except for my shower. They also did an hour of fetal monitoring, which looked great - the heartbeat is strong, lots of baby movement.

Grant went home during part of this to get me clean clothes, toothbrush, contact case, laptop, etc. Tammy came by to visit. Grant put Geoffrey to bed (we skyped goodnight) and then Donna stayed at the house for a while so that Grant could bring me that stuff and say goodnight before heading back home. Grant brought pictures and some of Geoffrey's art work to make my room super cheery.

I slept ok that night, but I was kind of stressed thinking about the implications of possibly being in the hospital until January and not being allowed to go back to the classroom at all. The mornign was the hardest - from 6 - 7:00 I was pretty darn gloomy.

Things started happening around 7:00. I called my mom and we talked for awhile - Dad came for a visit, followed by breakfast, a visit from the nurse, and then Dr. Hargrove came in.

Dr, Hargrove said Everything was looking as positive as could be. I had no contractions during the night, the babys monitoring was perfect, etc. I was now officially at 29 weeks. As far as sending me home for bed rest, she said if you ask 10 doctors about when to do it you will get 10 different answers, but she was feeling pretty confident. She said she could tell I was a good patient and would follow instrustions. Plus, having carried Geoffrey to full term I was a pretty low-risk patient. Regardless, I would NOT be returning to work, and would be on pretty strict bed rest until I got closer to full term. When I would go home would be determined later, after they could do more exams, which of course had to wait until 5 that evening due to when I had the ultrasound yesterday.

I was feeling better at this point. My biggest overall fear - the one I was trying to not focus on - was the safety of my baby, and although it seemed like it would not be the most ideal way to spend the next three months, it was very likely that I would be able to keep the baby cooking for a while if I followed instructions. All signs were pointing to a positive outcome. Ideally, I could do the bedrest at home, but even the hospital would be manageable (but hard on Geoffrey). I explained to her, from my perspective, that I would follow her instructions perfectly, and that Grant was a stay-at home dad so I would have help, and I think that my mental state would be better at home - if she was on the fence. (o:

Dr. Feldman popped by for a quick hello. He was also quite positive about how things were looking so far. He pointed out that had I not gotten that ultrasound, we might not have known about the thinning cervix - and I possibly could have not found out until 36 weeks when I went in for my vaginal exam and they thought I was just starting to dilate, which would be normal at that point. Some people just have thinner a thinner cervix. However, better safe than sorry, as since we do know about it, we certainly don't want to risk such a premature baby.

I made some calls and got the ball rolling on the district end - getting my principal to start working on getting me a good sub, taking care of my new disability leave, etc.

Delaine came by to visit, followed by Geoffrey and Grant, and that really raised my spirits.Geoffrey cuddled next to me and watched mickey mouse and we colored. Katherine came by as well, and she had printed out all of my disability paperwork and even filled out and stamped envelopes for me to mail the paperwork in. (blown away - I have the best friends ever!)

After everyone left, I was visited by Dr. ?, a doctor who works in the NICU. He will now be following along with my care as well, hopefully to prevent my baby from ever needing his services! I really like him, as well. Very friendly and positive. He reexplained everything about the steroid shot and the protein test I was getting later that evening. He also repeated alot about what dr. feldman had said - that especially because I had carried Geoffrey 41 1/2 weeks, it was likely that things would be fine - this is usually found in patients with a history of preterm labor, etc. He also said that research in this area is not very clear, but it just seems logical that taking extra weight off of a shortened cervix would be the smart thing to do, as the increased weight could cause it to thin further.

Geoffrey and Grant spent the night at Atlantis Park's JAck-o-Lantern Jamboree, and sent me lots of cute pics throughout the night. At 5, Dr. Hargrove came back and did the protein test, followed by a vaginal exam. She said it felt like a centimeter and felt good / strong, not like it was effacing, so that was promising.

News came back an hour later that the test was negative and that, assuming no contractions or change that night, I would be able to go home on Saturday on "moderate bed rest," which means that I can get up to pee and shower, and sit at the table for short periods to eat, but otherwise I was to be on the couch or the bed. No cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc. (Grant pointed out that this was my perfect scenario (o: And really not unusual for me - ha ha.) No picking up Geoffrey, etc. SO HAPPY!

