Baby Update

For those blog lurkers who may be interested, we are still having a baby.  As far as we know, he is still a boy.  His due date is now 3 weeks away from today (June 8th).

Here is the G-rated update:

We had our 4th ultrasound 2 weeks ago.  All potential problems had miraculously cleared up just enough that the we were told the little boy is set for a regular take off.  That's good news.

I went to the doctor last week and she said that things were already progressing and that I could schedule an induction anytime June 1st or after if I wanted to.  Though I had joked with James that it would be good if the baby came on June 1st so I could miss graduation, the thought of going to school on Thursday and then going to have a baby on Friday sounded kind of strange.  We decided to wait the weekend and have scheduled to be induced on June 5th.  However, I am now having second thoughts because Molly, James, and I all have even numbers in our birthdays (months, days, and years).  An odd number might be a bad idea.  Hmmmmm . . .

I went to the doctor again this week and met with this old dude Dr. Rasmussen since my regular doctor is out of town (next week is yet another doctor, then my doctor will be back . . .  I don't really care, though).  This doctor was pretty cool and talked with me for quite a while.  His phone rang while he was meeting with me.  The ring tone was "Who am I sir, I Utah man am I . . . "  He said, "I'm really sorry, but if this is the ringtone, I have to answer it."  I listed while he talked to "Betty" about a problem with his football tickets.  He was going to call her right back after he was finished with me.

He said that things have progressed even further than the week before.  He said  that if he were a betting man, he would bet that I will NOT make it to my due date and that he wouldn't be totally surprised if I didn't make it to my next appointment.  Hmmmmm . . .

I'm not sure I believe him.  I really don't think this little boy is coming that soon and I'm not holding my breath, but what do I know.  I did take some time at school today to make sure I have a written plan for the next 2 weeks.  I made some copies of things that I don't need yet and I tried to make it look like I was sort of organized in the event that I am absent.  At home, I think we are pretty much ready for him whenever he gets here.  There are just a couple of things I should probably do this weekend . . . just in case.

Finally, if the little boy comes early, James is worried that he will lose the weigh-in contest at work.  I don't think it is really even a contest, but he has mentioned it.  There are about 100 people in his office, including women and spouses of some of the men, who have had or are having babies all about now.  I think the largest so far has been 8+ pounds.  James was hoping for another giant baby like Molly, I think, at 9+ pounds.  An early arrival could definitely hinder that.

I've been trying to talk to Molly more and more about her baby brother . . .  I don't know what's going to happen there, but she's been in a throwing mood the last few days.  Minnie Mouse, Elmo, baby doll, have all been thrown in the air.  She goes and picks them up and says, "Be careful.  Soft," but she keeps throwing them.  I hope that's not a bad sign.

That's the news from the baby front.

Birthday Party Pictures!

2-Year Doctor Visit

Today, Molly and I went to see Dr. Havlik for her 2-year-old check up.  Short story:  She's doing just dandy!  Long story:  Here are the details of the appointment.  Dr. Havlik is very thorough and very serious and I like him.  When Molly got really sick for a day or two after we returned from San Diego, he called us twice over the weekend.  I really appreciated that.  He is, however, a little goofy.

Date: 5/15/2012
Name: Molly
Age: 2
Weight: 27.5 lbs (62%)
Height: 33 in (28%) - Totally wrong measurement.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A

James and I both measured her later today and figured she is between 34.5 and 35.5 inches (which puts her back in the 85-90th percentile) and is much more accurate.  If you believe the old wives tale of doubling a child's height at age 2, then Molly will be around 5'10".)

Developmental Questions:
Can she kick a ball?  Yes.
Can she throw a ball (or other object) overhand?  Yes.
Can she talk and can you understand what she says? Yes and Yes.
Can she wash her own hands?  Um . . . sure.  (Yes, she can do the motions of washing her hands.  Does she actually get them clean all by herself?  No.)
Can she attempt to put clothing on or take clothing off by herself?  Yes.

There were other questions, but I can't remember them all.

Safety:
Never leave her unattended, especially near water.
Always have her buckled in a car seat.  She can't switch to a booster seat until she is 40 pounds.
Watch out for hot items such as the barbecue, curling irons, the stove, and handles sticking out from pans on the stove.

Other discussion points:
How is her diet?  It could be better.  She doesn't eat many fruits and vegetables, but we always try to offer them to her.

Dr. Havlik relayed the story that with his own children, they could choose what they wanted to eat off of the dinner table.  If they at least tried one of everything that was offered, they could pick their own snack before going to bed, which could have included a cookie, ice cream, or something like that.  If they chose not to try one of everything that was offered at the table, then the parents would choose the snack before bed, which consisted of something like a slice of 7 grain whole wheat bread.

How do you think she will react with the new baby?  I'm not sure. We've been talking about it a lot and she is used to being around babies at school.  She also really likes to play with her dolls.  We'll just have to see.

