39/40 Weeks - The End

Well, folks, this is it. This marks the end of two amazing journeys - the journey of a second pregnancy and the journey of a second pregnancy blog. I have decided to combine my 39th and 40th week into one blog, as so much has been happening that it seems it would logically fit into one, final blog.

So, "What's been going on?" you ask. Are you sure you want to know?

Okay. Here it goes.

Slow Motion and Second Baby "Stuff"

Have I mentioned how annoyed I am beginning to get with the phrase, "Oh, it's just second baby stuff." In my 39th week, a very common pregnancy symptom that I was diagnosed with quite a while ago began to rear its ugly head. Pubic symphus separation had decided that it wanted to lay me flat on my a-double-s. I couldn't walk, couldn't sleep, and couldn't stop whining from the pain that it was causing me. After one night of literally not one hour of sleep, I had enough. As I was slowly waddling into work after this night, an innocent bystander casually asked me how I was holding up. Little did she know that question was all it took for tears to start falling from my face immediately. It was then that I knew that I couldn't go on like this anymore. I got into my office and called my OB and scheduled an appointment for that morning. My one goal for this appointment - to move my induction up from May 25th to as soon as possible. Ah, what a relief I felt after that call was made.

But then, as you know, I am not a single mother. There is another person that is just as involved in this pregnancy. As I phoned Jason to alert him to the soon-approaching appointment, I had a gut feeling that he was not going to be supportive of this decision. Not surprisingly, my gut was right. Now, I know what you all are thinking. He has no say in whatever decision is made regarding induction because he is not the one carrying this baby nor dealing with this incessant pain. I agree - to a point. We are married, we are a unit, we are one. When we got married, we gave up the impulsivity to make huge decisions, like this one, on our own. So as much as it pained me to hear his disapproval, I at least let him give me his side. He didn't believe that we were giving Leo an opportunity to make it into this world by himself. Remember Lidia's blog where I was so headstrong about not wanting to be induced? I wrote about how it wasn't fair for us to "play God" and pick her birthday. Well, I didn't seem to remember that, but Jason did. And (keep this in your memory, Jason, because you will rarely hear this in your lifetime) he was right. But, we ended up going to the appointment anyway. I was checked out by the doctor and she said that I had a favorable cervix for induction- I was 2-plus dilated, 50% effaced, and Leo's head was sitting pretty at a -2 station. Then, the doctor hooked me up to a non-stress test to make sure that Leo was active and his heart was healthy (you can thank Jason for this oh-so-flattering picture). Of course, Leo checked out just perfect. On this day, I was 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant. The doctor stated that beginning in 2 days, I could be induced whenever I liked. She stated that she would consider my need to be induced "medical" at this point since I was in so much pain. The only way to relieve the pain at that point was to give birth.

God's Way

As we were leaving the office to check out, Jason had agreed to fancy the idea of being induced earlier than May 25th. We got wind of the doctors on call in the next couple of days - none of which was our favorite, Dr. Rinala. But, we at least had our other top two on call that Saturday, May 19th and Monday, May 21. Jason and I decided that we would sleep on it. While he may have been able to "sleep on it," I was again propping myself up with 18 pillows and drinking as little as possible so I wouldn't have to move during the night (and so I could at least get 1 blessed hour of sleep). The next morning, we compromised on a Monday, May 21st induction. I first called my mother to ask her if she could come earlier than expected, and of course she said yes.  I then called the OB's office to schedule it. But there was one problem...they were all filled up. Good Samaritan hospital, the best-rated baby-birthing hospital in the area, already had 16 inductions/c-sections scheduled for that morning.

After this news sunk in, Jason and I both agreed that this was God's way of letting us know that Leo's birthday was not to come early. We decided to give up on being induced early and stick with our original induction date of May 25th. At that point, we both felt confident that we would have no guilt in Leo getting a bit of a nudge on his official due date.

In the Words of Destiny's Child...

I'm a survivor
I'm not gon give up
I'm not gon stop
I'm gon work harder
I'm a survivor
I'm gonna make it
I will survive
Keep on survivin'

We have been biding our time here in pregnancy land - enduring pain and sleepless nights. Our son's day is getting very close - he should be in our arms in less than 48 hours. Not surprisingly, Lidia and I have shared a nice fever-producing cold the past couple of days. We are feeling better, but were a bit worried that if my fever didn't go down, then the induction would be off. Right now, it's looking as if all systems are a go. Cookies for the labor and delivery team have been made and packaged. Suitcase is packed. Lidia's present from Leo is wrapped. We are as ready as we will ever be.  I spent tonight completely absorbed in Lidia and everything that she was doing and saying. It is so surreal to think that she will be a big sister in less than 2 days. How on earth am I going to be the mother that both my daughter and my son need? How will I have the time in the day to let them know continuously how much my heart literally aches with love for them?

One last story I would like to leave you with...

On Mother's Day, as Jason, Lidia, and I were heading up to get communion at mass, I saw a hand reaching for me out of my peripheral vision. As I glanced over, the person reaching for me was a beautiful, elderly woman dressed in purple. Her hair was as white as the snow cover on a cold winter's day. I saw her shaking as she grabbed onto the pew in front of her to hold herself up long enough to hold my hand.  She  uttered these three words to me as her eyes glistened: "Happy Mother's Day." I looked at her and smiled while saying, "Thank you." She smiled back at me, sat slowly back down and seemed satisfied that her work had been done. This woman touched my soul. Any doubt that I had about being a good enough person to mother two children was washed away. She gave me all the confidence I needed with those three, small, meaningful words. I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. Not only because I have an amazing husband, but because I am a mother. I could not imagine my life without these two miracles, Lidia and Leo.

Leonardo Matthew, it is with great pleasure that I put the last period on your last blog post. The next time I'll be writing will be to write about your birth story. I can't imagine more of a blessing than that. Your Daddy, Mommy, and big sister Lidia love you more than anything. We will see you soon, my love. Sweet dreams, little peanut.




Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That's how you and I will be

Week 37/38 - A Tribute to Leo

Quick update: We have not progressed this week. Stats are still the same as last week. Induction is about a 97% chance right now (a scientific number derived by my own assumptions). We've got 2 weeks until our baby boy is in our arms!

I've worked hours on the 4 minute video above. It sums up our whole journey with Leo up to this point. We hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Winter Melon

Did you know that the picture to the left is a winter melon? I obviously enjoy how the website www.thebump.com compares you to produce every week. I just wish it was produce that most people were familiar with. So what's a baby who has done all of his growing and maturing to do in the womb? Practice, practice, practice! Apparently, you are practicing breathing, swallowing, sucking, and making poop. With all the contractions I've been having lately, I thought for sure you would be closer to coming into this world. However, that was not the case. The doctor today stated that your head was still "pretty far up there." That could only mean that you're just not ready to arrive in this world yet. That's OK, Leo. We have been waiting for you for 38 weeks, what's another 2?

