Gardening With Grandpa

When I was a kid, every summer my brother and I would help my Grandpa plant tomatoes, peppers and chives in his back yard.  He grew the best tomatoes I have EVER had! Andrew continued the tradition longer than I did and eventually Grandpa had 'Birnie and Birnie' hats made for them. He even had a rubber stamp made for the brown paper bags they used to deliver the tomatoes and peppers to the ladies in my Grandma's quilting group, to neighbors and, of course, to us.  One of my favorite memories of summer as a kid was sitting on the porch at our house in Osborne, eating Grandpa and Andrew's tomatoes sliced and sprinkled with salt for lunch or dinner.

This summer, my dad and Emma are continuing the tradition.  Today, we planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and parsely.  Well, Emma and Dad did the planting while I took pictures and refilled the watering can.  I've reached the waddling stage in my pregnancy and digging in the dirt is not really in the cards for me these days. 



Yes, Emma was planting in her Pampers. ( No, the potty training isn't going well ... yet.) She had a skirt on and didn't want to to get it dirty.  She loved helping Grandpa even if he did trick her by putting a giant earthworm in her hand while she wasn't paying attention.  Let's just say she really is a girly girl.  She threw it in the grass and ran away screaming and crying. It was pretty funny, I have to admit.  It didn't deter her from getting back into the dirt and digging with her hands right along side those worms. I can't wait to see how our plants grow!

28 Weeks

On Monday, I hit 28 weeks! 11 weeks to go at the most since I'll be induced by 39 weeks. My doctors aren't sure I'll make it that long, but I praying she doesn't arrive before 37 weeks.

Luckily, I'm not gaining much weight, but my belly keeps getting bigger.  This was taken today. My mom and I both think my belly got bigger overnight!

Monday I had my 28 week appointment with an ultrasound.  Everything looks good with Cate! No problems at all.  They checked her kidneys for signs of reflux.  They looked normal.  They also checked the size of the ventricles in her brain which were also normal. Both of these things were normal during Emma's ultrasounds too, but it's still reassuring to know that so far they aren't causing problems.  Like Emma, Cate is big for her gestational age.  The tech said she weighed 3 lbs 2 oz and was in the 88th percentile at this point.  She was also measuring around 30 weeks instead of 28.  I just grow big babies which is a very good thing considering the fact that I'm being treated for high blood pressure which can cause growth restriction.  It's also pretty amazing since I've been sick more of this pregnancy than I haven't been.  Two weeks ago I suffered another bout of some kind of stomach bug.  This week I have a sinus infection!  It would seem that she is just taking everything from me and leaving no reserves for me.  If it means she's healthy though, I'll suffer through it! Oh, the tech also confirmed that Care is in fact a girl! Thank goodness!

My first chance at seeing her face! The upper lip reminds me of Emma's.  My dad thinks the bone structure of her nose is different than Emma's too.  I just can't wait to see what she really looks like!

Oh wait! I sort of did!  The u/s tech turned on the 3D mode and took the above profile and turned it into this. So amazing! That's her little arm infront of her face too.  It will be interesting to compare her to this picture when she's born!

 I'm in the home stretch now.  Third trimester. My appointments will become more frequent too.  In fact, starting at 32 weeks, I have to start having non-stress tests twice a week!  Not my idea of fun, but I guess it will be an hour of quiet, alone time twice a week. I'm just glad they are watching me carefully.

 Emma and I have been making some artwork for Cate's room.  The colors in her bedding are pink and gray so our artwork needed to coordinate with that.  I wanted to have Emma help decorate Cate's room so that she feels apart of welcoming her sister into our family.  I'm hoping it might alleviate some jealousy upon her arrival. The fact that Emma loves painting and it's a great rainy day activity was a bonus for me!

My mini Picasso hard at work.

One of her two creations. I think we're going to had a quote about sisters.

I decided to use elephants as part of the decor because of the pink and gray.  Emma's lovey is an elephant too so it's I thought it would be a nice connection.  I painted the cutie patooties.

This one is my favorite! I love the faux stitching lines. Plus I think I drew a darn good elephant as the template!

 Maybe soon I'll get these hung up on the wall.  Maybe I'll get the her clothes washed and put away.  Maybe I'll finish my shopping for lotion, binkies, diapers, etc.  I keep thinking I have a long time, but 10 1/2 weeks - or less - could go by really fast., especially if I keep losing time being sick and/or if it ever stops raining and we get out there and start taking all the day trips we'v been talking about it.  We've already been in Pittsburgh for 5 1/2 and I feel like we just got here.  We'll be meeting Baby Cate before we know it!

