Mommy-Daughter Date Night

Saturday night, Beth and Cliff had an elder's dinner/meeting so I decided the best way to keep Leyla from driving us all crazy, getting in the middle of things and making a mess, was to have a date night! I really wanted to go to Chili's and get a chocolate cake so I found one close by we could go to. Then I looked up restaurants in the area just to see and found out there was a Chuck-e-Cheese's! I really wasn't in the mood for pizza and figured it wouldn't be the best quality but I thought it would be something really fun for Leyla. So I decided to go to Chili's first for dinner and then to Chuck-e-Cheese's to play.

Dinner was great and Leyla helped me eat the chocolate cake - she wouldn't let me take a picture of her eating it though. So here she is drinking her milk.

She was pretty good during dinner and the food came amazingly fast so that helped!

Now here's where the "fun" started. I had looked up the Chuck-e-Cheese but I didn't really pay attention to the address. I knew it was on N Central Expressway around McDermott. **Note to self: READ the step by step directions!** The Chili's was on McDermott, by hwy 75. So I got back onto McDermott and drove until I hit what looked like an expressway and looked around for a Chuck-e-Cheese! The problem is, it was already dark, and drizzling. I really couldn't see and not being familiar with the area, couldn't drive and look at the same time! I had driven and driven and didn't see one anywhere. So I finally decided to call my mom and she looked it up on her computer. I knew I was at McDermott and (what I thought was) the expressway, so I just needed her to point me in the right direction. 

Well. Her map says it's only 6 miles from Beth's house. I didn't know for sure but I KNEW I had driven way more than 6 miles. I was so confused. I realized the "expressway" was some other highway - but I couldn't see to read the signs so I had missed that. And, in this part of the country, all the roads are split by the highways and run one way next to them and you have to do a million u-turns to get in the right direction. So, I had pulled over by this point, and then got back on the road and did a u-turn to go back the direction I had came.

And suddenly I am in the middle of nowhere. Taking a u-turn should put you going the opposite direction, right?!? Not so apparently! I had no idea where I was and I was NOT going back the direction I had come. I was so tired and upset at this point because it was getting late, I was wasting all my gas, Leyla had been so good and was patiently waiting to play, and then fell asleep. And I just wanted her to get to have fun and believe me that I really was trying to find this place for her to play!

So after being really frustrated - Mom AND me - we finally figured out roughly where I was and which direction I was going and I was able to get back to some roads I knew. Then Mom tells me that it looks like the N. Central Expressway runs parallel and right next to Hwy 75. This is where the story gets good. The "expressway" is the stupid FRONTAGE RD FOR 75! So guess what. The Chuck-E-Cheese was on the frontage road literally a quarter of a mile around the corner from the Chili's I had eaten dinner at an hour before, on McDermott. And it took me an hour to get there...

I woke poor Leyla up and decided she was GOING to play, ha, if I had to drag her in there. No really, I knew she would wake up as soon as she saw all the games and toys and kids (she did). I figured, we didn't really waste her playing time, because she could only play for as long as I had money. So the only thing wasted was gas and it was already past her bedtime. But she still had fun.

 The games for toddlers didn't involve many tickets and were really only rides like this one. I took her over to the basketball and bowling games and she had fun but couldn't throw the ball hard enough to score. So I turned it into a watch-mommy-and-pull-out-the-tickets game. Every time I scored a ticket would pop out and she would exclaim, "Mommy, look, ANOTHER ONE!!" :)

 It cost $10 for 40 tokens and we ended up with 150 tickets that she turned in for prizes - she chose a ring, a toy rubix cube, and a blue crazy straw. Those were her picks. I'm glad she had fun even though it took us an hour to find it. She even told me, "Mommy, you found it!" What an adventure....

Here she is playing on the playground today at the park, after church. It was really nice out and we were both able to get some exercise, walking around the pond, chasing the ducks, and swinging :)

Oh, and baby still doesn't seem to want to make an appearance. Stubborn boy.

Two weeks to go!

