Our First Gosling

Introducing Lorelei Sierra!!!!

2009-07-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Come visit us at our new blog!
http://loreleisierra.blogspot.com/

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-17T00:24:00.000-07:00

@ Saddleback Church

Week 38: Belly Shots (Again)

2009-05-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Getting to the end, I cannot wait to meet our little one!!!

Belly Close-up!

Ok, I'm a goof, hehe

Week 38: Belly Shots

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Week 38: Baby Size

2009-05-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

See the big picture
How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Week 37 (day 4): Belly Shots!

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Week 37: Belly Shots (from laying down)

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Amanita putting his hand on my belly

Week 37 aka FULL TERM: baby size

2009-05-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

FULL TERM!!!!

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

How your baby's growing:
Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Week 36: Belly Shot

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Taken April 27, 2009

(Showing off my diaper bag my mommy made me!)

Week 36: Baby Size

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Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. (~My baby is head down already, yay!~) But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

OC Baby Shower (Gift Opening)

2009-04-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Me

Brian and I being the center of the attention (eek!!!)

Gorgeous Diaper Bag my mom made me!

Apparently I was dancing?

See my slinkie .. Brian put it on my dress

Homemade Blanket from Jessica

See my belly :)

I love Brian's Smile (of course this is right after he hit me in the head with the present!)

Another Slinkie Shot

OC Baby Shower (Onesies, Bibs and Squares)

2009-04-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Brian, Me and Whitnee

My mom sent out boxes of paints with onesies, and squares to my family and friends on the East Coast to decorate for the baby. These are the ones that were sent back, PLUS, all the ones from the Fresno Shower.

On the Right side of the Room

Whitnee and I

The Left Side of the Room

Brian and I

Onesies and Squares that were decorated on Saturday

OC Baby Shower (decor)

2009-04-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

My mom, me, and my dad

Our Many Cakes!

The ones on the pink plates spell out "GEESAMAN"

Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Moose

Homemade chocolate cake with homemade buttercream, beautifully decorated by my mom, they have the A, B, C's on them

"BABY BOY OR GIRL" Choices Included: Homemade vanilla, chocolate and red velvet cake

"baby" plates and napkins

Jeremy & I

The Room Decorated

Hershey Bars (favors) with a cute label done by my daddy

Appetizers

Macaroni Grill

Mini Diaper Cake Centerpiece

Baby Block Centerpiece

Kids Table

Drink Table

Week 35: Belly Shot

2009-04-22T00:38:00.000-07:00

Week 35: Baby Size

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How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Fresno Baby Shower

2009-04-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

March 21st, 2009

Fresno All-Women Baby Shower at Grandma Barb’s House
Hosted by: Mom, Whitnee and Grandma Barb

Shower began at 2pm

Before the shower began:
Me and Baby G, talking to Brian on the phone

Me:

Decor:
When I first saw the dining room!

My original artwork and a letter to my grandma when I was younger

Books for the baby from Auntie Whitnee and Nana (and a photo of me in my first Easter dress)

Checking out the books

Books from Nana and Auntie Whitnee and copies of my artwork that Great Gramma did for placemats

Diaper Cake:

Dresses from throughout the years that my grandma made for me

The bottom one is my very first Easter dress

Food!!!
Quiche and Spinach Salad! Yum!

My mom sent out squares and onesies for all my out of town friends and family to decorate. Here are the ones she received and I was able to open at the shower!
From Ashley K, Aunt Kristen, Kim, & Kristen T

Us Decorating:

The onesies are for the baby's layette.
Onesie by Nana (my mom)

From (left) my cousin Jilee (she's in 7th grade) and (right) Angela

From (Left) Great Gramma (my Grandma Barb) and (Right) Mama (me me me, eek!!), mine was originally a giraffe...ha!

From (Left) Angela, (Middle Square) Cousin Jilee, (Right) Cousin Jilee

Squares:
The squares are going to be made into a quilt for the baby!
From Great Gramma (my Grandma Barb)

From (Top) Mama (which is me!!!) and (Bottom) Auntie Whitnee

Presents:

Tub Temperate 'Duck' that is a cow (he's cute!) and Paci's from Ranae

Long Sleeve Onesies, and Dr Karp's 'Happiest Baby on the Block' from Angela

Winnie-The-Pooh, and Baby Bible Board Book from Whitney

Books, baby shampoo, socks, washclothes, and other essentials from my Auntie Bev and Cousin Jilee

Sailor Outfit and Socks from Auntie Whitnee (my sister)

Baby Einstein collection from my Aunt Jackie and Cousin Jasmine

Handmade towels for the baby from Great Gramma (my Grandma Barb) and an adorable plaque!

Clothes for baby from Nana (my mom)

Is baby going to be a girl?

or a boy?

The cake (and I)

Cake:

Whitnee & I

"Nursery"

2009-04-17T22:14:00.001-07:00

Since our situation is unique and we will be putting our house on the market soon after the baby is born we aren't really doing a nursery. However, we do have a changing table in our office, and are going to be using the office as baby stuff storage, and for baby changing. The baby will sleep in the bassinet with us in our room until we move, so the baby won't actually stay in the office at all. But since I wanted to be baby ready I have everything in their organized!