Dr. Havlik then relayed the following analogy.  He said that often we tell the older children that the baby is cute and adorable and wonderful.  Don't you think he's cute?  Don't you love him?  etc.  How does this make the older child feel?  The analogy was that if James brings home a mistress and proceeds to tell me how beautiful, wonderful, and adorable she is, does that really make me, the wife, feel loved?  We didn't really answer this question, but Dr. Havlik reiterated that you need to give the older children plenty of love and attention aside from the new baby.  Ok, I will try.  Interesting analogy, doctor.

What else? 

Are you having a boy or girl?  Boy.
Are you considering having him circumcised?  Um . . . I guess we haven't really talked about that.
Well, it is done less and less frequently now days and is merely a social decision with no medical backing.  There is no reason for a son to be circumcised just because his father is.  I do encourage you, however, that if you decide to do it, have it done at the hospital before the baby comes home.  Ok.

My mom said she felt some type of bump on Molly's neck a couple of weeks ago. I haven't felt anything, but I had the doctor check, too.  He didn't feel anything either.

For the second time, I filled out an Autism questionnaire for Molly.  When he was giving me directions and handing me the paper, I said, "I'm pretty sure she's not autistic."  He said, "I'm pretty sure she's not either, but I've decided to do this paper work on all of my patients.  I have found that I have actually starting diagnosing less patients with autism since doing these questionnaires than before."  I thought that was interesting.

Ear tubes.  One is intact and normal.  The other is no longer in the ear drum, but just hanging out inside her ear.  It will fall out at some point, but there is no need to mess with it.  (On Monday we go to our every-6-month visit to the ear doctor.  He's the one who last time told me Molly had the most violent reaction he had ever seen in a child.  Wish us luck!)

Oh . . . and in trying to prep Molly to be a good girl at the doctor, I was reminding her of past visits and what happens.  She was fixated on the fact that Dr. Havlik gives her "a stick."  It's a tongue depressor in which he draws a cat on one side and a bunny on the other.  As soon as he walked in the room, Molly watched him draw the pictures, got the stick, was pretty excited, and said "thank you."  Other than screaming for 5 seconds when she got her shot, she was really good . . . nervous, but good.

Happy Birthday 2 You!

Happy Birthday 2 You!

Happy Birthday 2 You!

Happy Birthday Dear Miss Molly!

Happy Birthday 2 You!

Happy Birthday Molly!

I can't believe how quickly you've grow from this 9 pound ball of squishy to this crazy smart little 2 year old.  You are quite the kid and I love you very much.  I can't even count the number of words you can say and you're starting to speak in more clear sentences.  You love chocolate milk and cheese, you love your baby dolls and your stuffed animals, your stroller, looking at books, and hiding in closets.  You love to play outside and get dirty.  You love to sing songs and dance.  You tease mom when every animal on "Old MacDonald" pants like a puppy.  You request songs to sing in nursery and know all the words and actions while some of the other kids just stare. 

You still use your silly binker, but it's only allowed on your bed. Sometimes, though, you need a moment with your binker and we'll find you curled up with it and a blanket on your bed, just taking a minute to rest and regroup.  You love your big bed and can climb up it just fine.  You are afraid to get down on your own, but that is fine for the moment. 

You are pretty good at sharing.  You are really good at saying please and thank you.  You've had your share of temper tantrums, but (with the exception of a bad day here and there when your naps get messed up) you have been very pleasant and haven't screamed too much lately.

You love to give hugs and kisses, especially when "Shhhh.  Dad is sleeping," in the mornings and you get to climb all over him to wake him up with your slobbery "tiss" and "hug, dad, hug" while mom finishes getting ready.  You also get very jealous and want to join in if by some off chance mom and dad actually give each other a hug in front of you.

For the last couple of weeks you've hardly even batted an eye when mom drops you off at school.  You are such a big girl and just jump right into whatever the big kids are doing.  Most days mom feels guilty about taking you to school, but you love your friends and teachers there and you are learning lots and lots every day while mom teaches the goofy big kids. 

You are terrified of the lawnmower and nervous around the vacuum.  You mimick everything your mom and dad do.  You spend a good deal of time each day on the kitchen counter eating snacks, drinking chocolate milk, eating popsicles, or bobbing your head to whatever music is playing.  It makes your grandma's nervous that you are always on the counter, but it is your favorite spot.

I am excited to see how you act around your new "baby brudder."  I think you finally understand that he's only in mom's tummy and not yours or dad's.  You've stopped trying to put on his clothes and you like to look at the ultrasound picture of him at your eye level on the fridge.  I think you're starting to understand that he is coming, but we'll see how you react for real in a few weeks.

Molly, I can't imagine life without you.  You smile and giggle and make everyone happy.  You remember people's names, listen intently to what they say, and soak up everything new that you can every day!  We are so happy that you are a part of our family!

Happy Birthday #2!