Baby Baker's Arrival!!!

Baby B is finally here!! I want to record everything from start to finish here so that I can remember it forever...

it all started at the appointment mentioned in my previous post... as I mentioned, an ultrasound revealed that my fluid levels were measuring lower than the OB would have liked & I was to follow up on Thursday (Feb 16). On the morning of Wednesday, Feb 15, I was on the phone with my mom when I thought I noticed my water had broken. I called the nurse at my OB's office, described what I'd noticed, & she told me to come on it to have the OB take a look.

I called JD at work, told him what had happened & what the nurse had said & he headed back home while I took a quick shower & got my things together.

We arrived at the hospital around 12:30 that afternoon & were sent to a room. The nurse helped me get settled & told me that the on-call OB would be in shortly to check my water to see if it had broken. Unfortunately, the OB found that my water had in fact, not broken - but, another ultrasound showed that my fluid levels were down even lower than they had been on Monday... they were going to admit me & induce labor the following morning. We were going to have a baby in the next 24 - 36 hours!!

I was admitted to a L&D room & we called our parents to let them know what was going on. That evening was a blur - lots of family, doctors, & nurses were in & out, preparing me for the induction the following morning. The OB docs told me that they were planning to start the epidural & the induction around 11 the next morning.

As promised, they gave me the epidural around 10:30 the morning on Thursday, February 16, & then started the pitocin around 11:00. Before they gave me the epidural, they measured my cervix, which was already at 4cm - the OB said that I was in great shape to start laboring.

The contractions started pretty quickly after they gave me the pitocin - nothing too bad at first, but after a few hours it became evident that the epidural wasn't living up to its promise... the anesthesiologist said that it had become "one-sided" in that I had no feeling on the left side of my body & I had nearly 100% feeling on my right side. As the contractions got more intense, I felt them more & more. The anesthesiologist was able to manipulate my epidural a couple of times, but I don't think I ever got to the 100% level that I should have on my right side.

Other than the epidural mishap, labor went really well. I continued to dilate steadily & everything was going as planned. There were a couple of times when the baby's blood pressure dropped & the docs rushed in - but then it bounced back & we'd be okay again. Throughout it all, my heart rate never spiked nor did my blood pressure get high - yay!

Starting around 7:00 that evening things got really uncomfortable - the contractions felt much stronger & I was feeling a LOT of pressure. The only thing for me to do to get through each one was to push. I talked to the nurse & OB who told me that I was only dilated about 9.5cm & that they wanted me to wait a bit longer to officially start pushing so that I wouldn't get too tired or put too much stress on my heart. I was able to hold off for about an hour - when the doc checked me again at 8:30, I had dilated to 10cm! This was it - we were ready to start pushing!!

Officially, I pushed for 1 hour & 2 minutes. It didn't feel like an hour, though. My eyes were closed for most of it all. JD counted 13 medical staff in the room while I pushed - everybody from nursing students to the attending OB. UAB is a teaching hospital, so this wasn't too out of the ordinary. Just when I thought I couldn't push anymore, the doc said that the baby was coming!

The one thing we had asked the nurses was for JD to tell me if the baby was a boy or a girl - after all of the drama we'd been through the last 5 weeks, that was the one thing that we really wanted. Fortunately, the OB was happy to oblige.

My eyes were still closed - I was exhausted. I heard the OB say "okay dad, tell her what it is..." then JD, "it's a BOY!!?!" I laughed & burst into tears. We had a son!!

John Weston Baker was born at 9:44pm - coming in at 8 lbs, 1.5oz / 20.5 inches

He is absolutely perfect in every way & we are head over heels in love!!!

Week 38 Update: Getting Close to Baby's Arrival!!

Hi all - I hope that everybody is staying warm now that Winter has finally arrived! No action on the baby front here, but we sure are getting anxious to meet this little sweetie! JD & I have been trying to keep busy while we wait for Baby to come - yesterday we spent the day in the kitchen, JD making some BBQ pork & ribs while I was responsible for side items & dessert. I decided to go with some of our favorites: rich & creamy mac & cheese, broccoli slaw, & rice krispy treats. We also finally got around to hanging some things on the walls in Baby B's nursery! Here are a couple of pictures of our progress... I'm waiting until Baby B is born before I do something on the wall over the crib - I know I want to do something with Baby's name or initials, but we have to wait to find out if it's a boy or girl first :)






Today I went back to the OB doc at UAB for my 38 week check up. They did an ultrasound to check baby's size & the fluid levels. According to the ultrasound tech, Baby B is estimated to weigh 8lbs 5oz, but that could be off by a pound in either direction. The OB said that I have dilated 3cm (up from 2 a couple of weeks ago) & am still 80% effaced! Unfortunately, the ultrasound revealed that the fluid levels aren't as high as the OB had hoped, so they have asked me to come back on Thursday (Feb 16) of this week for another ultrasound to check. If the levels are still down, they will go ahead & admit me for an induction! Otherwise, we are still set for an induction on Monday (Feb 20). I have had a few contractions this afternoon / evening, but nothing consistent enough to be labor.

