(a post full of ellipses)
Just like that, sweet Ben went from a tiny, sweet (early) baby to this...
At 3, Ben...
...loves triceratops
...thinks ketchup is a square meal
...is a complete and utter mama's boy
...refuses to be potty trained
...is a master fit-thrower
...loves the color orange (despite our Aggie roots)
...always answers "great" when asked how he is, or how he slept
...is a puzzle master
...has a major sweet tooth and is a candy fiend
Happy Birthday, sweet Ben!
Showing posts with label #2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #2. Show all posts
Friday, October 18, 2013
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
36 Weeks and Counting
Hurry up and wait. That's where we are right now. He can come anytime after Saturday. In fact, he can come on Saturday, I'd be ok with that. I'm hitting the wall. :)
Here's what's going on this week:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He'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 his 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 his 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 he's in a head-down position. But if he 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 him from the outside of your belly.
Um, he's head down. My bladder can tell you that. It feels Ben's every move, and he does a lot of that. Even though he's running out of room, he still finds ways to move all around. And at least 6lbs 3oz...at least that's what they said at the ultrasound last week.
Update from the doctor is that we'll discuss when/if the induction will take place on Monday. I'm hoping he comes on his own still. Really want to avoid the induction. Scared of pitocin. Have I mentioned that? I am. I like the surprise, too. We'll see what happens.
On a totally unrelated note, we're going to see the Fightin' Texas Aggies play this Saturday. Brian and I have made a deal that if I go into labor on Saturday, we're changing Ben's middle name to Kyle (for Kyle Field). Thought about agreeing to changing his name completely, but he's been Ben to us since July and nothing else sounds right. Benjamin Edward or Benjamin Kyle...Saturday will tell that. My money is on the former.
Here's what's going on this week:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He'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 his 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 his 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 he's in a head-down position. But if he 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 him from the outside of your belly.
Um, he's head down. My bladder can tell you that. It feels Ben's every move, and he does a lot of that. Even though he's running out of room, he still finds ways to move all around. And at least 6lbs 3oz...at least that's what they said at the ultrasound last week.
Update from the doctor is that we'll discuss when/if the induction will take place on Monday. I'm hoping he comes on his own still. Really want to avoid the induction. Scared of pitocin. Have I mentioned that? I am. I like the surprise, too. We'll see what happens.
On a totally unrelated note, we're going to see the Fightin' Texas Aggies play this Saturday. Brian and I have made a deal that if I go into labor on Saturday, we're changing Ben's middle name to Kyle (for Kyle Field). Thought about agreeing to changing his name completely, but he's been Ben to us since July and nothing else sounds right. Benjamin Edward or Benjamin Kyle...Saturday will tell that. My money is on the former.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
35 Weeks Down, 3-4 to go!
Well, technically, by now, it's more like 2-3 to go. I better post B's 35 week update, since 36 hits the day after tomorrow.
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
At my last dr. appt, I asked if they were expecting me to make it to 11/6. Dr. H said that if he doesnt't come on his own before hand, they'll induce me 1-2 weeks early. I'm guessing since the GD increases potential complications, earlier is better than later, once it hits full-term. I'm a bit afraid of inducing...mainly pitocin. I hear it can make the contractions come hard and fast, instead of the nice gradual increasement I had with Kaylynn. Because of that, I've started drinking my red raspberry leaf tea in order to get myself "ready". It's *supposed* to help you with labor, making it easier and shorter. We'll see. It brings on Braxton Hicks contractions right after you drink it. But I have those randomly all the time anyways.
We had an ultrasound on Tuesday, which I hope is our last ultrasound. Ben's currently estimated to weigh around 6lbs 3oz. All of the measurements on the screen say he's measuring 1 week head. 1 thing (don't know what it was) he was measuring 35 weeks, and one thing he was measuring 37 weeks.
So, in a perfect world, Ben will come on his own, or I will go into the hospital Halloween night, to have him on 11/01/10. That's just me wishing, I guess. Go back to the dr. on Monday, so we'll see if there is any new update then.
And because you need to see Kaylynn...here are some pictures stolen from Emily! A bunch of us met up at Northshore Park earlier this week to enjoy the gorgeous weather! We chased birds, fed ducks, went down the slide, played in the sand (dumping it all over ourself), and tried to get a group picture. It was a successful outing!