We love you so much and cannot wait to see you soon! Goodnight, sweet Leo.

36 Weeks (the end of). Just the Facts, Ma'am

I feel like I have so much to say at this point, that I don't know where to start. So I leave you with just the facts.

This is the end of week 36 and the beginning of week 37. This week, I have nursed my daughter and my husband back to health, and ended up needing their nurturing in return as I contracted the same illness. Last night, I was thisclose to having Jason take me to the ER, as my vision went blurry and spotty for a period of time. This was proceeded by the most intense headache I have ever had. Which was followed by the stomach flu. Thankfully, our doctor's appointment was scheduled for today and I left with instructions to drink lots of fluids and eat toast, bananas, and applesauce.

At our doctor's appointment, we found out some more facts. Leo is considered full-term at this point. I am nearly 2 cm dilated. My blood pressure was 102 over something. No protein in urine. My Group B strep test was negative. And, I weighed in 5 pounds less than last Friday (thanks in part to the tummy bug). Finally, Leo's birth was scheduled for 3 weeks from this day with our favorite doctor, Dr. Rinala. All this means that this will most likely be the 3rd to last post in Little Peanut.

I spoke to my mother today and she was telling me about the progress she is making on Leo's quilt. She asked me what I was making for him and I replied by saying, "Mom, I don't make things." But, the more I thought about it, I do make things. Be ready for next week's blog, where a video entitled, "A Tribute to Leo" will be debuted.

And those are the facts.


Coconut

Hi my sweet baby boy. There is no doubt that you aren't affected in the least by mommy's most recent sickness. You are moving and grooving as much as ever. In reading our favorite pregnancy websites, it looks as though most, if not all, of your development is completed. Your lungs are the only part of your body that just might need a little bit more time to mature.

I can't believe we have only 3 weeks left until we get to hold you in our arms, Leo. That's less than a month! Your daddy, sister, and I are counting down the days, my love. You're almost done growing into a healthy newborn. Feel free to arrive when you are ready (because the good Lord knows that we are!). We love you, Leo!

35 Weeks (end of) - You Know You're 9 Months Pregnant When...

Yes, it's obvious I'm close to the end. I mean, just look at me! For those of you who haven't been pregnant before, or who are in the early stages of pregnancy, I decided to compile one of my infamous lists for you.

You Know You're 9 Months Pregnant When...

• You can't go anywhere - and I mean anywhere - without someone asking if you're due soon (and you do everything to hold back saying, "What do you think?!").
• You get on the scale in the morning to see how many pounds you've packed on in the past couple of days and you can't see the number because your belly is protruding past the scale (which, perhaps, is a good thing in this instance).
• Your shower routine uses up your daily allowance of creativity. From attempting to shave to trying to clean the bottoms of your feet, you get discouraged and contemplate living with smelly feet and hairy legs for the next 4 weeks.
• Your nightly sleep resembles that of a chicken baking in the oven - you're constantly rotating from your left side to your right side. It goes something like this: 11 pm - right side aching, flip to left side, 12 am - left side aching, flip to right side, etc.
• No matter what position you are in during the day, you are aching somewhere. You sit, your upper right back aches. You stand, your feet are throbbing. You walk, your pelvis is screaming in pain. You lay down, your hips and tail bone ache.
• You have not only a valid, traditional, socially acceptable muffin top in your waist, but also in your swollen feet as they pour out of your shoes.
• You wear high heals, and you bite it...big time...for no apparent reason...in front of a large group of people.
• You spend an unacceptable amount of time each morning and evening squeezing your wedding band on and off.
• You grimace at those who have an accessible parking tag walking ever-so-graciously into the grocery store as you have to park a mile away and take rest breaks on your way in.
• Your maternity clothes no longer fit you, but you refuse to buy more because you only have 4 more weeks. Sorry people, you must deal with glimpses of the bottom of my belly.
• You run to the bathroom with urgency, sit on the toilet, and only a trickle of pee comes out. Really? You then seriously consider adult diapers.
• Your belly, instead of your hips, has become a nice shelf for holding your toddler.
• You have a whole conversation with someone and cannot recall one word they said because you were too busy trying to concentrate on not being too tired to listen to said person.

You Butternut Be Late!

Hello my little squishy squash Leo. Well, I'm a day late again, but it actually works out to our benefit because I had a doctor's appointment today. My total weight gain with you so far has been 34 pounds. Already, it exceeds what I gained with Lidia, but that is to be expected. You are a boy, and I haven't been able to be as active with you as I was with Lidia. No worries, though! You will be just as healthy, and mommy already has her training plan for post-baby weight loss. We received some good news at the doctor's today - you are head down and are almost guaranteed not to change positions for the rest of your time in my cozy womb. Also, we found out today that I am 1 cm dilated. In looking back at Lidia's blog, it turns out my dilation was the exact same with her as it is with you at this point in the pregnancy. Again, induction was brought up with this doctor and she said that she never has had to do a Cesarean section on a 2nd time mother who was induced. This eased some of my fears of being induced. She told me that there is no medical reason for you to be in the womb past 39 weeks - that the choice to not induce is not medically based, but socially based. Still, your daddy and I are not sure what the best path is. We definitely do not want to be induced for selfish reasons. One thing we know for sure is that your arrival into this world is 3-4 weeks away, whether naturally or not. Can you believe that, sweet Leo?

Your brain is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, with new cells forming constantly. You have now reached your max height and won't do much more growing in that department until after birth. And, you only have about 1-2 pounds left to gain before your big debut.

We are 100% ready for you, Leonardo. Daddy even finished painting your room tonight. We love you and can't wait to finally hold you in our arms!

34 Weeks - The Rest

And by rest, I don't mean relaxation. I owe you all the rest of my list of milestones to look forward to in pregnancy. The milestones that keep it fresh and eliminate the monotomy. So without further ado, here it is:

Weeks 20-24 - Its time to start your registry! Ask around and start reading reviews on all those must-have baby products. It will take you at least 4 weeks to compile this list, no matter which store or stores you choose. Babies-R-Us seems to be the go-to store when it comes to baby registries, as they have everything - and more- that you will need for your baby.

Weeks 24-28 - Plan a trip! These 4 weeks will probably be the best weeks of your pregnancy. So plan a weekend - heck, a week - trip. Shop, paint the baby's room, and do any big projects that you would like done before baby gets here. Because once you hit the third trimester, it is literally downhill from there. You won't have the physical capacity to handle much of anything.

