Our Pumpkin is a............... gotta read to find out!

Oh what a day we've had in the Larson household! Chase was up bright and early wanting to know when we were going to see the baby, I think he was as eager as we were! This entire time he's been saying he wanted a sister, boys were bad, this baby would not be a boy, etc. His bestbud has twin baby brothers (also IVF) and we've been telling him that boys are great and it would fun to have a baby brother if this baby is a boy. He has wanted nothing to do with that! Well this morning he did a complete turn around and insisted this baby was a boy and he was getting a baby brother.... period. Phew! I've thought this baby was a girl, but let's face it, for some reason most ICSI babies are boys, that's just how it is!

So we get to the appointment w/all the grandparents, my brother, and niece in tow and finally make it back. The tech was awesome! She told us everything she was measuring, was patient, talked to us the whole time. Everything was going great, until she said, "IT'S A GIRL!" Chase lost it and cried for the next 5 minutes that he didn't want a sister and if it's a girl she'll have to sleep in the bathroom. It was hilarious and sad all at the same time. I was laughing and crying, it was perfect. We got him calmed down (of course that was only after the tech said it was a boy - it's not, she just said that) and after another 1o minutes or so of watching the baby and looking we were done.

I met with the doctor who said they saw everything they needed, all measurements were great, and that she was perfect. She also has both kidneys (DH was only born w/one)!!!!!!

I am so very thrilled, I wanted this baby to be a girl so bad because I know we are done w/IVF (my choice, five was more than enough for me). I don't think life could be any better right now! Now if I could just convince Chase that a little sister will be awesome.... any ideas on how we do that?????? Keep going down for pictures and video!!!




***I am grateful for
1) a wonderful ultrasound report
2) friends and family to share it with
3) both kidneys
4) a healthy baby!
5) Emery, a girl!!!!!

It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Hand by her face

Front Picture

Hands together in front of her face like she is praying!

Our Pumpkin is a Mango!

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature. *Am I the only one that thinks perhaps they could have done a little better job writing this??? Yum??? Seriously????* (www.thebump.com)

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. (www.babycenter.com)

Hard to believe that I am almost half way there!! I hate wishing away this pregnancy because I know we will not pursue IVF again (my choice) and so this is likely it for us, however I so want this baby safe and healthy in our arms. Only two more days until the BIG ultrasound and anticipation is about to drive me nuts! Actually I don't even count it as two days, more like 38 1/2 hours! ;o) I am really hoping for a girl just so we have one of each, but will be absolutely thrilled either way! I love my boy so much and would take another in a heartbeat, but know that I will mourn never having a daughter if that is the case.

Have I mentioned names on here?? I can't remember. Of course it's always subject to change but if Pumpkin is a girl we will be naming her Emery Faith and if Pumpkin is a boy we will be naming him Miles Scot. Emery, Faith, and Miles are all names we just really like and Scot (yes, with one t) is Jeff's middle name. Chase is Chase Alan, so he has PawPaw's middle name. I picked Chase so Jeff picked this time and I think he did a good job choosing!





**I am grateful for
1) hump day, always love it
2) being 19 weeks
3) 1 month, 1 week, and 6 days until Disney (no it's not memorized, I saw it on my ticker!)
4) 6 days of school (w/kids) left!
5) Less than 48 hours until we see Pumpkin again!!!!

These are the days.

Sometimes when it's actually quiet in the house, meaning when everyone else is asleep and I'm laying awake in bed, I think of just how lucky I really am. Yes times are tough in the economy, paycuts are nearly killing us, bills always seem to add up to more money than what's coming in, and some days I just want to scream, but all-in-all, life is good. I have a great husband, an awesome little boy, a nice house, a wonderful family, a long awaited miracle on the way... yep a pretty good life. These are the days and times I want to remember forever.

Last weekend my brother and Jeff worked on the deck and finished the entire flooring! Very impressive. I don't have a finished pic of it, but I do have some pics of the kids planting tomatoes that shows the work in progress. OK, so maybe it doesn't show much of the deck, but the kids are sure cute!





This weekend has proved just as fun! Saturday Chase, Duchess, Daddy and I all went to Galveston for the day. We haven't been since Ike hit and thought it looked way better than we thought it would! Chase played on the beach, even though the water was freezing, and found lots of shells. I think he could spend hours doing that! Then we had a nice lunch (Chase enjoyed the dessert best if you can't tell) before taking a ride on the ferry and heading home.

One Cool Dude!

Running on the beach - did I mention the water was cold???

Finding seashells - obviously I need to flip this one!

Cruise ship was in port - it actually left while we were on the ferry and passed by us!

Good food!

Even better dessert!

The Elissa is moored (is that right?) by the Fisherman's Wharf where we ate!

Duchess, Chase, and Mommy on the ferry.

Feeding the seagulls w/Daddy, this one ate right from his hand!

We had a great time and a full day! I think it took all of two minutes for Chase to fall asleep Saturday night once his head hit the pillow!

