Pregnancy News

Well...we had our 2nd ultrasound - the one that would give the Dr. information as to whether or not we had a baby growing appropriately inside the depths of my lower abdomen.

I didn't feel nervous about the appointment until we arrived at the Dr.'s office.  Michael and I sat in the waiting room in silence and I could feel my heart beating rapidly.  I knew they were going to take my blood pressure so I tried to breathe deeply as we waited to be called in.

And then we were called in.

We chatted with the Dr., I answered questions about how I was feeling, and then the ultrasound began.  He didn't say much about what he was seeing and instead we talked about Oregon's governor's race.  He was spouting numbers off to the nurse, and then suddenly, without any preface, the sound of a heartbeat emanated from the ultrasound machine.  I was stunned and laid there listening in disbelief.  For a few moments the room was silent as we all listened to the strong, rhythmic thumping of our baby's heart.  Our baby! My eyes were a little misty and warmth overwhelmed my soul.  Now it feels real.

We have graduated from the fertility clinic and have an appointment with an OB/GYN later in the month. I am technically considered high risk because of my Advanced Maternal Age - a fancy way of saying I'm old and disgusting - but I feel like everything will be fine.

So here's how it goes at the 8-ish week of pregnancy:

• I have to continue with the daily progesterone injections until I reach 12 weeks.  I am disappointed by this and my bum isn't happy about it either.  I'm lumpy and sore on my backside and 4 more weeks sounds awful.
• I'm experiencing a little nausea in the mornings but nothing I can't power through.  It has not slowed my food consumption one bit.
• My ovaries continue to be enlarged so still no exercise yet.  I have angst beyond compare about this.
• My mood is good but I do feel a general sense of heaviness - a little bloated, a little water retention, a little weight gain because I refuse to stop eating like a horse.

Overall, everything is good and happy.  Let's hope it stays that way.

Now only 32 more weeks to go!  (Oof...that feels like a long time)   

United Unicorns

Kitty finished up her second season with the United Unicorns soccer team - and what a season they had!  I have really come to enjoy watching Kitty play soccer.  I'm an ignorant oaf about the rules of the game, but I be super good at cheering real real loud. 

Kitty's team improved significantly this season.  She even almost scored a goal during one game!  If it hadn't been for the darn goalie doing her job, that ball would have rolled into the net.  I still cheered real real loud at the attempt.

The Unicorns made it to the championship game, which landed on Kitty's birthday.  I thought she'd be bummed about having a soccer game on her birthday, but she was incredibly excited about it.  We didn't win but I was still extremely proud of Kitty and her team.  

They sang Happy Birthday to her after the game and had a little trophy ceremony to celebrate 2nd place.  I brought Krispy Kreme donuts and cheered real real loud for our group of girls.  

It was a fun soccer season and an excellent way to close out Kitty's birthday.

Hooray for the United Unicorns!

A Decade

My Kitty turned 10. Some kitties have a lot of nerve.  

No matter.  We had a great day celebrating our Kitty.  Since it was a school day, I agreed to let her open a few presents early in the morning before school.  It was still dark outside and it felt like we were celebrating in the middle of the night.  I guess some things just can't wait.  Or some people.

So what kinds of things does a 10-year-old Kitty want?

Well, she wants the entire series of her new favorite book, Keeper of the Lost Cities.

And she wants that stuffed skunk she's been asking for since birth.  I finally found one.  Thank you, eBay.

And she wants a dozen glow in the dark Hatchimals.

And then she'll head off to school a very happy Kitty.

Moments after arriving home from school, she tore into the rest of her gifts.  

And found a Tamagotchi pet.

And money and an amazing Harry Potter card from her cousins.  The card was even signed by Katie the dog.  Kitty thought it was hilarious.

She also received a wad of dough from my parents.

And a stuffed flamingo and candy from her bestie in Oregon.

The next day she opened a giant Grogu bag full of art projects and a puzzle from Michael's mom.  She was happy about that.

So, what does a 10-year-old Kitty want for her birthday dinner?  

Well, she wants steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and cheese buns.  Delish!

She also wanted an ice cream cake.  I added the joy of candles that relight.

And then we had to rush off to the championship soccer game.  I'll tell you all about that later.

It was a wonderful birthday.  I can't believe it's been 10 years since my baby was born.  She has changed my life in beautiful ways - ways that I longed for but couldn't imagine would be so joyful.  

Kitty is intelligent, driven, funny, and kind.  She still writes me notes and is generous with hugs and kisses. She lets me hold her hand and will snuggle with me during movies.  She is my miracle and I love her with all of my heart.   

Happy Birthday, Kitty!