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
At my last dr. appt, I asked if they were expecting me to make it to 11/6. Dr. H said that if he doesnt't come on his own before hand, they'll induce me 1-2 weeks early. I'm guessing since the GD increases potential complications, earlier is better than later, once it hits full-term. I'm a bit afraid of inducing...mainly pitocin. I hear it can make the contractions come hard and fast, instead of the nice gradual increasement I had with Kaylynn. Because of that, I've started drinking my red raspberry leaf tea in order to get myself "ready". It's *supposed* to help you with labor, making it easier and shorter. We'll see. It brings on Braxton Hicks contractions right after you drink it. But I have those randomly all the time anyways.
We had an ultrasound on Tuesday, which I hope is our last ultrasound. Ben's currently estimated to weigh around 6lbs 3oz. All of the measurements on the screen say he's measuring 1 week head. 1 thing (don't know what it was) he was measuring 35 weeks, and one thing he was measuring 37 weeks.
So, in a perfect world, Ben will come on his own, or I will go into the hospital Halloween night, to have him on 11/01/10. That's just me wishing, I guess. Go back to the dr. on Monday, so we'll see if there is any new update then.
And because you need to see Kaylynn...here are some pictures stolen from Emily! A bunch of us met up at Northshore Park earlier this week to enjoy the gorgeous weather! We chased birds, fed ducks, went down the slide, played in the sand (dumping it all over ourself), and tried to get a group picture. It was a successful outing!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Weekend Entertainment (& Ben's 34 Week Update)
This is what we've been doing around here lately. A lot of pushing around toys in a laundry basket.
If you look closely at the last one, you can make out what toys made the cut today: Brian's old teddy bear (Kaylynn calls it a monkey), a little chihuahua dog (that Kaylynn named "Puppy"), her alligator pull toy, a rubber duck, her new My Little Pony, an orange water glass (Kaylynn orange wa-wa), and her Little People car. She's crazy.
and here's what's up with Ben. 6 weeks til the due date. I'm feeling better about the whole lesson plan situation. In a perfect world, I'd have it all sorted out this week. But it's not a perfect world and I probably won't have it all sorted out this week. Brian's building some shelves for his room this weekend. I've ordered bottle nipples and my new ginormous diaper bag (it's dark gray and from etsy, I'm pretty excited about it.) Thought about buying some diapers, but I'm holding off until the 35 week ultrasound to see how big he is (do I only need 1 newborn size pack or more). With the exception of thoroughly cleaning the house, we're as ready as we'll ever be.
Imagine a picture of a cantaloupe here. I don't have the patience for this computer anymore. Let's hope the Mac fairy visits me this Christmas.
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his 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.
If you look closely at the last one, you can make out what toys made the cut today: Brian's old teddy bear (Kaylynn calls it a monkey), a little chihuahua dog (that Kaylynn named "Puppy"), her alligator pull toy, a rubber duck, her new My Little Pony, an orange water glass (Kaylynn orange wa-wa), and her Little People car. She's crazy.
and here's what's up with Ben. 6 weeks til the due date. I'm feeling better about the whole lesson plan situation. In a perfect world, I'd have it all sorted out this week. But it's not a perfect world and I probably won't have it all sorted out this week. Brian's building some shelves for his room this weekend. I've ordered bottle nipples and my new ginormous diaper bag (it's dark gray and from etsy, I'm pretty excited about it.) Thought about buying some diapers, but I'm holding off until the 35 week ultrasound to see how big he is (do I only need 1 newborn size pack or more). With the exception of thoroughly cleaning the house, we're as ready as we'll ever be.
Imagine a picture of a cantaloupe here. I don't have the patience for this computer anymore. Let's hope the Mac fairy visits me this Christmas.
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his 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.
Monday, September 20, 2010
A New Addition (and Ben's 33 Week Update)
We want to welcome our newest nephew to this crazy world:
Dominic William graced our presence this morning, weighing in at 7lbs 11oz. He took it easy on his mama, which everyone was thankful for. Mama and baby are all doing well and we'll share a pic when we get a chance.
Congratulations, Melissa, Angelo, & big brother Anthony!
and on to boring stuff...the update:
Here's what babycenter.com has to say about Ben this week:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
I start weekly NST's next week. Not sure what the purpose of those are, especially since I'm doing fine with my diabetes, but oh well. Having something weekly makes the time go by fast. All my appointments are scheduled...even 1 past his due date. I'm still hoping for 11/01/10. Keep some fingers crossed that the stars align and God thinks that's a pretty cool birthdate, too. ;)
Dominic William graced our presence this morning, weighing in at 7lbs 11oz. He took it easy on his mama, which everyone was thankful for. Mama and baby are all doing well and we'll share a pic when we get a chance.
