Baby Post

Well, I made it "facebook official;" so, how about making it "blog official?" :-)

March 23rd
I found out I was pregnant this morning.  I can't explain it, but I just knew I was going to have a December baby.  When I took the test, I waited for the line, knowing it would appear (I'm not even 4 weeks pregnant yet).  Weird, huh?  We had to go to Jackson today for my cousin's wedding shower and it was hard not to tell everyone.  We are having Easter at our house with both families; so, we want to do it with everyone together.  I can't think of a more appropriate day to announce new life then on the day we celebrate our Lord's resurrection and the new life He gives us.

I have to say, I'm not scared.  I didn't know how I'd feel with getting pregnant again after the MC.  I am calm, peaceful and excited.  I'm not in denial that another MC wouldn't happen, but, no matter how long this baby's life is, it deserves to be celebrated.  And that is what we'll do.  We will continue to hold on to the promise that God has good things planned for our future. 

March 31st (Easter Sunday)
We had both of our families over for Easter and planned to tell them.  I wasn't even 5 weeks yet, but when is the right time to tell?  I mean, if I had another MC, I'd want them to know I was pregnant before telling them.  So, Max and I made Easter cards for the grandparents that announced the news.

They, of course, were excited, but I was nervous about telling everyone.  I didn't want to get everyone excited and then sad again if something did happen.  You see, for me, there is no real "safe zone" of when to announce the news.  I've been on quite a journey since miscarrying in December.  I had a full clotting panel done and found out I have a genetic condition that could cause MC.  It's pretty complicated, but long story short, my body has trouble breaking down synthetic (man made) B vitamins.  It has been fascinating to learn how much B vitamins do for the body.  Folate (B9) reduces toxins in the body, prevents neural tube defects and regulates homecysteine (among other things).  The last 2 are critical in pregnancy.  If homocysteine levels are high, there is a great risk for blood clots.  Women with this condition not only have early losses, but losses as late as 38 weeks, due to clots in the placenta or umbilical cord.  The thing that really stinks about this condition is that is was discovered in the late 90s, so there is little research out there.  Every dr / specialist / pharmacist has a different opinion on how to treat it, if at all.   So, I have had to self advocate and pretty much come up with my own plan.  This is not too big of a deal if we are just talking about my health, but we're talking about my baby's life.

My plan is simple right now:  I take a bio active form of B vitamins.  My body can absorb these better than synthetics.  You know what's amazing?  The health issues I've had for about the last 10 years have improved since taking them.  Insomnia, cyclical depression, anxiety . . . either written off in the past as "just getting older" or being told to take an oral contraceptive . . . have all been related to a B vitamin deficiency!  I always knew there was a reason, but no one was willing to really try to get to the root of the problem.  Other options I have during pregnancy are to take a baby aspirin or to get on prescription blood thinners.  I am hoping that taking the right form of folate for my body is going to regulate my homocysteine; therefore, negating the need for a blood thinner.  Time will tell.  It's all trial and error, which is really tough for this accountant who is used to 2+2 equaling 4.  I am trying to remain calm and not read too much.  ;) 

April 10th (6 weeks)

I went in last week for a series of blood tests for my peace of mind.  My progesterone is good (at 21) and my hcg levels are increasing like they should.  We have been really busy the last few weeks, which is good - not much time to sit around and worry.  I haven't been feeling too bad yet.  Nausea here and there - though, I did throw up this morning.  I have a totally different view of the nausea now.  MC does that to you.  It changes the perspective of a lot of things. 

May 21st (Weeks 7 - 12)

We have had a really busy spring, which has been good for me.  I had an ultra-sound at 8 weeks and saw a strong heartbeat!  To tell you the truth, though, I wasn't super relieved.  Our last baby died at 9.5 weeks; so, I knew I wouldn't have peace until I reached that point.  Well, at 9.5 weeks, my symptoms started to subside, just like with the last pregnancy.  It was awful and I was a mess.  The calm and peaceful feelings when I first found out?  Yeah, those were gone.  I was detaching from this pregnancy and it wasn't healthy.  Boy, MC created feelings in me that I never expected.  It was a really hard time for me and I am so grateful for close friends and family who listened without judgement, gently encouraged me and, most importantly, accepted me for who I am and where I'm at in life right now. 

