Expecting

It's true! We're expecting baby number two!

Michael, Karis, and I are excited to add a new member to our family.  His or her estimated due date is December 13, 2012.

Ultrasound at 5 weeks
The baby is hardly big enough to see.

Q and A
Q: Was this planned!? A: Yes.  Michael and I both enjoyed growing up with siblings close in age, so we thought we'd plan our family the same way.
Q: Aren't you breastfeeding?  I thought you couldn't get pregnant?  A: Some women don't start their menstrual cycle while breastfeeding, and therefore, they can't get pregnant.  Once I dropped Karis's night time feeding, I started my cycle and was able to get pregnant.
Q: How far apart will Karis and baby be?  A: 17 months
Q: How are you feeling?  A: Great!  I had a lot of nausea at the beginning, but no throwing up.  I also had some cramping from a cyst, but I hardly notice it now.
Q: Are you crazy?  A: Of course!  :)  Anyone who knows me well knows that I love children, and I've always dreamed of raising my own.  It will be hard at first, but it will be fun.  Plus, we are very blessed with a lot of support from family, friends, and our community.  Also, once our kids are in school, I look forward to going back to teaching.

Ultrasound at 9 Weeks and 4 Days

This pregnancy is similar to my pregnancy with Karis because I didn't gain weight during the first trimester, urgency is bad, and I'm exhausted all the time.
It's different because during the first trimester with Karis I had no appetite.  This time, I'm always hungry and craving anything with cheese (nachos mostly).  With Karis I threw up a lot in the mornings, but I haven't experienced that yet.

Here we go again...

Vampire Baby is 10 Months Old

Karis is 10 months old today.  Happy birthday, baby girl.

When she was a fetus, I used to say, "This kid is a vampire.  She's sucking the life out of me."  Well, today I discovered evidence that shows she really is a vampire.  Karis was in her swing giggling like crazy.  Giggle time is the only opportunity I have to see Karis's upper gums.  Today, I noticed two teeth coming down, fangs!  I'm not sure how I missed this.  Clearly, these teeth did not just sprout during the last couple days.  They've been there at least a week.  Now, Karis has a total of four teeth:  two lower central, and two upper cuspids (had to look that one up).  I wish I had a picture to share, but like I said, it's hard to get a glimpse of Karis's upper gums.  I'll work on that.

Karis has improved on her skills since my last blog.  She is "cruising" along furniture a little more, and she will (very cautiously) move from the ottoman to couch.  Cheerios really encourage her walking development.

In the eating department, Karis is busy!  One day I gave her some chunks of avocado from my salad.  After that, she didn't want pureed food anymore.  She wants to feed herself.  Karis still eats pureed food sometimes, but she mostly eats table food: mango, pear, banana, peas, carrots, beans, crackers, ... really anything.

Eating a Chunk of Pear
(Mommy doesn't want to change my clothes 100 times per day, so she just  takes them off for breakfast.)

She's also getting great at peek-a-boo.  She likes to put her Easter basket over her head and pull it off to get Mommy to say "Boo!"  

Karis LOVES to read books.  When I'm trying to get some chores done, she often cries for me to come join her on the living room rug.  Reading books calms her immediately.  She's good at turning the pages of her board books.

Reading with Mae Mae

I look forward to the day when Karis can dress herself, but for now, I can count on her ability to UNdress herself.  When I got her from her crib after today's nap, she had taken her pants off.  Oh boy.

Swimming at the Big Pool

We love our silly girl!

9 Month Check-up Update

I said I'd update you after Karis's 9 month appointment with her pediatrician.  I've put this update off, because unlike usual, we didn't have a happy visit.  Usually I'm excited to report all her new stats to you.  This time, Doc had some concerns.