Congratulations, Melissa, Angelo, & big brother Anthony!
and on to boring stuff...the update:
Here's what babycenter.com has to say about Ben this week:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.
I start weekly NST's next week. Not sure what the purpose of those are, especially since I'm doing fine with my diabetes, but oh well. Having something weekly makes the time go by fast. All my appointments are scheduled...even 1 past his due date. I'm still hoping for 11/01/10. Keep some fingers crossed that the stars align and God thinks that's a pretty cool birthdate, too. ;)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Nursery: Anthro Letters
Who says Anthropologie is just for girls? Ok, so maybe it is, but these letters are for our little man.
His room is coming along, slowly but surely. We really just need to buy the shelving for the funky corner/hole thing we have in that room, and put up the pictures/artwork. Making letters of Ben's name was something that has been on my to-do list for a while and I finally got to cross that one off today.
Everything has been gray and navy, thus far. I was starting to feel like I was going overboard with the whole color scheme and needed a change. Enter: bright yellow letters, Anthropologie style.
I'd show you the up-close-and-personal shot, but then you'd see all my imperfections and they look pretty decent (to me) from afar.
I followed this tutorial at Prudent Baby (very cool crafty website, fyi). I didn't do the fabric on the back, because, well, I kinda forgot/I'm too lazy for that. It wasn't too bad. The main thing is to make sure you have a big, good dog to occupy your toddler while you work on it. The two were running around like crazy outside, while I went crazy with the spray adhesive.
More pictures coming when the room is actually put together!
Oh, and guess who asked to eat olives with her dinner last night? I didn't even teach her to put them on her finger! (The other stuff are grapes and broccoli bites. The girl loves her broccoli!)
His room is coming along, slowly but surely. We really just need to buy the shelving for the funky corner/hole thing we have in that room, and put up the pictures/artwork. Making letters of Ben's name was something that has been on my to-do list for a while and I finally got to cross that one off today.
Everything has been gray and navy, thus far. I was starting to feel like I was going overboard with the whole color scheme and needed a change. Enter: bright yellow letters, Anthropologie style.
I'd show you the up-close-and-personal shot, but then you'd see all my imperfections and they look pretty decent (to me) from afar.
I followed this tutorial at Prudent Baby (very cool crafty website, fyi). I didn't do the fabric on the back, because, well, I kinda forgot/I'm too lazy for that. It wasn't too bad. The main thing is to make sure you have a big, good dog to occupy your toddler while you work on it. The two were running around like crazy outside, while I went crazy with the spray adhesive.
More pictures coming when the room is actually put together!
Oh, and guess who asked to eat olives with her dinner last night? I didn't even teach her to put them on her finger! (The other stuff are grapes and broccoli bites. The girl loves her broccoli!)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Ben's 32 Week Update
As I write this, Ben, I'm sitting in a hospital bed watching Chelsea and West Ham play soccer while your father lays on the couch in here. Turns out that little stomach bug your sister got last week was passed to me this week and landed me in here with dehydration and contractions. Yesterday, I was afraid they were going to take you early and today I'm annoyed and ready to go home! Hospital beds are not comfortable. And I want to brush my teeth.
So, here's what should be going on with you this week. As I read it, it makes me nervous about you being a big baby when you're born. You are bigger than this right now. I'm going to blame your father.
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, he'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.
As of Tuesday, you were 4lbs 5oz. You'll be my little 8lber, I just know it. Don't worry though, I won't hold it against you too much. :) You just hang tight for about 5 more weeks, ok? I want you to come out when you're fully baked.
Oh, yeah, and Chelsea won.
So, here's what should be going on with you this week. As I read it, it makes me nervous about you being a big baby when you're born. You are bigger than this right now. I'm going to blame your father.
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, he'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.
As of Tuesday, you were 4lbs 5oz. You'll be my little 8lber, I just know it. Don't worry though, I won't hold it against you too much. :) You just hang tight for about 5 more weeks, ok? I want you to come out when you're fully baked.