I had a prenatal appt on May 13 (10.5 weeks).  The first thing my CNM did was get out the doppler to try to find the heartbeat.  She found it right away!  PTL!  We first heard Max's HB on Dec 8th - the feast of the Immaculate Conception - and now heard this baby's on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  Surely, our mother in Heaven is watching over these babies.  At 11 weeks, I was able to easily find the baby's HB with my doppler and yesterday (5/20), I was even able to hear some kicks.  I am starting to let my guard down and finally starting to feel like this is real. 

June 18th (Weeks 13-15)

Right around The 1st of June my nausea almost completely went away.  I'm not used to this, since I was sick with Max throughout the entire pregnancy.  Again, thank the lord for the doppler.  I haven't been able to feel the baby much yet, which surprises me.  Again, comparing to Max's pregnancy, I felt him at 16 weeks; I thought for sure I'd feel lots of movement by now, since "they" say you feel the baby earlier in subsequent pregnancies.  At this point, I still can't tell if it's the baby for sure or just gas.  ;-)  Had a prenatal appt at 15 weeks.  Everything is looking wonderful!  Got the anatomy scan scheduled for the 2nd week of July.  Boy or girl?  We shall see!

Max at 23 Months

He is at such a fun age now and there is so much I want to capture, yet I keep putting it off!  So, here it goes!

Little Tiger Fan

At 23 months, Max is pretty good about eating most foods, but he loves, loves, LOVES spaghetti.  And just about any fruit.  Cheese, pretzel, hummus and raisins also top the list.

He gives the best "Hi" when greeting us.  Whether it's getting him out of his crib in the morning or after nap time or when we walk in the door after work, it's a genuine "I'm happy to see you" greeting.  It's wonderful.

He is such a good sleeper.  Thank you, God.  He sleeps 10 or 11 hours at night and takes a 2-3 hr nap in the afternoon.  He normally goes to bed with no fuss.  We bought bunks beds recently, thinking we'd transition him out of the crib in the near future.  But, he is such a good sleeper and isn't trying to get out of his crib yet.  Why mess with a good thing?

I have noticed lately that there is a side of him that only Brook and I see.  It's the sweet, "I wanna sit on your lap and cuddle" side.  I'm not sure if most people would call him sweet, b/c outside of the house, he is a crazy little boy, always on the go.  But it is definitely a quality I see in him.

His vocabulary keeps increasing.  I laugh at some of the things that come out of his mouth.  Last night, on our walk, we ran into our neighbors.  We said, "See ya," as we departed ways.  Max turned around in his stroller and yelled, "See ya!" 

He is quite curious and loves to be involved in anything we're doing - "I help," is a phrase we hear often.  He is quite the little helper.  ;-)  If I'm baking or making dinner, he wants to pull a chair over to help.  If Brook's mowing, he wants to go outside to help.  (We don't let him, of course!)  Speaking of outside, he LOVES to be outside.  "Me.  Play.  Outside," is what we usually hear from him.  He also loves to play in water.  He has no fear at the "big" lake.  (This does wonders for my nerves.)  When the water was just 40 some degrees, we had to force him out of it, b/c he was shivering. 

Such a good helper!

He is social.  If we're at the store, he will repeatedly say "Hi" to people until they acknowledge him.  At the park, he tries to play with kids he doesn't know.  This usually doesn't work out too well for him, b/c they're older than him, but he keeps trying!  :-)

First bell ring of the season!

He continues to be strong-willed and push limits.  Part of his strong-willedness (is that a word?) is thinking life is a big game and everything is funny.  So, I don't really know if you'd call it being strong-willed, but I don't know what else to call it.  For example, I say, "Max, let me change your diaper."  He runs away from me laughing, wanting me to catch him.  Almost every time.  Now, this can get on a person's nerves, trust me.  When he gets into trouble, most of the time, he laughs and laughs, trying to get us to laugh, too.  He has picked up "I'm sorry" lately, though, with a hug to go with it. 

