New Rooms

Rooms are almost finished. Sascha moved into hers last week, so Jeromey was able to start painting the baby room.

Her room took forever. It's amazing how slow things happen when you have a little child running around keeping you extra busy. It also doesn't help that we schedule a bunch of other things at the same time. Jeromey just did a 100 mile bike ride from Irvine to Mission bay to raise money for MS. He had a great time, but that meant the whole weekend was basically gone in a blink of an eye! So yes, this little room project (that turned out to be a pretty big room project!) was started over a month ago, and it's finally done!!! I think it turned out great! Now we hope Sascha likes it too. She has been waking up in the middle of the night screaming. Not sure why... night terrors? We had thunder and lighting one night, so that could have scared her as well.
We were finishing it up in the evening, and you were running around like crazy playing with things you shouldn't be playing with and we let you stay up late too because we weren't done with the room. You seemed excited about it. You and daddy read a few books on the bed, and it was time to say good night. You started fussing and saying you want your small bed, and we said that you're a bit girl now and have a big room with a big bed. You got out of the bed at least a dozen times, but eventually you went to sleep. It just takes you a while to fall asleep. Sometimes you stay in your bed for over 45 minutes singing and talking.





A few more things need to go up on the wall, but it's basically done.

Now onto the baby room. It's a work in progress and here is what it looks like so far. We are missing the crib. It's actually broken and we are trying to get it fixed. The wall border is going up this weekend and a few accessories for the walls as well. And we'll be all done!



As for me, we had our ultrasound at 35 and half weeks, and the baby is down which is great. He was measuring big, or about a week ahead as before - 6 lbs (Sascha's weight when she was born). I am already 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced, but of course that doesn't mean that the baby will be here next week, I could stay like that for weeks. I hope to make it to November... my guess or wish is he'll be arriving early November, but you never know! I am definitely feeling ready... I've felt very "heavy" and pretty tired for the last 2 weeks. Some nights are better than others, but I usually get up every 2 hrs and not always able to go back to sleep. Last day of work was this monday! I've just been at home getting things in order, visiting friends. I already feel much better, more prepared, and organized. Must be the nesting kicking in. We can't wait to meet this little boy! I can't believe I am going to be holding a small little baby in my arms! It's all a bit surreal, but I feel very lucky already to be mommy to a little boy.

Photos at the pier

I really wanted to get some pictures of us done while I was still pregnant, and we were able to go to the PB Pier with our friend Vanessa who snapped a few shots of us and my big belly.

It was such a warm and beautiful day, Sascha really enjoyed being outside.

Family Shot


Us with the munchkin

Baby Shower at work

I got a surprise shower at work. I've been asking everyone to not make a big deal about it, and not do anything... maybe just a small lunch with our group, but I came to work Thursday morning to discover my cubicle covered in decorations and baby boy stuff! It was all super cute and completely unexpected. I was about 5 minutes late to a meeting that was set up for 9am, so I was rushing to get there when I first saw the balloons sticking out, and went "Oh No!". I am not a huge fan of a lot of attention, so as usuall I felt my face get flushed and my eyes teary! I don't get surprised often, but they definitely got me... and this is the 2nd time around! Last time I was convinced we were gathering for a "retirement party" for one of the guys leaving our group. It was super sweet of everyone, and I feel very lucky to work at a place with such awesome people!


A few weeks ago I went out to tea with a few girlfriends. It's just something that we like to do every now and then. Go to cute tea shops and hang out for a few hours while enjoying little sandwiches and scones and yummy tea. Well they surprised me there with a few gifts as well. I told everyone that I am not having a shower this time around, I really feel like I just had one very recently and didn't want anyone to go through the trouble of organizing it. I don't think most people have one for their 2nd ones anyways, not that I think there is anything wrong with having one. Plus there is really not much that I need, I have all the big things and I even have a ton of clothes from Marina's son Matty. It worked out very well. She just had a baby girl and I was more than happy to pass on Sascha's girly things to her as well. It makes me happy that someone else gets some use out of them.
Here are a few photos from my coworkers phone camera of my cubicle. Many people stopped by to say congratulations, hard to miss a ton of balloons, garlands and boy things all over. It looked very festive.

