Third Trimester Ulatrasound

Baby # 1 showing off her baby doll

While not routine in North America, nor in all Canadian provinces, third trimester ultrasounds are standard in our province. I had my 32-34 week ultrasound this last Thursday. The general idea behind a third trimester ultrasound is to ensure that the baby is growing normally. Measurements of head and abdominal circumference are taken. The bladder, stomach and kidneys are evaluated. The depth of the amniotic fluid around the fetus is also measured. The position of the placenta is determined, especially if it was found to be low-lying in a previous ultrasound. The baby's position, while easy to determine on this ultrasound is not that important, as the baby tends to change position regularly; and is only important after about 37 weeks (position can be evaluated by simply palpating the uterus from the outside). And finally, any anomalies discovered during the 20 week ultrasound are re-evaluated.

With Baby #1, I remember the third trimester ultrasound quite well. Mostly because I had asked my husband to come along. I thought he would enjoy seeing our future baby via ultrasound. While I think he enjoyed the experience, I remember thinking in hindsight that it would have been more interesting for him to have viewed an earlier ultrasound. Mostly because everything is so big at this stage, and I don't think he got much out of viewing close-ups of the brain, kidneys and bladder. At an earlier ultrasound, however, the entire baby could be viewed on the same image.

With Baby # 2, I went solo. Mostly because someone had to watch Baby # 1. While I wasn't as excited as the first time around, I certainly enjoyed viewing the images. She was quite active, regularly kicking against the ultrasound probe. Enough to actually elicit an "oh my goodness" from the ultrasound technician. All the measurements were normal, and it was a relief to discover that she was growing well. She was hiding her face with her tiny hands for the most part, but I did catch a few glimpses of her sweet face:

Sneak peak at Baby # 2's face

Speech Therapy

Getting ready for bedtime with Papa and Teddy

At her 18 month appointment with the paediatrician, I voiced my concerns vis-a-vis our daughter's lack of speech. Although she was babbling quite a bit, her only consistent word was "Mama". The paediatrician, however, was unconcerned. She did ask that we make her two-year appointment a little early as to avoid bringing two babies at once (given that Baby # 2 is expected around Baby #1's 2nd birthday).

Her 2-year appointment with the paediatrician is approaching in a little over a month, and I found myself worried about Baby # 1's speech (or lack thereof). I had been replaying imaginary conversations in my head. "She still only says "Mama"?  Why didn't you tell me earlier? You will have to meet with the speech therapist as soon as possible!" would say the paediatrician. She would go on to delineate what was normal and average for a 2-year old: Speaks about 50 words but understands even more; links two words together; uses simple adjectives such as "big" and "happy"; speaks clearly enough for parents to understand some of the words. My responses would vary from defensiveness, explaining that the Brat's father also spoke late, but speaks perfectly well now...to fear of a pervasive developmental disorder.

Until last week, that is. At long last, our baby has added to her vocabulary. These are a few of the words that we believe she now speaks:

Baby
Maybe (half-way between Mama and Baby?)
Car
Girl
Truck
Circle or Purple (we are not to sure)
No (sometimes pronounced as Na)

Oddly enough she calls her papa "Ma" (half of Mama?).

But at least there has been progress. This happened rather suddenly about two Sundays ago, and she has been adding to her list almost daily. She still has quite a bit of catching up to do compared to the average 2-year old, but perhaps speech therapy can be avoided after all!

Sharing (or the lack thereof)

Dressing Up

I had been told by a few of my experienced friends that kids don't have a good concept of sharing until about 4 or 5 years of age. So I was pleasantly surprised that our generous baby seemed to have no qualms over sharing. Whether during playgoups, or on play-dates, she would happily proffer the toys she was playing with or food she was eating with other kids her age. Whether they were toys belonging to the playgroup, or her own did not seem to make a difference.

Until this week, that is. We had not had any kids over to our house in some time, due mostly to a hectic work schedule and some traveling. However, this week our baby's friend, three months her junior, came over for a few hours, accompanied by her mother. This is a friend of hers that we had had many play-dates with, and they had always gotten along quite well. 

About half-way through the visit, our Brat did something that shocked me, and simultaneously made me laugh. She started hoarding her toys, and would add any toy that her friend was interested in playing with. At one point, she was sitting on her quadracycle, holding a teddy bear, a doll, and somehow managed to find a way to also grab an abacus as well as a "push" toy called a "colour roller". All because her friend wanted those same toys. I considered getting the camera out, but felt I needed to be there to mediate. However, nothing I said convinced her to share. Yet when her friend left the room, she was clearly looking for her; she obviously enjoyed her company, but felt possessive vis-a-vis her toys.

While I realize she was acting as a typical child her age would, simply developing a sense of identity, I feared future toy fights...especially with her baby sister. So I googled "how to get your toddler to share", and I discovered that most experts suggested it would be a very gradual process, and that teaching by example would be the best strategy. But wasn't I already teaching by example? The very toys she considers her own are in fact my toys that I chose to share with her...

Third Quarter

Reading with Mama and Baby #2

I recently entered the third trimester of my current pregnancy, thereby reaching the 3/4 mark. I cannot help but compare my two pregnancies. So very similar in some ways, yet different. For instance, a few weeks ago we were enjoying breakfast out with some of our friends. "How is your pregnancy going?" I was asked. And in that moment, I had actually forgotten that I was pregnant, albeit momentarily.

