It's a...

BOY!! He was a bit stubborn at first, since he was straddling his placenta, but eventually he showed the goods and the doctor is pretty positive we're having a boy! We are very excited about the fun that brothers will bring. Kasey has already predicted that there will be a lot of wrestling around our house.

I am happy to report that our baby boy is measuring exactly where he should be! He weighs about 7 oz. The doctor was very happy that I had started my weekly progesterone injections. The shots are really scary looking! The needle is about 2 inches long and the medicine is oil-based and very thick. Surprisingly the do not hurt a bit! My tush is just a bit sore a few days afterward.

The doctor measured my cervix and said that it is long, which is a good thing. I will go in every two weeks to ensure that there is no change in my cervical length. We will also have another growth scan in four weeks to make sure baby boy is growing appropriately. The baby's placenta is currently lying over my cervix. The doctor thinks as the pregnancy progresses it will move up and out of the way. However, it is something that they will be closely monitoring.

baby boy 17 weeks 4 days!

Logan hasn't said too much about "Chips" today. I think he is going to let it sink in for a bit. When I got home and asked him what kind of baby he wanted he said, "gurl." That was surprising since typically he says boy. I have enjoyed the minutes that Logan talks/slobbers to my belly, "Heno Chips! What you doin' in dere? Swimmin' awound?!" I look forward to all of the fun my boys will bring me!

Big News...

Logan is going to be a...
Can you believe it?!? After a two year battle with infertility we were lucky enough to meet Dr. Riggs. At our initial meeting, in early September, he told us that we had a 1-3% chance of conceiving on our own. He told us that since we had already received other infertility treatments that IVF would be our best option. It was a hefty emotional, physical, and financial undertaking but one that could potentially give us our second baby.

I began giving myself nightly injections mid-September through mid-October. We had a successful egg retrieval on October 14th. On October 19th Dr. Riggs recommended that we transfer this one, beautiful blastocyst back to avoid complications of a twin pregnancy. It was a rough decision (Kasey can fill you in on my Valium induced comments) but in the end we trusted Dr. Riggs.

This is our first baby picture of W2!

After what felt like a very long wait I took a home pregnancy test that came back negative. I was crushed. A couple of days later I went back to Dr. Rigg's office for my first beta blood test. I was SHOCKED when I got not one, but TWO, phone call to congratulate me on my pregnancy! I was warned to be cautiously optimistic because my HCG level was low. Four days later I went in for my second beta level and received a phone call that it did not rise appropriately and I would probably lose the baby. My third beta did rise appropriately but it was still low.

We went in for our first pregnancy ultrasound at 5 weeks 5 days and saw a gestational sac and a yolk sac. I asked Dr. Riggs if he ever saw women with inappropriate rise in beta levels go on to have healthy pregnancies. He said, "Yes, but it is not typical." He asked us to come back at 7 weeks to check for a heartbeat. Kasey and I were scared, disappointed, and anxious to move on to the next step. When we went back in at 6 weeks and 6 days we were so surprised to see a flickering on the screen of 125 beats per minute! All I could say is that Kasey and I make the toughest kids! This time we left feeling optimistic for the first time in a while! We went back in for one more ultrasound at 8 weeks 4 days and saw this little gummy bear:

measuring right on track and even moving around a bit with a healthy heart rate of 189!

Today I am 13 weeks 5 days pregnant! The family visited my OB today and got to see the baby again! Logan was very concerned that Dr. Burrows was putting jelly on my belly and was very happy when she wiped it off! The baby had a heart rate of 169 and was moving all around for us. After many tears and countless prayers we feel very blessed to be expecting this little one on July 6th! I will start P17 injections in two weeks to try to ward off any preterm labor.

Big brother Logan keeps reminding me that my belly is "gettin' bigga." He is very excited about his baby brother or sister. He tells us what toys he wants to get for his baby and how when the baby gets bigger he will play with him/her. He has decided on a name: Chips. Kind of catchy, don't you think!

A video clip of baby W2 at 8 weeks 4 days

Fall Fun

Although it may not look like it from this picture, we have had a really fun fall! We kicked off the season by taking a trip to the Louisburg Cider Mill and pumpkin patch. We enjoyed a pancake breakfast with our neighbor friends, the Lunds.
Here is Logan with his pal Lilly on the hay ride. They couldn't get enough! They even ran down one that wasn't ours to get one more two minute ride in.
We successfully made it through the corn maze...
despite our miniature guides!
Logan tried to bring home a souvenir but we convinced him that all corn must stay in the maze.