Here's what's going on with Baby B's development this week...
Your Pregnancy: Week 38 (www.parentsconnect.com)


Your Baby
Your baby's intestines have accumulated a considerable amount of meconium (the code name for black, tar-like baby poop), which is usually eliminated shortly after birth and gives you your first experience with the 100-wipe diaper change. Here's what else is up:

Your baby might just scratch herself in the womb as the fingernails have grown over the fingertips now. Resist painting them hot pink when she arrives.

Baby's lungs continue to mature and her brain and nerve function are working better every day. The latter two will continue to mature until Junior is a teenager, at which point she'll know it all (or at least she'll think she does).

Your baby weighs about 6½ pounds and is around 19 or 20 inches long—as long as a duffle bag (in case you needed an excuse to go shopping for a new bag for your labor gear).

37 Weeks: Full Term!!

Hi all - we are so excited to have reached a VERY important milestone this week, week 37!! Which means Baby B has *finally* reached FULL TERM!! JD & I are soooooo ready to meet this sweet little babe, so any time he or she is ready to make an appearance would be great! :) I was discharged from the hospital last Thursday afternoon - it has been so nice to be back at home, snuggling with my pups & hubby, rather than spending my days at UAB hospital. With any luck, I will stay at home until I go into labor!

Another important note this week is that the UAB OB staff scheduled an induction date (we're calling it an "eviction date", ha!) - unless I go into labor on my own, Baby B will be arriving on FEBRUARY 20!! So, a max of 12 days from now!

I went in for a weekly visit to the OB yesterday, but didn't get any new information - the last I heard, I am still 2.5cm dilated & over 80% effaced. I will see the OB docs again next Monday to see if there's been any progress. I also have a follow up appointment with the cardiology team this week from my first hospitalization. Will post any updates later in the week.

Other than that, things have been pretty good - it's getting noticeably more difficult to get around (I thank God we have a 1-story house these days!!). I have been trying to do one small project a day in order to keep my sanity - today I took the car in for an oil change & while I was out, I returned a few duplicate things to Babies R Us & bought a pack-&-play for Baby B. It was the only thing that we didn't have yet that I felt we would really need as soon as Baby B was born. In an attempt to lure baby out with fun toys / gadgets, I also started assembling bouncy chairs, swings, etc... It's never to soon to start bribing your baby, right??

So - here's what's going on with Baby B's development this week... hopefully we will have met this sweet bundle before I can post next week's blog :)

Your Pregnancy: Week 37 (www.parentsconnect.com)
Your baby is officially baked this week! That means you could literally give birth at any given moment. A terrifying, exciting and overwhelming concept, all rolled into one. Your partner is undoubtedly having the same emotional roller-coaster ride, so be sure to share your feelings and enjoy these last weeks (days?! hours?!) together.

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...



Your Baby
Huge news this week: You're carrying a full-term baby! If you were to go into labor today, all systems would be a go. Woohoo! Even though you can't wait for the little bambino to quite literally rear his head, keep in mind that your bun benefits from every day in the oven. Other ticker-tape-worthy developments:

Baby's growth slows down dramatically this week, which is great news for your birth canal. His bones are still soft and pliable and will solidify after he's born. More great news for your birth canal.

So if he's all cooked and ready to go, what the heck is he still doing in there?! He's busy practicing for "life on the outside," working on his breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing and peeing abilities. The only thing he can't practice yet is his ability to scream at the top of his lungs when he's hungry—but he'll do plenty of that in a few weeks.

At this point babies vary in size, but the average length is between 19 and 20 inches and most babies weigh approximately 6 pounds. About the size of an average largemouth bass caught in Minnesota by your cousin Earl.

36 Week Update

Hi all - getting a jump start on my weekly blog post this week. Probably because I am back in the hospital for a few days & am already getting BORED. Not a good sign. They've told me that I could be here for 5 or so days :( The only decent thing about this visit is that I knew it was coming, so I was at least able to pack my bag & bring my comfiest pajamas & favorite bathroom products.

