My Canuck son

Ivan is definitely Canadian. He's been talking a lot about winter lately. He wanted to put his flannel sheets on his bed because they have snowmen on them. Then when we thought it might rain, he asked if it would turn into snow. Not likely- poor guy doesn't realize that July forecasts in Texas just don't include snow- possibly hail , but never snow.

His favorite question lately is: "do you want to go to outer space?" (which was the question he left you with on the answering machine- dad).

Ivan has also gotten very concerned about Big Buddy's blood sugars and has become a blood sugar specialist- questioning Brian about the cereal they were getting him. Then when I found some wheat bran for Ivan and showed him the box which displayed a loaf of tasty bread, Ivan declared that not only would it be good for his potty issue, but that it would help Big Buddy's blood sugars too.

Before you get to thinking that Dominique is some perfect little 2 year old angel (which I'm sure is what all of you were picturing), I wanted to present you with exhibits A and B. In the first picture she is sitting sweetly with our neighbor Jaime watching a video I think. But apparently I took one picture too many. Check out the look she gave me on the next shot. Yeah, this one is fiesty all right. Click on it for the enlarged view- if you dare.




I am amazed at how quickly the baby in the womb develops. I subscribe to two weekly e-mails that tell me how the babe is developing. I wish I had included the weeks of the first trimester, because it was incredible, organs and functions being set up, so quickly- meanwhile the growth in size was pretty minute. One of the lists gives me size comparisons. At first the baby was the size of a coffee bean, then a lima bean, then a peppermint... Now suddenly, the major organs are already in place and the baby is mostly just growing and being fine tuned. Last week baby was the size of a lime and this week he/she is apple sized. That surprised me. Here is what the e-mail said:


Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam.

Meanwhile, I still have some of the nausea from time to time and need lots of rest, although it must be getting better since I made it all day yesterday with no nap (it did help that I got to sleep in).

We had contemplated being surprised as to the sex of the child, but then we'd have twice the amount of names to go through, so we're opting to find out at our next ultrasound which will be at the end of August. Meanwhile, we are not the kind of parents who have names all picked out in advance. It's such a big decision to name someone and such an honor. We like names that are not overly common, but not totally weird/unheard of, with good meanings. So pass on your favorites. If you were to name a baby, what are your favorite names? include the meaning if you know it. I'm not saying we'll use your suggestion, but you never know, it may strike us. Anything has got to be better than these interminable name books and internet sites!