Simply Mel(Formerly Mama Monoblogs)

April Update

It's been a few weeks but we're still chugging away here. I'm behind on posting many pictures so I hope to be putting them all on here within the next few days.

Let's see.....I'm 21 and half weeks this week. I'm half way...yay!!! I actually had an appt. last week and everything looks good. The doctor heard the heart beat right away. I've gained 2 lbs so far BUT since I had lost 4 I'm still -2 lbs. Being pregnant is the only proven weight loss method for me...go figure... I am scheduled for a maternal echo tomorrow and a fetal echo next week. I have had a heart murmur in the past so the specialist who does my level 2 ultrasounds get carried away with these echos. I have to go to Children's Hospital in Boston next week for that. I get the day off so that's a plus. I had to do these with Katelyn too so I know what to expect. I feel the baby moving more and more every day. I'm developing a special bond where I feel I am getting to know her. I feel like her little personality is coming out.  I have another ultrasound on May 2nd so I want to find out for sure if the baby is still a girl. I still hesitate a bit to call it "her".

We are already halfway through April! This year is flying already. The weather here has been HORRIBLE!  I can't even look at the forecast without getting seething mad. I hate New England Springs. They are so depressing.

We had  a great Easter. We celebrated at my inlaws. Katelyn had lots of goodies and toys waiting for her from Nana and Papa, mommy and daddy and uncle Bob. I did a small egg hunt for her again.  If you look at the pics her dress was,yes, BLACK! GASP! Easter is never warm here so any attempt at wearing anything spring-y and gauze-y is futile. It ends up getting covered by sweaters and coats.  I figured she could wear this cute dress with matching over coat that she got from my inlaws and nothing would have to be covered up by  a bulky, unmatching coat. It is adorable and has flowers on it. The actuall dress itself(not seen in these pics) was sleeveles but had the same embroidery as the coat. She got many complements on the outfit, if you must know. Oh! It also had an adorable matching hat, which Katelyn would not keep on. She looked like a little girl from the 18th century.

That's all for now, I think. I'll hopefully update again by the end of the week. I'll leave you with a few pictures.

 

Katelyn after trying out mommy's eyeliner. She did a good job, don't ya think??

Easter Sunday-Me- 20wks

 

Katelyn on Easter Sunday.

Katelyn and Benny. Her new thing is  covering him with dishtowels and patting his back.

Checking out the Easter baskets

Trying to carry the giant bunny uncle Bob got her

"Maybe this way will work...."

We hope you all had a great Easter yourselves.God bless you!

It's A.....??

I'm finally able to blog about my ultrasound last Wed. March 28th. The ultrasound went well and they doctors are 80% sure it's a.......GIRL!!!  The tech couldn't tell so he said the doctor might be able to tell better. With Katelyn the tech could tell right away. I'm not quite as sure at this point. I have another ultrsound next month so I'm going to ask them to double check. The baby looked good as far as development goes. No problems. They only thing the doctor said was that she could see some urine in the babies kidneys. She said this is a common occurence and that they have to monitor it. If they baby still has urine in her kidneys when she's born they will have to put her on antibiotics right away to prevent kidney infection.  She was extremely active throughout the whole ultrasound. We saw her waving her arms around, kicking and at one point we could see her profile and then she turned her head sideways and looked straight at us. It was the coolest thing!!We have changed the girl name and plan on sticking with this one- Madelyn Reese. (Don't ask where Reese came from....we just liked it!) Here are the pics from my ultrasound. I hope they come out good on here. I am now 19 weeks along. Almost halfway! Wow!!

Up close profile shot

Profile shot with hands raised. You can see her little fists!

My fvorite one so far! Her hand! Not very clear on here...

Enjoy!!!

ULTRASOUND PICS AND APPT. UPDATE

I'm so excited!!! I had my real first ultrasound and got to see baby #2 for the first time! We're calling "it" "#2" until we find out what it is. Which hopefully will be on March 28th. That is when I'm having my next ultrasound which will be a level 2. The doctor that does my level 2's is PSYCHO neurotic and comes in from Boston for these things  All my regular docs are afraid of her I think. I have to have level 2's every now and then b/c I'm considered high risk due to my seizure meds. Katelyn came out perfect if I do say so myself, so the docs are less worried this time around. The HEAD of obstetrics at my hospital is one of my doctors and he was the one I saw today. He is hoping that psycho doc will like the results from this first level 2 ultrasound and say I don't have to have any more this time around. He's even afraid of her! But it all hangs on her word. Not that I mind having the frequent level 2 ultrasounds. I just don't like HER!! Anyway, everything looked great. The baby was jumping around and waving. It was really cute. We got to see a nice strong heart beat. The tech did try to see if she could tell the gender but everything was too small at this point. My due date is still the same ( 8/26). The baby is exactly the size that is consistent with my being 14 and a 1/2 weeks along. We did discuss my having another C-section and I kind of already know the day! August 20th or 21st. Mark your calendars!! LOL We are greatful for this blessing and miracle God has given again.

