Let's just say that the rest of post-Illinois summer was anything but relaxing. In the month that I have failed to blog we:
-wrapped up our 2 1/2 week stay with Ryan's family,
-sold our house in less than two weeks (while we were in Illinois)--which led to many document scans and emails to get the ball rolling,
-looked at many houses in search of the one,
-found the one and went through a rollercoaster or ups and downs to get it,
-survived Hurricane Irene, but not without a good basement flooding,
-started back to work,
-packed our hospital bag for Baby G #2 who is set to arrive no later than 9/9/11
-are packing our house
-have two different settlement dates-tentatively-that will allow us to take things to our new home in smaller loads
The only part of this that was "planned" well is the recovering from childbirth part that will allow me to get out of heavy lifting. I shall be the task master. And proud of it.
Here's to hoping Cameran adjusts well to her new role as big sister.
Schwetting quite a lot out here in yonder corn country. I swear the cornfields trap the humidity thus making Pennsylvania feel cool by comparison.
Thank goodness for 24/7 pool access.
Anyway, we are enjoying our time relaxing here with Ryan's family. Cameran is enjoying Grandma and Papa and all of her cousins. She has decided to self-feed graham crackers (evidence below) and is continuing to improve in picking up her sippy cup and has returned to signing "food" and "more" after a monthlong hiatus.
Summertime has helped Cameran find her free spirit and love of water. She has turned into quite the little AquaBaby lately, and even enjoys her showers and baths.
Today Cameran and I (with Nanny's help) hosted a Thirty-One Gifts party. If you have not heard of these products might I suggest heading here and checking them out.
In any case, we had a good time talking, eating, deciding what to buy, and watching a bunch of little girls crawl, walk, and twirl around the room.
Afterwards, my friend H and her little girl M stayed a little while longer to hang out and take a swim in the kiddie pool. The hopscotch sprinkler (Kohl's) was a big hit with M as well. Even more impressive was the longevity in which Cameran tolerated the pool. Usually she is good to go for about five minutes in a kiddie pool and then wants OUT! Not today. Miss Peanut splished and splashed and interacted with some water toys!!! She stood, stooped, sat, clapped, laughed and not once did she cry. It was fantastic.
Here are two little clips of my waterbaby. (Don't mind the lovely adult conversation in the background regarding recent pet deaths and such. In fact, you can probably live without the sound for at least the first...)
I am fortunate enough to still have three out of four living grandparents of my own, and that lovely arm and half-a side profile was Great Granny's internet debut ;)
In other news, Cameran still gives kisses on demand. If ever you have cotton-mouth Cameran will be there to lend a helping hand, err slobby mouth...
And finally we end the evening with some girly pics of Cameran being a goofball.
First of all, we have to have the most UNCOOPERATIVE child in utero E.V.E.R. Signs to come??? Sigh.
We went back over the river today to get our follow-up from what we thought were last week's not-so-good 3D ultrasound pictures. Who knew that last week's pictures would turn out WAYY more fabulously than today's pictures. Baby G#2 did move, and is no longer transverse; unfortunately, she decided that head-down and looking at my spinal column while smooshing into some placental pillow was a way more convenient position. To the sonographer's credit, she turned a 20-30 minute session into almost an hour trying to get this little bugger to budge. We got her hand to move and that was about it. We twisted, turned, contorted, folded in half, took pee breaks, but to no avail. She felt so terrible that we left with a complimentary baby hat AND baby blanket as well as a compilation of all three visit's pictures AND videos. And poor Ryan... he learned all about female anatomy today, and also that there is NOWAY this kid is a boy. That small sliver of hope is gone. Ain't happenin'. The dream has died.
In any case, here is a set of last week's pictures in color, followed by today's "best shots"...Lots of shadowing. If there is one noticeable feature it would be that this kid's rockin' some massive chunk-o-cheeks.
Massive cheeks. Oh, and a squished nose. (Apparently it's all smooshed in the placenta.)
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In other news, Cameran's personality is quite comical as of late. She gives kisses on demand, waves at approprate times, and is quite the little ballerina. Girl's got rhythm. Usually when I try to take pictures or shoot video she shies away, but tonight we was pretty darn funny...
Cameran saying hi to baby beating the crap outta Mommy.
Cameran dancing, patting, and kissing.
Cameran patting beating, kissing, slobbing, dancing and jabbering.
Three randoms of Daddy singing, making funny faces, and receiving slobbery kisses from Cameran.
Disclaimer: Cameran's horrid outfit combination is a result of her being way too interested in her new Jessie pjs and me being too lazy to remove her pants.
Thank you to those of you who have "come out of hiding" (see previous post)...Still looking for lurkers to come forward and say hello. Feel free to "Follow" our journey, which is also how I find a lot of the blogs I follow as well ;)
It's not that I NEED to know, as much as a curiosity. Since adding a few page tabs at the top and the blog's web address to my signature on a few boards I am a part of I have seen "traffic" significantly increase from a month ago.
Which logically leads me to believe there are far more of you reading, whether you are a once-in-a-blue-moon reader, a semi-regular lurker, or an actual "follower"-Who are you? Do you have a connection to Down syndrome? Are you finding my from BBC or perhaps from another blog and find it easier to link from there than to "follow". Or maybe I am in your google reader, in which case, I have no idea.
On Saturday, May 21st, my dear husband completed his Master's Degree. Normally he is not one to seek out recognition, but this particular festivity warranted celebration. We discussed months ago whether or not he should "walk" at commencement. At first he was hesitant--did not want to at all. Then he slowly realized that yes, this is an accomplishment worth celebrating. I was proud that he was proud of himself. He also realized that if he decided to walk it would be the perfect excuse for his parents to come into town. And they did!
Besides overhauling my blog (which I have been wanting to do forever), I finally have begun to add individual PAGES across the top. Please, please, please, feel free to link them, email them, post them on BabyBump or BabyCenter forums as you see fit for other new mothers or mothers-to-be facing a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
I am not finished adding yet. I have added a preface to Cameran's birth story before linking it to the original post as well as a page with answers to questions I have been asked recently on various pregnancy boards. In addition, I am working on links to various celebrities who have personal connections to individuals with Down syndrome or who advocate for our enhanced children.
I will leave you with a smiley rainy day photo montage of Miss Peanut :)
