21 Weeks and counting

   So happy to be progressing as far as I have and knowing that our baby is doing well. Its bittersweet to feel our little kick and squirm and to know that after the new year we will have a new addition. With everything we have to do and the ups and downs we are facing and will face in the future, I know, with confidence, everything is going to be good. 

Here is our little person at 19 weeks 5 days!

   Update on our 4 year old...after evaluations we have learned that he is developmentally delayed and delayed to the point of 2 to 3 years old. It breaks my heart because he has made so much progress and here we stand waiting to find out what is next.

20 Weeks and new projects!

   Well we made it to 20 weeks. Last week we got to have our ultrasound and see our precious little one. It was a great experience, especially since it is my partner's first child. It was wonderful to see his reaction to seeing our little person and hear the heartbeat. We are both very happy our peanut appears to be healthy and is growing just as it should. The downside of our visit...baby was modest. So no idea if we are having a little lady or a little gentleman. As disappointed as so many are, I really am not to disappointed. We will know what we are having in good time. I mean we are half way there!

   On a side note, I had to get more blood work done to check my platelets. They were low in my last blood test and it can apparently be a serious thing. As worried as I am, I have to keep reassuring myself that things will work out. However, our baby is healthy and I have to do my best to make sure it stays healthy. Now it is a waiting game to see what the doctor says and if my platelets are still low. If they are, he will send me to a high-risk ob-gyn and possibly have to see a hematologist. After all my research of the downside of low platelet count, I am definitely paranoid.

   Now to occupy my time with redecorating bedrooms and possibly the living room. We'll see how that goes. Oh the possibilities of decorating. More to come on that too. Mostly, I would like to have my bedroom completed by Thanksgiving or Halloween. I know the baby isn't expected until the end of January/early February but whats wrong with being prepared months in advance??  

Privacy!!

  I think in the world of Facebook, blogging, Twitter and every other possible online resource, our importance and perception of privacy has become distorted. I have a right to my privacy just like anyone else does. If I wanted my information public, I would post it, blog it, tweet it, etc. And I accept the responsibility of having that information out there, regardless of others opinions, etc. But people think it is okay to tell other's business that isn't there's to tell. You are doing more harm then good. I don't do it to you, why do you do it to me. Have people really lost the understanding of do unto others as you want done unto yourself. I'll decide what people know about me and my family.

  With that said, we find out about the health of the baby today. As excited as I am to see our little person, I am extremely hesitant about telling people the outcome. We could also find out if our baby is a boy or girl. As excited as I am to know what we are having, I again don't want to tell people. I feel like people will spread the word to people we, or I, don't want to know what is going on in our lives.

   I am having a hard time coming to the conclusion that I can trust people when I ask them to not tell other people our news. Will that person tell other people? If we say we don't want it public, will people still spread the word? Can we really trust people? 

  On a side note, being 19 weeks pregnant and practically at the halfway point is making me realize that as hard as life is now, life is going to get even harder. Dealing with the OCD, IBS, lactose intolerance, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and severe anxiety, this pregnancy has become the hardest yet to endure. This will definitely be my last pregnancy. All in all, I need prayers!!

18 Weeks

   So excited to be able to go have our ultrasound this week. We will be able to find out if we are having a little boy or a little girl. Its almost bittersweet because we are looking forward to seeing our little one on the screen. Its almost hard to believe that we are almost at the half way point.

   Now to just prep the older kids on being ready for their little sibling. How do you get a 4 and soon to be 3 year old ready for a newborn. For the most part they are still in their own world and aren't ready to share mama or anyone else for that matter. Any tips on how to prepare two preschoolers for a newborn?

   We also need to figure out how to manage our space and rearrange things so that everything will fit a newborn's stuff and the rest of us. I think we are going to soon be bursting at the seams. Anyone have suggestions on how to accommodate everyone in what feels like a small space?