As I mentioned in my last posting, I'm back in the hospital so that they can switch one of my current medications. The blood thinner I was previously taking isn't conducive for laboring, so they are switching it over to a different one. I was told that it could take anywhere from 2 - 5 days; however, as JD reminded me today - with the way things have been going for me the last several weeks, I should anticipate it being closer to 5+. Boo.

They currently have me hooked up to an IV for the medication change, but once I reach a certain "level", they will transition to injections. Once I can show that my levels are stable while doing the injections, I believe I will be able to go back home... until it's time for BABY! Fingers crossed that I'll be able to do this quickly so that I can get back home!

Today I hit the 36 week mark - one week closer to a full term baby B!! They OB did a quick check of my cervix when I got to the hospital this morning & I am still 2.5cm dilated. They also did a quick ultrasound to check baby's position & he / she is still in the head-down "ready to rock" position! I can't say that I can tell by looking that baby has "dropped", but it definitely feels like it when I walk or stand.

I haven't felt any more *true* contractions in a week or so, but the braxton hicks contractions have definitely been getting more frequent & more intense. Baby continues to move around at all hours of the day - in fact, I joked with JD last night that I don't think that Baby B ever sleeps because I feel him / her moving all. the. time. Baby B even woke me up early this morning with the hiccups :) The nurse mentioned that she saw a note from the OB in my chart that said that they will look to induce once I've reached 38 weeks - if I haven't already gone into labor on my own. It's crazy to think that Baby B could be here in as little as 2 weeks!! JD & I are so excited / anxious to meet our sweet baby!!!!

I'm starting to get a bit stir crazy being at home on "modified bed rest"... I never thought it would be this tough to be out of work! I know it will be a different story once Baby B is here, but for now it's starting to get to me! I mean, a girl can only do so much laundry, pack hospital bags, organize drawers in nursery, etc... Mom & baby hospital bags are packed, carseat is installed, car is loaded - I think we're as ready as we're going to be for this baby's arrival!

Here's what's going on with Baby B's development this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 36 (www.parentsconnect.com)

With a mere 28 days to go (give or take a few), you're almost at the end—and the beginning of your new life. Finish up your final prep by stocking up on diapers, washing the onesies and making sure the nursery is good to go. Then, even if baby comes early, you're still ready. Of course, every new parent feels wildly unprepared regardless of how operational the nursery is, but at least you won't be diaperless!

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

Your Body
Just when you think you can't possibly stand another day of your baby kicking your lungs and crowding your stomach, your baby will drop it like it's hot. This process, called lightening, will probably make it easier for you to breathe, but with your baby's head resting directly on your bladder, you'll be breathing all the way to the bathroom.

When your baby drops, you can rest assured that your pregnancy journey will be over within the next few weeks. Make sure to know the many signs and symptoms of labor so that you won't be caught with your pants down (both figuratively and literally).



Your Baby
Your baby continues to put on weight at about ½ pound each week. This layer of fat will help your baby regulate his body temperature after leaving your climate-controlled womb. In fact, your baby will be 15 percent fat at birth (and you ... well that's another story). Even in the womb, your baby can listen, feel, touch and see. The only thing separating him from living in the outside world is a little thing called the birth canal. Other highlights this week:

His gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth, though his actual pearly whites won't start breaking through until he's between three months and a year old.

Your baby has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening his eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby will become alert and turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would—except when you put on that Celine Dion CD. Then the baby puts his hands up, turns away and gurgles, "Oh no you didn't!"

Your baby is now around 18½ inches long and nearly 6 pounds—just about as big as a breadbox!




Thank you again for all of the sweet calls, texts, emails, thoughts & prayers over the past few weeks!! Things have definitely not gone as we had planned, but the most important thing is that Baby B stays healthy & happy. It has meant so much to JD & I knowing that we have the love & support of so many great friends & family members!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Week 35 - and back at home!

Hi all! I am happy to report that since my last blog posting I have been discharged from UAB & am back at home!!! After spending 8 long nights at two different hospitals, it never felt so good to *finally* come home. The cardiologists were happy with how I had been responding to the medications, so they felt it was okay to let me come home to "modified bed rest". I haven't gone back to work yet, but I have a follow up with the OB staff at UAB tomorrow & will find out then if I can go back to work until Baby B arrives. **Fingers crossed**

Since coming home, I've been trying to get as much rest as possible so that my heart rate doesn't spike again; but, I've also been trying to do small things around the house, like finish washing baby clothes, blankets, etc... & get the nursery organized for baby's arrival. So far, I've been able to do that without too much trouble, which means that my meds are still working :)

Today I was able to run out to pick up some items I will need when I am in the hospital when Baby B is born (pajamas, etc...) - although I was tired when I got home, it felt good to be able to do things on my own again :) After resting, I was even able to get mine & baby's hospital bags packed! Now we are just waiting for the green light from Baby B!

Baby has been doing just fine this week & I continue to feel a good bit of movement - I have had frequent braxton hicks contractions all week, but no regularity, so it looks like Baby B is going to stay put for a little while longer. I am hoping that they will measure me at my appointment tomorrow to see if I have dilated any more since last week. The morning I was discharged from the hospital, the OB team did another ultrasound to check Baby B's growth. Although the ultrasound tech admitted that it is difficult to get an accurate read at this gestational period because baby is so cramped, she estimated that baby to already be as big as 6lbs!! If that's the case, Baby B is either going to be a little monster or he / she may be coming earlier than the due date... Baby's head is definitely facing down now & is getting ready to make a move for laboring / birth!!!

Here's what's going on with Baby B's development this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 35 (www.parentsconnect.com)

Your Body
As Patrick Swayze put it, "Nobody puts baby in a corner!" Doubly true for your little tenant. Your baby has pretty much taken over your entire torso by now. Over the past few months, he's squished and mushed all of your organs out of the way. Any day now, he'll make a final move and shove your heart up and to the left to make more room for himself. (See, he's got your heart in his hands already.)

Before all this pregnancy stuff, your uterus was a small ball the size of your fist and was tucked neatly away behind your pelvis. Today your uterus is the size of a small watermelon and reaches all the way up to your ribs.

At this point in your pregnancy all the blood has gone to your belly ... literally. Nearly 1/6 of your body's total blood volume is chugging around in the vessels in your uterus. So that's why you feel so lightheaded all the time!




Your Baby
This week the final touches are being added to your mini-masterpiece and most of his development is going to packing on the pounds. While baby's movements may be becoming less jerky, he may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put himself into the head-down position for birth. Other fascinating facts:

Your little Karate Kid can't quite pack the punch he used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days. You're likely to feel more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat your baby is adding will create those cute dimples on your baby's elbows and knees. His liver has begun processing his waste products, so you know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie.

Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of his tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. He'll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once he's born (as will you).

Your baby is now about 5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of one of those price-club sheet cakes.

34 Week Update!

I know I missed a week's update, but with everything else that was going on, I just didn't get around to it...

Here's what's going on with Baby B this week:
I did have an ultrasound this morning to check on Baby B's growth. According to that, he / she is still measuring a couple of weeks ahead of schedule & could weigh as much as 6.5lbs as of now!! The ultrasound tech said that it's more difficult to get a very accurate read at this gestational stage because baby is so big & all of his / her parts are getting cramped together, so that estimate may be off. During the last week, I've also started having some REAL contractions (I've had some Braxton Hicks contractions as well, but these others were the real deal). The last time I was checked (last Thursday), I was 80% effaced & had already dilated 2.5cm! The nurses said that could have been from the recent stress on my body, & we are hoping for no more contractions for a couple more weeks (closer to week 37, when baby will be considered "full term"). Baby has definitely moved to the head-down position & is getting ready for delivery! While I've been in the hospital, I've been getting checked every 4 hours or so to make sure baby is doing alright - baby always sounds great & his / her heart rate has been in the 120s - 130s most of the time.

Your Pregnancy: Week 34 (www.parentsconnect.com)
The nursery is almost done. You've stocked up on diapers. You're ready. And you're waiting. And waiting. And hopefully, if all goes well, you'll be waiting for another six weeks. So don't drive yourself crazy, use this time to enjoy being alone, with friends and with your partner. Because soon it'll be all about baby for a couple of weeks (months, years, whatever), and you'll wish you had this downtime back.

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...




Your baby kind of looks like she's coated in a layer of cream cheese these days. The thick, white substance that protects her skin from pruning in the amniotic fluid is called vernix. When she's born you'll probably see some vernix lingering in her "hard-to-reach" places like under her arms, behind her ears and around her va-jay-jay, if she's a she.. Other news from the womb this week:

The soft fur, lanugo, that covered your baby's body for much of her stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. Your baby begins to develop her own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta. This will come in handy when some grubby relative manhandles the baby without washing his hands first.

