Milestones

Isaiah and daddy have a new game of catch - yes, Isaiah has mastered the fine art of throwing toys and, to his delight, daddy picks them up so he can toss them again. And again. And again. It's sort of like when he learned that if he dropped something it was bound to be picked up for him, although this has an added bonus because he can sense it's a game. To be honest, I can't wait for him to learn how to play catch with a ball in the back yard.

I know, I don't want him to grow up too quickly, but we humans are funny creatures. It takes us a significant amount of time to learn how to do things. 10 months old and though stable on his feet, Isaiah rarely trusts himself to stand for lengthy periods without holding on to an object... unless he doesn't realize he's standing alone. He scoots along furniture and pulls up to stand on and against anything and everything. His most recent discovery has been the realization that cupboard doors actually open, and there are things inside to get into! That'll be a fun one; our house isn't truly baby-proofed in that sense. So development is happening, but compared to other animals we're relatively slow at the whole process.



I suppose it is so we sit and enjoy each moment, each milestone. We move so quickly through life, that perhaps this is just another reminder to slow the pace down and appreciate the little things!

The Verdict Is In: It's A...

Boy! Yep, another boy! I know you were waiting in deep anticipation, exhausting your patience as was I and all, so I won't hestitate in providing the details we received along with the fact that it is a baby brother for Isaiah (whose heartrate was 160 today, so again - like Isaiah - quite high, which typically indicates girl).

It looks to be another large baby, particularly as I've gained significant belly within the past two weeks (seriously, it just blossomed of its own accord and has been growing rapidly).

Ultrasound due date says Jan. 28, 3 days past the initial one, so the baby may be born on his god-mother-to-be's birthday, which would be special.

Name is not yet set in stone by any means, but we've been tossing around Miguel, which would fit into the 6 letter pattern we've somehow established if we choose to keep that going! Greg gets to choose the first name this time, so Miguel is the best one he's come up with (if you know him, you know the alternatives and are crossing your fingers to keep him from following his true name desires...). I've got to start considering middle names, but probably not until we settle on the first - Miguel I actually like, even if it will be a very fair-skinned, possibly blue-eyed Miguel.

Anyhow, so be sure to suggest a guess in our online baby pool at www.expectnet.com (game name: BabyRebelo2). You can access it via the link provided here or to the side as well. Can't wait to see who will win this round!

And last but not least, congrats to the new moms-to-be, whom I'd identify but I don't know if they've okayed that, so hopefully they know who I mean! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that at least one of you has a girl, because I'm desperate to buy dresses and such (if the third isn't a girl for us, it is at least going to wear pink!). And that's all for this evening...

Patience is a Virtue

As many of you know, I am anything but patient. And in circumstances like having an ultrasound when you are anxious to know the gender of your future child and not being able to know immediately from the technician is a test of my patience. I have to wait until next Wednesday, when next I visit my family doctor, to hear the news. But I can share these images anyway (and to anyone who can decipher the coding, please feel free to tell me male or female before next Wednesday - I honestly don't think I can wait that long).

Anyhow, what is important is that baby #2 (what a name... see, and that's just another reason why I'd like to know, so I can refer to "it" as "him" or "her") is healthy... ten fingers, ten toes! The technician was even able to zoom in on a high five! So cute... That hand is, however, likely getting ready to make a fist and punch through to my stomach; I've definitely been more attune to the moving and shaking of this fetus more so and much earlier than with Isaiah. But, knock on wood, this trimester is passing with little negative effect. Here's hoping it continues!

So, back to school work (which, by the way, is already piling up - I haven't quite figured out a routine whereby I spend quality time with Isaiah when I come home and get some productive work done too). Just wanted to share our excitement of the day!

I Survived!

Well, I made it through the first day of the much dreaded return to work! Though quite exhausted, despite really teaching (it's more so a passing out of information necessary to the course and the class), and feeling the onset of a headache, I made it through! It was nice to see familiar faces of students and fellow staff, I'll admit, and though I pined to be with Isaiah quite often, it was nice to have a different change of pace. A very fast change of pace - we tend to hit the ground running - and I think it's much easier to swallow knowing I'll be off again in February. So, here's to day #2... let's see how I'm feeling Friday!!