Our Latest Look......

Here is the best 3D pic from my trip to the Peri yesterday. He was still laid up next to my placenta, but you can get a good view of his face and one hand. We think he is looking pretty cute:) Just wanted to share with everyone!

Painting, Painting, Painting

Well, there has been a lot going on here these past 5 or 6 days and it mostly has to do with painting! We had our first official painting party last Wednesday. Tony's Aunts and Uncles came over for dinner (my contribution for the evening) and then got to work priming our newly finished drywall in the basement. I was pleasantly surprised that they got all the priming done in one evening! and Tony even helped as well!! (he doesn't really think of himself as a painter!!) I felt bad that I couldn't really help, but did make dinner and a couple of Menard's runs for more supplies:)

Then they all came back on Saturday for a round of painting--I got lunch:)--and then they stayed again for the 2nd coat and got it almost all finished. One of our walls is going to be brick red, so it is requiring one more coat of paint--here's to hoping a 3rd will get it covered:) It looks amazing downstairs and Tony and I are so grateful for all of the help and the time they have put in to helping us get it all finished--including even before the painting was able to begin!!


So tonight is our 3rd painting party. The grandma's are painting in the nursery right now as I type. We are doing two walls blue and two walls light brown. I think they are working on the blue walls tonight and may be coming back tomorrow to work on the brown ones....haven't asked yet:) My dad and Tony were going to look at the hot water heater (it has decided not to light on its own anymore--only 2 years old!!) but unfortunately my dad is not sure about it either. So that means a service call from a professional.....gotta love home-ownership!! So, they are finishing up the 3rd coat of red and the touch-ups downstairs. Tony is also hanging our other lights since the ceiling is all done being painted. It is all getting closer to getting finished and we are growing even more excited as that day draws near....that means nursery furniture building soon!

We have been taking pictures throughout the building and painting process and I will post some before and afters soon.

28 Week Belly Picture

Well, here is my 28 week belly picture. Big brother Tasker again had to join in. Even though I know that I am getting bigger--my shirts seem to be getting shorter and my pants fall down easier due to the belly--it is hard for me to tell. So tonight, I pulled up my last 3 pics and put them side by side.....I think I grew as much in 2 weeks as I did between 4 weeks earlier. Crazy in my mind:) and scary to think that he will be growing even more in these last few weeks--not sure where he will go!

28 Weeks

Welcome to the 3rd Trimester........
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

3rd Peri Appt and Misc......

Today was our 3rd appointment with the Perinatologist. He wasn't there, so the US tech did the sono. Tony was a little worried that we wouldn't get a 3D shot, so he asked for one:) She tried at the very end, but he was being a little stinker and hiding in the way far back of my uterus and then even turned his face into the placenta so you couldn't see him! It was like he knew we were looking and he wanted no part of it. We did get a good profile shot that I will go ahead and post, but most of the 3D ones are not that great. We also got to see him yawning which was really cute! All in all, the appt was basically a "well-baby" check-up and he scored 8/8 on their bio-physical scale, so all is good:)

I had some other miscellaneous things that I had wanted to post about but hadn't gotten around to it, so I thought I would add it in here since there wasn't much to report from the appointment.

• Well, I thought that I would be able to quit therapy.....but no such luck. When I called the OB office, the doctor wanted me to continue with it some more and even prescribed me a muscle relaxer to take. I wasn't really sure that I wanted to take more medicine, especially something like a muscle relaxer, but I have taken it a few times and it seems to help. I can't really take it during the day since it makes me really sleepy....we'll see how much longer until I ask to quit again:)


• The basement is ready to be painted! We had the drywall finisher here last week and he got it all done and it looks great! We are having our first painting party on Wednesday night to start down there with the priming part....it is getting a lot closer to being done:)


• We also had the drywall finisher look at the soon-to-be-nursery. I had painted red and blue stripes on the wall to accent the sports memorabilia......well painting stripes may not have been the best idea. They had to be painted on pretty thick to cover, so needless to say it would have been difficult to get covered again without permanent lines. So the drywall finisher came back tonight and fixed the walls for us.....so in a couple of days it will be ready to start getting painted---yea!!