Oh, yeah, and Chelsea won.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Newest Ultrasound
Here's Mr. 4lbs 5oz at 31.5 weeks. The doc told me he should gain 1/4 to 1/2 a lb each week, which would put him anywhere from 6-8lbs, if he's born on time. Kaylynn was the former, so I'm shooting for that (knowing that, for some reason, I'm going to have to suffer Brian's payback, so he'll be huge.)
These ultrasounds are crazy. It's weird to have an idea of what he looks like before he's even born. See that chin? That's Brian's chin. Kaylynn has it, too. That nose looks exactly like Kaylynn's. If I was a bettin' girl, I'd put money on him looking a lot like she did when she was a newborn. I keep forgetting to ask about hair, if he has any or not. I did learn that he has long arms. Not freakishly long, but longer than average arms. Brian's comment was "good pitching arms." Now only if he is left handed...
These ultrasounds are crazy. It's weird to have an idea of what he looks like before he's even born. See that chin? That's Brian's chin. Kaylynn has it, too. That nose looks exactly like Kaylynn's. If I was a bettin' girl, I'd put money on him looking a lot like she did when she was a newborn. I keep forgetting to ask about hair, if he has any or not. I did learn that he has long arms. Not freakishly long, but longer than average arms. Brian's comment was "good pitching arms." Now only if he is left handed...
Monday, September 6, 2010
31 Weeks & Meals (or lack of...)
Here's Ben's 31 Week Update:
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.
I have another ultrasound tomorrow and have to take a gestational diabetes nutrition class. Kinda funny since I'm like a month into this whole diet/pricking thing. But insurance mandates it, so I'll sit through it. Whatever.
As for meals this week, well, we didn't eat the meatballs and shrimp last week, so we'll just carry that forwrad to this week. Sandwiches & turkey burgers can fill whatever void we might have. It'll make for a very small grocery trip this week, which Brian will appreciate!
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.
I have another ultrasound tomorrow and have to take a gestational diabetes nutrition class. Kinda funny since I'm like a month into this whole diet/pricking thing. But insurance mandates it, so I'll sit through it. Whatever.
As for meals this week, well, we didn't eat the meatballs and shrimp last week, so we'll just carry that forwrad to this week. Sandwiches & turkey burgers can fill whatever void we might have. It'll make for a very small grocery trip this week, which Brian will appreciate!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
30 Weeks and Meals
There are two posts below that are more interesting than this one, but it's on my mind, so I better hop to it before the school week starts and I don't remember/feel like it.
Here's Ben's 30 week update. 7 more weeks until he's considered full-term. We'd like him to keep on baking the additional 3 weeks...I need time to get my lesson plans together!
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20 - I think Brian and I sit around 20/40...just good enough to not have a restriction on our DL.)
Blood sugar has been a bit weird lately. Dr. H told me that as I get further along, things that I used to be able to eat and process ok, might not work out so well. I'm thinking that's the case. I had a sandwich (22g of carbs), a few chips (1 serving is 17g carbs), and 1/2 glass of chocolate milk (14g carbs) for a total of 57 carbs. Now that is on the high end of my allowance, but it's still under 60 and I blew the blood test out of the water (you know, the kind that I want to deduct 10 pts from on my chart to avoid getting yelled at...which I still haven't ruled out.) I had cheese and turkey for a snack (protein on protein) so hopefully I'll be back to normal in the morning. I'll do some heavy cleaning tonight to try to burn some calories and get the sugar gone.
Meals for this week:
Monday
Crock pot chicken (with black beans, corn, and salsa...courtesy of Julie!) and broccoli
Tuesday
Shrimp Scampi and Caesar Salad
Wednesday
Mini Greek Meatballs with a Greek Salad (I'm looking forward to this one!!)
Thursday
Hopefully some left over meatballs and salad! If not, we've got turkey burgers on stand by in the freezer. We really do like those things!
Friday
Whatever my father cooks for me!! :)
Keep your fingers crossed for good blood levels for me this week. I really don't want to have to resort back to my weekend of Atkins style eating. It really was miserable.
Here's Ben's 30 week update. 7 more weeks until he's considered full-term. We'd like him to keep on baking the additional 3 weeks...I need time to get my lesson plans together!
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20 - I think Brian and I sit around 20/40...just good enough to not have a restriction on our DL.)
