the 10th week and some funnies

I am officially 10 weeks and 3 days today.


Wheeeeeeeeee!


I went to the doctor yesterday...wasn't able to hear the heartbeat yet, but the baby was moving. The doctor said she could hear the heartbeat whizzing by the doppler, but couldn't pinpoint it. It appears there may be a busy-body in my body. Either that or the baby already doesn't like doctors. Good thing we saw a strong heartbeat last week!

And FYI, peeing before you are weighed by the nurse doesn't really affect your weight at all. Stupid scale.

I also found out that my risk of getting pre-eclampsia is higher because I've had it before. Really only about 10-15%, but that still seems kind of high to me. I informed the doctor that I CANNOT go on bedrest this time since I will have a 2 1/2 year old to chase around. She laughed at me and said..."Okay, whatever." I can tell we're gonna get along great! She understands me.

My next appt. is April 29th and I'll be approx 14 1/2 weeks. Hopefully we'll get to hear a good heartbeat then.

And now for something COMPLETELY different (but still pregnancy related)...

Nan reminded me yesterday of a funny story from when I worked at the pregnancy care center.

When a woman would come in for a pregnancy test, we would first ask her certain questions and get to know her a little bit. The questions had to do with her periods, if she used birth control, what types of pregnancy symptoms she might have, and then we would start to talk about her support system and how she might feel about a possible pregnancy at that time.

This one client I had wasn't exactly the spiciest Dorito in the bag (if you know what I mean) and was trying to explain some of her symptoms to me. The conversation went something like this...

Me: What kinds of symptoms have you had?

Client (speaking very fast and with a very southern accent): Well, I've been feeling naw...naw...nawsuss...

Me: Nauseous?

Client: Well, yes. I've been vomicking a lot.

Me: (biting my lip and trying hard not to laugh) Oh, so you've also been vomiting?

Client: That's right.


This client also said another funny while I was with her. Often our clients, a good many of whom were unemployed or in desperate financial situations, would apply to receive Pregnancy Medicaid through the Department of Social Services (or DSS). Here's what she said about that.

Client (still speaking very fast and with very southern accent): So, I think I need to get some help with this pregnancy, like with money and all. I think I need to go to the Department of Service Services.

Me: (If I had had liquid in my mouth, she would have been wearing it) Oh, you mean the Department of Social Services? I'll give you a paper that will tell you what you need to take up there to get Medicaid.


She was a very sweet girl - not very well educated, but wanted to do what was best for her baby and I totally respect her for that. And she provided me with a couple good laughs. All in a day's work.


I'll be updating you all about things in the pregnancy and such as we go along. And I think maybe I'll ask the nurse to weigh me like this next time.

That way it will be more accurate.

at last...

The day has finally come where I feel I can announce some news that Mr. Baseball and I have known about for several weeks.


WE ARE EXPECTING BABY NO. 2!!!!!!



We are excited that our family will be expanding on or around October 24th of this year (that makes me 9 weeks and 2 days) and are proud to say that there is only one baby in utero (not that we were worried or anything, but twins have to start somewhere you know).

I have been feeling pretty good, but just lacking a lot of motivation to clean house. This is obviously not a pregnancy symptom since it was here long before I ever got knocked up. I have been tired though, and hungry. Food never tastes as good as when you're pregnant (Note to self: this kind of thinking is what packed on 60 lbs last time!).

I digress. Anyway, here is a picture of "Homer" as we are calling him/her. We will probably find out what the baby's gender is, however until we do, we will call it "Homer". The Redhead has even become attached to this name.

Here's Homer's first picture...

Beautiful!

The only thing not beautiful about this experience was the fact that I had a completely full bladder and the ultrasound tech kept jiggling the wand up and down on my stomach in efforts to get Homer to move. I almost lost my bladder function. She's lucky I didn't. It would have been TOTALLY her fault.

words of comfort...two year old style

This past week my maternal grandmother passed away as she slept. She was my last living grandparent. "Mama Sease" as we called her died a month shy of her 90th birthday. She lived a good life, had a good husband, four children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who thankfully inherited her red hair! She will be greatly missed.

