Boys and Their Toys

A couple of weekends ago, I decided it was time to clean out my Munchkins closet (a little at a time). He has several BIG plastic totes that we used to use as toy boxes. These totes haven't been touched in a couple of years - they just sit at the back of his closet with other junk piled on top. SOOOOO - I had him pull one out so we could go through it and throw away things that needed to be thrown away and hand down the toys that were still salvageable. 3/4 of the contents was trash - old, broken crayons, pencil shavings, broken popsicle sticks, pieces of plastic from toys that we couldn't quite figure out, and just JUNK really. We were able to save a few toys though - and I am pretty sure that the missing parts to some of the ones we found are still in one of the other totes. Big Brother had to show Little Brother the in's and out's of playing with his old toys! I haven't gotten around to cleaning out any more totes. Maybe it would be a good project for this weekend. This is going to be the last free weekend for a few weeks and I would REALLY like to get it done. Let's see if the motivation sticks with me until then!

My Munchkin

Looking at these pictures, it's hard to believe that my munchkin is a teenager. He still has that cute little innocent look. Big blue eyes, golden blonde curls.

My cherub.

My angel.

My heart!

Appointment Updates

I had 2 appointments earlier this week.

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On Monday - I finally had the ultrasound done that they cancelled and rescheduled the week before I had gone on vacation. According to the ultrasound, I am right on track as to where we had suspected. The nurse said that we were within a week of the original due date - and they don't change anything if it's within a week - so my due date is still December 24th, 2009.

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My second appointment was Wednesday - which was just my regular check-up. The did the usual - weight and pee in a cup. I also opted to take the blood test for the possibility of Downs Syndrome. I think that with all this talk about me being at "THE MAGIC AGE" - they have me a little more cautious than normal. Everything at this appointment was also normal. I got to hear the heartbeat again - which was a little fast at 161 b/m (I asked, and 120-160 is average).

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I have 2 more appointments scheduled for the end of the month. On the 27th I have to go to the genetic counseling appointment along with the second ultrasound. By then - I should be just about 19-20 weeks. They should (hopefully) be able to tell the sex of the baby then! They told me that this was the "big one". The genetic counseling is - again - because I am "THE MAGIC AGE". From what I can tell - they just take a detailed family history and explain any possible risks concerning the baby and myself. This is going to be a full day for appointments. It is almost a 2 hour drive to where the appointment is scheduled for and with 2 appointments, it's going to take a while. The counseling is at 11:00am and the ultrasound is at 1:00pm. I hope this goes more smoothly than the 2 hour wait for the first ultrasound.

The bottom pic is the best one! You can see the baby's head to the right. The center pic is a leg and toes and the top pic is supposed to be of the face (which I cannot see on my copy) - this scan is a little hard to see. Hopefully I get better at this or the pics get better as they go along.

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The other appointment is scheduled for July 30th. This is just the regular monthly check-up.

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As far as how I have been feeling - I can definitely say I have been feeling much better. The nausea is practically non-existent. I am feeling strange pulls in my belly - but I am told this is normal as my insides are making room for baby. I am able to make it through the full day (mostly) without being overly tired. I can't feel the baby moving just yet (unless I am confusing the gas with the baby!) I am BARELY fitting in my pre-prego pants - unzipped with a rubber band is about it. Thank goodness for hand-me-downs! I got a LOAD of maternity clothes from my sisters (one with a 3-month old and one with a 19-month old). Plus a lot more baby stuff is on the way! Have I said that I LOVE hand-me-downs!

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The next step is to get the spare "junk" room cleaned up and start getting it ready to be the baby's new room. This is probably going to be the hardest task to accomplish (it's the daddy's "play" room - where his electronics and gadgets collect). I don't think he is ready to find a new home for his toys just yet. Honestly, though - we do have a little time to get this done - so I haven't put the pressure on just yet. I think it may end up being a task I have to tackle alone - he hates putting his things away! :)

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I think that after our vacation to visit the family last week, the Munchkin has become a little more accepting the fact that he is going to be a big brother. He got a little practice in with his new baby cousin. Plus - he is poking my belly and saying "Jiggle, jiggle, jiggle" and laughing. Whatever makes him comfortable! Gotta love it!

My son's reaction to the news

We told my munchkin about the big news the other day and he said that he had already expected it (because of the bathroom trash - I left a test wrapper in it). He is anything but excited about this. He has had almost 12 years of being an only child and the prospect of having a baby around just does not excite him. I am sure that there is the jealousy that any first-born feels when a second baby is announced (I am a first born). Also - I think that the pre-teen in him is starting to show its rebelious side. Another thing is that he does not like "babysitting". I believe that somewhere down the line - he will come to at least like the fact that he is going to be a big brother! I think that he will make a GREAT big brother! Maybe throughout the pregnancy, he will grow attached to the little one growing inside of me. I think that he will.