ultrasound

We had our ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday morning, but unfortunately Gustavo had a conflicting polygraph test so we had to push it back to Wednesday at 4:00.  This pregnancy has been so different (faster weight gain, not nearly as sick, super emotional, and I want to eat EVERYTHING- especially sugar which I didn't even like when I was pregnant with Ella) so I naturally thought it was likely that I was having a boy.  

 

I was wrong.  We are having a healthy baby girl!!!  I am so excited.  I love the idea of having two girls close together.  I love all of my sisters and hope my daughters will be as close as the five of us are.  This sweet baby was very cooperative.  The tech took about a million pictures and kept saying "Oh, this (fill in the organ) looks beautiful!  Textbook."  It was so wonderful to hear.  

 Ella has been right all along, I am pregnant with baby Sophie.  We're certain Sophia will be her  first name, but are still deciding which of her great grandmothers' names she'll have for her middle name.  We are absolutely thrilled!

Taking care of 6 kids

For the past 4 and a half days Gustavo and I have been down in Provo taking care of my sister's five children.  Including Ella, the ages of the kids were 11, 9, 7, 4, 2, and 18 months.  The older girls were all very helpful and things went well for the most part.  In all honesty, Ella was my biggest problem half of the time because she didn't do well sharing the spotlight with her 18 month old cousin Max. Of course I didn't make dinner as well as their mom some nights, but even looking back on all of the cooking I didn't receive too many complaints (some nights it just felt like a lot- I definitely need to develop thicker skin before my own family get's big enough to share their opinions).  I was doing fine until Saturday when Gustavo was off at guard weekend and I was trying to help everyone do their chores, keep kids from fighting, taking care of 2 extra nieces, fixing scraped knees, trying to save the dog from his malfunctioning electric fence dog caller, calling their neighbors and friends trying to fix the problems that arose for the dance pictures that were being taken in the evening, searching for dance tights, curling hair, applying make up, taking dinner orders, giving baths, and worrying about the 11 year old who was supposed to be back from her sleepover at 2:30 but didn't arrive until 6:30 (she was supposed to be ready for dance pictures at 5:45).  It was a little overwhelming and since things were out of my control (which I HATE) I allowed myself to get stressed out.  When the night was almost over and all of the kids were in bed I was cleaning the kitchen (I believe I did the dishes at least 50 times) and making muffins for Sunday's breakfast.  Gustavo came in to talk with me and to my surprise sincerely asked "Do you think we should be done having kids?"  I just turned around and laughed.  I pointed to my belly and he said, "Well after this one of course."  I said "TWO? Of course NOT."  He then replied, "Do you think you can handle it?"  I just laughed.  It was so funny he felt that way! I definitely want more children, just not 5 more at once!

any tips?

I have not spent any money on this new baby yet.  I'm waiting until I find out the gender to determine what I need to buy.  One thing I need to buy regardless is a new infant car seat.  My aunt gave me one for Ella that was only good for a few months beyond her first birthday.  I've done some slight searching and have been really surprised at how expensive it is to buy a car seat independent of a travel system.  Also, there doesn't seem to be much selection at stores (everything comes with a stroller and I already have 2 of those).  Do any of you have any tips for me?  Have you bought one for a decent price without a stroller?  THANKS!

the second time around

Our bellies.  The black dress makes it hard to see how big my belly really is, but I'm bigger than Ella now!

This pregnancy has been very different from my first.  Although I was EXHAUSTED the first trimester and definitely nauseous, I have felt significantly better this time.  I was on Zofran for my entire pregnancy with Ella, but I only took it a few days at the beginning of this pregnancy.  The only negative difference is that I'm gaining more weight (not my favorite thing).  I am definitely showing now and I'm only 18 weeks.  I've been really excited because I started feeling this baby at only 17 weeks.  It has helped everything feel so much more real.  I can't wait to find out the gender of the baby and am already counting down to the ultrasound appointment that is scheduled for March 15th.

 One of the things we're anticipating most is how Ella will deal with the new baby.  They will be two and half years apart.  Ella has always been very clingy and is definitely a mama's girl.  In fact lately she's been saying "You can't do that Dad!" and "No, Mommy do it" or "What's Mommy doing?" when Gustavo goes to take care of her or give her loves. I'm sure it will be difficult for her to adjust to sharing the spotlight and attention, but I have hope that she'll love and adore her little sibling.  Lately she's been taking extra good care of her baby doll.  We've overheard her saying things like "Are you okay baby?" and then watched as she'll rock the baby or snuggle it.  She's even started trying to give the baby diaper changes.

  When we ask Ella if she thinks the baby is a brother or sister, she'll answer either way.  She has never said the baby will be William though, she always insists that the baby is Sophie so we'll have to see if she's right.  If not, we'll have about 20 weeks to convince her otherwise.  I've got plenty of nesting projects and now have the energy, I just need to get going!  Maybe the next pictures will be of the nursery or Ella's room.  Both rooms are planned and paint is even purchased, but I haven't gotten farther than that.  Hopefully I'll get them done, or at least started soon.