There's nothing, NOTHING, quite like starting the day with the whole family piled into the bed, all warm, cozy, sweet...and fully present in the moment.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Favorite moments...
This morning, Dan came back to bed with a small cup of coffee for me. Riley hopped up and stretched out in between us for a happy-dog snuggle. Mitten climbed up and sat on the headboard, inspecting the situation. Vi started her morning laps, and we just stared and stared at the way my belly goes bump-bump-bump every time she moves.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
22 Week update
A little late in posting this week, but here it is:
How your baby's growing: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.
Me? I'm really, really, really tired. I can't wait to catch up on some rest and get some fresh air this weekend.
Vi? She's not really tired, or so it seems by her constant squirming! I swear, she's swimming laps.
Dan? He's really tired, and stressed. Trying to gear up for his busy season at work with a skeleton crew!
How your baby's growing: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.
Me? I'm really, really, really tired. I can't wait to catch up on some rest and get some fresh air this weekend.
Vi? She's not really tired, or so it seems by her constant squirming! I swear, she's swimming laps.
Dan? He's really tired, and stressed. Trying to gear up for his busy season at work with a skeleton crew!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
21 Week Update
I am now 21 weeks along. Since I'll be induced around 39 weeks, I have 18 weeks left! That's just over 4 months...time seems to have picked up its pace lately. I'm sure that it won't slow down for many, many years to come...
We had a check-up yesterday, and all is well. I've gained a total of 17 pounds, my blood pressure is still the same, and the baby's heart is thumping away. Her movements are getting more intense - it really feels like I'm being punched by little tiny fists. Hmm...I guess I AM being punched by little tiny fists. (Refer to ultrasound pictures to see just how tiny, and how cute those little fists are.)
Here is the Babycenter.com email:
How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual aches and pains associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. Relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester will bring some mild discomfort from carrying a baby who is nearly full-term.
We had a check-up yesterday, and all is well. I've gained a total of 17 pounds, my blood pressure is still the same, and the baby's heart is thumping away. Her movements are getting more intense - it really feels like I'm being punched by little tiny fists. Hmm...I guess I AM being punched by little tiny fists. (Refer to ultrasound pictures to see just how tiny, and how cute those little fists are.)
Here is the Babycenter.com email:
How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual aches and pains associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. Relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester will bring some mild discomfort from carrying a baby who is nearly full-term.
Hippie vs. Shopaholic - My Gift Registry
Gift registries are a funny thing. Very American, consumerist, yet, I'm finding, a lot of fun for the shopaholic in me!
It reminds me of the annual autumnal arrival of the Big Book from Sears. My brothers, sister and me would spread it out on the floor and lay down on the family room carpet to stare with delight at the Christmas possibilities. And, we would make our lists for Santa. Our lists for Santa definitely rivalled our lists for Grandpa, who could not share affection properly, so he would shop instead.
I like to think that I could live simply, with few possessions. That I'm not greedy. That I won't spoil my child. (And, that I won't ever stub my toes on piles of plastic toys.)
And then I start clicking "Add to my registry" like I'm pulling the arm on a slot machine. Not that I'm proud of this...really, I'm a hippie at heart. But, we're in this money-saving, "how are we going to live?! We must get our finances in order!" mode right now. So, reliving the Big Book experience is just enough like shopping to keep me from whipping out my credit card to buy rattles and booties and Pooh.
The things I put on the list are a combination of "must-haves" and "like-to-haves." Diapers, blankets, bibs, a mattress...these things are, in my mind, must-haves. I do remind myself that children have been put down to bed in a dresser drawer, transported in a car without a car seat, swaddled in whatever fabric is available...and survived perfectly well. The other voice in me says: SIDS, SUVs, Dust Mites. So, I'me taking advantage of a lot of hand-me-downs from my sister, re-using some pieces from my own infancy, and trying to include organic fabrics as often as possible.
"Like-to-haves" is another issue entirely. Many of you know that one of my favorite jobs ever was working at a small, independent toy store which specialized in early childhood education. We had THE BEST toys for babies and toddlers. I enjoyed this product line so much that I created a thorough business plan to start a baby-gear store of my own. (That may still happen someday...who knows? I'm just not sure if I'll get my MBA, CPA certification, become a doula or go to law school first, though...but that's another topic for another day.)
So, you'll see a lot of rattles, playmats, gyms, crib toys, and other developmentally-sound stuff.
Along with Penguin Bowling and a Green Monster Mobile.
I certainly don't expect to receive everything on the list...but just for a few hours, it was really fun to feel like I was on my belly in the family room one more time. Because, not only can I not lay on my belly anymore, but Sears stopped sending out their Big Book years ago.
Comments are open (as always) - What do YOU think about Gift Registries? Creating them for yourself, using them to shop for a loved one?
It reminds me of the annual autumnal arrival of the Big Book from Sears. My brothers, sister and me would spread it out on the floor and lay down on the family room carpet to stare with delight at the Christmas possibilities. And, we would make our lists for Santa. Our lists for Santa definitely rivalled our lists for Grandpa, who could not share affection properly, so he would shop instead.
I like to think that I could live simply, with few possessions. That I'm not greedy. That I won't spoil my child. (And, that I won't ever stub my toes on piles of plastic toys.)
