On Saturday, I picked up another overtime shift in the Blood Gas Lab. Paul went up to Clare to prepare his hunting blind for next weekend. I was bummed because I picked up the afternoon shift before I learned that everyone would be getting together for dinner on Saturday for Grandma’s 88th birthday. No one would trade shifts with me so I ended up missing the party. Instead, we went up to Davison on Sunday to take her out for lunch after church. My mom joined us. We went to Big Boy, her usual after church lunch spot then ended up hanging out at her house for many hours afterward. My cousin, Ashlee, and her husband, Jeremy, came over to the house as well as my dad when he got back from an American Legion meeting in Lansing. I think Grandma had a lot of fun telling us stories about my mom and her siblings when they were little and about her childhood on the farm. We stopped back at my parent’s house to drop off my mom and pick up some stuff and ended up going with them out to dinner at John’s Pizzeria. We then finally headed home to find it snowing in Brighton. We already had accumulation which I took some pictures of.
We had a pretty busy work week which was marred by Paul’s truck having problems with the transmission and clutch. He couldn’t get the car in first gear at all and had a very difficult drive home on Monday. He was in a bad mood that evening but was cheered up when he finally got to feel the baby kick. Since I was at the Brighton Health Center on Tuesday and he was there on Wednesday, whoever was going to the main hospital caught a ride with our gracious coworker, Cate. Paul had an appointment for his truck on Thursday but was very worried that the work would not be done in one day so he would be unable to leave to go hunting on Friday. Luckily the problem was exactly as our neighbor, Jeff, had diagnosed and it was a quick and cheap fix. Paul had Friday off of work and left in the afternoon to head up hunting. I have an exciting weekend of working in the Blood Gas Lab to look forward to so I worked then went to bed early.
I haven’t had any new cravings this week but have been more tired than in the previous few weeks. Lily has been kicking stronger.
News from the womb…
At the beginning of the week, alveoli (air sacs) began to develop in the baby’s lungs. Alveoli will continue to form for about nine more years. By the end of the week, breathing air is usually possible because some of the alveoli have developed at the end of the bronchial tubes and the lung tissue is well supplied with blood. In addition, the membrane that separates the air sacs from the capillaries is thin enough to allow oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Lastly, the lungs are secreting surfactant, a substance that keeps the lung tissue from sticking to itself and allows the air sacs to inflate. Brain wave activity began for the baby’s visual and auditory systems. The sensory systems began developing the kinds of connections with the brain that will be useful for interpreting input after birth. While the presence of brain wave activity means that the baby’s eyes have encountered a light source or that the baby’s ears have intercepted a sound message, no comprehension is possible yet. This system needs practice just like all the others. The baby has now been alive in my womb for 6 months now (remember the first two weeks of pregnancy started before conception) and has completed 2/3 of its stay. Over the next few months, the baby will be progressively able to survive without such an intimate attachment. The baby now weights 2 pounds and is about 9-13 inches long.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
25 Weeks Along (Friday, 11/7/08)
On Saturday, I picked up an overtime shift in the Blood Gas Lab which I used to do all of the time but haven’t since I got pregnant. I figured since our baby budget is bleak and my energy level is up, I might as well earn some extra moola while I can. Sunday I was a lazy bum and sat around all day watching Gilmore Girls. Somehow I have become hooked on rewatching it. I have all of the seasons on DVD and finished off season 3 on Sunday. Perhaps it is being pregnant with a girl that has me so connected to the mother-daughter show. Plus Lily kicks the most when I am lying on the couch watching the show. I am still getting use to that miraculous feeling.
Paul spent most of the weekend winterizing the gardens and planting the last of our spring bulbs. He did finally finish grouting the bathroom which I have been bugging him about for 8 weeks now. It is impossible to keep him focused on indoor tasks when the weather outside is nice. We had such beautiful weather this week but couldn’t enjoy it from our windowless world at work. With daylight savings time over, it has been pretty much dark when we get home from work. Wednesday was a light day for Paul so he took the afternoon off to enjoy the weather and get more yardwork done.