Weeks 28-32 - Schedule a 3D ultrasound! This is the best time to see your baby in 3D. He has accumulated enough fat by now that he actually looks like a baby, and its not too late in the pregnancy where room is lacking and the chances of good pictures are slim.

Weeks 32-36 - Time for your baby shower! I would recommend holding the shower towards the earlier part of these weeks, as predictions of pre-term labor are tough to make with first babies. Many people choose the traditional women-only daytime shower. But don't be afraid to be adventurous with a evening co-ed shower (just make sure you have a keg for the men).

Weeks 36-40 - It's nesting time! Though you may not feel up to it on most days, try to do the cleaning that you would do once a month. That way, you have done your last cleaning before baby arrives and you don't have to lement over all the things that need done after baby gets here. This also entails getting baby's room ready for his arrival. Also, start walking. Walk miles - and include hills and valleys. By 37 weeks, your baby is considered full term, so start doing all those tricks to intice baby into this world. I highly suggest [several] pregnancy massages during this time.

Baby is here!

Well, he's not quite here yet. But we're ready for him...

A Durian?

I have no idea what a durian is, but this week you are the size of one. Apparently, you could be weighing in at a max of 5-6 pounds this week. That is completely amazing to me! You are now recognizing sweet songs that are sung. Lidia, Dada, and I have been singing "Twinkle Little Star" to you in hopes that you will recognize it when you enter this world. Mama has had a marked increase in her need to pee lately, which is a sign that you've moved further down in my pelvis - and are that much closer to the outside world.

It's time for us to sign-off now. Sleep tight my sweet baby Leo and know that Dada and I will be snuggling you tightly. We love you!

33 Weeks - Happy Easter!

Yes, I am one day late again (sorry mom!). I actually have a good excuse - I was busy doing some work from home that had to be completed by this morning. I am constantly amazed about how much additional work needs to be done at my job before I am able to go on maternity leave. Most people think that maternity leave just happens - that you go about your days as normal and then you get to graciously glide into your maternity leave. Well, that's not so much the case. Some weeks I feel like I am working double time to prepare for the time that I will be out, as do most moms who are getting ready for their leave. Jason, too, finds himself preparing for his leave. Though his leave isn't quite the same leave as I will be given, he will be dealing with lack of sleep which inevitably means less time to do work (at his job and around the house).

 We haven't quite caught the "nesting" bug yet, but I feel it coming around the corner. Today, we had our last "routine" doctor's appointment. By routine, I mean it followed the same schedule as our appointments up to this date: leave urine sample, check weight, take blood pressure, get belly measured, and listen to baby's heartbeat. In two weeks, my appointments will start to include a cervical check to assess whether labor is near or not. Again, the doctor we met with today talked about induction. I had asked her what most of her patients end up doing. She really didn't answer my question, instead she said since I had gone past my due date with Lidia and my mom had gone past her due date with her children, then it is highly likely I will go past my due date with Leo as well. She said that I am just one of those women who have longer gestations. Finally, she said that if I am 2 centimeters dilated when I am 39 weeks (which I was with Lidia) then we will schedule an induction between weeks 39 and 40. And, you know, we might just be OK with that scenario. Until then, though, we will continue preparing...and of course praying for a perfectly healthy baby boy.

Honeydew List

Sweet Leo, the list of your milestones keeps growing. Now, your immune system is strong enough to fight your first possible infections outside of the womb. I found it amazing to read that you can actually differentiate between day and nighttime because the uterine walls are getting so thin. Your daddy and I just got done having a conversation with you about how life is going to be so much different for you after you are born, but not to worry - we will be with you every step of the way.

We love you Leonardo Matthew and we absolutely cannot wait for the next 6 weeks to fly by! Goodnight, our sweet baby.

32 Weeks - Life with a Newborn

To those of you who are currently enduring those sleepless days and nights with a newborn - this is for you.

As we near the arrival of our sweet Leo, I can't help but reminisce about the days with a newborn. No one can ever prepare for what life will be like when you go from no baby to baby. Jason and I had absolutely no experience with babies - reading the book and watching the DVD of "The Happiest Baby on the Block" was not enough to prepare us for what we were about to encounter. You know how they say that if the month of March comes in like a lion, than it will go out like a lamb? That is the saying to which I would like to compare our first newborn experience. And I am not identifying the newborn as Lidia, per se, because it wasn't her who struggled - it was us who struggled. She just happened to be the lucky newborn who got us newbies as parents.

I have no regrets for stopping the blog as soon as Lidia was born. If I had continued writing, I'm sure it would have shown how clueless we really were as parents. I remember not even being able to pee without putting her down. Our first newborn didn't want anything to do with sleeping in any location other than her parents' arms. I know, you may be thinking that we spoiled her, but she woke up every single time we set her down to sleep. So when she fell asleep on one of us, we literally were out of commission until she woke up. And if we had the unfortunate luck of having to relieve ourselves while she was sleeping, she sometimes accompanied us to the bathroom. To get our first newborn to sleep, it took the actual physical effort of standing up and rocking her back and forth for sometimes an hour. And how could we forget that every time we found a moment to doze off, she woke up. Every time we decided to go to the store or eat out, she had decided that it was time for her to express her dislike with whatever she deemed appropriate. But, again I say, it wasn't her issue - it was ours. We were baby virgins. We had to go through all of our - and other's - tricks of the trade. Another memory is singing "You are My Sunshine" over and over again to keep her content. Every time we would stop the song, she would start crying. So we belted it as loudly and as proudly as we could to keep our baby content.

I fully support what I wrote in the first post of this blog - our first newborn taught us everything we know about being a parent. We have learned patience - she eventually stopped crying. We have learned to be completely selfless - she literally owned my boobs for the first 15 months of her life. And frankly, she owned our every thought and every ounce of our living, breathing selves.  Show me one person who never doubts that they are the best parent. We doubt ourselves everyday. Our tricks that we learn are just that - they are tricks. They aren't some fancy theories coming to life. And just when you think that the newborn phase will kidnap the rest of your carefree life, you are flash-forwarded to 2 and a half years later...

When we eat pasta, it is serious business. Every ounce of Italian in our body is focusing on getting every piece of rotini in our stomach before our stomach registers that it's full. The same holds true for Lidia. So as we sat down to devour our pasta one evening recently, it was no surprise that there was silence as we chomped down every bite. Out of nowhere, Lidia stops eating and looks over at me. I look over at her waiting, as I could tell her mind was trying to put together what she wanted to tell me. She finally said, "Mommy?" I answered, "Yes, my love?" She replied back, "You're a good mommy." Immediately, my eyes welled up with tears and I said, "That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me." And she concluded by saying, "I lub you."

