Zoey Stone

Need help with your Spanish? Rosetta Stone not cuttin' it? Look no further than...Zoey Stone!

Meet the McBun!

My OB's office has switched up more than just the receptionists - I'm sorry, "Appointment Specialists" - in the four years since I was pregnant with Zoey. Back then, I was only allotted one ultrasound at 20 weeks unless something showed up to raise enough concern to schedule follow-ups. This go 'round, I'm the lucky winner of a whopping three ultrasounds throughout the duration of my pregnancy (new standard procedure, not just because of my misadventures this summer) and the first one took place earlier this week.

Ultrasounds are always a bit nerve-wracking in addition to exciting. You can't wait to take a peek at what the baby is up to, but scared you'll see two heads, five arms, no spine, something is wrong, or worse - there is more than one baby. Thankfully, while we went in worried, everyone - including the ultrasound tech who also conducted the ultrasound of my empty tummy in the ER this summer - was pleased with all 3.5-inches of the newest McBun. And - whew! - there was only one.

Yes, I'm it's mother, and yes, it did make me throw up for a good two weeks straight, but it's a cutie patootie already!

We happened to peek in on bouncy-time, watching it bounce up and down and roll around. At one point it turned toward the "camera" and we could see the face. It was clearer to pick out than you'd imagine, looking like a skeleton with giant bug eyes. We saw a hand fly up, legs and feet move around, and what looked like hiccups but was just the baby bouncing on it's back like it was on a trampoline. I happened to laugh and got to see my uterus contract and the baby wriggle in response. Breathing a sigh of relief, Jacob and I each got a picture and we're looking forward to the next time we can check in on the little booger.

You'll notice I've only referred to the McBun as "McBun" and "it." The primary purpose of this ultrasound was to determine gestational age and general development like heartbeat, spine, arms and legs, and measurements. In a little over a month will be the Anatomy Scan where they'll look at internal organs and be able to determine if McBun is the girl Zoey is hoping for (that she will name Zoey), or the boy her parents are hoping for (that she will name Zoey Boy).

My oven must be on low because the baby's measurements pushed my due date back about a week and a half. While I make no secret of lamenting that one day I'm in my second trimester and the next day I'm not, I ultimately feel it's ok to be a slow baker. Of course I'll be singing a different tune when month nine rolls around and - like Zoey - this one won't want to leave my one-bedroom apartment. I'll come back and read this in the hopes of reminding myself of what's really important but more than likely it will just make me want to punch myself in the face.

Zoey, for all her 3-years, is as excited as she understands. She gets that there is a baby in my tummy, that she used to be in my tummy the same way (she's certain she was snuggling Suit even then), and loves to tell people, "Mommy has a baby in her tummy and it makes her sick." She didn't come with us for this first ultrasound because it was more of a fact-finding mission: go in, make sure everything is ok, and strengthen our hope that everything is progressing and situated as it should be. But even though she wasn't present, I showed her the ultrasound picture and she's quickly able to pick out the baby amongst the squiggly lines. She'll even ask to, "see the picture of the baby blowing a bubble." We'll take her to the next ultrasound and I'm looking forward to her reaction. Until then, one day at a time and we'll see you again soon, McBun!

It's Round Two!

Pink or Blue, either will do,
But it's Round Two and we're hoping for blue!
Baby McIntyre Number Two, we're expecting you!

Doctors recommend waiting at least three normal...uh...woman cycles before trying to conceive after a miscarriage. After our adventures in conceiving this summer, we weren't really left with any choice but to wait three months, and then some. By October, we were finally mentally and physically prepared to get in line at conception station. Also by this time, we were deep in the throes of house-hunting and, while our efforts weren't all that promising, I later learned we conceived the same weekend we found the house that would eventually become ours. God works in mysterious ways; life can only be lived forwards but understood backwards; yada, yada, yada.

Given that NASA could use my cycle to set their clocks, I was instantly piqued when it didn't show. And didn't...and didn't...and didn't. Before it was due, I hadn't even entertained the idea I might be pregnant. So much so that I had a bit too much fun at book club one night and had to be driven home. That's right; I had to be driven home. From book club. While I expected to have a hangover the next day, the fact that I never felt recovered throughout the rest of the day planted the pregnancy seed. I waited almost a full week before venturing down the extremely not-hidden Family Planning aisle of Wal-Mart and was honestly surprised at the results. And - if we're being honest - completely scared. Was I as emotionally and physically prepared to go through the next three months again? No matter which way it turned out? And since we found out in mid-November, a little disappointed no Christmas Coffee for me.

Regardless, there we were: strapped into the pregnancy roller coaster as it slowly clipped up the hill, ready to let us loose in either direction.

