17 Weeks Pregnant.

I had my second prenatal appointment a couple of days ago and it went really, really well. We met a new midwife (Leeanna) and she was absolutely everything I believe a midwife should be. Friendly, personable, laid back, and open to any and all questions I could come up with. She also had wispy hair and a wispy skirt to boot. And I love her.

We got to hear the glorious heartbeat of this amazing new human (SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH) and Leeanna beamed just as much as I did as the sound of life filled the room. She said she/he sounded perfect. Everything is going really well at this point in the pregnancy- I am finally feeling good most of the time and I am enjoying the wonderful experience of feeling this baby poke and swim around inside of me like a little goldfish in a bowl. Tink tink! So crazy!



I have an ultrasound scheduled for September 10th. That's only 3.5 weeks until we can find out what we're having! I am so excited I could squee. Or, perhaps more appropriatley, PEE. With this second pregnancy my bladder has proven to be a bit... um... weak. Please tell me I'm not alone in this. Let's just say that sneezing now has new, unexpected tribulations to accompany it. AHEM.




Here's a fun tip for those of you who are preggo or who will become preggo in the future and are planning to find out the sex of the baby: (My friend told me about this idea, and we did it with Ezra, and it was AWESOME! So, DO IT!) (Ummm... If you want to.)

I made a cute little blank card and stuck it in an envelope and we brought it with us to the appointment. Before the technician started the ultrasound, we told her that we wanted to know the sex of the baby, but that we didn't want her to tell us out loud. I handed her the blank card and asked her to write it down for me and then put the card back in the envelope.

She did the ultrasound, never saying one way or another what we were having, and afterwards, we grabbed the envelope with the big news inside and we slipped off to a romantic lunch spot overlooking the ocean. Chris and I were GIDDY and completely nervous as we stared at the envelope resting on the table in front of us. Should we open it now? Before lunch? After lunch? Over dessert??

In the end, we couldn't even wait long enough to get our drink orders.

We tore the envelope open and started crying right there in the resaurant. It was a boy. It was Ezra. And it was one of the sweetest memories I have with my husband.

That card is now in Ezra's scrapbook. (The scrapbook that never really got finished. Or, even, STARTED for that matter. Oy vey.)

So, try it sometime! We're planning on doing the same thing with this pregnancy. The only thing missing this time around will be the ocean.

So... other than that, not much is new. I am going to apply at a Starbucks near my house that is looking for temporary help. (They are one of the stores that will be closing in the next few months.) They desperately need some help in the meantime. It could be perfect!

We have some friends living with us for a few weeks and it has been awesome. They have a little girl who is almost two, and Ezra just adores her.




Life is lovely.

Every Single Time.

Baby appointment was postponed. Due to INSURANCE issues. (HATE.) I will be seeing the midwives at OU on July 17th now- which was their soonest appointment available. That's ONE WHOLE MONTH later than my previously scheduled baby appointment. I will be pushing my second trimester by that point. I am so bummed about all of this, but I understand... I'd rather get all the insurance stuff squared away than have to pay $800 out of pocket for lab fees, you know?

I'm still trying to decide if I want to do a home birth with midwives, or if I want to use midwives at the birthing center at OU Medical. The most important thing to me is that I have a natural birth. Where that actually takes place is less of a priority in my mind. Now that we've been approved for the state's insurance coverage, cost isn't an issue. So... I guess I'd better just make up my mind already. Or something.

I've been feeling oodles better this week, and have not had any nausea worth mentioning in the last four days or so. I'm still craving sub sandwiches like a mo fo. And napping is my new best friend. I'm 9 weeks along already... time seems to be flying by with this pregnancy!



This past week was really full, but really good at the same time. Chris' mom, dad, and sister pulled into town on Friday with the big U-Haul truck full of Chris' parent's stuff. We unloaded it all on Saturday AM. They are officially moved in! Woo woo! Chris' sister stayed with us through Sunday and then flew back to Reno. [Sad faces.] We already miss her.

Saturday afternoon, Chris and I (and another couple) watched all the kids in our co-op from 4-7 at our house so the other parents could have a date night. There were like, 10 kids in my little house- but they all did great! Right at 7, I left and drove to a coffee shop down the road and played a show with my friend Shannon. The show was really awesome- probably my favorite show since I can remember. I even played a new song. gasp!

Things should be settling down a bit now until July 1st, which is when Ezra and I hop on a plane and visit Reno for 10 days to see family. It should be a nice little break of routine- a great chance to soak up some MoMar and Doodad time.

Ezra started swimming lessons at the YMCA last week, and he's doing so good. I'm so proud of how brave he's becoming! He's a champ. (Until his face gets wet.)

Last night, Chris and I loaded Ezra up in the car and decided to go try out Chris' father's day gift at the lake right by our house. Chris got a new fishing pole for Father's Day, and it was calling for a test drive.

It was an amazing time. No fish were caught (much to my unspoken relief) , and I got to lounge in the back of the new car- reading my book and munching on fresh cantaloupe. I could get used to this 'fishing' idea!


Can you find Ezra in this picture?








So, all in all, life is going along smoothly. I work hard everyday to care for my son and try to remember to 'sing behind the plow' as I go... to remember to find joy in the simple things in front of me rather than waste my life in expecting it around every corner.

And, every single time, I find the joy all around me when I put down my binoculars and just allow my eyes to focus on the things in my own hands.

Every single time.