97th Percentile / Ibuprofen / 3 Pounds / 3 Lines

Today was the day of doctor appointments...2 scheduled, 1 consultation, and a surprise ultrasound! Here is a recap for each of us!

Robert had his 18 month check-up and it comes as no surprise that he is growing just fine. His weight is at 31.7 pounds and puts him in the 97th percentile, his length is at 32.25 inches to put him in the 49th percentile, and his head (still big!) measures in at the 96th percentile. The doctor has no concerns about his growth or development and we didn't even get a lecture on his lack of words. Apparantly Robert's babbling counts and I've worried for nothing the past few months! He also got his last shot until he turns 4 years old. The shot wasn't fun but it is nice to know that we don't have to worry about it for 2 1/2 years.

Eric talked with our doctor about his back since the antibiotics have done nothing for the pain. Our doctor ruled out that there was an infection and instead put him on 800mg of Ibuprofen - 3x a day for a week or so and some stretches to do. He is pretty sure it is a muscle problem and nothing structural so an MRI wasn't needed. If the pain continues Eric will probably be rewarded with going to physical therapy...lucky guy!

My 20-week numbers are looking great. I measured at 19 weeks (so I'm hoping for a smaller baby this time around), my blood pressure is still good, and so far I've only gained 3 pounds. Not too bad in my opinion!

We knew we'd be scheduling our appointment for our ultrasound but were shocked when they called the location and were told they had an appointment open in an hour! So off we went to the other part of Maple Grove for an ultrasound. Unfortunately Eric only got to saw about half of it because by then Robert was sick of being cooped up in examining rooms so he spent the rest of the time in the lobby. The baby is measuring right on track and actually came with a due date of August 1st. I learned from Robert to not get excited because at his 20 week ultrasound I measured almost a week and a half early but ended up going 4 days late. Here are some pictures of our little one.

We didn't get any pictures to take home of the gender shot but the technician was pretty sure that we were having a GIRL! We both saw the 3 lines (common indication it's a girl) in a couple of positions and there was nothing hanging out so I'm feeling pretty confident that Robert will have a baby sister this summer.

So I'd say it was pretty good day at the doctor! Now to decide on a name...

Toddler Free Weekend

This weekend Robert went on the 2nd sleepover party of his young life but still with a grandparent. We met up with my side at Houlihan's in Eagan to celbrate my sister-in-law's birthday and from there Robert went home with my mom. The idea was to allow us time to transform the upstairs by combining my craft room with our guest room which thus allows Robert a new bedroom for this summer. We did get a lot of work done but the weekend didn't go quite as we planned.

Eric has been battling some back, hip, and leg issues for the past week and it unfortunately reached a new level of pain. I actually ended up staying home on Friday so that Eric wouldn't need to lift Robert, not that my being almost 20 weeks pregnant was the better option, but it was the best we had. Our thought was that if Eric had a full 3 day break from lifting Robert the pain would improve...this was however not the case and this morning instead of getting stuff done around here we spent a couple of hours at Urgent Care. The results were inconclusive but it sounds like their might be a more than one problem. There is definitely something going on with his back, hopefully just a muscle issue, but the doctor also thinks he might have Kidney or Bladder infection. Again nothing was sure but Eric is on antibiotics for the next 3 days to hopefully alleviate some of the pain. He'll follow up with our doctor on Tuesday when both Robert and I are in for check-ups. While this was going on I just didn't feel good today. Upon returning from the doctor I took almost a 3 hour nap and still just felt off. Luckily eating dinner, getting sick, and then finishing my dinner has seemed to help. Not sure if it is a touch of flu or just the baby. Either way one of us needs to get up to 100% to take care of Robert!

Robert had a lot of fun at Grandma's and even got to spend some time with Uncle Nick who was in town last night and drove Robert back up to our house today. My mom was a trooper to take on our constantly moving toddler and had an even tougher weekend as our little boy decided an hour a nap (compared to his 3-4 hours over 2 naps) was sufficient both days. I think she just spoiled him too much and he knew he'd be back home to the boring routine soon enough so he needed to take advantage of the free time. I'm sure my mom took some photos of her time with Robert and once I get those I'll be sure to post them.

Our week is a busy one with lots of meetings at work, trying to finish up the work on the guest room (everything got moved in there but it looks more like a bomb went off instead of guest/craft room), and big doctor appointments. On Tuesday both Robert and I will go see our doctor. He for his 18 month check-up and me for my 20 week check-up. I can't believe how fast time is going and that my baby is already 18 months old and that my other baby is already putting me at the halfway point in the pregnancy! At my appointment we'll also schedule our ultrasound which will hopefully be this week. Now to hope that the baby cooperates and we can find out if Robert will have a baby brother or sister. There are pros/cons to both gender...the pro to a boy is that timing wise he'd be at the same point in clothes and there would be little to buy cons to a boy is that I'll be outnumbered!!! We'll let you all know and hopefully post some ultrasound pics as soon as we find out.