Changing Table (with carseat that needs to be installed as soon as possible!!!)

Adorable Plaque my Gramma Barb gave me

Baby Clothes!!! (Mainly 0-3 Months hanging up, the rest is in the drawer)

The baby's library so far!!!

Newborn Diapers!!!

Week 34: Belly Shots

2009-04-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

Falling, Contractions and Bedrest

2009-04-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

We were down a computer, and then the day we got back to two computers are internet went down! So updating has been a difficult thing the last few weeks. I've also gotten into a routine of updating with the baby size and development, and haven't been doing as personal of updates as I would have liked to. So to catch up on the last 2 weeks at least, here it is.

Sunday, 4/5/09 (the day after Brian turned 26!), the front door to our house ended up blowing open, and all three dogs ended up running outside after they heard the doorbell ring. I went downstairs to check on what happened, I walked to the end of our carport, found the dogs half way down the street and turned to walk back and get Brian to come and chase after the dog. In the middle of me turning I lost my center of gravity, tripped, and fell. I ended up crashing my knee, then my belly, then my arm and my shoulder all into the ground, and then hit my head on the rim of Brian's car. My neighbors were outside and they called for Brian to come down saying that I had fallen. While Brian was coming downstairs and outside (which he did quite quickly) all three dogs returned to see if I was ok. I held all three of their collars while I waited for Brian, and then he took them in one by one. As he did that my neighbors tried to help me up but I could not get up. So it was decided we should call for an ambulance. Within 5 minutes the fire department and an ambulance were at our condo and moments later I was on a gurney being wheeled into an ambulance. Brian had ran and got my purse and was in the front seat of the ambulance. He called my mom to let her know what had happened while we made our way to the hospital. They put an IV in and called it in to the hospital and off we went to St Jude's (since my hospital is out of range for the ambulance). When we arrived we started check in with the Emergency Room (ER), but since I was 32 (almost 33 weeks) weeks pregnant I was sent straight to Labor & Delivery (L&D). Upon arriving at L&D I was hooked up to baby monitors and then they started to check me in. Immediately we knew the heart rate sounded good, which was a huge relief. Once the EMTs let the L&D nurse know my injuries they headed out and the nurse used newborn diapers with ice inside to ice my knee and my arm. They let me know they'd be monitoring me for about an hour if all looks good I'd be sent home. There were no visible marks on my belly, so that was a good sign. After being their for about 30 minutes, the L&D nurse went back through what happened with me, and I mentioned the last thing I did in the fall was hit my head on the rim of our car. Well the head injury wasn't reported by the EMTs to the nurse (oops, head injuries are important, right?), so my one hour of monitoring turned into four. We didn't have a way to get home, so Brian called my mom, and she headed over. They then ran blood labs (twice), and I saw the dr (for less then 5 minutes!!). Unfortunately, according to the baby monitors (one monitor's fetal heartbeat and the other monitor's contractions) I was contracting and the contractions were getting closer together. So I was given a shot of Turbutaline to stop the contractions and calm my uterus. When I was given the Turbutaline they realized I also had an injury on my right shoulder (in addition to my right arm), it wasn't bad, but since I went to L&D instead of ER, they didn't look at me for injuries their #1 and only concern was the baby. The Turbutaline caused my heart to race (which is a side effect I was warned about), and for me to feel anxious, but it stopped the contractions. Having the contractions monitored was interesting, I would have never known I was having contractions if it wasn't for the monitor! About 30 minutes after I was given the Turbutaline they sent me to ultrasound to check on the baby. The ultrasound was 45 minutes long, and I had to take several breaks, because the pressure of the baby on the vena cava was too much for long periods of time. Everything turned out looking good though. My cervix looked good, the amniotic fluid looked good, and the placenta looked good. And also very importantly the baby didn't break or fracture anything, all the bones looked good (they took photos and measurements of EVERYTHING, left side of left leg, right side of left leg, etc), and the organs looked good. The baby measured in at 4lbs 3oz. After the ultrasound, we went back to the triage room and they got me something to eat. I didn't know I was hungry until I started eating, and food never tasted so good! After I ate I was monitored for another 45 minutes and then I was released!

The next morning (Monday, April 6) I woke up in a tremendous about of pain. I had been told I could have 2 regular strength tylenol every 4 hours for a max of 4,000mg in 24 hours. The first day I needed it and desperately wanted it every 4 hours. After the first day though the pain subsided tremendously. I dealt with a few contractions on and off that day (which the L&D nurse said is normal after trauma) but nothing too bad or too frequent.

The day after (Tuesday, April 7) I went in for my regular OB visit. The Nurse Practitioner I saw let me know that once their is a trauma in the uterus, contractions or pre-mature labor are much more likely to occur. And because of this combined with my previous Toxemia/Pre-eclemsia symptoms (which I don't believe I wrote about on here, but they have been doing almost weekly bloodwork for toxemia, and so far everything has come back normal, thank goodness, but they are on the look out for it because I have the symptoms for it), that I needed to take it easy, stay out of stressful situations, limit my walking, and she wrote me a note to have me work a max of 4 hours a day.