Results continued to be positive. The baby's fetal monitoring was "beautiful," and there were no contractions that night. I also had another steroid shot.

Dr. Feldman came in the next morning and officially released me. He gave me instructions again on what they meant by modified bed rest, as did my nurse when she gave me my discharge paperwork. Grant and Geoffrey came to pick me up and I am home!

(By the way - my hospital stay was nice - I had my own room, very nice sized, identical to my recovery room from when Geoffrey was born. The nurses were wonderful. Grant and Geoff were allowed to visit whenever they wanted. I was on the fourth floor. Food was fine. It is just hard to get rest with people coming in and out, being hooked up to that monitor, etc. But I cant complain - Hoag is truly a fantastic hospital to be associated with.)

I will be visiting with Dr. Hargrove and Dr. Hayden on alternate weeks. Dr. Hayden will be doing ultrasounds to monitor for thinning cervix and signs of labor via ultrasound, as well as fetal monitoring, and Dr. HArgrove will continue to monitor as well with regular office visits.

Obviously as the weeks progress and I make it closer to full term, my restrictions will loosen up, but for now I am going to be pretty strict. They made it pretty clear that if I were to be readmitted to the hospital, I would be there until the baby was born. (In fact, as I was being wheeled out, one of the nurse's at the station commented, 'Wow! We;re discharging? That's unusual." I asked what she meant and she said that most of their patients, once there, were there to stay!

SO that's the news, I will keep you posted.

Geoffrey - 2 years, 7 1/2 months

So today, Geoffrey asked to drink some Daddy water. That's right, water. Wa-wa was his last baby word, and now he is saying water. It is the end of an era. sob. cue dramitic cues. I can't believe he is saying water.

Also, today, he lied to me. He has an alarm clock that turns green at 8 AM, when he is allowed to get up. Well, he was playing with it last night, and he turned off the color changing feature by accident. This morning, he asked me if he could get up andit was 8:15. I asked him if the clock was green, and he said yes it was. I said, "Are you sure?" knowing it was still yellow because it hadn't changed. He said, "Yes, it is green." I said, "Are you sure?" And started to walk into his room. He said, "Wait, you go that way (out my bedroom door) and I will go this way (out his bedroom door - so that I wouldn't see the yellow clock!)" What a stinker!

update = 27 weeks

I am 27 weeks along - I guess that means 3rd Trimester? - yikes - I just looked it up - not until Friday! Wow! I feel huge already! My biggest complaints are how incredibly sore I feel - my hips and mack make sleeping, or sitting on the couch - incredibly uncomfortable. I feel baby moving a lot, which is nice. He or she is sitting a lot lower this time, so the kicks and jabs and movements are much lower than with Geoffrey. I feel very big, and it is hard to believe that i still have three months to go.

The only relief with having so long to go is thinking about the things that need to get done. We need to come up with names, but it is so much harder this time and nothing is really sticking in our minds.

Also, we need to get Geoffrey's new room done so that he can move in.

Sometimes, I think I am crazy for doing this again. I wonder what this baby will be like. My biggest hope is that, in general over all, I hope Geoffrey and his sibling will have a close relationship.

Pronouns

Geoffrey, "what's this called?" me, "my little pony." geoff, "is it your little pony?" nice use of pronouns!

Sent from my iPhone

Mr. Verbal

Today we went to Katherine's baby shower.

Geoffrey says,

"Is it time to get dressed so we can go to gymnastics and then to the party and can I sit at the table and have a cupcake as a treat?"

Thank in the car when he saw Katherine's present,

"is that katherine's present? I think she will need a little bit of help with that present. I will help her!"

This is how he talks, this long, complete sentences. He blows me away!

24 weeks

24 weeks! Cool! I am still feeling pretty darn good! Sleeping is the hardest. I sleep ok - but changing positions, or moving Geoffrey back to his bed, is quite painful. Geoffrey has been making a few visits into our room nightly... I FEEL huge, like my belly is way big, but my weight gain seems to be average according to the calculators I have tried... Our baby is becoming more active, and I can see the movement from outside of my belly sometimes, although it is still pretty low!

