16 Weeks and Counting

16 weeks down...24 (or so) to go. All is well. Emma Claire went with me to my OB visit again on Friday. Calin also went with us (her beloved baby doll). We sat down in the room and Emma Claire said "baby heartbeat" (referring to baby sister/brother), then said "Calin heartbeat, Calin ow-ie". Sure enough, we listened to Calin's heartbeat at the end of the visit.

My dear midwife plays along and is so kind to include Emma Claire in the visit. Emma Claire knew just what to do this time with the monitor. She held the "microphone" while Nahid guided her. The baby was apparently moving around a lot and had a 160+ bpm heartbeat. Nahid said she was listening for a boy, but hearing a girl (for what it is worth). I have absolutely NO idea or feeling this time as to what it is. My ultrasound is scheduled for my birthday on March 19. Can't wait to find out. Emma Claire says she is getting a "baby brother-sister". I am quite sure there is only one, however!

I am so happy that Emma Claire can be a part of the baby's development. She is already a good big sister and asks to "see baby" all day long. She hugs and kisses and talks to baby. She said yesterday "baby turning flips". I think she is probably right. I am starting to feel some movement. It will be fun when she and Brad can feel it too. Amazing.

Nahid always gives Emma Claire the tape measure that she uses to measure my belly to take home. She says baby is ~12 cm now, or this long in inches...

2 Year Stats

We had our 2 year visit with Dr. Hobbs today. Hard to believe it has been 6 months since we last saw him for our 18 month checkup. I have to say, we have been lucky that we have been well this winter and have not had to go in.

All is going well. Emma Claire weighs 24 pounds (16th percentile) and is 33 inches tall (24th percentile). He thinks she is doing great. He talked a little about positive discipline, mealtime (it is my job to offer her the food and hers to make the choice whether or not to eat it - she will eventually eat), getting outside, limiting toys (his recommendation is to limit the toys - which I agree with. She is happiest playing in the kitchen sink or with the dogs).
Dr. Hobbs says he will be happy to take on another Kadue - thank goodness - he is the best. He has all of the cousins, too :-).

Sad to know that the next scheduled well child visit is not for another year. I have gotten so accustomed to those regular visits. I thought 6 months was a long time to wait. The good news is, we will be back to see him for sure in August with Kadue Baby #2 (or #5 for him, if you count the cousins)!

Future Figure Skater or Hockey Player?

Emma Claire was on her new ice skates for the first time last weekend. We went to the rink at Lyons Park her in Golden Valley.

First and foremost, they are the cutest thing ever. Little size 6 toddler, blue hockey skates on a little girl with pink snow gear and pigtails under her bike helmet. This Southern girl never dreamed I would be putting my almost 2 year old in ice skates.

Emma Claire certainly did not just take off on the ice. She was able to stand on her own for a few seconds at a time. She is pretty cautious with most things, including this activity. I am envisioning ice skating lessons in our future...brrrrr. Emma Claire is loving watching the figure skating in the Olympics. Haven't watched the hockey yet :-).

http://eckadue.shutterfly.com/2278

A Day of Celebration: Friday, February 12

Emma Claire's "birthday weekend" started out on Friday with a birthday snack at Calvary and her family birthday party in the evening.

Rowie and Opa came along for the birthday snack at Calvary. We took heart shaped pimento cheese sandwiches, strawberries and valentine cookies. Everyone seemed to enjoy the snack. The class sang "Happy Birthday" to Emma Claire and she wore a special birthday crown and enjoyed the time with her friends. The children exchanged Valentines (they each colored their own bag for them). Emma Claire made her Valentines (with the help of Rowie) at the last minute the night before :-). They went on a "heart hunt" in the hallway. Each heart they found had instructions (act like a lion, hug a friend, sing Jesus Loves Me, etc.). We stuck around for circle time, too. It sure is a cute bunch! What a blessing that Emma Claire is at such a wonderful place.

In the evening, we had Emma Claire's birthday party at our house. The theme was Abby Cadabby. Emma Claire is a huge Sesame Street fan. Really, she mostly loves Elmo, but Abby was the perfect theme for Emma Claire. It suited her to a tee. Piggytails and all. It was a small family gathering. The Kadue cousins attended (which in and of itself is a full house), along with Uncle Paul, Grandpa Rick, Rowie, Opa, Auntie G, Baby George, Marissa and Jonah. It was a fun night. No one enjoyed themselves more than Emma Claire. She was still going strong until well past 9:00. Her favorite thing was the new trampoline that Brad and I gave her. It was the hit. She jumped and jumped and jumped some more on it.

By the end of the night, we were all pretty partied out. Could not have asked for a more special, fun second birthday party.

We took lots of photos... http://eckadue.shutterfly.com/2115

Sophie and Stickers

I gave Emma Claire a sheet of 20 or so stickers to keep her entertained for a few minutes Friday. It bought me a good 20 minutes to get a few things done, at Sophie's expense.
Emma Claire put every last one of those stickers on Sophie. Her back was covered with little round Valentine stickers (I snapped the photo after Emma Claire had already started "disassembling"). The best part is that Sophie was just going along with it... I have said it before and will say it again, I Sophie wins the prize when it comes to Emma Claire tolerance.