So to all the newbie parents out there - it gets better, I promise. And even if you are doubting yourself, chances are your newborn thinks you are the best. He just doesn't have the words to tell you...yet. Keep your head up (literally), and keep doing what you feel works best for your newborn. He will eventually thank you.

Squishy Squash

It was so nice to feel you moving tonight, my love. You had been pretty inactive throughout the day. Of course, I worried a little bit. But then, after dinner, you had a burst of energy and were practicing your moves for about a hour. I just read where I will be noticing a decrease in your movements these days because you are settling into actual newborn sleep cycles. If your sleep cycles are any indication of what your sleep cycles will be outside of the womb, it looks like we might have another baby who loves to sleep on his mommy and daddy.

Speaking of sleep, it is that oh-so-favorite time of the day for your mommy. Good night, my sweet Leo. We'll be seeing you soon!

31 Weeks - Meet Leo!

I have nothing more to share this week than the fabulous 3D pictures of our baby boy. I now know that he is head down with his head looking at my left hip, his butt is positioned right below my right rib-cage, and his legs and arms are just about everywhere.

He's got his Daddy's nose

 Cute, chubby cheeks

Legs and arms everywhere!

 Looks like he is smelling his foot!

He's got his mommy, daddy, and sister's plump lips.

 Look at that cute little ear and those precious wrinkles!

Sweet Little Pineapple

Leo, it was so amazing to see you last night. You were very active an hour  before our appointment, but then decided to take a snooze right before it was showtime. You had your hand in front of your face for most of the ultrasound, but the technician was able to poke you enough to get you to move for a couple of quick shots. I know one thing for sure - you sure are a handsome baby boy!

Apparently, you are now between 2 1/2 and 4 pounds. As big as mommy's belly is, I'm guessing that you are closer to the 4 pound mark.Your brain and nervous system are continuing to grow rapidly at this point and all of your 5 senses are fully formed.

Well, my sweet Leo, I can't believe that the next time we will see you we will actually be holding you in our arms. We love you so much! Keep growing healthy and we will keep praying for you:)

30 Weeks - Our Glass is 3/4 Full!

We have only a quarter of the way to go until we get to see our precious baby boy. I can't believe that we are at this point already! This is where the action phase kicks in. This is where we take out our to-do list and begin checking everything off. Clothes - check. Furniture - check. Name - check. 3D/4D ultrasound - uh oh!

It has been no surprise that through this pregnancy, I have wanted to replicate and reproduce activities that happened with Lidia's pregnancy. The blog, the belly pictures, the Big Reveal - they are all important parts that I didn't want baby Leo to miss out on just because he was baby number two. Naturally, I also want to have a 3D/4D ultrasound with him, like we did with Lidia. I have scheduled one for next week and could not be more excited. We had the fortunate luck of seeing Leo cozy in the womb 4 times before week 20. But, sadly, we haven't gotten to see him since then. I understand why some people would not want to spend the extra money or time on getting one of these ultrasounds done. I, however, would not miss the chance to see our baby boy. We've got 10 weeks left to wait patiently, and seeing his face and body would help these next 10 weeks go by so quickly. Jason isn't so keen on doing the 3D/4D ultrasound this time - he says he wants to be surprised. While I want to respect my husband's opinion, I am taking the opportunity to be selfish. I am with Leo everyday. With every move he makes, I try to envision his face, his eyes, his mouth, his nose. Having the amazing pictures that a 3D/4D ultrasound can produce will make me feel so much closer to our baby. Finally, I want to because I can. Every pain and every contraction that I have can be wiped away by seeing his face. And I can't wait to share his handsome face with you next blog!

Cool as a Cucumber

Leo, don't get me wrong, we are excited for you to enter this world, but not quite yet! Mama has been having some consistent contractions these past couple days. The doctor said that it's just second baby "stuff," so I am not too worried about them...just yet. Mama had to tell you sternly last night that you better stay put for at least another 9 weeks!

Son, we are so excited to see you (in ultrasound form) in less than a week! I'll be sure to drink some fruit juice beforehand so you'll be sure to be active - hopefully you'll put on a nice show for us. You are continuing to gain weight this week. In fact, each week from this point on you'll be gaining close to a half of a pound. We couldn't be more ready for you to enter this world and become part of our family. Your brain is growing rapidly, as usual. I have no doubt that you will be just as smart as your older sister.

It's time for this contracting mama to get some sleep now (and maybe some ice cream as a night-cap). Good night my love!

29 Weeks - Hey Mr. D.J. Put a Record On, I Want to Dance with My Baby

The closer we get to Leo's due date, the more we discuss our labor and delivery plans. There are many factors that go into planning for labor and delivery, especially if you are a planner like myself. Even more planning takes place if you intend on hitting the labor and delivery scene sans drugs. One of the "musts" I kept hearing when planning for an unmedicated birth was to make a soothing labor and delivery soundtrack. When I was close to the big day with Lidia, I remember searching the Internet high and low for the perfect soothing mix. I was having a hard time finding a mix that was already made, so I pretty much had to make my own. Below is a list of songs that ended up being our soundtrack:

Only Time - Enya
Return to Innocence - Enigma
The Maiden Whose Voice Made the Animals Sing - Anael
Once Upon a Dream - Anael
Servant Song - Angelina
Here I am Lord - Angelina
Rain Down - Angelina
Be Not Afraid - Angelina
You Are Mine - Angelina
A Mother's Prayer - Celine Dion
Dreams Are More Precious - Enya
Godspeed - Dixie Chicks
I Wish For You - Jessica Andrews
I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack
Sunrise - Norah Jones
Lullabye - Billy Joel
Watermark - Enya

I'm hoping that by providing this list, someone, somewhere, might stumble upon it and use it as their own. We had it playing on repeat from 11 pm until 4 pm the next day. Will I use this mix again for Leo? Most likely not. We all know how my labor and delivery went last time, which makes me think I need to switch it up. Like I have said previously, music has the power to motivate me. When I train for my races, my music mix has to be upbeat and inspirational. I could honestly run for hours if I had the perfect mix playing on my iPod. I get sick of songs, too, so another important factor is being able to switch up the mix with new, upbeat tracks. Which makes me think that this time around, I might try a different genre of music. My Leo labor and delivery mix is below. Let's hope I can dance him right out of me with this soundtrack:)

Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
International Love - Pitbull
We Are Young - Fun
Glad You Came - The Wanted
Marry the Night - Lady Gaga
Stereo Hearts - Gym Class  Heroes
So Good - B.o.B.
Wild Ones - Flo Rida
Survivor/I Will Survive - Glee Cast
Turn Me On - David Guetta & Nicki Manaj
Ass Back Home - Gym Class Heroes
Domino - Jessie J
Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO
Without You - David Guetta & Usher
Good Feeling - Flo Rida
Super Bass - Nicki Manaj
It Girl - Jason Derulo

Acorn Squishy Squash

Well hello there, son! Mama got to hear the sweet sound of your heartbeat at an unscheduled doctor's visit today. You see, mama has been having a lot of pain in her pelvic area. I knew that you were OK, but the pain has been so bad that I have trouble walking to my car after work. I originally thought it was your head resting on my bladder, but apparently mama has what is called pubic symphysis separation. Nothing to worry about, it just means I may have to be a bit sedentary the next 10 weeks.