Here are her current stats:

Head Circumference: 16.5 inches/10th percentile

Length: 27 inches/25th percentile

Weight: 15 lb. 12 oz. /5th percentile (I read one chart that said 10th)

Karis's head and length continue to grow at a steady pace.  Her weight, on the other hand, is increasing very slowly.  If Karis had always been in the 5th percentile, the doctor would be fine with her staying that way, but since her percentile continues to decline, that causes concern.  Doc said, "Let's wait until her one year appointment to make a decision."  I quickly responded, "I don't want to wait.  This has been a concern at her last several appointments.  If she is malnourished, I don't want to continue to starve her.  I'm worried that my milk supply is too low."  He suggested weighing K before and after feedings to see how much milk she is getting.  He also increased her solid meals from 2 to 3 per day. 

A couple of days after the appointment, Doc called Michael at 7:30 in the morning.  I was worried immediately, because usually the doctor's office calls me.  Doc informed Michael that Karis's blood count came back showing that Karis has elevated liver enzymes.  He will see her in a month to retest.  I did some research and came to two conclusions. 

1.) The medication that I take for IC, Elmiron can cause liver problems, so maybe it was affecting her.  Decision: as long as I am nursing or pregnant, I will never take Elmiron.

2.) I read some scary things on the Internet, but the one that sounds most probable: low weight and malnourishment can cause an elevation of liver enzymes.  When weight and nourishment improves, the liver heals quickly.

So, I increased Karis's solid meals immediately.  I also tried supplementing with soy formula, but Karis threw it up the first time.  After doing a weight check, we learned that Karis was getting 5 ounces of milk during her first feeding and 2 ounces during the others.  Yikes!  She is supposed to get 6 - 8 ounces per feeding.  I tried some regular formula, and Karis did well with that, but we want to be careful with the milk, since Michael has a milk allergy.  This dilemma has left me stressed, worried, and panicky.  What kind of formula am I supposed to give her?  How much?  When?  How much is this going to cost?  Is breastfeeding really coming to an end?

After much prayer and research, my worry has calmed, and we have a good plan for baby K.  Research shows that breastfed babies slow down on weight gain after about 3 months, and this tends to alarm doctors.  Often, they recommend that mothers supplement or stop breastfeeding all together.  No way am I going to stop breastfeeding.  If I've still got some milk, why stop?  I am slowly introducing organic soy formula.  Karis is doing well... hopefully Doc will agree in a few weeks. 

Tiny Cutester in her Toy Box

IC and the Stay-At-Home Mommy

A while ago I complained about the loneliness of being a stay-at-home mom.  However, it obviously has many benefits.  Of course, it is what's best for my daughter; that's why I do it.  Staying at home also makes my pain from interstitial cystitis easier to control.

Clothing
Luckily I don't have to wear business attire.  Loose fitting clothes are the best, specially on bad IC days.  I like to wear PJ pants, cotton shorts, gauchos, skirts, or scrub type pants.

Water
I drink water literally ALL day long.  It's great for keeping the bladder toxins diluted.  Plus, water helps keep up my milk supply for baby, and it helps keep her hydrated.

Bathroom Breaks
Since I drink water all day, I have to go to the bathroom frequently.  Of course I can't always go to the bathroom immediately (if I'm in the middle of feeding Karis or a diaper change).  However, I'm able to get there in a more timely manner than when I had a classroom full of students.

Stay Active
When baby is sleeping, it's easy to lay in bed and think, "Poor me and poor bladder."  I think this just makes it hurt worse.  When I get up, put on those cotton shorts, go for a walk, and get some chores done, yes the pain is still there, but at least I'm not laying around thinking about it.

Rest
Staying active is good, but enough rest is essential!  Some people don't need much sleep, and some people need a lot.  I think I'm somewhere in between.  But I have to get that rest to take care of my health.

Eat Well
I live in a small town, so fast food isn't really much of an option.  Staying at home gives me time to prepare healthy, non-greasy, non-spicy food.


Elmiron
I've had an off and on relationship with my IC medication, Elmiron.  Lately, I've not been taking it for several reasons (mostly because it's not approved for breastfeeding).  On rough days, I'm sure to wear the loose clothes, drink extra water, and try to stay busy.

