Snake

On Valentine's Day we attended a baby shower in honor of Aly & Tylar's new cousin, who is going to be born any day! Uncle Shea and Sharece have a bull snake. Tylar was very brave and wanted to hold the snake. She was facinated with his flickering tongue.

A Day at the Zoo

We spent a day at the Wildlife World Zoo with our cousins! The girls enjoyed petting the stingrays and feeding the ducks. The weather was slightly windy and cold but it was perfect because most of the animals were awake and active.

Another ultrasound

I'm exactly 13 weeks. I had a bit of an insurance snag at the ultrasound clinic but hopefully it all works out and I get my $250 back. The baby was very cooperative. The tech was nice enough to check the "goods" and print a picture. It's still too early to be 100% positive but it looks like a boy. She also did a 3-D picture for me! The nuchal space was in the range of normal so the risk of a trisomy is low. I'm very nervous about having a boy. My life is centered around two amazing little girls. I can't imagine what it will be like to have a boy. However, it's not 100% so I'm not buying anything blue just yet!

Starting to Grow

At 10 weeks along, I am starting to grow just a little bit! Luckily, I haven't lost weight. I actually gained a pound! The heart beat was detected via doppler at my most recent doctor visit (11 weeks). What a relief!
Dr. Jodi (chiropractor) guessed that I'm having a boy! If all goes well, I should find out for sure in about 6 weeks during the anatomical survey ultrasound.
The nuchal translucency ultrasound (NT) is scheduled for Feb 5th. I hope to see a healthy wiggly baby that day! I'm determined to have an intervention-free birth (meaning no pitocin, pain medication, IV, artificial rupture of membranes and more). I wish I could have a home birth but my insurance does not cover it. I called many area midwives and the average price for prenatal care and homebirth is $2500-$3000. It's not in the budget this time. However, I found a woman that facilitates hypnobirthing classes in the west valley. I know I can have an awesome natural birth in the hospital. Hypnobirthing techniques are just an added bonus! Dusty is not as excited about natural birth as I am, but I really hope he warms up to the idea as time passes.

It's 2009!

Here are my goals for 2009!

• I would like to get my house organized and keep it that way. I have been using the tips and schedule on Flylady.net.
• I am going to become more involved in my church. I need to start attending more regularly. I found a great church in my area that offers a wonderful children's ministry and many weekday activities. Hopefully, I will meet other young families that live close.
  
• I'd like to start eating better and using more coupons when I shop.
• I'm working on getting back into a routine with the girls. During the day we do activities such as paint or play with playdough. Sometime life gets so busy with errands and chores that I forget to let the kids have fun!
• Last, I'd like to increase my flexibility and muscle tone. I have a Wii and Wii fit...no more excuses!
  

We have a heartbeat!

I had an ultrasound on Dec 29, 2008. The baby measured 1 or 2 days smaller than the doctor expected. However, I expected it because I know that I don't ovulate on day 14 of my cycle. The heart rate was 148 bpm and everything is going smoothly! My due date is still August 13, 2009.

Christmas 2008

Christmas was fun! The girls were excited to open presents and spend the day with family. I wasn't feeling so great. I was plagued with nausea and fatigue, but luckily my mom and Dusty prepared most of the meal and entertained! It was a calm and relaxed day, which is exactly how Christmas should be!