The next day we ventured out the Worlds of Fun (think Six Flags Chicago folks). Logan was very brave and rode all of the rides that we put him on!
He especially liked these race cars. The went around a mini track and whipped you around the curves! He did not enjoy that his parents kept him there past dark when the "scary guys" come out. We have now scarred our child for good. He didn't even like seeing people in masks on Halloween...oops!
Logan also learned to ride a big boy bike! I can't even believe it. I feel like he just learned to ride his tricycle and now he is on a 2ish wheeler!
No Autumn would be complete without jumping in the leaves! Kasey got a great workout that morning!
We went to "Boo at the Zoo" in Topeka. Logan loved showing his Sid the Science Kid costume to all of the animals, especially the flamingos!
On Halloween Eve we invited the Lunds over for pumpkin carving. Logan and Lilly worked very hard drawing the faces.
Once they decided that they had worked hard enough they decided it was time for a dance party!
Here are the finished products!
On Halloween night B came to enjoy the festivities. Thank goodness because we had our 3rd emergency Sid wig stitching!
Logan was very proud of all of his treats! After every house he would run up to me, show me his latest pick, and then say "let's go to the next house!"
Eventually we met up with our favorite K-State cheerleader!
Daddy even got into the Halloween spirit.
After a tough night of trick-or-treating the kids enjoyed a nice ride home in the wagon.
Logan, being the planner that he is, had to sort his treat bucket a few times before he went to bed! What a character! Hope that you are enjoying the season as much as we are!

It's Great to be...3!

Where in the world has the time gone?! Family and friends keep saying things like, "He has gotten so tall," and "He looks like a little man!" As much as I hate to admit it Logan is another year older, bigger, and smarter! We visited the doctor yesterday and she informed us that Logan is now in the 75th percentile for both height and weight! I am so impressed with how well he has caught up to his peers, he is such a rockstar!

This month, Logan was lucky enough to be visited by two people he doesn't get to see very often; his Uncle Paul from Boston and his Uncle John from Maui. He had a blast playing with both of them! He also spent his birthday week with his Gramma and Papi from Rockford. He spent a lot of time outside playing, especially at the park across the street.

I am sure that those of you who were unable to the attend Monster Truck Bash are just dying to know how it went! Here is an overview of the day, September 10th, 2011!

Logan woke up to a breakfast of champions: pancakes and a cupcake!

His mom nagged him to get into his birthday shirt and pose in the laundry basket!

The cake was finished! White cake filled with dad's specialty, Oreo dirt cake, and topped with chocolate frosting and brownie "rocks".

Logan was excited to show off his truck bouncy house to all of his friends. Here is his new pal, Lilly, who lives across the street.

We took a brief intermission from bouncing to have some hot dogs, chips, and fruit salad (Logan had been bugging me for weeks to buy a watermelon for his birthday party!).

The kids, including the biggest kid Uncle John, headed back to the bouncy house to work off their lunches!

Then it was time for cake! Logan sang "Happy Birthday" to himself and just grinned and grinned when people said his name!

It took him a couple of tries but he blew out his candles.

Can you tell that Logan is thinking, "Can we get this picture over with so I can eat this cake and open my PRESENTS!!!"

Here he is after eating two bites of cake, dying to rip open those packages!

He was spoiled rotten by all of his friends! Our game closet is now full! He also got a cool new sleeping bag and camping chair, clothes, play-doh, the movie Rio, and cars of course!

His Grandma B. bought him a painting easel. He loves it! He could barely stand to wait for mom and dad to put it together!

After a much needed nap we headed to Chick-Fil-A for a "no work for mama" dinner. When we got home Logan opened up his presents from his parents. Here are Logan and Daddy playing with the new aircraft carrier. Everyday since the big day Logan has asked if there are any cards for him in the mailbox. I keep telling him that his birthday is done for this year, but every time I say it another package arrives! I am sending this kid mixed messages! In all seriousness, he is a very lucky boy to be so loved my so many wonderful people! Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes!

P.S. He is already planning birthday #4: "I want a car birthday party next!"

Oh the Places You'll Go!

Over the last couple of months you may have found yourself wondering, "What are those fun and exciting Weishaars up to?" Only to find out that we have been stuck in May at March for Babies (thank you Lori for pointing this out!). There are a couple of reasons for this: 1. We have had a busy, nomadic summer, traveling around to various family and friends' houses. 2. Our camera USB was packed safely in a large POD waiting for our new home. So hear is a GREAT, BIG Weishaar update! I hope you enjoy! Before Logan was born I spent summers working. It just felt right to be busy. After going back to work this year, summer has taken on a whole new meaning. I have gotten to spend everyday watching my miracle baby turn into a big kid. The last couple of months have been filled with many firsts for our guy. He is talking so big and has become quite hilarious! Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from LJ.
(On our way to the library) "Books and MOVIES? You kiddin' me!"
(During bedtime songs he has a new favorite substitution) "Night, night, UNDERWEAR!" along with "I've been working on the UNDERWEAR." Followed by fits of giggles!