I always thought I would have the nursery done by the end of month 3 of pregnancy. I started decorating it with such fervor when I learned I was pregnant. But then we got busy and now we only have 3 months to go. We have all of the furniture (minus the changing table) and have registered for all of the accessories but the walls have not been painted so nothing can be put into place yet. The theme of the nursery is classic Winnie the Pooh and I want to have my artistically inclined husband do a mural of the 100 Acre Woods on one wall. I have been kicking over ideas in my head and finally sat down and poured through every Pooh book we have and every image I could find on Google and we have come up with a tentative plan. Paul started drawing out his ideas on Friday and I am psyched. My dad found an overhead projector at work so we can blow up the drawing onto the wall. I know this is a big project to take on but I think it will be really great when it is all done.
News from the womb…
The baby continues to perform reflex movements that will be essential to its survival after birth. The lips and mouth are sensitive and if the baby’s hand floats near its mouth, it may suck its thumb or fingers. The startle reflex is also present. By this time, I may be able to feel the baby “jump” when it hears a loud noise. The baby will also develop a strong grip during this month- far more powerful than that of the infant soon after birth. The fingernails and toenails continue to lengthen and cover the nail area. The blood vessels have developed in the baby’s lungs. After birth, these vessels will allow blood to flow through the lungs to bind to oxygen and circulate it to the baby’s tissues. The baby’s nostrils (which until now have been plugged) are now opening. The buds for the baby’s permanent teeth have begun to come in high in the gum behind the baby teeth. The baby’s spine will be made up of 33 rings, 150 joints, and 1,000 ligaments, all of which are used to support the body’s weight and all of which are now beginning to form.
Paul spent most of the weekend winterizing the gardens and planting the last of our spring bulbs. He did finally finish grouting the bathroom which I have been bugging him about for 8 weeks now. It is impossible to keep him focused on indoor tasks when the weather outside is nice. We had such beautiful weather this week but couldn’t enjoy it from our windowless world at work. With daylight savings time over, it has been pretty much dark when we get home from work. Wednesday was a light day for Paul so he took the afternoon off to enjoy the weather and get more yardwork done.
I always thought I would have the nursery done by the end of month 3 of pregnancy. I started decorating it with such fervor when I learned I was pregnant. But then we got busy and now we only have 3 months to go. We have all of the furniture (minus the changing table) and have registered for all of the accessories but the walls have not been painted so nothing can be put into place yet. The theme of the nursery is classic Winnie the Pooh and I want to have my artistically inclined husband do a mural of the 100 Acre Woods on one wall. I have been kicking over ideas in my head and finally sat down and poured through every Pooh book we have and every image I could find on Google and we have come up with a tentative plan. Paul started drawing out his ideas on Friday and I am psyched. My dad found an overhead projector at work so we can blow up the drawing onto the wall. I know this is a big project to take on but I think it will be really great when it is all done.
News from the womb…
The baby continues to perform reflex movements that will be essential to its survival after birth. The lips and mouth are sensitive and if the baby’s hand floats near its mouth, it may suck its thumb or fingers. The startle reflex is also present. By this time, I may be able to feel the baby “jump” when it hears a loud noise. The baby will also develop a strong grip during this month- far more powerful than that of the infant soon after birth. The fingernails and toenails continue to lengthen and cover the nail area. The blood vessels have developed in the baby’s lungs. After birth, these vessels will allow blood to flow through the lungs to bind to oxygen and circulate it to the baby’s tissues. The baby’s nostrils (which until now have been plugged) are now opening. The buds for the baby’s permanent teeth have begun to come in high in the gum behind the baby teeth. The baby’s spine will be made up of 33 rings, 150 joints, and 1,000 ligaments, all of which are used to support the body’s weight and all of which are now beginning to form.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
24 Weeks Along (Friday, 10/31/08)
Happy Halloween! I am six months along now! I am now onto the third trimester of pregnancy.
Saturday we went and picked up Lily’s crib at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard and put it together. I love it. Here is a picture:
The week was mostly uneventful. It started out strange with an impromptu meeting at work that I had to teleconference into from Brighton. The supervisors wanted to inform us all that one of our coworkers quit abruptly but they won’t tell us why. No one has heard from her but the general impression is that something bad happened. I worry about her and hope that all is well.
