Today Southern and I went to see my doctor about the new baby. I am 24 weeks along, and my next appointment is at 28 weeks. After that, it will be every 3 weeks until it's closer to due date and then every week. My appointment was originally set for 4:30pm so Dustin could take off of tennis a little early to be home to watch Southern. But they called yesterday to ask if we could move it up a couple hours. I said yes so long as I could bring my son along. Children aren't allowed in the sonogram room, but she said it would be fine to have him in the exam room with me since this visit would be relatively short.
Southern had fun playing with toys in the waiting room. He had a book with different farm animals in it, and he would moo, quack, neigh, bark, etc as he turned the pages. And he was quite loud so I'm sure the others in the waiting room enjoyed it ;) (I say that he inherited the Brandl lungs as Dustin, his granny, and his late great granny were/are all well heard... haha)
When the nurse called us back, he was excited. And the nurse was really nice and sweet to him. She weighed me and took my blood pressure all while talking to Southern. Then she took him out of the exam room to get a lollypop while I gave my urine sample. We waited quite awhile for the doctor again, and I am proud of how well Southern behaved. He was a little rowdy, but he didn't try to pull things out of cabinets, pull on cords, roll the stool around, etc. and we made it through. The doctor came in and asked some questions. Then it was time to measure the baby bump and listen to the heartbeat :)
I climbed on the bed. Southern stood to the side and watched as she lifted my shirt and measured my tummy. I'm at 27 cm. Then she got out the device to listen to the baby's heartbeat. As she was getting it out, she was telling Southern that we were going to hear the baby. Sure enough, his heartbeat was clear, loud, and strong at 141. As soon as we could hear it, Southern's mouth dropped open, he cupped his hands around his ears, and said "wow...."! :) He was so cute. I'm glad he was able to experience this.
I go back next month for the glucose test - fun, fun! I drink the yucky drink, wait one hour, and then get my blood drawn. At least it falls on a day during Spring Break so Dustin can stay home with Southern, and hey, maybe that hour in the waiting room will be the most relaxing part of my week - with both Dustin and Southern home all week things are bound to be loud and messy!
Life with my boys
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Pop-Up Book Fun
Here's a cute little video clip of Southern and Daddy "reading" a book after bath-time.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Birthday Wish List
Southern's 2nd birthday is almost upon us! *gasp* When did this little boy get so old? I've been getting a few questions on gift ideas and/or clothing sizes so I thought I'd make a list for anyone interested.
Sizes:
Tops - 3T
Bottoms - 2T
Pajamas - 3T fitted or 2T loose
Socks - 2-4T
Shoes - 8
Gift Ideas:
- anything Yo Gabba Gabba, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora, Diego, or The Upside Down Show
- kid-sized broom and/or vaccum cleaner
- red or blue sheet set for his new toddler bed (a gift from his great-grandmother DeDe)
- footed pajamas
- swimming trunks and/or pool toys
- Schleich animal figures (found at Target and TSC)
- books for his "Story Reader 2.0"
Sizes:
Tops - 3T
Bottoms - 2T
Pajamas - 3T fitted or 2T loose
Socks - 2-4T
Shoes - 8
Gift Ideas:
- anything Yo Gabba Gabba, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora, Diego, or The Upside Down Show
- kid-sized broom and/or vaccum cleaner
- red or blue sheet set for his new toddler bed (a gift from his great-grandmother DeDe)
- footed pajamas
- swimming trunks and/or pool toys
- Schleich animal figures (found at Target and TSC)
- books for his "Story Reader 2.0"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Touring Schools - Part 1
Southern and I spent our morning touring a local school. We all had gone to a child care fair a couple of weeks ago, and I had filled out our names and address to receive free information on certain schools. It was mainly a fair for people looking at pre-school programs. Southern is still too young for most of them, and we are content with me staying home with him now - especially with another little one on the way. But I was thinking toward the future and wanted to at least get some info.
Fast forward a week - I got a phone call from Cross Lutheran School saying that I had won the grand prize in their drawing. Yay! Unfortunately that prize was $75 off the enrollment fees for this upcoming school year. I explained that Southern would only be 2, and since that would be of no use to us, she suggested switching that prize for the runner-up prize. I agreed and told her I would meet her to claim said prize and tour the school next week.
