Month 1 of school/dance done

It's the end of Gabrielle's first month of daycare preschool and dance class and she is adjusting!  It hasn't been without drama though. 

The first week of preschool went quite well. 

The second week I was out of town for work and I think that week was a mess. 

The third week she had giant horrible crying fits at drop off (like panicked, over the top anxiety, clawing at me to take her home fits).  I was ready at that point to pull her out of preschool and home school her forever (not really....but sorta) and Nick had to talk me down from that.  But both of those days her teachers said she did very well at school and was very happy when I picked her up.  Granted, during the third week disasters she had a cough/little cold....but still.  

This week she cried/whined at home before school not wanting to go, but held it together at drop off and did very at school per her teachers and was very happy at pick up and the rest of the day.  Today she didn't cry or whine AT ALL!!!!  We were ready a few minutes early this morning and she looks at me and says "let's go to preschool, mom!".  Yayy!!

Dance has been interesting too.  The first two weeks she was all about it, had a ton of fun in class, and was super excited all around.  The third week she was really excited too, but came out of class crying for no reason after 10 minutes.  Ugh.  I couldn't calm her down and told her if went home and she didn't finish her class she was going straight to bed and she said ok.  We went home and she went right to bed at about 6:15pm.  I heard her playing quietly in her dark room for a while and she fell asleep between 7:30-8:00.  Yesterday anxiety hit her like a brick wall before dance class and was crying and so worked up and didn't want to go.  We told her if she didn't suck it up and calm down she was going to bed right that minute and (thankfully) she didn't want to do that.  She came out of class crying in the first few minutes but I was able to pretty quickly shove her back in the room and she pulled it together and did her class very well (and had a great time!!!). 

So it has been interesting but I think she is getting used to this new schedule and she's doing well!  It just seems like she's getting control of her anxiety and really does very well (and has lots of fun) in her classes once she calms down.   

Some random pictures.....Uncle Greg came down to visit

Greg got these princesses for me when I was a little girl and I got them out for Gabs since she's obesessed with princesses.  Big mistake...haha....she loves them and they end up in her bed and all over the place because she plays with them.

Grandma Billie got her a purple princess guitar at Labor Day weekend....major score!

And she taught her how to play Candy Land.  Gabs lasts about 5 minutes tops with it.

I finally gave in to her and painted her finger nails.  I let her pick out a color at the store (purple of course) and tried the quick drying brand.  I don't really think it was that quick drying.....but oh well.

34.5 weeks - PUPPP and more waiting

Well, I am at 34.5 weeks now and have a rash; supposedly it's PUPPP - a splotchy rash of pregnancy.  Right now it's from my belly button to my chest and a little on my back.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/whose-body/skin-rashy.aspx

All of sudden I developed this rash but at least I don't know it's there unless I look at it and it will go away after I deliver. 

So far it's a unique case of PUPPP

• Starts in stretch marks - NOPE
• Most common in first pregnancy - NOPE
• More common in women carrying large or multiples - NOPE
• Extremely itchy - NOPE, not yet at least

So that has been the easy part of this week.  I had my growth ultrasound last Wednesday and it didn't go as smoothly as we thought it would.  Good news - he is head down and fluid level was good - it was 11 and they want to see above 8.  But little boy isn't growing well - his weight went from 45th percentile at 20 weeks to 11th percentile at almost 34 weeks.  They estimated him to weigh 4 lbs 5 oz last week.  His femur length and abdomen circumference were both below the 10th percentile, but his head is in the 80th.  According to this info his has secondary or asymmetric growth restriction.  This is good because he is using what oxygen and nutrients he is getting to grow his head/brain which is most important.  It's not so good because there is obviously an issue; they're assuming it's the placenta until more tests are done. 

I went in for a check up today and didn't learn much. My OB needs to review everything and we should know more tonight or tomorrow. My belly measured 33cm at 34.5 weeks today which isn't bad, considering. My BP was 100/70 and I've gained 23lbs. 

