The Name Game

We finally picked a name!!! Deciding on a boy's name has been soooo challenging for us. We had a girl's name already picked out because I just knew our little boy was going to be a girl (I WAS WRONG!), and we absolutely did not agree on boy's names. We seemed to like traditional names, for the most part, but for some reason one of us would have a reason to veto's the other's names. Some of the name casulties include Alexander, James, Mason, Dominic, John and Logan for Paul and Isaac, William, and Nicholas for me. It has taken over a month of brainstorming, but we finally agree on a name!!

Our son will be Nathan (after the Ross family) Edward (after Paul and his Dad) and we are soooo excited to meet him in a few months! I can't beleive our little boy is going to be here by Christmas!!

19 weeks Appointment

Weight Gain: +4 lbs by MD, +2 lbs by my house scale
B/P: 120/74
FHR: 150's
Fundal Height: Umbilicus

I saw my normal OB today for a pretty uneventful appointment. She said that everything was looking great and wanted to touch base about my palpitations. She is referring me to a different cardiologist (I could tell she didn't like the one that saw me in the ER), thus increasing my provider count to THREE! Oh goodness. I wish my body would realize women have babies everyday! Oh well. I am so glad that my little boy is doing well, and gaining weight.

We have started getting ready for his arrival. Paul and his dad painted the nursery green last weekend, and I am looking at ordering Katie Bug's new toddler bed so that he can take over her crib. I can't believe our son will be here in five short months!

Level II Ultrasound and Gender Reveal

Weight Gain: Something completely ridiculous by their scale....+3.8 lbs at home
Blood Pressure: 98/62
Fetal Heart Rate: 150's

We had the Level II U/S on July 5th (17w5d) with the Perinatologist. While Dr. A didn't think that anything was concerning with the pregnancy, she thought it would be "safe" to have Dr. R check me out again. (At this point in my pregnancy with Katie, my blood pressure was already creeping up.)  Our little baby cooperated very well for the technician and we got all of the pictures they were looking for. 

Our baby BOY was measuring in at 8 oz and was moving all around. He had his hands up by his face just like his big sister, and we got to see him opening and closing his mouth and even all of his fingers and toes. He is currently transverse, with his head on the left side of my abdomen and his bottom on the right. I know it is still plenty early, so he has lots of time to flip to a new position, but I can definitely tell he isn't sitting like Kaitlyn was because it feels so much different.

We talked more about my heart palpitations and my ER visit. Dr. R said that he expects me to continue to have palpitations, which unfortunately has happened, and in fact increase as I get further along. He suspects it is the baby that is causing the arrhythmia as I had never had this problem before and there was not a mechanical/structural abnormality within my heart.  So, I am now up to TWO doctors for this pregnancy as Dr. R will be following us monthly...

Happy 4th of July!!

For the Fourth of July, our family went to the Hyatt near our home to enjoy some relaxation and Hill Country Fun. We had such a great time. We floated the Lazy River, went to a Barn Yard Dance, mom and I went to the spa for some girl time, took some naps, and saw a neat laser show this year since the fireworks are banned.

Checking into the hotel with Daddy

Breakfast with Lady Liberty and her Crew

Getting ready to head out for the day!

Floating the river with Daddy, big girl wanted to swim alone

Katie and Mommy

Grandma, Grandpa and Katie Bug



Happy Fourth from the Medinas!



Happy First Birthday, Aubree!!

My little niece, Aubree, turned one on June 23rd, and we had a great time at her Pool Party on July 2nd. Of course, Katie thought swimming with her cousin was the most amazing idea ever!!! It has been such a joy watching these two grow up together over the past year.

Kaitlyn: Month Eighteen

Kaitlyn Marie,


March 30, 2011

Oh my goodness, how time flies. I look at you now, and I am just amazed by the sweet little girl you are becoming. You are such a happy child and my eyes well up just looking at how beautiful you are (on the inside and out). You have such an playful spirit. You LOVE being the center of attention, having an audience and being loved on. When we get home from work, you always have such a big smile (unless of course it's bedtime, and then there are tears because you are tired and fighting sleep). It makes an entire day full of stress disappear.