The main difference is that this pregnancy, I am less focused on the pregnancy, no doubt  because of Brat #1. During my first pregnancy, I could tell you how pregnant I was, to the minute, the fundal height, the fetal heart rate (both of which I checked regularly), and how often I was getting Braxton Hix contractions. This pregnancy, I am definitely less concerned about almost everything. Once the nausea lessened at around 20 weeks gestation, I actually often forgot I was pregnant. I have been so focused on the Brat who demands my full attention, that the small details of my pregnancy take a back seat. Rather than worrying about keeping track of all the normal things of pregnancy, I am simply aware that everything is progressing normally.

However, now that I have entered the third trimester, it is harder to forget that I am pregnant. For one thing, my belly is bulging. For another, my centre of balance is definitely off, and I can't do things like play tennis with as much ease as I did in my first two trimesters. Nor can I carry the Brat around without quickly tiring. I have a feeling that it won't be long before the Brat becomes daddy's girl...

The Scribe

Caught in the Act

This week, I discovered something very interesting. Baking soda is excellent for removing crayon stains from walls and floors. This was a discovery that came as a surprise for a number of reasons. Mostly because our daughter had showed little interest in colouring up until this week.

I had purchased a set of soy-based non-toxic crayons well over six months ago. I showed her how to colour a scrap of paper. And thereafter regularly brought out the crayons to encourage her to draw. She showed very little interest, preferring to break and throw the crayons. This Monday, however, she went on a colouring frenzy. Approximately one month ago, I purchased a kid-sized table and chairs from Ikea, and placed them next to our kitchen island. Hoping mostly that she would occupy herself while I prepared her meals. On her table, I had set out a few scraps of paper, some stickers, and a tumbler full of crayons.

She ignored the crayons up until this last Monday. She took one, coloured all over the scraps of paper. She then quickly changed colours, and lifted the papers to colour on the clean white table. Next, she coloured on her chairs. Then the floor, and finally the walls. I did not want to stifle her artistic inclinations, so I let her continue for a few minutes. I tried to redirect her to the scraps of paper, but to no avail. She did eventually give up, but not before colouring on everything in sight.

At this point, I quickly googled "how to clean crayons off walls", and discovered that I had the ingredients to a quick cleanup right in my kitchen. I simply powdered a wet sponge with baking soda, and voila, the crayon marks were wiped clean.

The Brat watched with great interest as I cleaned up. She has continued to colour on her chairs and table on a daily basis, but much to my relief, decided to forego the walls and floors. However, since Monday, once she colours on the chairs, she passes them to me to clean. She then colours with renewed vigour on her clean chairs.

Oh the simple joys of childhood...

First Snowfall

Trudging through the snow

I should specify; this is not our daughter's first snowfall, nor this winter's first snowfall. However, it is this winter's most significant snowfall so far, and what will probably be our daughter's most memorable snowfall.

While there have been a few snow flurries recently, the snow never stuck around until this last Tuesday night. I had made plans for Wednesday involving the car, but when we awoke, I quickly realized that my plans would have to be changed. We have not yet installed our winter tires, and there was quite a bit of snow on the ground, and still falling. I resigned myself, and actually told baby # 1 that we would be staying in all day. We did venture downstairs in our condominium complex to check the mail. There, we ran into a little boy her age, accompanied by his grandmother. He was suited up in an impressive snow suit, and they were heading out to enjoy the snowfall. And that's when I decided that we could certainly do the same. While I do not currently own a full snow suit (that would fit given my current shape), I donned my long winter coat, and dressed the baby up in her metallic pink snow suit.

We headed out the back door of our condominium complex, and I thought we would simply loop around and enter through the front. As it happened, baby #1 enjoyed the snow so much that we stayed out for an entire hour. And that's when I realized that if I am to enjoy our harsh winters, then I am going to have to start dressing warmly, and attempt to rediscover the joys of winter. I have fond memories of tobogganing and skating with my sisters growing up, but sadly, I do not remember the last time I enjoyed being outdoors in the winter. I avoided what was left of the winter when our first daughter was born in February of 2010, and only briefly went out with the stroller last winter. But I have a feeling that all that is about to change.

Now if only our winters would start a little later on in the year, and last not so long, the task at hand would be so much simpler...

The Upside to Changing Time Zones

Trying on Grandma's earrings

Last week, we travelled to San Francisco for a medical conference. We had a wonderful week, except for the Brat's really early wake-ups. She woke up at 4:30 every morning. We brought her to our bed, and tried to convince her that it was too early to play. She eventually fell asleep, and slept from 6 to about 8 AM local time. This went on all week, with only a slight improvement near the end of the week.

We returned home Sunday just before midnight Montreal time, and put the Brat to bed by 1AM. We weren't sure what to expect the next morning. Much to our surprise, she awoke just before 10 AM local time. She had woken up only briefly in the middle of the night. Would this pattern continue through the week?

Since Monday night, we have been putting her to bed around 10PM, attempting to do so a little earlier each night. Much to our surprise, she continues to sleep in in the morning... For the very first time in her life. Prior to our trip to San Francisco, she would awaken no later than 6:30AM.  However, since our return, she has woken up no earlier than 7:45AM!

Of course, by putting her to bed late at night, we don't have much time to ourselves prior to our bedtime. Now if only we could strike that perfect balance...