A List of Words...

At 14 months, Aengus didn't seem to be saying many words. I mean, he said the obligatory mama and dada, and had lots of "words" for things, but it's not like he said "My milk please, mother." So, I assumed he wasn't talking. So I became concerned when hearing that other children had words. That is until I discovered that 14 month olds are not expected to pronounce things perfectly. It seems a "word" is anything I recognize as a word. So, here is a list of "words" Aengus says with a pronunciation of the word in parentheses. This is in order of appearance, approximately.

Dada (dada)

Daddy (daddy): He says this perfectly and quite well. I am impressed.

Mama (mama)

Hi (hiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!): accompanied by a wave

Baxter (Basher or Dasher): this is the dog. He says it more than mama....

Shoe (shuh)

Cup (kuh)

Boat (bo)

Ball (bob): this may be the word for all toys now?

See (see): this means "can I see?" or "do you want to see?" which we ask him often. Or maybe please...

Thank you (thisshew): anytime he gives us something, accompanied by a proud smile

Baby (babum): this is very hit and miss, however. For his baby doll.

"Uh!!!" seems to serve every other linguistic purpose currently.

12 weeks & the announcement

We had the 12 week appointment with the OB yesterday. Heart rate was 167-170, so maybe a girl this time? We also announced to the families, which has gone well.

I also finally found our camera, just in time for Mardi Gras, so enjoy the cuteness:

The Missing Camera

Many interesting things have happened this week, but sadly, I cannot document them visually. My camera, which I love oh so much, has disappeared. It happened in a 10 minute period in the living room, and my dear son has placed it somewhere magical. We have torn the house apart. I'm sure it will turn up, but I'm going crazy every time a picture-worthy moment passes.

So, a quick run-down:

~We had our ultrasound last week, and saw a tiny heartbeat on the tadpole. (Which, coincidentally, looks very much like a tadpole.)

~Aengus is walking all over the house like a tiny adult.

~The first birthday is quickly approaching, and I MUST FIND MY CAMERA!

Bleh

I'm sick. I don't remember being this nauseous with Aengus, but perhaps I am remembering his pregnancy with rose-colored glasses. I wake up at 3am every night feeling like death warmed over. Eating makes it worse. Not eating makes it worse. I am miserable. And, that is my bitch for the day. I'm off to be more positive now.

Women Deserve Better...

The 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is tomorrow. As a pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-child mother of one (and one growing) I am thankful for this court case. To best explain my reasoning, please enjoy the below video of Sonya Renee's spoken word "What Women Deserve". It may be the pregnancy hormones talking, but I cried watching this. Then again, I almost always cry when I watch it.

Decisions Made

Well, I made an appointment with an OB for next week. I should be 6.5 weeks-ish at that point. Will and I have pretty much decided on a hospital birth with this pregnancy, and although I was not thrilled at first, I'm coming to peace with the decision. I have a weird feeling about this pregnancy and have dreamed about being in the hospital twice, so I'm just going with it.

Now to get excited about an OB/GYN appointment...hmmm...

Birth Plans for Tadpole?

I gave birth to my son at home with a wonderful midwife last year. Every memory I have of his birth makes me happy-even the more difficult parts. Will and I still speak of certain parts and laugh or smile.

With this pregnancy, I'm unsure of what to do. We were planning on moving in May, with me working a job and Will staying home, but I can't work for 4 months and then take maternity leave. Well, I guess I could, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. So, I guess we'll wait until September or October to move and have the tadpole here. I would love to use our midwife again, but we have to pay out of pocket, and with the move and me not working past May, I'm not sure if we can do it. I mean, we could, but I don't know how financially strapped I want to be.

The other option is to give birth in the hospital (which freaks me out, but I hear one is not bad) with a doula or 2 for support and have the whole thing covered by insurance. I just have to find an OB that I like. I have 2 or so recommendations, so that shouldn't be difficult. I just hate the idea of not remembering tadpole's birth as fondly as Aengus's.

Of course, I have this weird feeling that I'm having twins because I'm still breastfeeding, and if so, I can't give birth at home anyhow.