Then fast forward to this week, this Tuesday (April 14), while Brian was out on his run something happened that really upset me, I called my mom and tried to stay calm while I waited for Brian to get home, I got off the phone hoping that being off the phone would help, it didn't. So I then I called my sister, and this point I was not just upset I was crying fairly hysterically. While I was talking to my sister I could feel my bloodpressure rise even higher, and then suddenly I started having contractions. A few minutes into talking to my sister Brian got home and looked terrified. I was half bent over crying hysterically and clutching my belly. I told my sister I'd have to call her back and told Brian what happened. I then spent the next hour having contraction after contraction fairly close together. Although, emotionally I was calmer, I couldn't will the contractions to stop. Brian called the on-call dr and talked to him, and he had me spend the rest of the night laying down drinking water. The contractions started sometime around 7:30pm and continued until 9am the next morning. I woke up quite a bit all night long, and finally just got up at 5:30am and stayed up until 9am. Finally at 9am they seemed to be calmed down and I was able to sleep soundly from 9am-11am. At 11am I called my OB and they asked me to come in that day (Wednesday/yesterday). I got their only open appt at 3:15 and my mom came and picked me up when she got done school. When I got to the OB she checked my cervix and then checked the baby via ultrasound. She was very concerned about my stress induced contractions, and decided to put me on modified bedrest (so I can go downstairs and hang out on the couch, and I can make myself lunch or get a glass of water but that's about it, no work, no shopping, no cleaning, I can't even help get stuff ready for the baby :( so I'm really bummed about that). I'm 3 weeks from full term and 6 weeks from my due date. I'm 34 weeks and 1 day pregnant as of today.

Week 34: Baby Size

2009-04-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Week 33: Baby Size (8 Months Pregnant!!!!)

2009-04-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

Honeydew Melon

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Week 32: Belly Shot

2009-04-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

4.2.09

03.31.09

03.30.09

Week 32: Baby Size

2009-04-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Week 31: Belly Shot

2009-03-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

Week 31: Baby Size

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This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Week 30: Baby Size

2009-03-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Week 29: Belly Shots

2009-03-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

Week 29: Baby Size (Month 7!)

2009-03-09T00:29:00.000-07:00

Month 7
Squash

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Week 28: Belly Shots

2009-03-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

28 Weeks

Sorry they're out of focus, that's what I get for taking them from my MacBook when I have a nice camera I could use. :)

Week 28: Baby Size

2009-03-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

28 Weeks

How your baby's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Week 27: Baby Size & Dr Update

2009-02-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

27 Weeks = Beginning of the Third (and final, eek!) Trimester!!!

How your baby's growing:
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Dr Appointment Update:
I had my monthly doctors appointment on Wednesday. I got to see the baby again on the ultrasound! That's the best feeling ever! It makes anything bad or negative about the day or about life just disappear. I do have a few photos of the ultrasound, 2 face shots, and 1 foot shot (baby's foot is 5.25cm). Baby is doing good (and no I still don't know the gender!), he/she is measuring 28 weeks (so about a week ahead), and is now head down!!! No guarantees the baby will stay head down, but I can hope! I'm up a total of 18lbs, which the doctor said is good. I go back again in 3 weeks! Baby is due 3 months from today!!!

Week 26: Baby Size & Update

2009-02-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

26 Weeks

How your baby's growing:
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Update
Next week begins the THIRD trimester! I can't believe it, the baby only had 3 more months of 'baking' left! I'm hitting the overwhelmed because I have way too much to do before the baby gets here stage. I'm working my way through my to-do list, but the combination of being extra tired and not being able to stand (or sit or lay down or really stay in one spot) for long periods of time makes it harder to get stuff done as fast as I normally would. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good though. My calves and ankles swelled to about 3x's their normal size on Sunday, but I think that was mainly due to overworking myself, and not getting as much sleep as usual (since Brian broke his collarbone snowboarding on Friday night and we spent until the wee hours of Saturday morning at the hospital, so sleep was scarce on Saturday). The swelling never completely went down after Sunday, but I have upped my water intake and have tried to elevate my feet whenever possible, and both of those things have helped. My lower back is pretty tender these days as well, but nothing too painful (or unexpected). My uterus is now up as high as my rib cage (which has changed breathing a bit, but that's to be expected) and I've really notice my belly grow a lot in the last week. It's amazing to feel the baby kick, especially now as he/she gets stronger and stronger by the moment it seems. This week, I've finished all the baby books I purchased, and all the ones given to me as gifts!! It's fascinating to me to hear what to do about the same thing from 3 or 4 different perspectives. It's also interesting to see how they line up with my own opinions, and what I've previously learned in child development classes, and from my parents and relatives.

96 Days until my due date (May 27, 2009)
75 days until 'Full Term' (37 weeks)
5 days until the third trimester begins (27 weeks)

I absolutely cannot wait to hold our baby in my arms, and to watch Brian with the baby. I just cannot wait. :) I'm so blessed.

Week 26: Belly Shots

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26 Week Belly Shots and 99 days to go!!!!