Today (Friday) is Halloween. Everyone brought a bunch of snacks into work so we mostly spent the day grazing like cattle on chocolates and such and moaning that we were really full. I had my OB appointment at 4pm which I was worried would show that I gained a bunch of weight from all the snacks but actually I lost 5 pounds this month making the grand total a loss of 6 pounds since I got pregnant. I was shocked. Apparently the only way I can lose weight without major dieting is to get pregnant. My doctor wasn’t concerned because the baby is still growing just fine. The heartbeat is strong and her kicks are strong. My blood pressure is still doing great. Sometime between now and my next appointment, I need to drink a bottle of gross sugary stuff and get a blood test to check for gestational diabetes. What fun. We hurried home from work for trick-or-treating from 6-8pm. We lost count but had around 50-60 kids. There were so many cute costumes. I love seeing all of the little kids and can’t wait to have a kid around for Halloween next year. Halloweens just haven’t been the same for us since Rachel moved to New York. Lily will be too young next year to really get into the holiday but we can’t wait to get her all dressed up and share in the fun with her nonetheless.
News from the womb…
The appearance of the baby’s skin has begun to change. The skin is wrinkled right now but as more fat is deposited and more muscle development takes place, it will begin to look smooth. The skin is still transparent because it is so thin. Capillaries are just beginning to develop under the baby’s skin. As blood fills these new vessels, they give the baby’s skin a red or pinkish appearance. Between now and the expected due date, the baby’s feet will almost double in size from about 1.8 inches to 3.3 inches. The baby now weighs just under 1.5 pounds. Most of the weight gained right now is muscle and bone mass as well as growing organs and tissues. Very little fat is being manufactured right now. Sounds that are heard daily by the baby include the beating of my heart, the sound of my voice resonating as I speak, the sound of air filling my lungs and being exhaled, and growling noises made by my stomach and intestines.
Saturday we went and picked up Lily’s crib at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard and put it together. I love it. Here is a picture:
The week was mostly uneventful. It started out strange with an impromptu meeting at work that I had to teleconference into from Brighton. The supervisors wanted to inform us all that one of our coworkers quit abruptly but they won’t tell us why. No one has heard from her but the general impression is that something bad happened. I worry about her and hope that all is well.
Today (Friday) is Halloween. Everyone brought a bunch of snacks into work so we mostly spent the day grazing like cattle on chocolates and such and moaning that we were really full. I had my OB appointment at 4pm which I was worried would show that I gained a bunch of weight from all the snacks but actually I lost 5 pounds this month making the grand total a loss of 6 pounds since I got pregnant. I was shocked. Apparently the only way I can lose weight without major dieting is to get pregnant. My doctor wasn’t concerned because the baby is still growing just fine. The heartbeat is strong and her kicks are strong. My blood pressure is still doing great. Sometime between now and my next appointment, I need to drink a bottle of gross sugary stuff and get a blood test to check for gestational diabetes. What fun. We hurried home from work for trick-or-treating from 6-8pm. We lost count but had around 50-60 kids. There were so many cute costumes. I love seeing all of the little kids and can’t wait to have a kid around for Halloween next year. Halloweens just haven’t been the same for us since Rachel moved to New York. Lily will be too young next year to really get into the holiday but we can’t wait to get her all dressed up and share in the fun with her nonetheless.
News from the womb…
The appearance of the baby’s skin has begun to change. The skin is wrinkled right now but as more fat is deposited and more muscle development takes place, it will begin to look smooth. The skin is still transparent because it is so thin. Capillaries are just beginning to develop under the baby’s skin. As blood fills these new vessels, they give the baby’s skin a red or pinkish appearance. Between now and the expected due date, the baby’s feet will almost double in size from about 1.8 inches to 3.3 inches. The baby now weighs just under 1.5 pounds. Most of the weight gained right now is muscle and bone mass as well as growing organs and tissues. Very little fat is being manufactured right now. Sounds that are heard daily by the baby include the beating of my heart, the sound of my voice resonating as I speak, the sound of air filling my lungs and being exhaled, and growling noises made by my stomach and intestines.