Staying Active: Just Completed a 5k
(in my favorite cotton shorts!)

9 Months Old

Baby Girl is 9 months old!  We hung out with a friend and her 3 month old baby a few days ago.  I couldn't believe that Karis used to be that small.  She is learning new things every day.

Things Karis can do: (you can tell what I used to do...)
- uses thumb and index finger to pick up cereal and feed herself
- passes toy from hand to hand
- waves "hi" when prompted
- points
- crawls!!!
- pulls up on furniture and stands independently
- walks all over the place in her walker
- pulls magnets off of the refrigerator
- babbles while playing independently
- says "da-da" "ma-ma" and many other repetitive syllables
- chooses desired toy when 2 are presented
- reaches up or towards the person she wants to hold her
- enjoys looking at and touching pictures of a story when read to

We'll go to the doctor this week, and I will report back with all of Karis's new stats.  Enjoy a few captured moments of Karis lately...

First Trip to Wimberley, TX

Karis loved playing in the river.

First Spring in Texas

Cutest Easter Bunny Ever

Showing off her swimsuit

Peep Show

We were at a friend's little girl's birthday party.  Most of the guests were out in the yard eating lunch, playing games, and chatting.  When it was time for Karis to eat, I decided to take her inside the house where it would be cooler and more comfortable for both of us.  Sitting on the living room couch, Karis was under her "tent" eating lunch.  A little boy, who looked about 4 years old asked, "What's the baby doing?  Is the baby sleeping?"  Eight months of successfully keeping my privates private ended abruptly due to a curious 4 year old little boy.  Before I could stop him, he lifted my nursing cover way up high to see the baby.  Oh boy.  That was awkward.

I'm always worried that Karis will grab or kick the nursing cover and expose me, and in 8 months it had never happened (that I know of).  Thanks a lot little boy.

Valley

The hardest thing about being a "stay at home mom" is staying at home... at a home that is 45 minutes away from my friends.  I really like my independence and doing my own thing, so being alone is not that difficult.  However, no one can be alone all of the time, and lately, I've been going crazy!  I have scheduled time with friends 2 - 3 times per week.  Last Tuesday, Karis was crying when I arrived at a play date.  She needed a nap, because she didn't get enough rest in the car.  We had to leave immediately.  I was totally bummed about not getting to see my girlfriends.  I really needed that time.  Then, on Wednesday Michael had to work too late, so we couldn't make it to our small groups.  Two days in a row, I missed my opportunities to see my girlfriends.  I was so upset and down in the dumps.  My thoughts were (and still are) totally negative.  I feel that I'm down in a valley and struggling to transform my thoughts and crawl out.  It feels so unfair that other moms can let their children nap at home before they go to events, appointments, etc. because their home is less than 10 minutes away from the places they need to be.  It's impossible for me to schedule around nap times.  If Karis wakes up from a nap at 10am, then she needs another at noon.  The two hour "awake" time is not enough for me to feed her, change her, drive 45 minutes to Sugar Land, visit with friends, and drive back in time for a nap.  Karis sleeps well in the car, but if she only gets cat naps, she is a cranksters.  Ever since Karis was born, I have been searching and praying for mommies in our town to connect with.  No luck yet.  :(

Reminds me of a song by my favorite band, Caedmon's Call
Valleys Fill First


This is the valley that I'm walking through
And if feels like forever since I've been close to you
My friends up above me don't understand why I struggle like I do
My shadow's my only, only companion and at night he leaves too

Down in the valley, dying of thirst
Down in the valley, it seems that I'm at my worst
My consolation is that you baptize this earth
When I'm down in the valley, valleys fill first

Down in this wasteland I miss the mountaintop view
But it's here in this valley that I'm surrounded by you
Though I'm not here by my will it's where your view is the most clear
So I'll stay in this valley even if it takes 40 years