Introducing....

Alyssa became a big sister on Sunday. Sydney Joy joined our family at 9:08am September 27th. She weighed 7lbs 10 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. She has a head of dark hair and looks very much like her big sister did when she was born. So far, she's been an angel baby. Hardly a peep out of her. She sleeps pretty well at night and is content to be held or even placed in her swing while big sister Allie gets her cuddle time too. At her first appointment, Sydney was already back to her birth weight, so she's growing well.

Allie seems to love her baby sister but there has been some jealousy. Allie is not quite her normal self. She's been pushing her limits a bit and has been more sensitive than normal. This is certainly a big adjustment for her, but for the most part, she's handling it ok. We'll see what the next few weeks/months bring.

We'd like you to meet Sydney:

And Counting

So, 6 days and counting. Well, it's more like 2 weeks and counting. I don't expect this baby to be early or even on time, but because of my diabetes the midwife won't let me go more than a week passed due. So, we'll be meeting this little one in the next 2 weeks for sure.

I can't wait to meet this little person. I'm excited for Allie to meet her little brother or sister and see how she responds. I'm not nervous about labor but a little anxious to put it behind me. And, boy could I use a chocolate covered donut....or a rich chocolate blended mocha....yum. :)

As much as I would love to go in to labor right this minute, there are a few things that stop me from chugging down castor oil. Ok, besides the MAIN reason that I'm not even due yet and really don't think that's the best choice now anyway. 1. Our room has 2 huge holes in it. 6 foot holes. I can walk right from the bedroom to the garage. And if I had a ladder, climb into the attic too. So, it would be nice to finish that up before the baby is born. But, if not I'll get over it. :) And, I have orders for work coming out my ears. I was so proud of myself for being completely caught up and staying on top of work things so I could take it easy the last week, but we had a huge sale last week and another good one this week. Now I'm drowning in work. I just want to get as much done before I hand it off to my poor co-worker as possible.

So, next post will probably be after the baby is born. Can't wait!

New Room

Allie moved in to her new room tonight. She's been so excited to get in there. She asked if she could sleep in there last night, but the carpet wasn't laid and her furniture was in the garage. We still need to finish the closet, organize, and decorate but the furniture is in. Right now, she's sleeping soundly in her big girl bed after much excitement from finally moving in!

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but the walls are a light green. Pistachio Ice Cream. Yum! :)

Circus!

We took Allie to the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus in Sacramento last night. It was so much fun! Dad, Mom, Lesley, Jason, Heather, and Jason and the kids all went too. Allie really got in to dancing with the clowns but she said her favorite part was the elephants. I'm not sure what Drew and Maddie's favorite parts were, but Elise said her favorite part was when they shot the ladies out of the cannon. Claire's favorite part was "the whole thing!"

I've only been to the circus once and I was around 8 or 9, so I don't remember a lot of it. The energy and fast-pace of the show was so much fun and kept me entertained probably even more than the kids. :)

36 Weeks

Only 4 weeks to go until due date. But I'm just planning on 5, though. :)

I Can't Help But Love Her

I mean, isn't she just adorable? :)

Gestational Diabetes

I had GD with Allie but really had no trouble with it. It was fairly easy to control and I was really careful. Well, as suspected, I have it again this time. But this time, I'm having a bit harder time controlling it. I saw my midwife yesterday and if things don't change over the next week, she'll want me to start on insulin. Besides the daily injections and added cost, it would mean my dream of at least trying a waterbirth would be gone.

Waterbirth is something I've wanted to do since before I knew anyone who'd done it. I'd read about it and thought it sounded like such a nice way to labor. When I was pregnant with Allie, the hospital had a policy that anyone with GD was excluded from waterbirth. They've since changed their policy and a woman who has well-controlled GD with diet alone and not expected to have a large baby can still have a waterbirth. I was so hopeful that I'd get to do it this time since with Allie my GD was very mild. Allie was only 7 pounds when she was born so I didn't think weight would be too much of a problem.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to eat most days. Eating eggs for breakfast every morning gets a bit boring. Sometimes, I tolerate a piece of wheat toast and sometimes I don't. It's trying to find the balance of what I can eat when and how much. My midwife wasn't too thrilled that I've lost 1/2 a pound a week the last couple weeks so I'm trying to eat enough to maintain the weight but keep my sugars down. Boy is it hard!

Of course, the main thing with the diabetes is not just that I won't be able to have the waterbirth I'm hoping for or that I'm bored with my meals, but that the baby is healthly. So, I'm praying that I won't have to go on insulin, but mainly that whatever happens we're able to give the baby the best start possible.