He loves our parish priest - Fr Bill (or "Bill" as he calls him.)  Whenever he sees him, he runs up to him and gives him a huge hug.  During Mass, he sometimes yells out "Bill" at the most appropriate times.  Ha.  He has been doing really well in Mass lately.  When I say "well," I mean, isn't loudly "talking" and carrying on.  As long as I have activities and snacks to occupy him, he does well for about the first 30 or 40 minutes.  We always take him out during the consecration, though, so he doesn't disturb the congegation.  Sometimes, I wonder if we're doing the right thing by bringing him to church (vs leaving him in the nursery.)  I recently read this blog post and it was totally reaffirming.  http://iamtotallythatmom.blogspot.com/2013/05/dear-parents-with-young-children-in.html

Parenting is such an adventure.  It's hardest, yet best thing I have ever done and I continue to learn more about myself (the good, the bad and the ugly) as I parent Max.  Thank you, God, for giving me this little soul the nurture!

Little Helper

Max likes to be involved in just about everything we do. If I'm baking, he wants to pull a chair over to add ingredients - ahem, chocolate chips - and eat them. If Brook is shovelling, he wants to be outside, pushing the shovel. If I'm sweeping, he gets his own little sweeper to help. (He mostly likes to turn the sweeper on and off, though. ;))))

 

Let's hope we get a looonnngggg break from this stuff very soon!

 

 

Making veggie muffins (they're good, I promise!) and eating the ingredients





 

Enjoying the finished product

Party, Party, PARTY!

Tis the season for lots of birthdays.  We have 4 nieces and 1 nephew with birthdays in the first part of the year. 

Connor, Julia and Sophie had a joint birthday party in February.  Connor had a Notre Dame theme.  When Brook found out, he told Connor he wouldn't come unless he had a Michigan cupcake for him.  Connor was very worried about this and asked Jaime to make Brook a Michigan cupcake.  Needless to say, there was no Michigan cupcake.  Brook still went.  ;)

 

Last weekend, Ruthie and Maria shared a birthday party!

 



 

Cool glasses, dude

 

Sunday, we celebrated my friend Heather's birthday.  Early last year, I was praying that God would help me meet young Christian women in the area.  Brook was out in the community meeting people, but, with working full-time, I really hadn't met many new friends in Grand Haven.  As a new mom, I was feeling a major void.  So, I prayed and then, (separately) signed up for Perpetual Adoration at our church.  There was a young woman who also shared my hour.  I'd see her at church with 3 little girls and we talked about getting together for a playdate.  Let's just say, the rest is history!  Isn't it funny how when we do something for God, He blesses us?  It just goes to show, He can never be outdone in generosity. 

For her birthday, we had a fun lunch out at a local restaurant with Heather, her hubby and another couple (the kids stayed behind with a babysitter).  Then, headed back to the house for a surprise party.  It was a great day! 

So blessed to have her in my life!

 



 

 

Max and his buddy, Lydia

Pope Party

After Pope Benedict resigned, Heather suggested we have a little "Pope Party" when the new pope was elected - you know, bring the big Church into the domestic church.  I love stuff like that, so I was in!  We were so excited when white smoke came pouring out of the Sistine Chapel.  The tradition of it all is just so rich.  Lots of texts and phone calls, wondering who it would be. 

When the new pope came out, I will admit, I was surprised.  I expected someone younger.  When his chosen name was announced, the tears came.  Francis . . . that is what we named our baby.  And so, I was instantly bonded with our new Holy Father.  As I began to learn about him and his simple way of life, I liked him even more.  There is something about someone who has money at his disposal, yet chooses to take public transportation and cook his own meals that is very likeable.  He now has the weight of the world's 1 billion Cahtolics on his shoulders and all of our messes; surely, a job no one would want!  We pray for him daily.  May God guide him and give him strength.

