Here is Bella non her first Halloween. We stayed home and Bella helped me answer the door an pass out candy. We were both bumble bees. Although she was cutter.
Well I got a call from the doctor's and the nurses aid said that my test results seem more consistent with being very early in pregnancy rather than having lost the baby. Of course it will be difficult to tell for sure until the next appointment. It is scheduled for December. That seems forever to wait.
I suppose the only thing to do at this point, is to put it to the back of my mind, while continuing to take my vitamins and all the other little things that I do while with Larva... which seems rather a contradiction, but I hadn't stopped taking my pre-natals from the last time yet anyway. I only weaned the youngest a month and a half ago.
]]>So I went to the doctor and after an ultra-sound we have determined that I am not eight weeks along... or it could be that I am not pregnant at all.
The amniotic fluid seems to indicate three to five weeks. The Ultra-Sound tech described it as empty, she did not really offer any other alternative. The Ultra-Sound tech also could not find my left Ovary... To the best of my knowledge they have never "hidden" from anyone before... The nurse I spoke with afterward however said that it could just be that it is too early to see anything.
So I could be just barely pregnant, or it could be that my body thinks that it is but isn't really. The way that the nurse explained it was that a Blighted Ovum is not the same as a miscarriage because there is no baby in there to lose. For what ever reason one just did not grow, but my body thinks there is one there. She said I should not feel like anything was done wrong, I didn't lose a baby... just my body could be confused. But she also said that if I am only five weeks along it could just be we cannot see one as we would not be able to find a heartbeat at that point. The thing is I normally have to be at least six weeks along to even get a positive pregnancy test result.
She had me take a blood test and will call my on Monday with the results. Then there is nothing to do but wait, because they can't do another Ultra-Sound for at least five weeks... it wouldn't make any sense to try any earlier than that.
I was a little sad to think that I could have miscarried (Online research actually seems to call it a miscarriage not just an empty placenta), but not crushed. I had only just found out, and I have three children already. I do not have the same emptiness that someone who really really wanted a baby and did not have one yet would have. But it is early to tell yet.
So our main concern right now is that Connor doesn't speak in sentences yet (He's 25 months). He speaks a few words here and there and understands simple instructions from us. As a parent, it's hard not to compare your child to similar-aged children. So he had this audiologist appointment yesterday and his hearing is fine---within normal range. We were told to come back in 6-12 months to do a more thorough hearing test. She said that he's probably just developing in his own time. I'm really not THAT worried but when I hear stories about his much younger cousin (She's 15 months) kinda speaking already, how can I not think about it? Anyway, there could be a lot of reasons why this could be.
I guess we'll see in a couple of months. We still try to read to him as much as we can and he recognizes pictures and can imitate some sounds. As long as he's healthy, I should be thankful no matter what.
Here is Bella non her first Halloween. We stayed home and Bella helped me answer the door an pass out candy. We were both bumble bees. Although she was cutter.
Come on ladies I need to see the Halloween Pictures....
]]>Bella is becoming a little chatter box. She is learning all kinds of words and loves to say them as well as the thousands of other sounds that she makes up. When we were driving home yesterday she was starting to whine in the back seat so I began to copy her and imitate the sounds she was making. She then started getting loud and making different sounds at this point Bryan chimed in and we were all making random sounds at the top of our voices. It was one of those things that only other parents could understand. From the outside we probably sounded like a bunch of banshees but we were having a good time and Bella got to "talk" to us in the car. Those are the kind of moments that make me remember why I wanted to do this parenting thing. I love watching her learn and all of the many ways in which she does that.