100 Days to Go!!!!!

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100 days 'til baby :D

Week 25: Belly Shots!

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25 Weeks (& 2 Days)

Week 25: Baby Size

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Six Months Six Months Six Months Six Months Six Months Six Months Six Months

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Week 24: Belly Shots

2009-02-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

From the front

From the side

Laying down (and playing music for the baby)

Week 24: Baby Size

2009-02-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Week 24

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

22 Weeks 4 Days - Belly Shots

2009-02-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

After church, Brian took a few photos with the puppies (excuse Entropy's blurry face, she wasn't doing photos that night), this is what happens when I wear a Small T-Shirt (I usually wear youth Large, ha!)

Week 23: Doctors Appointment and Update

2009-01-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

Update
I got goose bumps reading about the baby development and the stage the baby is at right now. Particularly since I noticed over the past few days that the baby would react to the kitties purrs and meows, the doggies barks, the music in the car, and to voices, most specifically my own and Brian's. It's amazing really. The baby seems to calm when Brian talks, as if the baby is taking in every word his/her papa is saying. Maybe the baby just realizes how awesome her/his papa is already. Plus, the baby seems to already be comfortable with the noises of the animals, which will be a good thing post-womb.

Pregnancy is just such an amazing thing, it warms my heart. Today was the first time the baby actually kicked my hand away from my stomach, it was incredible. I just want to treasure every moment of it, keep that memory in my head, I've never experienced anything like it. I had Brian feel too when he got home, the baby wasn't kicking as hard then, but he definitely felt a pretty strong kick. A few hours later Galway laid on my stomach and the baby kicked Galway off, she looked quite offended at my stomach, but gave it a little nuzzle and a kiss and moved right next to my stomach, almost cuddled with the baby, it was a precious moment.

Doctors Appointment
I had my monthly doctors appointment yesterday and it went well. I met the Nurse Practitioner on staff, she was really nice, and very informative. All our testing came back negative (or good, however, you want to put it), no abnormalities at all (the AFP testing). Plus, all the routine testings they do at each appointment are looking good. And my anatomy ultrasound that I had at Hoag Hospital was reviewed by the doctor and he said everything looked good. Officially the doctors office has moved up my due date even sooner then I expected, May 26th, 2009. I didn't change any of my tickers/calendars/etc since they're already all set for May 27th, 2009 and who knows when baby will actually make an appearance. But it looks like I may possibly have a May baby!!!

Overall, I am up 15lbs (which, for those keeping track, means I gained 8lbs in the first 18 weeks and then 7lbs in the last 4 weeks!!! ahh!), the nurse practitioner said I looked right on target for weight gain though, so that's a good sign.

I have my glucose screening test on Monday. I have to fast from midnight and then I will have to drink an extremly concentrated sugary drink, sit in the lab for an hour, and then get my blood drawn. It is a test done on all pregnant women (to my knowledge), and it is to screen for gestational diabetes. If I pass, then YAY I pass, if I fail then I have to go through the Glucose Tolerance Test and that's when you repeat everything from the screening test, but instead of sitting their for an hour you sit for 3 hours! I'm sure I'll be fine though! They are also re-doing my OB Panel, since the original OB office I went to (the ghetto-tastic one) REFUSE to release my medical records (how nice of them, right?), or are too lazy to fax them over, I'm not sure which really.

I'm still on monthly appointments so my next appointment will be in 4 weeks, and I will be in the 3rd trimester (already, seriously???).

Week 23: Baby Development

2009-01-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Four Months to Go & Pregnancy Purchases

2009-01-23T11:55:00.000-08:00

Time flies, does it not? It's crazy, I feel like we JUST celebrated Christmas and the New Year and now January is almost over! Not to mention the Valentine's decor that is all over every store! The baby is due in 4 months and 3 days, or 124 days. It doesn't seem like a lot of time to get prepared.

I have refrained from making too many pregnancy purchases, which is hard, baby stuff is so cute! I did, however, give in a few weeks ago and bought baby a jogging stroller, it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up, plus, it was the identical one I had put on my registry, so it was a definite win-win!

Then yesterday on my search for some maternity pants (as cute as going to work with my fly down has been lately... which leads me to say, I should have bought a Belly Band, and definitely will with the next baby, especially if that means I can stay in my pre-pregnancy clothes well into the 5th month and not have my fly showing!), I bought two pairs, one black capris and one black pant (I have to wear black to work). They have the 'belly panel' on it, which can be worn fully up or folded down, but gives great support to my belly and back, and I look even more pregnant wearing them!

I also found the Snoogle at the maternity store, it's this awesome GIANT pillow for sleeping. I used it for the first time last night (and am using it to sit up now) and it definitely helps me sleep better and stops any leg pain while sitting.

After the maternity store at the mall I went to Target. I had heard that they were having newborn to three month old stuff on clearance and wanted to check it out. Unfortunately, it was all picked through, and there was really nothing left. However, I did buy the cutest little sleeper. It says 'Daddy's Sidekick' - how cute is it???

I bought it in newborn so the baby can wear it right away. It's so so cute, I can't get over how perfect it is for our baby!

