not to us

Hey everyone! I have updates from our doctors' appointments today. Ruby went to the pediatrician, and Baby Goodwin 2 and I went to the OBGYN. I will, once again, take this moment to say that I love, love, love my doctors. These two women (Dr. Miller, the pediatrician, and Dr. Harrison, the obstetric gynecologist) are wonderful and amazing. They listen to my concerns, allow me to participate in my healthcare (and my child's healthcare), and lovingly laugh at me when I'm being ridiculous. :) Here are the updates:

Ruby First, as always:

I talked to Dr. Miller about four things. Yes, this was a loaded appointment.

#1 - Is there any fungus among us?

I showed Ruby's nails to Dr. Miller. PRAISE GOD! It is just damaged nail beds. Dr. Miller thinks that Ruby might be hurting her nail beds when she falls forward on the hard-wood floors. Thankfully, we've got padding and carpet on the way! :)

#2 - Why does my kid do this??

I told Dr. Miller that I was starting to get worried about Ruby eating wood, paper, soap, and paint. I told her I was worrying about PICA. She laughed and said that if Ruby is still eating wood, paper, soap, and paint when she's four, we'll deal with it then. :)

#3 - A rash? Hmm...that's interesting.

My appt. with Dr. Harrison was before Ruby's appt. I noticed that she started developing a rash around her neckline. When we got to the peds, I showed Dr. Miller, and she said it was the rash that typically appears right before the blisters associated with Hand, Foot, and Mouth. :) Yep, we're lucky like that. Ruby just had HFM last month, but apparently Owen had a different strain, and she's got it again. Oh well...she's got to stay in this week anyway, because:

#4 - Really? Can't we just cut if off?

Ruby's ear is messed up again. Dr. Miller said it's not an infection, but it is definitely abnormal. Ruby's left ear is so painful that we had to hold her down while she screamed as Dr. Miller looked with the otoscope. Her right ear also has some fluid built up. Since this is Ear Problem #4 since January, we've been referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon. We have an appointment tomorrow afternoon at 1:45. Dr. Miller thinks Ruby needs to have tubes put in her ears. We'll see what the ENT says. I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

So, there's Ruby's update. Not too bad, honestly. I'm really, really, really thankful that she does not have fingernail fungus. We haven't been told definitively that she will need tubes, so I'm holding out hope. :)

Mommy and BG2 next, of course

I thought I would start by showing you how BG2 is growing (and me along with him/her.) I've been taking pictures of the belly since 8 weeks. Here's the progression:

Full Body Shots (April, May, June)

Belly Only Comparisons [May (12 Weeks) and June (16 Weeks)]

And, just for cuteness, here is Ruby with her little brother or sister:

I have to admit that I am shocked by my size. I told Mike that I didn't expect to be of whale-like proportions quite so early in this pregnancy. I wasn't this big until about 20 weeks with Ruby. Although, I did start out twenty pounds heavier this time, so I guess it only makes sense that I'm bigger. Ah well, such is life...

As for the appointment, everything is going well. My uterus is up to my belly button and measuring well, and the baby's heart is beating at a rate of 154 beats per minutes. The only concern is that I have another UTI. That makes #3 since I got pregnant. This is of slight concern, because UTIs can cause preterm labor. I'm already at a fairly high risk for preterm labor, and I don't need any added risk factors. We're going to treat this one with antibiotics, and then Dr. Harrison is going to put me on a profilactic. (A medicine that will help prevent the UTIs.)

So that's the news! Dr. Harrison asked if we wanted to know the baby's sex at our ultrasound next month. I told her that we'll be keeping this baby a surprise like Ruby. :) The receptionists at the peds wanted to know if we were finding out. I told them that we'll be keeping it a surprise. Everyone was shocked that we have the patience to wait. I guess I like to test myself. :) I'm certainly dying to know, but, for me, there's simply nothing that replaces that moment when I'm holding my brand new baby in my arms, and I get to find out if it's a girl or a boy. It was just simply amazing. I can't wait to experience it again! Wahoo! Come on, November, get here already! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon!