Happy Gratitude Tuesday! You didn't think I'd totally spaced out on it, did you? Today is the last letter, so the things I love about Z:
Zippers
Zeros
Zeniths
Zaxby's (very good chicken)
Zanadu
Zebrawood
Zest
Zucchini
Zoos
Happy Z Day!
Now for my baby email:
Week 29 of Pregnancy: Baby Fat
Your baby is almost 17 inches tall now, nearly as tall as he or she will be at birth. But that three-pound weight will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling — by delivery time.At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost 17 inches tall now (nearly as tall as he or she will be at birth), and close to three pounds (a weight that will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling — by delivery time). His or her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface. This fat, called white fat, is different from the earlier brown fat that your developing fetus accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation while white fat (the fat you have, Mom) actually serves as an energy source. Which explains why your energizer baby feels so…well…energized! Space in your baby's living quarters is now at a premium, so you'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. But those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because your baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light, and that candy bar you ate half an hour ago.
Luckily, your baby doesn't have teeth yet that would need a brushing after that sugary treat, but it won't be long before you'll need to buy that first baby toothbrush! You'll recall that your baby's baby-teeth buds formed weeks ago, but now the buds for permanent teeth are forming in his or her gums as well. And back to those kicks, who's counting? Actually, you should be. Now's a good time to start doing a kick count twice a day to make sure baby's doing just fine (plus, it's a good excuse for a rest). Lie down (preferably after a snack) and keep track of your baby's movements. You're looking for at least ten movements in an hour's time (don't forget to count movements of any kind — kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, and so on).
We've had some blessings this week. We found out that since Nick turned 30 our car insurance has gone down by $65 a month. My in-laws have also taken it upon themselves to help us out with a few things. My mother-in-law took Morgan shopping today and got her some stuff for school, and they've found a couple of pieces of furniture for the baby's room and are fixing them up for us. We've also had some baby clothes given to us, with more on the way. God is providing, each and every day. Hope you guys have a great week!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
This week's update
Okay, so I'm doing really badly with Gratitude Tuesday. But I usually put up my Gratitude Tuesday post with my baby email for the week, and my email didn't show up until yesterday for some reason. Yesterday I went to bed not long after I got home, because today I had to go take...the dreaded 3 hour glucose test. Yuck! So this is the first chance I've had to get back on here. Actually I tried doing a mobile post from the doctor's office, but my phone was almost dead. This may very well have been because I spent the first hour at the doctor's office playing the mobile version of mine and Nick's new obsession, Bejeweled Blitz. I have Grace to thank for this, because she plays it all the time, and that got me curious about it. From there it took me about 3 and 1/2 minutes to become completely sucked into it, and now Nick and I both have it on our phones.
I'll find out Monday what my results on the glucose test are. Our appraisal came back on the house. It wasn't quite what we had hoped for, but it was almost enough to pay off the bill that worries us the most, so we can't complain too much.
Nick has given me sort of an ultimatum on the current laundry pile. I have to have it all finished by Tuesday morning, or...well, he didn't say, but I'm going to assume he meant something stern and shiver-inducing. Anyway, this week's baby email:
Your Baby in Week 28 of Pregnancy
Your baby is settling into the proper position for birth, with his head facing downward (toward your body's nearest exit!). Your little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. He's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Your baby's sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means he could be dreaming already (what do you suppose he's dreaming about?). Though his lungs are nearly fully mature (so both of you might breathe a little easier if he were born now), your baby still has plenty of growing to do.
I'll find out Monday what my results on the glucose test are. Our appraisal came back on the house. It wasn't quite what we had hoped for, but it was almost enough to pay off the bill that worries us the most, so we can't complain too much.
Nick has given me sort of an ultimatum on the current laundry pile. I have to have it all finished by Tuesday morning, or...well, he didn't say, but I'm going to assume he meant something stern and shiver-inducing. Anyway, this week's baby email:
Your Baby in Week 28 of Pregnancy
Your baby is settling into the proper position for birth, with his head facing downward (toward your body's nearest exit!). Your little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. He's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Your baby's sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means he could be dreaming already (what do you suppose he's dreaming about?). Though his lungs are nearly fully mature (so both of you might breathe a little easier if he were born now), your baby still has plenty of growing to do.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Whew!
Okay, the appraisal guy has come and gone. He was super nice, seemed to like the house, had favorable things to say about the various features. We should find out on Monday how it went. In other news, we're now having to deal with a flood insurance snafu. First of all, our house is not in a flood zone. The back of our property is, but the structure itself is not, and we're not required to have flood insurance. In fact, when we bought the house 8 years ago our realtor was literally in the back yard with her son and a tape measure getting proof of it on the morning of closing. A few years ago our first mortgage holder sent us a letter stating that we needed the coverage, and after many hours on the phone, we got it all straightened out and they listed the house properly. Now that we're trying to modify our HELOC, our second mortgage holder (incidentally also my employer) is saying that we need flood insurance. Urrrgggg! So now I have to get it straightened out with them as well. But I know that God will work it all out.
So anyway, how are you guys doing? It seems like between work and housework and pregnancy I've hardly had time to look at the computer.
I went to the doctor on Thursday and had my glucose test. Results for that should be back on Monday as well, and I'll find out whether things were good or I have to take the dreaded 3 hour glucose test. For those of you who have never been pregnant, this is a test where you fast for 12 hours, then they give you this awful, gag-inducing drink to chug. After an hour they test your blood sugar, then again an hour later, then once more an hour after that. I had to do this with Morgan, and it was AWFUL!. In fact, I threw up before the test was over and had to come back and do it all again. Yuck! So I'm hoping and praying I don't have to go that route this time.
Everything looks good so far. I've gained a total of 11 pounds, which is good. I also start going for visits every two weeks now. I can't believe I've only got 92 days till my due date! My parents came over last night and helped us do some stuff on the house to get ready for the appraisal, and the baby's room is all ready to paint now. This was the baby email I got this week:
Fetal Development This Week
Week 27 of Pregnancy: Baby's Sense of Taste and Sound
Beginning at this stage of fetal development, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago. Most babies this age, yours included, still like to snuggle in a slightly curled position inside the uterus (thus the term "fetal position"). Even so, beginning at this stage, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago. Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he or she may recognize both yours and your partner's voices. So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun at 27 weeks pregnant: If your partner presses his ear to your belly, he might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat.
Your baby's taste buds are very developed now too (with more taste buds than he or she will ever have outside the womb, actually). Need a taste test? If you eat some spicy food (you hot mama, you), your baby will be able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid (but keep in mind that you'll have different mealtimes, with your baby's coming about two hours after yours). Some babies will even respond to that spicy kick by hiccupping. And although hiccups (which feel like belly spasms to you) may seem like they're disturbing to your baby, he or she isn't stressed at all. It's just one more sensation that babies need to get used to.
I felt hiccups with Morgan, although not yet with this one, but I'm eating General Tso's chicken right now, so maybe in a couple of hours!
So anyway, how are you guys doing? It seems like between work and housework and pregnancy I've hardly had time to look at the computer.
I went to the doctor on Thursday and had my glucose test. Results for that should be back on Monday as well, and I'll find out whether things were good or I have to take the dreaded 3 hour glucose test. For those of you who have never been pregnant, this is a test where you fast for 12 hours, then they give you this awful, gag-inducing drink to chug. After an hour they test your blood sugar, then again an hour later, then once more an hour after that. I had to do this with Morgan, and it was AWFUL!. In fact, I threw up before the test was over and had to come back and do it all again. Yuck! So I'm hoping and praying I don't have to go that route this time.
Everything looks good so far. I've gained a total of 11 pounds, which is good. I also start going for visits every two weeks now. I can't believe I've only got 92 days till my due date! My parents came over last night and helped us do some stuff on the house to get ready for the appraisal, and the baby's room is all ready to paint now. This was the baby email I got this week:
Fetal Development This Week
Week 27 of Pregnancy: Baby's Sense of Taste and Sound
Beginning at this stage of fetal development, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago. Most babies this age, yours included, still like to snuggle in a slightly curled position inside the uterus (thus the term "fetal position"). Even so, beginning at this stage, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago. Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he or she may recognize both yours and your partner's voices. So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun at 27 weeks pregnant: If your partner presses his ear to your belly, he might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat.
Your baby's taste buds are very developed now too (with more taste buds than he or she will ever have outside the womb, actually). Need a taste test? If you eat some spicy food (you hot mama, you), your baby will be able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid (but keep in mind that you'll have different mealtimes, with your baby's coming about two hours after yours). Some babies will even respond to that spicy kick by hiccupping. And although hiccups (which feel like belly spasms to you) may seem like they're disturbing to your baby, he or she isn't stressed at all. It's just one more sensation that babies need to get used to.
I felt hiccups with Morgan, although not yet with this one, but I'm eating General Tso's chicken right now, so maybe in a couple of hours!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I didn't forget!
Hey guys, I didn't forget Gratitude Tuesday, I promise! Yesterday was crazy! We're trying to modify our home equity loan to get rid of some higher interest rate stuff, and the appraisal guy called me yesterday in the middle of me fixing dinner and informed us that he would be coming by today to take pictures of the outside of the house. Okay, no big deal, except that was the first we'd heard of it and the back yard looked like a jungle. Our property backs up onto a creek, and it's quite possibly the most fertile land on earth. It seriously gets out of control in 3 or 4 days, and Nick had not had a chance to get to it in over a week. Plus our riding mower is out of commission right now, so all he had was our push mower. But, ever the good husband, he went right out and got started while I finished dinner and did some work in the front yard. I called his dad, and he came over with this rider, and they finally got it all done after a couple of hours. So our hopes for a relaxing evening kind of went out the window. Tonight we've got to do some interior stuff, because the appraisal guy's coming back for the inside view on Saturday. Say a prayer that it goes well!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Rated PG-13
Sigh...I'm not sure how I feel about this. Once upon a time this blog was rated R. Now, it seems, I'm a solid PG-13. I guess there's more baby than anything else on here these days.