Blood sugar has been a bit weird lately. Dr. H told me that as I get further along, things that I used to be able to eat and process ok, might not work out so well. I'm thinking that's the case. I had a sandwich (22g of carbs), a few chips (1 serving is 17g carbs), and 1/2 glass of chocolate milk (14g carbs) for a total of 57 carbs. Now that is on the high end of my allowance, but it's still under 60 and I blew the blood test out of the water (you know, the kind that I want to deduct 10 pts from on my chart to avoid getting yelled at...which I still haven't ruled out.) I had cheese and turkey for a snack (protein on protein) so hopefully I'll be back to normal in the morning. I'll do some heavy cleaning tonight to try to burn some calories and get the sugar gone.
Meals for this week:
Monday
Crock pot chicken (with black beans, corn, and salsa...courtesy of Julie!) and broccoli
Tuesday
Shrimp Scampi and Caesar Salad
Wednesday
Mini Greek Meatballs with a Greek Salad (I'm looking forward to this one!!)
Thursday
Hopefully some left over meatballs and salad! If not, we've got turkey burgers on stand by in the freezer. We really do like those things!
Friday
Whatever my father cooks for me!! :)
Keep your fingers crossed for good blood levels for me this week. I really don't want to have to resort back to my weekend of Atkins style eating. It really was miserable.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Late 29 Week Update & Meals
A 2-in-1. Here's what's going on with Ben as we are now halfway into the week. Or feels like it. Monday was the first day of school and I weeded flowerbeds when I got home. I felt like I'd been run over by a mack truck...not sure which one did me in. Being on your feet ALL day really stinks. Then, somehow I slept on my arm/shoulder wrong that night and started having sharp pains when I breathed deep. I thought 1.) I'm having a heart attack (arm was killing me and chest hurt) and then 2.) my arm was going to literally fall off. Turns out, I probably have a pulled muscle or a pinched nerve. It was painful. Very painful. Still is sometimes.
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.
Meals for the week include:
Monday
Beef Stroganoff with wheat egg noodles and broccoli cheddar bake
Tuesday
Monday's leftovers
Wednesday
Turkey burgers (these things are good!) salad with cucumbers and cheese.
Thursday
Chicken w/ wheat penne noodles.
Friday
Sandwiches or something nice and easy. I like that we can still eat our sandwiches. We're sandwich folks around here.
The best part about meal planning is going to the grocery store once a week. I did learn that we need 2 loaves of bread around here, so I'll adjust next time so I don't have a midweek run like today. The bill would be a lot cheaper if I didn't have to have stinking snacks during the day. Cheese is expensive folks. Expensive.
And some fun(and funny) Kaylynn news:
1. All through the grocery store today she kept saying "oh, snap." (courtesy of her father.)
2. She looked at me today, while doing a puzzle and said "It's all good."
3. Kaylynn has been finding random small things and giving them to me (like fuzz, etc.) Tonight it was a booger. Awesome.
4. She did her first real poop in the bathtub tonight. I caught her in time and made it to the toilet to finish off, but she hates the toilet and freaked. I put her back in the tub and so I could clean up and she reached towards the turds and said "beans".
5. She counted to 10 tonight! She forgot 6. Technicalities. :)
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.
Meals for the week include:
Monday
Beef Stroganoff with wheat egg noodles and broccoli cheddar bake
Tuesday
Monday's leftovers
Wednesday
Turkey burgers (these things are good!) salad with cucumbers and cheese.
Thursday
Chicken w/ wheat penne noodles.
Friday
Sandwiches or something nice and easy. I like that we can still eat our sandwiches. We're sandwich folks around here.
The best part about meal planning is going to the grocery store once a week. I did learn that we need 2 loaves of bread around here, so I'll adjust next time so I don't have a midweek run like today. The bill would be a lot cheaper if I didn't have to have stinking snacks during the day. Cheese is expensive folks. Expensive.
And some fun(and funny) Kaylynn news:
1. All through the grocery store today she kept saying "oh, snap." (courtesy of her father.)
2. She looked at me today, while doing a puzzle and said "It's all good."
3. Kaylynn has been finding random small things and giving them to me (like fuzz, etc.) Tonight it was a booger. Awesome.
4. She did her first real poop in the bathtub tonight. I caught her in time and made it to the toilet to finish off, but she hates the toilet and freaked. I put her back in the tub and so I could clean up and she reached towards the turds and said "beans".
5. She counted to 10 tonight! She forgot 6. Technicalities. :)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Photoshoot with Ben
I got to have a look at Ben yesterday...I do enjoy these extra ultrasounds!
