Eye Exams

I realize the past few posts have all had to do with doctor visits, but this one was a little different. Benefits enrollment recently came up at work and we decided it was time to cover Aurora under our vision and dental plans. So, this weekend we all went and got our eyes checked together, since Chuck was due for his annual exam. This photo might seem a little crazy, but I think she had fun!

They usually give little kids pictures on the eye charts instead of letters, but Aurora opted for the alphabet and did an amazing job. She really followed all the doctor's instructions perfectly, which made me so proud. So far her eyes and vision are looking great, just like mine - though Chuck says he didn't need glasses until junior high. I really do hope that our kids inherit my vision, blood pressure, and overall health status. Add in Chuck's good looks and intelligence and they'll both have it made!

Luckily, Chuck's prescription didn't change much this year so he didn't need new glasses - but because of the benefits his insurance provides, he opted for a new pair with transitions lenses. Should be cool!

First Trimester Screen

Today we got a good look at our tiny little baby and got lots of good news. The baby's position was perfect for the first trimester screen and the sonographer had no problem finding all the necessary measurements. After looking at the results, my doctor told me that our chance for downs syndrome went from that of a 35 year old to that of a 20 year old. Wow! There are a lot of stats out there for women over 35... it's harder to conceive, you have a higher chance of miscarriage, and a much higher chance for downs and other abnormalities. But amazingly... we got pregnant the first month we tried and this baby appears to be healthy and happy in my belly!

The sonogram also gave us a detailed look at fingers, toes, a cute profile, strong heartbeat, and uhm... potentially the gender! Halfway through the session I mentioned that I wished we would've recorded it for Chuck (I brought my friend Laura, since Chuck wasn't sure he could get out of work). So, we started recording and the next thing I knew we were checking out the bottom area. I asked if she could see any hints at gender, and she said that normally you can't really say until 14 weeks or later (and they usually don't even look until 20 weeks), but we were measuring over 13 weeks and she thought she could tell. I said I wanted to hear her best guess, so she took a closer look and uhm... check out the video:

Yup, those certainly do look like boy parts! The sonographer said she's 90% sure it's a boy. Then my doctor said I probably shouldn't tell people yet. Pshhhh!!! I would be very happy if she was wrong and we got another girl, but I think we should probably start getting used the idea of a boy... 

12 Weeks

As we near the end of the first trimester, I figured I'd be to the point where I'm feeling rejuvenated and normal again - but that is not the case. In fact, I'm more tired than ever, but it has about as much to do with being pregnant as it does with having a 3-year old. This last week or so has been a little rough. Aurora's had some attitude problems and has been waking up multiple times in the middle of the night. I thought maybe it was a phase and she was having tantrums, but last night she woke up crying and holding her ear, so we took her to the doctor and yes indeed, she has an ear infection. Truth is, she was so glad we figured it out that she was about the happiest patient any doctor could've asked for! She said there were monkeys in her ears (which is normal) and sharks were eating them (not so normal).

After a day of laying low, I decided to take her to an improv show for kids. It was at this place downtown called the Hideout, and she sure was thrilled to be going. She asked if she'd get to go on stage and I said no - but I was wrong! She went on stage multiple times, including the dance party at the end. Aurora's front and center with a pink sweatshirt and brown polka-dot pants (I think she had fun):

As for me, I've been going from pure exhaustion to not being able to sleep, from totally irritable to weepy, from headaches and feeling light-headed to randomly wondering if I'm even still pregnant. Of course, I'm getting bigger and have no energy so clearly I'm pregnant! This week I have my 12-week appointment and sonogram, and I'm a little nervous but excited. I was trying to remember if I felt this crazy last time, and I'm pretty sure I didn't. Admittedly, my life was a bit less hectic back then.

Beautiful

I don't usually blog about the weather, but these last couple weeks have been in the mid-70's here in Austin. I know my family and friends up north are snowed in right now - and I do have this inclination to wear boots and scarves since it is indeed January, but this is really just perfect. I'm not sure if we'll still have a cold snap, if spring will be extra stormy, or if this will be the hottest and driest summer in Austin's history - so I guess we just have to enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. Yesterday we had dinner with Bailey at Hat Creek Burger, which has the best outdoor play area.

