Our Pumpkin is an Orange (15 weeks)

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements. (www.thebump.com)

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.") (www.babycenter.com)

All is well with the Pumpkin and we are anxiously awaiting the "big" ultrasound in June. I'm so very tempted to schedule an earlier one, but can't bring myself to spend the extra money. So do that many of you really feel like the odds of us having a girl are that big or are the same people voting for girl multiple times??!?! Not that I care, but one of each sure would be nice!!!

Chase has been very loving lately and really seems to be getting this baby thing. He wanted to hug the baby before bed last night, talks to it a lot, tells it not to be scared during the storms, and asks to listen to the heartbeat in the evenings. I think he's going to be an awesome big brother.... wait, I KNOW he's going to be an awesome big brother!!!!

On another note, how about this lovely sw.ine flu? Yikes! I know there's not reason to panic, trust me I've already talked to the nurse and got the low-down, but man it's hitting a little too close to home thank you very much!




***I am grateful for
1) the server is actually working this very minute (shocking)
2) I'll be able to get pics up from the ball game... hopefully, knock on wood
3) Stellan is home!
4) Almost Friday, 25 days of school left :O)
5) 15 weeks!!!!!!!

Play Ball

On Sunday we went with Duchess to Chase's first Astro's game. He loved it! Our seats were right behind the bullpen so we had a great view and plenty of entertainment. We are having some major net issues soon, but I'm going to try and get pics up asap!

Chase earned his belt!

Chase is now officially a white belt w/two yellow stripes! He did a great job and we are very proud of him. Not only was Miss. Sophia and Master Don there for testing today, so was Grand Master Pak. Very exciting for the Tiny Tigers. I'm not sure if Chase was more excited about the new belt or the fact that after Tuesdays class they will be having cupcakes to celebrate! Here's some footage of Chase breaking his board w/Master Don (Grand Master Pak is sitting at the table by closest to Chase) and then some action shots. For some reason they are blurry than I had hoped, but still adorable in every way!









***I am grateful for
1) testing is over
2) still lots of weekend left!
3) a good day
4) yard is mowed (you rock hon)
5) an adorable kiddo

Tearjerkers

Could somebody else please tell me that Disney movies make them cry too (i.e. Fox and the Houn.d, Dum.bo, etc). I mean come on, there have got to be other people that are as sensitive as I am even though Jeff avidly denies it. It is not just hormones either, this is a regular occurrence! ;o)

On another note, in just a few hours Chase will be testing for his new belt at Tang Soo Do, check back soon for an update (and video of course)!




**I am grateful for
1) it's Saturday!
2) tomorrow is Sunday!
3) very nice weather
4) only 28 more days of school!
5) Disney trip is getting closer and closer

Our Pumpkin is a Lemon (14 weeks)

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth. (http://www.blogger.com/www.thebump.com)

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. (http://www.blogger.com/www.babycenter.com)

I had my 14 week check up yesterday and measured right on track. I'll go back in 3 weeks for another check up and then will have the "big" ultrasound around June 2nd (6 more weeks, you can stop trying to figure it out). I had hoped they'd do it early, but I'm sure 6 weeks will go by fast... right?




***I am grateful for
1) 14 weeks!
2) finding a good deal at the grocery store
3) cell phones
4) 30 days of school left!
5) watching movies w/Chase and his little laugh when it's a funny part

One Busy Weekend!

This weekend was a super busy, super awesome, very wet weekend! Saturday we had huge downpours in our area and flooding was inevitable. Of course Saturday was also the day we had Disne.y on Ice tickets for the show in Houston!!! There was no way we were going to miss it so we piled into the Tahoe, picked up Lisa and Cade (Chase's bud), and hit the road! What normally would have taken about an hour to drive took almost two hours, but it was worth every extra minute. We met up with Duchess, Uncle Will, and Mads once we got there and the show was awesome! Many smiles from the kiddos, that's for sure! Above is my favorite pic of the weekend. You can tell very well from this shot, but Chase is wearing a crown with Mickey ears. I love that smile!

The Larson Gang (I totally forgot to put on make-up, I never do that!!!)

Three Amigos

Flounder Head

Lisa and Cade

Duchess and her Biggest Fans!

Mickey and Minnie, our faves!

Ariel and Flounder

Lilo

Stitch

Goofy

Daisy

Peter Pan's Pirates

Donald

There were so many other characters, way too many to get all of them on here!

On Sunday we again joined Duchess, Uncle Will, and Mads but this time we went to the Crawfish Festival at Old Town Spring. It was wet and expensive, but the kids loved it! Chase likes the crawfish, as long as they are not too hot! It just took a while for Mads to warm up!!




Our newest sticker, can you figure out which one it is? I love it!