Settling In

We have officially been in our new home (my parents' house) for 2 weeks.  Of course, based on the piles of belongings that have yet to be put away, it looks like we just arrived yesterday. I'll blame it on a very needy 2 1/2 year old and my limited energy level thanks to this pregnancy.  Ummm ... yeah. We'll go with that.

Jeremy was here for a few days the first week before having to head back to New Hampshire to deal with movers, cleaners, fence installers, and walls that needed to be patched and painted.  All is well there.  The new tenants move in tomorrow! Hope they're happy with it!  J is headed back this way for a few days this week before making his way down to VA.

In addition to the challenge provided by moving part of a family and household into another household, settling in with a soon to be 3 year old has been more challenging than I might have been prepared for.  Actually, I did worry that she wouldn't adapt well.  That, eventhough her words conveyed that she understood what was happening, she wouldn't really get it until she'd been here for awhile. Everyone kept telling me not to worry about it though.  That kids bounce back easily and I was making a bigger deal of it than it was.  I guess in some ways that is true, but I would say her transition has been less than smooth.

Emma was thrilled to be here upon arrival.  Even after a longer than anticipated car ride on the day of our arrival, (At the last minute, we decided to drive all the way through from Hartford instead of stopping overnight in State College.) she was excited and happy when we arrived.  It was only after her stuff from home started arriving 2 days later that she started to wonder what was really up. All of a sudden, she didn't want to move to this house.  She wanted to go back to our old house. She's still not sure about it, but talks about Daddy's new job and knows, sort of, why we moved here.

She has good days and bad days.  Seems to be one day on and one day off.  Then we both got a cold which added to her cranky demeanor.  She has become very clingy, only wanting me most of the time.  She even, at times, says she doesn't want to see Grandma or Grandpa, which she has been doing with Jeremy for a few months now.  5 minutes later, they're her best friend.  I thinks she gets mad when the people she loves have to leave her for any length of time.  Maybe afraid they won't come back.  Mom and Dad have had busy weeks since we've been here so maybe it's transferred on to them. Who knows!? How I wish I had majored in child psychology!

Last weekend, we had a time-out battle.  One 2.5 minute time out, lasted about 20 minutes because she kept getting up out of her time-out spot.  It happened, at least 2 other times over the course of an hour or so. I stuck to my guns though and she did her time.  That episode, which as very out of character, promted me to Google 'stress in toddlers'.  Apparently toddlers can be stressed and she exhibits most of the signs - clingy-ness, whining, disruption in sleep patterns, reduction in appetite, etc.  I wouldn't be surprised if she has lost weight since she's been eating like a bird.  Her strong emotions and strong willed behavior combined with my pregnancy hormones have led to one or two mommy breakdowns leaving me feel like a bad parent and like have no idea what I'm doing.  Thank the Lord, I have the support of my parents to help when I need a break or some encouragement.

I think we're on an upswing though.  The last couple days have been good days.  There is still some of that cranky, stubborn, 2-year-old behavior going on, but she's much more herself these days.We're all trying to be consistent with her when it's approriate and give in a little when it's helpful. We've done a lot of fun things since we've been here in spite of the fact that it's been raining for at least a week. 

Emma started Music Together which we had been participating in back in Portsmouth for the last several months.  She loves her new teacher and is having fun with the kids in her new class, as well as learning to stand up for herself with one kid who tends to be a little more agressive than she is used to.  She can hold her own though!

Last weekend, Aunt Jen got us tickets for the Pittsburgh Symphony (where she now works) for the Disney In Concert program. We had awesome 4th row seats and the music was fabulous! Emma enjoyed every second and declared as soon as we sat down in front of the strings section - "Mommy, I want a violin! I really want a violin!" Grandma and Grandpa went too.  We all loved it!

Emma at Heinz Hall after her first symphony performance.

This week, we went to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History because Emma has been requesting to see the dinosaurs.  Again, she loved it and soaked it all in.  The exhibits there really are amazing.  They've done a lot to them since I was a kid.  We also saw lots of animal exhibits - stuffed, of course - but really neat since you can't get that close to those animals while they're alive!  Grandpa and Emma spent a lot of time in the American Indian exhibit. Mom and I were exhausted by that point and enjoyed a movie about the Inuits (I believe) while they explored together. Pittsburgh has so much to offer in terms of culture.  I don't know if people who have always lived here, appreciate what is available. Living in so many other places, I can come back and be amazed at what we have access to.

