Happy Two Months Chicken!

No letter tonight - hopefully later in the week. 

Here is Mac giving smiles to Mormor.

WRONG

OK, so unless something happens VERY quickly - Chicken has missed my prediction date of the 14th or 15th.  Chicken's technical due date isn't until the 18th, but I still I feel a tiny bit sad for missing the mark on this one.  I guess I knew Chicken's arrival date like I knew Cash was a girl. 

Oh well the countdown continues . . . or begins.

Here is little Cub playing with his shoes today - he thought it was so funny to put shoes on the wrong feet.

Celebrating Christmas

Note about Chicken:  So if you were to predict Chicken's due date by using a traditional due date calculator with the date of my last period (March 3rd - day of Woodlands Marathon) - Chicken's due date would be TODAY!  However, my cycle is longer than the traditional due date calculator uses (and my current doctor listened to me when I told her this fact).  I was 6 days later than the traditional calculator with Cash.  So, if I was a betting woman - I'd say Chicken will arrive on the 14th or 15th, but I'd be OK if Chicken waited until the 18th.  

OK, back to regular scheduled programing - CHRISTMAS!

Last night we celebrated Christmas with Liz and Jonathan.

When I arrived at Liz's house, there were about 10 beautifully wrapped gifts for me. 

 I was a little worried that Liz went a little far, and I was right.

She got me a gift card to the Lake Austin Spa, a wallet and cosmetic case - and that's the boring stuff.  

She also got me two semi-used La Madeline gift cards, a $5 Starbucks gift card, a frequent diner club card to Fudruckers (that expired in 2009), a California Pizza Kitchen 10% off coupon  (that also expired in 2009), a Manny Hatten's frequent dinner card (they went out of business a couple years ago), some chicken seasoning, a Sees Candy Gift Card (to a "Glinda"),  pepper and onion relish (left over from a gift basket Liz received last Christmas), some hotel bath products (from Liz's recent stay at the Four Seasons), a pony named Harmony with pink hair, and pickle juice (that one was from Jonathan).

Pretty amazing, huh?

I was a little overwhelmed by her generosity (I think she cleaned out her junk drawer and the wallet she used in 2009).  It's OK though because I received Liz's birthday present in the mail today and Buttin says that I win!  We shall see.

Cub and I went to the park this morning to visit some baby mamas.  Here are a few pictures. 

Chicken Update

Today I had my 38 week appointment with mid-wifey and doula, Shelley. They know each other very well, so it was really chat among friends.

Chicken looks just perfect and hopefully Chicken will stay put for at least another couple of weeks (I have too much to do).

Cash got sent home early from school today - diarrhea.  Although, he doesn't seem sick in the slightest - no fever, not tired (he was bouncing off the walls when we got home this afternoon) and no diarrhea at all this afternoon. 

I think they've very cautious at school.  Buttin and I both have a ton to do and we couldn't find a sitter for tomorrow, so we're going to try to bring Cub to work with us.  We'll see how it goes. 

Here's Cub this afternoon trying to convince me it's OK to take a racket that was left at the playground (that was clearly marked "Ava") back home.  It took a while to divert his attention to other objects.

December

So, it's the first of December. In Texas, that means shorts and a t-shirt.

Looks like Chicken will be a December baby (at least, Chicken BETTER come in December).

Today the neighborhood down the street had a Holiday Craft Festival - with a train, petting zoo and Santa.

Cash had a pretty good time with the ducks.

Updates

Here are some updates in bullet point form.  Please mind the warnings.

• (Warning, personal body stuff.) It's that time again - time for me to put flush-able wipes in every bathroom (even at work)  Now, because of Cub's age (2.5 years) you might think they were for him, but they're for me.  I'm not going to spell out exactly why I need these wipes, but let's just say it has to do with the largeness of my stomach.
• Last night Buttin and I meet with Doula Shelley.  I really like her.  I had kind of an "oh s - - t" moment realizing that Chicken is going to be here in about 3 - 4 weeks (or earlier).  I spent SO MUCH time preparing for Cub that time seemed to move more slowly.  On another note, it's on my agenda this weekend to pack my hospital bag. 
• Cash has developed a fondness for chocolate chip cookies (I'm not sure why it took him this long); however he likes to lick every cookie in the box before selecting one.  Just be warned - if you eat a cookie at my house - it was probably licked by a toddler.  
• In other Cash news - he absolutely cracks me up (which isn't really news). Tonight we were all on the bed together after Cub's bath and he took a piece of string and put it over Buttin's mouth and said, "Now you have a mooo-stash".  I have no idea where he learned that, but it made me laugh.
• There is a very bad smell coming from our fridge.  I haven't yet figured out where it's coming from, but it isn't annoying enough to make me want to clean out the entire fridge.  

Here is Cash today playing in the car.

This & That

A couple things:

• I had a Chicken appointment on Friday - a very uneventful Chicken appointment.  My midwife and I just sat around and chatted.
• Today we saw the documentary The House I Live In.  It gets FOUR COOKIES, but it's kind of depressing.  It's all about the failure of the War on Drugs, and how we're not really doing anything about it. 

Here is Cub trying to climb a tree.

New Doula

Buttin and I met with our new doula today.  I don't really have a nickname for her yet, so we'll call her Shelley.  

Shelley and I talked and talked for over an hour.  Buttin sat there and nodded during our detailed discussion of messy labor - he was thrilled. 

Here is Cub today laughing about something I said (it must have been very funny).

Boy or Girl?

I was about 98.9% positive that Lumpy was a girl - I was 100% wrong.

