Two Little Monkeys

Last year, Rosie was Tinkerbell for Halloween, and I made her costume from a pattern. This year, I desperately wanted to make her costume again, but there was no way, since RJ was born just 9 days before Halloween. There just wasn’t enough time this fall to get a good Halloween costume accomplished. So, off to numerous Halloween stores we went. Initially, I went in search of a cat costume for Rosie and a mouse costume for the baby. I could only find the “Ballerina Mouse” costume, and it’s a good thing I didn’t get that, since RJ turned out to be an RJ! So, instead, they went as two little monkeys.

When I first showed her the costume, Rosie wanted nothing to do with it. I think the facelessness of the monkey freaked her out. However – we were easily able to bribe her into the costume – all it took was a little chocolate! (RJ slept through his entire costume experience…)

Rich, myself, Rosie, RJ, Nonna and Papou all piled into two cars and drove up to the Genco house in Sparks for some trick-or-treating fun. Rosie and Patrick handled their court without a problem, and returned to hand out candy. Both kids had fun (RJ continued to sleep) – but at one point, Rosie said “Mommy – get the monkey off of me!”

Compliments to Target for putting together beautiful and affordable Halloween costumes…but I still hope to be able to make them myself next year!

Two Weeks and Counting...

As you might already know, my C-section was pushed back from October 21st to October 22nd. Not a big deal – but that means today was 2 weeks and counting. While at my doctor’s appointment today I had the realization that in less than two weeks, I will know if I have a Josie or a Little Richie. So strange. This has just gone so fast.

Rich and Rosie came with me, as per usual. Rich hardly misses an appointment – just three with this pregnancy, I think…two for work and one for a flat tire in the parking lot (that was fun).

Everything checks out normal. My blood pressure is perfect (according to the nurse). I was upset because I gained 3 pounds in the last 10 days…which pushed me to 20 pounds total. I had really wanted to stay under 20, but with two weeks to go, I guess I am doing OK… I also woke up this morning feeling very puffy and bloated – so I was not entirely surprised. Lots of water for the next week – and we’ll see what happens by next Wednesday.

We also had an ultrasound today to check the baby’s size. Rosie was 9 pounds, 10.4 ounces, 6 days late. On November 30th, the day before my due date, we had an ultrasound done in the High-Risk OB ward at GBMC and her weight was estimated at 9 pounds, 4 ounces. They gain about a half pound a week at this stage – so the doctor and the technician were pretty much dead on.

Today’s ultrasound was in Dr. Quartner’s office. Estimated weight at this point is 7 pounds, 5 ounces – which would give us an 8 pound, 5 ounce baby in two weeks…basically 1.5 pounds smaller than Rosie. I’ve decided the technician is wrong and I base this decision on 2 facts:

1. Mid-way through my pregnancy with Rosie, I started measuring larger than average. Long story short – every time you go in, they measure the height of your uterus while you are lying down…so it really is just baby & fluid, not anything else, that gets measured. Your measurement should correspond to the number of weeks you are pregnant. 30 weeks pregnant and you should measure 30 centimeters. Well, probably at around 26 weeks, I started measuring 2 centimeters larger – which is when Dr. Q started saying “this will be a big baby.” This time around, I started measuring 2 centimeters larger at about 24 weeks. Today – I was just over 39 centimeters and I’m just over 37 weeks pregnant. Same pattern.

2. When I was about 34-35 weeks along with Rosie, we went to labor and delivery to be monitored because I thought the baby wasn’t moving. Afterwards (everything was fine, obviously) Dr. Q ordered an ultrasound to check the baby’s size and amniotic fluid. The same technician who did my ultrasound today estimated Rosie’s weight at that time to be just below average. We now know that to be dead wrong.

So – I guess only the next two weeks will tell. It doesn’t matter – I’m having a C-section regardless. The kid could be 11 pounds…12 pounds…no chance of this one getting stuck! (o:

Meanwhile – last call for bets on the baby pool. Take a guess at gender, length and weight… 50/50 split with “baby zoe.”