He was elected on March 13th.  Here are some pictures of Max - he was so happy with the news (b/c he surely knew what was going on.  Haha)

On Friday, we had our "Pope Party."  We planned to make foods native to Argentina and "Pope Hats" (or zucchettos).  The kids played, while the adults gabbed.  It was a fun evening!

The kids in their zucchettos 

(It only took about 10 takes and a bag of swedish fish to get them to cooperate

and this is the best we could do!  LOL)

 



I'm sure it must be hard for someone who isn't Catholic to understand the excitement we have when a new pope is elected.  A party for a new pope?  And from reading comments on-line, there is lots of misinformation out there.  We don't worhip the pope.  (We only worship God.)  We highly respect him, b/c we believe Jesus when he said "You are Peter and upon this rock, I will build my church."  Peter was our first pope and every pope since then has a direct lineage to Peter.  The deposits of faith (teachings of the Church) are preserved and passed down from pope to pope and he passes them on to the flock.  It's hard for most to understand, but it isn't the job of the pope to change those teachings based on societal norms of the time.  I mean, if you believe you got those teachings from our Lord, how can they be changed b/c society says they should be?  We also repect him, b/c he is our spiritual advisor, if you will - our "head" shepherd here on earth.  I've had 2 popes in my lifetime - John Paul II and Benedict XVI.  Both men were amazing shepherds.  I will always be bonded to Benedict, b/c he gave us our Papal blessing.  And then, there is JPII.  There are no words for this man and how wonderful he was.  From forgiving the man who tried to kill him to this great work to showing us how to suffer and die with dignity.  He said that St. Maximilian Kolbe was the greatest man of the 20th century.  I would say JPII was right up there with him! 

Vacation

Brook and I travelled to Florida at the end of January for a little vacation.  We needed to get away.  Haven't had a vacation - just the 2 of us - since 2009.  We used Orlando as our home base.  No Disney this time, although we did go to Downtown D!sney one evening for dinner.  It was unseasonably warm - mid 80s during the day - when we were there. SOOO wonderful!  I started getting excited for summer . . . then realized we had about 5 more months to wait.  ;-)  We took nice long walks each morning and did something different each day.  The first full day we were there, we went to this shrine, did some shopping at an outlet mall, laid by the pool, went to dinner at Joe's Cr@b and played at Dave & Bu$ter's in the evening. 

 

 

I had never eaten crab from the shell before.  I needed an adjustment from a chiropractor afterwards!  Haha!  Brook, on the other hand, was a pro!

 



 

The second day, we went over to Daytona Beach.  Brook stayed just north of there every year with his family while he was growing up.  It was fun to see where they used to camp and reminisce about playing on the beach for hours and eating pecan spins for breakfast.  Those are really great memories for him and I hope to do something just special and memorable with our family each year.  We walked on the beach, ate some good food and relaxed in the sun, soaking up some vitamin D. 

 

We splurged and rented a convertible.  YOLO, right?  Ha

 

 

The last full day, we went over to the gulf side.  We had dinner plans with my cousin, Phyllis; so, we decided to spend the day in Bradenton.  Again, more time in the sun and taking in the beautiful scenery.  We did a little shopping before dinner (outlet malls everywhere!) and then, met Phyllis and her fiance' Will.  We spent hours talking and catching up.  It was wonderful to meet Will and get to know him a little before their big day!  She asked if Max would be a ring bearer in their wedding.  It will be interesting to see if he can make it down the aisle! 

 

And then, it was time to come home.  It was the perfect amount of time for us.  Max stayed with my parents and Veronica and Brandon and did great!  And it was good for me to see that we could go away and Max would survive.  I am already planning our next trip.  ;-)

 

 

Rejuvinated

I just went back and was re-reading some of my old blog posts.  They made me chuckle - some at how my life has changed in 5 years (no more dollar beer nights at Griffin games!) and some at the pics of all the wonderful kiddos in my life.  I love this blog for the scrapbook it creates for us; yet, I have been really horrible at blogging lately.  I want to continue preserve memories and share stories/life happenings with friends and family near and far.  So, I am determined to do better in the future!!  Here's to a new start!