The redhead, since he's only 2 and a half, doesn't yet understand death and that's okay. I told him Mama Sease (who he most likely doesn't even remember) is in heaven with Jesus.

Tuesday night, my Aunt Emily and I were talking about how one of the saddest things is that Sarah, my sister is just 3 weeks shy of giving birth to a baby boy named after my grandfather Jack, Mama Sease's husband. Mama Sease wanted the baby's sex and name to be a surprise and passed away unaware that the baby carried on a family name. I commented (in the redhead's presence) about how Sarah must be sad about this fact and that I was sad for her. The following is exactly what was said by my most loving child.

Me: I know that Sarah must be sad that Mama Sease didn't get to meet Jack.

Redhead: Sarah, sad?

Me: Yes, Aunt Sarah is sad about Mama Sease and mommy is too.

RH: Mommy sad? Hug you. All better.



Upon hearing this, I cried. How could I not? My little redhead is so loving and compassionate and obviously sensitive to the feelings of others. I love it. What a blessing.

And what a blessing to have a grandmother who passed on a legacy of loving the Lord, working hard, serving others, and the importance of family. I'm thankful to have had so many years and so many memories with her. She will be greatly missed.

4 Generations (L-R): Mama Sease, me, my mom, and the redhead
July 2008

bad words...according to kindergartners

You know how when you are little, there are certain "bad words" that you're not allowed to breathe for fear of getting your mouth washed out?

Words like "stupid", "shut-up", "darn it", etc.

When I was in kindergarten I often went to play with my little friend Claire who lived in our neighborhood. One day I came home in tears and the conversation went as follows:

Me: "Mom, I didn't want to do it. I really didn't, but Claire made me say it."

Mom: "Caroline, what did Claire make you say?"

Me: "I can't tell you - it's too bad. It's a bad word."

Mom: "Caroline, you can tell me...just tell me."

Me: "I didn't want to do it mom, I just didn't, but she made me say it."

Mom: "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

Me: (in tears) "She made me say...Oh God!"


I wish I could say that's the worst thing I've ever said.

In other things funny, little Caroline told me a "bad word" the other day. She and I were petting my dog Lijah and she mentioned the movie "Marley and Me". I asked her if she had seen it and she said yes ( I thought this was a more grown-up movie) and that I wouldn't like it because of the ending. (Spoiler Alert) I asked her if the dog died in the movie and she said yes and that it was sad. (End of Spoiler Alert) She also mentioned there were lots of bad words in the movie and proceeded to mouth one that I couldn't quite understand. I said..."What?", and she reluctantly said in a hushed voice - "Sexy."

So, there you have it. Ranking up there with all the other "real" four-letter words are "Oh God" and "Sexy".

I'm just trying to help you keep it clean.

promised cake pictures

Last Saturday was one of my sister Sarah's baby showers. She has about 4 more weeks before Baby Jack will enter this world, thus changing her life forever. We are more than excited about meeting this little bit of preciousness. And I will be posting pictures.

But until then, you'll have to enjoy these pictures of the shower. She has most of them on her camera, but I did manage to take a few.

Here's the cake I made for my sweet sister. It was an almond-flavored poundcake with real buttercream icing. And it was yum.

The redhead helps Aunt Sarah open one of her gifts.

I tried to get a sweet mother/son picture, but the redhead wouldn't cooperate. At least its a decent picture of me!

Sarah, the redhead, my mom/"Nano", and me

We had a lot of fun - I got to see friends from college I haven't seen in a while, some family that I haven't seen in a few months, and chow down on some yummy food, all while celebrating my sister! I love you Sarah and I'm so excited for you and LeGrande to enter into parenthood!