Click here to compare Kaylynn's. There's about a 5 week difference in the age (I think hers was done at 33 weeks) and Kaylynn's is not 4D, but I can still see a resemblence. I think the nose and cheeks are the same. Maybe it's just me.
Click here to compare Kaylynn's. There's about a 5 week difference in the age (I think hers was done at 33 weeks) and Kaylynn's is not 4D, but I can still see a resemblence. I think the nose and cheeks are the same. Maybe it's just me.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ben's 28 Week Update & GD
It's been a wild and crazy week. Here's what's going on with Ben:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
My biggest news (if you haven't read me complaining all over facebook or anywhere else I had some open ears or eyes) is that I failed the 3 hr glucose tolerenace test, meaning I do, in fact, have gestational diabetes. Last week was pretty stressful, in that I took the test on Monday, learned I failed on Tuesday, then found out that it meant I'm considered a "high-risk" pregnancy, had to see a nutritionist, get extra ultrasounds, more frequent doctors appointments, etc. Oh, and it all had to be done ASAP. Easy, right? It would be, if I had a normal 8-5 job, but alas, school inservice starts tomorrow, with actual kids showing up a week from tomorrow. Try explaining to doctors that you can't miss the 2nd day of school for a nutrition class, and then try playing phone tag with a very nice (and patient) lady at the hospital who is trying everything she can to squeeze you in for some nutrition information (only to hear, "No, I can't that day, we have mandatory inservice.") It's not fun. As of right now, I've got the ultrasound and extra doctor appointment figured out next week, but I still don't know about the nutrition class.
So, having GD means you get to prick your finger 4 times a day to test your blood sugar. I had no clue when I was supposed to get my glucometer (pricker and tester), but ended up getting one Friday night to last me until Aetna's overnighted one arrived. So now I have two. The nurse practitioner gave me some "rough" instructions (lots of protein, whole wheat starches, lots of veggies, no simple sugars). With that, I've eaten more salads in the past 5 days than I have in a long time. Luckily, my blood sugar numbers have been really good (except 1, this morning). I even splurged Saturday and drank a Dublin Dr. Pepper (how can you pass them up when they are free at the tour?) and even had a piece of wedding cake! I was still a good 11 pts (are they points, grams, I don't even know) lower than the target number. Brian questions whether I really have it or not, or if everything I'm eating is ok. I guess time will tell. Actually, if the insurance co didn't require I take the nutrition class, I don't think I would, since I've been ok.
Anywho, lot of info jammed in there, most of which, you probably could care less about. I've been meal planning tonight, so I'm going to do a seperate post on that. :) I know you're excited.
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
My biggest news (if you haven't read me complaining all over facebook or anywhere else I had some open ears or eyes) is that I failed the 3 hr glucose tolerenace test, meaning I do, in fact, have gestational diabetes. Last week was pretty stressful, in that I took the test on Monday, learned I failed on Tuesday, then found out that it meant I'm considered a "high-risk" pregnancy, had to see a nutritionist, get extra ultrasounds, more frequent doctors appointments, etc. Oh, and it all had to be done ASAP. Easy, right? It would be, if I had a normal 8-5 job, but alas, school inservice starts tomorrow, with actual kids showing up a week from tomorrow. Try explaining to doctors that you can't miss the 2nd day of school for a nutrition class, and then try playing phone tag with a very nice (and patient) lady at the hospital who is trying everything she can to squeeze you in for some nutrition information (only to hear, "No, I can't that day, we have mandatory inservice.") It's not fun. As of right now, I've got the ultrasound and extra doctor appointment figured out next week, but I still don't know about the nutrition class.
So, having GD means you get to prick your finger 4 times a day to test your blood sugar. I had no clue when I was supposed to get my glucometer (pricker and tester), but ended up getting one Friday night to last me until Aetna's overnighted one arrived. So now I have two. The nurse practitioner gave me some "rough" instructions (lots of protein, whole wheat starches, lots of veggies, no simple sugars). With that, I've eaten more salads in the past 5 days than I have in a long time. Luckily, my blood sugar numbers have been really good (except 1, this morning). I even splurged Saturday and drank a Dublin Dr. Pepper (how can you pass them up when they are free at the tour?) and even had a piece of wedding cake! I was still a good 11 pts (are they points, grams, I don't even know) lower than the target number. Brian questions whether I really have it or not, or if everything I'm eating is ok. I guess time will tell. Actually, if the insurance co didn't require I take the nutrition class, I don't think I would, since I've been ok.