I'm hoping to feel good enough for some nice walks and playtime this weekend, as opposed to all the tired lounging I did last week, but I mean... my body's working hard right now! Luckily, even on the nicest days Aurora doesn't mind staying in. She loves doing art projects and we recently got her a new art table with lots of bins to keep all her supplies in. Here are a couple of pieces she's created in the past few weeks. She's got a definite style right now - happy people with ribbon belts! She loves using scissors, tape, paint, markers and ribbon, then displaying her beautiful pieces on the wall. A true artist.

Maybe we'll stay in, lay around, do some art, and THEN get out to enjoy the lovely weather this weekend.... we'll see. PS: Happy Belated Birthday to my beautiful Mom & Sister-in-Law Maren!!!

Monday Fun

As much as I enjoy a good 3-day weekend, I have to say we did not make the most of this one. The weather was beautiful, but all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and take naps. Aurora was totally fine with snuggling and watching TV, so that's sort of all we did Saturday and Sunday!

Today was a little busier. We went to the gym then headed up to a local toy store where Joe McDermott was playing a free concert. We've seen him before and have his CD, so it was a lot of fun.

Then we headed to the Hoppin' House for a super fun birthday party. Aurora spent hours running around with her friends having a great time and got about as sweaty as I've ever seen her.

When we got home, Aurora and Chuck had a dinner and movie date while I headed out to watch the Bachelor with my girlfriends. I hope I can still have girl's nights with my friends once baby #2 arrives. I know it won't be easy, but we've done a pretty good job working it out with just one...

Best day ever!

Whenever we have a really fun day, Aurora likes to tell me that it was the best day ever. Chuck E Cheese was one of those occasions, as was our evening at the library earlier this week for craft night.

I'm not as quick to call a day the best ever, but yesterday... yesterday really was the best day ever. I'd already arranged for Miss Brittany to take Aurora home, so we dropped her off and carpooled in to work. I snuck out early and went to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in the theater (loved it), before heading out with Chuck to my 5-year appreciation dinner at Z'Tejas. Just a few of us hit 5-years of service in 2011, and it was pretty great to get out and celebrate the milestone.

Today was a good day too, but wow am I tired. Looking forward to what we can only hope will be the best 3-day weekend ever ;)

10 Weeks

I feel like we're still really early on here, but since this started as a pregnancy blog, I figure I may as well focus a little on the second pregnancy. We're only 10 weeks in and if you followed along the first time, you won't be surprised to hear that the bra size just keeps going up. Not my favorite symptom! I already think I look pregnant - which is partially the bust size, partially the bloating, and partially just because I'm starting 10 lbs heavier this time. I'm still struggling with digestion issues, but this weekend I started feeling good enough to eat normally again, which is pretty nice.

One of the things I have not wanted at all these past couple of months is dessert. Any sweets really. I figured out the aversion was gone when we went to Presley's birthday party this weekend and I said yes to chocolate cake! I think I would've been better off without it, but hey... it was a party.

I'm pretty tired and Chuck-E-Cheese sure wore me out, but I decided to the gym this weekend for the first time in awhile. I'll try to get back into prenatal yoga in the coming months, but it'll be a bit harder to do this time since there's no kid's area at the yoga studio. Now that I'm eating chocolate cake again, I should probably try to get a couple light workouts in each week!

My next prenatal OB appointment will be at 12 weeks, where we'll have a sonogram, more tests, and get a good look at the health of the tiny little Wadey. 10 weeks down, 30 to go!

Sprite

Tonight I gave Aurora her very own cup of Sprite for the first time...

Details

Thanks for all the great comments on our last post! We spent the last 5-days in Arizona and have a few photos to share, but I wanted to answer your questions and give you more details as well.