So today was the day. Southern and I set out not knowing what really to expect, but overall I'm happy with it and would seriously consider putting Southern here one day (if we can afford to).
We first saw outside the church. It looks nice and is new.
The we saw the outside of the school. Hmm... one side looks nice and offical. The other side reminded me of the elementary schools in Yoakum and Sweet Home with their little mobile home looking annexes. But we strolled on and found the front office (located in the right hand building).
We met with our tour guide and started off. Our first stop was the pre-k room. Not too impressed here. Just your typical small classroom with tiny tables and chairs. The kids were having snack time. We observed for awhile, I got to meet the teacher, and then we were off for our next stop - the gym.
This gym made me happy :) It reminded me of my alma mater, good ol' St. Joe's. It serves as their gym and cafeteria. She said the older kids set up the tables before lunch and clean them off and put them back up after they eat. That was nice to hear. We also cleaned in school. I remember cleaning desks, chalk boards, etc. At the time, I thought that was normal. Looking back, I realized this was due to lack of excess funds at a small private school, but I feel it helped make me the caring and responsible adult I am today. As opposed to Seguin High School where the kids just throw food/trash all over the place with no regard to self-image or respect for public property.
We soon made our way outside. As we walked, I learned that the school offers athletics for grades 5-8. They have tackle football and basketball for the boys, and volleyball and basketball for the girls. They also offer recess for all grades so the kids get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Here is the pre-k playground. I felt good knowing they have seperate playgrounds for the smaller ones. This one was for ages 5 and under.
This one is for the older crowd. They also have outdoor basketball nets. She said they are in the process of getting new play equipment right now so it should only get nicer.
Then we entered the "annex". Below is the main hallway. It was fairly nice and new. The kids here have lockers. It's grades 5-8. Their teachers all have bachelor's and are in different subject areas - math, science, art, and language arts. The principal also teaches a few classes. And they have a computer lab and science lab. Again, it reminded me of St. Joe's where the kids get a well-balanced education but it's on a small scale. The class sizes here looked around to 10-15 kids per grade.
I met and talked with the principal at this point. He met and talked to Southern as well. He was young-ish and seemed really nice. The kids all felt comfortable around him, and they were all quiet and well-behaved. Southern had spoted a toy panda bear magnet on one of the lockers and was holding it and playing with it as we talked to Mr. Dierks. When it was time to leave, I thought for sure there would be a scene. But my little guy surprised me by simply putting the bear back on the locker and turning to walk on.
And here we are back in the main building. Southern loved all of the art on the walls. We visited the pre-k again. They had finished their snacks and were in the process of putting on coats and lining up to go outside for recess. It was semi-chaos. But the teacher had a song they all sang that involved clapping that got most of the kids under control and in line. There were two little boys still playing with cars on the mat instead of putting on coats. Southern saw them and joined in. They soon were taken to their cubbys for their coats and Southern kept playing with a train as they lined up with the rest of the class. I didn't have any more questions and needed to get going to finish the rest of our errands for the day so instead of watching the pre-k recess which our tour guide offered as an option, I said we would just make our way back to the offices. Again, I thought Southern would throw a fit when it was time to put away the train. But I told him to put it away, that it was time to go, and he did! He put it back in the box with the rest of the toy cars and waved good-bye to the kids. What a mature little guy!! Needless to say, our tour guide was impressed and commented on just how well-behaved he is. :)
So our first tour of a school went well. I would love for Southern to have the same opportunity I had growing up in attending a small private, Christian school. The public schools here in New Braunfels are great I've heard. But it's just not the same. Dustin also benefited from small teacher to student ratios, involved parents, etc. and it really makes a difference. Hopefully our budget will allow for that one day.
Fast forward a week - I got a phone call from Cross Lutheran School saying that I had won the grand prize in their drawing. Yay! Unfortunately that prize was $75 off the enrollment fees for this upcoming school year. I explained that Southern would only be 2, and since that would be of no use to us, she suggested switching that prize for the runner-up prize. I agreed and told her I would meet her to claim said prize and tour the school next week.