Anywho, lot of info jammed in there, most of which, you probably could care less about. I've been meal planning tonight, so I'm going to do a seperate post on that. :) I know you're excited.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Ben's 27 Week Update
Hello last week of 2nd trimester! 6 days from now, we're in the last 1/3!
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
I made a comment to Brian the other day how Ben doesn't move around as much as Kaylynn did. He must have heard me and taken it personally, because he's been a gymnast/soccer player the past few days. I'm talking about constant movement, all the time. I feel tiny punches down low and feet kicks above my belly button..well, that height, but way right. He's been hanging out on my right side a lot and I am guessing he's head down right now, based on this movement.
On a downer, I failed the 1 hr gluclose tolerance test and have to take the 3 hr test on Monday. If you've been around since before Kaylynn was born, you'll know that I had to do this with her as well. Actually, with Kaylynn, they found the 1st 3 hr test inconclusive, so I had to retake it (literally 4 days after Ike, no less.) They numbers were high, but not high enough to say I had gestational diabetes. We'll see how it goes this time. I might just ask them to make a decision one way or the other...if they are borderline being high, to the point where I'd have to retake the 3 hr, I'd almost prefer they go ahead and say I have GD. I'd rather have to follow a diet for 13 more weeks than to sit through a 3 hr/4 blood draw appt. However, Brian and I got to talk to a guy tonight whose wife had GD and he said it wasn't near as bad as they thought it was going to be. Mostly portion control and balancing proteins/carbs/veggies. He even gave us some tips on how to enjoy dessert on occasion. That made me feel a lot better, actually.
I guess we'll see what happens...
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
I made a comment to Brian the other day how Ben doesn't move around as much as Kaylynn did. He must have heard me and taken it personally, because he's been a gymnast/soccer player the past few days. I'm talking about constant movement, all the time. I feel tiny punches down low and feet kicks above my belly button..well, that height, but way right. He's been hanging out on my right side a lot and I am guessing he's head down right now, based on this movement.
On a downer, I failed the 1 hr gluclose tolerance test and have to take the 3 hr test on Monday. If you've been around since before Kaylynn was born, you'll know that I had to do this with her as well. Actually, with Kaylynn, they found the 1st 3 hr test inconclusive, so I had to retake it (literally 4 days after Ike, no less.) They numbers were high, but not high enough to say I had gestational diabetes. We'll see how it goes this time. I might just ask them to make a decision one way or the other...if they are borderline being high, to the point where I'd have to retake the 3 hr, I'd almost prefer they go ahead and say I have GD. I'd rather have to follow a diet for 13 more weeks than to sit through a 3 hr/4 blood draw appt. However, Brian and I got to talk to a guy tonight whose wife had GD and he said it wasn't near as bad as they thought it was going to be. Mostly portion control and balancing proteins/carbs/veggies. He even gave us some tips on how to enjoy dessert on occasion. That made me feel a lot better, actually.
I guess we'll see what happens...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Ben's 26 Week Update
Look who's only a day behind this week. We've been enjoying a week in Canada, and just got home last night/this morning. Thus, I maintain I had a good excuse. Who wants to spend time blogging when you're enjoying cloudless skies and 71 degree weather?!
Here's what's going on with Ben this week.
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.
Random question...why do they wrap English cukes in plastic? We were discussing this at the grocery store this week? Have I mentioned how much I love going into grocery stores in other places?? Ido, I love it. I think I get that from my father. He and I could spend hours in a grocery store.
Here's what's going on with Ben this week.
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.
Random question...why do they wrap English cukes in plastic? We were discussing this at the grocery store this week? Have I mentioned how much I love going into grocery stores in other places?? Ido, I love it. I think I get that from my father. He and I could spend hours in a grocery store.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ben's 25 Week Update
I'm tardy, yet again...I have good reason, I promise!
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ben's 24 Week Update
I figured I'd better post his 24 week update before his 25th week starts!
Here's what babycenter.com has to say about him:
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.
I also read on here (in a different spot) that at this point, my uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Ben is hanging in there, nice and low. I really am glad that I have carried him (so far) like I did Kaylynn. Sure, using my bladder as a punching bag isn't always fun, but I'd rather that than having him karate chop my ribs all day. Just a personal preference. :)
Here's what babycenter.com has to say about him:
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.