You are active as ever, Leo. This makes mommy, daddy, and even Lidia happy! We get to see you moving quite a bit. My favorite is when I feel you hiccuping. I can tell this disturbs you because as soon as those hiccups start, you begin to move all around.

It is a fact that in the next 11 weeks, you will double - and even come close to tripling - your current weight.  You're also getting pretty close to your actual length at birth. Speaking of your birthday - we are now counting down the days! 71, 70, 69, 68, 67... every day that passes means we are one more day closer to holding you in our arms. We love you little Leo!

28 Weeks - Sliding Into Home

Ladies and gentlemen, we have started our descent. In preparation for landing, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position...

We're here at the third trimester and we're all doing perfect. I apologize for being a day late on the blog. Lidia and Leo's Mamaw and Nonno have been visiting and I wanted to soak up every moment that I had to spend time with them. We had a wonderful visit with one of our doctor's today. She told us that Leo was doing great and, even more importantly, he is head-down like a good little boy. She also revealed to us that I would most likely be in labor for only half of the time that I was with Lidia and that instead of pushing for 3 hours, I would only have to muster out about 3 pushes. This gave us much encouragement - perhaps we will be able to make it through without medication after all. She also let us know that they will not let me go past my due date like  they did with Lidia. Little Leo will for sure be here by May 25th and we could not be more happy!

A Rutabaga?

I have no idea what a rutabaga is, but your size is comparable to one this week. You have been moving like crazy, as always. Its very easy for mama to do your kick counts. I can honestly feel you at just about any time of the day.

You are dreaming now - could you be dreaming of how wonderful your life will be when you arrive? We dream about you every second of everyday! You are also perfecting some of tricks that you will be performing outside of the womb - like coughing, sucking, blinking and breathing.

We have had a very busy, but good, week, little one. It's time to get some rest now. Sleep tight and sweet dreams! We love you little Leo.

27 Weeks - Sick and Pregnant

Forgive me, audience, if my blog post tonight is rather short. I'm suffering from a fabulous sinus infection tonight. I went to the store to grab the one medicine that brings me relief - Mucinex D - and stood speechless when I realized that it cost $23 for 18 pills. $23 can buy me almost 8 tall Chai Tea Lattes. $23 is a box of Dora Easy-Ups for Lidia. Jason could hold $23 in cash in his wallet for weeks without spending it. And here I was considering plucking down $23 for something that would bring me some relief for a couple of days. I let Lidia be my deciding factor - I asked her if I should get it or if I could manage without it. She looked away, thought about it, and then looked back at me and said confidently, "Mommy, you can manage without it."
I feel more confident being sick pregnant the second time around. Yes, I do think twice about taking any medicine, even if it is on my handy-dandy approved medicine list that I got from my doctors. I know where my breaking point is and once I reach it, I may dish out $23 for some Mucinex. But until I get there, I'm going to try to manage without it. Here's to hoping Tylenol will at least take the edge off!

Little Cabbage Head

Congratulations Leo! We are closing out the second trimester this week. We're ready to head for the homestretch. I am so over-the-moon happy that in three months, I will be holding and loving on you.

I would be surprised if you have slept for more than a 1 hour stretch in the past 24 hours. Either that, or you like to move while you are asleep. You have been moving so much. Right now I'm just watching you move one of your appendages from one side of my belly to the other. If your movement in the womb is any indication of what you will be like in this world, then we have another Lidia on our hands!

It's time for both you and mommy to get some sleep now. I love you my sweet baby boy!

26 Weeks and 100 Questions

By 26 weeks, there's no hiding that there's a baby in there. My belly is out and my belly button is saluting everyone that sets eyes on it. Inevitably, the questions began to be asked by everyone from my mailman to the cashier at Trader Joe's. Below is the list of questions I have been asked in week 26 of this pregnancy:

• Have you tried bowling yet? My ex-wife swore that being pregnant helped her game.
• Umm, no. Though my belly is bigger than a bowling ball at this point.
• Are you sure you don't want your own glass of wine?
• No, of course I'm not sure. But that darn maternal guilt gets me every time.
• How far along are you?
• Too far to count. But if you'd really like to know, I'm 26 weeks, 6 days, 3 hours, and 15 minutes.
• When are you due?
• Too far away to be optimistic. So I say "May 25th." with a "woe is me" look written all over my face.
• Is it a boy or a girl?
• It's a boy! That, I say with a smile.
• Do you have a name?
• Yes...sweet Leo.
• Is Lidia excited to be a big sister?
• Yes, but ask her about a week after Leo is here and I have a feeling she will not be so thrilled anymore.

and, finally, my favorite

• Are you pregnant?

My favorite answer to that question is, "No, I've just been eating a lot of cheeseburgers lately." It's losing it's luster though, so I'm determined to come up with a more smart-ass answer. I invite any suggestions.

Lettuce Give You Lovin's

Hey Little Leo! We just had the best moment. Lidia made daddy and I laugh so hard that we cried. I wonder what it feels like for you when mommy laughs. I know that I can definitely feel your every move. A little bit ago, it almost seemed like you were moving your fingers around, just tap-tapping on your cozy little amnoitic sac.

In terms of development, your eyelashes are fully grown now. If they are anything like your daddy's, mommy's, and big sister's, then they will be long and luscious! Another exciting development - your eyes are beginning to open up this week. Up to this point, they have been fused shut. Although there's not much to see in your dark haven, I imagine you have been investigating your hands, your feet, and the umbilical cord. I'm sure you will begin to study and take in all of your surroundings.

Well, my son, it's been another amazing week interacting with you. I love you! Keep growing healthy down there and we will keep praying for you.

25 Weeks - Happy Valentine's Day

A man walks into a bar. A woman immediately notices him. She does nothing but look into his eyes as he passes her, hoping that he will sense her stare. He notices her, looks straight into her eyes and utters two words that would change their lives forever: "Nice hat."

You know how they say you can't possibly meet your soul mate at a bar? Well, Jason and I beg to differ. If it wasn't for that bar, for Jason's slight intoxication, and for my stylish flat cap, we would never have found each other. 7 years ago fate and the good Lord above brought us together. And now, fate and the good Lord above have kept us together: loving, supporting, embracing, and humoring each other. We have a bond that I had only dreamed I would find as a little girl. Jason is the first person, beyond my immediate family, who showed me unconditional love. Without him, I wouldn't be as close to the woman that I am today. In fact, most importantly, I wouldn't be able to be the mother that I am without him.

