Natalie is still doing fine. She's been keeping up with her dance classes, and really loves them. She gets extremely excited when I tell her it's almost time for class. I think she is also very interested in going to pre-school. We didn't feel it was necessary for her to have two years in a pre-school setting, so we decided to wait until next year to start. I hope she keeps up the enthusiasm. I don't know if there are any programs (aside from a daycare center) that will start in January. If so, we may think about doing that. At least then I would be able to see her off to school for awhile (since I plan to have a full time job next Fall). That would also give me some time to have some one on one time with Aiden (Oh yeah, by the way, did we mention that we finally decided to stick with Aiden as the baby's name? We are still contemplating the middle name, but so far no agreement).
Natalie is also still having a lot of fun playing doctor. I probably encourage her since I frequently ask Dan to take my blood pressure (something I have become OC about lately). She told me the other day that she had to check me out. We went through this whole routine where she strapped the bp cuff on and "pumped" it up, announcing "It it says 27; you're o.k." Then she listened to my heart, and then said, "Mommy, I have to put sticky stuff on your belly and listen." It took me a second to realize what she was talking about, but I remembered that she has been to several of my doctor's appts. and thinks it's funny every time the doctor puts the gel on my belly to listen to the heartbeat. Natalie also loves to tell stories and hear other people tell stories. She started a story for Dan one day with this..."When I was your age..." Pretty funny!
Last weekend she went with mom-mom and pop-pop to Ms. Debby's farm for a festival. There were hay rides, pumpkin carving, and animals galore. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures, but here are some funny things that my mom mentioned happened on her adventure.
Natalie really enjoyed the Fall Festival at the Houck's. She enjoyed a great hayride with Pop-pop, Mom-mom, Ms. Debby and Eddy and all the other children. We saw deer, horses, goats, cows, dogs, cats, and chickens along the way, while Natalie munched on strawberries, during the ride smiling and laughing the whole time.
We all gathered around the campfire to listen to Natalie tell her campfire story, and carve out pumpkins. Ms. Debby helped to find the perfect pumpkin for Natalie, while Ms. Linda helped her carve and decorate the pumpkin. Unlike Trinity, Natalie was hesitant about sticking her hands into the pumpkin to pull out all the guts (as the children called it) of the pumpkin, replying, "this is messy and gross!" About a half hour later, after a lot of wipes, Natalie was holding her own right along side the other children, in pulling the so-called guts out of her pumpkin. A fine job she did!
Then Lauren, Trinity, and Natalie ran and played for hours in the dark. Each with their own lights to see where they were running in the night (those light-up boots helped Mom-mom keep track of Natalie's whereabouts). Natalie received a lot of compliments from the adults at the festival about how smart she was and a very good girl (bragging was in order of course)!
Natalie and Trinity entertained all Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls (as Natalie announced) by singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and the ABC song.
The girls than proceeded to run and play hide-n-seek again, however, Natalie had an advantage this time, when Ms. Linda gave her a light that fit around her head (the coal-miner type) leaving her hands free. She was very excited to be wearing this light.
Speaking of doctor's appointments, we have had some follow-ups with new information. I had my second ultrasound on 9/25. This time it was at the Women's Center in St. Agnes (the hospital where I will be delivering). I LOVE this place because the U/S techs are very thorough, personable, and make sure "you" are aware of everything they're looking at. Plus, you get the results right away...the doctor on staff comes in when the tech is done and gives you the report. This is where we went from the get go with Natalie, so I was a bit surprised when I went to American Radiology for Aiden. Anyhow, the doctor said that the placenta has moved, and I should have no problem having a "regular" delivery (provided that everything else goes as planned). Then he mentioned that Aiden's kidneys look normal, and we thought, "Good to know, why is he singling them out?" He explained that the first u/s report indicated that one of the baby's kidneys appeared distended. What? We never heard anything about that! When we explained this to him, he double checked that he was in fact dealing with the right people, and confirmed. He said it's not uncommon for kidneys to appear this way in an u/s if the baby is producing urine at the time, and the fact that everything looks completely normal now suggests that was what happened during the first u/s. I will be going back on October 22nd just for one last follow up on Aiden and me.
A few days after the u/s I went for my glucose test. Fun stuff! I was a little nervous this time around. I have had a problem with low blood sugar for awhile, but nothing with high sugar (though it does run in my family). I had such a rocky first trimester with eating, and often feel like my sugar is out of whack, so I was afraid there might be a problem. Well, I had another o/b appt. this past Tuesday, and the doc said I passed with flying colors. Yeah...no 3 hour test!!! She also indicated that the baby's heart is fine...pause, what? I choose now to express my concerns about the fact that we didn't know any of the possible complications (with the exception of the previa) before my follow up ultrasound. I feel a little better having had the discussion, and there shouldn't be anymore surprises!!!
All stated, Aiden and I are doing fine, aside from the fact that I have severe heartburn (I am up to 150 mg of Zantac 2x a day), and was concerned about possible contractions (let's just say it wasn't contractions!!!). I was in obvious pain a few times, which concerned both Dan and Natalie. Natalie was so sweet and would come rub my back, and ask me what's the matter. I am somewhat surprised I wasn't offered Ginger Ale. Aiden also likes to sit very low, and who am I kidding he kicks, rolls, punches, everything real low. For all of you mommy's out there, you know this is not comfortable ;) I made a comment, more to myself, that Aiden is trying to come out...perhaps through my belly button. Natalie overheard and thinks this is the funniest thing ever. So, don't be surprised (or alarmed) if she mention that her brother is trying to come out!!!!
Pictures will be coming soon!!!!
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