19 weeks and Childcare decisions!

My little pumpkin is about 9 oz and 7 inches long this week!  Last Friday we had our Level 2 ultrasound at the hospital where we will give birth, and we were very impressed with the facility and the people.  I am so glad I switched doctors to deliver at this hopsital instead of the one affiliated with my old doctor.   We were seen promptly at 9:30am and it lasted about two hours.  We met with the genetic counselor first and reviewed everything we already learned this time last year about my inversion.  Then, it was time for the show!  That little man was rockin and rollin in there- moving around, doing the worm, throwing his hands in the air!   He is quite animated and when I can really feel movement, I have a feeling I'm in for it!   Everything looked great and the doctors said they had no concerns about anything.  He measured 18w4d which is exactly on target with his due date and all the organs and appendages were accounted for!  I do have to go back each month for one of these ultrasounds just in case, and in a few months I have to have a fetal ecocardiogram because I was an IVF patient and there is a slightly increased risks of heart issues when you have gone through IVF (apparently).    But all that means to me is that I get more pictures for the baby book and more chances to confirm that he is still alive.

Big man just hanging out!

It really IS a boy...confirmation! 

One of his little hands waving to us! 

3D Ultrasound- hands in front of his face

We have also been hard at the childcare search.  I thought about in home child care but then realized I didn't want a stranger in my house with my baby all alone all day.  Just an instinctual thing I guess.  Engaging my parents (who live 5 minutes away) to do it seems to be unfair, as they have already raised their children and  that is quite a time committement on their part.  They are both retired, but I just don't think that it is right to expect them to spend > 10 hours per day with the baby when they have lives too.  They like to travel and do their own thing, so that option was out.  We decided that regular day care would work best for our schedules, especially with our work situations. 

Once we decided on that option, I researched the three top rated chain daycares in our area.  They are all within 5 minutes of our house and had great websites and even noted questions to ask when comparing child care options.  There was one that was a "no way", one that was "eh, if we had to" and one that was "absolutely, yes!!!".  Luckily, there was very little price difference between the three, so it really just came down to how the school "felt" to us.  The one we went with left a lasting impression on us.  I really think that I would be ok leaving him there with the care and attention I believe he will recieve.  For infants, it's really based around your schedule that you have set for them- their nap times, feeding times, and play times.  No crib sharing and toys are sanitized after each child is finished playing with them.  The max number of infants (up to 12 mos) they would have are 8 at one time, and the ratio is 4 children to 1 teacher.   The place is bright and welcoming, and had a definite CLEAN feeling.  I was very pleased with the education and credentials of all of the teachers and staff, as well as the look of the clientele.  It will be well worth it and when he gets older, their toddler and pre school programs seem equally impressive.  For me, it was really just about being able to leave him.  I know I'm going to be a wreck, I know that even now.  So I wanted a place where I knew that he was going to be happy, even if I was a mess.  I think we will definitely get that here and today I called to finalize the paperwork and set a deposit down to secure a spot for him in mid to late September. 

This past Saturday, we also ordered all of his nursery furniture from Baby Supermart- the Legendary collection.  Convertible crib, 5 drawer chest, double dresser and hutch- still holding off on the glider until we figure out if we can fit everything. 

Next up- pediatrician  and birth class research! I'm on a roll!!  Gettin sh*t done!