Grandma's Birthday Dinner, April 9, 2011

You have learned so much in the past few months. You are so smart!! It is neat to see you connecting the dots, and you are starting to come out with new words. You know when we are leaving somewhere and take the proper shoes to everyone coming. You run to the door and wave bye bye. If we are at home, you promptly walk to the garage and start reaching for the door knob (which thankfully you can't open, yet). You love to carry around your shoes and any bag that could work as a purse. And Violet, your puppy from Great Aunt Tami, is your favorite toy. Sometimes she even makes it all the way to Aunt Nomi's because you won't put her down. You love to be independent and insist on doing everything yourself, including picking up trashing and throwing it away!
 

Katie and Gam Gam at King William Festival, April 16th

You have started to run occasionally, you dance more, laugh a whole lot, of course we have tears for the dramatic, you climb like crazy, you think you are ready to swim on your own (not gonna happen)....You are most definitely a toddler. You are still a good eater, and you are drinking from "big girl" glasses, with help, of course. We haven't kicked those bottles, but it's not something I am too worried about right now, and you mainly have them before sleeping. My favorite thing is when you give me hugs unexpectedly. You finally kissed someone this past couple of weeks....the lucky recipient??? Kalli and Buddy's new puppy boy! The rest of us will just have to settle for your cheek and sweet smile.  

Easter, April 24, 2011

Some of your latest words:

Momma

Daddy

"Ba" for all done

Baby

"Peas" for Please

"Bock" for Block

Bye

More

"Bi-an" for Brian, Nomi's boyfriend

Bubbles

Bottle

Budd-e!, All Dogs

Bella, All Kids

"Pollo" for Apollo, Nomi's dog

"Ice Ceam" or "Ice"

Bite

Teeth

Juice

Cook-ieeee, sounds so cute

"Uh oh!"

Cheese

Birdie

Grandma

Nose


Three Generations, May 23rd

We are trying to prepare you as a big sister for the new baby coming later this year. Since you are more into horseplay that quietly sitting these days, Daddy has tried to help you learn to rub my belly "gently," and tells you "baby." I don't think you understand what that means because Grandma told me you were patting her belly and telling her "baby" the other day, too! LOL! I know that you are going to be a wonderful big sister to your new sister or brother.

June 2, 2011

We love you so much, Katie Bug, and we are so blessed to have you as our daughter. Always know that it was your sweet little face that stole my heart, and you who made me a mommy. I will always love you to infinity and beyond, and nothing will ever change that.

Kisses for Katie!, June 24, 2011

Love,

Mommy

Katie's First Trip to the Coast

While we were in Corpus, we thought we could take Katie for a quick trip to the beach. She is such a little fish and loves the water, so I knew she would enjoy the ocean. Sure enough, she jumped right in! She is so fearless; she doesn't even think that she can't swim or touch the bottom and jumped right into the waves and squarely into the sand. She loved the seagulls and walked up and down the beach to see the "birdies." She even decided to do her part in keeping the beaches clean and picked up trash. I can't wait to take her back for a longer vacation. I know that she is going to be my beach babe fore sure!

Congratulatios Mr. and Mrs. Lepler!!!

Exchanging Vows

The Bridesmaids

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Lepler!

Changing into Dancing Boots

The Tables

Mariachis

Pat and Kevin

Best Friends

Father's Toast

First Dance, "Next to Heaven"

Let Them Eat Cake!

My best friend's wedding was yesterday! I am so excited for Tara and Kevin!!! We were so honored to be able to share in their special day, and we know they will have many happy years together. Congratulations, you two lovebirds!

Hospital Visits....

Yes, unfortunately, that is a pleural "vistis" for me...this early in my pregnancy, too. Ugh.

On June 1st, I caught the stomach bug that was creeping it's way through our family. I got so sick I was unable to keep down water and was having trouble urinating. I knew that meant I was seriously dehydrated and off to the ER Paul and I went. Five hours, two bags of Normal Saline, and a $2000 bill later I was nice and hydrated. Oh goodness.

I was hoping that would be the end of the excitement for us, but unfortunately it wasn't. On June 21st, I was getting ready to go to bed and I started having fast palpitations that wouldn't go away. I have gotten these before, but they usually only last 3-4 beats and then go away. My mom gets them, and so does Grandma apparently, but they have never been bothersome. I even had an ECHO done when I first got pregnant with Kaitlyn to make sure everything was okay for the pregnancy.