Well I am 38 weeks pregnant now and had an appointment a couple days ago that was a tad depressing. No changes. Not dilated, at all, yet. I have been a little concerned though because I keep "measuring small" even though they go on and on about the baby having a big head and being big. So I had to have another ultrasound to check his measurements. At 38 weeks I should have measured 38 cm but was only 33. Odd. But according to the ultrasound he is still on target and is now 7 pounds, 2 ounces. He gained an ounce. I however gained 2 pounds, ha. I'm okay with that though - I'd rather him not gain much more. Still it's odd that I would measure so small, and I don't feel like my stomach looks any bigger than a few weeks ago, and definitely not as straight out as Leyla was. They said it may just be his position, or that he is all curled up in a ball. He still moves plenty. Yesterday right at my belly button I had this very strange tiny round pointy thing pop-up. It was so strange and freaked me out because that's normally where his butt is!! The only thing I can figure out is it may have been a heel. Although I'm not sure why it was at my belly button - unless he has dropped lower and his butt is now lower so his feet are lower. He's just a strange little thing...I can't figure him out! I don't have that bowling ball feeling yet but Beth said she thought I did look a little lower. Who knows!!

 Here is Leyla and a couple kids from church in a 60's corvette :) Some friends of Beth and Cliff's brought it to church to show off - apparently he had been working on it for a few years. Pretty nice!

 We had home-made chicken pot pie one night and Leyla got to help Beth roll out some of the dough. She made heart "cookies" with her dough, then we made the pie. I caught her eating the leftover part of her dough, though! You can probably guess that after that she didn't eat much supper, ha.

 

 Here's my cutie-pie on the rocking horse in the bedroom. She puts a hat on herself and the horse and says she's a cowboy!

37 Weeks Update

I had an appointment yesterday with my doctor for my 37 week check up. Got to have an ultrasound! It was fun to see him again for the first time since before I left Honduras. I got to see the (long) hair on his (big) head and his cute little fists up around his face. His head is still measuring big, at about 38 weeks and his abdomen has caught up a bit and is now at 37 weeks exactly. At 31 weeks there was a two week difference between the two measurements and my doctor (in Honduras) was concerned that he wasn't gaining weight. I am hoping his head doesn't keep growing and he will maintain his current weight, ha! She estimated it at 7 pounds, 1 ounce. That's a good weight for a newborn but I've still got 3 weeks to go!!! However I'm holding out hope that the ultrasounds are never that accurate anyway, ha.

I also had quite a scare when I went into the exam room and the nurse asked me if I had diabetes. I was like,  no!?! Apparently my glucose levels were high, but the doctor reassured me that it was only because of the orange juice and breakfast I had eaten right before my appointment. Whew. He also said the outer part of my cervix has started dilating but it is still closed on the inside, which is a normal place to be at my stage in the pregnancy. I am just happy that there is SOME activity down there. Crossing my fingers to go into labor on my own before an induction is necessary.

After the appointment I had a tour of the labor and delivery area at the hospital and talked to the lactation consultant. I was very impressed and feel very calm and relaxed about delivering there. This will be my first experience delivering in a US hospital and I feel very confident that they give good care and know their stuff. She explained to me that they have a nursery but they never use it! They do 100% rooming in and actually do most of the tests on the babies while they are lying on their mothers' chests. I thought that was pretty neat. And of course I will be able to walk around and move or shower as I please. So excited! I just pray that everything will go as planned - I know you have to "expect the unexpected" during labor - but everything seems to be falling into place and so far everything looks good! Unless the baby goes into distress during delivery or labor lasts just insanely long I feel like I have a good chance of a successful VBAC.

Today we went to IKEA with Beth and I spent $40 - two cutting boards, two wooden shelves for spices, popsicle makers, kiddy bowls, cups, and silverware, 2 spatulas, a strainer, and a set of beige plates and bowls that were $0.79 each (to replace all the ones Maria broke). I'd say I got a steal! Now I'm exhausted and trying to rest while Leyla watches TV. Maybe all the walking will send me into labor...

Still Pregnant

So I was 36 weeks two days ago and had my first doctor's appointment her in the USA. My dad drove us to Dallas Wednesday and we moved into Paula's house. I met Paula while I was working at Predisan and we have had lots of fun staying with her. The appointment was Thursday morning and unfortunately, the ultrasound technician was sick so I was unable to have an ultrasound still. I did see my doctor which was most important!