Hope everyone has a great week and enjoys the warm weather being promised to us!

Cuddling with Mommy after being gone all weekend!

A month later...

As my brother keeps pointing out, we are a little behind in blog posts. We've had a busy last month filled with my team's final meet of the year (we moved up another spot this year and set 7 new school records), Eric busily working on his real estate website, and Robert learning how to reach the kitchen drawers and throw temper tantrums. Okay so the last one isn't a highlight but it might help explain why we've been a little too busy for the blog.

We also haven't had too much excitement or anything of interest to post (ie. pictures/videos of Robert) but this week I made it a point to make sure we had at least a few to show all of our loyal viewers and to quiet my brother!

As you can see from the picture above and below we have bought Robert a new Big Boy bed. We are in no rush to transition him to the bed but want to get started on getting his new room (bye-bye scrapbook room for me) ready and have a bed in case our little monkey learns how to climb out of the crib before we want him to. There is still a lot of work to be done in clearing out junk and reorganizing stuff in both my craft room and guest bedroom as they will no become the same space. We also need to determine what room decor we want for Robert's new bedroom...something that he'll like but not outgrow too soon. The challenge in doing this is that we can't work on the rooms when Robert is napping and when he is awake he wants to be upstairs with the parent not downstairs. Luckily my mom volunteered to watch Robert for a weekend so that we can accomplish this little (okay HUGE) task!

Once the rooms are done we'll take pictures and post them. Also, if we find out we're having a girl in 2 weeks there is a good chance that there might be a few changes to the nursery as well!

And finally what everyone really wants to see...a few pictures of Robert. I know there are only 2 and we'll try to do better this coming week!

Robert feeding Vegas (my mom's dog) who was visiting us this weekend

Robert meets a new friend!

This weekend was extra nice because not only did I not have a swim meet but we also finally got to meet Adelle Vogelgesang. She is the daughter of our friends Brian and Teresa and was born in early January. Because of busy schedules and sickness in the Hempler home we just now got to meet their precious daughter. We weren't sure how Robert was going to react but he did well and as long as everyone still laughed and paid attention to him he was fine. We'll hope that this is still the case this summer when he has a baby at home all the time with him.

We are trying to talk more about the baby to Robert and he is smart enough to know that when I say where is the baby to lift my shirt up and point at my belly...but then he shows his age and easy confusion by lifting his own shirt and patting his belly. It is so cute but I realize now that I should probably have taught him tummy first. Good thing we still have about 6 months before the next one arrives.

Robert playing on the couch with the Vogelgesangs!

Eric hogging the baby!

Other than that we are coming off of a busy week. One of my uncle's passed away last week and we were in Mankato on Monday for the funeral. This is the 2nd sibling of my dad to pass away in the past month and a half, both from cancer, and it always brings up memories of watching my dad suffer in the end. I hope one day they'll find a cure so that other families don't have to watch this as well. We will all miss both my Uncle Skip and Aunt Dilly but I know my dad is keeping them entertained.

This week will be another busy one for us but luckily I have another free weekend before our big end of the year meet the next week. My mom is also coming up next weekend for a double birthday/valentine's gift to me. For my birthday she is going to do a spring cleaning on our house...nesting hasn't quite hit me yet! and for valentine's day she is going to watch Robert so that Eric and I can go out on a date. Now to figure out what to do... Any suggestions?

I'll leave you with one last picture of our little reader. He lately loves looking at his book right before naps and bedtime. Doesn't want us to read to him but just wants to look at them. I have a feeling he is secretly reading them but refusing to talk because he doesn't want to brag about his intelligence. :) Have a great week everyone!

We have just hit Level 5

Level 5 includes removing anything and everything from kitchen counters now that his fingers can reach the top. This also includes the stove and dinner table.

Child Proofing - In Levels of Unreachablility

Level 1: As soon as the child can move themselves from point A to Point B and so forth. - Anything and everything under furniture that can be reached, EVEN by an adult should be tucked far far FAR away.

Level 2: As soon as the child can crawl - Lock up any cabinet/table door or drawer with locks, there are no tiny little items to be pickedup and digested, outlet covers, anything hanging from any where should be removed, gates go up, doors to rooms close

Level 3: Half walking - Coverup volume controls on electronics, hide remotes, lock up kitchen cabinets and shelves

Level 4: Walking/Running - Be prepared to remove furniture such as shelves, chairs because they eventualy climb onto and stand on rocking chairs. Leave nothing else out even if you think they can't reach those items, becuase they will find a way.

To Be Continued as the child gets older.

Chair Climb

Back down is usually more graceful.