Most recently Bella has learned all of the different parts of the face. She can't say them but will point to the nose, eye, and mouth. I know most kids turning one can do that but I think it is just so cool. She is getting a pretty big vocabulary as well. She now says a myriad of one syllable words such as; ball, dog, block, what, that, and of course mama and Dada. She also says thank you or what sounds like dank ooo when you give her things. She walks pretty well, she will walk unaided if she can see her destination (within four or five feet) or when she is distracted as in there is something in both of her hands and she thinks she is holding on to something. a few days ago a commercial that had a good song was on and she walked out into the middle of the living room and stood watching the commercial until it was over bobbing up and down with the music and then realized that she was not holding on to anything and sat down.
I am so amazed at all the things that she is learning and love watching her grow everyday. That really is the joy of being a parent.
]]>Wow the last month has gotten away from me. My parents have come and gone again, We Celebrated my brothers birthday, and I have been on my death bed. The last one is only slightly mello dramatic. I have been sick although not nearly as sick as I have been in the past it just wants to linger and not leave.
I cannot believe that my baby is going to be a year old. In my sick state I got her invitations printed up addressed and mailed this weekend. It was about the only thing I could do but it made me feel like I accomplished something ( I hope i did not contaminate everyone who opens the invites =(). We are going to have her party 3 weeks from this Saturday. But she actually turns 1 three weeks from today. OMG.
I feel like I have been going non stop and have not had time to catch my breath. The holidays are fast approaching too and I feel the burn out coming. I have to work this weekend next weekend I will be shopping for Bella's big day, the next weekend is the party, and the next is Thanks giving. I need time for a breath. After that it just goes down hill as the holidays are the busiest time at work for me. I am taking this Friday off with Bryan and I think that we both just need to relax and breath. It should be nice. Well back to work.
]]>Imagine...
A preschool with a passionate director, an authentic Reggio approach, and a beautiful environment. Yes, it's out of reach: with only a 1/2 day schedule and a 5-digit price tag plus an additional $2K for the art materials and registration fee. The experience is worthwhile, this site is a testament to how the childrens' natural talents are nourished. I knew the preschool search would be tough but didn't expect heartache to go with it. What I have learned though is to use the same approach when selecting a day care site. I didn't give myself enough time on that one. I am happy with Vida's daycare but it doesn't have a bilingual component. It's possible to have it all, it just takes a significant amount of planning.
We just wrapped up our second preschool tour and were super satisfied until we reflected on the price tag, it's more than our rent. It will be a back up, pending my future employment. When you compare it to the preschool above, it's a 'bargain'. A huge bonus at this location is that the child can start on their second birthday, rolling admissions, and they don't have to be potty-trained. So far this has been a rare perk: usually potty training is required and they can't start until they are 2.5.
I have 4 more preschool tours between November and January. 1/2 of them are not realistic due to their hours but I want to get a feel for what's offered in the area so that I can make an informed decision.
This is when you truly feel the middle class squeeze and your options are limited. We want it all: a satisfying career, home ownership and a great education for our child(ren). In CA, that combination is reserved for a few.
Oh, how I miss the days where I could scribble out a 5-year plan and everything worked out perfectly, falling into place at the right time. Now, it's about the 10-year plan and holding our breath that it works out. I guess, we can hold off on buying our first place until it's time for kindergarten or college. I am an advocate of public education whether traditional or charter. However, I feel strongly about a private high school education. That view could change with some significant reform.
I read the The Complete TightWad Gazette to learn more tips about saving money. To truly fit the bill there are some caveats: you need to have strong home ec skills, live in a rural area, and have one parent stay home. Yes, there were multiple examples of families owning homes with only one income, granted their purchases were less than $50K.
Which brings me to my next topic...
How do I reduce my carbon footprint, live a frugal life, and increase family quality time factor?
(I would love to hear your answers to this question too.)
This BIG question evolved as I discovered the No Impact Man, the book mentioned above, personal finance blogs, a rigorous work environment, and the Story of Stuff.