Last Friday we had our first OB appointment and took Aurora with us. She's been asking for a baby brother or sister for awhile now, so before the appt Chuck said "Aurora, we're going to go to the doctor, and they're going to look inside mommy's tummy to see if there's a baby inside. Do you think there's a baby inside?" She said: "No, but I guess we'll have to wait and see!" Boy, was she surprised. Later that afternoon we called my mom and I asked Aurora to "tell Grandma what we did today." She said "We went to the doctor to see if there was a baby in my mommy's tummy, and there WAS!" I think my mom was more surprised than Aurora. Then we put a sonogram picture in a card for Grandma Nancy to open on Christmas morning. She didn't get it at first. Once she figured it out, Julia started crying and Nancy said "Oh no...  another baby?" Wow.

It was a nice relaxing trip, which went by pretty quickly. I won't go in to too many details, but here are a few of my favorite pictures (Nancy took a bunch more, so I may post more later):

Zeland's a pretty crazy kid, but I wish we'd had more time with him, Andrew & Julia!

Anyway, it's still pretty early on - we're just approaching 9-weeks along with a due date of August 5th. Robin, we won't know if it's a boy or girl for a few more months. Julian, if it's a girl we probably won't name her after a Disney princess, but if it's a boy we might name him Beast. I've been feeling okay, though in general, eating and digesting are not my favorite things. I suppose if our next one is as good as the first, it'll all be worthwhile!

Merry Christmas!

With Love, from Chuck, Amber, Aurora, and the littlest Wadey on the planet...

Holidays

Last week Aurora came home and asked: "Do you know what other holiday is right now?" Me: "What?" Aurora: "KWANZAA!" Yesterday her teacher asked if we celebrate Chanukah and Christmas, because Aurora's been talking about both. I said yes, but we probably don't do either very well.

Last night we lit the first candle on our little Menorah and I let Aurora open all of her Chanukah gifts, since we'll be going out of town in just a few days. Boy was she thrilled...

Today she asked if it was another Chanukah day, and when I said yes she squealed! She's also very into Santa this year. Last week when Bailey was babysitting, they made a list telling Santa what she wants for Christmas. Bailey was kind enough to make sure she included us in her wish list:

We didn't put up a tree this year, so we're placing gifts on the fireplace - and Aurora has adjusted the mythology to fit. "Mommy, when I go to sleep on Christmas, Santa's going to come and put presents on our fireplace, and then in the morning I get to open them!!!"

Last weekend we did indeed see Santa. We also saw SNOW! The Hill Country Galleria brought in snow to make a winter wonderland for folks to play in, and said it would be there until it melted. We didn't have a chance to go during the day, but after dinner we decided to drive by and there was still some left - right next to Santa. It was dark and Aurora wasn't really dressed for a picture with Santa, but it was clearly the thing to do...

Aurora knew the drill. She was ready for this. She told him that she wanted dress up clothes, and we figured that was that. Then he asked what else she wants... she thought for a moment and said "a people puzzle." And since she clearly didn't have any further requests, he started suggesting other things she should want! What!?!?! Santa: "Do you want a pillow pet?" Aurora: "Yes!" Santa: "Would you like a unicorn or a lady bug pillow pet?" Aurora: "A lady bug!" - then I said "Okay, thank you Santa, that's enough!" We've got the dress up clothes wrapped and ready, I found what I think might be a people puzzle, but... a lady bug pillow pet? Ugh.

Happy Chanukah, everybody! And Kwanzaa and Christmas too!

Play & Ballet

I seriously can't believe how much we did this weekend. I'm saving some of it for a future blog (or two), so we can focus on the fancy play and ballet! Aurora got to dress up twice in sweet dresses from my Grandma Bernice (who was on my mind a lot this weekend). I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

A very cute play at the Scottish Rite Theatre.

Meeting Snow White after the show.

A fancy lunch at the Driskill Hotel Cafe with Melody.

Gingerbread Houses.

Posing with a Nutcracker at the Long Center.

Balcony seats a the Nutcracker Ballet!

Remembering Grandpa Sandler.