Goodbye Russian Day Care, Hello Preschool

Friday the 8th was your last day of daycare and this Monday you started preschool.

I was sad to take you there for the last time. Galia was sad to see you go as well. We've been very happy with sending you there because I know you are well taken care of. You eat well, take a proper nap (which you don't always do at home), and you have always liked going there. The coolest part of you going there was that you learned how to speak Russian, since most of the kids that go there only speak Russian at home, you picked it up very quickly. But it was time to say good bye! You seemed like you were ready for Preschool.

After looking at a few places and hearing people's recommendations we went with Carmel Mtn. Preschool that's right next to the high school I went to. You seemed excited at the idea every time we mentioned that you would go there, and the day finally arrived. We got you up and ready to go, your lunch was packed and you seemed eager to leave the house, especially after I handed you your brand new Minnie Lunch Bag. Your face lit up with excitement! A while back I started to look for one with your favorite Mickey Playhouse characters at different stores, but haven't been able to find one. Finally I came across one on Ebay and decided to get it. We thought even though we spent a little more on it than a regular old lunch bag that we probably already had, you would be so excited if Minnie was on it. We were right. It was all worth it.

We took a few photos at home and headed out. We arrived at the preschool just before 9am which is when snack time starts followed by circle time. We walked in and it was empty so we set all the things I brought into your cubby and put your lunch bag into the bin with the rest and waited a few minutes for the kids to arrive. You seemed a bit overwhelmed and clung to us for a few minutes and then it seemed like it was time to go, so we gave you a big hug and a kiss. I introduced you once again to your teachers, and one of them picked you up and asked if you wanted to be her helper to pass out the Graham crackers as a snack and you agreed.

We walked out and daddy said something to me about how big and independent a girl you are now, and I couldn't help but tear up. Yes... you are getting so big! Almost 3 years old! Where has the time gone? Feels like we just brought you home from the hospital!

We walked into the front office to make sure they knew that we came and one of the Directors Donna said that we can call anytime to check on you and they'll connect us to the classroom. I headed to work, but couldn't stop thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. Around noon, I asked daddy to call since he was home and I was at work and he couldn't seem to get through, so then we waited after nap time and called after 2:30 and they said you were doing great, you had most of your lunch, but you wanted to read books instead of going down for a nap. That was no huge surprise. We've been struggling with you taking a nap for a few weeks now and if you do take one, it's usually not until after 1:30 that we even attempt. So we need to adjust to the new schedule where you wake up earlier, have breakfast and lunch earlier so that you can be tired enough for a nap at 12:30 and then hopefully go to bed earlier too.

In any case I was happy to hear that you were having a good day so far.

Daddy picked you up around after 4:30 when you were at the playground and you didn't even want to go. You wanted to keep playing! Everyone told him that you had a great first day and even the ladies at the front desk commented at how adorable you were.

Once I got home from work you seemed super tired, at one point you laid down on the rug and were making all sort of noises, you were totally tuckered out. Daddy tried to put you to bed earlier, but you still didn't really settle down till almost 9am.

The 2 days went well too. You went in with daddy without a problem and when I picked you up, you had just begun to leave the playground with your class. You saw me from the top of the hill and started running. You ran so hard I was afraid you were going to fall. Your teachers told me you had a good day again, but you didn't eat too well. I think we may have to stick to sandwiches since that you'll pretty much eat those for sure.

On your 4th day, we found out that you got into a bit of trouble on the playground. You threw sand at the other kids, and wouldn't stop when they asked you not to do it. Naughty!!! Just this weekend we were at the beach with our friends Vanessa and David and you were playing so well with their two boys Ethan and Sebastian. There was some sand throwing, but it wasn't that bad and didn't seem deliberately aimed at anyone. I guess you decided to continue to throw sand... and target a few kids. Hopefully you won't keep doing that again since we talked to you multiple times about the fact that it's not acceptable behavior, not that you always listen.

