Alyssa Bridge CCC/SLP/Exterminator

I usually have fun little stories to tell Justin about the families and kids that I see on a daily basis.(I leave out identifying info!) However, most of them are you had to be there moments. This last Friday I had a visit that I just have to blog about. It had been a day for the mom and she was running around all day. When I called to remind her about our visit so she would not no-show me she was at Thanksgiving point with the promise to beat me to her house. I left 15mins late to provide her with extra time. When I arrived she was on the phone (she owns her own business), She was on and off the phone during the visit and I was finishing my home visit report and preparing to leave when I saw a mouse peek out from behind the couch. I commented to the mom what I had seen. She did not believe me at first but then after some furniture moving discovered the mouse for herself. maybe I didn't freak because of my farm wits but I have to say in my defense I dislike mice as much as everyone else, I have no idea why I was so calm. The mom was a little hysterical about the situation and kept telling me that somehow it was my fault. It obviously must have snuck in through my toy bag. She also kept saying, "you need to do this or that." Together we were finally able to corner the mouse and persuade their cat to become interested enough to catch it. The cat now did what cats do and that is take it to a place where it could "play" with it. This place happened to be her boys room. The mom wanted me to pick the cat up with the mouse and take it outside. This is where I drew the line and told her I would help shoo the cat out. About a half- hour into the process the mom mentioned she needed to go upstairs for something. I am downstairs watching their cat bat this mouse around that is still alive and obviously trying to escape when I hear clinking noises. I shut the boys door and walk upstairs to find the mom loading her dishwasher. At this point I decided my added title of exterminator was over and I informed the mom I needed to leave. The whole experience I believe was a little overwhelming for her. I have not heard back to see when/how she caught the mouse but I assume they are all still alive and well. I also learned from this experience that overall I would like to stick to my skills as a speech therapist. Extermination is not my cup of tea.

First comes......

First comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in a baby carriage.

I am 21 weeks along with an approximate due date between the 12-21 of January. Each ultrasound is different. Dr. Froerer believes that I will go more towards the end and "Sorry, but I think you are going to have a big baby." At our ultrasound today the baby weighed in at a whopping 1lb 2oz. We have decided to be surprised at delivery so there were lots of moments where we were instructed to look away from the screen. Justin is hoping for a boy my mom is hoping for a girl and I have no preference at this time. The first trimester was for the most part good. I had very little sick moments. However, I did need/want to take a nap at any available moment. Second trimester has been great. My stomach has nearly quadrupled in size I gained back the ten pounds I lost first trimester and am continuing to grow daily. I started feeling little popping bubbles around 19 weeks and have since then wished the baby would hold still again. It is constantly moving and I feel sort of like a pin ball machine. You could see on the ultrasound the little fist and feet jerk up into me. The tech commented that she could feel the movement as well. This is one strong little baby. Seeing our little ones pictures and suck their fist helped to make the whole experience more real for the both of us. 21 weeks down 19 more weeks to go.