This week...

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

 

Just this morning

Geoffrey and I sit in the upstairs hallway. Belle dog shakes down stairs. "I hear Belle-dog. Is she downstairs? Oh! She is coming upstairs now. She is going into my living room." (What he calls the playroom right now) "Oh! Where did she go? Oh! THere she is, on her bed. Maybe she wants to play with my trains!"

He went pee pee on his elmo potty. I said, "Wow! look at all of those pee pees!" He replies, "Is that a lot of them in there?" Very proud of himself. THen he looks at the tivo remote. "Look, the yellow button is for pausing it!" (The tv, not his pee pees)

Geoff had a snotty nose and a bit of a cough all day yesterday and last night. The snot is mostly clear and he seems to feel ok. This is such a rare occurrence for him. He sounds so funny trying to talk with a stuffy nose!

drag?

Geoffrey wrapped his blanket around his waist and said, "Look, I have a dress just like Cori has a dress!"

Recent facebook posts

Thank goodness for prenatal yoga. It's about the only thing that makes me feel better lately!!!

Geoff's new phrase is "oh dear!" who says "oh dear?" he sounds like piglet!

Geoff came in with a string cheese. I said, "you must be hungry!" he said, "yeah, I hungry, my tummy hurt all the way to my butt!"

Wow, that was fun. Geoff cried his way through the dental exam. Even screamed a few times, too. I love his office staff. They are very sweet, supportive, and understanding!

I guess geoff had his share of public transportation. He is flying his airplane around the room, passing over little people saying, "sorry, you have to wait for the next one! Sorry, you have to wait for the next one!"

Now Geoffrey is looking for the moon but can't find it. Normally he says, "it must be behind the clouds," but since there are no clouds tonight, he said, "the moon must be on the other side of the world!" he is cracking me up! He gets this stuff from uncle danny. He is like a sponge!

Geoffrey just got into his Cosy coupe and said, "I am going to Taco Bell, see you!" Then he drove to the other side of the front post and said, "I would like a cheesy roll up and a taco please, thank you!"

Bobbi Jo Benedict

Cars 2 - geoff's first movie!

Regency Charter Theater

Geoffrey's Potty Training

We started potty training this week. The first day he had about as many hits then misses - but since then, he's done well. He is learning to hold it for longer periods of time. He doesn't like big boy underwear which we currently only use when we're outside playing (inside he's a naked boy!) but today we went to the park for 45 minutes in big boy underwear and he came home dry! He holds his poop until nap or bedtime to go in his diaper. He is getting good about taking himself to his potty. Currently his potty is in the family room, or follows us from room to room. After a few more days of success, we'll try moving the potty to the bathroom!  We told him he could have candy when he pees, but he's usually so excited about peeing (and our positive feedback and praise) that he forgets to ask for the candy!

22 weeks

22 weeks and I feel huge! I have the pregnancy waddle going on often, because my hips hurt so dang bad! I am trying to do yoga, and sometimes it seems to help - at other times, I fear it makes it worse! But I am trying to keep at it to keep my muscles strong.  Really, the hip/lower back pain is my biggest complaint right now - it can be pretty bad when getting up from bed or the ground.

My tummy issues have pretty much subsided, and I rarely have indigestion too bad. In fact, I really need to start taking calcium again because I am not getting enough through the tums! I haven't taken more then two since I've been home.

I feel the baby move everyday now, and often from the outside, too, but still pretty low. Only Grant has felt the movement also so far.

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Geoff's a smarty!

At the park tonight, Geoffrey filled his bucket up with sand and then dumped it out to make a mountain.

Then, i showed him how to use his new sand sifter to shake out the sand and collect the shells and rocks. He loved that!

I thought about showing him how to sift the sand into his bucket so he could fill the bucket up at the same time as he looked for shells, but then I though, eh, he is fine, no need to force him to multitask, right?

So guess what he starts doing, on his own? That's right! What a smarty!

Sent from my iPhone

21 weeks

Hi Baby!

I had a Dr.s visit and an ultrasound this week and everything looks awesome! You are growing just as you should be, and everything that we can see via ultrasound is functioning properly. Good job, little one!