Overall, I feel great. The only complaint I have now is my emotions are a wreck, it's definitely like being on a crazy rollercoaster ride, but I'm grateful that's the worst I have to deal with. My next OB appointment is on the 28th (which is Wednesday), I'll be interested to see what my total weight gain is then, especially since my belly seems to have expanded a lot the last two weeks.

I'm soaking in my last 'winter' in California. We've had 80 degree days all week, which have been quite enjoyable (although, I openly admit I really do miss the snow!), and I've spent several days just sitting outside soaking all the sunlight in, but the rain began today, and apparently is going to be here for the next 5-6 days, so that's less fun. As excited as I am to leave CA, it does make me a bit sad.

Well I better go update and work on my pregnancy/'before the baby gets here' to-do list.

Week 22: Baby Development

2009-01-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

Papaya
Week 21 - 24

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

How your baby's growing:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Anniversary & More Baby Books

2009-01-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, January 19, 2009, marked the 7th year since Brian and I started dating. It's amazing to me that it has been that long. He is my best friend, and my favorite person in this world. I am still amazed how perfect God made the two of us for each other. I know having a baby is going to change our lives completely, but I cannot wait to see Brian as a father. He'll be just as wonderful as a father as he has been as a husband, and as he will be as a veterinarian. I'm excited to watch him with his child.

Us, celebrating 7 years:
(Look at those gorgeous brown eyes :D)

Brian and I went out for dinner last night to celebrate 7 years together! It felt like the first time we'd been out in a long time, but it was great! Great food, conversation and lots of laughter. After dinner Brian and I went to the book store. I picked up a few baby books. I figure I am now over the half way mark and need to stop reading pregnancy books and start reading baby books! I purchased La Leche League International's 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding,' Dr. Harvey Karp's 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' and the American Academy of Pediatrics 'Heading Home with Your Newborn: from birth to reality.' I also want to get Gymboree's 'Baby Play' and some sort of baby 'journal' to record the first year, but I figure those can wait a bit. I'll have tons to read with these three I purchased! If anyone has any suggestions for baby books (or journals/scrapbooks for the baby's first year), please pass them my way!

21 Weeks 3 Days Belly Shots

2009-01-18T23:11:00.000-08:00

Sporting my I heart NY shirt that I got from Jon :)

I know this pose is silly, but I was trying to show off my full belly with my arms out of the way

Ultrasound Update & NEW Due Date

2009-01-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

The ultrasound went well! The baby is measuring 21 weeks, and his/her due date has been moved up to May 27th! (Hence, why I posted the 21 week update the day after the 20 week update!!) Everything looked perfect :D We even go to see the baby sucking his/her thumb!!! How sweet is that? It was just amazing, and just incredible to watch him/her move and do actions that he'll/she'll do once he's/she's outside the womb! Just amazing!

We got several photos!

The baby is currently 15 ounces and his/her arms and legs are measuring almost 22 weeks!

Week 21: Baby Size

2009-01-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

Banana

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Week 20: Halfway!!!! Baby Size & Update

2009-01-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

I'm HALWAY there!!!!! (really? is it really possible?)

Cantaloupe

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

Update
My 'BIG' Anatomy Ultrasound is today. I'll update more about it after it actually happens this evening. We're still not finding out the gender of Baby G, so it's not as exciting as some people's big ultrasound. However, any time I get to see the baby is amazing. The doctor (or ultrasound technician, not sure who does the ultrasound there... my doctor does the ultrasound at his clinic, but this ultrasound is done at Hoag Hospital where Baby G will be born) will be looking at the development of all the organs and making sure everything appears 'normal.' I'm excited to see my little wiggly worm moving around.

Overall, pregnancy is awesome. My biggest complaint right now is my legs fall asleep a lot lately, in any position really. Laying down, sitting, lounging, any position. And my lower back hurts more often. But other then those two minor complaints things have been great. I don't feel sick, or fat, or uncomfortable. I'm not too overly emotional or moody. I'm just enjoying life for what it has to offer right now. I'm getting my first pre-natal massage on Thursday (I'm so excited!!!), so that should help the minor aches. I can't believe I'm already 20 weeks, I always thought pregnancy would be very difficult, and so far so good. I know it'll get more uncomfortable as time goes on, but it's all so worth it.

19 Week Belly Shots

2009-01-07T23:46:00.000-08:00

19 Weeks 3 Days
I'm wearing pre-pregnancy pants, so they don't button, but they're ok for around the house.

Week 19: Baby Development and Size

2009-01-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

Mango

Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

18 weeks 5 days Belly Shots

2009-01-04T02:03:00.000-08:00

Another belly shot :)

My mom got the baby a changing table! It's quite cute! It's got an area for a changing pad, a small closet area (the taller door on the right), a drawer for storage and 2 shelves for extra storage. I'll take a better photo later. :)

18 weeks 2 days Belly Shots

2009-01-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

Last belly shot of 2008 :)

Taken while Brian and I were waiting for our lasagna to be finished :D

OB Appointment

2008-12-31T11:07:00.000-08:00

Had my monthly OB appointment yesterday. Brian came with and we were able to see the baby on the ultrasound again (no photo this time though). It was awesome! The baby is developing well, and I'm up 8lbs so far at 18weeks. Still not noticeably pregnant in normal clothes (although my co-workers can tell for sure), but I'll get there. Here is me in my work outfit (after a full day of work, it's about 11pm here) and one of my last remaining pairs of pre-pregnancy pants that still fit!

