Potty Training Update

So far, so good! I am really proud of Kendal. Potty training has gone a lot better than I thought it would. She has only had 2 accidents this week. Here are a couple of reports from daycare.

Not quite zero

My doctor called with the weekly test results (I went in yesterday), and the hCG count is now down to 9. I'll admit....I am a little disappointed. I was really hoping they would be zero so I wouldn't have to go again next week. I've been to that office every week since December 23 and am really ready for a break. I guess it is just depressing to have that reminder every week.

OK, so there's my pity party! This week has been a little crazy, but we still have so much to be thankful for. I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday!

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:25

I Love Saturdays!

My girls are so much fun! I love that we have a day to just hang out at the house and do fun things. Keri is cracking me up with this outfit!!It is a change from her usual skirts and princess dresses (which I'm sure she will be wearing within the hour). Kendal had to join in, too. She always wants to do what Keri does.Please excuse her half-nakedness. She spilled Keri's chocolate milk all over her clothes (that I JUST put on her) and spots on Keri's pants, its a good thing I haven't started the laundry yet. I better get back to my girls. I'll post an update on the potty training later.

Movie Night

We took Keri and Kendal to Blockbuster last night and let them pick out a movie for us to watch at home. They chose The Incredibles. We all got in our pajamas and curled up on the couch with blankets and popcorn.

Of course, when we got home Kyle noticed that the same movie was on The Disney Channel. Go figure! At least we got to watch it without commercial interruptions. It was a pretty good movie, the girls seemed to like it. There were a few parts that I thought were a little inappropriate for kids (a suicide attempt?! Mr. Incredible did save him, though!). We had a great night and the girls thought it was so much fun!

hCG Update

My weekly test showed that my hCG levels are down to 17. I was hoping they would be zero, but anything in the downward direction is good news. So I will go back again next week, which will hopefully be my last week. Once the hCG levels reach zero, I only have to get them tested once every 4 weeks until July. We are praying that they reach zero and stay there until late summer. Hopefully by then we can get the all-clear and put this pregnancy behind us, what a journey it has been!

Potty Training

We have officially started potty training Kendal. Her teacher introduced the potty at school and it is usually hit or miss. She does go at least once during the day. Yesterday, I put her in panties and started the training! We now have a sticker chart up in the bathroom and are even giving her a small reward for going. She gets one piece of candy (like 1 skittle or 1 m&m) for going #1 and 2 pieces for going #2. I didn't want Keri to feel left out, so she gets whatever Kendal gets when she goes. Great deal for Keri, she gets candy and doesn't even have to do anything...though she has been a pretty good cheerleader for Kendal. I am still putting her in diapers at nap time and night time (I don't see the point in Pull-Ups, they feel just like a diaper), but she is in panties the rest of the day. We went through 6 pairs yesterday and only 2 pair today. She still is not telling me if she needs to go, but is very happy to sit on the potty when I tell her to (usually ever 30 minutes to an hour). I make her sit there until she goes; she just sings and sings until she is done. Her songs of choice are "ABC's," "Old Mac Donald" and her favorite, "If You're Happy and You Know It."

I am not really sure if she is completely ready, but they are really pushing it at daycare. She has been dry after nap time for a couple of weeks and going when she wakes up. I told her teacher that once we started we are going all the way...so I am sending 5 pairs of panties and 5 pairs of pants to daycare tomorrow (hope that's enough). Her teacher should have lots of fun with that, but hey...she asked for it!

So there you have it, all you ever wanted to know about our potty training experience so far...and more!

Levels are going down!

Just a quick update.....I went for my weekly hCG test and my levels went down! They were 158 last week and are down to 41 this week. I am hoping they will be 0 next week, since my body is still showing some pregnancy signs (haven't I been nauseated long enough?!). I go back on Wednesday for another blood-draw and should know by Thursday. I am definitely looking forward to feeling normal again.

Hot Chocolate!

Ohhhh boy, we made a HUGE mess with hot chocolate tonight! Papa and Grandma Sanford got the girls Disney Princess hot chocolate packages with matching mugs for Christmas. Keri wanted to try it out tonight, so I gave in. Of course, Kendal had to have some too.

First of all, here is a picture of the girls from this morning after their bath. I just wanted to prove that I DID fix Kendal's hair today. I swear, that hair of hers has a mind of its own:

Keri is THRILLED about taking more pictures:

Good stuff!

And this my friends, is what happens when Mommy takes a potty break. I was gone for 60 seconds and Kendal made a HUGE mess all over herself, the kitchen floor, and the carpet. Where was Kyle, you ask? In the recliner 3 feet away.

We laughed and Kyle suggested I take a picture. Then I put the girls in the tub, Kyle cleaned the carpet, and Champ cleaned the kitchen floor. Keri and Kendal loved their special treat tonight!!!!

Breakfast for Daddy

Keri and I have been talking all week about making breakfast for Daddy Saturday morning. I got a new electric griddle for Christmas and wanted to test it out. Keri was such a great helper!
Stirring the pancakes:
Little Miss Attitude! Kyle says she looks like me in this picture.....no way!

Last picture, I promise!
Kendal slept in today (thanks to the 2 year molars coming through, she was up many times last night) but wanted to take a picture with Daddy. This is what her hair looks like first thing in the morning.

Pathology Results

I went to the Dr for my follow-up appointment today. I'm glad Kyle went with me because it was a lot of information to absorb.

The pathology results confirmed the doctor's suspicions that it was in-fact a partial molar pregnancy. She said that she hasn't seen anyone with a molar/partial molar pregnancy in 2-3 years, it is that uncommon! I'm not going to try & explain what that is because it is pretty complicated, but here is the info on the March of Dimes website if you are interested (you may have to click on the question: What is a molar pregnancy?): http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1189.asp#head7

I have to go back in for more follow-ups than I expected. She did a full-panel blood work up today and I have to go in for blood work to check my hCG levels every week. I will go weekly until the levels drop below 5, then I will go every 4 weeks. My hCG levels will be monitored closely for at least 6 months.

There is a small chance that the molar tissue can grow back, then I would have to have another D & C. There is also a chance that the molar cells could grow back cancerous. That is why it is so important to monitor my hCG levels so closely.

My doctor said that she expects everything to go well, but it is important to be extra cautious. I am a little nervous about the whole process, but am optimistic that my levels will go down and stay down without any further problems. Of course I have learned through all of this that I am not really the one in charge; God had a different plan for us right now. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Keri is home!

Everything is back to normal at the Sanford house. Keri spent a week with my Dad & Sheila and it was so quiet around here. She had a great time (as usual) and got to watch Aunt Haleigh play lots of basketball. I was really starting to miss my girl, so I was definitely ready for her to come home. I can tell that Kendal missed her, too. She went in Keri's room and called out for "Sissy!" many times every day. Kendal enjoyed the one-on-one time but was really missing her Sissy. We have already gotten back into our routine since we go back to work and school tomorrow. Here are a few pictures from Keri's first night back:

Bath time:
Brushing their teeth:
Yea! Sissy's back:

All tucked in & watching a movie (Do you see what Kendal is doing with that puppy? She is rubbing the tail between her toes. She cracks me up with that thing!):
Sacked out....it's good to be home:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." - Psalm 143:8