• Lastly, I got to feel the first round of hiccups this morning. I had just woke up and rolled over and he started, what I thought at least, was kicking. But it was very rhythmic, so after a few times I finally figured out it was the hiccups. I grabbed Tony's hand and had him feel, so we both got to experience it--very cool!
• Oh wait--one more.....we are less than 90 days away from meeting this little guy! Good thing we are finally getting around to painting his new room!!!

So that is about it for now. We have our last baby class tomorrow night....hard to believe that 4 weeks has gone by! I'll post the good profile picture below for you to see:)

27 Weeks

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he 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 him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Childbirth Class #3

So last night was our third childbirth class. It was supposed to start with a tour of the OB floor, but when we arrived there was a "situation" going on, so we went downstairs first. We all guessed that there was a slight emergency going on and they needed the floor clear of any extra people:) So we headed downstairs to begin the class. When we got downstairs the instructors had 9 different stations set up which were different positions or options to use during labor. At each station there was a card describing the "option" and then they told us when a contraction was starting (60 second ones) and then we were to practice the option with our partner until it was over. There were often times a few different ways to use each position, so you could try the two you thought might work best. It was actually very informative--found some things that did not feel comfortable when I wasn't already in excruciating pain--so we have some ideas of things that might work for us. After going through each of the stations, they called the floor and we were able to go back upstairs for our tour.

It was very neat to see the floor. We got to look in all of the empty rooms, starting with the rooms where you go after delivery. They have 3 large LDR (labor and delivery rooms) on the floor as well. This is where you start and end labor, as well as have your "sacred hour." We got to look in two of them (1 was in use). We were all very impressed with their size and especially the labor tubs--although I am sad because I will probably not be able to use the tub since I will most likely be induced and have to be constantly monitored throughout labor. Then we all sat in one of the rooms on chairs to go over a "mock delivery situation." Tony happened to be the closest "partner" next to the bed, so he was asked to be the volunteer patient. He was pretty sure that the instructor was sad she asked him when it was all said and done. She then went through all the ins and outs of labor, showed all the monitoring equipment, IV's, protocols for what happens when they have to start pitocin, getting an epidural (she finally had to convince Tony to go for the epidural--he kept saying he was all woman and could handle it!!), etc. They didn't go through the actual "pushing phase" but all the other aspects were covered. Again very informative and at times I felt like I was the only one asking questions....oh well, wanted to make sure I got the most out of the class:) We then watched a movie--Tony got to stay in bed--about having a C-section even when it's not planned. Finally they took us back to the C-section room (got all dressed up in booties, gowns, and hats) so we could see it--just in case one of us had to have one. She said inevitably, one couple from each class always ends up having to have one for some reason or another.....hope that one couple isn't us:)

I have to say that I really enjoyed this class and Tony was a wonderful sport through all of the "mock positions" and especially with being the patient in labor:) I now have a TON of questions for Dr. B at our next appt--just about the possibilities of things and how does she decide on certain things, like when to break the bag of water, how long is too long in labor before moving towards a c-section, etc, etc. Aunt Jill--you might want to warn her:) Hopefully she doesn't get annoyed or think it is too early to start discussing all of this, but I even dreamed about it all last night and have been thinking about it today during my "down times." I'm sure it is normal, or at least I hope it is:)

Goodbye SIRM.....for now at least

Today has been a little bittersweet. I had my last intralipid infusion today at SIRM. I am "officially" done with them. No more "milk bag" infusions that take up my lunchtime. I'm not sure what I will do with myself when I don't have to go there every 4 weeks anymore. I'm sure that I will find myself busy enough with my weekly perinatologist and OB appointments which are soon approaching, but I wouldn't be where I am now without their help. They were there through 5 started cycles, 2 of which ended up cancelled, 2 of which ended with an undesired outcome and finally the last one which gave us this precious little miracle. I got a little emotional as I said goodbye. I hugged most of the nurses and staff and even got to say goodbye to Dr. Schultz, who I really believe is the most important part of our fifth and final successful cycle. Everyone there is truly excited for you when you reach your goal and suffer with you until you make it there, so I feel like I am leaving a part of my new family behind as I "move on." They all made me promise to bring the baby in once he is born so they can meet the fruits of their labors. Plus, they are supposed to be getting a grand new office that is mirrored after Dr. Sher's office in Las Vegas--so I will definitely be checking in on that since they get to move around the first of the year:) The other good thing was that I paid my balance in full (at least what is left after what insurance is supposed to pay for this last infusion) so that was a good feeling as well:) We still have 2 (I think) cycles covered by insurance should we want to try for another baby, but I can't even fathom that right now--lets get through this one first:) So I could be seeing them again in the future....

Oh--then I went back to work and broke part of a crown off on a tootsie-roll pop! Now it is off to the dentist on my lunch hour tomorrow to have that checked! I finish with one, only to start with another......

2nd Peri Appt

Sorry this post is so late, but those of you who know us realize that we are HUGE Buffalo Bills fans, so we were a little busy tonight. While we were not expecting a win from the start, I do have to say that there may have been a little hope coursing through the house that we might actually be able to thwart Tom Brady and his band of merry men....that is until 1:56 left in the game.....but I digress.....

This morning we had our 2nd Perinatologist appointment. It was pretty quick overall. The nurse took us back almost immediately and went over history. She then talked about beginning to track Fetal Movement Counts and gave me a sheet on how to do it. She then had to page the doctor because he was not in his office. The Peri actually did the sono this time and not the US tech. He was "all business" as the nurse stated after he left:) He checked his heart, fluid, movements, and sizes--also confirmed again that he is definitely a "he". He was head down, right up against my placenta, so not a good day for a 3D--we really didn't even get a good picture to post. The good news is that everything looked good. I couldn't really see everything until a quick view at the end (the doc had the screen turned away--probably because what he sees isn't always good for some patients), but Tony was able to watch. His head measured right on, but his thigh bone measured a full week and a day ahead! Sounds like he might be a long boy at birth! They estimated his weight at 2lbs 3ozs, which put him in the 63%tile--so maybe a little chunky at birth too, if we keep up this pace. The doctor was very pleased and said everything looked good, which we always like to hear:) I do start seeing him every week, so I made my next appt for next Monday AM. The doc will be out of the office, so I will see the US tech....and maybe get another 3D pic to post:)

26 Week Belly Pic

Here is my 26 week belly picture. My mom says that I should start adding them every 2 weeks since I seem to be changing so much more quickly......I'll think about it:) The baby is definitely growing and has been very active lately! He even likes to kick Tony in the nose when he talks to him---very cute:)

26 Weeks

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 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.

Good Day!

Today has been a pretty good day....let me start off by saying, has anyone noticed the baby ticker? We are under 100 days!!! That is very exciting for us! So that starts out the good day! Other than that....the other good news is that Tony had someone come (there were supposed to be 2 people but 1 didn't show up) to give an estimate on finishing the drywall in the basement. He was very impressed by the guy--first for showing up on time--and then for the price he gave and the best part--he can start on Sunday! Yea!! Finally an end is in sight for the basement!

So this means that soon we can move stuff out of the soon to be nursery and have our painting party! That also means that I can clean the carpets soon--I swear the house is starting to smell like dog (Tony thinks I am crazy and everyone else tells me that the house smells fine--but this pregnancy smeller is quite astute!!)--so this all makes me very happy! So it has been a good day! Thought I would share!

On a side note, I did go and receive my flu shot today. Tony was worried that if I waited until my next appt on 10/1 that it would be too late since I work in the schools. There are already bugs going around anyways, so we both feel better that I am "protected" now.

Childbirth Classes

So we have been so busy that I have not been able to post about our childbirth classes. We are taking them (a 4-week series) on Tuesday nights at our local hospital. We just had our 2nd class tonight and so far I/we have found them to be very helpful and informative. I'll give you a little rundown of how the first two classes have gone.

