Hugs4Smiles

Engaged!!!

2010-09-21T21:23:00.003-05:00

It's been forever since I've written anything... or posted pictures for that matter... and boy do I have alot!! LOL... Claraissa Jean is now 1! So very hard to believe! And as of today... I'm an engaged woman!! Gary Wheeler asked me to marry him tonight on our walk to Olson's ice cream! It was the best birthday present ever!! Right after Gary popped the question! I started to cry as soon as he started to kneel down... Our beautiful daughter was with us on this wonderful occasion! The ring with Duncan Creek in the background :) picture from the web... easier to see ;) Second view! I love it!!!

February pictures... growing so much!

2010-02-27T17:58:00.013-06:00

Claraissa Jean will be 6 months old tomorrow!! So hard to believe... she's changed so much and she's getting so big. She's learning a lot too. I'm so proud to be a mother as I'm sure her Daddy is proud too. We are so very blessed to have such a wonderful little girl! Anyhow... these are a few of the pictures taken trhoughout the month... This is what we wake up to every morning! Such a happy girl!

Likes to play in her exersaucer...

Sleeping in my arms... love holding my little girl!

trying on her hat... she's so cute in it!! :)

Our sleeping beauty :)

Being a frog... she's going to kill me when she's older for this picture... but it's so darn cute... yes she peed on the bed right after this LOL... that's what you get mom!

Don't bother me, I'm sleeping!

Our John Deer Baby for the day! ;)

Lookin at herself during tummy time... so adorable!!

She loves her tiger... or at least his tail... LOL...

Hanging with Daddy

Helping Mommy sort clothes

Visting Great Grandpa Halama :)

Now visiting with Great Grandma Halama

Eating solids for the first time... banana's

Playing in her jumper from our friends...

Hanging with Mommy in the hospital after her back surgery. She was such a good little girl. She spend the night with me so I could continue to nurse her... considering I was checked every two hours and then she was awake to nurse she was fabulous! Such a trooper.

Getting ready to leave the hospital... so happy!! :)

It was a wonderful month. I can't believe it's almost over... eek... next thing I know I'll be getting my diploma!!! Till next time... take care!

2009-12-20T19:23:00.002-06:00

3 month pictures:

Christmas 2009 Pictures:

Our Beautiful Family!!

Such a happy girl! :)

Long time since last post!

2009-12-01T17:44:00.003-06:00

First few weeks...

2009-09-22T21:27:00.007-05:00

Here are a few pictures... LOL... from the first weeks. She's so wonderful!!! Gary and I are so lucky to have a daughter!!!! :) one of Claraissa's first pictures... and I didn't even take it!! :) Saturday (Aug, 29th) morning... I had just got done feeding her. :) A family picture before she was admitted to the Special Care Nursery for an infection In the SCN... holding my hand and I was probably crying... it was hard to see her in here and all hooked up to machines... :(

But she was a trooper and did reall well!!

First "official" photo just before going home September 5th!!!

Home!! No more bands for me...

pst... I have something to say!... "I'm in charge around here!"

LOVE this picture!!!!!!!!!! She's so very adorable!

Mom couldn't help it... she had to take a picture of me in a watermelon... and let me tell you!! I was not very happy...

Picture taken for Dad!! Go Brew Crew!!

Great Great Grandma Amy :)

Cousin Bravo checking me out and giving me kisses :) September 11th

Lost her belly button scab Saturday morning September 19. I wanted to cry. LOL

That's right... you can read correctly... LOL

Claraissa Jean

2009-09-18T09:58:00.007-05:00

August 28, 2009 @ 1:08 pm our little girl, Claraissa Jean, entered our world... finally. :) She was exactly 41 weeks... she weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. She's absolutely perfect!!! The following are pictures from the labor to a few hours after... I'll be posting more pictures later. It's amazing how much time the wee one requires. But I love her to peices!!! Shortly after getting to the hospital... Thursday the 27th around 11:30 pm... I had probably been in labor all day and didn't realize it. At 6:20pm I felt a contraction that I thought was worth noting the time... and I progressed from there. As you can tell this is before the contractions started to get too strong... LOL... I'm still smiling.

This is during a contraction... I couldn't sit still. I was on the "birthing ball" most of the night and into the morning. I also used the tub 3 different times but the third time was really short as I felt I needed to start pushing... it was crazy!! I can't believe how fast the time went by.

First picture of Daddy, Gary, and his little girl!! So very very adorable!!

Our first family picture!! :) So very perfect!

OH... did I tell you I did this completely medication free!! Holy Cow!!! LOL... in the end she is definately worth it but we're adopting the next ones... hee hee... (I can't think about pushing out another baby at this point in time... give me awhile and maybe I'll come around... the pain is still too fresh in my memory to even think about it... OUCH!! hee hee)

Daddy admiring his little girl!! He was such a trooper through the whole thing. I'm one lucky lady to have found such a wonderful man!! A huge thank you also needs to be said for my sister Becky who was there and helped me through this wonderful event as well as my really good friend Kelly! They were all amazing during my labor and delivery and post... To the nurses and midwives who were there to assist me... they were AWESOME!!!

5 days overdue...

2009-08-26T17:50:00.002-05:00

I'm beginning to think this baby is NEVER going to come out!! :( Had an appointment yesterday and everything looks good still. Since I'm overdue I was put on the fetal monitor and will be everytime I go in to make sure that my placenta is holding up. Baby looked/sounded very good, so that's a relief... if only baby would kick its way out! LOL... I didn't gain much weight again... only a few oz... which is perfectly fine by me. Our midwive yesterday said baby is probably around 8lbs. I wonder if they say that to all first time mom's so they don't stress about pushing out a big baby. hee hee... After our appointment, Gary and I relaxed much of the afternoon. When he went to work I went down to the farm to visit. We had a "small" family gathering which was really nice. The food was amazing! I was hoping since I was a good 45 minutes from home and hospital the baby would choose that time to start coming... no such luck! After I got home and Gary got off work we had a "date"... we went to the budget theater downtown and saw Public Enemies. Good movie! The wee one was super duper active as soon as I sat down and thankfully Gary got to feel a lot of it as well. Today our little one hasn't been as active but still active enough not to worry me again. I think baby must be tired from last night. :) Today was my last day of deep water aerobics at the Fairfax Pool... it was great being in the water this summer. I love feeling weightless with such a big belly. If it's nice tomorrow I'll make one more trip to the pool for shallow water... as long as the baby doesn't come tonight, of course. Other than that nothing interesting going on around here... I start school next week and look forward to the challenge of being a mom and college student. Good thing I'm only taking one class that really means anything. :) Oh... and Gary got his schedule for the following quarter and it works with my school schedule so he'll still be able to care for our little squirt when I can't!! Super excited about that. If possible it would be great if we didn't have to put our kids in daycare... too many scarey things can happen at those places. It's hard to trust strangers... but eventually we might have to, I'm just hoping it's not anytime in the near future. :) Have a great week!! I'll keep you posted on when our little bambino decides to come!

40 weeks today!!

2009-08-21T12:16:00.006-05:00

I've been slacking on updates... but I don't think that many people read it anyway. :) The blog hasn't been putting in the spaces lately and I have no idea why.... it's very frustrating!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~40 Weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: The moment you push your baby out (or feel her lifted through your abdomen) is one of intense relief and joy--for you. But imagine how she feels: pulled and kneaded like a loaf of bread, then squeezed through a small opening into a world filled with dizzying sights and sounds. Strange hands pick her up, wipe her off and suction her nose and mouth to facilitate breathing. As she gulps her first lungfuls of unfamiliar air, is it any wonder she lets out a yell? The first hour or so of an infant's life is as action-packed as any thrill ride. She'll have her heart rate, respiration, color, muscle tone, and reflexes checked and graded (0-2 points each) to determine her Apgar score--most healthy babies score between seven and nine. She'll also have her umbilical cord cut and will receive antibiotic eyedrops and an injection of vitamin K (to help with blood coagulation). She'll be prodded from top to bottom by birth attendants checking for hip dislocation, heart murmur, and abnormalities of the urinary tract. How your baby's growing: It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~39 weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: She's reached her birth weight (typically between 6 and 9 pounds) and length (18 to 22 inches), and all systems are go! Since only about 5 percent of women give birth on their due date, baby could be making her appearance at any moment. Labor may begin in several ways: mild cramps (the most common scenario), a painless trickle of straw-colored fluid caused by the rupture of the amniotic sac, or a scheduled induction or cesarean section. If your delivery is scheduled, you'll check into the hospital and either be prepped for a c-section or given prostaglandin gel (to soften the cervix) followed by oxytocin through an intravenous drip. If you're waiting to go into labor naturally and your water has broken or your cramps are growing steadily more painful, call your doctor or midwife for instructions. She'll probably tell you to wait until the contractions are five to eight minutes apart before heading in to the hospital or birthing center. This can take many hours, especially for a first birth, so try to get some sleep, take a walk, or watch a movie--even anything that relaxes and energizes you. Think of yourself as a runner on the eve of her first marathon--a little scared, but even more excited! Baby's Length: 21.5 in. Baby's Weight: 7-7.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Newborn How your baby's growing: Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~38 weeks~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Baby: By now you're probably putting the finishing touches on your little one's nursery and making sure his layette is ready for his arrival. While it's great fun to pick out nursery furnishings and tiny outfits, the most important issue is safety. Install a smoke detector in baby's room, and make sure that draperies and electrical cords are out of reach. Although most child safety items can be added when baby becomes mobile, a few--including window guards, outlet protectors, and radiator covers--should be in place from the beginning. Don't use quilts or pillows in the crib--babies can suffocate on them. Instead, buy flame-retardant blanket sleepers for winter and lighter, flame-retardant pajamas for summer. Avoid clothing with strings or buttons that can come off and be ingested. Baby's Length: 21-21.5 in. Baby's Weight: 6.5-7 lbs. Baby's Size: Watermelon 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.

A few maternity pictures

2009-08-21T11:59:00.003-05:00

A little disappointed in the quality of some of the pictures along with framing... plus the fact the photographer hasn't gotten back to us in over a week in regards to getting prints made but overall there are some great pictures. I can't wait to be able to make actual photos and hopefully get him to move the copyright from the middle of the picture... I can't believe he ruined every picture with it! That really irked me... I don't mind it being on, just not over the focus of the pictures!!! Anyhow... I'm 40 weeks today and the little squirt is still comfortable being inside my belly but hopefully will get the courage to come out soon! :)

37 weeks!! Only about 17 days to go...

2009-08-05T18:06:00.004-05:00

We're ready when our little bundle of joy is ready. Appointment yesterday went well! I actually lost weight... go figure. Blood pressure looks great and so does the baby heartbeat. Baby dropped slightly from last week... fundal height went from 38 cm to 37 cm! Thankfully, baby is still head down. After our appointment we had lunch, sent out thank you notes and finally we had maternity photos taken. Super excited to see them! Other than that, taking it easy and resting up for when our wee one decides to make it's grand entrance. :) Our Baby: Babies come to term anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks--your 40-week due date simply marks the midpoint of this period. By the end of this week, your little one will be officially "on time" whenever she makes her entry into the world. In preparation for birth, most babies have moved into the head-down, back-facing position that's ideal for labor. However, she may be also be "sunny-side up," (head down, facing front--can often be delivered vaginally), breech (with feet or buttocks closest to the birth canal), or even lying crosswise in the uterus. If this is the case, and your doctor is unable to shift her position, you may be a candidate for a cesarean section. (Our wee one has been head down for a good month now... it's just a matter of what direction the back is facing...) Baby's Length: 20.75-21 in. Baby's Weight: 6.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Diaper bag How our 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.

36 weeks... almost 37... only about 24 days to go!

2009-07-29T17:41:00.002-05:00

Nothing too exciting going on around here... still pregnant. hee hee... Had a good weekend. Washed all the baby stuff at soon-to-be Grandpa and Grandma Wheeler's. Who knew the wee one could have so much laundry before arriving!! On Sunday we went to my Great Grandma Amy's birthday (91st) party in Willard. It was a good time with great weather. Some of the family on that side is pretty rude but I shouldn't be surprised anymore... but some of the things that come out of that woman's mouth... err.... I can't believe I'm related to her. We had our 36 week appointment on Tuedsay. Everything looks good... baby is head down!! Wahoo... stay that way now! Still being pretty active but we're ready whenever our wee one is ready. Excited to meet our little bundle of joy! I think I'm still in disbelief... it's really weird. I know I'm pregnant and I feel the baby moving but it's really hard to think about having an actual baby in the house. It's hard to explain. My Baby: Everyone agrees that breast milk is the best possible food for your baby--even the people who make baby formula. Not only is breast milk easily digestible and rich in nutrients, it's also perfectly tailored to each individual child's needs. Having said that, it's equally important to remember that there are other options for moms who are unable to breastfeed, or who choose not to. Millions of healthy babies have been raised on bottles by millions of loving, caring moms. Baby's Length: 20.25-20.75 in. Baby's Weight: 6 lbs. Baby's Size: Beach ball How your baby's growing: 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. 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.

35 weeks... only about 32 days to go!!

2009-07-21T11:10:00.002-05:00

Life is good!! Baby room is pretty much ready to go thanks to Gary and his Dad (soon to be Grandpa)... Saturday morning they went out, got the crib, changing table and chest of drawers and came back and set it all up. It looks wonderful!! Saturday was also my second baby shower for the Wheeler family! It was fabulous and everyone seemed to have a great time! :) My Baby: She's nearly there! Most 35-week babies weigh 5 pounds or more and rarely experience major complications if born before they officially come to term. You may feel a tingling or numbness in your pelvic region as the extra weight presses on your nerves, as well as increased movement in your upper rib cage where her feet have come to rest in preparation for the head-down journey into the world. Three to four percent of full-term babies never adopt this position, but remain breech (with their heads facing up). If your baby is part of this stubborn minority, you may be at greater risk for a cesarean section. To prevent this, your caregiver may attempt to turn her from the outside using a process called "external version." She'll also do a sonogram to determine the baby's exact position before deciding whether to attempt a vaginal birth. Baby's Length: 20-20.5 in. Baby's Weight: 5.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Throw pillow How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she'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, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks... about 38 days to go!!

2009-07-15T18:19:00.005-05:00

Holy cow is the time flying by fast now! I can't believe we're going to be parents in about 3 to 9 weeks... crazy, right? Had my first baby shower for the Halama side on Saturday and it went really well. The weather cooperated and had a good turnout. Thanks to my sisters and stepmom we had a great time!! Had our 34 week appointment yesterday and everything looks good. Gaining weight the way I should be... blood pressure is good 122/60 only a slight increase from two weeks ago. :) Baby is about average according the midwife... fundal height was 37.5 cm and heartbeat was 145 bpm!! We had another appointment in two weeks and then from there on out every week until the wee one decides to grace us with its presence :) We're excited. Have the Wheeler baby shower this coming weekend (July 18th) and then we should pretty much be set to go... just need to get the bedroom in order, set up and organized. Anyhow... here are the updates... enjoy! :) My Baby: Exactly how would you like your child to enter the world? An increasing number of parents-to-be are creating birth plans. These documents may include everything from medical preferences to environmental concerns (low lighting, soft music, and so on) during labor, delivery, and postpartum. Try to keep the plan to one page or less--busy caregivers may not have time to read it otherwise--and give copies to your doctor or midwife and to hospital or birthing center staff as well. Keep in mind, however, that medical necessity may derail some of your preferences. Baby's Length: 19.5-20 in. Baby's Weight: 5 lbs. Baby's Size: Medium pumpkin How your baby's growing: 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.

33 weeks.... only about 48 days to go!

2009-07-05T20:23:00.000-05:00

Gary and I at Katie and Will's wedding @ Fanny Hill We had a good but busy weekend! Yesterday we had a fourth of July gathering at Gary's parents and then my friend, Katie, got married at Fanny Hill. It was a lot of fun and Gary said he had more fun than he expected to have at the wedding so I'm glad about that. We danced a little, since my belly is so flippen big, and we were home by around 9. I was so tired I zonked out pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow. I had some weird dreams last night... in one of them the baby was moving around and pushing up on my tummy... you could see the face pushed up against my belly and I went to take a picture with my phone and it had x-ray capabilities so we could see the sex of the baby... and then the next dream I had the baby but I wasn't even in the room! LOL... I had to knock on the door for Gary to let me in... and there was the baby (wish it worked out that way)... it both cases the baby was a different sex so still have no idea what my guess is. I also remember asking the date... July 15th... wouldn't that be weird if I actually ended up going into labor that day?!?! Anyhow... here's the update... Relaxing on a bench... trying to be artisticish... :)

My Baby:

Starting at about week 26, your baby has slept and awoken at regular intervals. He closes his eyes when he sleeps, and he'll even dream during the last month before birth. No one knows what babies dream about in the womb, but they show reactions ranging from frowns and smiles to crying and kicking. Asleep or awake, you may feel the kicks in a new place around now--in your rib cage, just below your breasts--as he moves into the head-down position where he'll probably stay until birth.

I feel huge... LOL Got alot of compliments on the dress. :)

Baby's Length: 19-19.5 in.

Baby's Weight: 4.5 lbs.

Baby's Size: Medicine ball

I love this picture of Gary... a real smile!! Isn't he so adorable!?! He's the best boyfriend ever and he's going to make an awesome father!!!!

How your baby's growing:

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 apearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. The four of us... Will & Katie Lund-Nunez, Gary and I :)

32 weeks... about 53 days to go!

2009-06-30T19:32:00.000-05:00

Oh my is the time flying by!! The wee one could come anytime in the next 5 to 10 weeks! I can't believe how much time is just flying by... my online religions class is ending today!! Super Duper excited!! I'll have the month of July off to work on getting the baby room in order... should be interesting. I went to Country Fest June 25th- 29th. It was a good time but hot! We had our 32 week appointment today and everything went well. Gained more weight of course, but blood pressure looks good and so does the baby heartbeat. I'm 34 cm which is also good. I was put on a baby heart monitor because I was a little concerned about the baby movement but it was all good and has been pretty active today. :) Other than that... nothing much going on... so here is the update. :) Gary had to push the 'mark' button everytime I felt movement because the hand held one I had wasn't working... he's good for something! :) And he also looks like he knows what he's looking at.

My Baby:

This week is a milestone of sorts: Babies born after this time tend to do well even if they are premature. Nearly 10 percent of babies are born before week 37, when they officially come to term. At 32 weeks, all major organs are functioning except the lungs, which may need further time to develop. But your little one doesn't exactly look like a rosy cherub--she weighs about 3 pounds, and her thin, wrinkly skin hasn't filled out with the layers of fat that develop later. Luckily, in many cases, all she'll need is some time in an environmentally controlled isolette to become the chubby angel you imagined.

All hooked up... same thing they'll monitor the baby with when I'm actually in labor.

Baby's Length: 18-19 in.

Baby's Weight: 4 lb.

Baby's Size: 5-lb. bag of potatoes

Gary... looking bored... we were on the monitor for over half hour just to make sure everything looked ok.

How your baby's growing:

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.

Country Fest 2009

2009-06-27T13:27:00.000-05:00

Roxy, my twin sister, rode a mechanical bull last night and I wanted to share the video... :) She actually got two rides for the price of one... but only one video will be posted....

31 weeks... only about 60 days to go!!

2009-06-23T10:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy week so far... preparing for Country Fest and finishing up my online religions class (Done on the 30th) I also helped Gary with his final exams by typing them up for him. Also been trying to clean house and get to water aerobics to help me keep in shape. I went twice yesterday but too tuckered out today to go. Want to get my paper finished and chapter on Islam read so I can take the quiz tomorrow morning and not have to worry about it. My twin sister comes in tomorrow night!! Pretty excited to see her and spend the next week with her!! My sisters and I always have a great time at Fest... it will be an interesting year with me being preggo but still lots of fun! Finally... here is the 31 week update! Can you believe I'm already 31 weeks. It's crazy silly... next thing we know there'll be a crying baby in the other room... eeek.... :) My Baby: He's entering a growth spurt. For the next eight weeks, he'll gain weight faster than he increases in length, at the rate of about half a pound a week. The bigger he gets, the harder it will be to "see" him on ultrasound and get a good estimate of his size--the margin of error increases to 15 percent by the end of the third trimester. But he's definitely growing fast, and you'll notice that his kicks will start to feel more like squirming as he runs out of room to roam. Baby's Length: 17-18 in. Baby's Weight: 3.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Soccer ball How your baby's growing: 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. Ok... I'm off to hopefully finish my paper! Have a great week... oh... almost forgot... at last weeks appointment... weight and blood pressure were good... fundal height measured 32 cm and baby heart was 140 bpm!! :) Here's the heartbeat video from week 30! :)

10 year class reunion!

2009-06-18T22:39:00.000-05:00

Yes! It has been 10 years since I graduated high school... boy do I feel old! Even though I didn't graduate from Independence High, I know more people than I would going to my own reunion in San Diego... which is suppose to be July 18th. With being 34 weeks preggo at that time it's best that I stay grounded. LOL... Hence, going to the 10 year in Indee. It was a lot of fun!! We started the event off with golf and ended at East End for supper or socializing! :) I told Gary to take pictures and he took a video of my first time ever on a golf course... go ahead and laugh! :)

The following pictures are from golfing... Arcadia Golf Club

Gary cleaning his clubs... probably should have done that last year... last time he used them. LOL... oh well...

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Gary's tee off... I think he missed the ball. :)

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Where did it go??

My second swing... or so... I missed lots of times...

Photo op... a bench and a pregnant me... taking a break and I thought I'd strike a pose so Gary took a picture. LOL... 30 weeks preggo! :) Gary and I... same hole...

I drove... hee hee...

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East End Bar in Independence was the final stop for the reunion. A few people that didn't go golfing showed up at the bar for beer and food! The food was wonderful! As for the beer... well I'm sure it was fine. Gary drank plenty! :)

The following are pictures from the evening... we had a blast! And according to Greg, Gary is now a part of the family. LOL...

Jennifer and I

Gary... a little happy from the beer! :) He just became apart of the family according to Greg! :) Missed the event because the camera was in Gary's pocket and I couldn't find it....

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The boy's playing quarters... wow was this funny... a few had way too much to drink and probably should have quit and another should not have sat down to play because he couldn't handle his alcohol... it was pretty funny. Finally, at around 10:30 I told Gary we had to go. I was tired and he had had plenty to drink... plus we were crashing at the farm. Oh boy... more stories. LOL

This is Gary on the way home, to the farm.... playing golf on his farm... I guess it was to test how drunk he was. Not sure he remembers much! :)

30 Weeks! Only about 68 days to go..

2009-06-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

So, again, I'm a little beind. It's been a busy weekend. My sister Kim and her family came into town last week so we had a family gathering Friday night. Then Saturday morning was the Dairy Breakfast followed a few hours later by my 10 year reunion with the class I would have graduated with if I would have stayed in Independence. Finally, Sunday was Kaylyn's (my cousin) graduation party and a visit to Gary's parents to celebrate Father's Day a week early since Gary has to work next weekend. It was a wonderful weekend with lots of fun but it really took a lot of energy out of me! Plus, I'm still working on my online Religions class which is pretty demanding and requires a lot of reading... most of it interesting but yikes... I'll be glad when it's over. :) Anyhow... here are the baby updates! :) ------------------30 weeks----------------- My Baby By this week, your baby's senses are developed to the point where she can taste, touch, see, and hear what's going on around her. She'll also react to stimuli--for instance, if you poke your belly, she may kick or hit back at the spot you've touched. It's exciting to interact with your baby even before she's born. Try rubbing your belly and talking gently to her when she kicks--you may find that you're already able to calm her down. Baby's Length: 16.25-17 in. Baby's Weight: 3 lbs. Baby's Size: Thick Wool Sweater, Folded How your baby's growing: 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.) --------------------29 weeks--------------------- My Baby For the past six weeks or so, your baby has been listening to your voice (along with the voices of your partner, older children, and anyone else who's been talking to your belly). Speaking to your baby is not only a key part of prenatal bonding, but may also form the basis of language development. Babies who have been spoken to in utero recognize and turn to familiar voices immediately after birth. There may also be links between prenatal stimulation and the development of speech and IQ. Conversely, studies have shown that songbirds hatched from the nests of silent foster parents don't sing. Baby's Length: 15.75-16.25 in. Baby's Weight: 2.5-2.75 lbs. Baby's Size: Basketball How your baby's growing: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.

28 week appointment update...

2009-06-04T21:56:00.000-05:00

Gary and I and wee one had our appointment on Tuesday, June 2nd. I had to take the glucose test along with the normal things... weight. blood pressure, fundal height, and heartbeat. Weight was good... only gained 2 lbs. in the last 4 weeks. Forgot to ask about my blood pressure... oops... but then again usually they tell you so I can write it down. Oh well... if there's a concern they'll tell me. My fundal height is measuring 31 1/2 cm which is a little bigger than they'd like so we may have to have an ultrasound toward the end. Not too worry. Start eating less carbs she says. LOL... Baby's hearbeat is at a healthy 144 bpm Yesterday afternoon I got a call from Annie, a midwife, to give me test results... drum roll... I failed! LOL... I have to go in for another glucose test and this time it takes 3 hours. :( Hopefully my first test was a false positive and everything will be ok. We'll find out more probably on Tuesday as I'm going in right away Monday morning... meaning 7:15am because that is when the lab opens and I have to fast 8 - 10 hours beforehand and I don't want to go without food for longer than I have to. If the results come back too high again that means I have gestational diabetes.... which means no midwives. :( very sad face if that happens... But again we'll know more next week. I also tested positive for group B strep so that just means I have to have an iv for antibiotics during labor and delivery so that I don't pass it on to the wee one. Other than that, my iron looked good. Not anemic!! One small victory. Baby and I are doing well. Relaxing a little after another night out camping. Field Botany is over tomorrow so things will lighten up a bunch and I'll have time to focus just on Religions 100, Intro to World Religions. We're also excited about Wednesday! We have a surprise for Gary and we think he's going to really like it. Updates to come later. :) Here's the most recent video of our little one's heartbeat. There's also a kick in there. :) Wee one doesn't like being pushed on. hee hee...

A little behind...

2009-05-30T19:35:00.000-05:00

With summer classes starting I've been really busy and haven't updated my blog recently. Sorry. I'm currently 28 weeks with only about 84 days to go! Holy cow is it going by fast!! Gary and I spent Friday night and most of today in Lamaze class. I think the most we got out of it is how to breath... hopefully we'll remember by the time we have to go to the hospital. :) Today I was pretty uncomfortable. I believe I've been having braxton hicks (fake contractions) all day so running to the bathroom constantly is becoming a habit... Hopefully they don't amount to much! It is a little scarey at times... it is way too early for the wee one to come. 10 more weeks and it will be safe. We have our next midwife appointment on Tuesday so I'll have to make sure to let her know what is going on. I only have one week left of Biology (Field Botany) and we'll be heading to Door County on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited. I've never been there before plus the class is almost over. It's going to be a long week since I volunteered to drive. The picture to the left is from last week. We drove up to Amnicon Falls State Park and camped for the night. The picture right below is from a sand prairie that I don't remember the name of right now... ah yes... Crex Meadows. The flower is a Wild Columbine or as I need to remember it as... Aquilegia canadensis. :) This last week we drove down south to Devil's Lake State Park for the first night and Governor Dodge State Park for the second. Thursday morning we climbed what use to be a mountain. And YES, so did I!!! :) It wasn't easy but we did it... I'm pretty proud of myself. It will be a great story to tell the wee one... The picture to the top left is me about half way up... you can sorta see the baby belly. The one in the middle is of the balancing rock. I guess the big attraction for climbing "the mountain." And finally, the picture to the left is of me on the top!!! Baby and all! We saw a few great flowers up on top... it wasn't an easy walk down but easier than up. I had to take it really slow and be careful not to slip. Rocks aren't very forgiving when you fall on them :) Anyhow... here are the weekly updates for the last two weeks. ---------------28 Weeks----------- My Baby: At the end of this week, you'll enter the third trimester--a busy time for your little one. His movements will increase from now until around week 32, when he'll start running out of room to roam. (He'll keep moving after that, but it will feel more like wiggling compared to the sharp kicks you may be experiencing now.) He's also growing strong--and long! He measures about 14 inches from head to toe, and weighs roughly 3 pounds. Your doctor will keep track of his growth by placing her hands on your belly to measure the size of your uterus, also known as fundal height. Baby's Length: 15.25-15.75 in. Baby's Weight: 2.25-2.5 lbs. Baby's Size: Pair of sneakers 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. -------27 Weeks-------- My Baby: Your frisky fetus is on another growth spurt, shooting up half an inch this week to measure about 14 inches from head to toe. She weighs roughly 2 1/2 pounds, and will gain approximately half a pound each week for the next 10 weeks. The average full-term baby weighs about 7 1/2 pounds and measures from 18 to 20 1/2 inches, but many normal, healthy babies fall outside this range. Unless your practitioner has told you of a potential problem, it's safe to assume that your little one is right on track. Your second trimester is just about over -- and your baby's set for big-time growth over the coming weeks! She's already more than 2 pounds, and is set to pack on a half-pound a week for the next 10 weeks or so! Way back at the end of your first trimester, your baby weighed in at less than an ounce, and now look at her! Over the next few months, she'll gain more weight than height (she still has about five more pounds to pack on to reach the average full-term baby size of 7.5 pounds). Although, that number is very much an average -- many completely healthy babies are born weighing significantly more or less than that amount! In other news, while your baby can now recognize your voice, she still can't hear it clearly. In fact, her current eavesdropping ability is akin to how adults hear under water. (Who knew?) Baby's Length: 9.25-9.50 in. Baby's Weight: 2-2.25 lbs. Baby's Size: Sock Monkey 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.

26 Weeks, about 97 days to go!!

2009-05-17T19:07:00.000-05:00

Our thrift sale was a success!! We still have a lot of things to get rid of but will probably try to have another sale before we just give it away. Of course, this is in preparation for the wee one! :) Gary picked up another class on Thursday night. He's pretty excited. He'll also start taking classes for his masters this summer!! He's such a superstar!! He just made me steak, potatoes and baked beans for supper!! I love when he grills!! Anyhow... on with our wee one update! :) My Baby: There's an important development in your baby's lungs this week: They begin to secrete surfactant, a fatty substance that covers the inner lining of the air sacs and allows the lungs to expand normally so breathing can occur. Although it will be approximately 10 more weeks before the lungs are fully operational, the production of surfactant is an essential step in making the fetus viable outside the womb. Baby's Length: 9-9.25 in. Baby's Weight: 2 lb. Baby's Size: Liter of soda 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.

Thrift Sale

2009-05-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

We're having a thrift sale tomorrow and getting ready sucks!! Looks like a tornado hit our place. At least I can watch the season finale of Prison Break still!! :)

25 Weeks... about 103 days to go!

2009-05-11T18:52:00.000-05:00

Holy cow!! I can't believe I'm 25 weeks already. Where has the time gone? Our first visit with the midwife went really well and I think Gary really enjoyed hearing the heartbeat for the first time in person. We have our next visit June 2nd and two more scheduled after that. I can't believe I'm hitting the every two weeks so soon. Wow... before we know it our little bundle will be here! I start my Biology class, Field Botany, next week and look forward to the challenge. Our wee one is kicking right now but they're still pretty little. :) Gary and I had a good weekend... he had to work but we had Billy and Courtney (his cousin and wife) over and we grilled out. I spent Sunday (mommy to be day) with my family in Independence. It was a great day! My Baby: The fetus weighs in at 1 1/2 to 2 pounds this week, and measures about a foot from head to toe. Though still skinny and wrinkly (skin hangs loosely until the fetus develops more baby fat), she's growing rapidly and starting to fill the space in your uterus. You'll feel her kicks and pokes more strongly with each passing week, with kick-strength peaking in about a month when she gets too crowded to do anything but squirm. Baby's Length: 8.5-9 in. Baby's Weight: 1.5-2 lbs. Baby's Size: 5 lb. bag of flour How your baby's growing: 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.

24 weeks, about 110 days to go!

2009-05-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted an update but we didn't have internet access last week and this weekend was pretty busy. It's been great to be home!!! The drive went really well too which was great. Gary got to feel the wee one move last Monday (4/27) morning for the first time. I think he was pretty surprised. :) Last Tuesday I officially got my chart set up at Luther Midelfort, I'll be seeing midwives from here on out. I got to hear the heartbeat again... it was around 146bpm. We have our first appointment tomorrow with Angela. Gary will get to come with me for the first time!! I'm excited for him! This last weekend we went to some thrift sales in Strum and also helped my sister out at her's. We got some great buys. It makes the pregnancy a little more real actually buying clothes and baby things... not that feeling the baby moving doesn't make it real. It's just really hard to wrap my head around. It's crazy!! Anyway, here are the last two week updates. :) 23 Weeks My Baby: The end of this week is an important milestone: Your one-pounder would have a good chance of survival if born now--about 85 percent if given the right care. His body is well proportioned, although lacking in body fat, and the blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. About 50 percent of "early preemies" experience complications ranging from eye problems to intracranial hemorrhage (spontaneous bleeding in the brain); the rate drops steadily from the 24th week onward. Baby's Length: 7.5-8.0 in. Baby's Weight: 1-1.25 lbs. Baby's Size: Loaf of bread How your baby's growing: 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. 24 Weeks My Baby: The unsung hero of the fetal support system is the umbilical cord, which forms a vital link between the fetus and the placenta. The cord contains two arteries and one large vein; by birth, it may measure up to four feet long. Every 30 seconds, nutrients and oxygen-rich blood are transported from the placenta to the fetus via the single vein, then back again to the placenta through the two arteries. This ingenious method ensures a constant supply of filtered air and nutrients, and keeps the mother's blood separate from the baby's. Baby's Length: 8-8.5 in. Baby's Weight: 1.25 - 1.5 lb. Baby's Size: 1/2 Gallon of Milk 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.

Dr. Visit

2009-04-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

Had my final dr. visit while I'm here in VA today! It went really well! Of course, I've gained weight but I don't think too much... didn't want to ask the doctor too afraid he would frown on the amount. Heard the heartbeat and tried to take a video but not the best one... but it was still there and that is all that matters! Also learned that the placenta is sitting in front so it's acting as a cusion / spong to any kicks and jabbs. I'll still feel the baby on the sides and on the bottom just not in the middle. Hopefully this means toward the end they won't hurt. ;) Other than that, my fundal height measured 22 cm which is right on since I'm 22 weeks! :) Only 3 days left!!! We're excited to see Gary / daddy! :) I finally got a newsletter from parents.com for this week and this is what they have to say... My Baby: In addition to those teeny tastebuds he's sprouting this week, your baby is also developing his sense of touch -- he can experience what his own face feels like, for example. The hair on his head also continues to grow this week, although this is one area where your genes might not make their mark right away. In many cases, the locks your baby's born with bear little resemblance to the hair he'll have at six months old.

22 weeks... about 124 days!!

2009-04-20T18:47:00.000-05:00

I had the weekend to myself and it was the best weekend ever while I've been here... besides of course the weekends that I spent away from here! I got a lot done... almost completely packed just have the things I'll be wearing this week. The apartment is cleaned and I also did the March of Dimes March for Babies this weekend. Walked 5 miles @ 5 months!! :) It was great!! The weekend was wonderful!! Great weather... hope it's like this when we get home. Today is a day to be less than desired... it rained all day all the way up to Greenbelt, MD and back again for the most part. Currently, it's thundering out and raining on and off. But it cleans the air and smells wonderful. The grass was also cut this weekend... I love that smell!!! Only 4 more days and Gary and I will be on our way home!!! I think he's going to be very surprised when he sees me... I've got a belly!!! Most of the time I just feel fat. :) Have one more Dr. visit tomorrow. Excited to hear the heartbeat again... it's such a relief month to month to hear that little sound... I'm sure other mothers out there can agree... Our March of Dimes Team: Wallops Young Professionals Organization! A picture I took along the route... toward the end... I think it's my favorite!! My Baby: Hair today, gone tomorrow? Your baby develops two kinds of hair in utero--the soft, downy body hair called lanugo, which generally falls off before or shortly after birth, and the hair on her head. Many parents are surprised (to say the least) to see their baby's hair at birth--blond couples often have black-haired offspring, dark ones are just as likely to deliver a little blond or redhead, and parents who have tight, wiry curls often produce babies with soft, loose ones. The bottom line seems to be that birth hair--or lack thereof--bears little resemblance to your child's "real" hair. The birth hair generally falls out by the time the baby is 6 months old, to be replaced by a more logical set of tresses. Baby's Length: 7-7.5 in. Baby's Weight: 1 lb. Baby's Size: 1 lb. bag of coffee beans 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.

Surprise Baby Shower as Good Bye Party!

2009-04-17T19:46:00.000-05:00

I've finally reached the single digits!! A week from today Gary and I should be in northern Maryland!! Wednesday a coworker, Sandy, came into my office and gave me a baby gift! :) It was awesome and very thoughtful. I also had my last presentation that day. One step closer to being home. Then today there was a planned Pizza Party as my good bye party and low and behold I walked in and it was a baby shower theme! :) It was a great surprise. The branch came together and gave me some great gifts including a gift card to Wal-mart... I'm sure everything will come in handy when the wee one gets here. Very exciting! Taken Wednesday just before my presentation. The gift from Sandy... all wrapped up... so cute! When I got home I took a picture with me and the blanket. Adorable!! My first homemade baby gift... amazing!! I thought it would be cute to take a picture of my growing belly with my badge... this is only temporary. LOL... My surprise baby shower... :) Not my proudest moment... I look like crap... wasn't expecting this but still wanted my picture taken with the cake. All the gifts that were in the bag! Gift card, baby toothbrush/ gum stimulator, teething rings, baby fingernail clippers, silver frame and a little Pooh toy (very adorable). It's been a pleasure working with the Wallops System Software Engineering Branch -Code 589!

Just over 21 weeks... about 131 days to go!!

2009-04-13T13:26:00.000-05:00

I had an uneventful weekend. Played on scrapblog.com most of Saturday watching old movies on tv like Chitty chitty bang bang, and the sound of music... Sunday was also uneventful for me. I went to a movie, Duplicity, out to eat at Famous Daves and finally to Walmart to get a few groceries. As of today I only have 11 days left here!! Wahoo... baby and I are both excited to be home. The wee one is active at times and at others not so much which worries me a little but I know it shouldn't. I have one more doctor visit left while I'm here next Tuesday. Get to hear the heartbeat again and that will ease my worries for a few more weeks. I hope this is normal because it always seems after two weeks since my last visit I start to worry about the wee one again... is the baby moving enough but not so much to cause danger... I'm afraid of the umbilical cord wrapping early and hurting the wee one... is this just a mothers worries this early on? Anyway, we'll be seeing everyone shortly!! We're excited!! :) My Baby: By the end of this week, he'll measure about 7 inches from crown to rump and weigh nearly a pound. Not bad for a little guy who weighed barely an ounce 10 weeks ago! His hearing is developing, and sounds from your conversations can be heard inside the uterus--along with your heartbeat, stomach rumblings, and the pulsing of blood vessels. In fact, the womb is so noisy that it's been compared to an airport runway during takeoff; it's thought that the stimuli prepare the baby for the cacophony of noises, sights, and sounds that will greet him at birth. Baby's Size: Cantaloupe Baby's Length: 6.5-7.0 in. Baby's Weight: 10-13 oz. 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. These are two of the pictures I played with on Saturday... I think they turned out awesome! Just wish I had this much patience to sit and do it with my sister... maybe I should give it another whirl! :)

Just over 20 weeks... about 136 days to go!

2009-04-08T19:35:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late posting but it's been a rough week to start with. I went to see my sister this last weekend in PA. We went to Philly on Sunday and didn't get back until late so I stayed another night and got up early to drive back to work. It was a rough morning... I had to stop and take a nap to make it to work but I also had to call Gary to help me as well. But thankfully, I made it safely to work. :) Today I woke up feeling dizzy so I stayed in bed and eventually it went away but it was really weird. Finally, here's what the sites have to say My Baby: This week marks the halfway point in your baby's development. And right around now, nature gives her a spa treatment--a white, cream-cheesy moisturizer called vernix coats every inch of her skin, keeping it smooth and wrinkle-free for the next 20 weeks as she floats in a warm bath of amniotic fluid. She'll still be covered in vernix when she's born; your doctor or midwife will wipe it off a few moments after birth, revealing skin that's (you guessed it) baby soft. Baby's Size: Coconut Baby's Length: 6-6.5 in. Baby's Weight: 9-10 oz. 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.) (Which doesn't make sense to me since the wee one is still curled up...) 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).

Ultrasound!

2009-03-31T13:58:00.000-05:00

Had my ultrasound this morning! Everything went well. Baby is doing good. Wee one was facing my back (head up by my belly button) so it was hard to get good pictures but she still managed. Good thing we didn't want to find out the sex because I feel the wee one wouldn't have cooperated anyway. :)~ (taking after mom and dad maybe.. hee hee...) Wasn't able to get 3D pictures this time, much to my disappointment but wee one is healthy so that's all that matters. Weighted in at 9oz!! I believe I might be in for a big baby! According to the previous post should be around 7-9oz.. a little scared I must admit. :) Other than that, nothing too exciting. Oh... she put me at 19 weeks 2 days so I'm on track to be due around the 22nd of August still. 24 days left and I'll be on my way home! Pretty excited... can't wait to see everyone. Anyway... here are a few of the pictures. Enjoy! Poor thing looks like an alien... this was the first face shot she could get... again it wasn't easy as the wee one was facing down. :) Stomach sleeper like mom? Striking a pose... little fist under the chin.. aww... (might be a girl, or a feminine boy) Finally, full body from head to rump! (Lets hope the wee one flips before the end... don't want a feet first baby, like I was.)

19 weeks... 146 days to go!!

2009-03-29T09:52:00.000-05:00

I have my next ultrasound on Tuesday March 31st. I'm excited to see how big the wee one has gotten. 26 days before I'm done. It's been a gloomy rainy weekend so I plan on making banana bread today as soon as I get the energy. I went out for Mexican food last night and it was probably one of the best meals I've had since I've been here. I was so full. It was amazing. I think the baby liked it too. :) My Baby Chances are you'll have a mid-pregnancy ultrasound (also called a sonogram) between weeks 18 and 22 to monitor fetal development. Be sure to bring your partner along (wish Gary could be there with me, it's hard being alone all the time)--you'll both be amazed as your little one kicks, boxes, and even somersaults for the camera. Based on the baby's size, your doctor or midwife will be able to confirm or adjust your due date. Plus, you'll get photographic printouts to take home for friends and family. Save a couple for the baby book--these fuzzy, black-and-white snapshots are your child's very first baby pictures! Baby's Size: Grapefruit Baby's Length: 5.5 - 6 in. Baby's Weight: 7-9 oz. 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.

First baby outfit!

2009-03-27T21:10:00.000-05:00

I went to the Wallops Visitor Center today to watch the premier of the new NASA film "Frozen" on the exhibit--science on a sphere... it was more of a global warming film so I wasn't too in awe of it but it got me out of work for awhile. :)

Before I left I stopped in at the gift shop and bought our very first baby onesie!! I just couldn't resist. I got it for 6-12 months so if the wee one is big it will fit at some point in time. :)

It has green stitching... wanted yellow but they didn't have it. Oh well... it's still cute! :)

........................

Car... problems

2009-03-27T18:06:00.000-05:00

So... last weekend I went to DC and had a great time. Well, when I left Sunday afternoon I wasn't very far before my volts light came back on and stayed on! eek... I stopped for gas just before the Bay Bridge and continued on my drive with the light still on. I had about 3 hours of driving left. I was scared I wasn't going to make it home but I did! Thankfully.

Well, come Monday we were suppose go on a trip to the Goddard Space Flight Center. Unfortunately it got cancelled due to paperwork not going through or something. So, I called a auto place to see if I could get my car looked at... thinking it was still going to make it a mear 20 minutes drive after just making a 4 1/2 hour drive.

Not my luck! Car wouldn't start so I had to call the automotive place back to get help. They sent a tow truck... and sure enough a jump wasn't enough. I had to have my car towed! :(

Luckly, the mechanic was there and was able to put in a new alternator right away for me... meaning it took almost 2 hours!!

The following day I went back and got my oil changed. My car is now ready to make the travel home. 28 days left!!!

Last minute decided to take a few pictures with my phone...

Read to go...

Driving I decided to take one last picture... the tow guy decided to smoke while I was riding with him. I wasn't a happy camper!! (I had previously told him I was pregnant... how rude!!!)

18 weeks... about 151 days to go!!

2009-03-24T13:05:00.001-05:00

Had a doctor's visit today! It went well. Heart beat is still strong... didn't tell me the bpm but I have video to listen to :) Everything is going well. I measured 14 cm... which is good I'm assuming (I just looked it up and it's the fundal height, according to babycenter I should be 16 - 20 cm so maybe a little small, shrug). I'll find out more next Tuesday when I have my next sonogram. Can't wait to see how big the wee one has gotten. Apparently I'm starting to show but I don't see it... I think I'm too fat to tell. LOL. My final appointment here will be April 21st! Then I'll be home for the rest! Wahoo... I'm excited to be home. 30 days left and should be home in 33!!! but who's counting! :) My Baby: Your baby's brain is growing rapidly. By this stage, all of the major areas have been differentiated. The cortical layers, which govern specific brain functions, are beginning to form. The fetus may exhibit signs of a primitive body language in utero, such as recoiling when the needle for the amniocentesis comes too close for comfort. Within the next few weeks, she'll be able to hear voices outside the womb and respond positively to music or loving words. It's time to fine-tune your singing and storytelling skills! Baby's Size: Soda Can Baby's Length: 5-5.5 in. Baby's Weight: 5-7 oz. 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. (Please hide!!!)

Wahoo!!

2009-03-19T21:07:00.000-05:00

Gary got the job at Globe University!! I'm so proud of him. It's a step in the right direction and hopefully next quarter he'll get more hours and more responsibility. I only have 36 days left!! I'm so excited to be home again... back to my comfort zone. And since we know Gary's schedule he's going to be able to fly out and drive back with me. I'll be leaving right after work on Friday, April 24th. I'll go pick up Gary at the airport and we'll head out from there... go as far as we can and stop for the night. Then push on Saturday so that we only have a few more hours on Sunday. That way he'll be well rested for class Monday night. Getting more excited for my sonogram on March 31st. I can't wait to see how big the wee one has gotten. And next week I'll get to listen to the heart beat again, on the 24th. Hopefully, I'll get more 3D pictures so I can post them. :) Monday, we're taking a trip to Goddard Space Flight Center. :) Don't have to sit in the office bored all day. Yah... I'm excited. Scared I'll be walking more than I'll be able to handle but it should be fun and interesting. I have pictures to upload but just haven't gotten around to it. Sorry, I'm lagging on posting pictures. I forgot I'd take them... I'm going to DC again this weekend. It will be nice to be away from this place for awhile again. Looking forward to it. It's also suppose to be nice weather so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to see lots more... but not as much walking as last time though. Might get the pass so I can hop on and off a bus to see things. We'll see what happens. Anyway... I hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend!! *HUGS* :)

17 weeks today! About 161 days to go :)

2009-03-14T18:42:00.000-05:00

They seem to have conflicting info from their websites to the emails they send me... go figure! But we still get an idea of what's going on... sorta. :) March 24th and 31st are my next appointments. The first one with the doctor and the second for my sonogram!! Excited to see how big the wee one has gotten! Hopefully, I'll get more picture including the 3D ones that I can scan in and post again. So amazing! Missing everyone back home!! My Baby: At 4 to 5 inches long and about 7 ounces, your baby is roughly the size of a large pear. And she's ripening--the brain, muscles, nervous and circulatory systems, and urinary tract are all functioning. Amniotic fluid is pumping through her lungs. Her skeleton, composed of rubbery cartilage, will harden later. From the email I receive: Her delicate skeleton is continuing to harden from cartilage to bone. Make sure you're slugging that milk -- calcium helps firm up her frame. What's more, this week your baby starts developing body fat, which will keep her snuggly after she exits your womb. Baby's Size: Beanie Baby Baby's Length: 4.5-5 in. Baby's Weight: 3-5 oz. 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.

16 Weeks about 165 days to go!

2009-03-10T19:58:00.000-05:00

My Baby: Your little one has hiccups! An involuntary movement of the diaphragm causes these painless contractions. In adults, this movement is followed by closure of the vocal cords (making the familiar "hic" noise); because the baby's trachea is filled with fluid rather than air, fetal hiccups don't generate sound. The frequency of hiccups varies widely, with some babies experiencing several bouts a day and others never seeming to get them at all. By the sixth month, you'll be able to "see" fetal hiccups as they occur--they'll make your belly jump. Baby's Size: Rubber Ducky Baby's Length: 4.5-5 in. Baby's Weight: 2.5- 3 oz. 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.

First baby gift! :)

2009-03-05T19:56:00.000-06:00

I came into work today... a few minutes late because I got stopped by road construction. Anyways... a few weeks ago my officemate, John, said he had a dream I was having a boy who would play the guitar. Low and behold... he came in today and handed me a square of plastic. He then told me it was a guitar... I could play with it now or later. Of course, I had to blow it up right away and take pictures. I think it was very sweet of him to get it. How adorable! :) John is convinced since he found out that I was pregnant that I'm having a boy. Of course, he won't know for sure until the wee one comes along... So... finally... here are the pictures!! :)

Pictures of my wee one are hanging in my office... :)

No work for me today!

2009-03-02T09:42:00.001-06:00

I don't have to go to work today!! It snowed over night and since they can't handle snow over here the base was closed!! Wahoo!!! Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

My car with snow on it! You'd think we'd have inches of snow instead of just a covering! :)

15 weeks 2 days... about 174 days to go!! :)

2009-03-01T17:47:00.000-06:00

It's been an uneventful weekend. The weather has been cold and rainy so I've stayed inside. I've also been dealing with headaches more so those keep me down a lot of the time. Can't wait for them to pass. My Baby: The body is now growing faster than the head, balancing out that brain-heavy look and making the fetus appear more baby-like. The skin is covered with lanugo, an ultrafine hair that protects it until birth. There's also hair on the baby's head, and the beginnings of tiny eyebrows. Your little one is now about 4 inches long and weighs just under 2 ounces. Baby's Size: Lemon Baby's Length: 4-4.5 in. Baby's Weight: 1.5-2 oz. 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.") - Our baby will be stubborn so it's a good thing we don't want to know!!

14 weeks 4 days!! about 179 days to go!

2009-02-24T17:54:00.000-06:00

So... I had my first ultrasound / sonogram today!!! Everything went well. Baby is doing well... everything is proportional to what is should be at this time. Good heartbeat... 160 bpm! :) umm... what else did I hear? I think that's it for now... unless I remember more. Oh yeah... they gave me a due date of August 26th. Not sure how they figure that all out... when I first found out they said August 22nd... so anytime around there! :) I'm officially in my second trimester!! Wahoo!! Sonogram 1: these 3D pictures were taken at about 9:15 am Sonogram 2: isn't the thumb so very cute? Too early to tell sex which is fine since as most know we're waiting for a surprise!! The lady doing the sonogram thought the butt was cute!... What butt? :) Sonogram 3: another one :) The wee one was pretty active... Sonogram 4: She was trying to show me the facial features but from the angle I was laying it was hard to see.... Sonogram 5: Can really see the spine in this one! Sonogram 6: I believe the dark spot in the belly means that there's fluid in there... which is a good thing. Means the wee one doesn't have a problem with swallowing! :)

The heart beat is nice and strong... 160 beats per minute... the wee one was moving around so it fades in and out a little... plus the doctor and nurse, in the room with me, were talking. :) Doctor Evans was going to leave another message for my friends and family if they were Badger fans. hee hee...

Now... for the normal weekly update...

My Baby:

Your little boy or girl has fully developed sex organs by this week, although they're still difficult to see through ultrasound. He's 3 inches long and weighs an ounce and a half, give or take a few grams. Now that the major systems are in place, the fetus will start to grow at an amazing rate. In the next month or so, he'll triple in length and reach the impressive weight of 1 pound.

Baby's Size: Peach Baby's Length: 3.25-4 in. Baby's Weight: 1-1.50 oz. 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.

13 weeks... 184 days to go!

2009-02-19T18:20:00.000-06:00

A few days late... but I'm finally getting it up... My Baby At the end of this week, your baby officially enters the second trimester of development. Although only 3 inches from crown to rump and weighing just half an ounce, she looks, well, human! Her eyes have moved from the sides of her head to the front, and her ears are in their normal position. She's also got reflexes--if you prod her, she'll squirm (although you still won't feel it), and her hands and feet respond to stimuli by closing or clenching. Baby's Size: Egg Baby's Length: 2.5-3 in. Baby's Weight: .50-1 oz. 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. I had my appointment with the nurse on Wednesday Feb. 18th... it was all so overwhelming... so wish I was back home for all of this. I also had blood drawn for a few tests. I have an appointment with a doctor on Tuesday Feb. 24th. First I'll be driving up to Salisbury, MD to get a sonogram / ultrasound @9 and then I'll meet with the doctor @ 11 to discuss the test results and ultrasound... this is back down in Princess Anne, MD. (Salisbury is about an hour north of here and Princess Anne is about 45 minutes... or so...) I'm excited for the ultrasound... can't wait to hear the baby's heart beat. I'm going to try and take a short video with my camera and I hope it turns out. You'll know next week if it does. :)

Valentine's Day Flowers!! :)

2009-02-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

Gary surprised me by sending me flowers. They're very beautiful and smell wonderful! We're going to celebrate together when I get back. :) Missing home!! This is the first picture I took of them with my phone... when they open up more I'll take better pictures with my nice camera

12 weeks! 193 days to go...

2009-02-10T20:14:00.000-06:00

My Baby Now measuring between 2 and 3 inches from crown to rump, the fetus is busily doing his stretching and kicking exercises. All major organs are in place, and his brain, nerves, and muscles are starting to function. Although his gender was determined at conception, external genitalia won't fully develop for another couple of weeks. At that point, a sonogram may be able to show whether you're carrying a boy or a girl--if your baby will cooperate and face the camera! (hopefully not since we don't want to find out until the wee one is here!!) Baby's Size: Pacifier (a little weird... I think...) Baby's Length: 2.5-3.0 in. Baby's Weight: .50 oz. 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. I have my first appointment on February 24th and I'll have my first sonogram!! Wahoo... I'll keep everyone posted! :)

11 weeks... 200 days to go!

2009-02-03T18:17:00.000-06:00

My Baby At your next prenatal appointment, your health-care professional will apply a sticky gel to your abdomen and roll a contraption called a Doppler stethoscope across the surface. An amplified sound will fill the room. First you'll hear white noise like the static of radio reception, and then--miraculously--a tiny, pounding drum. The drum is your baby's heartbeat, galloping away at 150 beats per minute. It's the first audible message from your developing child, and it will fill you with wonder and joy.

Baby's Size: California Roll Slice Baby's Length: 1.5-2.5 in. Baby's Weight: .25 oz.

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.

Another week gone by...

2009-02-01T20:27:00.000-06:00

Just a few highlights from this week... My desk at the beginning of the week... after I finished putting up pictures! :) Tuesday it snowed!! So I got to leave early... LOL... they don't know how to handle icky weather like those who live in WI. I took advantage of it and went home early! The end of the week, Friday to be exact, I went with a group from my department (589) to the visitor center to see the sphere in action... we got there right at the end when the video that Goddard made was playing but didn't get to see the whole thing. What I saw was pretty cool. Can't wait to go back to see more. Anyhow... This is the sphere with no projections.... of course... it's huge! This is the path CREAM III took... I believe... Another view...

The moon with the projected path of a satelite to go into orbit in 2010...

Was suppose to be the same satellite in orbit around earth but didn't turn out they way she wanted...

Another view... ;)

Not sure what this one was showing... but it still looks cool!

This is the projected trajectory of a rocket, I believe. Hard to remember Friday. :)

Same path just different view... It's going to be launched here at Wallops.

2004 Hurricane season...

Close up...

I think this one is pretty but... it has to do with tsunamis... eek... the effect eventually went around the entire world but I just got a picture from the beginning...

United States night lights!

We're not sure what this one is showing... looks like a bunch of green dots to me.

I'm a sucker for the American Flag... this is right outside the visitor center!

Just before I left work on Friday night this helicopter took off... had to take a picture.

Well, that's all for now. I'm off to bed!

An Adventure...

2009-02-01T18:40:00.000-06:00

Ok... so I'm a little behind on pictures... These were taken last weekend. January 24th... well most of them... Hope you enjoy. It was nice day out for the most part. A little windy but the trail I walked blocked the wind so it was nice. I took the on my way home the night of the 23rd. I thought it was beautiful! The sign we see everyday coming home from work... On my way to the park...

I wanted to see the lighthouse first. It wasn't what I expected. A little run down if you ask me. Hopefully that's what they're working on correcting. :)

I think this is a Great Blue Heron but not sure... it's ugly to me. hee hee... reminds me of a grumpy old man. :)

A bird of some sort... not sure what it is again..

And yet another...

I thought he was cute!

Didn't stop... just drove past.

The Atlantic Ocean!! I've officially been from coast to coast! Wahoo...

I believe this is a type of Sandpiper... but don't quote me on that.

On my way to hopefully see some ponies!

And I did... but in the distance!

Snowy Egret

Don't think he likes me watching him...

What do you think! :) I did get a good picture of him taking off though. Super excited about that!

A duck... I think the males are so pretty!

Not sure but I think these are Swans... either that or they're Snow Geese... I'll have to ask next time I go to the park.

I thought this was pretty cool looking... can tell it was cold... there's ice and a little snow.

Just having fun with my camera... seems peaceful!

I have a feeling they're Swans... maybe even a Trumpeter Swan... anybody have clue?

They're were hundreds of them on the "pond" This is a pair that was a little closer on the 3 mile trail I drove.

He doesn't want his picture taken either... oh well...

He gave me cool pictures! :)

Or at least I think so...

Canadian Geese...

Finally... the sign we see each day on our way to work! :)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures I took... I'll have more. No big surprise there! I'm doing well.

Have a wonderful week!

10 weeks... only about 208 days left to go!

2009-01-26T20:19:00.000-06:00

My Baby The embryo reaches a developmental milestone at the end of this week--it has achieved its basic structural form, and will be known as a fetus (Latin for "offspring") from now until it reaches full term. Because the fetus is still curled up in a snug position in the uterus, it's hard to measure an exact length including the legs. For this reason, health professionals use the crown-to-rump measurement, or the distance from the top of the head to the buttocks. Your baby's crown-to-rump length is now about 1 1/4 inches, and she weighs less than half an ounce. Baby's Size: Grape Baby's Length:1.25-1.75 in. Baby's Weight: <.25 oz. 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.

A few pictures through the week...

2009-01-23T18:47:00.001-06:00

The week started off with the Presidential Inauguration, the first one I've ever watched also the first one I ever voted in! :) A picture I took of the screen while giving his speech... I think I took this waiting for one of the other interns I give a ride to in the evening... I'm so impatient! Another day waiting for the same person! This is looking through the van in the following picture... So pretty... I know I'm silly...

The ticket to get I got to go to the Presidential Inauguration Celebration: spaghetti dinner. It was good!

My mentor took me on a tour of the control room...

My mentor walking in front of me... these are just taken with my phone so they're not the best.

Looking down from the viewing area.

Again, looking down from the viewing area... I was in awe... it's not as big as the one at Kennedy or Johnson but still... cool!

A plane in a hanger near by that we walked to after the control room... John, my office mate, and I walked here later in the week as well. (Thursday... he could tell me more)

Afterward, my mentor took me to the Visitor Center. This is a picture looking down from the viewing area on the roof... it was a little chilly out!

My part of the office! Messy already... hee hee... :)

Me at my desk... I look silly...

Friday, January 23rd, John and I went on another walk and he took me on a tour of a few other places... buildings... it was very beautiful today. Wish I could have enjoyed it more. Hopefully tomorrow.

A model of one of the balloons. These links can tell you more than I can remember... LOL... http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/news/superpressure_balloon.html

http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code820/

Another type of balloon... a picture of info in the next picture if you can click on it and make it large enough to read... good luck!

Info on the previous balloon.

A model of how the balloon is inflated and then released... a little hard to see...

Another building had model rockets!

Another model rocket...

Finally, on the way home today I had to pull over and take a picture of the sunset. This is only a few miles away from Chincoteague Island. Isn't it beautiful??

So that's that for now... I'm sure I'll have more after tomorrow. It's suppose to be nice again tomorrow (not as nice as today) but I'm looking forward to finally getting the chance to explore.

*HUGS* :)

9 weeks...

2009-01-21T20:16:00.000-06:00

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. My Baby By now, your baby is being nourished through the placenta, a flat, spongy organ covered with wavy masses of capillary-filled tissue called chorionic villi. Nutrients pass through this tissue to the embryo, while wastes are carried away. The placenta and chorionic villi are made up of the same genetic material as the baby, and can offer important information about birth defects such as Down syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, and cystic fibrosis Week 9 Trimester 1 Baby's Size: Peppermint Candy Baby's Length: 1-1.25 in. Baby's Weight: <.25 oz. About 213 days to go! Till later! :)

Trip to Pocomoke, MD... or not!!

2009-01-18T09:28:00.000-06:00

Was going to post pictures but some how I lost them all... I'm a little irked!! Have no idea how it happened. Oh well... another time I'll take pictures again... err...

Anyway... here are a few old pictures of Gary and I.

This was taken at Mark and Theresa's but I'm not sure exactly when

We stopped in to visit Mark and Theresa after Braydon's baptism and we had to take a few pictures outside... it was so beautiful!

Fooling around... looking like dorks. LOL...

8 Weeks!

2009-01-13T16:47:00.000-06:00

My Baby Go, baby, go! Your talented child has doubled in size in the past two weeks, and is now approximately three-quarters of an inch long. Body parts that formed in the first few weeks are growing more complex and specialized, including the eyes, limbs, mouth, heart, and brain. Fingers and toes are taking shape, along with the palate and pituitary gland. The eyelids are also forming--until they're complete, the eyes appear open. Ten tiny fingers and toes are forming now, and your baby's eyelids are beginning to cover his peepers -- which, by the way, now have pigment in them. And everything that started developing weeks ago (arms and legs, heart, and brain) continues to become more refined and specialized! The baby is the size of a blueberry... is that bigger than a coffee bean? LOL She's <.50-.75 inches in length and weights < .25 oz. But at least she's growing! She's also making me very tired!! I don't have 8 week pictures yet... I'm too tired to take them tonight. I haven't changed much anyway. LOL... I'll hopefully feel more like it tomorrow night... I'm going to bed way early tonight.

HUGS*

P.S. 221 days to go!!

A picture I got from babycenter.com

Another picture I found on WebMD... awww...

First day at NASA!!

2009-01-12T20:26:00.001-06:00

My first day was pretty relaxed! But also a little on the boring side... I have to read the software assurance and safety standards and the guidebooks... take a gander and see what I have to go through... LOL... http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/software/docs.htm I met a lot of people today and everyone was wonderful!! I look forward to the challenge of reading the documents, setting up the diagram to help the software developers make sure their program is assured and safe... I know, hard to understand... Anyhow... I think the next 15 weeks are going to very interesting and fun! Now the fun part... pictures... My NASA badge!! Yes... they gave me a badge... hope I get to keep it in the end! First picture wearing the badge... shortly after this we went and met Keith Koehler, the coordinator... we have IT training tomorrow! Fun fun... So after 8 hours of laying back... I of course, had to stop and take pictures. This is at the entrance near security.

I think it turned out pretty good considering the sun was setting and a little chilly... but nothing like back home! No snow!! :)

Mark, a fellow USRP intern took this picture for me... after lots of instruction. LOL... he's great!

Just an up close picture of the sign...

The sign turning off of US- 175

Have to do the self-portrait!!

And finally... I got Mark to take another picture of me in front of this sign... hee hee... Rachel (my roommate) and I plan on going back this weekend and taking more pictures! She loves pictures I think almost as much as I do! hee hee...

I hope you enjoyed my first day with me. I'll have more to come! *HUGS*

NASA here I come!!!

2009-01-11T21:16:00.001-06:00

Ok... so I start at NASA early tomorrow morning! Here are a few pictures from my phone that I took... We were in upper Maryland. Becky... she doesn't look very happy! Raining really hard... Doesn't look much better... Trying to show all the ice on the trees... It was very beautiful!!! Can't tell from these pictures though. Me... getting ready to take a nap... I look horrible but oh well... we've been in a car for 3 days!

There's sun!!! After not seeing it for 2 days almost... it was nice to see.

Very beautiful!! Sunset from the front yard!!

I'll finish uploading pictures sometime this week... I'll post them as I get them up. I'll have pictures of NASA and the such to come as well!

VA... at last...

2009-01-09T18:03:00.000-06:00

Ok... so we made it in around 5pm on Wednesday night and I've come down with a head cold. Thus... I've stayed in doors most of the last few days... sleeping! I hope I'll be feeling better by Monday for my first day at NASA!!! I've come across a little ice cream / coffee shop just a few blocks away and they have free internet!! Yah!!! (well besides buying a hot chocolate or an ice cream cone... I have a feeling I'll be here often.) :o) So... the highlight of our adventure to VA... Beck and I stopped at a rest stop somewhere in IL.... I come out of the womens bathroom and start walking toward a few vending machines... and then across the way I see Beck walking out... of the MEN's bathroom!! LOL... She's like... I was wondering where you were!! She was wondering why there were urnials in the womens bathroom... She saw them as she was walking out... Oh man did I laugh and I'm still laughing everytime I think of it and tell the story. I think it would have been much funnier if she would have walked out behind a man... thankfully she was alone. I laughed so hard I almost had to go to the bathroom again. Then during the rest of the drive I would just start laughing and Beck would asked what... I would say you walked out of the mens bathroom! :) Got to love your sisters... they make life interesting. I took a few pictures toward the end but I don't have them on my computer yet. As soon as I get them on here I'll post them. In the mean time... take care!! Baby note: I got an email from Parents.com that I subscribed to... the wee one is the size of a coffee bean, weights <.25oz and in <.25-.33in in length... wow!!

Week 7

2009-01-06T22:38:00.000-06:00

I've decided to keep you updated on what's going on with the wee one so here' the information that I got from Parents.com... I thought it was interesting and thought some of you out there might be interested to know what's going on as well. :) (227 days to go!!) My Baby Although she still resembles a tiny alien, your baby's facial features are starting to form. Arms, legs, hands, and feet are taking shape, although they don't yet have fingers and toes. The brain is growing more complex; if you looked through a microscope, it would be clearly visible through the transparent skull. The embryo has started to move in small jerks, although you won't feel these until the fourth month. On the other hand... my travels have brought us to Triadelphia, WV. We only have a little over 7 hours left to go to reach my desination of Chincoteague, VA... it's taken longer than expected but my sister and I will both be glad when we get there!! Well... I'm off to sleep. Beck's already snoring up a storm... LOL... we plan on getting up early so we don't lose as much daylight as we did today! *HUGS*

And I'm off!!

2009-01-05T06:52:00.000-06:00

Catch up when I have internet access again! Will miss you all! *HUGS*

Wallops here I come!!

2009-01-02T12:25:00.000-06:00

My adventure will begin on Monday morning. My sister, Becky, and I are heading off to VA for my NASA Internship. Wahoo... it's finally here. So, even though I'll hopefully have email access on a regular basis if anyone would like to send me some snail mail and make me feel loved here is my address:

6185 Poplar St. Apt. A, Chincoteague, VA 23336

Can't wait to take pictures... I just spoke with the manager and she said it's snowing right now but not sticking! :) I'm excited for warmer weather!

Found this t-shirt at Kohls... too bad they only had them in small sizes! :)

I'm pregnant!

2008-12-31T22:37:00.000-06:00

So... as most of you know... I'm going to be a mommy!! Yay!! I'm due around August 22nd, 2009. I'm just over 6 weeks today. I finally got around to taking some belly pictures... I hope to take them monthly but with being away I'm going to lose my photographer (aka Gary)... Maybe one of the other interns will feel comfortable enough to take pictures for me... or I'll have to get a tripod and try it myself. Anyhow... here are the first ones... me and my fat... no baby yet. :)

Statement of Pregnancy I received from Planned Parenthood! Of course I had to take a picture of it.

It's been a rough start but the last two days have been good... well except for balling my eyes out watching a movie on the hallmark channel today... boy did that make me tired. LOL.

my fat... but hidden by black shirt... :)

Hidden no longer... just fat... :( eww...

One more angle! I know... I'm crazy!

Deer Hunting and Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-11T12:46:00.000-06:00

Ok.. so I didn't actually carry a gun this year but I did go on one drive on Thankgiving morning... that's when my Dad got a doe... and I didn't get a picture... silly me...

middle of the drive, End.

After the day was over... Greg and Sarah dropped of Braydon to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa... and now Aunt Chelle too... he was so cute... I had to take pictures... of course I never pulled out the nice camera jus used my camera phone... oh well... they're still cute!

Just before falling asleep with Grandpa...He had no problems... so very cute!!

Next morning I woke up and he was awake in his bed so I got him up and we played a little before eating... then he took a short nap... and when he woke up we played more...

You want me to do what with these things...???

Didn't want the toys... he wanted Aunt Chelle's phone... so cute!

Then it was lunch time... and I got to feed him... hee hee...

He likes his solid food but I think he still really likes his bottle!

Play time again... how can you not love this cute little face!!

Around 5 the rest of the family arrived and we had some fun times...

Jonny... watching Spong Bob Square pants...

Grace... looking precious as usual!

and Ben... well... being Ben :) Someone has their full attention!

After we all stuffed ourselves... the parents decided it would be a good idea to go to Osseo and watch the Christmas Parade... Bundled up and ready to go!! So very adorable!!

Watching the parade...

Freezing our butts off... It was a blast!!

2008-12-11T12:01:00.001-06:00

Just a few pictures from recently... playing around with my camera when I should be working on homework or something... hee hee!

Night out with G-Bear... we went to see a movie... then it was back to homework... :( Santa and I... trying to get into the Christmas spirit!

Time's a wasting...

2008-12-11T11:54:00.000-06:00

yes... that would be me wasting time... making elfyourself movie clips... but they are just too darn funny. Hope you all find them as funny as I do! And to think... I wasn't even going to do it. ba humbug... :) Anyhow... school is coming to and end and a new adventure awaits me just around the corner... I'll be sure to keep everyone posted! :)

Babe Elves of the Year

2008-12-11T11:48:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Sister Elves

2008-12-11T00:28:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bored

2008-11-08T12:14:00.000-06:00

so I just got done taking the GRE subject exam and now I don't want to study for my Bio 211 exam... so I'm playing on the computer... bored. Have no idea what I'm doing but I'm sure I'll learn. :)