The first look

I had my first prenatal appointment with my OB last Wednesday. We packed up the whole family to go take our first peek at the newest family member. It is still early, but you can see the space on the left with the yolk sac still visible. I was only 5wks 4days, so you can see the cyst on my ovary, on the right, where I ovulated from. That is what produces the progesterone in early pregnancy. Everyone that has seen this picture immediately asks if I am having twins! Oh, that would have me on the floor. No, just one little peanut growing in there for now. I suppose it could be twins in one sac, but the chances of that are very small. Anyway, I go back to the doctor at 7wks 4days to see the heartbeat.

~*~*~SURPRISE~*~*~

We are adding to our gaggle of girls here! I just found out yesterday that we are expecting another baby. I know, I know, we told EVERYONE that we were completely done with the babies. We honestly thought we were. About three months ago, I had Leila in the sling, and I realized that she was suddenly getting very big for it. I started getting baby fever in a bad way. I didn't say anything to Daniel, though. I thought her would think I had absolutely lost my mind.

One Sunday two months ago, Daniel came home from work and told me that he had something to tell me. He slowly threw out there that he wanted another baby. I could not scream YES! fast enough. I was so thrilled that he wanted another, and I didn't have to talk him into it. We also decided that we were not going to tell anyone about it. Well, we at least weren't going to tell our family and most everyone else. We did let it slip to a few lucky ones.

The next day, I woke up and immediately called my OB to set up an annual exam and have my IUD removed. Apparently, it was the thing to do in January. According to my OB, I was the 14th patient she had that week getting it removed.

We tried last month, but I had only had the IUD out for a week. Most cases it takes a month for your body to regulate, and boy did mine ever regulate. UGH! Luckily, this month was successful. We are expecting a Turkey Baby. My estimated due date is November 22, but I will most likely deliver on November 17.

Soooo, will I have to change things up with my blog? Time will tell.

Ava's Dance Recital

Ava had her second mini-dance recital on Saturday. These past two recitals are preparation for their big end of the year recital that is put on at a local high school. They try to prepare the younger girls to preform on a big stage by putting them on the smaller stage in the studio.

This time, Ava would be doing her jazz dance piece. They did a dance to Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again". The costume was, of course, a pink poodle skirt over her regular black leotard. They also added pink scarves for their neck and hair. They were all so precious.

The dance went very well. The girls preformed wonderfully. And this is not a "proud mama" statement, but her class was the best group that morning. I think it may have a lot to do with the fact that they were doing a jazz dance and not a tap dance. Let's just say that a bunch of 3yo's tapping is not the most perfected thing. It was hard to tell anything they were doing.

At any rate, we are so proud of Ava. She did wonderfully. More importantly, Ava really, really enjoys dancing. She loves being on stage preforming, as well. For me, it is just great to see your child loving the same things you are passionate about, too.

Here is her recital video to watch. Ava is the second from the right.

Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh my!

Lately, Leila has been hitting a bit of a developmental spurt. She comprehends so much already, and it really just amazes me to no end. I think this probably has a lot to do with being a younger sibling and having to learn the intricacies of family dynamics right away as far as having older siblings.

So, anyway.... I noticed that Leila is beginning to develop fears. It started a few days ago when she wanted her baby doll to sleep with at night. I told her to go get it from the doll crib in the game room. She goes running over there full speed, but suddenly stopped on a dime when she realized the game room did not have a light on. Oh, the fear of the dark phase has just begun. I am still going through this with Ava, so now I have another child to deal with constantly.

I encouraged her to go ahead in and get her baby. I told her everything was fine, but she wasn't budging an inch. So, I went over and nudged her back to walk. She was digging her heals in, though. So, I pushed a bit harder until she started at a slow pace. All the while, I was telling her there was nothing to be afraid of in there. She found her baby doll and took off to the safety of the lighted hallway.

Well, today I discovered she has yet another fear. We have had a major cold front heading into this area. With it brought a pretty significant thunderstorm. Every few minutes, there would be a large crash of thunder. It first started without incidence. However, I suddenly had Leila running up to me screaming her head off like she had just seen her Grrr's head ripped off and eaten by our ferocious Persian cat, Bella.

She crawled onto my blanket clad lap practically shaking. I was in the middle of reassuring that she was perfectly safe when the thunder crashed again. This time, she pulled the blanket up over her head hiding herself from the threatening sound. I could not help myself but laugh at her innocent display of fear. She just could not be anymore precious. This behavior was repeated over the next hour as the storm moved past us.

I just love the innocence of little children. I know the day will come, probably sooner rather than later, when something as silly as a thunderstorm will seem like just that...a silly thunderstorm....instead of a threatening force.