Baby update-week 18

Today was a great day. I was sent off post for a ultrasound. It seemed odd that they were sending me off post for a ultrasound but I did not mind because it meant we would not have a appointment in the middle of the night. Yesterday I received a confirmation call. Only they said your appointment is with Dr. ???. I said with a DR, she said yes. Again that seemed weird. That was until I arrived at the office and realized that he was a Perinatologist. We took all 6 kids and I think at first I thought it overwhelmed the tech. But as soon as we were settled in the room I think she enjoyed it. She took all the shots and talked to us for a long time. Then she left to get the doctor. The doctor was amazing. I had all but 2 of the girls go to the waiting room with my husband. The doctor was amazing. He talked to me about all the testing available. He did not pressure me when I said I did not want them. He did tell me there is a new blood test that checks for Down’s with 99% accuracy. I still denied it because it does not change anything to me. He said the baby looks great and weighs about 10 ounces. Said that I look great. He reminded me several times of my age and history. In the end it was decided that he would see me every 2 weeks to check the baby and my cervix. He told me if my cervix starts changing he could put in a stitch. I have never had a problem with my cervix. He was thrilled to know that I am getting progesterone shots. So for now the plan is to see him twice a month, go to my doctors office weekly for my shot, see my OB regularly and then my endocrinologist does blood work once a month and then has a exam once a month. If my levels stay stable she will spread it out for 2 months. Needless to say this baby is already getting plenty of attention. I do not mind, it is worth it to keep it growing to full term. I got a ton of pictures today but the baby is facing my back so not a good head shot. My girls did get a shot of the goop on my belly. She said it looks like a clear worm. I have gained about 14 pounds already. I am now feeling this baby daily. I have never felt the others this early. It is a great reminder that it is growing strong. Last little up date. We did find out that this tiny blessing is a ???????????? I will tell you later this week. Pamela

A Family Day

As a large family we do not go out often. One day my husband decided we needed a family day. So off we went we started with shopping for new dresses for the girls. Just so you know finding modest clothing for pre teens is crazy. Why do they think they only need half there body covered. Then we went to the movies. I was shocked the kids did well. Even if the big kids set at the front of the theatre without us. Even the baby did well. After the movies everyone was hungry. I do not know how they were hungry since we must have ate ten pounds of popcorn. WAIT! Maybe I ate that much. So we went to Red Robin. Again that went smoother than I remember. I have a ritual when we first walk in I grab a menu and write out what each person wants to eat and drink. That way when the waitress comes to the table I can give her a list. No changing what you want, no hearing specials and second guessing your order. The other advantage to this is that she has the entire order at the beginning and can put it in before bringing us our drinks. I do not know why it worries me to go out as a family. We have done it a ton and always enjoy it. We do a lot of things together like going to the park but not so many things where we are confined to small places By the way we saw Wreck It Ralph and enjoyed it. My teen did not complain and my little one was entertained. Pamela

Menu Plan Monday

I did some cooking this weekend but no where near what I had planned. I have turkey burger and turkey chops sat out to cook tomorrow. We did grill chickens and pork ribs this weekend. Monday- Breakfast- scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits (going to make eggs for another day). Lunch- hot dogs and grapes Dinner- pork ribs, green beans and maybe mash potatoes Snacks- I have lots of pastries that were given to us, apples Tuesday- Breakfast- cereal Lunch- eating out, we have a 8:45, 10:45 and 1:30 appointments Dinner- chicken breast with salad Snacks- will pack peanut butter crackers and maybe granola bars for the car Wednesday- Breakfast- eggs and turkey sausage Lunch-sandwiches and apples Dinner- have no idea we will eat at church Snacks- probably left over pastries and bananas Thursday- Breakfast-cereal, should I tell you that I bought a ton of ceral last year when I found it on sale and I still have about 4 cases that are either expired or on the verge of being expired. Lunch- hotdogs- quick and easy Dinner-turkey chops, salad and baked potatoes Snacks- bananas and cheese sticks Friday- Breakfast- cereal or eggs depends upon how tired I am Lunch- veggie and fruit trays- I will take a picture, I do this often. I just make mini veggie plates and fruit trays for each child. Dinner- spaghetti or tacos, I will make the meat on Monday and just re heat it Snacks- rice cakes, smoothies I cannot wait to see what everyone else makes. I need to expand our menu some. We are trying to eat more salad and less potatoes. But honestly a baked potato is easy to make and easy to clean up. Pamela

Miscellany Monday

Before I tell you about this week did you hear about the fun I had on Home Grown Families. This week I had my second progesterone shot. I cracked up because the first time Grace went with me and asked to ride the escalator. This week Michael went with me and guess what he asked to do. I love this boy. He had a hard week and I ask you to pray for him as he continues to go through some things. As we help him through this. This week I cooked for church. It was actually potluck. I made hot dogs. I have done this before. I cook the hot dogs and then go ahead and put them in buns and put them in the oven. That way I can let them stay warm while I listen to the sermon. So this morning I arrive early and cook the hot dogs only I got side tracked and over cooked the hot dogs. Do you know what happens to hot dogs when you over cook them? They explode. This week my husband made my kids a swing and a tight rope. I have no idea why but they love it and act like little monkeys hanging from it. Pamela

Shopping with my girls and one little boy

A couple of weeks ago I took the girls shopping. I wanted to get them new dresses. Sadly these are the dresses they picked out (the blue jean ones). I let them buy them but it was driving me batty. A couple of days later I took them out and found much cuter dresses that even they liked more. After we went shopping we went for pedicures. I even splurged for designs. Poor Jason tagged along. I felt so bad for him. He was just thrilled I let him play on the IPOD. I save his IPOD time for when I have meetings and shopping for girl stuff. These are the dresses that we ended up keeping. I try to pick my battles so as long as what they pick is modest I am not super picky. But these dresses just drove me batty. So I was thrilled when they picked these. Oh I almost forgot to tell you after we got pedicures I decided to run to Motherhood Maternity. I do not think I have ever bought maternity clothes before. The girls had a great time playing dress up with me. It was fun when the lady showed me the pillow. She assured me that I would be this big in three months. I hope she is right. I love being big and pregnant. Pamela