Updates on both babies

Standard OB appointment today.  After today, we move to having appointments every two weeks!  I can't believe I'm that far along!  Today was the glucola test (for gestational diabetes) where I drink the fun sugary drink and sit there for an hour, then they draw blood.  During my hour wait was my actual appointment, and I've gained about 20 pounds, the baby's heart rate was 147, and Dr. Kenley gave me clearance (with an official note and everything) to fly on Sunday.  I shared with him my ankle woes; two Fridays ago, I fell at a restaurant, and my ankle seems to be progressively getting worse instead of better!  I saw my primary care doc this past Monday, but she was hesitant to do x-rays, and diagnosed me with a sprain.  Icing, wraps, and "staying off of it" (yeah right) isn't really helping, so Dr. Kenley ordered x-rays today.  Hopefully I'll find out yet this week what's going on with the crazy ankle.  In the meantime, I have a temporary handicap parking pass so I can park closer to my work!  I promise I won't abuse this power.

Melanie continues to have quite the mind of her own.  Last night after her bath, she refused to put her pajamas on, and wanted to pick out her own outfit.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of her masterpiece.  First, she was very upset (as she was this morning) that the shorts that were on the floor were NOT a shirt.  She was insistent she wanted to wear them as a shirt.  So she ended up in brown sweatpants that have an orange basketball and the number 33 on them, with a pink (too small) "I love Grandma" shirt.  The things this girl comes up with to say are a hoot.  The other day, she was climbing up on the couch, just talking to herself, having a great old time.  I heard her say "Don't worry...." - the catchphrase that Daddy taught her.  She's finally nodding when she agrees or wants to say yes.  She has now taken to spitting on the baby anytime she wants to "talk" to him.  I can't really discipline her for this, since I know it's not done in malice; I'm just concerned that she will spit on him once he's here.  Oh, who am I kidding - if that's the worst she does to him, I guess we're all right!  I got out the stuff to make cookies on Sunday, and she started throwing a fit; I couldn't figure out what she wanted.  Well, she wanted to stand on the chair and "help," like she did last time.  Silly Mommy!  That same day, she threw a fit because she wanted me to shower.  Really, she had an ulterior motive, she wanted to play with her toys that are in the bathroom.  But she just kept screaming "SHOWER!"  So my plans of staying in my pajamas all day were interrupted by a shower - then I got right back into (clean) pajamas and didn't leave the house all day.

Fun & Lazy - the perfect weekend!

We had a great weekend, and not even a Colts loss could put a damper on it.  Well, if you talk to Jeff, it might not have been the ideal weekend, since he spent it shoveling and painting... but since he doesn't update the blog, he doesn't get a vote here, does he?  :)

Melanie was VERY excited to welcome her Daddy home on Friday evening after he was in Portland for a few days for work.  Many times during his absence, we had to review the fact that Daddy was on a plane.  That's right, we just stuck to the "Daddy plane" story the whole time.  It's easier than trying to explain exactly where he was.  So Friday night while Jeff shoveled us out, we stayed nice & dry inside.

Saturday, with all of the snow, Gymboree was canceled.  I went out on errands and to test the roads, which I thought were perfectly accessible given a snowstorm in Indiana in February.  We went to Connor Doran's 3rd birthday party (Mel's first non-family birthday celebration), and then to pick out paint for Melanie's new big-girl room!  Then while Jeff got his paint brushes out to work, Melanie and I headed to Frankfort to see some friends.  Out to dinner with Laura & Christal, and then meeting up with the Shaffers for some FHS basketball fun.  Melanie's reaction to seeing Aunt Julie at the game was priceless.  She saw her from a ways away, and just RAN into her arms.  Very excited!  Aunt Julie took her home to see Molly while I caught up some more with my friends - since it was past Mel's bedtime at this point, that visit didn't go so well.  She was asleep before we hit the town limits, and stayed asleep until about 8am on Sunday.

Sunday's plan was for no one to leave the house.  I was all for being lazy all day.  Melanie absolutely insisted that I take a shower, though, so at least I got that marked off my list.  She & I still were able to avoid leaving the house, although Jeff had to make several trips out so we could eat.  She & I took a three-hour nap, which was just perfect for both of us!  We watched the Super Bowl at home on our own, since we knew that Mel's bedtime would interfere with any company or trips out.  I said it before the game and I'll say it now - I'm a true Colts fan, but if they had to lose to ANYONE, it might as well have been a Purdue QB with a good story behind his team!  Well played, New Orleans Saints.

Melanie's room is just about ready now.  We just need to hang the curtains to make it livable.  There are several other touches that need to be made, but that don't have to be done before she moves in.  The plan is to move her in upon our return from Florida on February 18.  She has already been introduced several times to the room - and last night when I was taking her to bed, she actually wanted to go in there - she laid in the bed and sucked her thumb for a while before deciding it would be more fun to play in the closet.  So, we're taking baby steps....