I also read on here (in a different spot) that at this point, my uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Ben is hanging in there, nice and low. I really am glad that I have carried him (so far) like I did Kaylynn. Sure, using my bladder as a punching bag isn't always fun, but I'd rather that than having him karate chop my ribs all day. Just a personal preference. :)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ben's 23 Week Update
I'm a bit behind in posting this (as if you read it...) but here's what babycenter.com has to say about Ben:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he'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 him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him 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 him when he hears them outside the womb.
Reading that last part, about the noises...that's a good thing. Because he'll be used to Kaylynn running around screaming "Kick the ball!" or "Zoe GET DOWN!" I've also decided that this fact might be why Kaylynn isn't afraid of my "mean" voice. She heard it with my students while in utero. Great. I'm going to have two kids who aren't afraid of me. :)
Other than that, there isn't anything new to update. Brian is in finals mode, so Kaylynn and I hit the road up to E. Tex for a week. Mom and I made plans a while back for me to come and go through all my junk from my growing up years. We thought it'd take us a while, but we knocked it out on the first day. That just means we get to play all week. Kaylynn has enjoyed two evenings in the pool without freaking out. I think the warmer water was just what she needed.
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he'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 him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him 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 him when he hears them outside the womb.
Reading that last part, about the noises...that's a good thing. Because he'll be used to Kaylynn running around screaming "Kick the ball!" or "Zoe GET DOWN!" I've also decided that this fact might be why Kaylynn isn't afraid of my "mean" voice. She heard it with my students while in utero. Great. I'm going to have two kids who aren't afraid of me. :)
Other than that, there isn't anything new to update. Brian is in finals mode, so Kaylynn and I hit the road up to E. Tex for a week. Mom and I made plans a while back for me to come and go through all my junk from my growing up years. We thought it'd take us a while, but we knocked it out on the first day. That just means we get to play all week. Kaylynn has enjoyed two evenings in the pool without freaking out. I think the warmer water was just what she needed.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Subtle Word Choice
Our plan worked. We wanted to see if anyone would catch our subtle word choice. If you didn't catch it, we dropped our name in the last post: Ben.
The boy's name is officially Benjamin Edward Frink. Oddly enough, all 2 (well, I guess all 3) names were picked by Brian! Our game didn't quite work as we planned, as "Sam" won 3 of the 4 draws, but Brian (and my father, who got absolutely no say in the matter) made it fairly obvious just how much they liked the name Ben. I didn't have the heart to make him stick to the game. :)
In case any are wondering, no, Edward is not after my dad. My dad is just a plain ole, Eddie. Edward comes from my PawPaw's middle name. Benjamin was just a name that we liked. And yes, we're doing that annoying thing that people hate so much, when you name a kid something, then call him by the nickname. We're not opposed to calling him Benjamin, we just like/and are going to call him Ben.
I'm glad we got this all settled. I hated calling him "The Boy." Well, I didn't hate it, I just hated not being able to refer to him as anything.
The boy's name is officially Benjamin Edward Frink. Oddly enough, all 2 (well, I guess all 3) names were picked by Brian! Our game didn't quite work as we planned, as "Sam" won 3 of the 4 draws, but Brian (and my father, who got absolutely no say in the matter) made it fairly obvious just how much they liked the name Ben. I didn't have the heart to make him stick to the game. :)
In case any are wondering, no, Edward is not after my dad. My dad is just a plain ole, Eddie. Edward comes from my PawPaw's middle name. Benjamin was just a name that we liked. And yes, we're doing that annoying thing that people hate so much, when you name a kid something, then call him by the nickname. We're not opposed to calling him Benjamin, we just like/and are going to call him Ben.
I'm glad we got this all settled. I hated calling him "The Boy." Well, I didn't hate it, I just hated not being able to refer to him as anything.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July (& 22 Weeks!)
Our Little Star Spangled Beauty!
We've been hanging out in Frankston this weekend with friends. It has been a nice, relaxing weekend, full of pool volleyball, shuffleboard, and finally today, some sun! No "wa-wa" time for Kaylynn though. She's still not a fan.
And for the 22 week update, here's what babycenter.com has to say about Ben:
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
We've been hanging out in Frankston this weekend with friends. It has been a nice, relaxing weekend, full of pool volleyball, shuffleboard, and finally today, some sun! No "wa-wa" time for Kaylynn though. She's still not a fan.
And for the 22 week update, here's what babycenter.com has to say about Ben:
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
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