23 Weeks Along (Friday, 10/24/08)
This is going to be a short entry. The weekend was totally uneventful. It was really weird not having my mom come to work on the basement. We received our first baby present in the mail this week. It was a bouncer seat from Beth and John. We were so excited to get our first gift for the baby off the registry. Thursday we received a call that our crib is in. We get to pick it up on Saturday which we are really excited about. Friday we went to Julie’s Halloween party. That was fun. Paul and I wore our bee costumes. I was a pregnant bee with a tight costume and he was a killer bee with a machine gun. I got to take pictures of all of the drinking festivities while consuming pop and juice but still had a good time as a bystander. We met one of U of M’s assistant football coaches but I had to admit to him that I would be cheering for MSU tomorrow. I have had more kicking now which is a cool but odd sensation.
News from the womb…
The bones of the middle ear have begun to harden to make sound conduction possible. The sound information transmitted to the baby’s brain won’t trigger an interpretation because the baby has had no experience with the outside world. Only sound intensity seems to register since loud sounds trigger an automatic startle reflex. In a week or two, the baby will blink or jump when it hears a loud noise. The baby is growing actively and begins to gain considerable weight making conditions in the uterus more crowded.
News from the womb…
The bones of the middle ear have begun to harden to make sound conduction possible. The sound information transmitted to the baby’s brain won’t trigger an interpretation because the baby has had no experience with the outside world. Only sound intensity seems to register since loud sounds trigger an automatic startle reflex. In a week or two, the baby will blink or jump when it hears a loud noise. The baby is growing actively and begins to gain considerable weight making conditions in the uterus more crowded.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
22 Weeks Along (Friday, 10/17/08)
Saturday was a beautiful day so we took a drive to East Lansing. We went to Ted Nugent’s book signing, wandered around Grand River, and had dinner at Amy and Wynn’s house. I can’t believe that it has been 10 years since I graduated from MSU. It sure flew by.
Sunday my parents came over for our final basement organizing session. Yes, it is finally done and it looks great. It feels so good to finally have everything done in the basement.
My dad fixed the phone problem (apparently a mouse chewed through a cord outside the house killing all but the main phone line in the kitchen) then he and Paul installed the new bathroom fan light that I bought about 6 months ago. We got to take a little break because we had a surprise visit from my Aunt Robin and Uncle Lee. They were nearby enjoying the beautiful day at a cider mill and decided to stop over. It was good seeing them and we were grateful for the rest it gave us.
The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. I have pasta cravings now. I can feel her kick lightly every once in a while, or it could just be gas. Who know?!
News from the womb…
During this week, the baby’s brain will begin to grow rapidly. This rapid growth continues until the child is five years old. The lungs begin to secrete surfactant- a substance that permits them to inflate. The eyebrow and head hair are more visible. No matter how dark the hair will become, right now it is completely unpigmented. Currently the baby is very lean, only about 3.5% of its body weight is due to fat. This proportion will change over the next few weeks and months as baby accumulates fat to become energy and food reserves to draw on after birth. The baby’s uterus is completely formed now and has just wrapped up its most rapid period of growth. Even though the eyelids are fused, the baby is now making blinking movements. The spine, ribs, and long bones of the arms and legs have hardened into bone. The bone at the base of the baby’s skull has begun to form. At this point, the skull plates that cover the forehead, temples, and top and back of the skull are present and made of cartilage. The size and strength of the baby’s hands have improves so that by now, it can grip with some force. The uterus now reaches the belly button and the baby inside now measures about 7.5 inches in length and is about the size of a Barbie doll. The baby weighs about 1 pound.
Sunday my parents came over for our final basement organizing session. Yes, it is finally done and it looks great. It feels so good to finally have everything done in the basement.
My dad fixed the phone problem (apparently a mouse chewed through a cord outside the house killing all but the main phone line in the kitchen) then he and Paul installed the new bathroom fan light that I bought about 6 months ago. We got to take a little break because we had a surprise visit from my Aunt Robin and Uncle Lee. They were nearby enjoying the beautiful day at a cider mill and decided to stop over. It was good seeing them and we were grateful for the rest it gave us.
The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. I have pasta cravings now. I can feel her kick lightly every once in a while, or it could just be gas. Who know?!
