Tiny Heartbeats...and Much More

It's been 10 days since my last post. This is a longer stretch than normal, but it's not at all for lack of things to share and topics to write about. It's truly the opposite. There is SO much going on and SO many things I could say, that I simply don't have time to sit down in front of a computer for fun.

Plus, I am officially 12 weeks pregnant (woohoo!) which means that I am tired ALL THE TIME. I feel like I'm yawning my face off at work everyday. I try my best not to do it in front of my clients.

Of all the things I could share today, the most exciting news is this: I got to hear the heartbeat of our new baby for the first time!

A few weeks ago, we saw baby and the tiny little feet buds in my 9 week ultrasound, which was wonderful. At my OB visit today, baby made me a little nervous as the doctor could not find baby's heartbeat for a few minutes, and she started asking me questions. Just as my heart rate was about to increase, we heard the quick beats of a young life. All is well!

However, I did leave that appointment with the realization that I may need to find another practice and hospital to deliver our baby. Our local hospital is small and does not have a full-time anesthesiologist or a NICU. Because of this they do not do VBAC deliveries (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) except in rare circumstances. Because of her spina bifida, I delivered Adria by C-section. And even though I delivered Johanna successfully as a VBAC, it appears that if I want to try that again, I should look into other options....

While that is the Big News of the day, I warned you, there's much more I could share.

I could share how Adria went on her first Limousine ride today. She was one of about 40 students in her elementary school (K-2) who successfully sold more than 20 items for a school fundraiser and thus won this special award! A limo ride to Grotto's Pizza for Lunch. Sweet!

I stepped out of the office for a few minutes to run over to her school and take a few pictures of the event. I was actually the only parent there taking pictures...hahaha! What can I say, I like to document things.

Adria was a little late to the party though. As the other children piled in the limo, she was still down in the nurse's office getting her needs taken care of (bladder emptied by catheter) as she does every day at lunch. She missed the group picture, but I got to pose with my little sweetie by the Limo.

I could share how Daddy joined Johanna for her Pre-school class trip to the Fire House yesterday. The little tots seemed mostly interested as they looked into a fire truck and ambulance. But for Daddy, looking in the ambulance brought flashbacks of several frightening rides he's had to take in an ambulance after a seizure.

I could share about our family going bowling together Tuesday night to celebrate my brother Cameron's 28th Birthday. We were all completely terrible at bowling, and I don't know if anyone even brought 100. But it's something we never do and was a fun change. Plus, it was Adria and Johanna's first time bowling and they both loved it! (With the gutter bumpers and ball ramp of course..) Jo-Jo showed off her muscles by caring the ball by herself.

I could share how earlier that day, I played with Adria on a fun class trip to Loblolly Acres in Viola. It was a full day of picking a pumpkin, running through straw mazes, corn sack slides, story-time, animal petting and a tractor wagon ride! Almost 200 of her fellow Kindergarteners from school and many of their parents were there, so it was a crowd but the group rotations were very well managed.

I could share how Adrian had a great appointment with his Primary Care Physician. He has been conscientious about his health and weight since his last visit many months ago, when his doctor was concerned about his blood sugar levels. Adrian has cut back how much he eats and has been exercising regularly at the gym. His doctor was impressed that he's lost about 20 pounds and his blood results were good!!!

He spent the rest of the day working on our addition and totally impressing me with his ability to put all the siding, soffit and fascia on our addition. For years he worked in construction, but it's been years since he's had the chance to use his skills. I think he really likes the change from normal "stay at home Dad" duties.

I could share about our family's weekend adventure camping at Trap Pond State Park. It did not start off so great, as we arrived Friday night ready to check into our cabin and realized that Mommy had actually made the reservation for Saturday and Sunday night...not Friday. There were no cabins available. Adria and I were especially bummed. But we returned the next morning and enjoyed a gorgeous fall weekend roasting marshmallows over the fire, walking miles through wooded trails, and taking a pontoon boat ride. Truly, all's well that ends well in this case.

Believe it or not, there's still more I could share, but I will end with these highlights from our week and life. Special events that even just a brief mention will bring back good memories for us years down the road. But when I add to all this excitement several late nights of work over the past week, I find myself exhausted and ready to say goodnight. Here's to the memories (and heartbeats :) we create.