This time, however, they didn't go away. They were still there in the morning when I woke up but were WORSE. I was having a lot of trouble breathing and was very diaphoretic ...I knew this wasn't good. So off to the ER I went again. When they checked me with a 12-lead EKG, my heart rate was 220!! They immediately moved me from triage to Trauma Room 8. I was either in SVT or A fib with RVR....the treatment of which is drugs or shocking. Fortunately for me, the arrhythmia went away on it's own, but I had a lot of PVC's and PAC's for several hours. They kept me overnight, placed me on telemetry, drew serial troponins and performed another ECHO. All of my lab work came back normal, and they discharged me on the 22nd. What a scare! The cardiologist told me that I likely was experiencing Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and there really isn't anything for me to do other than return if the palpitations and chest pain return.

Really, really hoping this is the last I see of the hospital until this baby is ready to deliver...after November 17th, of course....


**I know I used a lot of medical jargon. Please follow the word link for more info.

15 Week Appointment: Uneventful

Weight Gain: +1.5 lbs by MD, +0.4 lbs at home
B/P: 120/76
FHR: 150s

 I am 14 weeks, 5 days along today. I am at the part where I feel "fat" and not really pregnant. My stomach is starting to stick out more, but I can still fit in my regular shirts and some of my regular "fat" pants. I like the extra room in my maternity pants, but they fall down more. Oh well...

My appointment was super fast and uneventful. I went by myself while Noemi watched the Doodle Bug. The tech found the baby's heart rate really easily and higher than I was expecting. I still feel like the baby is near my pubic bone, but at 4 inches and 2.5 oz, the baby is roughly the size of an apple and moving on up! My stomach is getting "harder" and my stretch marks from last time are starting to look "angry." (nice and red...)

I go in Monday for a "Triple Screen," which checks for chromosomal abnormalities. Then I see my OB next month. Not much else to report, thankfully! :)

11 weeks

11 weeks, 0 days

Weight Gain: 2 lbs by MD scale
B/P: 102/66 (my best ever!)
FHR: 158

Today, I had my 11 week appointment. Paul took me, and Noemi watched the Katie Bug. We were seen pretty quickly this time, and actually, the tech told us not to be surprised if we didn't see Dr. A as the hospital had been calling that a mom was in labor. Dr. A popped in shortly afterwards and did a quick ultrasound. I was surprised; we had already seen the heartbeat and didn't have an ultrasound at this point in our first pregnancy.

The baby was moving all over the place, flipping, kicking and waiving his/her arms around. We got some very good ultrasound pictures (which I need to upload, I know...). It was the most exciting appointment that I have had. It was so neat to see the baby so active, and it feels more real now. Before, I just kind of felt sick all the time. lol! Not much else to report....

Still having cramps occasionally, sore breasts, constipation, SO TIRED, nausea and vomiting, the usual glamorous pregnancy symptoms. We have the (hopefully) BIG reveal scheduled for July 5th at 10am.

Second Appointment

 7 weeks, 0 day

Weight: +1 lb by the Dr and -2 lbs by home scale
BP: 122/80
FHR: 130s

I had my second appointment today. I have been so nervous this time around, and I don't know why. I have been so afraid we were going to go to the appointment today and get bad news. I have had a lot more spotting this time around. With Kaitlyn, it lasted only a couple of days, but this time, I have been spotting off and on since five weeks. My doctor did say today that I could have spotting up until ten weeks. Oh goodness.

We had an ultrasound, however, and the baby is doing great! Measuring right on track at 6w6d and 7w0d. Paul saw the heartbeat right away, but I couldn't see it from my angle. Dr. A zoomed in on the heartbeat and had the MA hit the sound so that we could hear the heartbeat and see the heart wavelengths!! What an amazing sound to hear!! :))

Since I am still measuring correctly, my official due date is December 8th, 2011. Another December baby.....

"Confirmation Appointment"

N

4 weeks, 5 days

Weight Gain: -1 lb by Dr, -4 lbs by my scale
B/P: 122/80
FHR: No heartbeat yet

We had our "confirmation appointment" today. I was supposed to go on Thursday, but I have been really sick with Gastritis, so I went ahead and changed it for today. I have lost 6 lbs in a matter of a couple of days. I really thought I might have to go to the ER for some fluids, so Leslie took me to the appointment and Noemi watched Kaitlyn for me. Dr. A gave me some Zofran and Bactrim and told me I had to stay hydrated. If I was not keeping fluids down in the next couple of days, she said I would have to get IV fluids.

