27 Weeks Today...only 91 days left! Well I have definately had my ups and downs this pregnancy and I am hoping I am hitting a turning point. The weight is coming along. I have gained 22 lbs. total. The baby's heartrate was 145 at my appointment last week. Masen gets more and more excited. I moan and groan once in awhile because my back it achy and Masen's first response is "Is the baby coming?" He wrote out his Christmas list and wanted to put baby toys on there for the baby. I told him that was very nice but this list was just for him. We will be making a big adjustment this week and moving Masen's room to the bigger bedroom so his old room can be for the baby. We are very careful not to make him feel "put out" and he is okay with moving his room. I am still trying to imagine having two kids and wonder where we will get the energy to give them equal attention.

Thoughts with Age

Tomorrow I will turn 32.  When I think of that alot of things run through my mind.  I think back to what I had planned for my life when I was in my teens and how I always thought that by this time I would have my family complete.  I never expected to have a six year old and a new born baby at age 32.  It has been so long since I have had a little baby I hope that it all comes back to me when I have it in my arms.  I then think back to a few years ago and how Jon and I were saddened to think we would never have another child and how we discussed options of adoption. We are completely blessed to have a little one on the way (although it is several years later than what we had anticipated).  I know all things happen for a reason.  I know that this baby is a gift from my mom and that the difference in age gave us time to focus on Masen and give him our all. 

Gender

Well, I did open the envelope. I know what we are having but Jon and Masen do not. Jon is still undecided if he wants to know. We had decided months ago that if we found out, we would not share with anyone. As a disclaimer, I still say he or she or it when referring to the baby. Don't make any assumptions based on what I say.

Ultrasound - 5 months

Just got back from my 5 month ultrasound.  Baby's heartrate is 154 and it is very active.  Masen came to watch and was so excited to see it.  He got out of the chair and started rubbing my leg with a big smile on his face.  We opted (in a way) not to find out the sex of the baby.  However, I have this envelope with a piece of paper in it that could tell me what it is.  Jon now has me nearly convince that I should not find out.  As with Masen, I can say that Jon thought he saw boy parts during the ultrasound.  I have mixed feelings about the gender.  I think everyone wants the typical boy and girl.  I do want a girl but I just think how amazing it would be to have another boy and watch Jon, Masen and baby wrestle together and do their boy stuff.  We are just fortunate to be adding another little one to our family.

Rough Pregnancy Week

October 11, 2009

I can't seem to get a good pic so once again...just focus on the belly!

Almost 19 weeks!

It was a rough week this week.  I ended up in the ER on Tuesday and after a few tests they thought I may have appendicitis.  After a consultation with a surgeon, some more blood work and an MRI, they confirmed it was not appendicitis.  I have several glands swollen behind my ears and on the back of my neck and feel feverish at times.  They are now checking me for Mono.  

We are still undecided on whether we will find out the sex of the baby...October 22nd is the date to decide by.  We really enjoyed the surprise we had with Masen and debate whether that is what we would like this time.  Every time I tell Masen I went to the doc he asks me if I found out what it is.  He keeps hoping for another boy.

Although this so far has been a rough pregnancy...I do enjoy being pregnant and knowing that I am growing a little one inside me.  I can feel it's movements now and it is very active.  Every ultrasound tech and my OBGYN have commented about how active of a baby I have.  I just keep thinking how lucky we are to have this baby at all.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

Masen lost his two bottom teeth this weekend.  He was very excited when the toothfairy (who is a boy he informed me) left him $2.00 under his pillow.  He told me he can now by a Nintendo DS.  When I said he needed alot more dollars for that he decided he can use it on two massages in the massage chairs they have at the mall!  Masen had quite the weekend...he also scored an amazing 34 in bowling.  Grandpa Snook taught him all his moves!

Masen on a Bowling League

Masen started on a bowling league every Saturday morning.  He gave his first day his all!  He scored a 7 in the first game and a 5 in the second game.  Although he got frustrated along the way he was bragging about how he got those 7 pins.  Jon and I kept telling him after we were done how great he did.  His response was "I know".  We are going to give it a few more weeks before we purchase him his own ball and shoes!

September 21, 2009

Another appointment today. I have gained 5lbs since my last appointment 4 weeks ago! The baby's heartbeat is very strong at 154 beats. We have an ultrasound on October 22nd where we can find out the gender of the baby. At this point I don't think we will find out.