The first leg of our journey was to Grandma B.'s house. She graciously let us move into her basement for our summer home base. Logan and I visited the Topeka Zoo where I got to meet his favorite animals, the "mingos."

This Father's Day Logan had his first golfing experience. Thankfully the course was pretty empty so he had free reign to throw his ball in whatever hole or water he wanted to! By the end he had pretty good control of the club.

Did I forget to mention that Logan is POTTY TRAINED! He has been a champ! A week after school ended I decided to take the plunge and he did really well. No more diapers for this kid!

The second leg of our journey brought us to Sachse, Texas, just outside of Dallas to meet the beautiful Baby Ava. She is the daughter of Godfather Matt and his incredible wife, Brandy. Logan just loved to hold Miss Ava, tickle her feet, and give her smooches! Logan also had a blast wrestling, shooting Nerf guns, and playing air hockey with Uncle Matt. We enjoyed catching up with our friends and finally making it to Texas after lots of talk!

After we returned from Texas Grandma Jan and Papooli came for a visit! It was so good to see them! I am not so sure they enjoyed the Kansas heat and humidity but they sure did love seeing their boy!

There visit just so happened to fall on Royals v. Cubs weekend, coincidence? We braved the heat, had a picnic in the parking lot, and watched the Cubbies blow it!

Being further away from my parents and not seeing them as much makes moments like this melt my heart! My dad does not smile in pictures and look at him here, just loving being that wild man's grandpa!

After the game the kids were invited to run the bases. Logan had so much fun that he threw a monster fit and wanted to do it again!

After the baseball outing we opted for a cooler adventure. We took Logan to his first movie, Rango. He did pretty well and sat still for most of it, until he finished off the popcorn! Since that he has also seen Cars 2.

We also took Grandma Jan and Papi to Kaleidoscope. Logan had fun creating masterpieces but did not want to play in the fountain outside of Crown Center.

The third leg of our journey took us back home to Chicago. We had a family barbecue for the Fourth of July. We were even surprised to have my brother, Zach and his wife home from Georgia!

Logan got to spend quality time with his second cousin, Brooke. They were up to their old tricks in no time! Here they are speeding through the field behind my parents house. They also hijacked the neighbor boy's powerwheels gator and went joy riding until they ran out the battery!

On the Fourth we went to the Rockford Riverhawks game. The last time we did this Logan was growing in my belly! Uncle Zach taught Logan how to eat sunflower seeds and even got him on the big screen with the team's mascot!

After spending time at my parents' we headed to the city to spend time with friends. We took Logan to Lincoln Park Zoo and were promptly reminded how nice it is to live in a place where parking is usually free and a spot can be found in less than 45 minutes!

We stayed with the newly married Zimmermans! Logan had so much fun with Suzanne, watering plants, taking photography lessons, and playing with their dog Griffin.

One night Logan got to stay with his friend Lukas and his nanny while the grown ups went to dinner. We came home to find them in matching jammies! They were so cute! Logan always is very excited to but these pjs on because they remind him of his pal!

No visit home would be complete without a stop to see the Pellings! We took the kids to a fountain in downtown LaGrange where we told them it was okay to put their feet in. Before we knew it they were full on diving, jumping, and splashing! Luckily no one was arrested, we did however get some pretty strange looks!

We also visited our former neighbors the Davinis. Logan had a great time playing with Anthony and all of his cool toys! We met this family when the boys were both babies. It was so neat to see how much they have grown. We are waiting to hear when they are going to come visit KS...

Before heading back to Kansas we made one last stop at my parents to gather ourselves and say goodbye. When we arrived back in Kansas we got to spend time having fun with Logan's cousin Grace who was visiting from Washington!Our final trip took us to Cuba, MO to spend the weekend with the Pelling family. My friend Lori's parents invited us all to crash at their lake house for a midway vacation. When we lived in Illinois we would see the Pellings at least once a week. Needless to say, being in Kansas has led to some withdrawal issues! It was so nice to spend quality time with one of my dearest friends while our kids played.

As soon as we arrived Logan asked to go in the "nake."

Our timid boy threw caution to the wind as he climbed aboard the "Big Mable." He smiled as he was drug behind the speed boat!

Of course he was all about driving the jet ski! Kasey said he would try to talk to him and he would just ignore him and concentrate on his driving!

Papaw Bill dubbed him Captain Logan. This was the perfect way to end his trip to the "nake!"

We have happily settled into our new home. We have been spent endless hours painting, rearranging furniture, and hanging pictures to make it ours. The neighborhood pool has been such a blessing during these triple digit days! I will post pictures in a blog post in the next couple of weeks.

Today Kasey returned to work and I headed to school to continue setting up my classroom for the upcoming year. Summer is coming to a close. I feel very fortunate to have filled my summer with many of my loved ones, creating wonderful memories.