I don't think any of this is really a big deal....as far as we know he is healthy and normal.  But between the growth restriction and PUPPP (if extreme itching develops the treatment is delivery) I'm thinking I will end up with another induction, though this time it will be early instead of late.  I think we will end up with an October boy after all, but we will know more after more tests.   

Here's our baby boy at 33w 5d

Baby Boy Nursery

Baby Boy's nursery has been basically done for quite some time, but I think all the finishing touches are in place now too.  But we still need to install blinds in his room.....though that did not stop the pictures from being taken.  So when we found out it's a boy, Nick's first thought for the room was Tom Izzo/MSU.  No.  Then he thought just plain sports.  No.  Then he thought superheros.  Ok, we could work with that!  So we went with a retro/modern (yes it sounds contradictory but it is what it is) superhero theme.  I like it! 

Scary guest bedroom/nursery furniture overflow room/junk room BEFORE:



Superhero nursery AFTER:

33 Week Dress

We went to Steve and Alexis' son's baptism this weekend so I pulled out the trusty old baby shower dress I had with Gabrielle.  33 weeks in both pictures.....3 years apart.

aaaand.....I'm done.

With work.  Drove to GR Thursday morning - stopped at Walgreens to go to the bathroom and then eat my breakfast in the parking lot - car wouldn't start again to actually drive the last three miles and get to work.  Sorta freaked out - called Nick - called a couple of local auto parts stores that were no help.  Tried starting my car again.....and it started.  Weird.  Started my car at lunch just for fine, and then it started after work so I drove to my parents' house because I was working in GR again the next morning.  The next morning.....car wouldn't start.  Awesome.  Thankfully my parents have two cars and they are both retired, so I hopped in one of those and went to work.  We thought my battery was dead (though just a guess) and Nick had a new battery delivered to my parents' house the evening before (awesome!).  So my intelligent and resourceful mother decided to take it upon herself to Google how to change my car battery, and by the time I got back from work my car was running good as new :)  Drama!  And that must have been what was wrong because the car is running well now.

Meanwhile, Nick was at home trying to keep it together.  Gabs had a rough night....crying before bed and waking at both 2am and 4am crying.  After that lovely nights sleep, she obviously had a rough day at preschool as well (as reported by her babysitter who dropped off and picked up).  Nick got home from work and Maverick had gotten into the full trash, so there was trash (including about 5 days worth of coffee grounds) all over the house.  Then the dogs proceeded to attack a squirrel in our backyard and attempt to eat it alive....which the neighbors were screaming at Nick to do something about.  Umm ok.  In my mom's words, "I doubt it's the first squirrel that has died a natural death."  Anyway, along with trying to deal with my car issues.....it was a long week. 

And Gabrielle has seemed to make it through two whole weeks of daycare preschool before getting sick.  She woke up with a stuffy nose this morning so we will see what that turns into.  Obviously, who knows where she got it but still.  I hoping she's ok for school tomorrow because I want to talk to them about her days.  Both of her Tuesdays have gone very well, and both Thursdays not so well.  I'd like to change her second day to Friday if they have room....so we'll see.  The three days of activities in a row just seems too much for her by Thursday. 

32 weeks (and 6 days). 8 Months!

Well, we will get to see baby boy again next week.  At my check up today my belly was measuring small, about 2-3 weeks behind.  I've never measured small with either kid so it is kind of odd.  It feels like he is getting bigger, but when she measured my belly it appreared not.  The doc ordered a growth ultrasound, so we'll be going in next wednesday to see how big he is and to check his position.  At first she thought he was breech but then thought he could be head down but wasn't sure.  Not that it matters too much at this point, but more often than not babies should start to settle head down around this time.  I can never tell how he is positioned what-so-ever, because I am getting kicked and hit 360 degrees most of the day and night.  I told Nick the kid doesn't have a chance to gain weight because he never sits still :)

His heartbeat was 148 bpm and my BP was "very faint" 106/60.  Thank you overly-dramatic medical assistant. 