A second child brings anxiety. People lament over finances, emotional stability, and time-management. I, however, have little to no anxiety about having a second child. As long as Jason is by my side, I know that we can make it through anything life throws at us. And I absolutely cannot wait to have the opportunity to raise another child with the man of my dreams. Our son and daughter can go on through life knowing that they were conceived and brought into the world by two people who were absolutely head-over-heels crazy about one another. Yes, sometimes my office mates can hear me on the phone, yelling, "Schneider!" when he does something I consider stupid. And he's not one to hide his 100 pet peeves with me. But that's what is so great about us - we have conflict, but we work through it. And in the end, we end up laughing about it. He is my rock, my foundation. My Hallmark card to him couldn't have said it better:

"You're my husband, my partner, my friend.
We've been together a long time now.
We've laughed and cried and seen each other through our best and worst and everything in between.
And whenever I look at you, I feel even more love than I've ever felt before.
You're my partner, and you're my best friend, and I ask nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you.
Happy Valentine's Day."

And I would be remiss not to include his Hallmark card to me:

"My love,
I followed my heart, and it led me to you!"

Jason Matthew, I love you now and always.

Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all...

Our Little Eggplant

It's time to make it official, Leonardo Matthew. That is your name. But of course, you knew that because we talk to you constantly and call you Leo. Did you enjoy the book that Lidia read to you the other night? It's almost as she lulled you to sleep. We got to visit the doctor yesterday to get an update on how you are doing. The doctor stated that your heartbeat was perfect, and that mommy's belly was beautiful. You are doing absolutely wonderful in there. You're growing, moving, and hitting all of your fetal milestones. The doctor did let us know that this time around, we would have the option to be induced at 39 weeks. This means that we would actually get to choose the day that you would be brought into the world. While this idea does seem appealing, mommy and daddy are going to once again attempt to have a natural, unmedicated birth. We want you to come into this world when you are ready.

It's time for mommy to sign off now, my love, my Leo. We started calling Lidia, little Liddie Lou around this time. I think my little Leo lion sounds pretty good for you, son. Keep growing healthy down there and we will keep praying for you. Sweet dreams!

24 Weeks. The Coast is Clear.

There is something mysteriously settling about being 24 weeks pregnant. While there are no guarantees in life - and no guarantees for life - it brings me peace to know that we have reached the 24 week mark. If, by some ill-fated chance, baby brother was forced to come into this world at this point, there would be a chance for his survival. According to statistics, over half of the babies that are delivered at 24 weeks will live to see life out of NICU. They will most likely be looking at a long stay in the hospital, needing much support when it comes to respiratory function, staying warm, and eating. These little miracles are called micro-preemies and are usually only 1 to 2 pounds. They face many physical and mental challenges that will follow them throughout their life. Though this would be such an unfortunate fate for any baby and any family to have to endure, the great thing about these babies is that they have life - that they have survived.

I have this amazing gift inside of me. The miracle of life. I feel him stretching, kicking, and curling up for a mid-morning snooze. We talk to him, we include him in our daily activities. We want nothing more than to see him and hold him and kiss his sweet lips. However,  my prayers are directed at him to remain growing healthy and strong in his cozy womb for another solid 16 weeks. But, I know feel comfort in knowing that, though never wished for, the silver lining on a preemie baby cloud would be knowing I could now hold him in my arms.

Sweet as a Grapefruit

Hi, my sweet baby boy. I feel like I'm getting to know you very well lately. Lidia and I were coloring tonight and you made it very apparent that you wanted to be a part of the fun, too. Lidia loved to watch my stomach tonight as you kicked, twisted, and turned. She kept talking to you and it's almost as if you would respond to her by giving your "kick" of approval. I have this vision of you sensing her hand on my stomach, and you slowly using all of the coordination that you can muster up to place your hand to meet hers.

Capillaries are now forming in your skin, which will give it that pink glow. You will now begin to grow at a steady 6 ounces a week, which means you'll finally be getting some squishy fat on that body of yours.

Well, it's time for us to get some rest now, my love. We love you more than words could ever express. The tears in my eyes as I type that sentence speak more than my words ever could. Sleep tight...sweet dreams.

23 Weeks from the Eyes of Lidia

Dear Baby Brother,

Mama was a bit worn out tonight, so I decided to take on the daunting task of writing this blog. I'm not quite sure what I am supposed to write about, so I've decided to just let you know what kind of parents you will have. Daddy is so silly and I can't wait for you to meet him. He will do anything for you. Usually, when mama tells me "no," I go to Daddy and he will give me the "yes" answer that I want. I know as soon as you get here he will take charge, like he did with me. Mama will be pretty run down and physically drained after you arrive. That's when Daddy will swoop in. There were many nights during my first year of life where he would walk around the house for hours with me because I just couldn't figure out how to calm myself. The only thing that brought me peace was being bounced in my Daddy's arms. Daddy is always smiling when it comes to his babies. And it seems like one of his main goals in life is to make sure that I'm smiling, too. During the first two years of my life - and probably yours, too - Daddy stayed home with me every Wednesday. We normally didn't go anywhere - we just stayed home and played. Daddy loves to play with me and he is my favorite playmate.

Now, onto Mommy. You will never receive more kisses from anyone. Mommy loves to kiss and hug me. She will tell you, "Give me lippers!" This makes me feel so loved - and sometimes annoyed. Mommy loves to teach me new things and when I catch on, it is written all over her face how proud she is of me. Mommy tells me everyday, multiple times a day, how much she loves me and missed me while she was at work. You will never question her love for you. Mommy also encourages me to dance and sing. Every night before bath time, I turn on the radio and we dance and sing to the songs on the radio. One of my favorite things to do with Mommy is to go shopping. There is not much that she will say "no" to when it comes to buying things for us (especially clothes). Today, a box came in the mail with clothes for you. Me and mommy had so much fun going through the clothes. I placed them on Mommy's belly for you. I kept saying that you will be so cozy in them.

Baby brother, I can't wait until you come into this world. Our family will not be complete until you get here. Right now, it seems like we are missing someone. And that someone is you!

Little Pomegranate

You, my son, are getting quite big! I can't believe that you are close to being a pound and a half at this point. Just about everyone who I see comments on my belly - and you. You are apparently gearing up to start gaining a lot of weight soon. Right now, you supposedly look like a small - and cute- baby doll.

Right now you can hear just about everything going on in the world outside. That explains why you sometimes move around when the dogs start barking. And as Lidia would say, "They barkin' at nothing."