So in my tiny universe I have taken these steps and noticed that some have the added benefit of a healthy lifestyle too:
1. Commitment to only 1 TV in our household and no cable. We have always had 1 TV and the DirectTV was canceled months ago and replaced with a more affordable Netflix subscription (only 1 DVD at a time). It still feels like we watch too much TV, between morning cartoons and our shows/interests, we're probably at 10 hours/week. I would rather spend that time reading or doing something productive like household duties. As Vida's school years begin, I would like to create the routine of no TV after dinner as it will be reserved for homework time and it only gets turned on after she's asleep. We have ridiculously great weather, it was 90 degrees today, we should be outside more often.
2. Making treats instead of buying them. Like if I want to serve dessert for the family it will be something made from scratch. Or if I want snack foods for work, it will be a home-made item. So far this has been in effect 50%...
3. Buying in bulk and sharing the difference with family. We're just two adults and a toddler, so I review a list of needs with my mom and we split the cost on some Costco purchases.
4. Using a Brita filter instead of buying bottled water, this one is tough because bottle water is such an evil, er, great convenience. We're getting better at this one, I think a larger Brita contraption would help.
5. Menu planning: it makes so much sense and has significant pay off in terms of finances and stress. No last minute decisions and panic fast food runs. It's not intuitive or second nature yet but it has improved in the last 3 months. Taking time off from working full time made a difference. It also helps with grocery shopping and cuts down on throwing away unused food.
6. No full price purchases or dining: Basically take advantage of discounts, coupons, and perks if you want to treat yourself or indulge. There have been multiple times that I found myself remembering that 'we had a coupon for that. Dang it!'
7. Do significant research on any purchase over $50: First ask yourself is it REALLY necessary, then if it is, hunt for the best value. Take Vida's bedroom furniture for example: the crib can be modified to a toddler bed and the dresser and night stand can plain-face or have colorful panels, it's also well made and will last. I remember having my furniture for nearly a decade. I can't say the same for our main couch, I think it's cush factor has a maximum of 5 years left.
Living this lifestyle is not difficult it just takes commitment, like my Jillian's 30-Day Shred work out. :-) Bottom line: you can't procrastinate if you want to be successful with this lifestyle.
Last week was my DH's birthday. My twelve year old Aspie said to him, "I hope you got condoms for your birthday." I told him that was not really appropriate to be concerned about and he said, "I don't want any more siblings." So my H says to him, "Too late, your mom is already pregnant again and due in May!" (I'm actually not) and the twelve year old responds with , "God Bleep it! (he actually said bleep) Just in time for school to let out."
Needless to say I had to explain to him YET AGAIN, that my reproductive organs and their activities are none of his business.
I grumble about the kids often enough, especially the oldest because he can be so frustrating. However it isn't always bad. Sometimes it is just... Odd.
Just as we are pulling into the parking lot to the store we pass a small traffic circle with a statue of a man on a horse.
Son: *bursts into hysterical laughter*
Me: What on earth is so funny?
Son: That horse has a weiner!
Me: *sigh* ... Why is that so funny?
Son: I don't know! It just is!
Me: Is it funny that you have one?
Son: No!
Me: *boggle* You know both genders are required for horses and many other creatures to produce offspring, it is only natural. Horses are not sharks, they cannot produce with just a female.
Son: Sharks can have babies with no male?
Me: Yes, it is kind of like cloning, only they go through pregnancy.
Son: What would happen if they made a copy of a copy of a copy?
Me: Just like using a photo copy machine to make a copy of a copy of a copy, it would degrade eventually. Only it is more complicated because genetics are involved.
Son: It is complicated to make a copy if you think about it scientifically. Positrons are sprayed and a beam of light has to hit your picture and be reflected back. And then it has to make your copied image...
Me: ... Yes I can see how that is probably a bit more complicated than I had thought.
Son: Fire is Beautiful... I think that is why I like angry women.
Me: *sigh* You think so?
Son: Yes. Maybe someone can do a study about why guys think girls are so cute when they are mad.
Me: Yes, I suppose that would make a good study... *thinking the old man could take part in that study*