#2's first photos!

We went in for our first gynecological checkup Monday. The blood work I took two weeks ago came out normal, including some screening tests for genetic problems. They took an ultrasound in the office, so its not that clear. I'll post the image when I get it scanned. The nurse measured the length of the embryo and it appears younger than my last menstrual period would predict by about one week. So, I must have conceived toward the end of my cycle, rather than the middle. The new due date is then August 23, 2009.

My next appointment is in 6 weeks, and they will test my blood again, this time for downs syndrome and neural tube problems in the fetus. I will also be tested for blood sugar.

March 29th, a Sunday, is my next ultrasound. This is the detailed one done with a special machine, and will hopefully show the gender.

Croup? Like for Chickens?

For the past week John has been sick. He has had a sore throat, very nasty thick nasal drip and a deep barking cough. The cold seems stuck in his larynx, giving John a deep raspy voice. The internet tells me this is croup. He's getting better now, but I had to cancel a playdate with Lily last Saturday, which disappointed John (and Lily). The cough was especially bad at night. For the first two night, it would scare him and he'd cry and then his cough would get even worse. Now he says Go away cough! Go away snots! He can blow his own nose now, but he doesn't like it.

Free day at the Academy of Sciences (is not worth the money)

This last Wednesday, we tried to get up early and go to the new California Academy of Science, which has been under construction for the past 5 years and just recently opened up. Its a new eco building, with a green roof, as you can see. Admission is $25 and $12 for children so we thought we would go on the once a month free day. It seems everyone in the Bay Area also wanted to not pay $25, as there was a line around the building and down the park, out of golden gate and down the road. We never did find the end of the line. It was literally the worst line I've ever seen.
We had already bundled ourselves and John up and drove down, paying bridge and parking, so we went the the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park instead. John ran around a lot and made friends with a girl his age. They tore around together and climbed inside the Zen Rock Garden exhibit, throwing rocks. That got John a time out and he had a temper tantrum (dad's note: the girl's mom and I watched them walk up a flight of stairs, and we started following them. When we got to the top of the steps they were GONE! We couldn't believe how fast they were! Finally after about 2-3 mins. we found them behind the barrier, as mom noted)
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John liked climbing this bridge. He climbed it 3 times, with only minimal help from dad (mostly spotting to make sure he didn't fall).
After a few hours, it was time to go home. John had a nap to take and Charles and I had to go to work.
Next time I decide to go to the Academy, I'll plan to pay!