Thanks to Hermione, Todd&Suzy, and Mitch.
Thanks to Hermione, Todd&Suzy, and Mitch.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
An update and a new website
You guys are all so sweet, asking about me. I know I've been brief on the blog lately, and I appreciate your interest. I'm doing well with the pregnancy. I've only gained about 9 pounds so far, and considering I had lost 10 since the beginning of the year before I found out I was pregnant, I'm doing pretty good! Not to worry, I'm not gaining too little. I have my doctor keeping an eye on it. I gained way too much with Morgan, and I don't want to do that again. Besides, I certainly wasn't underweight to start with, so I've had some wiggle room so far. I feel the baby kicking every day, and I'm loving it. Nick actually got to feel her move a couple of weeks ago, and Morgan felt her a few days after that. Next Thursday I go for my glucose test, so I'm praying everything goes smoothly with that.
In related news, Nick and I are struggling a bit with what we will do as far as my job goes once the baby gets here. What we both really want is for me to be able to quit and stay home. A stay at home mom is actually what I wanted to be from the time I was little. Unfortunately our finances don't seem inclined to let that happen. We're both praying really hard about it, and we would really appreciate your prayers as well. If God provides the means to pay off some bills before then, then we can do it. Along those lines, I just started a new, very vanilla website and enabled Google AdSense on it. This website is a place where people can contribute stories about the funny/cute/profound things their kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews have said. I would really appreciate it if you would all check it out and pass the link along to all your friends, and I would be thrilled if any of you would like to contribute. All posts are anonymous unless you would like your first name published, and this will be a work friendly site, so you can share the link with anyone you like. I hope to eventually have enough readers to generate some income from the ads, and maybe even have non-Google affiliated companies place banners. Here's the link!
Mother of Invention
In related news, Nick and I are struggling a bit with what we will do as far as my job goes once the baby gets here. What we both really want is for me to be able to quit and stay home. A stay at home mom is actually what I wanted to be from the time I was little. Unfortunately our finances don't seem inclined to let that happen. We're both praying really hard about it, and we would really appreciate your prayers as well. If God provides the means to pay off some bills before then, then we can do it. Along those lines, I just started a new, very vanilla website and enabled Google AdSense on it. This website is a place where people can contribute stories about the funny/cute/profound things their kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews have said. I would really appreciate it if you would all check it out and pass the link along to all your friends, and I would be thrilled if any of you would like to contribute. All posts are anonymous unless you would like your first name published, and this will be a work friendly site, so you can share the link with anyone you like. I hope to eventually have enough readers to generate some income from the ads, and maybe even have non-Google affiliated companies place banners. Here's the link!
Mother of Invention
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Gratitude Tuesday
Happy Gratitude Tuesday! Today I'm grateful for:
Water - I've always loved the water, whether it was a puddle or a creek or a lake or the ocean.
Waffle House - Waffle House was a big part of our lives when we were dating. In fact, Nick proposed to me there.
Winter - Okay, it's not my favorite season, but it has Christmas in it!
Willow Tree - I collect Willow Tree figurines. I love how simple and beautiful they are.
Waterfalls - always magical to me.
This week's baby email:
Fetal Development This Week
Week 26 of Pregnancy: Baby's Eyes Open
Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months — are now beginning to open. Your baby's brain-wave activity is also kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them.
Look who's looking. Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). But do try this at home for kicks (baby's that is): Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your baby might kick in response (as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!"). The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.
Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.
And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.
Water - I've always loved the water, whether it was a puddle or a creek or a lake or the ocean.
Waffle House - Waffle House was a big part of our lives when we were dating. In fact, Nick proposed to me there.
Winter - Okay, it's not my favorite season, but it has Christmas in it!
Willow Tree - I collect Willow Tree figurines. I love how simple and beautiful they are.
Waterfalls - always magical to me.
This week's baby email:
Fetal Development This Week
Week 26 of Pregnancy: Baby's Eyes Open
Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months — are now beginning to open. Your baby's brain-wave activity is also kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them.
Look who's looking. Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). But do try this at home for kicks (baby's that is): Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your baby might kick in response (as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!"). The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.
Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.
And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
Happy Independence Day, everyone! Today Nick, Morgan, and I are spending time with family. We had a great dinner, and later on we'll shoot off some fireworks. I hope you all enjoy your holiday!
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