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.
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!
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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!
one of Claraissa's first pictures... and I didn't even take it!! :)
Saturday (Aug, 29th) morning... I had just got done feeding her. :)
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... :(
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