The Banks Family: Expecting another girl

We found out we're expecting another girl! She looked very healthy at the 20-week ultrasound and the only complication is partial placenta previa, which I had with Claudia too, so I'm not too concerned. We will just to have to do another ultrasound at 28 weeks to make sure the placenta has moved away from my cervix.

Claudia is mommy's little helper lately. She is already good at picking up toys and clearing her spot at the table because they do this at school, but she also helps me prepare meals and do chores like wiping off the kitchen table, unloading the dishwasher, dusting, and sweeping the floor. Of course getting her help is more work for me, but it's good practice for when she's older and she really does enjoys it. She unfortunately got her first cavity recently. She is too young for a filling, so she is doing extra fluoride treatments at the dentist and we've switched to fluoride toothpaste at home. She likes spitting in the sink, but it's going to take a little more practice to perfect. She has also nicknamed herself "giant" because according to her, she "just keeps growing and growing." Even though Claudia has embraced being a big girl, she has gotten extra clingy at the same time, especially to me. The upside is we get lots of extra hugs and kisses, but bedtime is really a struggle. She really does not want to go to bed by herself and will try any trick in the book to prevent going to sleep. Sometimes it's a 1-2 hour struggle. We have received a lot of good advice from friends, but still with limited success. It may just be a phase she has to go through.

Glen took a week long trip to Bar Harbor, Maine for a cardiac physiology training course. He learned a lot and it was good for everyone to have a change in routine. Although, he's now leaving again next week to NYC for a conference, so Claudia and I will miss him for sure. We've been pretty social lately and have been able to catch up with several friends. Our winter hibernation must be over. Glen also got to attend the annual "Flight to Mars" Crohns & Colitis benefit concert at the Showbox. Sadly I missed it this year because it was on a weeknight and I just didn't have the energy to coordinate a sitter and be out late on a weeknight. Glen had a ball and Carnie Wilson was a surprise guest, so that was a fun bonus.

Play date with Neely's flower girls: Victoria, Jada, Delanie, and Claudia.