Photos and Updates

Again, time flies by and I don't update the blog... So, after finally getting some pictures off the camera, crossing my fingers that the computer wouldn't crash, and finding a few moments to upload, here is a new batch to enjoy. But first a couple updates:

I had my 16-week prenatal visit this week. I had a quad screen to check for common genetic abnormalities. All the markers looked good with odds less than 1 in 10,000. The heartrate was 140 bpm again. I am also starting to slowly wean off the beta blockers. It makes a huge difference in my afternoon already. Although the temperature have been in the 90s, I'm not feeling the need for a three hour nap in the afternoon. Next week I'll just start taking one before bed, then the week after try to go without any at all.

Clare was sick this week. Three days of a high fever followed by a rash. Either Fifth disease or roseola. Her rash and symptoms seem more consistant with the roseola so that's where my money is. Hopefully she will be 100% tomorrow or Monday. She is definately feeling more lively today than she has been. And she started eating again which is a big relief.

Okay, on to the pictures:

Blossoms on the peach tree

Blossoms on the pluot and our little blossom inspector

Watering ants while Chudda supervises

Fake nails!

Playing with Maggie. Notice the pristine cleanliness of the toy room...

A visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Napping with a buddy

Asleep on the job...eating should never be this quiet.

Rethinking My Concept of Time

Two weeks ago, at my 12-week OB appointment, my Dr. and I discussed the fact that during the 28 days previous I had experienced migraines for nine. I'm on daily medication currently which was working pretty nicely before the onslaught of pregnancy hormones in controlling my migraines. Due to the wee-nut, she was hesitant about increasing the dose of this medicine. She actually said, "I'll leave it up to you."

Good Mom: Don't Risk Taking Any Additional Medicine.

Bad Mom: Drug Me Now, I Can't Take The Pain Any Longer.

Well, you see, guess I felt I needed to side with Good Mom, thinking I could suck it up for the next eight weeks, assuming this pregancy follows a similar course as my previous one. Didn't seem like that long then. Eight short weeks. Since that appointment, fourteen days ago, eight of my days have been altered in some way by migraine symptoms. And I've taken more pain killers than my liver likes to think about. Maybe an extra 20mg of beta blocker would have been less stressful for all operating systems.

Here's the math: Six more weeks until 20 week mark. Four migraines a week. That's only 24 more days of excruciating, head pounding, nauseating symptoms to deal with. BRING THEM ON! And I'm going to need a refill on the narcotics. On the slightly less than half-full side of things, that does average out to 18 days without symptoms.

Have I said it before? I HATE MIGRAINES!!!

Happy family posts to follow soon.

Appointments to Keep

Yesterday was the 12-week prenatal appointment. Clare and I listened to the wee one's heartbeat. 140 bpm for all of you wivestale lovers out there. I'm not even making any guesses on this one since I was 100% sure that Clare was going to be a boy.

We then went to the library for storytime. Let's just say that after Sitka, it was a bit of a disappointment. No singing, no props, no engaging activity. The lady in charge didn't even read the story herself. She just played a tape. Ummm....yeah! Lame. Oh, and constantly reprimanded kids for wiggling around. Here's a thought: make your story entertaining and perhaps the kids won't be so BORED! I think we will be skipping that activity from now on.

The weather yesterday was a bit less than stellar, but Clare and I still joined Mike for lunch at a playground near his work. While Clare slid, ran, and climbed, Mike and I huddled under the covered playdeck for warmth and protection from the sideways rain. It always amazes me how impervious small children are to the weather when they are having a good time. I have a very vivid memory from Toksook Bay, AK of a small toddler wearing only a diaper (no shoes), standing in the snow and playing in a puddle created from that snow melting. The temperature must have been a balmy 40 degrees.

Lunch with Chudda

Grandparents are pretty much fantastic. They read you stories. They chase you around the house while you giggle-scream. They eat all the pretend bugs you can feed them, and do it with enthusiasm. They love you no matter what. And sometimes you get to have lunch with them at your favorite restaurant! Thanks for visiting, Chudda!

Many Pictures with a Little News

Yep, I haven't posted in a long time. Let's just say that I have been avoiding the computer for the most part because it tends to make me nauseous. Not because it tells me constantly that we have very little room remaining on our hard drive and it will be crashing sooner than later, but rather for a slightly smaller and altogether different reason. In November, we are going to have another baby.

So, here are some pictures from the past few weeks. Things are really turning very green around here. Most of our fruit trees have flowers and the rest are not far behind. It is suppose to be 83 degrees on Monday. That's going to be HOT!

Clare taking a much needed nap!

Planting the ornamental plum in the front yard.

Delicious peanut butter and crackers.

Safety first!

This is what everyone's dishes look like...right?

Ready to cook.

My hero team

Brushing in Jackpot, NV.

The finished wedding dress.

Rainy day activity.

Selective Memory For Sure

Today I was talking to my lovely older sister about the first time she met my husband. I am sure this encounter has been entirely created in her mind as I have absolutely no recollection of it. And I am younger, so I should have the better memory. In fact, we have had this same discussion (those I remember) on many occasions and it has still failed to created even one iota, one teeny smidgen, one inkling of recall about this meeting. How can this be so vivid for her and so nonexistent for me? Hmmm...

Speaking of memories, something that does stick out in my head, especially these days, is the report I did with several classmates in the seventh or eighth grade about the 1930s. Each group had a different decade. It was in English class. I think Whitney Bass and Laura Haacke were my mates. We had all these photocopies of black and white photographs of dirty, starving, homeless mothers and children, men in bread lines, people living in cars and shacks, some moving to other parts of the country looking for a better life, a new chance, some hope.

Guess it really didn't hit home then. I read an article yesterday about 10% of school children in one California school district being homeless. Ten percent! How are these kids making it? Be thankful. Don't forget to be thankful for what you have.

When I told LLSS what we were having for dinner, she said, "Ooh, thanks for making risotto. That is my favorite." Then, twice at the dinner table, she thanked me again. Who knew rice and broth could make a kid so happy!

I should write down more of the things she says, because, as noted above, my memory is probably not the safest place for them.

Homemade Victim

Last weekend, when we still had snow on the tree lawn, Mike took LLSS for a little trip to the Playground Park. As reported back, they had a lovely time. Here they are returning. Clare has a wickedly happy grin on her little face.

Aunt Sissy's wedding is coming up. What to wear? What to wear? Aunt Sissy's favorite color is green and she loves birds. Why not make LLSS a new dress? Yes...make. Use a pattern? Oh, no. This is fitting number three. Let's just say that I am getting pretty handy with my seam ripper. Plus, when I work all the kinks out, I should be able to crank out a few more of these.

Attempt number one: Shouldn't this fit over her head?

Attempt number two: Clare: "Uhhh, acckkk, gah!" The noise a child makes when the chest portion of a dress is a bit too snug.

We also went to the library a couple times last week. Clare is in love with the idea of taking a book for the evening and returning it the next day. Plus, it gives us a great excuse to get back into our daily walking routine after giving up our post office box in lieu of free home delivery.

A couple of Clare quotes from the past few days...

"It is inceptible to poop in the bathtub. It is ceptible to poop in the potty." No mention of where diapers fit into the grand scheme of things.

"And I want you to bring some cheese. And we definately need to bring a banana." Directions given to me before our little trip to Ontario today.