The appointment was pretty routine. The doctor is adding 1000mg of Calcium (+ Vitamin D) and some extra Iron to my vitamin intake each day. I also got a flu shot yesterday, they carry mercury free shots at my OBGYN, and Brian agreed that increasing the maternal antibodies is always a good thing, so I went with it, they also did the blood work (and for the FIRST time EVER the phelbotemist was able to get the blood on one poke, and poking blindly, since my veins are impossible to see) for the AFP test (Genetic Testing for Down Syndrome, Spinabifida, etc), so my arms were a bit sore yesterday, but overall everything is great. I'm feeling well, no real pain or uncomfortable-ness so I feel lucky. My only real complaint is my night vision is a disaster right now, I cannot see the street signs at all, it started about 4 weeks ago, and is slowly getting worse (I had Lasik in November 2006 and have had better then 20/20 vision since). The doctor said it's common in about 20% or so of women while pregnant and it should go back to normal by 6 weeks post-partum, so for now I just have to live with less then stellar vision. If it's still not back after the baby then back to the optometrist I go. I do remember my opthomologist (the doctor who did my lasik) warn that this could happen in pregnancy, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. One great thing that has happened though is Jasmine, Lavender, and all the other flowers that used to make me sneeze, feel sick and give me HORRID headaches all don't bother me anymore! That's a side effect I'll take permanently! My hair has also started to do a slight curl, so it'll be interesting to see if it becomes curly as the pregnancy progresses.

I also learned that I have an anterior placenta, so the placenta is along the front wall of the uterus. Which means the baby's heartbeat is a bit more muffled and I won't feel as much movement throughout the pregnancy since there is more that the baby has to kick through. However, Brian felt the baby kick him for the first time last night!!! It was pretty amazing! :D

I think that is it. This is quite an amazing and exciting time in my life. I'm just thrilled to be having a baby with the most incredible person I've ever met. I feel like a very lucky wife to have Brian in my life. Happy New Year everyone!!!! I'm going to be a MOM in 2009, can you believe it??? And we're only one year early on our 5 year plan, pretty awesome, right? ;)

4 months and 31 days 'til the Gosling makes his or her arrival! (and yes the doctor knows what the baby is, but we're not asking and he's not telling!) My big ultrasound will be in the next 2 or 3 weeks (once I schedule it).

Week 18: Baby Size

2008-12-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Sweet Potato

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

How your baby's growing:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

And my next doctors appointment is tomorrow!!! :D

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

Week 17: Baby Size

2008-12-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

Onion

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

See what a good daddy Brian will be :)

2008-12-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

him and the babies

Baby Kicking Update

2008-12-15T09:30:00.001-08:00

I felt my first real definite baby kick! It was amazing, and the result of drinking 16 ounces of Hi-C fruit punch. I don't tend to eat (let alone drink) much sugar, so I think it made the baby go a bit crazy. I've had the 'fluttering' sensation before, but this is the first time I just *knew* it was the baby! Amazing, wonderful, I'm so excited! My itty-bitty baby is moving all around inside!

And I hear it only gets better from here :)

Week 16: Baby Size

2008-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

Avocado

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

How your baby's growing:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Week 15: Baby Size

2008-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

Naval Orange

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.

How your baby's growing:
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Ultrasound and New OB

2008-12-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

I got to see the baby today!!! It was my first ultrasound! The baby measured 15 weeks 2 days, which puts the due date at 5/26/09, however, because it's within a week of my original due date they're keeping my original due date of 6/2/09. So I am currently 14 weeks 2 days.

Sorry for the bad quality, my scanner was on the fritz so I had to take a photo of the ultrasound.

Reminder: Vote in the Expectnet Game

2008-12-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

Reminder: Please Vote in the Expectnet Game

www.ExpectNet.com/Games/OurGosling

Week 14: Baby Size

2008-11-30T22:32:00.000-08:00

Lemon

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

How your baby's growing:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Week 13: Baby Size and Belly Shots

2008-11-27T22:27:00.000-08:00

Peach

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

How your baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

13 Week Belly Shots:

Week 12: Belly Shots & Update

2008-11-22T17:27:00.000-08:00

I'm one day from Week 13, so I'm a bit behind on the belly shots, but here they are. From last night.

I hate the face I'm making in this one, but oh well

And I got a surprise package in the mail today! My very good friend Kim sent us a towel with a ducky on it and a pair of *adorable* ducky slippers, with a sweet card. I will post a photo later! Kim - Thank you that was so thoughtful, I love you and I miss you!!!

I feel soooo blessed by my friends and family. Thank you all again, I'm overwhelmed by your kindness! I promise, if I haven't spoken with you recently on the phone I will call soon. For the whole month of November I have been working nights, which doesn't work well with the East Coast/West Coast time difference. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Praise God, Thank God, and Thank those in your family, and in your life that mean the world to you.

