Hey, remember when we had a blog? *sigh* It probably seems like nothing is happening, which is partially true, and partially completely wrong. Of course, lots of stuff is happening, but all in the context of a normal day, which makes it seem like not worth blogging about, really.

Meredith cracks us up daily with her developing personality. Thursday, when Billi, the nurse who gives me my weekly “butt shot” (as M calls it) visited, Meredith decided to play nurse assistant. She stood and watched Billi and Daddy get the shot ready, then, afterward, got out Billi’s stethoscope for listening to the baby for her, including pulling out the earphones and the tube of ointment she uses. Then she helped me get a Kleenex to clean up the ointment (getting one for herself, of course, so that she could clean her own belly. CLEANING. Still a favorite activity.)

Tonight we introduced her to the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special via my DVD. She was very aware of Rudolph (or as she calls him, Rudolph Brightnose) from our trip to the mall and seeing Santa and his reindeer. So she’s been walking around all week talking about Rudolph. We watched Rudolph while I made dinner and when it was done, she went BALLISTIC when he wasn’t on screen anymore. Wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Of course, that couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that she was worn out and tired from Christmas shopping all day with Daddy, could it? Naaaah. :>) I have a feeling we’ll be watching Rudolph quite a bit from now on…

And, on the other side, of course, we have Numero Dos coming along nicely. Kevin’s kid seems determined to make sure I don’t forget it’s still in there, kicking up a storm every chance it gets. Although I’m not looking very pregnant, I’m FEELING more and more pregnant — I think I’m just displacing all my internal organs instead of growing a stomach. Even at that, the pants are definitely getting tight — I’m wearing them unbuttoned more often than not these days. Fortunately, sitting at a desk all day affords me that luxury. :>

So apologies for the absence — we’re here, just working on keeping up with everything else first… :}

…a baby! You didn’t think we’d let it slip THAT easily, did you?

Kevin and I had our 19 week ultrasound this morning, and we got our second good look at Bingham the 2nd. (Well, Kevin got his first look, since he wasn’t able to be at the first ultrasound.) It took much longer than we thought it would, owing to the fact that one of our technicians was a student who was practicing, but that just meant we got to watch longer.

With this kind of thing, I think no news is good news — I certainly didn’t see any concerned looks or emergency consultations about such-and-such, so I’d like to take that as a sign that everything’s going great. We got a look at two feet, two hands, the seeming requisite number of fingers and toes… We didn’t get very many great pictures this time — just one scary scan of the face which looks like an alien skull, but I’ll scan it and post it as soon as I can.

Mostly, Kevin and I are having what looks to be a healthy little one, and we can’t wait to meet them!

(And yes, we know what it is. And no, you’re not going to until Labor Day, so to speak… :>)

Our new nanny’s name is Shelly — she’s a mother 5 times over(!) and a grandmother to 2, so I have to expect that she’s pretty much seen and done it ALL. Certainly more than two little ones can throw at her. Meredith’s new partner-in-crime is named Hank, a little blond cutie whose mom and dad, Saffa and Tim, are very enthusiastic and VERY organized and together. I have every confidence if they say something is so, it’s so. And they have nothing but GREAT things to say about Shelly, so I know that Meredith will be in good hands.

So that’s a load off our minds that we’ll have childcare for Meredith taken care of soon. (I was going to say that we’ll have a replacement for Esme, but we’ll never be able to REPLACE Esme!!) All this means that we’re going to hold off placing Meredith in the daycare up the street for another year or so, but as long as she’s having fun and getting plenty of social interaction with others (which it sounds like she’ll get, plus more if and when we place her in a few little activity classes here and there), there’s plenty of time to get her into a structured program. We’re not worried about it.

Think good thoughts for having everything buttoned up by the end of the week!

M had her two-year checkup a month late. Essentially, she’s doing quite well! 75th percentile for height (TALL), 75th percentile for head size (BIG HEYAD) and 10th percentile for weight (MOORE MILK PEAS?). Verbal and physical skills are on track or ahead, and the doc and I are pleased with her status in general, but she won’t being going on 1% milk like many others of her age are encouraged to… we’ll be on whole for a while longer yet.

Besides… I kinda like having some around for baking.

-K

You probably already know our latest big news and have been checking in vain day after day for the big announcement to show up here. Well, your prayers have been answered! Yes, it’s official — Kevin and I are expecting our second child. Meredith’s little brother or sister will be joining us March 9, 2010 (at least if they stay in there the whole time this time!)

Checkups so far have been sporadic but good — the heartbeat is strong and the ultrasound showed that as of September 16, we are at 15 weeks and counting! (Ultrasound picture to be posted as soon as I find the power cable to my scanner… :P)

We will continue to post progress and pictures as our new addition develops!

We have another August birthday to celebrate in our house — Daughter #1. That’s right, Devi is a grand old lady of 7 years old today. Dad gave her her very own steak for dinner (as well as some dried dog food “Doritos”). No doggie birthday cake, but I think she was happy enough…

Happy birthday, Sassbox!

We all walked up to 82nd street to get to my appointment at 8am (Daddy had to carry Meredith on his shoulders the last few blocks because Miss M. was having fun dawdling and carrying Baby…) Meredith found a naked Barbie doll in the toy box (”NA-KED! NA-KED!”) that she wanted to bring in with her. We all went into the exam room together so that Meredith could see what was happening, because it would be HER turn next. The exam went really well — got X-rays done, got the cleaning (AHHH — feels so good) and then it was Meredith’s turn. She had been doing well up until that point and didn’t seem to be nervous or anything, but once we actually got her in the chair, she didn’t want to let the hygienist clean her teeth at all. (Although she was very good about opening her mouth so that the dentist could see how many teeth she has and how Momma brushes her teeth.) Everyone was very nice and understanding and said that it was perfectly normal at this age — they don’t push anything so that the little ones will have only good experiences at the dentist. Meredith still got to pick a goodie from the treasure chest — a little green frog. So maybe next time we’ll actually get a cleaning in — in March!

So we left Daddy to do his appointment at 9am (which also went fine — a couple of spots to watch, but no cavities!) and we walked home to meet up with Esme at 10am. A big day full of new experiences!

That about sums it up, right there! Our little monkey is now officially the big “2″! We’ve been reading “The Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly” with Meredith, and she calls it the “old lady” book. So when I asked her, “Meredith, how old are you?”, she responded with “old lady!” Yes, you are an old lady!

We had a small party Saturday for Meredith with Esme and Luis and Michelle, Adam and Cate. (We had hoped to have Tyra, Matt and Aurora, too, but they had a wedding to attend. Booo!) There were little finger snacks and a really yummy chocolate monkey cake, courtesy of Daddy! (Not made with real monkeys.)

So many pretty clothes and fun toys from everyone in the family! Thank you to everyone for the presents and the birthday wishes to make Meredith’s day extra-special! Another year begins…here we go for the big “3″!

What are you waiting around here for? Go look at pics!