Dr. Salter is wonderful. I met him at Predisan also, during one of the brigades. I translated for his surgeries and observed a couple of them. He was super nice and offered to attend me in my next pregnancy, after I told him my story. So he gave me his information and when I found out I was pregnant in June, I let him know! It was great to see him and have some questions answered. He has a very calming effect! My blood pressure was still low and they tested my urine for protein too (there was none). So that is GREAT. He did not do an exam, so I don't know if I've started effacing or dilating yet, but he did measure the height of my uterus and said I was measuring small. It could be though that the baby is already low, dropped, or just sitting low. At every other appointment I was right on track so it doesn't worry me. His heartbeat was 160!

Now I just have to figure out last minute details, where the hospital is, maybe tour it, and figure out the whole insurance business. Since I delivered Leyla in Honduras I really do not know the processes here in the US at all so some of it is a bit overwhelming. But I am confident things will go well and I couldn't have a better doctor!

I have felt a few things that I didn't feel with Leyla, like hip and general pelvic pain or soreness. It makes me wonder if he has dropped, is in the process, and if that means I may have started dilating OR will dilate on my own. I don't know what to expect since I was induced with Leyla before I had started dilating on my own! I am excited though to find out, I have my next appointment WITH ultrasound on Wednesday. :)

I told her to "smile for Daddy" in order to get her to smile, and it worked! So, this was for you Marcos!

35 weeks...at home in Nashville!

Oh goodness I am getting really bad about updating. Well, we are in Nasvhille and have been here since just after Christmas. We have had lots of fun but I've spent WAY to much money already and still have 2 months  to go!
So far I've bought ALL the baby's things, clothes, blankets, bedding, and a few rattles. I tried not to go overboard but it still seems like a lot!
For Leyla and me, of course we had to buy winter clothes - so I have spent a bit on maternity clothes and long sleeve shirts and sweaters for her. I bought a few nursing tops too, for later. We bought a computer also, so that was a bit pricey! Probably the most expensive thing I bought. I had to get my licensed renewed and my bank account switched to something that worked better for us. We bought Leyla a baby doll, some books, and a few videos to keep her entertained. Mom had bought her some puzzles, playdough, and a dollhouse, which she LOVES. And I guess I've been eating a lot too! So from now on I'm going to try not to spend anymore money unless it's on groceries, until Marcos gets here and then I can blame him if we run out, ha!

 We had lunch with Mauricio at his restaurant - this picture really makes me look like I swallowed a watermelon!

 Leyla and her mommy-me at Mama-Dena's house.

 playing badminton in the yard at daddy-dee's house!

 playing tea party and birthday party at mommy-me's - one of her favorite things to do!

eating spaghetti at Fazoli's! yum!

I always end up slacking on maternity pictures; tried to take one every 4 weeks and I think I've only gotten a 4, 9, 12, 19, 28, ad 34 week picture! OH well. Anyway, I think I am pretty big but still not as big as I was with Leyla at the end. I was sticking straight out with her! So I've got at least 2 inches to go with this one. I am starting to get really tired now and am not able to put my shoes on comfortably. Now I'm starting to think about post-pregnancy and how I will shed the weight. I did nothing with Leyla and the pounds just came off, thanks to breastfeeding. But I am afraid I have gained so much in the last few weeks just from being in the USA that I may have a harder time losing it all. We'll see how it goes, but, I will definitely have to exercise some just for my own health and energy. I HATE running but I know that exercise gives you more energy instead of zapping you of it - it is had to get started though. I have always liked to do core exercises and when I found out I was pregnant I had found some great routines that I tried to do a couple times and then stopped because of the pregnancy (they were too intense). I think I will go back to those routines afterwards. I definitely feel out of shape, and not just because I'm pregnant!

Next week, we will be driving to Dallas for my first appointment with my US doctor, at 36 weeks - then it'll be wait, wait, wait!

Preschool Craftiness

Another idea I had for Leyla was to buy a box and label it "CRAFTS" and then stuff it with all kinds of paper, markers, glue, glitter, and fun craft stuff. I looked up a TON of activity ideas on Pinterest and pre-school teacher websites and was inspired. I have made her a few activities and we have done several. I was extremely happy with the result because she really pays attention, enjoys them, is learning, and is distracted for a good while from the TV!

Here are a few of the activities I have made her that are my favorites.