Taking things the only way we can, day-by-day, Bun 2.0 and I entered our second trimester today. According to the all-knowing internet, I'm due in July but my doctor won't officially determine my due-date until we have an ultrasound. For obvious reasons, we only disclosed what we knew to our parents and anyone else who happened to be in a situation where I had to refuse alcohol. My criteria was the heartbeat, in that we must hear it, and yesterday was the magical day. I went to the doctor and asked the nurse to give my tummy a swipe with the Doppler. She gooped me up, put the wand smack in the middle of my abdomen and it was instantly there. The loud, rapid, THUM THUM THUM filled the room like it was in Dolby Digital and I instantly cried and asked her various different versions of, "Are you sure that's not my own?" She was adamant and very pleased, smiling while saying it was nice and strong.

Of course since announcing the news entails the internet, there was bound to be at least one stupid, "I thought you might be knocked up but didn't want to say anything in case you just had too much to eat during the holidays," comment. Thankfully, the delete button is always close by. And *ahem* I lost weight in the first three months.

The first few months were just as you'd expect or have experienced yourself: sucked. And while, yes, I know being sick is a "good sign," I was ready to punch the 10th person who said that to me. I have to admit, though, that every time I crouch in front of the toilet is a bit of a relief.  Thankfully, I've graduated to just saying my prayers to the porcelain gods first thing in the morning. Then I'm non-stop hungry throughout the rest of the day, very congested, and VERY tired. My energy is slowly coming back, as evidenced by my house that is very slowly getting cleaned and organized.

We're still taking things one day at a time but happy to have some positive in the bank.

Snow Day!

Like the rest of the country - unless you're Florida - we've gotten some good snow this season. I am definitely appreciating it more now that I'm not forced to go out into it every day. In case you're living under a rock on the beach, it's snowing this weekend so we decided to go out and be kids. This is one of my favorite pictures to date and I just had to share.

:-) (And I can take the photo-cred. *Takes bow*)

You can tell how happy and excited Durbin is by those big drool strings.

Stay warm! Unless, of course, you're in Florida.

Christmas: Take Two

By the weekend after Christmas, everyone's tummies had settled and we were back to feeling normal. So we loaded up the car and set off over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for another, slightly more rowdy Christmas celebration. Let's face it: it's the kids that make it fun. We hadn't even turned the car off and Zoey decided, "I'm going to go inside and tell Cousin Layne we have Christmas presents for him!" And she did just that.

 We gave Libby a present right off the bat, she looked like she was going to burst. I'll admit, it was a struggle to get Zoey to understand that presents at Christmas are for everyone and not *just* her, but she soon got into how fun it can be to give.

 Some are even for me! :-D (And sometimes I do miss my growing-up days when most of them were for me. Maybe that's where Zoey gets it...)

 The Great Present Un-Wrap.

 Meet the World's Newest Mommy!

 This Learn to Count Cookie Jar was a present we got for Libby. It turned out to be quite popular with the older kids, as well.

 But the recipient did enjoy it just as much.

So much so that as she was playing with it, she suddenly ran away and came back wanting to put on her apron and chef's hat.

We also got her a butterfly that flapped it's wings (and of course made some sort of noise) when you pushed it, a la The Popper.

But since it was a butterfly, she thought it should be more like this.

 Scoring even more Aunt and Uncle points, we got Layne something to work off some aggression. The whole family gave it a go and now no one needs therapy!

 Libby's ready for a go! Or looks like she just went a round or two with Layne...

 She needs some gentleness training but otherwise makes a wonderful Mommy. Obviously it'll be different when there is an actual baby around and not just a doll that squeaks when you push on it.

 World's next Most Stylist Mama! Your move, US Weekly.

 Libby got in the Mommy-spirit, too.

 Even stopping in the middle of her cookie-making to feed the baby.

New Mommy AND new ballerina, she does it all!

 Not at all loving her new, frilly dress. She didn't even mind that she had a headband on (for a moment...)

Such the sophisticate, loving her new track-suit, too.

Taking a break from all of the Christmas fun, which, of course, didn't last long. There was just way too much to play with and way too many of Grandma's yummy baked treats to eat.

Everyone had a very nice day and none of the kids fought, cried, or had to be punished. Success! It was the perfect way to end the holiday season, especially when it felt like it was mostly passing us by. We took the Christmas tree down the next day and our New Year's was pretty uneventful. I went to bed when Zoey did, with an intention of getting up a few hours later, and woke up around 11pm to Jacob coming to bed, presumably after falling asleep on the couch.

Now it's just life as it continues to happen only with a few more neat-o gadget and games to keep us busy.