Masen Starts Kindergarten

September 8 was Masen's first day of Kindergarten. He was very excited and packed his backpack the night before to ensure he was ready for his first day. We arrived at school a little bit early. As we sat in the car he kept asking "is it time yet?". He was very excited to learn that one of his friends (his wife as she calls herself) from daycare was attending the same school. Him and "his wife" actually sit right next to each other in class. We warned the teacher ahead of time that those two together may be trouble! Masen walked into the place like he owned it, he found his name and took his seat at his desk with a big smile on his face. Mommy and Daddy were having a harder time letting him go.

Baby Kooi Update

Just focus on the belly...not the horrible pic of me!

July 14, 2009 (6 weeks)

Jon and I officially believe in miracles. We were very excited to find out that we are expecting again. Once again I had been on fertility medication for about a year. I had went from 50mg to over 200mg on the medication. The highest the doctor could go with it was 250mg and I was reaching that max. The next step would be to receive hormone injections which Jon and I had decided was not an option. We had talked seriously about adopting instead. About 2 months ago we had both decided that I should stop taking the medication. We had decided that God had blessed us with the greatest child in the world and that we were meant to have only one. I even had a garage sale to sell all Masen’s baby stuff. I had a few weeks where I just wasn’t feeling well…I thought it may have been stress from work. Jon kept telling me to take a pregnancy test but I was determined that I could not be pregnant because I had been off the meds for a few months. Finally after being sick for so long, I decided to sneak out and buy a test. I was sure that the test would be negative so I did not even tell Jon I was taking it. I discretely took the test and came out of the bathroom teary eyed. Jon was painting the kitchen and had his back turned to me. All I could say is …”You have got to be kidding me, you have got to be kidding me.” Without even turning around, Jon said “you’re pregnant aren’t you?” We gave each other a hug and discussed whether we should tell Masen. We were too excited and wanted Masen to share this with us. Jon called Masen and said “Are you ready to be a big brother because Mommy has a baby in her belly?” Masen’s eyes got big. He came up to me, raised up my shirt and put both hands on my belly. He looked at me and said “Is there mommy? Is there really a baby in there?” When I told him yes you could see the excitement on his face.

After breaking the news to Masen, I made the phone calls to the rest of the family. Everyone was overly excited and shocked knowing that we had given up on trying to have anymore children. Through all of this, there was an emptiness inside me. I was most of all wishing my mom was here to share this experience with. We believe this is a gift from her…a miracle. If we have a girl, the middle name will be Luann which was my mom’s middle name.

All of the triumphs and trials have made Jon and I stronger and made us truly appreciate the experience of being parents. Masen has told me a few times that he had wished and prayed for a baby. He said that he loves God because he FINALLY gave us a baby.

July 20, 2009 (6 weeks, 6 days)

Jon & I went in for the first ultrasound today. All we could see is this little peanut inside but we knew that was our baby!!!. I found out that I am 6 weeks and 6 days along. My due date is March 9. Masen’s 6th birthday is March 15!

We are really trying to decide if we should find out what we are having. We didn’t with Masen and it was a great surprise. We are both obviously hoping it is a girl. We would be just as excited to have another little boy running around. As long as it is healthy in the end, gender doesn’t matter.

Morning sickness has been horrible this time around. I thought it was bad with Masen but this is much worse. I am sick ALL the time.

August 5, 2009 (9 weeks)

Morning sickness continues and I feel aweful. Today I had a visit to the emergency room to get rehydrated. They told me that they would probably see me again in a few more weeks since I have extreme sickness. I have tried everything and nothing seems to help.

August 18, 2009 (11 weeks)

I had another appointment today. The baby's heartbeat was strong at 152 beats (if you believe in wives tales...this means it is a girl). I have gained 2 lbs. in a month and the morning sickness is finally starting to subside.

It can be very different with second babies. Right away my hips expanded and I couldn’t fit in my jeans. It took me forever to even show with Masen. I know officially have a baby bump!

Jon has been absolutely wonderful through this tough time of morning sickness. He offers to lend a hand with whatever I need. I had been so sick that he has taken on a lot around the house. I am so lucky to have him.

August 27, 2009 (12 weeks)
Attached are pics from the ultrasound I had today. I am 12 weeks and 2 days along. Baby was very active...kicking, stretching out it's legs and throwing it's hands all over. Looks like a girl to me =)...too early to tell