Week 12: Baby Size

2008-11-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

Our Little Plum

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby's systems are fully formed.

How your baby's growing:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Week 11: Baby Size & Update

2008-11-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Lime

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Mama Update:
I met with my insurance rep from my work and found out I'm eligible for a much cheaper plan, with 100x's better coverage, so I decided to switch! The plan is effective 11/1/08, but the bad news? I have to switch from the midwife to an OB 'in network,' which I'm ok with, but it's just annoying that I have to do a third switch, plus I really liked the midwife. I am meeting with the Physician Assistant at my general practitioners today to get the referral, so hopefully their office won't be too far from my house (my GP is about 45 minutes away and the main hospital he refers is about an hour away! eek!)

Morning sickness has gotten better, no actual throwing up for 3 days now!! I think it's directly related to the type of prenatals I was on previously. Since 3 days ago I switched to a new prenatal vitamin, per the Rx from the midwife.

Brian's mommy sent me a whole box full of maternity clothes, I am quite excited about them all, they're perfect, and they look just like what I would have bought myself!!! (Thanks again!!!)

That's it for now, I think, I'm just happy our little lime is developing well (as far as we know!), I feel very blessed! I can't wait to meet he or she in just a few short months! Remember: if you haven't voted/guessed in our ExpectNet game, please do so!

ExpectNet Game

2008-11-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

This is a fun game. Basically you guess if the baby is a boy or a girl, when the baby will be born (date and time) and how long the baby will be, and how much it weighs.

Penalty Points:

incorrect gender:	400 points
date & time:	5 points per hour
weight:	5 points per ounce
length:	10 points per inch

Then when the baby is born, I'll put his/her stats in and we'll see who wins!

If you'd like to participate go to www.expectnet.com/games/ourgosling and vote/guess!

Week 10: Baby Belly Shots & Update

2008-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

I went to the midwife today and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat! :) It was awesome! My uterus is the right size, per the midwife, and everything seems good!

10 Week Belly Shots

(You'd think I'd learn that my mirror really needs to be cleaned, yet I continue to take photos without cleaning it first!)

Week 10: Baby Size & Update

2008-11-01T23:31:00.000-07:00

Prune (I think I like the description below of kumquat better, hehe)

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.)
Reference: thebump.com

How your baby's growing:
Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.
reference: babycenter.com

Update:
10 Weeks seems like such a significant number. I mean I am in double digit weeks, I am almost 1/4th the way done the pregnancy (is that possible already???), and I am definitely starting to show. Brian still doesn't see it. But last night when we went out for Halloween a lot of people who had just seen me a couple weeks prior commented on me showing, and then this morning at work a few people literally dropped there jaws and were like 'you're showing' :D I have to say, I love the positive attention and energy people give pregnant woman. I really feel loved and taken care of. It's a great feeling.

I meet with the Chiropractor on Monday. I can't wait, I definitely feel my body moving and stretching and the adjustments have been amazing. I can't wait until I hit 13 weeks, then I'm going to get a massage. I still have a free one available at work and I cannot wait to use it. Most therapist say you can have a massage as early as you want and throughout the whole pregnancy (well until 36 weeks), but a few say to wait 'til 4th or 5th month, or until at least after the 1st trimester. So I am trusting their expertise and waiting until the 2nd trimester begins (in just a few weeks!!!)

I have my first 'official' midwife appointment on Wednesday and I'm hoping Brian will be able to make it. His schedule should be flexible enough on that day (probably the only day he could have for WEEKS, what luck!). We're going to try and hear the heartbeat (we should be able to, I'll be 10 weeks and 3 days I believe, so I think that's reasonable, but we will see). I'm not sure when/if they'll be doing a sonogram, but I think I want at least one photo of the little person growing inside of me.

So far a few of my co-workers have guessed the gender. It's really fun to have people telling me what I'm having, I love it! I am going to start a 'game' expectnet next week, so everyone can 'vote' on when they think the baby will arrive and whether the baby is a boy or girl. I'll post the link here and probably also send an e-mail out to everyone!

Week 9: Baby Size & Mama Update

2008-10-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

Green Olive

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!
Reference: thebump.com

How your baby's growing:
Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.
Reference: babycenter.com

How's Mama doing?
It's a question I've been getting a lot of lately. And the answer is GOOD! Really :) or at least I'm in great spirits. Morning sickness has become more or less a way of life for the last 2 weeks, but I figure things could be worse so I'm ok with it all. The worst I'd have to say was throwing up at work, at least I had told my boss about the pregnancy the day before and there were no clients around. I'm still tired, but I've been taking naps and sleeping in when possible, so overall, I've been ok. Mood swings have been a bit of a struggle, I snap from one mood to another with a split second notice, the dogs get most of the wrath though, and they bounce back quickly. No weird cravings yet, although Claussin pickels and pudding have been my snack of choice lately (not together, but in the same snack time). I can't wait to hear the baby's heartbeat though, I have another 10 days to wait though!