So today was the day. Southern and I set out not knowing what really to expect, but overall I'm happy with it and would seriously consider putting Southern here one day (if we can afford to).
We first saw outside the church. It looks nice and is new.
The we saw the outside of the school. Hmm... one side looks nice and offical. The other side reminded me of the elementary schools in Yoakum and Sweet Home with their little mobile home looking annexes. But we strolled on and found the front office (located in the right hand building).
We met with our tour guide and started off. Our first stop was the pre-k room. Not too impressed here. Just your typical small classroom with tiny tables and chairs. The kids were having snack time. We observed for awhile, I got to meet the teacher, and then we were off for our next stop - the gym.
This gym made me happy :) It reminded me of my alma mater, good ol' St. Joe's. It serves as their gym and cafeteria. She said the older kids set up the tables before lunch and clean them off and put them back up after they eat. That was nice to hear. We also cleaned in school. I remember cleaning desks, chalk boards, etc. At the time, I thought that was normal. Looking back, I realized this was due to lack of excess funds at a small private school, but I feel it helped make me the caring and responsible adult I am today. As opposed to Seguin High School where the kids just throw food/trash all over the place with no regard to self-image or respect for public property.
We soon made our way outside. As we walked, I learned that the school offers athletics for grades 5-8. They have tackle football and basketball for the boys, and volleyball and basketball for the girls. They also offer recess for all grades so the kids get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Here is the pre-k playground. I felt good knowing they have seperate playgrounds for the smaller ones. This one was for ages 5 and under.
This one is for the older crowd. They also have outdoor basketball nets. She said they are in the process of getting new play equipment right now so it should only get nicer.
Then we entered the "annex". Below is the main hallway. It was fairly nice and new. The kids here have lockers. It's grades 5-8. Their teachers all have bachelor's and are in different subject areas - math, science, art, and language arts. The principal also teaches a few classes. And they have a computer lab and science lab. Again, it reminded me of St. Joe's where the kids get a well-balanced education but it's on a small scale. The class sizes here looked around to 10-15 kids per grade.
I met and talked with the principal at this point. He met and talked to Southern as well. He was young-ish and seemed really nice. The kids all felt comfortable around him, and they were all quiet and well-behaved. Southern had spoted a toy panda bear magnet on one of the lockers and was holding it and playing with it as we talked to Mr. Dierks. When it was time to leave, I thought for sure there would be a scene. But my little guy surprised me by simply putting the bear back on the locker and turning to walk on.
And here we are back in the main building. Southern loved all of the art on the walls. We visited the pre-k again. They had finished their snacks and were in the process of putting on coats and lining up to go outside for recess. It was semi-chaos. But the teacher had a song they all sang that involved clapping that got most of the kids under control and in line. There were two little boys still playing with cars on the mat instead of putting on coats. Southern saw them and joined in. They soon were taken to their cubbys for their coats and Southern kept playing with a train as they lined up with the rest of the class. I didn't have any more questions and needed to get going to finish the rest of our errands for the day so instead of watching the pre-k recess which our tour guide offered as an option, I said we would just make our way back to the offices. Again, I thought Southern would throw a fit when it was time to put away the train. But I told him to put it away, that it was time to go, and he did! He put it back in the box with the rest of the toy cars and waved good-bye to the kids. What a mature little guy!! Needless to say, our tour guide was impressed and commented on just how well-behaved he is. :)
So our first tour of a school went well. I would love for Southern to have the same opportunity I had growing up in attending a small private, Christian school. The public schools here in New Braunfels are great I've heard. But it's just not the same. Dustin also benefited from small teacher to student ratios, involved parents, etc. and it really makes a difference. Hopefully our budget will allow for that one day.
Friday, January 21, 2011
"Pop-a"
Dustin's at a tennis tournament today. He called not too long ago to ask me for a favor. He needed someone's cell phone number, and he told me where to find it. There was a stack of papers set aside for him to sort, and it was in that stack. I had been in Southern's room playing with him when I got the call, so he followed me over to answer the phone and then into our bedroom as I searched through the papers. He leaned over to see what I was doing, and I told him that I was looking for a paper for Daddy.
