Drano Test

Maybe you've heard of the Drano Gender Test. I tried it with my first pregnancy. And now I've tried it with this one. The results?? Rather inconclusive if you ask me. 

If you want the full details/instructions, click HERE.

Basically, you mix a certain amount of drano crystals with a certain amount of first morning urine. If it changes color within a certain time frame, you're having a boy. If it doesn't change, it means a girl. 

You are supposed to base your results on the first 10-15 seconds...of the "reaction."

(yes, there is quite a reaction in that jar...the test MUST be 

done outside)

I did my best to get some video (while avoiding the fumes).

Well, when we did the test, it didn't start reacting right away. I don't know what that means. But, it did end up turning very  dark, which I assume is brown, so I guess it indicates a boy. 

I have no idea at what point I should have started timing the 15-20 seconds. 

When I was expecting Jonah I did this test three times. Each time the end result had a different appearance. I am not going to waste the product/effort on multiple tries anymore. I'll wait to find out in a less crude, more modern way! 

BUT, the GOOD NEWS is we have an ultrasound scheduled for March 16th.

 I am so excited to learn the gender of our little one.  

We already have names picked out. We've had the girl name in mind since we got married. The boy name came to me last summer (before we ever  even anticipated another pregnancy) when a friend was having trouble choosing a name for her boy.  Once we know the gender for certain, we will call the baby by name and let Jonah get to know his sibling more tangibly. 

Spit it Out

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a mimic on our hands. Guess that comes with the territory when your child is two-years-old. 

*warning, this may not be appropriate for all readers. it may be considered a bit graphic if you have a weak stomach.

Last week I got very sick. Nothing catching. I had the WORST migraine! It may not have been the most terrible of my entire life, but it was the most terrible I've had in at least 5 years (ie: the worst Jonathan has ever witnessed).  He was concerned that I'd dehydrate. Which, is very concerning for a pregnant gal. No matter what I tried, it made me sick. Plain water, ginger-ale, Tylenol, plain bread...would not stay down. 

Jonah slept through most of my "episodes" (by pure coincidence). But, one time, in the evening, I was on the couch. I was trying my best to drink water. He saw me go into the hall bathroom. He kept saying "spit it out?"

Next thing you know, I felt REALLY sick, so I went into my own bathroom and shut the door. While I was in there, Jonah asked Jonathan for some water. He took a sip and left the room. Then, moments later came back for another sip. Jonathan followed him to see what he was up to. Jonah toddled into the bathroom and spit the water from his mouth into the toilet. And then he joyfully proclaimed he had "spit it out!"

Hopefully he doesn't remember this. EVER. I also hope I don't get that sick again for a very long time, if ever!

I had the hardest time recovering from that migraine too. Maybe it was because I am pregnant. I was weak and light-headed most of the next day. Gatorade helped a lot. 

Birthday Week...Bummer.

Ok, really. This has been a very strange week for us. 

You probably know that I work as a nanny. The kids' parents are out of town this week, so Jonathan, Jonah and I are staying with them. We love them dearly and care for these kids as if they were our own. (I feel qualified to say that since I do have my own) So, I can take whatever comes our way. It is just part of it, as they say.

Well, earlier in the week (my most recent post) I told you about the stomach bug. It hit 3 of the 4 kids (one at a time), Jonah included. It was short-lived. We got through it generally unscathed. 

Well, the one kid who didn't get hit with that nasty bug...came down with something else...something much different. Something I believe he's shared with Jonah. 

look at these cute guys!

Now, look what he's got.

Yep. those are what you think they are. 

Neither boy has been vaccinated for CHICKEN POX. 

We won't know for a few days...but these two are best buds, they spend lots of time in close company. 

Therefore, the Birthday Party is canceled. 

BUMMER. 

Oh, well. Thankfully the procrastinator in me hadn't gotten too much ready yet. 

We may just have an "adults-who've-already-had-it" only party. 