News from the womb…
During this week, the baby’s brain will begin to grow rapidly. This rapid growth continues until the child is five years old. The lungs begin to secrete surfactant- a substance that permits them to inflate. The eyebrow and head hair are more visible. No matter how dark the hair will become, right now it is completely unpigmented. Currently the baby is very lean, only about 3.5% of its body weight is due to fat. This proportion will change over the next few weeks and months as baby accumulates fat to become energy and food reserves to draw on after birth. The baby’s uterus is completely formed now and has just wrapped up its most rapid period of growth. Even though the eyelids are fused, the baby is now making blinking movements. The spine, ribs, and long bones of the arms and legs have hardened into bone. The bone at the base of the baby’s skull has begun to form. At this point, the skull plates that cover the forehead, temples, and top and back of the skull are present and made of cartilage. The size and strength of the baby’s hands have improves so that by now, it can grip with some force. The uterus now reaches the belly button and the baby inside now measures about 7.5 inches in length and is about the size of a Barbie doll. The baby weighs about 1 pound.
Friday, October 10, 2008
21 Weeks Along
Paul abandoned me for the weekend to try to kill Bambi with a bow and arrow. The past few times he has left me home to go hunting bad things have happened so I was very nervous. Last year during bow season, the dog got sprayed by a skunk (what a disgusting time that was) and I got in a fender-bender. This weekend I did not leave the house and was paranoid every time I let the dog out after dark. Nothing bad happened other than having to chase a bumblebee out of the house. Saturday I chilled, caught up on my shows on the DVR, and cleaned the house some. Sunday both my parents came to help with the basement. Dad also worked on trying to fix our phones (they have been acting up) and mowed the lawn for me since the baby doesn’t like the bouncing of the riding lawnmower. Mom and I worked on organizing the play area and put all the organized toys on the new shelving unit. We got the play area completed and it looks great. We could open a day care with all of the toys we have. We also moved some bookshelves and set up the family room area. We are almost done and it looks so good! Paul came home just in time for dinner with all of us. He didn’t get a deer which doesn’t make me sad at all.
Monday I was pretty tired from all the work in the basement on Sunday. I wanted to go to sleep after work but we had a funeral visitation to go to for my good friend, Carol’s grandfather. He was such a nice man. After the visitation in Davison, we went grocery shopping and got home at 11:00pm. We only put the perishable food away then went straight to bed. Wednesday we got to do what Paul has been excited about since October began- decorate for Halloween. I am in charge of the inside and he loves making the front porch into a scary scene of a giant spiderweb and tons of spiders. He even has a new sound-activated one this year that will drop down. I am sure the little kids will just love that. Wednesday and Thursday we went for 40 minute walks. I was pretty much exhausted all week but couldn’t sleep well for some reason. Friday I had a little scare. I had some mild spotting and called the OB nurse in a panic. She reassured me that since it was just a little bit and not bright red that it is probably just from strain and to take it easy. I pray that it does not worsen. It is way too early for little Lily to arrive and I don’t want to have to go on bed rest right now because I have way too much to do!
News from the womb…
The baby’s legs have approached their final relative proportions. The baby’s heart is growing stronger and stronger and now the heartbeat can be detected by a stethoscope. The arms and legs move with noticeable more force now as the muscles strengthen and the bones become stronger. By now the baby looks like a miniature newborn. Its face looks peaceful with closed eyes, nostrils, and a nicely formed mouth.
Monday I was pretty tired from all the work in the basement on Sunday. I wanted to go to sleep after work but we had a funeral visitation to go to for my good friend, Carol’s grandfather. He was such a nice man. After the visitation in Davison, we went grocery shopping and got home at 11:00pm. We only put the perishable food away then went straight to bed. Wednesday we got to do what Paul has been excited about since October began- decorate for Halloween. I am in charge of the inside and he loves making the front porch into a scary scene of a giant spiderweb and tons of spiders. He even has a new sound-activated one this year that will drop down. I am sure the little kids will just love that. Wednesday and Thursday we went for 40 minute walks. I was pretty much exhausted all week but couldn’t sleep well for some reason. Friday I had a little scare. I had some mild spotting and called the OB nurse in a panic. She reassured me that since it was just a little bit and not bright red that it is probably just from strain and to take it easy. I pray that it does not worsen. It is way too early for little Lily to arrive and I don’t want to have to go on bed rest right now because I have way too much to do!