And then I start clicking "Add to my registry" like I'm pulling the arm on a slot machine. Not that I'm proud of this...really, I'm a hippie at heart. But, we're in this money-saving, "how are we going to live?! We must get our finances in order!" mode right now. So, reliving the Big Book experience is just enough like shopping to keep me from whipping out my credit card to buy rattles and booties and Pooh.
The things I put on the list are a combination of "must-haves" and "like-to-haves." Diapers, blankets, bibs, a mattress...these things are, in my mind, must-haves. I do remind myself that children have been put down to bed in a dresser drawer, transported in a car without a car seat, swaddled in whatever fabric is available...and survived perfectly well. The other voice in me says: SIDS, SUVs, Dust Mites. So, I'me taking advantage of a lot of hand-me-downs from my sister, re-using some pieces from my own infancy, and trying to include organic fabrics as often as possible.
"Like-to-haves" is another issue entirely. Many of you know that one of my favorite jobs ever was working at a small, independent toy store which specialized in early childhood education. We had THE BEST toys for babies and toddlers. I enjoyed this product line so much that I created a thorough business plan to start a baby-gear store of my own. (That may still happen someday...who knows? I'm just not sure if I'll get my MBA, CPA certification, become a doula or go to law school first, though...but that's another topic for another day.)
So, you'll see a lot of rattles, playmats, gyms, crib toys, and other developmentally-sound stuff.
Along with Penguin Bowling and a Green Monster Mobile.
I certainly don't expect to receive everything on the list...but just for a few hours, it was really fun to feel like I was on my belly in the family room one more time. Because, not only can I not lay on my belly anymore, but Sears stopped sending out their Big Book years ago.
Comments are open (as always) - What do YOU think about Gift Registries? Creating them for yourself, using them to shop for a loved one?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
20 Weeks Update from BabyCenter.com
I'm 20 weeks pregnant:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).
How your life's changing:
You've made it to the halfway mark — Congratulations! The top of your uterus is at the level of your belly button now, and you've likely gained about 10 pounds. Expect to gain an average of about another pound each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron for your developing baby and the placenta, and to keep up with your expanding blood volume. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils and other legumes, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.
You've made it to the halfway mark — Congratulations! The top of your uterus is at the level of your belly button now, and you've likely gained about 10 pounds. Expect to gain an average of about another pound each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron for your developing baby and the placenta, and to keep up with your expanding blood volume. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils and other legumes, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.
All her 2,000 parts...
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So, here she is! Little Baby Girl. What's amazing is how much we could see during the hour-long ultrasound. 10 fingers and 10 toes. 4 perfect heart chambers. A stomach, a bladder, 2 kidneys. Little baby ribs and little baby vertebrae. As the technician tried to take pictures of her heart, Little Baby Girl kept moving her hands all around, casting shadows over her own chest. Seeing her mouth open and close was pretty awesome. All of her pieces and parts are right where they should be.
She weighs about 11 ounces, and measures 7-10 inches in length, head to toe. Right on schedule.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Ultrasound day
I'm on my way to our 20-week ultrasound, and I feel like I'm going on a blind date - in a good way! I just can't wait to meet this new person...or at least get to look at his/her picture. Okay, maybe the blind date analogy doesn't work. But, I think you know what I mean. I'm about to get a sneak peek at my child.
My child.
*sigh*
My child.
*sigh*
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
19 Weeks Update!
I'm WAY too tired to comment intelligently today...still not sleeping well, because no position works for more than a few hours. So, I'll just leave you with Babycenter.com's weekly message:
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries.
This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. While you may think your womb is a quiet place, it's far from it and your baby may be able to hear what's going on now. What's he listening to? The main sounds are blood moving through your vessels, digestive noises from your stomach, and your voice. Some women like to talk directly to their babies, but even if you don't, your baby can still hear you as you talk to others. Research shows that he's learning to distinguish your voice from others and he'll soon show a preference for it. Studies have shown that when a pregnant woman speaks, her baby's heart rate will decrease, indicating relaxation. Let Dad get in on the act too — encourage him to talk to your baby.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries.
This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. While you may think your womb is a quiet place, it's far from it and your baby may be able to hear what's going on now. What's he listening to? The main sounds are blood moving through your vessels, digestive noises from your stomach, and your voice. Some women like to talk directly to their babies, but even if you don't, your baby can still hear you as you talk to others. Research shows that he's learning to distinguish your voice from others and he'll soon show a preference for it. Studies have shown that when a pregnant woman speaks, her baby's heart rate will decrease, indicating relaxation. Let Dad get in on the act too — encourage him to talk to your baby.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Names and movement...
I just spoke with a man named Delabar. Dan and I are both overly-alert to different male names, or words that would make funny names, lately...I think Delabar is worth a mention.
On a cooler topic - Dan got to feel the baby move last night for the first time. His eyes jumped a little, and he asked "Was that it?" I said yes. He then asked "How do you know?"
"Because it's like nothing else I've ever felt before, that's how."
On a cooler topic - Dan got to feel the baby move last night for the first time. His eyes jumped a little, and he asked "Was that it?" I said yes. He then asked "How do you know?"
"Because it's like nothing else I've ever felt before, that's how."
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