Dr. A did an ultrasound too, and there is definitely a pregnancy there!! She said it looks like I am "around five weeks." They took my labs to check my blood counts, blood type, vaccination titer, etc. I had a urinalysis....not to exciting, but that's how I like it! :) We will get our official due date next time, but for now, it is kind of looking like December 2011.

Kaitlyn: Month Fifteen

Our little Katie Bug is growing up so fast!

Miss Kaitlyn,

You are becoming more and more a little toddler everyday. Somedays, I think you turned two instead of one this past December. Uncle Jon has taken to calling you "Miss Grabby Hands" because you are in-to-everything! You are very curious and want to explore, touch, and sometimes taste whatever you can get you hands on. You are able to reach the counters now, so we have to be extra careful as to what is on the ledges. You are very good at reaching up for mom and dad's hairbrushes in the bathroom and opening the pen drawer to get out markers, pens and pencils.  You are also experimenting with boundaries. Before, I could sternly tell you "no," and you would immediately stop doing what you were doing and take interest in something else. Now you keep reaching for whatever you aren't supposed to, and smile at me like "but I am so cute!!" It takes a lot more effort to redirect your attention and it usually involves tears and you hands flying up to your mouth. You have become very dramatic. I have NO idea where you get that from....(as Grandpa would say "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!")

With the bouts of drama and tears, we also have lots of happy, laughing and love. You are very affectionate and have been giving everyone lots of hugs, usually randomly when you want to and not when you are asked to. :o) You really don't give kisses, but if someone is persistent enough, you will turn your cheek to the side and allow him/her to kiss you on the cheek. You take such joy in playtime, and I love to hear you shrieking with happiness when you find something that amuses you. Your smile is so bright it lights up my day instantly, and I love to see the sparkle in your eyes. Uncle Jon has been teaching you how to dance, and poor girl, you  love to show off your new moves. Maybe someone with some rhythm should teach you a thing or two. LOL! You also love to show your tummy, and occasionally will assist others with showing off their own tummy (usually daddy's)!!

Playing with your Sand and Water Play Table

We have been feeding you more "big girl foods" these past few months and you now eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between. We are not always successful at getting you to eat all of your meal, but you usually eat something each time. You have several snacks throughout the day and drink from a sippee cup very well (lots of water and a splash of juice). You do not like drinking milk from a sippee cup, but you are down to 3ish bottles a day, with the majority of milk right before you go to bed. That is going to be a hard bottle to get rid of, I imagine.

Feeding the Dolphins with Mommy at SeaWorld

While you continue to sleep fairly well at night, we are having an awful time with naps. You do not like to lay down for naps, and we physically have to hold you down with us for 2-5 minutes until you fall asleep. Once you are down, you sleep 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Some days you don't want to nap at all, and we are lucky if you manage to take one 30 min nap. At Aunt Nomi's, you are such a good girl and go right to sleep in the pack and play all by yourself, so I hear. I have no earthly idea how Nomi does it, but I am now trying to get you to take naps in your crib by yourself.  Hopefully by your 18 month update, you will be ready to transition to a toddler bed for naps and bedtime.

Your new water slide

You are talking so much more!! You constantly babble and can now say several words:

Momma

Daddy

Baby

"Peas" for Please

"Bock" for Block

Bye

More

"Bi-an" for Brian, Nomi's boyfriend

Bubbles

Bottle

Budd-e!, Mom's Dog

Bella

"Pollo" for Apollo, Nomi's dog

"Ice Ceam," but only once for Papa and Jon

Katie and Grandpa

Despite any of the challenges, we are loving this new stage in your life! You are so fun, interactive and bring us endless amounts of joy and more patience than we ever knew we had. We love you so much and are very excited to see how you change and grow this spring/summer.

Love,  

Mommy

"Two Under Two"

So this morning, I took a little pregnancy test.....

and we are expecting another baby!!!!!

I took a pregnancy test this morning, one of those double lines ones. I could see the most faint second line, so I called for Paul to come and verify. Paul didn't believe that it was positive, but he rushed out to buy more tests that have a definitive "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant." Yeah, two more tests later and all three say "Pregnant!"

We are really, really excited, but it hasn't quite sunk in for me just yet. I am still completely shocked that I am actually pregnant. We were planning on trying to expand our family again this summer, so it's not such a far fetched idea....we just weren't planning on it happening right now. But it is all in God's Plan, and I know that it will work out just fine. ::Le sigh:: "Two Under Two"....oh goodness.