News from the womb…
The baby’s legs have approached their final relative proportions. The baby’s heart is growing stronger and stronger and now the heartbeat can be detected by a stethoscope. The arms and legs move with noticeable more force now as the muscles strengthen and the bones become stronger. By now the baby looks like a miniature newborn. Its face looks peaceful with closed eyes, nostrils, and a nicely formed mouth.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
20 Weeks Along (Friday, 10/3/08)
I am five months along now!
Saturday we went to the Midland Antique festival on a quest for a beautiful antique oak dresser for the nursery. We found and bought one. It is a highboy with a curved front made of quarter sawn oak in perfect condition with a beautiful mirror on top. We are really happy with it. It was super hot at the fairgrounds so I pooped out pretty quickly once our mission was accomplished. I also got kind of crampy but I think it was from the heat and dehydration because once I relaxed in the air conditioning and drank lots of water, I was fine. We stopped in and visited my dad on our way out of town since he was in Midland at an American Legion convention. Then we drove down to Davison and took my mom out to dinner for her birthday. It was a busy day!
Sunday my mom came to help clean the basement some more. We spent the majority of the time sorting through Rachel’s old clothes, donating many and putting the rest in Space Bags by size in case I have a girl. My asthma did okay with the new medication which I was very grateful for.
The rest of the week was fairly unnoteworthy with the major exception of the ultrasound on Tuesday. I have already done an entry about that. The only note is that if one more person says how Paul must be sad that we are not having a boy I am going to scream. Paul says that a healthy baby is a wonderful thing, no matter the gender. Besides, biology lesson here: the sperm determines the gender. Apparently his girls are better swimmers. Anyway, we can’t wait to have a cute little girl and we sure have a lot of clothes for her already!
Thursday my parents came and set up another great shelving unit in the basement. Now we have one full wall of shelves which greatly helps with storage. The Indian food craving is waning. I only had it twice this week.
News from the womb…
The baby’s eyebrows have begun to form as well as fine scalp hair (permanent hair, not lanugo). The vernix caseosa is more noticeable. The baby now sleeps and wakes as much as a newborn does. When the baby sleeps, it characteristically settles into its favorite position. The baby is now 6.33 inches long and weights about 11 ounces. Lily was 9 inches long on Tuesday so she is obviously ahead of the curve!
Saturday we went to the Midland Antique festival on a quest for a beautiful antique oak dresser for the nursery. We found and bought one. It is a highboy with a curved front made of quarter sawn oak in perfect condition with a beautiful mirror on top. We are really happy with it. It was super hot at the fairgrounds so I pooped out pretty quickly once our mission was accomplished. I also got kind of crampy but I think it was from the heat and dehydration because once I relaxed in the air conditioning and drank lots of water, I was fine. We stopped in and visited my dad on our way out of town since he was in Midland at an American Legion convention. Then we drove down to Davison and took my mom out to dinner for her birthday. It was a busy day!
Sunday my mom came to help clean the basement some more. We spent the majority of the time sorting through Rachel’s old clothes, donating many and putting the rest in Space Bags by size in case I have a girl. My asthma did okay with the new medication which I was very grateful for.
The rest of the week was fairly unnoteworthy with the major exception of the ultrasound on Tuesday. I have already done an entry about that. The only note is that if one more person says how Paul must be sad that we are not having a boy I am going to scream. Paul says that a healthy baby is a wonderful thing, no matter the gender. Besides, biology lesson here: the sperm determines the gender. Apparently his girls are better swimmers. Anyway, we can’t wait to have a cute little girl and we sure have a lot of clothes for her already!
Thursday my parents came and set up another great shelving unit in the basement. Now we have one full wall of shelves which greatly helps with storage. The Indian food craving is waning. I only had it twice this week.
News from the womb…
The baby’s eyebrows have begun to form as well as fine scalp hair (permanent hair, not lanugo). The vernix caseosa is more noticeable. The baby now sleeps and wakes as much as a newborn does. When the baby sleeps, it characteristically settles into its favorite position. The baby is now 6.33 inches long and weights about 11 ounces. Lily was 9 inches long on Tuesday so she is obviously ahead of the curve!
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