How far along?: 32 weeks 6 days
Total weight gain: 21 lbs
How big is baby?: The books say 17 inches and 4.5 lbs.  We'll see what the ultrasound says next week.
Maternity clothes?: Yes....though yoga pants are much more comfortable :)
Stretch marks?: No.  But I swear I will get them with this little boy.  Not sure why but we will see!
Sleep?:  Ok.  I'm pretty tired but it's hard to get a good sleep.
Best moment this week?:  Being done with work.....health work anyway.  I took three long days in Grand Rapids this week, and I forgot how hard it is to work long days when you're so pregnant (even though I'm not so pregnant, I feel so pregnant).  I work Thursday and Friday and that will probably be it.  I'm still booking photography work into mid-October so I'll stay busy enough with that. 
Movement?: Strong boy!  Nick likes to see him roll across my stomach and make my belly shake with his kicks.  Sometimes little boy will push or something and it will seriously HURT....especially when he kicks me right in the belly button.  I think he's going to be a little stud.
Food cravings?: It's hard finding things that sound really good and energy is running low so cooking anything spectacular is pretty much out of the question. 
Labor signs?: Seems like lots of BH.
Belly button in or out?: Half and half
What I miss: Energy, agility, flexibility.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting closer to my due date!  I'm not wishing this pregnancy away but it's exciting to get closer.  I have my list of all the final things I need to do for the baby, so I'll get started on that next week!

1st Dance Class! And 2nd day of preschool

On Wednesday Gabrielle went to her first dance class!  I think going to preschool the day before actually helped because she had zero anxiety and was seriously pumped to go to dance class.  She had her leotard, skirt, tights, and ballet shoes.  She was so excited because all the other little girls in the class had the same type of outfit.  The first thing she told her teach was "I go to preschool".  She also told her that her favorite color is purple, that her name is "Gabrielle", and that she's "two and a half!".  She sat in a circle with the other girls and did everything I think!  Parents wait in the waiting room but I peeked in the window a few times to see how they were doing and it was always high energy!  I know they clapped, climbed on mats, swung (I think?) on the portable ballet bar, and did spins.  Those are the few bits that I saw.  Gabs came out of class red-faced and sweaty (and with a princess sticker!!).  She is very excited about going back.

She was wired that night and had a hard time sleeping.  Then she had day two of preschool right the next morning.  Preschool was much more chaotic the second day and it seemed there were significantly more kids there - which was a bit more stressful I think.  She did fine at drop off, but when I picked her up she started to cry a little bit when she saw me.  Her teacher said she started missing me a little bit toward the end of the day and I think she was done with her busy week.  Other than that, she did fine at school and hopefully we can get into the swing of things in the next few weeks. 

This week has been been momentously huge for Gabrielle with three days in a row of new big things and she really did great!  We are very proud of her. 

 

This was when we first got there.  There were five girls in her class.

Gabrielle's 1st Day of Preschool

Gabs had her first day of daycare preschool today!  We've been prepping her more and more as the day came closer (because she always says "I no want to go preschool!" and it was no different this morning when I told her she had to get dressed for preschool.  I let her whine a minute and she got over it and put on her cupcake dress she picked out last night to wear.  Then she saw the school bus come and get all the kids for school she gets excited "I want to go on there too!".  Ha...not quite yet....you're two!  So was happy from there on out.  She told me that yellow B and zebra had to stay home (thank goodness) and she was set.  I was emotionally exhausted at 8:45am but that's ok.  The director showed her where to put her backpack and Gabs told her [in broken grammar] "Aunt Caresse bought that to me".  She went in her room, said hi to the teacher, and found some dolls to play with.  I told her I'd be back in a little while and I was out of there.  Done. 

I went back at 11:30 to pick her up and she was all smiles and in a great mood!  I asked her teachers how she did and they said she did great; played with the other kids, went potty twice, sang songs, and did an art project.  No complaints.  She was very energetic leaving and I think she had a lot of fun.  Thank goodness.  She told me that she had two teachers and but she couldn't remember what she had for a snack, but she told me she had juice boxes :)  The highlight of her day, I'm sure.  We headed out to Eaton Rapids to meet Nick for his birthday lunch (Happy 29 Nick!!) and then she fell asleep in the car on the way home.  Good day!