***I am grateful for
1) a good OB appointment
2) Stellan is out of surgery and doing ok!
3) tomorrow is Hump Day
4) 31 days of school left (so close, yet so far away)
5) my bed, it is totally calling my name!

Never Fear

There is a post coming with lots of pics (well, maybe not LOTS, but several), however we've had major server issues and I haven't been able to post. Maybe tonight will be better??!!?!!

Kahla

**I am grateful for
1) maybe the internet provider will have their act together after 6 days of not having it together?
2) Stellan is in surgery right now and I believe he will be healed
3) today I have a check-up (no ultrasound... rats)
4) 31 days of school left
5) 14 weeks tomorrow!

The aide strikes again.

On my out of school (and let me say, it was one crappy day) the lovely aide struck again. This time she wanted to know how far along I was, she asks me this daily - I kid you not, when would I be finding out the gender, and what did I think we were having? I was trying to get out of the building and to my car so I did the walk and talk thing in order to make my time talking as minimal as possible. I told her that I was 13 weeks yesterday (you know, since I was 12w6d on Tuesday when she asked), we would find out the gender either in mid-May or early June, and that I really wasn't sure what the baby is, that I tend the automatically refer to it as a she/her but really didn't care either way. She was quick to tell me that how I was carrying the baby would tell me what I was having and she thinks that I'm getting "wider" so it must be a girl. Of course she added the whole hand movement to make it appear that I am not just getting wider, but bigger in the front too. Wow, thanks a lot, can't tell you how nice that was for you to say and demonstrate.




**I am grateful for
1) karate - Chase is doing really good
2) tomorrow is Friday!
3) Disn.ey on Ice on Saturday
4) maternity pants, comfy
5) Did I mention tomorrow is Friday?

Our Pumpkin is a Peach

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.) (www.thebump.com)

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce. (www.babycenter.com)

Goodbye first trimester, hello 2nd!!! They risk of miscarriage drops significantly at this point so maybe I'll be able to relax a little more (I say trying to convince myself). Three times now this week I have been told that my "bump" is making an appearance, so I guess it really is. The first time I figured it was just what I was wearing, the 2nd time I figured perhaps I was just having a fatter-than-normal kinda day, but three times pretty much tells me the bump has arrived. I'll admit it, I like it. I'm a fluffy gal to begin with and certainly don't enjoy just looking fatter, I need it to look like a baby! ;o)

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week, we have a busy weekend ahead but I'm certainly looking forward to it. I know I've been bad about blogging often, I'll try and be better!




***I am grateful for
1) a wonderful Easter
2) Duchess is home safe from her trip to California/Alaska
3) 13 weeks, less than 200 days to go
4) hump day
5) a busy weekend ahead that will be spent w/family and friends

Happy Easter!

I know this is a day early, but considering the fact that I actually have time to sit and write I figured I'd better take advantage of it!

Last night we dyed Easter eggs and Chase has a grand time. That boy can dye some eggs!





Today we spent the day with all the cousins on Jeff's side and they had a blast! They were totally, completely adorable and I think he could have stayed and played for hours.

So excited about the loot!

A gang of cousins!

About to crack a confetti egg on Daddy's head!

Chase also got a big Cars bucket full of Easter goodies from Aunt Susie, thanks Aunt Susie! He is so excited about the Easter Bunny coming tonight and even asked that I call the E.B. to make sure he would bring him a big chocolate bunny and a blue ball. Easy enough! Duchess happens to be in on her way to Alaska (sounds nice and cool!) so she even put in a call to the Bunny so that her present could be delivered tomorrow too. We'll be heading to MeMaw's after church to celebrate her birthday and hunt Easter Eggs. I think this is going to be one full weekend!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing holiday!




***I am grateful for
1) Easter and the meaning behind it
2) a fantastic day spent w/family
3) Duchess having a safe trip to Alaska and back!
4) tomorrow is MeMaw's birthday
5) a fun weekend w/my two guys!

Our Pumpkin is a Plum

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed. (www.thebump.com)

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. (www.thebabycenter.com)

So far things are going really well and I keep trying to dodge the cloud of, "what if something terrible happens" that seems to be constantly looming above. We've gotten our doppler to listen to the heartbeat (I can't even remember if I've already mentioned this... I'm really not sure if it makes me more insane or less insane) and can normally find the heartbeat very quickly. However, tonight was a different story. I am not joking when I say it took about half a bottle of gel and at least a good half hour before we finally found it (while the tears were slowly creeping in). I seriously thought I was going to be ill when we kept searching and searching to no avail. I was terrified. Finally we found out it for a split second (then another split second) and I felt so much better.