I am feeling you kick every day now, and occasionally, I can feel you from outside on my belly! SO exciting! Daddy or Geoffrey haven't had the chance to feel you yet, but hopefully soon!

I am feeling pretty good at this point - not a lot of heartburn (I notice salad causes it so I've been avoiding that!), and I've been drinking lots of water. I have more significant back and hip pain this time around (getting off the ultrasound table was quite difficult!) but last night I did a pregnancy yoga dvd and it made me feel so much better! I need to do that more often! Literally, it erased my pain for about two hours!

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

20 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

 

Golden 2nd Trimester

I am very happy to report that overall, I am feeling fine! I have the occasional bout of indigestion / heartburn, but I don't think it is even as bad as with Geoffrey.

I do have some hip pains, and lower belly pains, particularly when laying down at night and then getting up in the morning.

I am pretty sure now that I am feeling the baby move and kick. This was something I was a bit obsessed with when I first got to Australia, and I took every little twinge as a possible movement, and then 2nd guessed. Now I am fairly certain that I am feeling it here and there. Yeah!!!

Geoff in Australia

Geoff is having fun in Australia. He loves all the city transportation - the trains, the buses, the ferries (although not as much!)

He's been very clingy to me, specifically - not surprising, being that it is summer, and we are moving around a lot.

He is so cute the way he speaks in complete sentences and repeats you. "Do you want an apple?"

"Yes, I want an apple!"

Last night, I put him to bed and left him in the room (we have a vacation club unit so Grant and I were doing laundry out in the living room). I heard him whimper, so I came back and said "What's wrong?"

He wasn't whimpering. He said in a sweet high pitched voice, "Sweet Dreams!"

I said, "Oh, sweet dreams, I love you!" so cute!

Geoffrey - 2 years 5 months

Geoffrey is just amazing! His vocabulary amazes me. He speaks in sentences and repeats everything we say.

"Can I have some glass of milk?"

"Can we do it again?"

"Watch this Boys!"

"Will you help me make a choo choo track?"

He sings now, too. He will sing along with me or Grant when we sing "Ariel," and "Feed the Birds" and with the TV during shows like "Jake and the Neverland Pirates," "Chuggington" and "Mickey Mouse Club House," which are his current favorite shows. He also LOVES the Toy Story movies, and Cars. 

He can identify at least six colors easily, can say his ABC's and count forward and backwards. It is so fun to be able to talk to him and listen to his thoughts!

He is stubborn, as I guess many two year olds are - he likes to do things by himself, and won't do anything unless he wants to!

He loves to swim, and with his life vest on, he can swim all over and jump in all by himself. Yesterday, he started going to the edge of the pool, turning around backwards, and, keeping his body stiff, falling backwards into the pool. Quite the daredevil!

Potty Training is on the back burner for now - although daddy and I are definitely ready! - because we are leaving for Australia in a few days. We decided we didn't want to potty train, and go back to diapers for the trip (We didn't think we'd have enough time to really be successful to where we wouldn't need diapers, especially with all the driving we are doing!). Once he's out of diapers we don't want him thinking that going back to diapers is an option.

16 weeks

I had a Doctor's appointment earlier this week! Everything is looking good - measurements are fine and your heartbeat is strong! I am feeling better and better each day. I am still somewhat smell sensitive, and have indigestion, but it doesn't seem as severe most of the time! I can get by on less sleep, too, which is good because your brother is having a hard time preadjusting to Australia time! A couple of annoying pregnancy symptoms - another yeast infection and a stuffy nose - but its ok! 16 weeks - that means we have about 5 months to go! I wonder, are you going to arrive late, like your brother? Daddy and I are also working hard trying to figure out the perfect name for you! It is a daunting task, let me tell you!

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

15 weeks

How I am feeling: Better, but not much. Indigestion / heartburn is still a problem. I am trying to eat smaller meals and healthy snacks, but it isn't always easy.

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. 

2nd trimester!

2nd trimester! Woohoo! Still not feeling great. I seem to have worse indigestion then ever with this one (although the nausea is pretty much done). Any and every food seems to cause it. I've been eating a lot of salads - but it doesn't seem to matter what I eat.   I also have been getting frequent headaches.    Fun! Got my results back for the initial screening and everything came back negative, so that is good!

