pain.

Today has been one of the worst days ever...

An expectant mother who had been working with our agency on her adoption plan had an emergency c-section this evening; her amniotic fluid was low and I believe there were some other pretty serious circumstances so the doctors decided it was time for this little lady to join the 'outside' world.  They did the c-section and the baby had some respitory distress.  They worked on her for over 2 hours and were going to fly her to Hershey Medical Center (which was actually where a co-worker and I already were meeting with another couple).. but the baby didn't make it.  They could not get her breathing and she passed away.  I've never had this happen before.. the hard part (besides the obvious pain) is this mother is not my direct client.. she is the client of one of our other counselors who works out of our State College satelite office.. this was her first client she has had.. her first potential placement.. how do you help someone through such a tragedy..  I'm just so sad for this mom, for our worker and for the adoptive family the mom had selected to parent this child.  My heart breaks for everyone involved.

Gum Drop is growing! {17 weeks.}

How far along: 17 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: +2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I think my days of hair ties and safety pins serving as buttons are over..

New baby items: nothing new.. I've had my eye on a few things but am trying to save $$

Sleep: if it weren't for the pains from my cyst and all the stretching and growing that's going on I think I'd be just fine - the ultrasound tech told me that the stretching/growing pains get worse with each child that you have - well ain't that just lovely!

Best moment this week: feeding Gabby cereal for the first time!!

Movement: I'm not sure.. I've felt a couple little flutter/bubbles but it's hard to tell if it's Gum Drop, gas or something else..

Food cravings: I am loving diet coke with lemon - but it's only good if it's fountain soda, it just doesn't taste the same from a can or a bottle.

Gender: boy!!!

Labor Signs: no.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: wine, running & my '2007' body - it's amazing what running can do for your body and your attitude, my pre-Gabby clothes, my friends from high school and college that I haven't seen in a while (random, I know.. but I do miss them!!)

What I am looking forward to: my friend Christine's wedding this weekend.. she is marrying Mike, whom she has been dating since we were freshman in high school (1997/1998).. it's so exciting that they are finally tying the knot!! (too bad I won't be able to enjoy the cocktails with everyone.. hopefully I can get a diet coke with lemon!)

Weekly Wisdom: Believe.. Hold Fast.. Hope.. Have Faith.. Trust.. Rest Assured.. All things are possible with God. 

Milestones:  Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

17 weeks 3 days {I feel like this belly appeared overnight!}

another giveaway!

Tanya at Keep It Real is hosting a giveaway that ends today!  The winner gets a custom card design or a bow holder by Kelly at Your Loving Memories.  I would LOVE to have her customize birth announcements when Baby Gum Drop arrives - they are SO nice and classy =)  Go check 'em out!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Gavin.

I was looking through all my old facebook photos trying to find a photo of Gavin from when he was 10 months old - I am trying to envision how big Gabby is going to be when Gum Drop arrives.  I came across some adorable photos (well, they are all adorable!) and thought I'd share.  I can't believe Gavin went from this..

to this..

to this..

to this..

what a handsome boy!!

I can't believe that in 5 months he will be 4 years old.. that seems SO old to me!  He is a boy now, not a toddler and while I am so excited to see him grow it makes me so sad that he is no longer my sweet baby boy..

He is an AWESOME big brother.. seriously couldn't have asked for a better adjustment.  Gabby truly adores him and has started to 'talk' to him, which he just thinks it the coolest thing!!  Gavin has such a sweet disposition, I hope that doesn't change.  He's so loving and thoughtful - even tells me thank you for making him dinner (when I do make it!)  He has great manners and is just a joy.  I am excitied to see how he reacts to his little brother - who he refers to as his baby boy that he is going to name Abby's Flying Fairy School (it's a clip on Sesame Street).. what a silly goose.  I'm so lucky to be his mommy =)

The Vintage Pearl Giveaway!

I typically don't get into giveaways but I can't resist this one.  Mrs. F at As the Forest[e] Grows is hosting a giveaway - the winner receives a $50 gift certificate to use at The Vintage Pearl website.  Back in late January I ordered the 'a flower and a circle' necklace with Gavin and Gabby on them.. only to find out about 2 1/2 weeks later that surprise baby Gum Drop was on the way.  I'd love to win the gift certificate so I can get an additional charm with Gum Drop's name.  There are also several other things I'd LOVE to buy from this site - it's just all so beautiful!!

Keep your fingers crossed that I win =)

Gabby is 5 months old!!

Holy smokes, almost half a year has passed with our beautiful little lady!  She is truly a joy and I feel so blessed to be her mama!!  Everything seems to be going so quickly - before we know it her little brother will be here =)  I love Gabby more each day; being a mommy is simply incredible.  She really is a daddy's girl but I'm holding out and hoping she'll be 'my girl' when she's older!  [I am picturing shopping trips, salon days and sleepovers!]

• I'm sure you weigh at least 16 pounds, probably more
• You drool like crazy but no sign of any teeth yet
• Pacifiers aren't nearly as fun to suck on as your shirt and/or bib
• Daddy can make you laugh like crazy!! You don't give mommy such loud, happy laughs but that's okay
• Your hair is growing and is a pretty light shade of brown
• Your eyes are still a beautiful blue and you have gorgeous long eye lashes - I wonder if they will change color or stay blue - personally I hope they stay just the way they are - but that's completely out of my hands =)
• Bath time = lots of smiles!
• You are still in size 2 diapers; I bought a box of size 3 and they are just a tad too big
• Many of your outfits are 3-6 months but with this warmer weather I've been putting you in dresses and they are 6-9 months; many of them are mini skirts since you are so long!
• Tonight was the first night I put cereal in your bottle; hopefully it will keep you asleep!
• You are eating 6 to 8 ounces per feeding and are still eating about 6 bottles a day
• On April 16th you rolled from your back to your belly and now you're a pro!  You still haven't rolled from your belly to your back; probably because you hate being on your tummy!
• You are great at holding toys and already seem to have a couple favorites
• I have a feeling you will be sitting by yourself in the next month or so; you are getting stronger each day!

 oh yes, I snapped this just at the right moment  - needless to say this was our last photo =)

16 weeks.

Sorry - not much time to type tonight; here's the normal weekly quiz & belly post!  I will be back tomorrow with Gabby's 5 month post!!!

 

How far along: 16 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: I was +1 lb on the scale this morning - at this point with Gabby I was up about 6 or  7 lbs so I am happy with 1!

Maternity clothes: It won't be long until I am completely into my maternity clothes - I wore a maternity skirt today and it was so comfortable!

New baby items: nothing new.. I did go through all the clothes I kept from when Gav was a baby so I have some piles of laundry!  (I sold a good bit of his good clothing when I found out Gabby was a girl, which I am sad about now but I honestly never thought I would need them again!)

Sleep: it's been rough lately since Miss Gabby has been waking up in the middle of the night to eat

Best moment this week: not one particular moment but watching Gabby and Gavin play and 'talk' to each other has been a lot of fun to watch =)

Movement: not yet.

Food cravings: pickles!

Gender: boy!!!

Labor Signs: no.

Belly Button in or out: in.

What I miss: energy & wine.

What I am looking forward to: getting some yard work done this weekend - I'm not looking forward to the 'working' part but I am looking forward to the 'accomplished' feeling when it's all done!

Weekly Wisdom: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Milestones:  Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

 

 16 weeks 3 days.