We're still getting lots of questions as to whether or not we have told Chase. I've said before that I was very hesitant to tell him as I'm super nervous since losing the twins but yes, we have told him. We really were at the point where we had no choice. Friday night when we got the doppler we found the heartbeat and Chase asked, "What is that? Is that a baby in there?" I panicked, side-stepped the question, and quickly changed the subject. Saturday night he was already in bed when we listened to the heartbeat so that was easy enough. However on Sunday he was in the room and this time demanded, "What IS that? Did Jesus finally put a baby in there?" I looked at Jeff and he said that we couldn't keep fibbing to Chase and it was time to tell. So we told him yes, there was a baby in Mommy's tummy but that it would be a long time before the baby would be able to come out. All he wanted to know was, "When it comes out can I play with it?" Yep, that's our boy!




**I am grateful for
1) 12 weeks... 1 more week until the 2nd trimester!
2) a fun training today = break from the class!
3) off on Friday!
4) big brothers
5) We did eventually find the heartbeat earlier, even if I did freak out just a little.

B-U-S-Y

Thank you all for the comments, emails, texts, and calls to let us know you were thinking of us with the arrival of our twins due date. I knew this miscarriage had messed with me mentally, but I had NO idea how much. I think it has truly sucked a great deal of enjoyment right out of Pumpkin's pregnancy, which I hate. This is most likely the last baby for us because I have no plans of going through another fresh cycle if come October, we have our healthy pumpkin born into our arms. I wish I could enjoy it in a naive fashion. I pretty much live in constant fear that something is going to happen and am continuously trying to rid my head of these thoughts that I know are myself letting fear get the best of me. Baby steps, one day at a time.

We had a very busy weekend and I think it left our entire household pretty exhausted. Our most awesome RE has an annual "baby shower" for all of his patients where they rent a huge place, have pony rides/moonwalks/train rides for the kids, cater lunch, visit and catch up. It's pretty awesome and I'm always amazed at the sheer number of miracles they have helped bring in to this world. It is awesome. Dr. G was talking to us and asked if we were done now, which I assured him we were (well, maybe one FET down the road, but as for fresh, we're done). He is always so positive and even told me that I could swing by the office for a scan any time I needed to for piece of mind!!! Have I mentioned that we adore this man?!??!

After that we went over to a teacher/friend's cookout and visited, while Chase played with her niece. It was a nice, quiet evening of catching up and visiting with friends.

Sunday we went to church and then out to lunch with Jeff's family. We came home to rest, but we all know that rarely happens! That evening we met up with Duchess, Mads, and Uncle Will for dinner, which was nice.

This week proves to be just as busy. Wednesday I have training, Thursday Chase is heading to Ch.uck E. Cheese with Memaw, Friday we are dying Easter eggs, Saturday we are celebrating Easter with Jeff's family, and then Sunday we are celebrating Memaw's birthday. Monday Chase heads off to the zoo with MeMaw. Definitely busy! I also have to find time this week to figure out our Disney dining plans because Sunday is the 90 days mark until we leave and the day I can finally make the reservation. Anyone have suggestions? We have ideas since we went last summer, but it can never hurt to have new ones.

I have lots of pics I need to come back and add, but the camera is in the car (and I'm too lazy to go and get it). Hope everyone had a great weekend!




**I am grateful for
1) a short week
2) a long weekend!
3) Easter is almost here
4) going to bed early tonight (or at least a plan to)
5) Easter egg hunts (Chase loves 'em)

Our Angels

Today our babies should have been in our arms, not in heaven.

~Kahla

**I am grateful for
1) Even if I never got to hold our twins in my arms, I get to hold them in my heart forever
2) Chase, he is truly a miracle from God
3) Pumpkin, Please Lord let us hold this baby not just in our heart, but in our arms too
4) the weekend
5) 42 days of school left, I can do this.... right?

Praying for Stellan

Stellan is still fighting hard in the PICU and we are saying our prayers constantly for him to be healed. God has worked miracles before and I have no doubt he will again. After karate we decided to swing by the Bluebonnets (my favorite!) and take a pic to send for Stellan's name gallery. We're thinking of you Stellan, keep fighting!!!




***I am grateful for
1) Stellan was having a very good day!
2) God works miracles
3) the Bluebonnets (more pics coming soon)
4) TGIF tomorrow!!!!
5) The weekend, although it's rather packed

Our Pumpkin is a Lime!

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future. (www.thebump.com)

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming. (www.babycenter.com)




***I am grateful for
1) beautiful weather to go to the fair
2) payday
3) Chase is on his way home after being w/Duchess for three days!!!!!! I really miss that little guy!
4) 11 weeks (yeah baby!)
5) Sonic sweet tea... yum