 This is her felt faces book. I wanted to make felt faces and found this book design on Pinterest. It was too cute. I had to sew it all by hand because I don't have a sewing machine, but it really wasn't that difficult and turned out super cute. There is a pocket pouch for all the different pieces - I simply cut out a bunch of pieces that could be used for eyes, ears, mouths, noses, hair, hats, etc. There are four faces: one green, one orange, one white, and one brown. The green and orange are obviously for making silly monster faces :)

This is another one I spent a lot of time on. I made several different colored shapes and used them to form images like the one shown. I took pictures of each one and then cut and pasted them onto index cards, laminated them, and put them on a key ring. The shapes are laminated and have little magnet strips on them. The idea was to buy her a magnetic clipboard or dry erase board so that the pieces would be easily contained (like for use on the plane...). For now she just uses them on a cookie sheet. There are several images: caterpillar, butterfly, train, boat, sun, flower, house, clown, fish, castle, etc.

 I just made this one a few days ago and Leyla loves it. She was so excited she wouldn't stay in her seat! She kept jumping up and down every time she matched the letters right, saying "It fits! It fits!" All I did was draw on one half of an index card, a letter, and on the other half, images that began with that letter. Then I cut them in two pieces randomly to make "puzzle" pieces. She recognizes the A and B, but she names all the pictures, and fits them together easily just looking at the shapes - she is really good at puzzles.

I love this one! I took old bottle caps - we drink way too much coke and save all the bottles under the sink, so I had several to use (Marcos takes them to the mountains or recyces them). All you do is cut out images in foamy and glue them to the bottle cap. I had to make a stamp pad because I couldn't find one with multiple colors, but the stamps work really well! Pretty amazing, that simple to do. I made shapes and letters ABC and numbers 123.

These are two Christmas crafts we did today, on the fridge. Reindeer with her foot and hands, and a Christmas tree with her cut out hands.

The past month or so...

It has been about a month I think since I updated, so this is going to be a long one!
I tried to update a few weeks ago but had exceeded my upload limit, so, I have been trying to fix it and was only just now able to.

#1: First, Leyla had her 3rd birthday and got exactly what she wanted: a Tasha Backyardigans piñata and cake. She had so much fun! I tried to put her down to nap before it got too late, so she would be in a good mood for the party, but she wouldn't sleep! I put her to bed and she played in her bed. Then when she came out she had changed entirely out of her clothes and had chosen the dress to wear for her party.

I made her a Tasha cake that I thought turned out really well! I was very happy, and I only came up with  the idea on a whim, when I couldn't decide what kind of cake to do. The main problem was she wanted a pink cake, but the  character Tasha is not pink! So I made a pink on the inside cake with pink accents in the icing. She was happy.

#2: Now, in baby news, I am now 29 weeks and in 3rd trimester! Hard to believe, but I am getting  more and more anxious and ready for this baby to be here. I can't wait to get to the US and relax somewhat, shop for the baby, and enjoy being with family and friends. These pictures are from about 27 weeks.

 This is his sweet little face! If you turn your head to the left, you can see it. Where it says "carita," right  underneath are his eyes, then his chin is on the right. I think the cord is running right in front of his nose, because there are a couple odd-looking stripes there.

 Pretty straight bones!

#3: Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays! I don't know why some pictures won't rotate, even if I've saved them, but anyway, here is Leyla helping to decorate the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving lunch! I made a turkey and dressing, and we went to Joann and Dwight's to share a meal with some other friends. It was all very yummy.

  She put all the ornaments in the same spot, on the same branch.

 We went to Tegus for my birthday and to take advantage of Black Friday sales. Here is Leyla posing with the big teddy bear at the huge Christmas tree in the new mall. She loved it.

 We bought her a little table and chairs that she LOVES; she sits there to color, paint, create, eat, and watch TV. It has been great for her, and just what I had in mind.

 I also bought her this new bedding set and a curtain (should have bought another panel...). It looks a little grown-up so it won't need replacing, plus it ties in all the colors I have planned for the room perfectly. Not sure still if we will be able to paint the walls, but, the baby's things will be blue and green, and the furniture will be white with accents. The bookshelf is the only piece we have so far, with the blue inside panel. Next up is a changing table and a cube shelf-bench for the other wall for toys and a reading corner. I plan on painting it white and the inside of half the cubes blue, pink, and green. Can't wait to get it all done!!