Our Little Pear - 14 Weeks

Pregnancy with toddlers is certainly different. For one, I don't have my dog-eared copy of "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" at the side of my bed nor am I guaranteed that I can get 20-minutes to lay down during the day to rest anymore. Bettina is now skipping naps, even if I wait until 3pm to start them (this used to work like a charm, but only half the time now). Often, I forget completely what week we're in with Baby #3; there are just too many other important things going on at the same time. Usually, I have to wait until Sundays, when I get my email reminder from babycenter.com that tells me how many weeks the little life is. It tells me that, despite my big tummy, about the size of a large cantaloupe, our baby is about the size of a pear and about 3-inches long. S/He is complete with fingerprints now. Somehow, that seemed to sneak up fast.

This week, I had my monthly visit with my OB/GYN and got to hear the heartbeat. I had one complaint: how come I'm so big so fast this time when there's only one? I seem to be as big as I was this time with two! Normal, she responds. Good ole' pregnancy hormones send out a message to let all my tummy and stomach muscles to relax and the big tummy just falls out. I don't need maternity pants (but am on the verge), but the tops are essential. Regular tops are just too short in lenght. I still have morning sickness - something I suffered with until week 18 with the girls. I've asked for meds to help as I'm snappy and my parenting skills are compromised. They have given me something strong enough to use with cancer patients' nausea. It helps a lot - I didn't actually realize how sick I was feeling until the pills made me remember what "normal" is like.

The girls are getting ready to start pre-school next month. It is suggested that they start so that, when the baby comes, they are already comfortable in their routine and don't see school as a punishment or another change that the baby has brought. Along with all the Christmas cards we got in the mail yesterday, a postcard from their teacher, Andrea, came. It had her picture on it. The girls recognized her right away and got excited to hear from her at home. We decided on a Reggio Emilia school, and I'm really pleased to have found 2-spots in the middle of the year. Another of their friends, Nathan, will be taking the last spot in their group of 6 kids. Nathan has identical twin sisters who are 5 years old. I have been buddying up with their mom, Julie, since she has a lot of insight to kids after twins. The spacing between her twins and Nathan is the same as what ours will be. She's been a great resource for questions such as car configurations and the like. We look forward to maintaining this friendship at school as well.

We All Love Baby Braxton...

Isn't this just the cutest picture? Talk about kissing cousins.... One to cherish!

Ava Joins the Ranks - The Cat Walk at GAP

Sometimes you've got the right size, but not the right attitude. That's what we've always had when it came to Ava's fit-modeling career. However, we got a call from our manager last week asking if Ava was still wearing a size 7 shoe. "Yeah, she is," I answer. "Now, which one has the better temperment?" Michelle asks. I know what she means -- Bettina doesn't really have a "better" temperment, per-say, but has more curiousity and willingness to try on new things in front of a room of complete strangers. "Bettina," I answer. "Does she wear a size 7?" she asks hopefully. "No. She's an 8." "Well, how do you think Ava will do?" I can't promise anything other than we could practice at home beforehand.

So, in the morning, just before our appointment with Baby GAP, Ava and I practice putting on different types of shoes: some too big, some too small, and some in colors I know she hates. Every time she does what is asked without complaining, she gets a Skittle and gets to choose the color as well. I'm still a bit nervous since the last time we went to a shoe gig, she absolutely refused; we got black-listed from that client.

With fingers crossed, we walk in to meet our contact at Baby GAP. The fitting goes great - she tries on the shoes and walks the "cat walk" observed by a team of designers, returning to ask for "a yellow one". We have found Ava's current currency. We're called back again before the week's done, and again, she gets her pick of colored candies. Good job, Ava!!