Let's go month by month...
December - Riley still isn't walking! Who needs to walk when you can crawl 60mph or people to carry you everywhere!?
On the 16th, we got the surprise of the year... we're having another baby! That Friday, the 19th, I had my "yearly" appt where I had an u/s to confirm and date the pregnancy. Scary news. They couldn't see anything just yet. Talk about being scared out of my mind. As it worked out, it was just too early. I found out when I was 3weeks 2days and that u/s was at 3w 5d. They had me do some blood work and then sent me on my way. That started our Christmas travels!
First off... northern VA for the Proffitt Family Christmas Party. Always a lot of fun. Interesting to see everyone! We also told my family about the new baby to be that weekend. Ryan had to come back to town to work for a day and a half, but Riley and I stayed up with my family.
Next round... Ohio! We told Ryan's family about the new baby to be as soon as we got there! They were sooooooooo excited! Boy was Riley the center of attention in OH! The child does no wrong. But isn't that what grandparents and aunts for? To give you whatever mom and dad don't give you? DUH! We spent Christmas day in Ohio and it was a BLAST. My first Christmas away from my family, but it wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. It was much too quick of a visit. I wish we were closer to both families. It'd make life so much easier!
Now it was back to No. VA, with a quick stop in MD. Riley got to meet my grandfather and see my grandmother again. Then Christmas with the Proffitt family. By now, there were too many gifts to fit them all in the car. Gifts, plus the 3 of us, plus the dog. WHEW! Back to town on Sunday.
Monday I went back to the dr for more bloodwork. All came back well... HCG was on the high side. High is better than low. Went in Wednesday - I only expected to see the gestational sac - for another u/s. Sure enough. There it was - the gestational sac. Measuring 5w 3d, right on target to when I figured we had conceived. PERFECT! Dr scheduled another u/s at 7w 1d (Jan 12) to check for a heartbeat. There it was... flickering away! Wonderful! At 10w 1d (I think), I had the usual "first" OB appt. With Riley, this was the first time I saw the dr... this time it was the 4th! As well as the 4th u/s! Crazy!!
January started off with baby things. Nothing too huge happening. Riley started walking towards the middle of the month. Our life, as we knew it, was over. She didn't just walk... she was running, too. EEEk!
February was uneventful. February was when my 10w appt was. Oh yes... there was some events going on in February. How I almost forgot, I do not know. After talking to Ruby (Riley's babysitter while I work), we made the joint decision that it would be more beneficial for her family financially for her to get a non-daycare job. I was heartbroken, but I knew God would provide. We found one lady, seemed comfortable. I freaked out about a week before we were supposed to start and started hardcore looking for someone else. Came across a girl on facebook. All seemed PERFECT. She had a little girl about 2 months younger than Riley, she lived near us, went to the same school... seemed great. It wasn't. The first week was ok. Riley HATED it. She didn't sleep well and cried hard when I left. It was like ripping part of my heart out everyday. As it worked out, I ended up sick towards the end of the week and got to keep her home for a day. However, I figured it was all normal and we'd all adjust. Then the next week came. Monday Riley was in the living room alone while the new sitter went to get something from the kitchen. In the "2 seconds" she was gone, Riley managed to get a hold of a cup of coffee. She dumped the coffee on herself AND the sitter's laptop. NOOOO! The laptop was ruined. Their insurance on it expired about a week and a half before. They were paying $100 to get the pictures off of the hard drive, but the motherboard was gone. I felt horrible. But, she's a toddler and there's nothing I could do to change it. As the week went on several things happened that really left a bad taste in my mouth. By wednesday I knew that this situation wasn't going to work. The sitter is VERY against vaccinating children - fine, do what you want- and was giving me a hard time about us choosing to vaccinate Riley. It was implied that if we got Riley the MMR vaccine, she would be a risk to her un-vax'd pregnant roommate and her un-vax'd daughter. With ANY research, you will learn that the risk to an un-vax'd pregnant woman is NEARLY nothing - unless she is changing Riley's poopy diapers (which she had no business doing) without any gloves on her hands. Riley was no risk to the other child. Several comments were made about my choice to vaccinate. Did I ever tell her how I felt she was being irresponsible and ignorant by choosing not to vaccinate and not do her research regarding the topic? No. It's not my place. Wednesday afternoon, Riley and I went to Ruby's to visit. Riley RAN over to her and looked at me like, "you've finally come to your senses and brought me back where I belong." I cried to ruby and told her everything going on. She let me know that the new job wasn't working out as they'd hoped AND they were moving. Financially things would be turning around for them. She agreed to take Riley back the day they moved. I informed the new sitter that as of March 2, Riley would be going back. It's what was best for our family. That Friday morning after I got to work, I got a text. Yes, a TEXT. It said that if we chose to give Riley the MMR vaccine at her appt on Monday, she would not be able to come back. That was it. I had plalnned on informing her that we were just going to delay it 2 weeks until we switched because it is too difficult to find childcare for MONDAY for 2 weeks on FRIDAY. However, when I arrived... Riley's stuff was packed and by the door. Guess that answers THAT. Ruby watched Riley the following week, thank goodness. The 2nd week, Riley got to spend it at home with our friend Monday - Wednesday and then Ryan's parents came for a visit and kept her Thursday and Friday. We had an AMAZING visit with Ryan's parents. It was nice for them to get to spend so much time one on one with just Riley (and the dog). I think everyone had a blast. Riley had no problem with the transition. She did great with the in-laws. Probably because she sees them often on the webcam.
March started off with a bang! On the 1st, it started snowing. A lot. Our first real snow in about 7 years. Yes, that is right. we've gotten a couple of inches here and there, but nothing significant. By Monday morning, there was 10 inches on the ground! School was closed for me and the office was closed for Ryan. Tuesday I had the day off again, but Ryan went in. Wednesday it was back to Ruby for Riley and back to school for me! This month we've also gotten to hear the little baby's heartbeat. 141. Just like Riley. The only difference in pregnancies is I've been MUCH more sick this time. But Zofran and Phenergan came to the rescue. I'm finally starting to feel better!
I'm going to get better about updating, I PROMISE. My goal is AT LEAST 2 - 3times a week. Ryan's doing his internship 3 evenings a week, so maybe I'll update on those nights while I'm killing time.
Here are some Christmas pictures! I will do snow and others in a post tomorrow night, hopefully.
getting ready for the Christmas Eve church service
Opening presents on the fireplace is always better! (don't worry, it wasn't on)
Riley doesn't see the need for gifts. She'll wrap herself up!
sitting on Aunt Bethany's lap opening another gift.
her favorite face to make at the camera on Christmas