Week 8: Baby Size

2008-10-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Raspberry

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

How your baby's growing:
New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.
Reference: www.BabyCenter.com

Week 7: Update

2008-10-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

I had my second chiropractor visit yesterday, it feels nice to be going consistently. She gave me a few stretches to start doing at home that will help over the course of the pregnancy.

I met with a midwife yesterday, I really like her, so I think I'll be going with her! She's located across the street from the hospital, and has IVs and Medications on hand, if needed. She takes 6 patients per month (i.e. no more then 6 due in the month of June). She also confirmed my June 2nd, 2009 due date! I'm going to go to my first 'official' appointment on November 6th.

Morning sickness has been off and on. Some days it's really bad, and some days it's non-existent. Milk is the only real big aversion I have been having. No real cravings, except the other day I insisted we needed to go to the store right then (at 11:30pm) for macaroni and cheese. :) To be fair, I didn't get dinner because there was a mix up at work, and I didn't get my break, so I was hungry.

Week 7: Baby Size

2008-10-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Blueberry

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.
Reference: thebump.com

How your baby's growing:
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.
Reference: babycenter.com

Week 6: Doctor Update & Belly Shots

2008-10-07T22:16:00.001-07:00

I saw the OB today! The appointment went well. She did an exam and said there is a normally developing pregnancy and marked me at about 6-7 weeks by exam. Officially for this month my due date is June 2, 2009. On November 5th I go back for an ultrasound and I will get a more accurate due date (but it'll be around the last week of May or first week of June).

6 Week Belly Shots

Week 6: Baby Size

2008-10-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

Sweet Pea

Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.
Reference: TheBump.com

How your baby's growing:
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.
Reference: BabyCenter.com

And for fun ... according to the Chinese Gender Chart the baby is going to be a girl. Very interesting :)

Week 5 - Update

2008-09-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my first Chiropractic visit. It's a new chiropractor for me (recommendation from one of my co-workers) and I love her! She's awesome!

Overall, I'm feeling great today! I have more energy then I've had in 2 weeks!

Morning sickness started mid-week last week, but so far I've only had one really bad day. I've been eating a cracker every morning before I get up and that seems to really be helping. I also picked up Preggie Pop Drops which are supposed to help with morning sickness, and they've been great!

No baby belly yet, just bloating, but I'll update regularly (every few weeks right now) with belly shots so you can see the progress.

Next Tuesday (10/7) is my first OB appointment, I hope I like her. Most of the OBs in the area are men, and I really wanted a woman, so hopefully she works out. If not I'll just be on the search for another.

My appetite has been funny. At meals I can only eat about 1/3 to 1/2 of what I normally eat, but then I eat about 4 times a day, so I've been eating a little less then normal, but more frequently. No pickle and peanut butter cravings yet (ha!), but I've developed an aversion to cheese, and anything too sweet (chocolate, sugary candies, et al).

I've already read three baby books and then this week I bought 6 baby books off of recommendations from friends, they only cost me $7 total (yay for buying used!). I have a few more I want to get, but I'll need to read these first!

I bought:
Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom by Stephanie Wilder-Taylor - a collection of essay's about new mom stuff
The Other Woman by Jane Green - Fiction - it is about a mother-in-law and a girl having her first baby
Notes From The Underbelly by Risa Green - Fiction - Follows character Lara Stone through pregnancy
Tales from the Crib by Risa Green - Fiction - Continues to follow character Lara Stone through her adventures as a new mom
Diary of a mad mom-to-be by Laura Wolf - Fiction - Sequel to Diary of a mad bride-to-be
The Vegetarian Mother and Baby Book By Rose Elliot - recipe's and complete menu's

Week 5: Baby Size

2008-09-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Appleseed

Your embryo (looking kind of like a tadpole) is starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of hCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests)... which triggers production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone... which trigger all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing!

How your baby's growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job

Week 3 & 4: Baby Size & Belly Shots

2008-09-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Poppyseed

In week 3, sperm meets egg, and voila: conception! Your little zygote sets off on a six-day trek through your fallopian tubes, dividing and redividing into identical cells as it travels to your uterus.

In week 4, now safe in your womb, the ball of cells (blastocyst) splits in two, becoming the embryo and the placenta. The amniotic sac and fluid are forming around baby, and will act as a cushion for the next eight months.

Reference: TheBump.com

Week4:

How your baby's growing:
This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until ten weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all of her organs and body parts will develop.

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

Also present now are the amniotic sac, which will house your baby; the amniotic fluid, which will cushion her as she grows; and the yolk sac, which produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

Week 3, Day 5

We're Pregnant!!!

2008-09-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

9/17/08
We got a 'PREGNANT' on our first pregnancy test

We told our sisters (Kristen, Lauren & Whitnee)

9/18/08
We told our mom's - Ashlee's mom with a baby book and a card that read 'Nana will you read to me?' and Brian's mom with a flowers and a bunny

9/19/08
Ashlee couldn't help herself and took another pregnancy test

9/22/08
First Doctors Appointment and confirmation of pregnancy (Definitely Pregnant according to the doctor!!) - Failed blood draw (Ashlee's veins don't like to give up their blood)

9/24/08
Scheduled blood draw for 'OBGYN Panel'

10/7/08
First OB Appointment