 Welcome to the second trimester! This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him -- a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches -- about the size of a lemon -- and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

 

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*

How I am feeling

Well, the nausea seems to have officially given way to indigestion/heartburn, my old nemesis from geoffreys pregnancy. Well huzzah and pooey. A break between the two would have been nice, but what can you do? On another note, my boobs are huge.

Sent from my iPhone

Geoffrey and Grant

Dear Grant and Geoffrey,
I am so excited for you! Today is your first day of preschool! This is the beginning of an exciting adventure for you both! I know some parts might seem scary or unfamiliar, and other parts will be lots of fun - this is another step towards learning more in our big big world! Grant, you are so wonderful to be doing this with Geoffrey, and I am so happy that you and Geoff get to have such an amazing bond. Geoff, you are so lucky to have an amazing daddy, and I hope you have an awesome day. I am so incredibly proud of both of you. You warm my hearts and make me feel beyond lucky to have you in my life. I love you. I can't wait to hear all about your day.
Love,
Bobbi Jo / Mommy

 

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*

Geoff's first school

We enrolled Geoffrey in a summer "Parent and Me" preschool class - called
"Parenting the Toddler" through the Huntington Beach Adult School.  Last Friday we had the orientation for his class. It was very interesting - It has a very preschool feel, but of course parents are there the whole time and at the age of two, they aren't expecting much from the two year olds. The summer class is four weeks, with class on Wednesday and field trips on Friday. His first class is this week, unfortunately, I won't be able to go because it is my last day of school, so I am looking forward to Grant telling me all about it!

 

11 weeks

201 days to go. ug. Well, I was feeling better, but I have slowly been feeling worse again. The worst symptoms are the constant nausea, the excessive saliva, the funny taste in my mouth, the thirst (but not wantinig to drink anything because everything tastes wrong or funny or gross), and just being so incredibly tired!

I have gained about 5 pounds. I definitely have a little baby belly going on, although I can still mostly fit my jeans. I think I will be busting out the maternity clothes for Vegas. My belly button is already staring to stick out, too.

This week, I have my 2nd dr visit, this time with Dr. Feldman, and an ultrasound.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

See what your baby looks like this week.

 

Geoffrey's Nap Time Reading Habits

Last week we transitioned Geoffrey to a Big Boy Bed (a twin mattress on the floor) and he has made the transition quite well.  I think he enjoys his new found freedom.  I noticed lately, at nap time, that in addition to picking out the books he wanted me to read to him, he was also picking out a separate stack of books and putting them on his bed.  I tried reading him one of these books and he got quite upset, saying "Geoffrey do it".  

I put him down for his nap yesterday and left the door open a crack so I could see what he was doing.  After I left, he immediately got up, sat on the corner of his bed and proceeded to "read" the books out loud that he left on the corner of his bed.  The books he chooses are his favorites (Farmer Grover, The Potty Train, The Schoolhouse, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Marvin K Mooney, etc) and he knows them quite well.  He has them about 95% memorized, so he is not actually reading the words, but he definitely has a good memory.

After he finished reading the books, he tucked himself in to bed and went down for his nap.  What a big boy!

Fingernails! - 10 weeks

10 Weeks!

This week has brought a huge improvement in the way I have been feeling. On Monday, I left a GATE meeting realizing I haven't felt nauseous in about two hours (I further realized that that was the first two hours in about 4 weeks that I hadn't NOT felt nauseous. Just that little break did wonders for me, but really, for the most part, the nausea hasn't come back. Fingers crossed!!! I am still feeling tired, and I have realized that under the nausea I have also had indigestion, so I'm not feeling great, but I am feeling much better. 

Although he's barely the size of a kumquat -- a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom -- and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby now has completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

Singing

I am going to bed listening to grant and Geoffrey in the bathroom singing "Thomas" together. I love that Geoffrey is starting ti sing a long. My favorite is when he chimes is with me, "feed the birds, tuppence a bag! Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag." so cute!

Now they are singing Mickey mouse club house!