St. Vincent Carmel

On Tuesday night, we toured our "new hospital."  Well, new to us.  It's been open six years, and it's just north of Clarian North, where Melanie was born.  St. Vincent Carmel is very similar to Clarian in that all the L&D rooms, as well as the "recovery" rooms, are private rooms, equipped with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, etc.  Some of the perks include a 15-minute post-baby massage, free fresh cookies in the lounge, a birthday cake for each family, really nice restrooms.... and as of today, a lift on the "child ban" that was in place (that we didn't even know about).  So Melanie will be able to come visit her "baby broba" (that's about what it sounds like).  She does like to give the baby kisses, talk to him, give him "zerberts" (or spit on him, as she did tonight).  She did a great job during the tour, but she was pretty wound up; Jeff didn't get to listen to a lot of the tour, for chasing her around; but she did entertain the rest of the crowd with her antics such as getting on the L&D bed and pushing buttons to make herself more comfortable, stealing cookies, etc.  She was actually in a great mood, and I wish I would've had my camera with me to capture some of her antics.  Who thinks about bringing a camera to a hospital tour, though?   

One more baby-preparation task checked off the list!

COLTS Weekend!

We had a great weekend celebrating the Colts - yet didn't have a camera battery to capture much of it on film.  Friday night, we went to a Superbowl party at Gymboree.  They had a lot of great football-themed activities for the kids, along with the craft & snack.  Melanie seemed to have a good time running around causing havoc.  Saturday morning it was back to Gymboree, this time Molly joined us!  Molly did great at all of the "new" actvities, and the girls had fun playing with each other.  Since we were trying a new level (Level 5) class, and I don't know the parents in this class, I'm sure they were really impressed by the fact that I was letting my kid rumble with the little brunette - but, hey, that's her cousin, and that's what they do :)  Mel got to spend more of the afternoon with Molly & Gigi while I went to lunch and for pedis with the girls. 

Sunday, Mel & I had nursery duty at church, and then Gigi & Poppy came over to watch the Colts game.  Mel really likes saying "Go Colts!" and will point out any Colts shirt/paraphenalia she sees.  She's trained well.  This was her face at halftime, when the Colts were losing:

After the second half started, Mel started running out of steam.  She enjoyed a nice nap in Poppy's arms.  Lately, Mel has been talking about "Butch."  I asked her who this "Butch" character was, and she responded "Poppy."  The kid is picking up on things, we need to watch our mouths :) 

25 weeks, 3 days

Doctor appointment
We met Dr. Cline for the second time today, for a routine OB appointment.  It was a quick appointment - but that's good, because that means there's nothing wrong!  I have gained about 18 pounds (!), am measuring right on target, and Baby Boy Worzala's heart rate is in the 140s; it truly is slower than Mel's, so that "old wive's tale" proves true for us, that girls' heartrates are faster.  This baby is not nearly as active as Melanie was - at least not yet - and we're hoping that trend will continue and we get a laid-back kid!  We're still not sure where Mel came from, having two laid-back parents and having all the energy she does - but of course we wouldn't trade her for the world!  While I thought my pregnancy with Melanie was smooth sailing, this one is even more so; I truly haven't had any complications, complaints, or, really, any symptoms!  To look at me, though, you can definitely tell I'm pregnant! 

How your baby's growing
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Preparation
Baby W2 will be moving into Melanie's room; her room transition will hopefully come when we return from Florida in mid-February.  I have not bought one stitch of clothing for the new baby; but the photo below is the pile of clothes he already has on hand-me-down from his big sister.  This doesn't even include the clothes she's currently wearing that are rewearable!  I think we're pretty much set for a while - especially with white onesies!  I had to include a photo for Grandma & Grandpa Worzala who are concerned that the little boy will be dressed in pink.

MLK Day

On Monday, Melanie & I both had the day off, so we spent it playing! We enjoyed a nice lazy start to the day before meeting our friends Kate & Sophie at the Traders Point Church's indoor playground. Melanie was a little hesitant about these new surroundings, and carried her "silky" everywhere with her. She usually doesn't need this in public. However, she did discover how to get up top, and played with the big kids for a few minutes before giving me a heart attack trying to get back down. It was predictably busy, given the holiday - and there were a lot of bigger kids who didn't really care that Melanie is the size of a peanut. We had fun, though, and discovered a great "new" place to play for free!

After playing, we went home for lunch and a 3.5 hour nap! After a little R&R, we headed back out to play at Gymboree play gym (just an "open gym" that we typically attend each Wednesday night - but were able to attend Monday during the day since I wasn't at work!) All in all it was a great day of play, snuggling, and fun together. It was quite honestly the first day I thought "I could do this full-time!"

We did have two firsts during the day, though. As I was showering, I let Mel run around the bathroom naked because she wanted to use her "potty" (which she hasn't used lately, but seems to think she has to be completely naked to use). As I opened the door to check on her, I found a little deposit of what SHOULD have been in the potty, on the floor! Not her fault, and ends up as a good story. When I was getting her shoes on to go meet Sophie, I got BIT. I think I made it pretty clear to Miss Melanie that this was not an acceptable way to protest. Other than the bite, she was in a fabulous mood all day, and did a lot of dancing, clapping, and entertaining :)

Fun with Molly

On Saturday, we didn't have plans after Gymboree and a women's brunch at the church.  We had contemplated going to a first birthday party, but it seemed a long distance to travel.  We were pleasantly surprised when Gigi & Molly called and wanted to come hang out!  Upon their arrival, Melanie went tearing up the front hallway yelling "MOLLY!!!!" and delivered a big hug & kiss.  A few minutes later, she remembered to also grant Gigi a hug & kiss, and the girls played hard for the next few hours.  Highlights included wrestling & giggling on our bed, chasing each other around the house, preparing food for each other, coloring, and loving on each other.  When Molly is not around, she is still a heavy topic of conversation, with Melanie reporting things that happened when she was here, and inserting Molly into stories that didn't involve her in the first place.