Well, it was bound to happen. I honestly wanted to make September the month to potty train Ethan instead of move to the toddler bed, but both Ryan and I agreed that Ethan needs to wait a bit longer to start potty training. Why? Because bribes do not work with this child. There is no amount of candy or toys or anything that will convince him to do something or eat something he doesn't want. He's completely opposite of his brother in that way. So I know it sounds goofy but we're slowly trying to teach him to be bribed so that we can encourage the potty training in the same way that worked for Jackson (m&m's!!). Since Baby Stearle (Ryan calls it Pistachio) is coming in March and I don't want to make too many changes to Ethan at once, so we decided to go ahead and make this change this month and we'll do potty training after Christmas. It was a sad, sad day for me. If you know me well, you know I love my sleep. I was picturing him up crying, screaming etc and I couldn't stand that thought! He's such a great sleeper already so I didn't want to mess that up! <Note: When we moved Jackson to the "big boy bed," which was a mattress on the floor for a few weeks, I was at a Bunco night and Ryan did it... because my anxiety was so high about it - and this was no different. Also, Jackson moved to the big boy bed at 22 mos while Ethan is currently 26 mos. > So Ryan was the one who put him to bed and what can I say... Ryan has the touch! Ethan slept great and didn't get out of bed and didn't have any issues! He didn't even cry when he left him.. He was a trooper! I wish I could say I was... but it wasn't til I woke up this morning that I realized what Ryan had been saying "it was no big deal!" Woohoo for Ethan!! 
Well, last Friday, we finally hit the 12 week mark. I feel very very pregnant at this point - definitely showing much faster than with either of the previous pregnancies. So many differences - I have been very nauseous this time around. I had my return appointment/ultrasound scheduled for Friday also so the doctor could check out the blood pocket again and make sure the baby was ok. To my happy surprise, the doctor confirmed that the blood pocket has completely dissolved and the baby was doing great! Baby's heartbeat is 164 and measuring 12 wks, 6 days (so 6 days ahead). We got to see baby's arms and legs as it was kicking and squirming around! It was wonderful! I was so glad Ryan got to see this time. Doc wants to do a 16 wk ultrasound too - so in 4 more weeks, we get to see our baby again... and maybe find out if we're celebrating pink or blue! 
It happened when it wasn't supposed to - we started trying in April, and May, and June... by July, we had given up. Trying to make a baby is a bit stressful and as badly as I wanted to expand our family with one more, I wasn't sure it was God's timing... so in July, we had moved on... we didn't talk about it anymore or "plan" for it anymore or anything... Needless to say, I was a bit surprised when I took the first test. It was a Monday and I wasn't supposed to find out til Thursday, but I couldn't wait. Truth be told, I was feeling quite sick and I wanted to dope up on some Sudafed and Mucinex and something in the back of my mind said "just check first and then take the pills." I thought my eyes were tricking me because I saw a very very faint line. So I texted the pic to my friend Darcy - she could see the line. So I texted it to Ryan.. He said "nope, no line." So I decided to not take the medicine and try taking the test again the next morning. The line was distinctly darker. So my heart was beating very fast when I showed Ryan. He smiled... he knew. Finally, on Thursday, I took the "Pregnant/Not Pregnant" one - so there were no questions anymore. :) 
My 2nd appt fell exactly on the morning that Ryan was leaving for Michigan for his annual golf trip with his best friend Mike. So my incredibly generous friend Jenny offered to get a babysitter for her own kids and come along with me. I was grateful to have her there with me... The first thing I asked the tech was "please just tell me there is a heart beating." She gives us this amazing visual of my adorable baby - looking much much more like a baby now - dancing around like crazy shaking his/her little arms and legs with a heart beating at 177! It felt amazing to see the baby appearing quite happy and healthy! I measured in at 10 wks, 3 days but I was just 9 wks, 6 days... Baby is growing! However, the blood pocket was unchanged. So we'll be going back again in 2 weeks for another ultrasound. My doc wants it to diminish - basically the body should reabsorb it but it needs to not grow bigger and it needs to stay away from the baby. So I have firm orders of no lifting, no exercise and no hanky panky. I know this is going to be ok. I really do. I know the baby will be fine and at my next appt, they will say the pocket is smaller, if not gone. :) I'll just be grateful for the chance to have seen my precious little baby 3 times in my first trimester!