Emma really wanted to see the dinosaurs. Can you see one in the background?

Emma and a giraffe.  I couldn't believe how tall it was! I've seen giraffes before but this one was HUGE!

Yesterday, Aunt Jen and Uncle Andrew came over for a baking day.  We baked egg shaped cakes and sugar cookies and dyed Easter eggs in preparation for today.  The Easter Bunny hid a basket of goodies for little Emma Bean which she found early this morning before church.  Then we had lunch/dinner at our house with Andrew, Jen, my aunt and uncle, and my uncle's father. Andrew, Jen and Emma had an Easter Egg hunt which Emma won.  Hmm ... wonder if they might have let her win ;)  All in all a good, chocolate filled day.  We were all tired at the end of it and Emma fell asleep almost immediately after I put her to bed.

Helping Aunt Jen with the mixer

Dying eggs. As I took this picture, Emma grabbed that cup of red dye and spilled all over everything.

Trying her first hard boil egg. She dropped it and it cracked so nothing to do but eat it.

Searching for her Easter basket

Found it!

She didn't make it all the way through church, but enjoyed the cinnamon rolls in the Robinson Room.

Egg hunting

 Yes, I think we're settling in.  I'm happy to be here and have already been reminded a few times why I'm here with my parents instead of trying to do this alone.  I know Emma will soon overcome her stress.  It might be a trying time, but we'll all make it through.  And it's only another 15 weeks (or less) until Baby Cate arrives! Can't wait to see how that affects Emma since she already thinks Cate is stealing her bed and all her toys.  Ahh, sibling rivalry already! Of course, I shouldn't be surprised, while Emma was sitting on my lap the other day, Cate was kicking her in the head!

 

Emma and I at the symphony
(Blogger wouldn't let me put this where I wanted it so you get it here.)



Baby Names

After much deliberation, we have chosen a name our darling girl.  We have decided that Emma's little sister will be named ...

Catherine Helen Leghorn

Helen is, of course, after Jeremy's mother.  We are very happy that we will have two girls that will carry the name of one of their wonderful grandmothers. 

We will most likely call her 'Cate' although Emma has suggested 'Cat'.  I like it, but I'm not sure I can see calling a baby Cat.

So there you go ... Emma and Cate!

STRESS!

Holy Moly I'm a little stressed! Our movers are coming in 3 days! Have I done anything to get the house ready?  Not so much.  Well actually I have pulled all the baby stuff out of the basement and all the bins of Emma's baby clothes.  We've taken stuff off the walls and patched holes, but that's about it.  It hasn't really hit me that we're leaving.  We will only sleep here 5 more nights! Jeremy's parents were here this weekend for their last visit!

On the one hand, I can't believe it's only 5 more nights.  It's sad to be leaving it all behind.  This our first house and, while we will still own for a few years, it's hard to believe another family will be leaving here.   On the other hand, I just want the next few days to fly by.  I hate being in limbo.  Once I decision is made, I just want to move on.  I'm looking forward to seeing my family.  I don't want to be away from Jeremy, but there are a lot of good things coming for us too.  I know my stress level will go down when I'm safely in the comfort of my parents' house.

I've been stressed about this pregnancy too.  My blood pressure is really high when I go to the doctor.  Nothing new there.  It's fine when I'm home though.  I seem to have a little thing called 'white coat syndrome'. I can't breathe and am a little shaky all day on the day of an appointment. Although, I've felt good overall about this pregnancy and the chances that it will all turn out the way it's supposed to, the last fews weeks have been stressful when it comes to interpretting the doctors and nurses opinions about my blood pressure.

 I went for one last visit today.  I was initially freaked out that she wanted to see me again because I was sure it was in response to my elevated blood pressure.  I've been in a few times in the last two weeks just for blood pressure checks.  The nurse I have been seeing lately has been less than reassuring or detailed in her explanations of the doctor's plan. Anyway,  I went today with a feeling of dread.  The doctor was so nice though. She took her time with me.  She was friendly and tried to distract me a little so I would calm down. She was just awesome. I feel so much better!

Yes, my blood pressure is high when I go to the office, but thanks to the awesome graph my dad made to show the pattern of my readings at home, she was able to see that the high readings are isolated to doctors' visits.  She said everything is great otherwise and all we're concerned with is monitoring my blood pressure.  Not because she things it's indicitive of another problem.  Just because it's sometimes high.  Baby's heart rate was great! She was moving all around and kicking the doppler.  The doctor kept commenting on what a mover she is.  I left feeling much better and reassured that things are not, at least at this point, headed down a scary path as I feared they might be.  Ahhhh ... sigh of relief.

