6th Doctor Visit -

IT's A BOY!! 

We're having another boy, we confirmed with the ultrasound!  She pointed out the "turtle head!"

Although I'm always skeptical until we actually deliver, I feel confident of the tech's findings.  At least I can start getting out Will's old clothes now and getting the room ready for

Samuel Mathias Ottiger!! 

My placenta is no longer low lying, but the doctor is concerned the baby, Sam, seems a little smaller than he should be.  So, we'll have another ultrasound done at the next visit.  The tech confirmed that everything still looks good development wise, so we'll say some prayers that little Sam beefs up a bit and go back for our next visit, 04/26/07.  I also have to do the glucose screening for gestational diabetes.  Orange stuff down the hatch!

Sam's heart rate was 158 bpm

Mom weighed in at 164 lbs.!

St. Louis Zoo -

I took a half day to meet up with Leanne and Aubri - old college roommates - at the zoo.  Unfortunately Leanne got sick the night before and couldn't meet us.  I had been telling Will about the zoo since Monday, so we couldn't not go.  Everytime I picked him up from school, he'd ask, "ready to go to the zoo?"

Aubri and I met up with her two boys Caleb and Charlie (almost 2 years/2 months).  We had a great time.  The weather was beautiful...it was like June in March!

After Aubri left, we, of course, had to ride the train...Will's favorite.  He was so happy to be riding the train...he clutched the tickets as we went around and handed them to the conductor at each stop...every stop he'd say, "I don't want to get off the train."  Finally, our last stop ended, and he had to get off.  I told him because it was a busy day, he had to share the train with the other boys and girls.  He was nice and got off.

AUNT LIBBY's HOME!!!

That night we went to see Aunt Libby's new apartment, she moved back from Topeka, KS today and is back in St. Louis.  We were all ecstatic!

3rd Ear Infection -

Considering Will will be 3 in July, this is great!  His last ear infection was a little over a year ago...March 12, 2006.  Our son was blessed with a good immune system.

Thank goodness for communication...that visit last year was probably induced by screaming in the middle of the night and high temperatures.  This visit came to pass because Will came to me in the middle of the night crying and said, "mommy, my ear hurts."  I gave him a hug and a kiss, some children's motrin, and told him we'd go to the doctor the next day.  He laid on the couch (for some reason this is a comfort place) and went back to sleep.

The next day I called his pediatrician and scheduled a visit to get in that afternoon.  The receptionist asked how the visit went when we came out of the doctor's office.  I told her the ear infection was confirmed.  She said she couldn't believe when I called about "Otto" that he was old enough to tell me what was wrong.  I agreed, he amazes me everyday.

Will was happy he got a Fillmore sticker and a Mater sticker.  When we returned to the car, he promptly put the sticker on his school chart for the day where he puts all of his other stickers for being good at school.  Notice the "good cleaner" butterfly sticker!  And two lady bug stickers for going on the potty!

We go back in two weeks to make sure everything is okay.

5th Doctor Visit

Today was our full ultrasound.  We decided to find out the sex if the baby cooperated (it's amazing how 4 weeks can change your mind!).  It was facinating to see the kidneys, heart, brain, and every inch of the baby.  Everything looked very healthy and no signs of any birth defects.

The ultrasound tech was sure she knew what the sex was but couldn't prove it to us because the baby had it's legs crossed over the genetilia.  She knew after it was done we were having a boy.  We have to go back in 4 weeks to get another ultrasound done to check my placenta.  I was considered a placenta previa because my placenta was lower to the cervix.  Maybe then, the baby will cooperate for sure.

The baby's heart rate was 141 bpm

I weighed in at 159 lbs!

Next doctor visit - 03/29/07

20 weeks!

 Halfway thorugh now!  The baby is supposed to be about 6 inches long.  We go in for our ultrasound in a little more than a week.

According to the Chinese Gender Calendar, we're having a girl.  It said we were having a boy with Will and was right, so we'll see!

http://parenting.ivillage.com/ttc/ttcsigns/0,,j736,00.html?nlcid=c%7c1469,9189

I was 28 when we conceived and it was the month of October.

Last time I was 25 and it was in the month of October.

Happy Ground Hog Day -

This came from our emails we get to update us on Will's development each month.  I think it's good advice about where baby's come from...especially since it may come up soon!

"My Preschooler This Month" <babycenter-email> 

Your preschooler is getting more and more inquisitive with each passing month. Among the usual questions such as "Why do I have to take a bath?" you'll probably get hit with some hard questions now about where babies come from. Bite the embarrassment bullet, leave out the fancy metaphors (no storks or bees), and give simple, matter-of-fact answers. Two to try: "Babies grow in a special place inside their mother" or "The baby grows from a special seed inside the mother's body." No need to boggle his mind with details about Fallopian tubes or ovum — they'll just scare and confuse him.

Red Light - Green Light

So the cutest thing Will is doing now is recognizing red lights and green lights while we're driving.  As we're coming up to a light and it's green...he says, "Is it green?"  Then when it's red, and we have to stop, he says, "tell mommy when it turns green."  Then once it turns green, he says. "Is it green?  Go Mommy." 

Talk about a back seat driver!!

4th Doctor Visit -

Today I was able to hear the heartbeat again...a steady 140 beats/minute.  I recorded on my cell phone, so I'll have to edit and post!  It sounds like a washing machine.

I measured 16 inches and weight was 158 pounds.

I also had to go get the maternal serum test which test for any birth defects such as spinal epifida.  As long as we don't hear from the doctor on the results, no news is good news!

Our next appointment is March 1st for our ultrasound...and no, we're not going to find out the sex of the baby!!  It looks like the poll shows 75% believe it's a girl!

We'll find out for sure in less than 6 months!