An open letter to Katie

My dearest Kaitlyn,

There is something I want you to know, love. I do this all for you. With everything that I have, I do this so that one day you can have more, do more, and have every opportunity. I hope you know that I love you so much. Every minute of lost sleep, every tear, ache and drop of sweat is worth it for my precious baby girl.

I hope you know that I am always with you in spirit, and that I am fighting like hell to be there more in person. Your beautiful smile makes every day worth it to me, and it always will....

I love you,
Mom

We are ready for Spring!!

Paul and I got Kaitlyn a sand and water play table today. Judging by her reaction, I think it is a hit!!

Kaitlyn: Month Thirteen

I don't know if I am going to continue to do monthly updates for Katie Bug. Maybe quarterly updates???  But I haven't posted in awhile, and I thought I should write to let everyone (if anyone still reads this) know that we are doing okay. It has been a busy month full of parties and a new year, and lots of work for mom/dad/grandma/everyone.

Kaitlyn is doing fantastic!! She is growing so fast....

She runs
She babbles and talks to everything and everyone all the time....maybe she is mine
She shares her chewed up food
She tries to eat with a fork and spoon, but still prefers her hands
She helps get herself dressed
                                and undressed
She loves to give hugs
She brings toys to share with you now
She tries to stack objects
She is scared of the vacuum
She loves to throw things on the floor...even food, especially food
She hates bows, hats, ponytails and anything cute I try to put in her hair
She loves balloons; H.E.B. is great right now
She adores her daddy
She tries to lift everything....even 24 packs of water
She doesn't want to take two naps a day anymore, sometimes she thinks she doesn't need any naps
She hates the sippy cup for drinking, loves to chew on it and throw it on the floor
She loves to swing
She LOVES grandma, (again, still)
She has the most adorable laugh
She likes to put lids on containers, like her bottle
She wants to be with the big girls all the time
She LOVES the water, almost as much as Uncle Jon's files
She is a drama.queen.

Example.....

She is just the most precious child I have ever met. And I am so not biased. I am dumbfounded on a weekly, daily basis, of how blessed/lucky I am to have such a sweet daughter. We are so in love with our Katie Bug.

Kaitlyn's First Snow!

We got snow in San Antonio!!!

I honestly couldn't believe it; we hear the predictions once a winter, or every other winter and nothing ever comes of it. But this year, it did! I imagine the total was less than 1/4 inch. Just enough to get everyone excited, cancel school and delay work. :o) The ice was (always seems to be) the worst part.

Katie wasn't quite sure what to think of the snow. She walked around the driveway a bit before venturing out into our deserted street and promptly fell on her booty after crossing a patch of ice. She got to enjoy a snow day with Grandma and Uncle Jon while Paul and I were off to work.

Interestingly enough, Grandma said that Oklahoma was having a horrible blizzard. The news said it was the worst they've had since February 1983, the blizzard I was born in. How cool that we had Katie's first snowfall on my birthday!

Last Drop

Today was the last day that Katie got a bottle of breast milk. I have been hanging onto the last bag of frozen milk for a couple of days. She should have gotten it on the 30th or 31st, but I just couldn't part with it...

Breastfeeding is something I always knew that I would do, something I am very passionate about, and something I never thought I would have this much of a battle with. A year ago today, I didn't know if it was something that I could continue with. The beginning of my breastfeeding relationship with Katie started out so shaky, I thought about quitting in the first and second week. Honestly, without my friends and family there to support me, listen to me cry, give me encouraging advice, and help me out, I don't think I would have made it past the NICU. I distinctly remember talking to my dad, who was halfway around the world in Afghanistan, and him encouraging me to keep pumping, that things would get better and I would feel differently about things in a few days or a week. I am so glad that I did.

I told myself then that I would pump for two weeks,
then for six weeks,
to the end of my maternity leave.
to six months,
then to a year.

I had to set small goals to keep myself going in the beginning, but I am here. I did it!! I made it to my original goal of twelve months!! I think I have pumped in every situation you can imagine, from bathroom stalls, driving in the car, sitting in parking lots, in my home office, the NICU, small rooms at work, doctor's offices, airports, in the living room while watching TV with the family....you name it, and my pump and I have been there. lol! It was definitely worth it all in the end.

I want you to know that mommy loves you so very much my precious baby girl, and I would do anything in this world to help you succeed.

Happy One Year, My Love.