Big News: It's a........

GIRL!

We had the ultrasound this morning -

Dr. Soffici said she looks great - healthy, everything is in the right spot, right size, looks good... Heartbeat sounded strong: 146 bmp.
She is currently 10 inches long and weighs approximately 10 ounces.

We saw lots of neat views of the head/brain (the lobes), spine, ribs, the hands/arms were up around her head, fingers, legs, stomach/liver/intestines, thighs, feet... And then... the check between the legs where the was just a line and nothing else.

Therefore - we have another little girl on the way!

She was moving quite a bit!
We definitely got a few 'quit poking me' responses to his poking/prodding =).

We got a DVD of it too so if any of you are hanging out at our house and would like a viewing, just let us know =).

We're both excited (and Tom's relieved we don't now have to buy an entirely different wardrobe =)) and now have to figure out how to let Cyanne in on the little secret that is her little sister...

So - there you have it!

We're very thankful we have a healthy, strong little baby girl in there!
Now... we hope she keeps on growing and hanging out in there until mid-November!! No need to come any earlier than expected, at least in my opinion (though my tune may change in those later months =))!

And also... to pick a name. At least now we can focus on girl names. =)
Good thing we already have a list from before!

If I can figure out how - I will try & scan some of the images...

Since we haven't written much about this pregnancy on here, I figured I would provide a little background:

During this pregnancy, I've had a lot of similar cravings from the first time. Carrot juice, cranberry juice, cheese, spicy foods, sweet potato fries, (bizarrely) CPK BLT pizza (yes, I love salad on top of my pizza), really strong (decaf) coffee, Diet Coke (with lemon/lime), fizzy water, Starbucks venti skinny decaf vanilla lattes, hot salsa, taquitos (preferably from Playa Azul), arugula, nuts... and the occasional pickle. I've also been adding a ton of lemon or lime juice to pretty much any liquid I consume (other than coffee). It's a rather bizarre list, I know. There are more but those are what come to mind.

In terms of the baby girl:
I started feeling movement a lot earlier this time. Helps when you know what you're looking or feeling for... I felt the first BIG kick around 16 weeks. I was lying in bed and turned around to put down the book I was reading and apparently, that movement did not sit well with the wee one. There was a huge kick from inside.

I've felt little flutters and kicks ever since with a few big ones every now and again. That usually happens when I twist in some odd manner and the baby says, um, hey... you're smooshing me or um... my foot is there, move it! But, as always, it's very reassuring to feel something, anything. It's a nice, (for now) gentle reminder. So, I respond with a "hi baby... how are you doing in there? Staying nice and comfy?"
It's definitely picking up though... which is great.

The heartbeat first registered at 160 and at my last OB visit, was 144 bpm.

I am currently almost 20 weeks (will be 20 weeks on June 28th) so almost 1/2 way done! Which is amazing... I've gained 4-5 pounds so far which is on track based upon my calculations.

I'm still tired but not quite as tired as I was during the first trimester. Ah, the sensation of your eyelids being pulled down and being totally exhausted... Oh, what I'd give for a nap. Cyanne, though, is often not keen on naps and therefore, Mommy cannot take one either, no matter how fantastically enticing I try and make it sound to her =). One weekend afternoon I even started to fall asleep on the mat on her floor while holding her puppy and blanket with her standing over me giving me this look of "what are you doing down there?" And then she put her hand to her cheek as she does for her "sleeping" sign. Yes, Mommy is sleeping (sort-of). Resting, more like. Thankfully, it's getting better.
Overall, I have felt pretty good.
Though I am able to convince Tom to give me the occasional back/neck rub while we're hanging out or watching TV. Amazing what carrying a child will do for (an already bad) back!

Cyanne is, for the moment, blissfully unaware of the little sister she's to have hopefully in November. She's doing great. I'm sure she'll be a wonderful big sister... Now, I just have to read up on the whole introduction process.

We head off to Cooperstown, NY tomorrow, Friday, June 26th. We are really, really looking forward to it! Not only will Cyanne have lots and lots of quality time with her Nanna and Grandpa but Tom and I will hopefully be able to relax!
(Oh and don't worry... we'll be bringing the DVD for your viewing pleasure, grandparents!!)

Yay for baby girls!!!

The new addition!!

As many of you know by now...
It looks as though Cyanne will be needing to add this to her wardrobe:


or perhaps...


I will post Thursday after our ultrasound appointment. We will hopefully find out whether I'm carrying a boy or girl...
Guesses?
I'm still betting girl though I've gotten several "boy" comments and guesses.
We shall see!

Either way, Cyanne's world is going to change quite a bit!! For the better... =)

A Favorite Flower

Oh, happy, happy days!
One of my favorite flowers of all time - peonies - are in season!

