The Big Announcement

Putting Bethany to bed and drifting off to sleep 30 minutes later while watching tv...

Waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom (and one time breaking my toe!!)....

Seeing a sappy commercial on tv and getting teary eyed....

Smelling stale bread from across the room when no one else can....

Did I mention being soooo sleepy?

Yep, we're pregnant with tiny tot #2 expected around September 22nd/23rd, 2011. Given my history with Bethany we'll be prepared for an August baby but I'm hoping to make it to at least Labor Day, because in any event it would make a good story, right? The Doctors will keep a close eye on things this time because routinely second babies come earlier than firstborns.

We are hoping that the 2nd and 3rd trimesters are less eventful than the first. Remember my appendectomy? Well, that happened when I was about 7 weeks pregnant. In fact, I was worried that the stomach pain was because of the baby and the nurseline confirmed that they were suspicious of a tubal pregnancy. Thankfully it was my appendix, but it was still very stressful knowing that 13% of pregnancies end when having an appendectomy. The surgeon and Dr's were very kind to walk through all the risks with me and in explaining that having a CT scan to confirm it was my appendix would have been too risky with a developing fetus. God was really watching over me and this little one and although I had a tough recovery (which I NEVER want to experience again!) we made it through. Subsequent ultrasounds showed that the baby is still growing right on track and there are no adverse signs related to the surgery and they expect a normal pregnancy from here on out. Right now baby is about the size of a lime and I'm looking forward to when I will start to feel the little twitches and movements for the first time.

We booked a second babymoon for Memorial Day weekend to go to a different resort in the Riviera Maya region in Mexico. Bethany will come along and we're excited for our last family vacation as a family of 3.

This pregnancy is going much faster! Probably because we have a little toddler running around to keep us busy. I haven't taken one picture or written anything down besides this post! It really is true that the second baby has a lot less documented with its life! Well, little one, we are very happy you will be joining our family in a few short months. We welcome you with open arms and Bethany has been practicing with her doll. Don't worry, we won't let her try to wrap you in your blanket or put your hat on as we've only see her do this with her doll in varying degrees of success. We know she'll be a great big sister!

Who needs your appendix anyway?

Warning: This post contains information and a picture from my recent surgery, read more at your own risk!

I promised a post about our time with Dan's sisters family from Chicago but I will do that in a little bit. First, at the end of their trip is where my dramatic weekend started. Bethany had her 15 mo appointment and everything looks good.

Her stats:
Height- 31 1/2 in 80%
Weight - 21 lbs 14.7 oz 25%
Head - 45.5 cm - 40%

We're working on Bethany eating better at meals and getting rid of a persistent diaper rash. On the plus side (but still a little TMI) she's pooped in the toilet for me 3 times (and grandma once) so we're hoping that means she'll be an early learner in that arena? They are happy with her level of understanding of words and although she's active, she is a toddler! She was a champ with the shots in her legs and even got a Dora sticker afterwards which she proudly showed her cousins at lunch at the Eden Prairie McDonald's.

That afternoon I started having a stomach ache and after Dan came home from work I called the nurse line and got a second opinion by calling Amber to see if I should go in. I went to Methodist Hospital ER at 7 and by 10 when Amber made it over to be with me, they decided it was my appendix and I needed surgery that night. It was so nice Amber could be there to ask questions and stayed with me overnight in the very loud observatory area. The surgery was about an hour and all I remember is getting the mask put on in the OR and then waking up to people giving me warm blankets awhile later. Everything went well and it was my appendix so it was good to have the surgery. I was extremely nauseated after the surgery and they had these leg squeezy things to prevent blood clots but also prevented me from sleeping. In the morning I tried sitting up to use the bathroom but couldn't do it... so we just kept trying to keep on top of the pain, nausea and see if I could get some sleep. By the middle of the day Saturday I was getting to the point of extreme anxiety from the vicious cycle and just wanted to go home. Dan came that morning to let Amber go home and Dan's parents kept Bethany at their house. I'm sure it was tough for him too as he felt pretty helpless. I was finally able to eat a few grapes and spoonful's of soup which allowed me to get some much-needed rest. 2 hours later I felt like a new person and accomplished my three tasks for discharge: walk to the bathroom, walk around the unit twice, and eat. We hurried home that night so I could sleep in my wonderful sleep number bed. It never felt so nice to be home! Bethany came home Sunday afternoon and we watched the Super Bowl with some friends, but I laid low. It was wonderful not to have to clean ahead of time, cook or clean-up. The rest of this week I'm working half days Monday and Tuesday and from home the rest of the week until I'm off the pain meds. Fingers crossed that I'm better by next week when we have plans to go to Phoenix for a work conference and to extend a few extra days with friends and family.

15 months old!

Allison getting Bethany to read the WHOLE book

The three incisions from my surgery - the swelling should go down in 2 weeks