Sent from my iPhone

8 weeks

There is a special circle in hell for whoever created the term "Morning sickness." How about "All day feeling like crap?" Sigh. It is really starting to wear me down. I am tired and nauseous. I haven't thrown up at all, but I might as well with as bad as I've felt!

But there are some great things to share this week, too! I had my first visit on Tuesday, and everything looks great. I had mu ultrasound yesterday, which dated you 7 weeks, 6 days - with a due date of January 6th, 2012! I pegged it exactly, and all of the baby center emails I've gotten are perfectly on track. Baby's heartbeat was 169 BPM, nice and strong - and everything looks perfect and healthy! Couldn't ask for better news! We shared the news with the world yesterday, also!

From baby center: 8 weeks

How your baby's growing:

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

May 20

Feeling REALLY bad. This pregnancy is so different from Geoffrey's! I feel nautious pretty much all day, and soooo tired.

From Baby Center:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

May 13

Geoffrey says:"Is the baby in your tummy? We need to open it up!"

I'm feeling: Blah. Tired. Smells really bother me. I've had some periods of just feeling nauseous - but not throwing up, just yucky queasiness.

How your baby's growing:

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil.

May 11

"There's a baby in Mommy's tummy!"

Geoffrey lifts up my shirt and starts touching my belly. He pokes near the belly button, "We need to get it out."

Also written May 2

So I am pregnant! Whaaaaaat? I am really, truly, shocked. I took a pregnancy test on May 1st. I had just decided to take a test every month since my periods are so irregular - and surprise surprise - there were two pink lines! I took two more, just to be sure.

I took the last test on March 28th. Other than that, I don't really have any clues as to how far along I am. If I were to guess, I would say that I am due around january 6th, and that I am very recently pregnant - although that could be wishful thinking - I didn't want to have a baby too close to Christmas - poor kid getting their birthday and Christmas lumped together - although in our family the kid will be spoiled anyway so it probably isn't much of a concern. If I got pregnant earlier - closer to the last pregnancy test, the due date could be right around December 25th.

I made an appointment today for May 24 - three weeks away! I am really eager for an ultrasound to date the pregnancy. (They actually offered me May 17th but I pushed it off a week - again, hopeful thinking that I am only a few weeks pregnant at this point!)

Mamma Mia - Here I go again!

Written on May 1

Dear Baby #2,
I just found out yesterday that you were on your way. I took, I kid you not, three pregnancy tests (and a fourth one this morning!). I pretty much can't believe it. Just like with your brother, it doesn't feel real. I am excited, nervous, and in disbelief. One thing I am focused on is your due date - I have no idea when it is yet, but I am afraid that it is going to be pretty close to Christmas. I didn't want to do that to my future child - have a birthday so close to Christmas - but if that happens - then I'm happy - because you wouldn't be YOU if you were made on any other day! This morning, I sang you your first song. I was listening to Glee and "I Want to Hold Your Hand," by the Beatles, came on, and I thought of you, my new little one, and sang to you. I am so excited to meet you! We have a long way to go - but I promise I will do my best to make sure that you are safe, happy, and healthy.
Love,
Mommy

Geoffrey says the funniest things!

"Where's my present?"
"The present is for Mommy. Say Happy Mother's Day!"
"Happy Mother's Day. . .

"Where's my Happy Mother's Day?"

Written Mid-April

 

Wow! 2 years old is such a fun age! Geoff is so cute and funny and clever, and it is so much fun watching him learn and grow!

He is such a good speaker! The other day he said a six word sentence: "No, Belle, that is my waffle." he is really doing an amazing job string words together and identifying things. 

He also has a good memory. He picks out the song he wants us to sing, and sometimes he pull one out of his memory - like puff the magic dragon- that I haven't sung to him for many weeks! He is also getting better telling me about his day - what he had for breakfast, what he helped daddy with, etc. 

The other night, during our nightly snuggles ritual, he pointed to my finger and said, "is that an owie?" I said yes, and he said." can I kiss it?" he kissed it, "mmm-ah" and then traveled up my arms and kissed every freckle along the way! So adorable!