We can't wait until you get here because we've got lots of lovin' to give you!  Keep growing healthy down there and we will keep praying for you.

22 Weeks with Lessons to Learn

The thought of raising a son brings on a huge cloud of responsibility, but yet a ray of opportunity.  I have this enormous opportunity to mold my son into everything that a man is supposed to be. As I pondered this subject, I came up with the top lessons I want to teach my son.

No, you can't always get what you want because you are a man. How do I teach this? I simply start by not giving you everything you want (this will begin at a reasonable age, of course).

Yes, you can be artistically and musically inclined and still be considered masculine. Yes, your father has amazing athletic ability and will most likely get you involved with soccer as soon as you arrive home from the hospital. But, you have to remember that you have a musically inclined mother who will always be encouraging you to explore the arts. And hopefully, we can soon be the proud owners of an upright piano to encourage your exploration even more. How do I teach this? Well, we will continue our family nightly routine of singing and dancing before bedtime.

Don't be afraid to be yourself. Eventually, son, you will know who you are. As long as your heart is pure and your intentions are good, let your true self pour out. How do I teach this? I will let you play with barbies, enroll in dance lessons, or play football. There will be no limitations to what you can do (that is, unless you want your lip pierced - mama will put her foot down with that one). The world is yours for the taking, son. My dad wasn't afraid to give us girls a hammer to help him build and my mom wasn't afraid to show my brother how to cook, do laundry, and clean. Gender stereotypes don't mean a thing in this family.

Don't ever - and I mean ever - lead someone on. You'll know when it's right. You'll know when it's not working anymore. So stop it. How do I teach this? By modeling that although it's sometimes not easy to tell the truth, the truth will literally set you free. It's OK to have failed relationships, it's OK to break hearts, and it's OK to have your heart broken. Those experiences are all a part of finding your soul mate - those experiences are what brought your daddy and I together.

And finally...
Be a man of integrity. Be a man that people can trust. And don't forget to thank God daily for everything with which you have been blessed.

Oh, and always put the seat down.

My Sweet Papaya

Well, I can say with confidence that we officially have your name. Maybe next week your daddy will officially let me share it. We're calling you by it daily. Lidia no longer refers to you as baby peanut, but by your name. Let's just say you're going to be our little Lion King.

You are now experiencing sleep cycles like a baby. I can definitely tell when you are asleep and when you are awake. When I was cooking dinner tonight, you decided to drop kick my bladder, in which I yelled out in pain. I'm curious as to how you are positioned right now. I always try to envision which body part of yours is doing the beating on my insides.

It's time for your mama to sign off now. Goodnight my love! Keep growing healthy and we will keep praying for you.

21 Weeks - Not Too Shabby

Our little man is doing great. He is perfect. He is fabulous. I have to keep telling myself those reassuring statements. And why? Because, I have to convince myself that even though this pregnancy is totally different than Lidia's, our son is going to be just as healthy, smart, and funny as she is. Jason and I went to the baby doctor and the results of the ultrasound came back with no issues. At the time, he was weighing in at a healthy 11 ounces. All of my blood work came back as no increased risk of him having any kind of major genetic defects. So, even though I am still nauseated (and even vomitted this week), it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with him. Perhaps it just means that I got lucky the first time around. The doctor told us that the third baby is always the best pregnancy because with the first two combined, you end up having every single symptom there is. So when number three comes along, there are no surprises. You have already experienced all there is to experience and you know that it's normal, and that your baby will be normal, too. And there couldn't be anything more normal than a baby the size of a banana.

Goin' Bananas Over You!

Son, you sure do know how to brighten my day. I can't help but stop what I'm doing, sit back, put my hand on my belly, and just relish in the moment. I made the mistake of watching birth stories this week and I sobbed like a baby at every single one of them. The reason why? Because I absolutely am pining for the day when we get to experience your birth and bring you into this world. I never stop thanking God for you, my darling boy. You are a miracle - twisting and turning inside of me. You are big enough for me to feel you moving, but not so big that you are cramped. Soon, though, you will be more constricted. So take advantage of your ability to twist, flip, and dance! Keep growing healthy and we will keep praying for you. Goodnight our love!

20 Weeks - We're Halfway! It's About Time!

It's that time...that time we can officially celebrate the half-way mark. Woohoo! Honestly, this whole pregnancy/new-baby-coming-into-our-lives thing hasn't caught on completely yet, and I learned from last time that it won't until he is actually here with us. That's why counting down the weeks is so important to us - it keeps us focused on the amazing gift we are about to receive in less than 5 months. For a couple to actually start talking about and deciding that they are ready for a baby (when are we ever ready, though?), the least amount of time they can expect until they are holding that baby in their arms is 11 months - which I round up to 1 year. 1 year it takes to conceive, grow, and give birth to a child. When you think about it, a year is a long time. And because I am such an antsy person, I have to have those special moments and milestones to look forward to in each pregnancy to gratify me. So, I have decided to share my milestone chart in hopes that it will help other antsy mom-to-be's in their year-quest to hold their baby.

• Week 4 - Pee on a Stick. Yes, this is the moment you've been waiting for. You grab your Clear Blue Easy Digital and hit it with a steady stream of pee. 2 minutes later, you've got your answer. You're pregnant! Spend the next 2 weeks getting your first doctor's appointment, stocking up on your prenatal vitamins and fish oil, saving all those favorite pregnancy Web sites to your Favorites: www.whattoexpect.com, www.thebump.com, www.babycenter.com, and purchasing (or blowing the dust off of) the pregnancy "bible," What to Expect When You're Expecting.
• Week 6 - Now's a good time to tell your close family and friends. Your mom, dad, sisters, brothers. Your best friend since grade school. Share the great news with them. And most importantly, ask them to pray that your baby keeps growing healthy during the next crucial weeks (it never hurts to have too many people praying for your miracle!).
• Week 8 - Start a work-out routine and remain consistent. Yes, I know, I need to take my own advice. Don't judge. Just do it - trust me, you will thank me later. Also, this is a key time to start researching all the safe anti-nausea remedies: Flat Ginger Ale, sour candy (like preggo pops), vitamin B6, lemon water, Sea-bands, etc. Let's face it, you're looking at at least 4 more weeks until you see the light at the end of the nausea tunnel.
• Week 9 or 10. Your first doctor's appointment. Reality and anticipation begin to sink in. You may even want to let your co-workers and friends know of the news now.
• Week 12. You can breathe now. The chance of you having a miscarriage is less than 3%. Start thanking God for letting your baby grow healthy during the most crucial development period. In the next weeks, start researching names, coming up with a nursey theme, and mapping out your maternity leave. Trust me, this takes time.
• Week 12 or 13. It's Facebook announcement time. Yes, time to let your facebook "friends" know there's a baby on the way. That way, they won't be surprised with your seemingly emotional posts. I agree with you, I sobbed at last week's Grey's Anatomy, too!
• Weeks 14 and 15. Go on a maternity-clothes shopping spree. Remember to get timeless items that you can take with you into your next pregnancy. If you have one near you, the Gap Clearance Outlet will let you outfit yourself for the rest of your pregnancy for around $150.
• Weeks 16, 17 or 18. You can stop guessing now. That IS the baby moving inside of you. Cherish every punch, jab, and kick you feel. Begin to track his movements and see if you can predict them. Start talking to your baby. He can hear you!
• Week 18, 19, or 20. Boy or girl? You will finally find out! And if you haven't already, you'll get to see that precious face and body for the first time. The little feet and hands are heart-melters. And, is that a cute little belly I see poking out?  
• See, you've arrived at week 20 already! Stay tuned for the charting of the next 20 weeks...