With Chicken, I'm about 88% sure that chicken is a chick (meaning, girl).

Here is my evidence:

• Tingly feet - I did not have tingly feet with Cash so that must mean that Chicken is not a boy (like Cash).
• No break outs - My face was worse than my teenage years when I was pregnant with Cash and this time - maybe one zit.  I'm quite sure it's because Chicken is a girl and not because of this new skin medicine I've been taking.
• Cash -  He thinks Chicken is a girl and he probably has some kind of sibling intuition.
• My intuition - I think Chicken is a girl and even though my intuition was wrong with my first pregnancy, I feel like I've got a 50/50 shot this time.
• Shannon - my friend Shannon (who is a pediatrician, by the way) thinks that Chicken is a girl and doctors are almost always right (except for when she also thought Cash was a girl).

Alright, so my evidence is not that strong.   However, unlike last time, I can honestly say I have absolutely no preference (my preference last time was girl although I wouldn't trade my little sugar man for all the cookie dough in Pennsylvania) this time.  It would be fun for Cub to have a little brother (they could be like Ralphie and Randy in A Christmas Story), but it would also sweet for him to have little sister to protect (and for me to dress up).

Here is the big brother now, doing his new favorite thing in the bathtub - "floating" on his back.

Pregnancy Fatigue

I'm starting to feel some pregnancy fatigue.  I remember this from being pregnant with Cash.  

Most of my fatigue comes from my insomnia.  I don't know what it is - but I wake up in the middle of the night and then I can't go back to sleep until about 40 minutes before it's time to wake up.

Here's Cubbie today singing me a song - he's looking a little tired too.

Chicken Update

Today I went to see (as my friend's husband calls her), Dr. Bubbles for my 23 (or so) week appointment for Chicken.

It's kind of funny because when I was pregnant with Cub, I knew exactly how pregnant I was - like down to the hour.  

Nothing very eventful at this check up - I heard Chicken's heartbeat, I gained 4 lbs since my last appointment and Dr. Bubbles and I talked about my "unique injury" that occurred when I had Cub.  If you don't remember my injury - it rhymes with - habial lematoma.  She told me that lightening rarely strikes twice so that I should be OK - even though I didn't feel it when it happened last time, so I'm not that concerned.  

At my next appointment I have to drink the disgusting glucose test stuff - yuck.

Here's Cub today getting excited about seeing a train - he loves trains.

It's Chicken!

Today Buttin and I went for Chicken's anatomy ultrasound.  It nice to see Chicken looking like a baby (instead of like a smushed gummy bear, like last time).

Chicken is looking perfect.  The ultrasound technician knew we did not want to know Chicken's sex, so she was very sneaky when looking at Chicken's legs.  Buttin apparently has a theory because he saw her type an abbreviation; however, he's not really sure so it could have been an abbreviation for anything.

Here is Cub covered in dirt.

 

Chicken Guess

If we ask Cub if he wants a brother or a sister, this is how he responds:

• 10% of the time - "Brother"
• 20% of the time - "Sister"
• The rest of the time (which I think is around 70%) - "No" 

My female chiropractor is pretty sure chicken is a girl (she apparently wrote that on my chart during my first visit).  

I don't have any strong feelings about chicken's sex, but maybe I'll get a stronger feeling in a few weeks.   If I do get a stronger feeling, I'll guess the opposite because I was very wrong with Cub.

Here is Cubbie (non sister or brother wanting) playing with touchdown duck at work this afternoon.

Cub & Chicken

Today's Misfit Monday is being interrupted for updates on Cub & Chicken.

Tomorrow morning Cub is having his adenoids removed.  I feel silly admitting it, but I'm much more concerned about keeping our little two-year-old from eating or drinking than the procedure itself.  It just feels cruel to keep him from food and water (even though I understand it) when he doesn't comprehend the logic.  

I got some advice today from fellow parents and his teachers at school.  Everyone recommended distraction and keeping him up a little later.  His teacher also recommended letting go of my anxiety because Cub will sense it.  She also said to be direct and honest when he asks for food.  She said we should not apologize or say "I wish I could give you food . . ." because that sends mixed messages - apparently - Cub currently thinks I'm "all powerful".  We should just say "We're not eating right now, but we'll eat later."  Hmm . . .easier said than done.

This afternoon I took Cub to the pool (who is now counting to three and jumping off the edge and into my arms) to wear him out.  We also stuffed him with every food he wanted - four cookies?  OK!  two packages of fruit snacks? Absolutely!  He also ate some cheese and milk.  We kept him up about 45 minutes later than usual, so hopefully all of this keeps him in bed a little longer  (6:15 would be ideal).   

Please, please, please Cubbie sleep in and don't ask for food in the morning. 

I had my 13.5 week Chicken appointment this morning with my wonderful midwife - Midwifey (creative, I know).  Chicken is doing well - heart rate is 155.  I HAVE NOT gained "a generous" amount of weight since my last appointment (I've actually lost), which is surprising because I haven't been able to run and my first trimester diet has consisted mostly of fried cheese, popcorn and chicken fried steak.  

My next appointment is in five weeks and that's when we'll do the anatomy ultrasound.   

Here is Cub today giving me the what for because I tried to help him pull his wagon to the pool.  

Notice Anything New?

I'll give you a hint:  it's my blog header.

For my one blog reader who doesn't know already - I'm pregnant! 

Buttin and I are expecting "chicken" in mid-December.  I'm feeling great - just a little tired and (still) tingly footed.

Thankfully, our neighborhood park's new equipment was usable today!

Cub had a good time playing (and posing) on all the new stuff.