Today Duchess and Uncle Will are heading up and Aunt Stacy is coming over so we can bar-b-que and play! Happy Memorial Day to all and thank you to all our troops for all you do!




***I am grateful for
1) the deck, lovin' it!
2) time spent w/family
3) a good life
4) a great day at the beach
5) Memorial Day

Our Pumpkin is a Sweet Potato!

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon. (www.thebump.com)

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. (www.babycenter.com)

Only 9 more days until the "big" day and I cannot wait! I'm feeling rolls and have felt a couple of kicks, so I know Pumpkin is working it in there. Did I mention I can't wait for the ultrasound?





***I am grateful for
1) a delicious dinner
2) our PTO, they rock!
3) banana pudding, had a ton today, loved every bite
4) only 9 more days until the BIG day!!!!!!!
5) 10 more days of school left (but I got to thinking and I'm off next Friday, so I only have 9!!!)

HaPpY BiRtHdAy Uncle Will!!!

Happy Birthday to Uncle Will!!! We won't reveal how old he is today but we'll give you a hint: he's older than 34 and younger than 36! ;o) Thanks for all your help with our deck and we hope you have an awesome birthday!

So, check out this cute shirt Chase will be receiving on the 29th to wear to the *big* ultrasound! I found it at cafe.press and Chase loved it. There were actually so many that I couldn't decide so Chase did it for me. Definitely a great site!

I can't wait for the big day to get here and neither can Chase. He talks to the baby every day and it is adorable. When we told him we would get to see the baby on a TV he was all smiles!!! It seems like we waited so long for this!




***I am grateful for
1) our awesome deck, thanks Duchess, Uncle Will and Daddy!!!
2) my awesome Scen.tsy burner that a Mommy gave to me, plugged it in a soon as we got home and I'm lovin' it (cinnamon... yum!)
3) Watermelon, I LOVE watermelon. saw a smashed one on the side of the road (those poor people) and talked Jeff into picking one up. OMG, heaven!
4) 12 more days of school (minus a day because I am off on the 29th!)
5) 11 more days until the big ultrasound!!!

Yeah for Pumpkin!

Today we got our AFP screening results back. You know, the ones that were just drawn on Tuesday and were supposed to take 7-10 days. AFP screening tests for spina bifida, Downs, and Trisonomy 21. I almost didn't do them because they have such a high number of false positives, but Jeff wanted them done because if we were to have a positive we could decline the amnio, prepare for what could be, pray for the best outcome, and then be thankful for what we were given. I agreed that being prepared would be nice so we went ahead and did them. Turns out 7-10 days was not the case because I received the call this morning that all our screenings came back negative! Can I get a woot-woot and a yeah for Pumpkin!?!?!!!?! I'm so thankful we got good news, truly blessed. Definitely a good way to start the weekend!

Also, thanks for all the sweet comments on my last post - ya'll rock! Have a fantastic weekend!




**I am grateful for
1) Friday, Friday, Friday!!!
2) weekends, I "heart" weekend!
3) awesome screening results!
4) tivo - love it
5) food, what can I say, I'm hungry!

Bump Watch - 17w1d

I'm not a big fan of pictures, but here is a picture from this afternoon of my 17 week belly. I think I already mentioned that the lovely aide said I'm having a girl because I'm getting bigger everywhere, always makes a girl feel good - especially since I had plenty of fluff to begin with! Chase insisted on being in the shot, which is cool with me. Too bad he was missing his pants! ;o)




***I am grateful for
1) actually looking pregnant and not just fatter (well hopefully)
2) tomorrow is Friday!
3) Chase wanting to love on me, love it!
4) 15 more days until the big ultrasound!
5) 13 more days of school until summer break!

Our Pumpkin is an Onion! (17 weeks)

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints. (www.thebump.com)

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. (www.babycenter.com)

Only 16 more days until we find out gender and I can't wait. I feel pretty good, most of the time. Brushing my teeth is still awful and I feel queasy in the mornings, but it passes most days without having to take anything. At my appointment yesterday the nurse asked if I was eating because I was losing weight, I think that is probably the first time in my life that anyone has ever said that to me!!! I assured I was and that this happened when I was pregnant with Chase.

We were hoping to start on the deck this weekend, but it looks like rain is in the forecast and that might put a stop to our plans. Not a big deal, we'll just start later. We are under the two month mark for Disney and I don't know who is more excited in our family! I guess that's about it on the homefront.





***I am grateful for
1) downhill side of the week!
2) rain (even though it means no deck, the grass could use it)
3) another early bedtime... ha, who am I kidding
4) 15 days of school left!
5) 17 rockin' weeks (and I was told that my chance of m/c is extremely low now yesterday - woooohoooo!)

We have an ultrasound date!

