Ultrasound & Baby's Name

On Tuesday morning I went in for the routine 20 week ultrasound. Dan just started a new job so he didn't dare ask for the time off to go, instead, I took my mom with me. It was nice having here there, plus she'd never seen an ultrasound before. (In her day, ultrasounds were a luxury or only done when medically necessary). My ultrasound was a 3D/4D (which I'd never had before!).

I am happy to report that I do not have to worry about early miscarriage due to incompetent cervix. Also, baby is measuring perfectly to the due date. I will be having a repeat c-section sometime between Sept. 8th and the 15th. (maybe Dan's birthday?).

We had a handful of names picked out for both genders, although none of them were grabbing at us...


At the ultrasound when I found out baby #2 was a boy, (yes, a boy!) I immediately "knew" his name, but first I had to run it by Dan. Dan wanted Steven as a middle name (Ian is named after my dad, Scott), but we were having a hard time finding first names that fit.


When he got home from work and heard the news he was expecting another son, I told him I had a name. He was excited because we were having such a difficult time. I forewarned him that I felt very strongly for this name and that it was the only one that made me feel an ounce of emotion. I could imagine calling out to my son and introducing him and his name was a PERFECT FIT. When I told Dan what I wanted our son's name to be he nodded his head and smiled and said, yes. (He didn't even ask to think about it! I love him so much for that!). He agreed that the name was indeed perfect and he loved it also.

We had first thought we wouldn't tell anyone our final name choice but that was only because we wanted to be able to change our minds up to the last minute. We are so happy about this name that there isn't anything that could come along to make us change our minds.

With that being said, we are both thrilled that baby boy's name will be:

Darby Steven O'Brien

He will be named after his Uncle Darby (Dan's brother) and his Grandpa Steve (Dan's dad).

-- just for a sidenote, if he had been a girl, I had narrowed it down to Lola Jane(after my sister Tanya's middle name and after Dan's mom).

That is all for now.

Hearing Test

Ian passed his hearing test with flying colors. He was quick and attentive. This makes me happy. Now we know he's just doing things on his own schedule and that it's not a disability. However, I would like to get him into a toddler class that allows him social interaction with other kids. I think it would help. (I called the speech therapy place we were referred to and our health insurance does not cover this therapy). His Grammie Janie is going to help us help him learn more language skills. Back to the topic of social interaction though, I discovered that Spokane County has a Children First/Infant Toddler Network program and a Development Center that would allow him speech therapy in a setting where he is also able to play with other kids. The Children First program would also qualify him to attend Millwood School. He just needs to have a screening done first. All of this would be at no cost to us. So I called today and he will go in on May 10th for an assessment. Even if he does get accepted into the program, Janie will still be the biggest influence and best source of therapy for Ian. I am just one of those moms that tries to explore every outlet for a combination of resources. I also think it would be good for him to have more interacton with other kids.

Anyways, enough of my novel. Dan has started a new job as Billing Specialist and I am very happy for him. In his absence at the house, I am refilling my shoes as stay at home mom and wife and I am content with that. I am also grateful for the time I have with little man.

Off to clean house and do the things that moms do when their little ones are sleeping.

Oh and we have decided that we will find out baby's gender. (I knew I'd cave!). One week from today we should have a somewhat clear idea.

18 Month Photos

Ian's Great Grandparents (Don & Joan), took Ian to get his pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids today. We are very grateful and adore the picture of the two of them with our little man.

Oooo Wzzzzat?

Ian had his 18 month check up today. 27 lbs, 34" tall, everything looks good and healthy. He is however headed to an ENT for a hearing test next week and then off to a speech therapist for some help (motivation?) to learn to talk. His words are non existant except for "uh-oh" and "DAT!" (cat). Most often he just babbles. He does know how to communicate by pointing and using some sign language. If you ask him where the cat is, or the fish, or elephant, or some other object, he'll get all excited and either run over and pick it up or point to it.

On Wednesday, Great Grandma and Grandpa are taking him to get his pics taken!

We've also been doing some spring cleaning: the sun porch out front is cleared out and ready for rugs, a table, and maybe some hanging planters. Ian was out there this weekend watching planes go by. Dan caught a Kodak moment or two. (See above).

April 29th is the ultrasound day. We will find out if bed rest or cerclage is in the future or if I have had the fortune of prayer on my side. We just may also find out if lil #2 is a baby brother or sister.

Hyperemesis has subsided! I have an appetite! I have eaten more in the last couple days than I think I ate the last 13 weeks. I am super glad to be craving food. In the last day or so I've been feeling the wee one moving around a bit. Little flutters on the left side just below my belly button. It almost feels like a tickle. No weight gain yet either, was down another pound at my appointment last week which makes a total loss of -16 lbs since Jan 1st.

Tomorrow is our 2nd wedding anniversary. :)

And for today, Happy 30th Birthday, Autemn!

Strawberries

I had a bag of frozen strawberries from my parents' garden last summer and I was thinking of a good way to use them up. I made my own recipe of real strawberry cupcakes with strawberry frosting... I even made them mini size. YUM!

Rocks

I find this to be quite funny.