Overall your teacher Ms. Holand said that you are having a great first week. So far you seem to like Mss Holand a lot and Ms. Robin not so much. Funny but we sort of had the same impression when we first met them, but it's only been 4 days!

Last day with Galia and the rest of the kids at the day care

Super excited for the Minnie Lunch Bag

On our way out

In front of your classroom

Recovering

Happy to say that once we got home, things got so much easier. Sascha has been doing very well. The catheter was taken out 1 week after the surgery, which was not a big deal to take out, you fussed for 10 seconds and it was all over. I wanted it out sooner, but the nurse suggested we keep it in for a few extra days. The reason I wanted it out sooner is because we noticed a little bit of blood near the insertion area as well as the diaper after a few days, but apparently that's normal and mostly because she became a bit more active in walking around and even jumping a few days after we got home from the hospital. Once she got it out, we came home and I tried to have her go potty. She refused, cried, threw a big fit and I stopped trying. My mom came over an hour later to stay with Sascha so that I could go to work, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving until I knew she could go on the potty, so we tried again. We sat her Pooh Bear on the toilet, bribed her with stickers and candy and after 5 or 10 minutes she agreed to sit down. Another few minutes went by and she went pee pee. I've never been so releaved in my life! She was very proud of herself as well, and we gave her all the treats we promised. Since she did well that day, I thought she was ready to go back to daycare. Galia was so happy to see her, she gave her a big hug when we arrived. I picked Sascha up, and she didn't have a single accident all day, which I thought was great. When we got home, I asked if she wanted to go on a potty, and she said no. Sure enough in another 15 minutes I noticed your wet pants. You just didn't want to go on a potty at home. Well getting you out of those pants was a whole other story. You had a total tantrum meltdown. I tried to take them off and you refused, then I asked if you could do it yourself and you wouldn't, so this battle lasted for a little while. Eventually I got the pants off, but the underwear you still refused to take off. Well later I realized you just are so nervious about being touched in the lower area of the abdomen, that you don't want us to change you. May be that's why you didn't want to go on the potty, because that would require us to get close to the incision. You have also refused to go #2 on a potty and seem to be totally content going in your pants. :( Well another week has passed by, you have gotten a bit better about it and more trusting. I usually say, "I will be very careful and gentle" and you say it back "be very careful" and "gentle". It's very cute! Another thing you've started to hate is bath time. We weren't able to give you one for over a week and just gave you a sponge bath and tried to wash your hair and it was an absolute disaster. So now, before bedtime you say "no bath! later". Another funny thing you've been saying almost every time we drive is "be carefull mommy". You also say it to daddy. And a few times you have complained that it hurts and you need medicine and you point to your lower tummy. Poor little munchkin, I hope you forget all about it soon!!!

We have a follow up appointment with her doctor next week, and I am pretty sure you'll be cleared for your usual activity. It's been hard to keep you away from climbing up the playground in the back yard, jumping, running and doing your usual active stuff. The tape has fallen off the incision, and it's looking like it's healing up very nicely. I still look at it in disbelief that you even have it. The other interesting thing that we noticed is that you pee differently now. You seem to be able to hold it in longer, and when you go, you sort of take your time, you stop in the middle and then go some more and then some more... seems like you're able to empty your bladder, or at least that's what I am hoping. I will definitely mention it to the doctor and hope that it's a positive and not a negative.

So now that we're over the hard stuff, it's just a matter of time to get the tests done. I am sure 2 months will fly by very quickly. I will try not to think about it too much, just really hope that we did the right thing by having this surgery.

As hard as this experience was to go through, especially being 31 weeks pregnant, I know that people go through a lot worse. I can be grateful for an amazingly supportive and loving husband, the family and friends we have in our lives and for our health. When you go through tough times, it really puts things in perspective for us. What's really important and what's not. The everyday things we may complain about and be unhappy about all dissapear when you or someone you know is going through a tough time. Even when the kid has a cold or other sickness, it's so hard to watch them suffer. You just want to take that pain away, and have it be you going through it instead of them. Really makes you appreciate life when everyone is healthy!