The "BIG" ultrasound has been scheduled for Friday, May 29th @ 11:00!!! It cannot get here soon enough for my liking, thank you very much! ;o) Appointment went well, pretty much in and out. We had some bloodwork done and should get results in 7-10 days (AFP testing). Hard to believe that tomorrow I will be 17 weeks. Sometimes it seems like forever and sometimes it seems like the blink of an eye!




***I am grateful for
1) Tomorrow is hump day!
2) a great appointment
3) 17 weeks tomorrow
4) an early evening in bed (well, hopefully)
5) 16 days left of school!!!!

Happy Mother's Day (a day late, I know)

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day yesterday (and that includes those who are mommies to furbabies, cause I know first hand that furbabies count)! Mine was nice. We went to church where Melinda Doo.little sang, yes the Melinda Doo.little from the 6th season on American Idol. I didn't actually watch that season but had heard of her before and all I can say is that girl can sing! We always sit in the 3rd or 4th row because Jeff's mom gets their super early and saves seats so we were front and center for the performance yesterday. I was amazed at how strong her voice was and how much passion she showed. Why didn't she win??? Perhaps their should be a recount! ;o)

Yesterday was also baby dedication at church. Even though Pumpkin is growing inside of me and will be here in no time I still have a really hard time with this. I miss the twins. This would have been their baby dedication time. We should have been holding them in our arms and dedicating them, not sitting there and watching from the seats. I am so very thankful for Pumpkin, but it breaks my heart to know that I will never know our twins. It's one of those bittersweet things.

After church we had a wonderful lunch at Salt.grass Steakhouse, my favorite. Ate way too much and loved every bite. We didn't get to see Duchess, but I talked to her several times. I'm so glad we got to spend Saturday with her. We came home and spent the rest of the day making field day shirts for school. Not the most exciting thing, but I was with my guys so it was just right in my book. I will say that Duchess it giving me a deck in my backyard for Mother's Day. She is always so generous. I'm VERY excited and hopefully we'll have it done in the next couple of weeks.

Tomorrow I have my 17 week appointment and we'll get to schedule the "big" ultrasound. I can't wait! I really think this baby is a girl, but will be happy no matter what. I just need a healthy, live baby in my arms!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Monday. They are my least favorite day of the week so I'm really glad it's over!!! ;o)




***I am grateful for
1) what I'm pretty sure are little kicks and rolls
2) a very nice Mother's Day
3) Monday is over!
4) 17 week appointment tomorrow!
5) 17 more days of school left (really 16 1/2, but who's counting)

A First (and not a fun one)

Friday afternoon Daddy and Chase decided to head over to wash the boat since it has quickly become that time of year when the boat needs to be at it's best! Everything was apparently going nice and smooth until a red wasp landed on Chase's hand and stung him... twice. :o( Daddy quickly put some meat tenderizer on it, gave some Ben.adryl, cleaned things up, and got home. Fortunately we learned that it appears Chase is NOT allergic to them, but boy did it hurt. Definitely not a fun first! Today he is all better and back to his wild and crazy self! Thank goodness!!!




**I am grateful for
1) Mad's had a very adorable recital today
2) spent the day with Duchess, that is always fun!
3) 16 1/2 weeks.... wooohooo!
4) not being allergic to red wasps
5) 18 days of school left - sweeet!

Our Pumpkin is an Avocado!

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender. (www.thebump.com)

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop. (www.babycenter.com)

So far, so good. I'm getting lots of questions about gender and that appointment cannot get here fast enough. Most everyone is saying girl, I have to admit that I'd be thrilled with that! I don't know how people go the entire time without finding out!!!! There have been a couple of times that I might have felt some movement, but nothing for sure. I figure it'll be happening soon enough. We still listen to the heartbeat nightly and I love it. It's still in the 160's, amazing how fast they beat. It's so reassuring to listen to.

I didn't hear an update on that teacher I requested prayers for today, but I was told yesterday that her and baby were doing good and she might be released today. Thanks for the prayers.

Hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the week!




**I am grateful for
1) 20 days of school left, it can't go fast enough
2) almost Friday, which means almost the weekend!
3) barely two months until we hit Disney World!
4) warm showers
5) 16 weeks!

Say a little prayer.

I have been a horrible blogger lately and I'm so sorry. This time of year is so busy and I find myself working later and harder (if that's possible) and then on the nights I do get home at a decent hour I'm completely exhausted! We had a great weekend, pedicure, haircut, crawfish boil, family time, you get the picture. Exactly how I like them. I have pics (as usual) to share, but they'll have to wait because I have a prayer request to throw out there. A teacher I work with is 31 weeks with a baby boy (1st child) and is leaking amniotic fluid. An ultrasound showed very little fluid and she has been hospitalized until they decide what to do. Please send a little prayer that God will watch over her and her precious baby boy and all will be OK. I don't know her real well (we teach on different teams), but I can only imagine the fear she is feeling. Thanks!




**I am grateful for
1) prayers
2) Monday is over!
3) 22 days of school left... can I get a woot woot???!?!
4) no flu up our way so far
5) a wonderful weekend