Farewell, First Trimester

Today is the last day of my first trimester.  Good Riddance!  This pregnancy has been so much harder.   At first, I was terribly sick.  Once I figured out that it was mostly due to a medication I was taking, that part got slightly better.  I'm still sick on occasion, but nothing like a month ago.  The fatigue is worse too, probably because I have a toddler to chase around.  I think the worst part, though, is my blood pressure.  I have low-ish BP to begin with, and it gets even lower when I'm pregnant.  With Marlee, it didn't get too terrible until the last month or so when I couldn't stand for long without feeling faint--or worse, actually fainting.  The week before Marlee was born, I actually did my grocery shopping on one of those motorized scooters. :)  This time around, I'm already feeling the effects of my low blood pressure.  I know some tricks that help, so I'm hoping I can keep it in check...otherwise it's going to be a very long six months.

"They" say moms-to-be start feeling better in the second trimester...I hope that's the case for me!

End of whine.

Playdough

Making the playdough

Playing with the finished product!

There are so many recipes (we've done at least four), but this is my favorite:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

1 T vegatable (or similar) oil

1 1/2 t cream of tartar (if you don't have it, just leave it out)

Food color if desired

Mix everything in a sauce pan over low heat until impossible to stir (doesn't take long!).  Cool for a minute and you're good to go!

I store in a a glass storage bowl with a lid in the fridge.  Put a damp cloth or paper towel in with the dough to keep it moist.  Happy squishing!

Baby Slim Update

We had our NT scan yesterday, and everything went perfectly! I confirmed that the flutters I've been feeling the past couple of weeks are indeed Slim...I watched the baby wiggle while I felt them. So crazy that I'm feeling movement this early. They say everything happens faster the second time...I guess it's true!

Slim's movements were making us all laugh. Marlee was more of a roller and wiggler in the womb...apparently Slim is a stretcher. Baby kept stretching it's arms above the head and straightening it's legs all the way. I guess Slim's taking advantage of the room while it's there.

Both the sonographer and perinatologist said they had a good view and guess as to what flavor baby I'm cooking...both independently said Slim looks like another GIRL! Of course, our OB guessed incorrectly at this point with Marlee, but she was much less confident (and honestly, less qualified to read an ultrasound :)). The perinatologist even said he felt at least 80% confident. We know to take the prediction with a grain of salt, but it's still fun! I'll call Slim "her" until we know for sure...so much nicer than "it."

We've decided that we won't be sharing our name choices this time around. Honestly, we really haven't made a choice on a girl's name. We still have five that we like!

Bath Painting

These bath paints are super easy to make.  Mix a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch with some liquid soap (I used her baby wash) and add food coloring.  Thin with water if needed.  

Marlee and Aunt Bird

Poor Georgie

I had to take George to the vet this morning after we noticed him limping on our walk yesterday.  Turns out he probably just has a sprain...we're putting off xrays for a couple of weeks to see if anti-inflamatories work first.  While the doc was examining his leg, I was petting him and noticed a lump--about the size of a quarter--near his tail.  He ended up getting a biopsy...fortunately the tumor is benign.  We also found out he has gingivitis and will have to be put under anesthesia for a deep dental cleaning.  It's my fault for not brushing his teeth enough :(.  To top it all off, he got his shots.  Poor poor Georgie!

The Weekend...a Little Late

Katie surprised me with a visit this weekend!  I had plans to have lunch with her sister, and when I opened the door, there was Katie!

It was the first time she's met Marlee, and the two of them were pals all weekend long.  We had a great weekend...hanging out, eating, visiting old haunts.  The weekend was really jam-packed, and we were all pretty wiped out on Sunday.  Katie is a talented photographer...check out the pictures she took of Marlee and her friends over the weekend on her photo site, Bird's Eye View.

One of the highlights of the weekend was Jackson's birthday party.  Marlee got to play with the birthday boy and her other friend Johnny, and Katie and I got to visit with Jen and Mandi.

Sophie, the Shampoo Model

Support Team Wearing Red Shoes

Hi Friends! Today is the first day of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.  Before I was born, the doctors told my mommy's friend, Caroline that she has MS.  The MonSter makes Caroline's life very hard.  She feels ouches all the time, and she wants to take lots of naps.  Sometimes she can't see her friends or read books, and she has a hard time walking...kind of like I did when I was little.

I am so glad that my mommy can run and jump all day long and read me lots of books.  She doesn't get ouches except when she's clumsy.  Best of all, my mommy's going to be here to hold me for a very long time. 

My friend Caroline wants to be a mommy, and I know she would make a super one!  She has to wait a while for a different medicine so that she feels better.  We can help that happen faster by funding more MS research.  

I'm such a great walker that my mommy and daddy and I are all going to put on fancy red shoes (they're Caroline's favorite) and walk for her team in the MS walk.  Will you please help me reach my fundraising goal by donating here?

Thank you for your loving donation!

Love, Marlee