Without further ado here are the pics!

This is a pic of the baby's head and tummy. You can see the eye sockets

This is the baby's profile. Great picture!!

This picture is looking directly at the baby up and down. You can see the eye sockets, nose and mouth. The white long streaks at either side of it's head are it's arms! so cute!

LONG TIME, NO WRITE

You are all probably wondering where I have been! We've had a lot going on and I have not had the motivation to be on the computer. But alas, here I am!

My parents are actually visiting right now. They have been here since last Tuesday and are leaving early Friday morning(sniff) They have been having a blast with Katelyn. I have been working the whole time and they have been watching her and caring for her while I've been at work. And when I'm home too! I've gotten a nice break. We will both miss them when they leave. I have the rest of the week off;which I'm psyched about. One of the reasons I haven't been on in a while is that last week I had strep throat all week! It was the most miserable time I've had in a long time. It really knocked me for a loop. It started last Sunday and didn't end until this past weekend. I had fever, my throat was killing me and I could barely move. All I could do was sleep. I don't EVER want that again. Of course there is not much I can take right now to help pain and fever. I am so glad to be finally getting some of my energy back. My mom has been a big help in cleaning up my house since it all went to pot while I was sick. Katelyn has actually shown her bratty side to my parents while they have been here. She's been totally sweet to them but mean to us! She wants nothing to do with Mike or I and is constantly hitting us when we try to touch her or something doesn't go her way. My parents have gotten to see first hand what I have been experiencing recently with her behavior. When she doesnt' like something she hits. When we slap her hand she hits back and there we go back and forth until one of us hits her hand hard enough to make her cry. It is actually kind of funny and I have to stop myself from laughing. Mind you, I'm not laughing b/c I think her behavior is cute or ok. I just can't believe how stubborn she can be at such a  young age. She gets this angry scowl on her face and looks at us like "how dare you!" and starts swinging. She gets totally offended when she gets a spanking or in trouble. We never know what will set her off. Mike will just lean in for a kiss and she'll slap him! Hopefully this is a passing phase.

I went for my first prenatal visit yesterday. Everything looks good. The first appt. was really mostly informational. My due date is August 26th but at my next appt. they will firm that up with an ultrasound. I am 10 weeks now and almost out of my first trimester. Can't wait for that!! I have been feeling ok for the most part.

Katelyn went for her 15 month check up last week and is growing well. She weighed 23lbs 4oz and is 32 1/4 inches tall. She's only gained about a pound since her last visit. The doctor said she has long legs! LOL Let's hope she gets to keep those as she gets older. I know I wish I had long legs!

Mike started his new job this week and so far is enjoying it. Hopefully this job will be instrumental in allowing me to stay home. As we get used to his new salary and a new budget we'll get to see what will happen in regards to that issue. We will just have to keep praying.

Well, I need to go spend more time with my family. Ta ta for now.

BABY NAMES!!!!

Mike and I have finally decided on names for baby #2. We already had a boy name picked out from when I was expecting Katelyn but we were at a loss for another girl name! I had/have several girl names I like but Mike didn't like any of them. This was loooking like a hopeless cause and that our baby still wouldn't have a name at birth. So last night we just started throwing names out. We weren't going to rest until we had picked a name! Anyway Mike finally hit upon a name we both (gasp!) LIKED.  And the nominees are.....

Logan Avery Mietzner- Boy

Gretchen Olivia Mietzner- Girl

I wanted a certain flow to my names since Katelyn started us out I wanted our names to end with the "en/an" sound. I know Gretchen is an uncommon name and kind of old fashioned. But take some time to really think about it and you'll get used to it. I know certain members of my family are having to get used to it. They aren't quite sure what to think yet I chose the middle name which I think flows nicely with Gretchen.

I am 8 weeks pregnant today. Getting there. I've been feeling pretty good. Still sleeping alot.

Mike was very sick this weekend with the stomach flu so we ended up staying home from church today. Katelyn didn't seem to be feeling that great herself and was up frequently during the night. 

I'll close here. I will try to get some more pictures taken soon.

xoxoxox

I'LL POST MORE WHEN I'M DONE SLEEPING!

Hi guys!

I haven't dissapeared from the face of the earth. I've just been sleeping alot!!!

I'm sorry to those of you I haven't left comments for in a while. I promise to catch up soon.

I have my first prenatal appt. on the 29th of this month. I can't wait. I guess that's all for now. I'll be posting more news and pics soon. I promise!

*HUGS*

My First Ultrasound!

I just wanted to let you all know I have my first ultra sound tomorrow! I was a little surprised they are doing it this early. I probably won't get to see much. My doc wants to see how far along I am. If all goes well I hope to have some "first" baby pics to post of baby number 2. That's what I'm calling it right now until we find out what it is. I can't wait!

BTW, I will be posting new pics of our Christmas later on today. I have so many from the recent weeks that I need to post.

XOXOX!!