This Is My Life

They Are Gone!

Here I am at 32 weeks in all my glory. (for Angella)

What you ask? Well, let me tell you.

At my 18 week ultrasound a very unsympathetic doctor informed me that they found something called choroid plexus cysts on my babies brain. She then told me that it is sometimes a sign of birth defects such as Trisomy 18. What she didn't tell me is that they almost ALWAYS go away and that most doctors no longer believe there is any connection at all. At that time I was obviously distraught. I had learned new facts about it that were supposed to make me feel better but as a mother I was incredibly worried. Landon of course wasn't. He was just sure everything was fine. (Another example in that he is always right.)

We were sent to a high risk doctor to have another, more advanced ultrasound at 26 weeks. They were still there. Only this doctor assured me that my baby was fine and he was SURE they would go away by due date. Just to be safe he scheduled yet another ultrasound with him at 32 weeks.

So on Tuesday we went in again, this time Landon was so sure there was nothing to worry about he didn't even feel he needed to go. My mom went with me instead. And there we learned that they are officially gone!

Woohoo. I can't tell you how happy I have been since then! I have just had sort of a dark cloud over me since 18 weeks and now it is gone. No matter how often people assured me things would be fine, I was still unsure and still very worried. Now I just can't wait for this boy to come! I feel like I can finally let loose and be excited. Happy day.

In other baby news we learned that the boy is VERY big. (No shock there.) He is already over 2 weeks ahead of schedule and he weighs about 4 and a half pounds. (Lets be honest it feels like 20.) So this doctor is going to recommend an early delivery to my regular doctor. Another reason to cheer. I love medical confirmation of something I was sure of already. Lets just hope my regular doctor agrees. We may have a baby in 6 or 7 weeks!

And although we didn't get a good picture of the boy due to the fact that his face was pushed up against my uterus the whole time, I did see a VERY clear shot of his mouth and let me tell you it is Landon's mouth. It is a very distinct and obvious feature and I couldn't be more tickled about it. A little Landon junior. Another cause to celebrate! He is going to be darn cute.

Now we really need to get to work on the baby's room. I am going all blue blue blue!!! Can you tell I am excited?

This Was Our Trip

Sadly we left our cameras in the car at the airport so all of these were graciously taken by Nana and Pops.

We spent a ton of time at the playground right next to their house. Jolie would sit by the window and as soon as she saw a kid come to the park she would run out and play for hours.

We went to their neighborhood pool almost 2 times every day. Jolie is now a swimmer! We arrived there and she wouldn't even put her face under the water. Now she is jumping off the deep end to her dad. We are so proud.

We rocked the sunglasses the whole trip. (There is my giant belly in the background, I got some seriously concerned looks from fellow passengers on the planes, should I really be flying at my size?)

Lucy loved cooking with Nana.

And snuggling with Pops.

The girls loves teasing Uncle Chase.

Landon and Max had some quality time playing video games and reading comic books.

We visited "Tiny Town" a small amusement park where everything is miniature. Lucy really loved it.

Jolie just wanted to climb on everything.

We played dress up.

And made necklaces with beads.

We also saw Kung Fu Panda, and saw a crazy hail storm, and met tons of new friends, and Landon and I went on 2 dates, and I read a whole book, and we just relaxed and rested a whole lot. It was such a great trip. Just what we needed before the insanity starts. Thanks Nana and Pops. We love you and miss you already!

Kindergarten Here We Come

Friday the 13th was Jolie's pre-school graduation. It also happened to be 3 hours before our flight to Denver so needless to say that was a busy day. This is Jolie next in line for her diploma. Aren't those kids sweet?

This is Jolie with her teacher Miss Gina. I love her and can't wait for Lucy to start in her class this fall.

Jolie and her cute friend Teresa. This is a big day for them. I can't believe my baby will be in grade school. With Jolie starting kindergarten weeks after I have a new baby, it is going to be a crazy fall for us!

*Colorado pictures to come.