Word spread (a big thanks to Mary & Lara) that they were at Trader Joe's. Let's just say that minimal time passed between my learning of their arrival and my arrival at the store to purchase some =).

I love peonies.

I bought a bunch - no surprise there... These have opened up beautifully. So pretty and they have such a wonderful scent.









Lucky was outside appreciating the flowers with me...











Another Lucky shot - just for fun...
Awww.... such a good dog.

Grandparents = Ice Cream

Last weekend, my parents stopped by after running some errands out this way.
They brought a sweet treat for Cyanne with them.
My Dad has this total inability to see Cyanne and not try and give her ice cream - no matter the hour of the day. Each and every time... I do put my foot down sometimes.

Not this time though:



This is good stuff:









Cyanne had to do some protecting of her ice cream cone from Lucky - he smelled something good! As you can see, he got some spilled on him...






She had a great time eating the vast majority of her ice cream - cone and all!

All done!
(and boy was someone sticky and messy! Not to mention... full of sugar.)

Little Gardener

One of Cyanne's favorite things to do is to "help" her Daddy in the garden.
This is part of her LOVE of being outside. When inside, she constantly points to the front door, says something, and indicates - clearly - that she'd much rather be outside...

While in the garden, she also likes to keep an eye on the progress of all of the vegetables coming up as well as to point at all of the lizards and say "oooohhhhhh!!!!" in a loud voice =).
Good things those lizards are quick - they dart away just as she gets closer.

Here are a few shots of Cyanne in the garden with Tom:

Waiting at the gate to enter the garden:



Another favorite - turning on the water. She does this with every faucet she comes in contact with outside. She sees Tom doing it and then wants to do it too:



Among the tomato plants:









Sitting on the wooden border. She loves to find little seats to sit on:



Practicing her balance beam skills:





Some of the tomato plants coming along - they're looking good!!






Like father, like daughter.









Nasturtiums or, as my Dad and I say - "yuck-yucks."

Rough Day

So, Cyanne had a rough day yesterday.
I went to pick her up from daycare a little after 5. When I got there, I found two 'notes' written on her daily sheet. They said this:
1) She got a bite on her left arm.
2) She fell while running and playing on the playground and bumped her head.

Now, let me tell you...
1) This bite mark was serious stuff! There were four perfect little teeth marks and the lower ones almost broke the skin!! It was a SERIOUS chomp. Poor Cyanne. I can only, only imagine the cries that came after that happened. And the tears...

When I dropped her off today I was totally expecting her to point at the offender and out him or her but alas, she seemed to have forgotten - thankfully - and went right about playing with the zoo animals.

2) There was this BIG mark on her forehead. Right above her left eye - it was this big purple, blueish welt - a big bump! She took a serious header on the playground. Not sure what she came into contact with... but whatever it was... it was harder than her head.

One of the caregivers - Nico - said she put ice on her head for quite awhile after it happened to help with the swelling but it still puffed up quite a bit.

I meant to take a photo to document her rough day and especially the bite mark - but forgot - and then remembered after she was warm and snuggly in her PJ's so I couldn't take her out just for the photo-op.

So... take my word for it.
Poor baby...

It's a rough and tumble world at daycare.

Memorial Day 2009 - May 25th

We had a great Memorial Day afternoon. We headed over to our friends Daalia & Will's house for some great food (very yummy fish tacos), margaritas (made by Adam. Enough said), and even better company!

Cyanne had a BLAST playing with Laith, Owen, and Gwendolyn. She was completely exhausted by the time we left. Not to mention covered in strawberry, dirt, chalk, watermelon, guacamole, and chip bits - signs of a fantastic, fun afternoon!

Here are a few shots of the afternoon(courtesy of great photographer Terri!):

Daalia threw the Sesame Street ball onto the roof to the glee of all the little ones - most especially G. who did this fantastic smile, giggle each time the ball came back down.




Cyanne had a great time playing with all of Laith's toys. Ah, the joys of new toys... Way better than your own. Of course.



Cheers Gwendolyn!!



I love this. And no, Cyanne is not drinking Victoria's margarita though I think she was coveting her lime slice. Her sippy cup is just behind it. It merely looks that way =).
More cheers!





Gwendolyn adorned with stickers!



So precious - and so excited by all of the activity!



I like this one because we're both looking at something...



Adorable Laith - Master of his Domain.



Posing in the backyard:



Ummm.... perhaps someone has to use the bathroom?



The profile shot:



Cyanne and her Daddy =):



Inspecting rocks. All sorts of neat stuff under there...



Exploring the flower beds... Ohhhh... rocks and dirt. Endless fun.



Daalia created their own 'I Madonnari' chalk drawing festival:





Owen - who has got to be one of the cutest kids - Ever.... And boy does he love his fruit!



We had a wonderful time. Thanks again to D, W and L for having us over!
A great way to spend the afternoon!