BirthdayWeek with a Vomit Bug.

I was just thinking yesterday that I didn't write a celebratory blog post. I had planned to write something birthday-ish each day this week. I've made a change in plans. Why? Because little man has a vomit bug and we are spending all our free time dealing with that rather than writing for the ole blog! He woke up with it this morning. He isn't alone in his misery. Two other kids we spend lots of time with are sick with the same thing (only no fever for them.)

This picture was taken around a year ago, and this is just about what he's doing now (as well as a good portion of the day.) Poor fella. He's added on a touch of fever tonight. I'm gonna go check on him now. Hopefully the next B.W. post will be happier!

Peas.

I remember the first time I gave Jonah peas. He was 8 months old. I was on a girl-only weekend trip with my mom and sister. I guess it wasn't quite girls-only. Jonah was there.  Anyway, the point is, we were away from home.

I was new at the "introducing new foods thing." He liked them, I think. I don't remember him fussing about eating them. Maybe a little, but what kid doesn't fuss at peas, right?

Well, a couple of hours later I regretted feeding him the entire container of baby-food peas. He'd been fussing. I had reduced it to him being in an unfamiliar place, so I comforted him by nursing, even though he didn't seem to be getting much. 

He had plenty, I assure you. He proved to us he'd had ENOUGH when he projectile vomited like nothing I've ever seen before.  Do you remember the scene of Men in Black when a little alien baby is born in the back of that car? And there was something gross? Well, if you can believe it...that was EXACTLY what happened in our hotel room that night. Not exaggerating. I promise.

So, that scene made me nervous to try peas again. But, I was also of the mindset that he needed to have a taste for them before he was too old. I think the second time I tried them we were visiting Jonathan's family. Jonah was probably closer to a year old. 

Guess what?

he got sick. again. 

Sooooo....that was the end of peas for us. 

Until last week. 

Um. I thought it had been a baby food thing. 

No. 

Jonah is definitely allergic to peas. 

Is this common? I haven't researched it yet. If he is allergic to peas is there anything else he might have trouble eating? Is vomiting-as-the-only-symptom indication of an "allergy?" wouldn't there be a rash?

I don't care if there is an official diagnosis of "allergy." I WILL NOT be feeding Jonah peas. Ever. Someday he will brag about this to his friends. He'll be the only 3rd grader who isn't forced to "try" them.

The Slug

What is it about that word? Slug. Bleh. It makes me shudder. They are just gross. 

Well, tonight I had to deal with one. I contemplated trapping it under something until Jonathan came home, so he could be the one to deal with it. But, then, I decided that was rather silly and that I should hitch up my big-girl pants and do it myself. 

yes, that is in my living/dining room. it was nearly the length of a dollar bill 

The problem is how to do it. Yuck. Why do slugs have to be so gross?

My Google search on the topic only made matters worse. Did you know they lay eggs in your house??? Eeew. Google also revealed that slugs often drown in beer. Neither of those bits of information were helpful to me in the least.

I could sprinkle salt all over it until it was gone, but then I assume I'd be left with a nasty mess. I could figure out a way to coax it back outside, but then it would only come in again. 

My stomach is still turning at the thought of dealing with that silly thing, and it's already done! 

I brainstormed. A light bulb came on. I could wedge a piece of paper under it and then salt it like crazy. Whatever mess resulted would be on the paper and could go straight to the trash. So, that's what I did. 

Then, I went over to the doorway where I knew it came in (we've been seeing trails sometimes...I forgot to leave a salt barrier after the last vacuum).

I was about to create another salt barrier when I saw the tentacles (is that the proper term?) of ANOTHER one trying to wiggle it's way in. That sent me over the edge. I shook salt at it like crazy and ran away! Yep, I'm a wimp when it comes to creepy crawlies. I dealt with the slug, so Jonathan can deal with the gap in the doorway, right?! RIGHT!