P.S. Happy Birthday Danny!

M.I.A.

See you in a week. We are off to Colorado! XOXO.
love, the Cowan girls

Things That Still Make Me Sick

(Thank you 18 weeks of morning sickness)

-Pantene Pro-V Shampoo

-Christmas music

-The smell of my bathroom

-In N Out Burger (sad!)

-the Prison Break theme song

-Martinelli's Sparkling Cider

-the smell of my washing machine

I am hoping in another 6 months or so these things will not make me want to hurl anymore. But who knows, I still can't stand the music from Elmo In Grouchland, a movie Jolie watched a lot during my morning sickness with Lucy. I just want to want an In N Out burger once in a while.

Landon Is So Proud

Seriously Jolie can navigate a web site better than I can. I am pretty sure this next generation are going to be computer geniuses.

Marriage Tag

How long have you been married? 6.5 years

How old is your spouse? 29 in a few weeks

Who eats more? He eats just a little more

Who said I love you first? Me

Who is taller? Landon

Who sings better? We both sing well but I have a bit more experience

Who is smarter? Landon

Who controls the T.V. remote? Landon

Whose temper is worse? Neither of us have much of a temper, I have never even heard Landon raise his voice

Who does the laundry? Me

Who does the dishes? Mostly me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? me, if your looking at the bed

Who cooks dinner? Me

Who is more stubborn? Me

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me totally, and I usually am

Whose parents do you see the most? Mine

Who has more friends? Probably me at this point, but he has more close friends

Who has more siblings? The same

Who wears the pants in the family? Landon, skirts are way more comfortable

I tag my parents.

Who Are You And What Have You Done With My Wife?

Poor Landon. If you ask him one of the most challenging aspects of pregnancy is my precarious emotional state. And if I'm being honest it is starting to annoy me as well. I can cry at the drop of a hat.

Some examples:

A Baby Story on TLC has me in tears (why do I watch it you ask? because it's a good cry!)

A few weeks ago upon hearing of the raid on the FLDS compound where all of those children were taken into custody, I was a wreck and was so sure that nothing would do except for me to move to Texas and take some of those poor souls into my home and into my arms!

When Landon bravely admitted the other night that he didn't particularly like discussing the process of delivering a baby and that he would really like to change the subject, I was hurt and sad and ridiculously upset, at least until the next day when I had been rested and realized I was being insane. Why should he want to talk about it? It is a gross disgusting mess! Not to mention painful and scary.

This morning was classic. At the breakfast table the topic of college came up. Jolie asked how old you are when you go to college. After hearing the answer she got very quiet and in a very quivery voice said, "I'll miss you guys." The she started the water works. Then I started crying. Then Lucy stuck out her lower lip and let one single tear escape, and Landon had 3 terrifyingly upset women on his hands. He couldn't get out of the house fast enough. And I don't blame him.

Unfortunately the madness probably won't end until the baby is about 3 months old. No wonder Landon doesn't want to do this again. I am just glad he is getting a son so that come that day when all us girls get our periods all at the same time Landon will have someone to escape with. A monthly camp out will be just what the doctor ordered.

Landon, I love you. Thank you infinitely for your patience and understanding. You always seem to know just when I need a quiet hug to make me feel better. I promise somehow, someday I will make it up to you. Just hang in there for a little longer and I will be back to myself again. You are the single greatest blessing in my life. Love, Katie.

I Still Got It (I Guess)

So we are at the Natural History Museum. Checking out all the neat stuffed animals and dinosaur bones when we pass a large group of people. I gave them plenty of room to pass as we walked by and yet a large young man rubs right up against me, getting a nice feel of my right boob with his arm. This was clearly no accident. Landon looks over at me as a look of total shock and surprise appears on my face. I then explained what happened.

Landon: So do you feel dirty or violated?

Me: Nope. Hey a big fat pregnant lady will take a compliment any way it comes.

And lets be honest, it doesn't get any more sincere than that.