Wednesday, September 10, 2008

It's a...

GIRL!!!!!!

We had our ultrasound a few weeks ago and it was a one-of-a-kind experience. The Andrews and Angel and Liam all came with us and the ultrasound tech was great! She told us all the things she was doing and was fast, but still did a LOT of things so we were there for a while. She checked all kinds of things I don't remember them checking with my other kids. It was so much fun! And so interesting. When she checked for gender, Brice explained to Ryker and Raelin that the tech saw girl parts and they were having a sister. Ryker said very matter-of-fact-ly, "I see boy parts." And he continues to maintain that he saw boy parts and that he only likes boy babies and doesn't like girl babies. He's really funny about it. But I think he'll come around. I only have two pictures for now (a foot and half of an alien face) because the tech ran out of paper to print them on, but she said she'd print them and put them in my file for me to pick up at my next appointment. So I'll post those when I get them at the end of the month.

So, I really wanted to do a good job of documenting this pregnancy. I've wanted to with my others too, but any of you that know me at all know that organization is really not my strong suit...yet... Hopefully one day, but for now, documenting this pregnancy is falling by the wayside. I wanted to take pictures exactly every four weeks but whenever I thought of it, there was no one around to take the picture or it wasn't the right day. So I've given up with the particulars and you'll just have to settle for a picture with the top of my head cut off because I propped the camera and set the timer so that I could at least get something on here. And it's Wednesday, not Monday when we enter a new week. But better that than nothing, so here you go:
As of today (when I took this picture), I am 21 weeks and two days and I feel and look like I'm 28 weeks. Already squished and battling heartburn but morning sickness is OVER! WOOHOO! If anyone knows a remedy for round ligament pain, please, please, please, send it my way! Other than that, this is one wiggly baby! And strong, too. She seems to already be on a schedule (though I already mentioned that I'm not so good with schedules, and that carries over into time perception as well, so maybe it's all in my head...). She wiggles more when I'm hungry... or maybe when she's hungry? Or maybe 8:00, 12:00, and 6:00 are just some of her waking hours? And she wiggles a lot in the evenings and during my first class. By the way, I have to mention that even though I look enormous, I've only just started gaining weight last week! I finally lost the last of the baby weight I'd gained when I was pregnant with Ryker. So that makes me feel a little better. Though I still lament the sorry state of my abdominal muscles and tummy skin. Oh, the joys of motherhood!

P.S. I had started a post before the one about Jax and Kira, so if you want to see some great pictures, scroll down past the post about our dogs to the one about the rest of our summer break.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

A Sad Day in the Somers' Home

(Jax hates having his picture taken--look at those flat ears!)

Well, it's finally happened. Jax has gotten himself into trouble so deep that we can't get him out. Yesterday he and Kira escaped the yard and killed a couple of sheep. Now they are quarantined at the pound. Jax will be put to sleep and Kira might be too--I'm not sure about her yet, but we won't get her back. Kira was mostly in the wrong place at the wrong time and Jax was the perpetrator, so he's in a heap of trouble. Saying goodbye to Jax yesterday was one of the saddest things I've ever had to do. We are going to miss him SO much. There have been countless tears shed around her in the past day and, admittedly, most of them have been mine and Brice's. My poor sweet husband couldn't even come out to say goodbye. It's probably good for the poor police officer that he didn't. The poor man had to haul off the dogs while a pregnant, weeping mommy and her two pitiful little kids sobbed and said their goodbyes through the cages and watched their beloved dogs get taken away from them. Both dogs will be greatly missed, but Jax had a special place in our hearts and filled a special place in our lives. He was such a good friend and he was so sweet and happy. He certainly filled the measure of his calling and brought smiles and happiness to all of us with his antics and his affection. We love him and we will miss him. It's just not the same around here without our dogs.