I came across a black folder and opened it up to look at the papers inside when Southern said "pop-a". And I said, yes I'm looking for a paper. He furrowed his little brow, looked at me, shook his head, and pointed, saying "pop-a" again. So I looked to where he was pointing and what did I see?
Poppy. There was this picture of Poppy in that folder. And Southern saw it and said his name... he recognized him and remembered him and said his name. What a sweet little boy.
I came across a black folder and opened it up to look at the papers inside when Southern said "pop-a". And I said, yes I'm looking for a paper. He furrowed his little brow, looked at me, shook his head, and pointed, saying "pop-a" again. So I looked to where he was pointing and what did I see?
Poppy. There was this picture of Poppy in that folder. And Southern saw it and said his name... he recognized him and remembered him and said his name. What a sweet little boy.
Southern's little brother
That's right - Southern's going to have a little brother running around the house soon!
Dustin and I went to my doctor's appointment yesterday and found out we were having a very healthy baby boy :) At 20 weeks along, he weighs 14 oz. and my tummy measures 20 cm.
You can see his head on the right.
Here's another side shot with his arms up and head to the right.
And his sweet little legs, crossed at the ankles :)
Dustin and I went to my doctor's appointment yesterday and found out we were having a very healthy baby boy :) At 20 weeks along, he weighs 14 oz. and my tummy measures 20 cm.
Sorry it's crooked, but here is our newest little guy. It was taken from the side with his hands on his forehead.
You can see his head on the right.
Here's another side shot with his arms up and head to the right.
And his sweet little legs, crossed at the ankles :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Growing up
Southern is going to be 2 soon! Can you believe it? Not too long ago I started this blog about our little Baby Wyatt, sex undetermined, and now he is an almost-two-year-old big brother with another Baby Wyatt, sex undetermined, on the way!! (By the way, we find out the sex of the new baby tomorrow!! :) Can't wait!) But, getting back to Southern, our little man is growing up so quickly...
He will be 22 months old at the end of this month. He can say many words, with his favorites being Mama and Dada of course. He can run and jump. He can climb the stairs on his own - vertically - though I usually make him hold my hand, especially when going down. He loves to help - unloading the dish washer, handing me clothes from the dryer, putting dirty clothes in the basket, throwing things away, etc. He has a ready smile and loves to laugh and dance.
More loves:
He will be 22 months old at the end of this month. He can say many words, with his favorites being Mama and Dada of course. He can run and jump. He can climb the stairs on his own - vertically - though I usually make him hold my hand, especially when going down. He loves to help - unloading the dish washer, handing me clothes from the dryer, putting dirty clothes in the basket, throwing things away, etc. He has a ready smile and loves to laugh and dance.
More loves:
- books - he could go through them and be read to all day. He gets one or two out, and after we've read those, he goes back to the shelf for more. We always read before bedtime and usually before naptime, but he likes to sneak in more books throughout the day. That's my boy :)
- farm animals and dinosaurs - he has two horses, a ram, and a pig lined up on the coffee table right now
- cars, trucks, and trains - the toys and the real-life kind. He can hear a "choo-choo" from our house sometimes late at night and gets excited
- his TV shows - Dora, Diego, Blues Clues, Sid the Science Kid, The Upside Down Show, Thomas the Tank Engine, and his beloved Yo Gabba Gabba. He can say Yo Gabba Gabba ("gabba gabba gabba") and Muno, a character on the show ("noon-o")
- balls and rackets/clubs - he's even gotten good at swinging the Wii sports accessories around when Dustin and I play
- wearing his house shoes and boots - if he ever spots one or the other and doesn't have shoes on at the moment, he just has to wear them. He says "toos" for the house shoes and "boo" for the boots
- eating his gummy vitamins - I only let him have one a day, but he'll beg for them off and on all day. He even learned to take the bottle over to Daddy when he gets home from work in the hopes that Dustin, unknowing he's already had one that day, will give it to him
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