Cant-a-lope Get Any Cuter?

Hi my sweet cantalope. Your daddy would like to say a few things to you tonight. "I can't wait to hold you, see you, and play with you." And I have to report, he is laughing as he says this because he realizes how ridiculously cheesy it is. Not that he doesn't mean those things, it's just that he is much better at showing his emotions than verbalizing them. Let's be honest here - your mama's definitely the writer of the family. :)

In terms of development, you are mostly focused on getting bigger and maturing your already-formed organs (and gulpinig in that yummy amniotic fluid). We reached another milestone this week - daddy put his hand on my belly and felt you move! It was amazing. We will continue to pray for your health and growth. Keep kicking, my darling son. Mama and Dada love it!

19 Weeks - We're One Step Closer!

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid
To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I'll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
-Christina Perri

This week's blog is completely dedicated to our little man. Yes, that's right. It's a BOY and we could not be more excited! Honestly, it still seems so surreal to me. On Saturday night of this week, I had a very vivid dream that we were in the ultrasound room and the ultrasound technician pointed to the penis and said, "It's a boy!" I woke up from that dream so excited, but at the same time I didn't want to get my hopes up. Jason and I both would not have been the least bit upset if it was another girl. Girls are awesome - Lidia is awesome. We know how to parent a girl - aka, we know how to handle a diva. Jason and I are the most conservative people when it comes to a change in habit. We are the kind of people who will stay at our respective jobs for years and years, live in the same house/area for years, shop at the same stores, drive the same cars, etc. We like consistency. So, having another girl would really fit with our lifestyle. However, the amount of joy and fulfillment a boy can bring to a family excites us both. Jason and I are both the youngest of four - we both have 2 older sisters and 1 older brother. We have lived through a multi-gendered sibling household. So in a way, adding a boy to our family would keep consistency, too. A boy would be less of a diva, but more of a little stinker. So honestly, we were completely indifferent about the gender of this baby. We would have been completely ecstatic with whatever the news was. And that news had a special way of reaching us, right straight to our hearts.

Call me crazy, call me controlling, call me whatever name you want to call me. I have to know the gender of my babies before they are born, and I have to know their name. For me, its the milestone that keeps me upbeat and positive throughout pregnancy. I'm already talking to him, calling him by name, and imaging us as a family after he arrives. To me, we're not going to have a son - we already have a son. So, to say I was looking forward to this day would be a total understatement. I thought about it nearly every minute of every day. And the day we found out was no different.

We had decided to schedule the ultrasound on a Wednesday, because that is a day when Jason is off of work. Lidia was going to be home with him that day, too, and we thought it was important for her to be at the appointment as well. I was busy at work all day and Jason was busy parenting Lidia. Needless to say, our 2:30 appointment crept up on us very quickly. Jason and Lidia picked me up from work and we drove onto our appointment. As soon as I got in the car, Lidia smiled and said, "Mommy, we are going to the doctor to see baby peanut and I'm not sick!." Apparently, Daddy had a done a good job prepping her for the appointment. On our way there, Jason looked at me and said, "OK, final guess. What is it?" I said girl, Lidia said girl, and Jason said boy. We all know my track record on guessing the gender of our babies - I was zero for one.This pregnancy has been completely different from Lidia's. According to all those Old Wives, I was having a boy. Plus, I couldn't forget that oh-so-vivid dream of mine that revealed the gender of our baby as a boy. But, I just couldn't believe it for some reason. I thought it was another girl.

We arrived at the doctor's office and, surprisingly, didn't have to wait much at all. We walked back to the ultrasound room and got situated. The ultrasound technician worked her way from the baby's head down. She said the brain looked great and the heart looked "pretty, as it was beating steady at 146 beats per minute. The lips were good and we could even see the baby practicing breathing. Then, it was "peepee or no peepee" time. After she waved her wand down in the genital area, it was plain as day that we had a son. As soon as she spoke the words, "Looks like it's a boy!", Jason and I immediately had tears streaming down from our eyes and ear-to-ear smiles on our faces. Jason grabbed my hand and squeezed it. We were so incredibly happy in that moment - happiness that equalled the amount of happiness that we had when found out Lidia's gender. We told Lidia she was the proud sister of a baby brother and she smiled. She was an angel during the whole ultrasound. She kept asking, "What's that?", as the ultrasound technician moved from body part to body part. After everything checked out just fine, it was time to say goodbye to baby brother. As I was getting up, Lidia exclaimed, "Mommy, you need to put your pants back on." Everyone laughed. She always has a way of adding humor to a situation.

In conclusion, yesterday was one of the best, most anticipated days of our lives. When they tell you that the excitement wears off after the first pregnancy, don't believe them. We are, and have been, just as excited during this pregnancy as the last one. The only difference is we have one extra person with which to share the excitement. Before I left for work today, she said, "Mommy, I want a kiss." I gave her a kiss and as I was walking away, she said, "Mommy! I want to kiss your belly." I love her so much, and I love our baby boy just as much.

My Little Mango

Say goodbye to the moniker, "baby peanut." We can now call you by name! And we aren't quite ready to share your name with the general public yet, as we want to try it out and make sure it works. Maybe in a couple weeks we will feel ready to share. For now, it will remain our little secret. It was so amazing - really, a miracle to see you yesterday. You were kicking your little legs and moving your arms. We even watched you for a moment as you were trying to move your fingers and thumb into your mouth. You succeeded! We got to see you yawn, too, which was a very precious moment.

As far as your development goes, your body is working on refining all of your five senses. You are also being covered with a cheesey coating, called vernix caseosa, which will keep your skin from wrinkling up like a prune.

My son, my love. Keep growing healthy down there and we will keep praying for you. I leave you with a video of your big reveal. We love you!