Class #1 was basically just an overview of the birthing process and all of the different terms we would hear. We got a nice little book that we are to bring back each week that is referenced during the class. We also got a ton of handouts that reference a lot of different things that could happen during the process as well. The class was pretty informative overall. There were 6 or 7 other couples total in the class. We went around in the beginning and introduced ourselves to everyone. Told our names, due date, what we were having, and 1 surprising thing about pregnancy. I said the most surprising thing was how my body was changing and Tony said that it was how I had lost my sense of balance. Later he admitted that he chose the balance comment because he thought it sounded better than telling everyone that I got dumb:) I told him thanks! We also watched a video of someone giving birth. Tony was quite impressed because she gave birth on all 4's--I told him I wasn't sure I wanted my butt up in the air:) He has told everyone about that "style" of birthing:) We ended the class with a relaxation exercise. One thing we were really happy about was when they described how our hospital handles the whole birthing process, including encouraging breast-feeding right away after birth. They really focus on natural aspects and have what they call the "sacred hour." This is the first hour or so after birth and it is just for the new family (mom, dad, and baby) to be present in the room to promote bonding through skin-to-skin contact and breast-feeding. We were really happy with that!

Class #2: We were already missing a couple as they had given birth already (not sure how they expected to make it through when they were already 36 1/2 weeks pregnant!!) Another couple also wasn't there, but we weren't too sure they enjoyed the class--or each other! We watched some more videos-this time of someone having a totally natural, pain med-free birth, and then later another video on all of the "medical interventions" that could happen or you could choose during the process. I was a little scared at one point that I wasn't sure I would be able to do it (I'd like to go a-natural) but Tony said he would help me through it. I'm sure he'll be the best coach ever:) We did a few games, talked about the "road map" of labor and how long it can take! Oh yeah, one of the things my coach can do for me during the last stages of labor--give me a firm bear-hug! The teachers didn't think it was listed in the book, but of course Tony found it and had to mention it. I told him I wasn't sure I would be wanting that in the late stages of labor--unless he helped to squeeze the baby out!! We again ended class with a relaxation exercise. Tony says that is the only part of the class that he doesn't like-thinks it is dumb:)

Overall the classes have been good. Next week we get to tour the hospital and talk more in dept about the labor process. I'm excited to see where this little guy will be making his entrance into the world.

Registering Complete!

Tony and I spent today going around and getting our baby registry's complete. After walking through several stores since we found out that we were pregnant, we had narrowed down our choices to two stores. We ended up registering at Target and Baby Depot. We tried to remember to register for everything that we thought that we might need throughout the first year or so of life of our little baby boy. Of course he got to use the gun (the only reason he enjoyed himself at times!!) and we just walked through the aisles one at a time looking at all of the possibilities. I was sure that somewhere along the way I received an email with all of the registry essentials, but do you think I could remember where it was when we were getting ready to leave this morning? Sure couldn't, so we did the best we could without it:)

Registering is often times a little difficult. You don't want to seem too greedy, asking for everything little and big thing under the sun, but you also want to make sure that you have enough items listed in a wide variety of prices for the upcoming shower(s). I know that some people will buy things not listed on the registry and that is fine with me. Perhaps I have forgotten something that they found they could not live without--more power to them because they have been through it before:) They also say not to register for clothes because of course by the time some people will go through the stores, those items may no longer be there and all the "experts" say that most people can't resist buying a little outfit at times.

So hopefully we did a good job:) Both stores have a wide-variety of items and prices listed. We are now more excited than ever for this little one to arrive! We are in the home-stretch with the basement (might even get to call to have some estimates for the drywall finishing this week!!) and are looking forward to setting up the nursery soon. It's hard to believe that we are almost less than a 100 days until the "official" due date.

Oh yeah--I will have to get online tonight and update one of our registry's.....when I was looking over the printed version on our way home, there was an 8-person family tent listed! Tony swears he didn't scan it.....and honestly I don't know when he would have-we were never even close to that area of the store! Oh the wonders of technology:)

25 Weeks

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