18 Weeks

Peanut's the size of a sweet potato!
She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and she keeps on growing rapidly.  Can you believe she's yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing?  Peanut's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and she's big enough that you might be able to feel her doing it!

Suppose to have a Dr appointment yesterday but it was rescheduled to the 21st.  I'll be 20 weeks then; half way there.  I think I can feel Peanut every once in a while, but not positive.  I'll be scheduling my ultrasound on my next appointment as well.  Can't wait to see the baby.

Basement Trouble

When we bought our house we knew there was some water leakage when it rained hard.  Other than that, we thought our basement was good to go.  Well, we've noticed that on the back wall there is a large crack.  It runs the length of the back wall and is straight across.  Michael says that the wall is starting to strain and buckle due to the pressure from outside.

We'll need to have this fixed as soon as possible.  We had a basement inspector come and look at the house.  It looks as though it will cost about $20,000 to fix.  This was just one estimate and I think we'll have to get a few more.  We obviously don't have that kind of money saved up.  Our credit card debt is much larger than I want/like it to be as we had some unexpected expenses this year; water heater and dishwasher both needed to be replaced.

Being a stay-at-home-mom, we have to live one income.  I do bring in a little extra money watching the twins but we basically have to live off the one.  With a new baby coming, we are trying to save money to pay for these doctor bills as well.  This has made us tighten our belts and is harder to squirrel away much in savings.  Michael's job does provide for over time but it isn't always available due to the production demands.  Michael has been looking into a possible apprenticeship with his work to become an electrician.  While this would be best for the family in the long run, initially his income would possibly drop due to the work schedule.  He could still possibly work overtime when he signs up for it.

I've talked about a few options but are not sure the right way to go.  I really don't want to get a loan from the bank as we already have a lot of debt and are trying to pay down the credit cards.  I don't want to get a home equity loan as again, we already have a lot of debt.  I'm mostly worried about having a set  amount due each month; just incase we are extra tight one month for some reason and don't have the full amount.  Not sure if we have much of an option right now though.  We'll have to sit down, look at our budget, and see where else we can make cuts.

17 Weeks

Peanut's the size of an onion!  For you men out there, Peanut is about the size of a hockey puck.

Baby continues to beef up. Now she's about 5.1 inches long and weighs about 5.9 ounces.
Share this with family and friends.  Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.  And she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.  She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

Feeling good, had a wonderful Christmas time and really enjoyed being with family.  Looking forward to next week when I have an appointment.  During this appointment I'll schedule my ultrasound and most likely my glucose tolerance test.  Hoping I pass this time and don't have gestational diabetes.

Booked

Well, my church has found out I can sing and I'm booked to sing a special on Friday night at the Women's Christmas Dinner, Saturday night service, and Sunday morning service.  Time to prepare a new song for Friday and practice All is Well for Saturday and Sunday.

Christmas Part 2

Christmas part two.  We went over to Michael's parents to celebrate with his parents, and his brother and his family.  Patrick loved his tool box and Play Dough tools.  He had to open them up right away and play with them.

There was a little bit of tug-of-war with they RC car Joshua got.  Patrick really wanted to play with it, but since it was Joshua's he had to wait until Joshua said he could try it.  Patrick kept picking the car up and running away with it.  Looks like maybe next Christmas we'll have to get one for Patrick.

 Later, when the rest of Grandma's family came over we put on a Christmas play for Great-grandma and Great-grandpa.  Rachel and I were angels and then wise men.  The little boys didn't want to participate but we had a good time.

Christmas

It's been a busy Christmas week and it's not over.  On the 23rd, Patrick and I went over to Great-aunt Linda's house for Christmas with Michael's family.  We had a wonderful meal and then had the ever popular, White Elephant Christmas Exchange.  Patrick got stamps and an ink pad and I got a can of almonds and this cute snowman decoration.  I finally got to meet Michael's cousin Mark.

On Christmas Eve, the three of us drove down to my parents for Christmas.  We went to the Christmas Eve service at their church.  Afterwards, we had a wonderful meal that my mother made and then opened presents.  Patrick got a puzzle of different vehicles that makes sounds.  He also got Cars the movie.  He loves that move and we have watched it every day since he got it.  We played some games and then came home.

Christmas Day, we went over the Michael's parents for dinner and singing Karaoke.  It was a wonderful time with family.  We are going back over to their house for Christmas with everybody on Grandma Mary's side on Saturday.  I'm excited to see my sister-in-law and hang out.  More pictures to come.

16 weeks

Peanut's the size of an avocado!

Now, she's about 4.6 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces, and she's big enough that your doctor may be able to hear her heartbeat.  She's listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her ears.  She's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows.  And she's forming taste buds.

Feeling great.  Having a wonderful time with family for Christmas and happy that I don't have to worry about Gestational Diabetes this Christmas like the last time I was pregnant.

Have a Dr. appointment after New Year's and we'll schedule the ultrasound them.  I'm hoping to be able to get it in for my birthday.  We'll have to see what they have open very late or very early as Michael is on night shift and I don't want to have to wake him up to come with.  I'm excited to finally "see" Peanut.