Tooth Fairy

Well...it finally happened. Luke lost his first tooth!!!!!!! He was/is so excited about it. He has only been waiting a year. I think he was the only kindergartner last year not to loose a tooth. The dentist says that boys just lose their teeth later than girls. We thought Grace might start losing teeth before Luke. He was so proud of his tooth, he didn't want the tooth fairy to come because he wanted to keep his tooth. I suggested that he write a note to the tooth fairy and ask if he can keep his first special tooth. She of course agreed, and left him $5 dollars. (I know, it might be a little much, but he worked so hard to lose that first tooth).

10 week Little Bean Update

Difficult for me to believe that I have made it to 10 weeks. It has been a rough road in some parts. Not because anything has gone wrong, but when you live through 3 miscarriages, worry, fear and doubt creep into your mind. I am also at the point where I have now carried the farthest of any of my pregnancies, so now I am uncharted territory.

The last couple of days I have been feeling pretty good. The intense nausea and fear to be far from a bathroom has gone. The heartburn has been a little better too. I hope the trend continues. I was able to have a wonderful Saturday with my mom. She invited me to have a pedicure with her, and then we had lunch at Beaches outside on the river. Finally we went down to the farmer's market and collected all sorts of fruits and veggies. It is the most I have done in the last 10 weeks. I told her a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't have done any of that.

Food is starting to taste good again. I am able to eat a wider variety of things instead of just toast and crackers. Water is tasting better too. It is amazing what our bodies to for the little bean with in.

I was able to hear the heartbeat tonight for the first time. It was 156 beats per minute. Mark and I rented a fetal Doppler. I have had it for a week or so. We thought we were hearing the heartbeat before, but it turned out to be uterine blood flow and my heartbeat. Finally, after realizing the mistake we found the little bean's heartbeat. It sounds like a galloping horse or a train. There is no mistaking it when you find it. I will also begin weaning myself off another medication. Yippee. We still appreciate all your prayers for this baby and my health. From the beginning of this pregnancy I have claimed a "text book" pregnancy. So far God has granted me what I asked including morning sickness and all. I also have my first doctor's appointment this week (well it is only with the nurse) and more blood work.

Almost 9 weeks

There is not much to tell these days. I still feel very icky...(which my mom thinks is the greatest thing ever). We have had fun talking about pregnancy. I have an old baby book from 1969 that my mom used when she was pregnant with me. Now that book was 10 years old when my mom was pregnant with me. Now it is 40 years old. It is quite hysterical. They have a nausea diet (which seriously requires you to eat two pieces of toast every two hours). That translates to a loaf a bread a day. I also love their advice on how to set up the babies room. Too funny. Although I will tell you I will be using their suggestions for telling children where babies come from. I already know that this conversation is coming with Luke. Up until now, babies have come from downtown Vancouver (CPS office). Grace wants to know why the baby isn't crying. And they both will tell you "my mom's baby is going to pop out around Easter." That is such a nice conversational starter with the cashier at Target. Out of the mouth of babes.

Ultrasound Update

Well...today I had my 3rd ultrasound for this pregnancy. It takes me an hour to make from our home up to the 10th floor of OHSU waterfront building. I hardly had to wait (which was nice)...

Everything looks great. The doctor was pleased and we were able to hear and see the heartbeat today. In fact...I am doing so well that I am now released from the specialist and into the care of my regular OB. I got some more pictures, but they are pretty fuzzy so I won't post them but the baby is there. It was a great appointment. This is the farthest I have ever seen any of my babies. This is a huge milestone. Even though there is still a long way to go I am excited for another good appointment.

7 weeks

Today is 7 weeks. I spent most of the week feeling very sick, tired and I have a wicked case of heartburn. All normal. I called the doctor hoping for some miracle drug that could help with the heartburn. The miracle was called Maalox.

It is crazy how you don't really feel like yourself. It is difficult on my kids because I don't act like myself. I have another ultrasound coming up on Monday. I always start to get nervous a few days before. I pray that everything is growing on target...Some days the walk of faith is difficult...today is one of those days.

Guess What?????

Surprise!!! We're pregnant. I am in my 6th week and it has already been a roller coaster. First off things are absolutely fine and normal (praise the Lord), but I am being monitored weekly by OHSU infertility consultants in Portland (one of the top rated practices in the United States). I have had my blood drawn more times than I can count and I have already had two ultrasounds. Yes, there is only "one" baby. The baby has a heartbeat (saw it on Thursday). This is truly a miracle of God, as months ago I did not respond to medication to help us get pregnant, and we were told we would need to pursue other options IUI and IVF (things neither Mark nor I felt called too). But God had other ideas and decided to prove those doctors wrong and say "hey, I am still God and in control". Even with my history, I am relaxed and confident that God is in complete control, and I am doing everything within my power and the rest is up to God.

I am on so much medication right now my day goes by what meds I need to take. Some of the meds are normal like prenatals and folic acid, some is not like prometrium, baby aspirin and metformin (all to help me keep the baby).

Yes, I am already having morning sickness (although I wish it was just morning sickness, I feel bad most of the day). I feel terrible, but I keep hearing how good it is to feel this way. It is a nice reminder.

We told our kids today, so it is no longer a secret. Luke had been very worried about me (to the point of tears), so we figured that we would tell them. They could of cared less. But at least he knows that I am OK. So that is the news. We would appreciate your prayers during this incredible walk of faith for us. Thank you.

Yearbook Yourself!!! Too Funny!!!!

Have some time? What to laugh hysterically? Then Yearbook Yourself. It will take you from 1950's to 2000. Here were some of my favorite highlights from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Go to www.yearbookyourself.com to try it out yourself.

1980's

1970's

1960's

What the World Needs...

is more dads swimming in kiddy pools, and less time spent discussing funding for CASH for Clunkers.

Swimming Lessons

The kids started swimming lessons two weeks ago. It is amazing how different your kids can be. Grace has no fear, whatsoever... Luke, poor guy, is so timid. But he has been trying new things and working on being brave when it comes to putting his face in the water. His therapist wants him to learn how to swim...we are working on it. Grace loves her class and her two "boy teachers" as she tells me. She is like a little fish.

Baseball Park

A few weeks ago we had an opportunity to visit Mimi during lunch time and we went to what Luke calls the "Baseball Park". We went last summer and discovered that they had a real baseball diamond. We didn't have a ball or bat so they "pretended" to play last year. This year in anticipation we brought our baseball bat and tennis balls. Luke was so excited he could hardly stand it. He would hit the ball and run around the bases "sliding" into home plate. Grace enjoyed participating; but she had no clue which way to run. It was too cute. Mimi was a trooper, and a stranger at the park commented on her great baseball skills :)

Swimming

Luke and Grace have been through 3 swimming pools this summer. Currently, they have managed to put a hole in the new green one. It has a slow leak that neither Mark nor I can find. We keep pumping it up with air and it slowly leaks. Oh well....as you can tell from the picture, it doesn't seem to bother them at all.