On another note, I decided to take Sascha to preschool for circle time for about an hour to get her familiar with the classroom, her teachers and the kids. She seemed very excited at the idea, and when we got there they were just starting to settle into circle time. You acted very shy at first and clung to me. I pulled up a small chair to where the kids were and sat down, and you stood at my feet the whole time. Once the activities began, you couldn't wait to go explore, you tried just about every station, and didn't even notice that I stepped out for 5 minutes to go to the front desk to make sure the director had all our paperwork. I could hardly get you away... and once the activities were put away, I asked you to say bye to your teachers Ms. Holand & Ms. Robin as well as the kids, and we headed back to the car. You kept saying I want to go to preschool, and then you saw the playground and started crying that you didn't want to leave. I guess I will take that as a good sign. :) I told you that we would be coming back here in just 1 week, and that right now we're going to see Galia at daycare. You said "No Galia" which was very surprising, because a lot of times you will ask to see her.
I think you are really going to like preschool, and both Daddy and I are looking forward to this next phase.

I haven't taken many pictures lately... this one is a few months old, but it's such a favorite of mine. It's been my desktop background at work for a while now

Ultrasound @ 28 weeks

I had this done over a month ago, but forgot all about it with so many other things going on. The baby measured a bit bigger again, so that's good... looks like he's growing well. The main point of this ultrasound was to check the kidneys because of our history with reflux and most measurements taken were normal or borderline. There was one measurement of the cross section of one kidney that was over the normal 4mm mark. The doctor did suggest that we do a follow up ultrasound of the baby's kidneys once he is born. From what I've read, there is about 30% chance of this baby having the reflux that Sascha also has, so we just have to be aware and know what to expect. There may still be nothing to worry about. These measurements are very preliminary and it's one of the most common ones that turn out abnormal, so I am not thinking too much about it at this point, we'll know more when the baby is born.

The ultrasound took a very long time, for some reason something looked "strange" on the image w/the placenta, so after the tech took the images to the doctor I had to lay down again for the doctor to try and get a better picture, when they still couldn't they had to check the cervix and make sure I wasn't dilated, because of the way things looked on the images. I got a bit worried of course, but once everything got cleared up, things were fine and I was on my way out. I won't be having any follow up ultrasounds at the hospital, unless there are other reasons for it. I'll be having one at 35 weeks at my OB's office to check the position of the baby. He's been moving a ton lately! As soon as I lay down and try to go to sleep the kicking begins, and it's strong! It's like a party had just begun. :) The 3rd trimester aches and pains had begun weeks ago, and I am feeling cramps and a lot of pressure once I get up after sitting for a while, and then I am feeling back pains if I am standing up, walking for a long time. I am usually getting up 3 times a night to empty the bladder, so I guess I'll be ready for all those middle of the night feedings that are coming my way. At least now I am able to go back to sleep most of the time. I asked the doctor what her policy on inducing is, and after 38 and half weeks I can be induced, hurray! I of course have a feeling the baby will be here before due date like last time (especially because I just feel like I've gotten much bigger belly w/this pregnancy). I am sure it could mean nothing at all and I hope I don't have any issues and make it to at least 38 weeks, but I am definitely not going over my due date of November 19th. We are getting more and more excited to meet this little guy. It would of course help if we had a name picked out too, but we are still contemplating. We have a favorite or two but we still haven't decided for sure. Seems like girl names are much easier for us than boy ones. We just can't seem to settle on one. At one point we had the middle name decided and now that's changing too. Hope we decide in the next 2 months!

I only got one picture from the last ultrasound and it was of his face.

I am now at 33 weeks, 7 weeks to go! Time is definitely flying by and we are getting more and more excited for this baby to come out so we can meet him. I've also been a little anxious about it. How will Sascha adjust? What's it going to be like - a family of 4, with two little kiddos under 5 years old! Definitely some exciting times ahead!!! For now I am just really trying to enjoy our time with her because I know once the baby comes, my attention will have to be divided and limited, so for now I am still enjoying having her be the center of our universe.