August 28, 2010

Gwen's Big News!

Gwen is so excited to share with everyone that she will be a BIG SISTER!!!!!!!!!!
She is extremely excited and is convinced it is a baby girl (currently affectionately called "Baby Lilly").
As of today, we are 11 weeks along (our due date is March 16th) and have already had a far more eventful pregnancy than with Gwen. With Gwen there was no morning sickness or any kind of complications until the end with stress was causing my blood pressure to spike. This time, morning sickness is only now starting to calm itself down (or I have just figured out how to manage it better), we have had one trip to the ER afraid that we lost the baby, and I have had 2 ultrasounds! The doctor is optimistic that things are stabilizing and that the baby will be fine, but he is watching us very closely. He has told me that the baby is right on track for size and development; which is very good. We are scheduled for another ultrasound in 2 weeks, so we are hopeful that we will hear more good news. I will keep everyone posted from now on :-)

Other things going on in Gwen's life:
Gwen is back into the swing of the school year and loving getting to see her friends more at the baby-sitter's house. She is also getting hang out with Gracie and Jayden in the evening when we go to the park now that it isn't 100 degrees outside! She's having lots of fun adventures with Gram too and even some sleep overs :-). Never a dull moment during Gwen's day it seems!
Gwen has been battling a yeast infection in her left ear (basically a really bad case of swimmer's ear) since late June and the battle is still going. Gwen went to the hospital Wednesday for another ear cleaning with the ENT. She was such a trooper and captured the hearts of all the surgical staff she met. The nurse who brought her back from recovery hadn't met Gwen before she was put under anesthesia, so she was completely caught off guard when Gwen woke up and ask her "Can I see my mommy now?". She wasn't expecting someone so little to speak so well! Gwen returned to her doctor yesterday for another follow up and the report was good! The ear looks great (for now), but we are having to clean it with saline a couple times a day, blow dry her ears dry after any water is near it, use ear molds during all water encounters, and restrict her to a meat and veggie diet until this infection is 100% gone! Quite the task for some one who loves fruit and pasta!
The other major event going on is POTTY TRAINING. Yes, we are still working on it! She is doing much better, but is still having accidents at least once a day and refusing to do #2 in the potty. She just doesn't care when she is dirty! Any advice is welcome! Brad and I would love this to be a completed process since we started last year!
One last thing for fun! Gwen received a get well card from Gammy and wanted to read it to everyone!

August 22, 2010

Bye, Bye Summer

Our summer has officially come to an end, but before it did we took one more trip to Chicago for the weekend. Last week we flew up on Friday morning to hang out with everyone, and to surprise Great Grandma Delores with a birthday party...she won't be 80 until September 15th, so we were definitely able to surprise her!
Happy Birthday Grandma D! Grandma D. and her girls
(Gwen would have been in the picture, but she was off chasing Bubba)
Gwen did make sure to be at the table for chocolate cake!
Saturday's fun included play time with Lilly in the pool
"Splish Splash! Lilly, do it like this!"
Saturday evening, Brad and I got to sneak away for a few hours and attend Cristen's (one of my good friends since middle school) wedding. She looked absolutely gorgeous!
Hinsdale Central Pommers reunited!
Sunday we were able to hang out with Gammy and Kelley for a few hours before catching our flight home. Gwen loves Kelley's dog, Sophie!
"My picture of me, Kelley, and Topie"
All summer Gwen has been noticing the heat and commenting how hot it is. Recently she started quoting a car dealership commercial when discussing the heat. It's too funny because she thinks she is always telling Uncle Don Don!

Since our trip to Chicago, Gwen has gone back to the babysitter's and Gram's houses during the week, and I have gone back to work. It has been quite a change to get used to again! I am just looking forward to Labor Day so we have a nice long weekend!

Gwen's Recent Quotes:
-"Let's need them, Please!!!!!" (Gwen's response to me telling her "We don't need these", referring to necklaces and a few other toys, in the swim bag)
-"It's hot Don Don!" (said whenever the word "hot" is mentioned)
-"It's the Best Ever!" (Gwen will make anything the "best ever": juice, Daddy, Mommy's singing, her best friend Gracie, Pooka sitting...you name it!)