So at least some of the stress is gone.  Now I can just worry about saying goodbye to friends and getting the house ready for Thursday.  Nothing major right!

21 1/2 Weeks

So I didn't post the baby's sex on here last week.  Sorry! I was trying to put up an ultrasound picture, but I couldn't get it to work.  Then I got overwhelmed and exhausted with life! I'm better now though! And I think I found a way to post one of the u/s pictures.

All looked great on the big ultrasound last week!  If you haven't heard yet, it's a girl!  We're all excited, although, I think Emma wanted a brother.   She weighed in at 14 oz. Right on track they said. We have a name picked out, but I will wait until the next post to reveal it!  We got some neat pictures. Sadly none of them were of her face.  I loved seeing Emma's little face on the sonogram machine. Maybe I'll get a view next time I have an u/s.  This next picture is the cutest one we got.  Her little tiny foot!

Baby Girl's little feet.  One in front of the other.  Maybe she has her ankles crossed.

She is a very active baby.  She was moving all around on the screen.  I can really feel her kicking a lot now which is very exciting and reassuring.  I have even seen and felt a few kicks from the outside, but Jeremy and Emma haven't had a chance to yet.  The first time I saw it, I was laying in bed with my computer resting on my belly.  It was like she was trying to kick it off my belly!

Emma has been quite the artist lately.  Painting, drawing, coloring ... you name it, she wants to do it.  We've gone through 3 rolls of paper on her easel in the last 2 weeks! Her drawing has taken a dramatic turn too.  It's not longer random scribbles.  All of a sudden she is drawing lines and circles with a purpose! She tells me what she is drawing and I can really see it!  It's pretty amazing.  She all of sudden has this new found control over her markers or crayons.  She drew a picture of Mommy and Daddy the other day.  I took a picture of it.

Guess which one she said was me?!  Yes, the round pink one on the left!

I'm going to assume that I am round because of my rapidly growing baby bump and not because of my general state of being round as opposed to Daddy's general state of being tall and skinny.  Perhaps she was using the next photo as her inspiration.



21 Weeks

So that's the news for now. 1 week until moving day! Still can't wrap my head around it, but I'm looking forward to getting to Sewickley!

It Finally Happened ...

*Be Warned! This post is a little gross.*

Well I was going to just post a short little "I'm halfway done!" post today, but in the midst of my excitement of having 20 weeks or less of my pregnancy, it finally happened.

Emma threw up for the first time.  Ugh!  Okay, maybe not the first time.  She did throw up quite a bit of formula on our drive to Pittsburgh after her last surgery, but this was her first real puke! I just mentioned the other day how we've been so lucky to avoid the utter joy of a stomach bug as it pertains to Emma Bean. 

I think we must have eaten something bad last night.  I suspect the delicious mini-watermelon Emma and I consumed because it's the only think I can think of that Emma and I both ate and that Jeremy didn't.  Oh, did I forget to mentioned that I was sick too?  Yep.  I went first and just as I was settling on the couch to watch Real Housewives of Orange County around midnight, I heard crying that progressed to screaming.  I dragged myself upstairs and just as I reached the landing, I thought I heard it happening, but couldn't quite believe it.  There it was though, Emma on her knees in her crib puking allover her beloved elephant 'Ellie'.

I picked her up, not quite sure what to do, and carried her to the bathroom where she threw up again.  I stood her up in the bathtub still not knowing what I was doing, praying that she wasn't going to puke more! I stripped her down, called Jeremy to help me clean up, and washed up what I could.  It's amazing how my own feeling of needing to puke just sort of disappeared when I had to take care of her.  Good to know!

As soon as Emma was cleaned up, she was fine.  She kept asking why she got sick, but she was ready to play! At 2:30, after a few episodes of Special Agent Oso and Caillou while waiting for Ellie to get out of the dryer, Emma went back to bed and slept until 8.  She woke up this morning bright eyed and bushy tailed!  Thank God I think we're both fine.  Still nursing juice, popsicles and crackers I procured on a 4:00 trip to a convenience store (I couldn't sleep!), but I'm so grateful it wasn't worse!

So yeah ... fun stuff! Oh by the way, I'm 20 weeks today! Halfway! Or by Emma's standards, only 15 weeks to go.   Oh! And tomorrow is our big ultrasound ... if all goes well, there should be a Boy/Girl post tomorrow.  He or she has been kicking and squirming away lately.  Can't wait to see it on the u/s!