I 💗Dollywood

Buying season passes to Dollywood has turned out to be a delightful investment.  The park changes its decor and themes for each season, and we've had a marvelous time visiting the different motifs.  The Autumn theme included enormous pumpkin sculptures and lights galore.  We ventured out one Saturday and it was spectacular.  Walking around all day wreaked havoc on my swollen innards and I was hobbling like an old woman by the time nightfall arrived, but it was worth it.  Swollen ovaries and cankles can't keep a good dog down!

It was fun to see the sculptures during the day but they were incredibly magical at night. Michael and Kitty rode a few rides before dark while I entertained myself with 2 pounds of salt water taffy.  We also had Dippin' Dots because - you know - Kitty and Michael are rabid for them.

It was a long day and we rolled home just before midnight, exhausted and ready for bed. But what a great day it was. 

Dollywood does it again!  

Fall Festival

If you were going to plan a Fall Festival at Kitty's school, what theme would you choose to make her the happiest little kitty in the entire world?

I'll tell you what you'd choose...Star Wars.

Imagine Kitty's excitement when she brought home the flyer announcing that this year's Fall Festival would be centered around Star Wars.  Imagine hearing her talk about this perfect theme every day for a solid month leading up to the festival.  Imagine Kitty bounding out of bed the day of the festival and excitedly putting on her planned outfit.  Imagine Booney bidding on all of the auction items like a gambling addict hoping for a win.

Just imagine that.

It was our first Fall Festival and Kitty was aflutter with anticipation.  It's the school's fundraiser for the year so they have a silent auction in addition to the carnival games and bounce houses.  I donated some of Michael's money and then also bid on every auction item like a crazy person.  It turns out some people are even crazier than I am.  I only successfully won a single, solitary item - artwork that Kitty's class had done.  Which reminds me...I'm still waiting to receive my prize.  Is this some kind of scam?!

I really wanted the VIP carline pass that allows you to pick up your kid at the back of the school, thus avoiding all the traffic.  But I didn't win. Some sucker paid nearly $400 for that. I'll stick with my $25 piece of priceless artwork.

We had a fabulous time at the festival and it was fun to see Kitty meeting up with her little friends.  She even got to dunk her soccer coach in the dunk tank.  What a thrill!  The weather was perfect and it turned out to be a pleasant way to spend a Friday evening.

Happy Fall Festival!

Attack of the Wasps

It was a beautiful fall Saturday.  After Kitty's team successfully won their soccer game against an undefeated team, we ventured out to get a fresh donut and visit a punkin patch.

It was idyllic as we sat there eating our fresh donuts and voraciously licking our lips.  Idyllic until the wasps arrived.  They wanted fresh donuts as well.  

Kitty was freaking out and screeching every time one came close to her.  I wasn't convinced they were actually wasps and suggested they might just be hover flies - a species I learned about a few years ago from my brilliant scientist brother-in-law.  Since Kitty instinctively rejects most things I say as being right, she insisted they were wasps and they were out to kill her.

Such drama.  

I told her to calm down and that she wasn't going to be stung by the hover flies.  And then I commenced a telephone call with my father.  Moments later, Kitty screamed at a decibel that alarmed all of the nice, old people enjoying their sandwiches and donuts next to us.

Well, whaddayaknow?!  One of my flies had stung her. 

Kitty felt pain.  I felt betrayed.  Michael felt like buying chocolate milk to wash down his donut.  But, being the kind papa that he is, he also bought her some cream to soothe the sting.

Ok, I admit it...I was wrong.  But just this one time.

But! We didn't let the wasps spoil our plans and continued on to the punkin patch.  Kitty rode a mechanical bull, went down a slide at warp speed, conquered tightrope walking, and successfully completed a corn maze with her old parents.  Like I said, it was a beautiful fall Saturday.  My only regret was that I was wearing a sweater.  I expected it to be chilly but Mr. Sun was out in full force instead.  

Thanks for the memories...and the perspiration.

And what about the wasp attack?  Poor Kitty's hand was still swollen a few days later.

I'd like to say that I'll know better next time and recognize a wasp when I see one.  But I won't say that because it ain't true.

Everything is a hover fly to me.

Molar Mania

There we were, cuddled up and watching an evening TV show before bed, when Kitty decided to yank a molar out of her face.

Was is actually loose?  It's hard to say.  Kitty has managed to wrench teeth from her gums despite said teeth having the slightest wiggle.  She is quite motivated by the succeeding toys and candy after a tooth dismissal.

Which she scored, of course.

We didn't do the rigmarole of Tooth Fairy notes this time since we've outgrown that charade.  But Kitty did say she'd like a stuffed skunk as a prize.  Sure, because I can just go out and find a stuffed skunk.

Which I can't, of course.

I turned instead to my trusty Hobby Lobby for a plasma ball.

Happy molar ejection!