He is funny and silly. When you tickle him, he says "mercy" to get you to stop! Sometimes, when it is bed time, I will ask him what song he wants, and he will say, "ummmmmm" and look around like he is thinking for as long as he can get away with!

Growing Up

I came home from work yesterday, and you looked like such a little boy! I realized it has been far too long since I blogged.

You are learning how to jump really well now, and you are able to get both feet off of the ground, briefly, one foot at a time, and land on your feet most of the time. You also had a really good day in tumbling - participating more and staying with the group.

Most impressive of all lately is your speech. You can easily string 3, 4, and sometime 5 words together!
 "Corrance down stairs?"
"Geoffrey do it"
"Go play Andrew?"
"Candycane, please!"
"no poo poos, only farts"
"go to Nonna's house?"
"Watch Little Einsteins big tv?"

Really amazing and so nice to be able to communicate with you!!! You are such a bright little boy!

You love playing with your trains, pulling your wagon and going to the park, coloring (for short periods,) and putting puzzles together.

You are also very polite. When I give you something, you say "Oh, thank you." You say "pease," when you want something.

You are very good at naming your book titles. Your favorites "Grover's Farm," "Mooney Now," "Fingers Thumb" "Train Station" and "School House."

You will also ask for songs, "Small World," "Ariel," "Thomas," "Little Einstiens" (when brushing your teeth, flossing, or washing your hands), "and the other night "dragon," even though I have only sung "Puff the Magic Dragon," a few times to you in your whole life!

Things I want to remember:
The way you use to say "Ses" instead of yes.
"Oh, thank you."
"Hi, Oh Hi!"
The way you participate with the TV "pat, pat, pat, pat blast off!"
The way you used to ask for your milka bobba, and now you ask for "glass of milk."
When you bump your head (on accident - or on purpose) and then say, "Oh! bump head!"
The way you give me kisses.
At night, when you are trying to delay bedtime, how you melt my heart with your "snuggles" request - even though you don't want snuggles, really, you want a raspberry war!
When you give a raspberry and then squeal and say "You got me!" (Instead of "I got you!")
Your deliciously adorable laughter.

Observations

Geoffrey's speech has been improving by leaps and bounds. He no longer says "Ses" anymore :o(

His ability to name objects still surprises Grant and I, as he will point to things and name them even though we don't know where he learned the words. He looks through his books and says titles for all of them" Fingers Thumb" (Hands Hands Fingers Thumb), Banana Peels, Mooney Go, Grover's Farm, School House, etc. He loves to ask "What's This?

He has started making sentences, "Go down stairs." "What this button do?" "Watch Thomas / Choo Choo Soul / Mickey Mouse / Little Einsteins," "That Hurts," "Oh my goodness," "WHere is my one?" "Geoffrey do it!"

 

He loves to say "Snuggles," at night to stall bed time.
 
He's also learning how to jump off of both feet. He loves to fall like a board on the bed. He's great on the balance beam at school.

He's really becoming such a big boy.

Geoff's Two year CHeck Up

Geoffrey had his first dental visit with Dr. Chu. She was very nice! We had a knee to knee pillow visit, where Geoffrey sat on my lap and layed back on a pillow on Dr. Chu's lap while she counted his teeth. He has 16 theeth, and he is just missing his last molars. She was also able to count his teeth. 

Geoffrey had his two year check up with Doctor Chang. Dr. Chang is retiring, so this was our last visit with her. He was not very happy during the visit. He was very clingy, and kept saying, "All done, go home please!" We tried to weigh him on the adult scale, but he wouldn't do it by himself, so we had weigh me holding him and then weigh just me, and we had to do his his height the baby way. He is about 27 pounds and 34 1/2 inches tall.

When Dr. Chang walked in, Geoffrey was repeating his "I'll done, go home please" request, and she seemed very impressed by his speech. I am glad she got a demonstration because he pretty much clammed up after that. He was not very cooperative - he is definaetely a two year old!

He only had one shot, in his arm this time. No real news at this visit - she talked a bit about potty training, and said to switch to low fat milk.

Next visit - three years old! We'll stay with the office and decide which doctor to see when we make our next appointment!

 

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´*Bobbi Jo*
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