This week, your baby measures about 17¾ inches, as almost as long as an American Girl Doll (!) and weighs almost 5 pounds, as heavy as a bag of sugar, minus the cup you put in your decaf this morning.

Catching Up...

well, a lot has happened since my last post a couple of weeks ago... without posting a super long blog, I'll try to hit on the high points to bring readers up to speed!

Last Saturday we celebrated Baby B's upcoming arrival with lots of wonderful friends & family at a baby shower!! Every detail was absolutely PERFECT & we are so very thankful for everybody who came together to make it possible! Baby B is already so loved by so many great folks!

Beginning the week of the shower, I noticed that I was experiencing some not-so-great pregnancy symptoms including: trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, hot flashes, etc... I just assumed that these were normal things to experience at 8+ months pregnant, so I wasn't too worried about it. However, after these symptoms started to increase, I started to get nervous.

Last Tuesday I went in for a weekly prenatal office visit with my OB. I was scheduled to have another NST (non-stress test) & an ultrasound to check baby's growth. While doing the NST, the office nurse noticed that I was breathing heavily / short of breath & asked how long I'd felt like that. When I told her, she immediately went to get my doctor, who was very concerned & immediately had me admitted to the labor & delivery unit at St. Vincent's hospital.

As it turns out, my heart hate was in the 180s (normal is between 60 - 100). It wasn't long before a cardiologist & a pulmonologist were evaluating me & it was determined that I needed to be admitted to the Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) for closer observation of my heart & the baby.

I was under very close observation, underwent a laundry-list of tests, was put on bed-rest & 24 hour fetal monitoring over the next several days, until it was determined that it would be in my best interest to be moved to UAB hospital, a teaching hospital where I would have access to more specialists.

I have been at UAB in the high risk OB unit since Friday afternoon. Without over simplifying, I am doing much better & Baby B is doing great! I am no longer on 24 hour fetal monitoring or any IV medications for my heart (only oral medication & blood thinners). The cardiology team here at UAB has deemed me to be pretty stable & but would like to keep me here for a few more days to make sure that my heart rate stays in a safe range (under 115) with "regular" activity. Hoping to be released to go home by the end of this week!!

My official "diagnosis" is cardiomyopathy, which converted to atrial-fibrillation - the cardiologists believe that this was brought on by one of two things: pregnancy itself (stress of pregnancy manifested itself in this way), or it may have been caused by a slight heartbeat irregularity that I've had since high school, which was aggravated by pregnancy. Both cases self-correct, so no lifetime care should be necessary. At most, I will require a little bit of follow up care after delivery, likely no more than 6 weeks.

It is highly likely that they will induce labor when I reach 37 weeks gestational (which is only a couple of weeks from now!!) since they don't want to make it harder on my heart than necessary.

This has all been a pretty stressful process, but I am happy to have caught it now before it was too late. It is so very important to listen to your body - because it will tell you when something isn't right. I wasn't alarmed by my symptoms because I assumed it was typical for this late in pregnancy, but it could have led to something much more serious / dangerous for myself & Baby B.

Throughout this experience, I am so very thankful for all of the thoughts, prayers, & support from our friends & family! We've had an out-pouring of love from the folks in our lives who have called / emailed to check in on me & help keep things as normal as possible at home. Continued prayers are much appreciated! I will continue to keep posting updates as they come in!

Week 32 - 8 Months Pregnant!!

WOW - time is continuing to fly by at a rapid pace! I can't believe that we are already in month 8 of pregnancy! On one hand, it's hard to believe that in a few short weeks Baby B will *finally* be here & we can begin the next phase of PARENTHOOD; however, on the other hand, I've felt every bit of these last several months & am oh-so-ready baby's arrival!

This week I've been under the weather - not sure if it's seasonal stuff, or if my body is just exhausted from a combo of the holidays & pregnancy. Sleep is getting more & more difficult, which makes the work day more & more difficult... I'm still feeling a lot of movement from Baby B at all times of the day. I've noticed a loss of appetite in the last week or so - probably due to the lack of space in my tummy these days :)

I go back to the doc for another appointment on Thursday for an ultrasound & a NST (non stress test) on Baby B. Can't wait to see how big Baby B has gotten since we last saw him / her!! At my last appointment, my doc measured Baby B's heart rate at 134 - it has been right on the borderline for the last several weeks, so I guess that Baby B is going to keep us guessing right up until D Day!!

We are so excited about this weekend as we have another baby shower hosted by some of our very best friends!! Can't wait to see all of our friends & celebrate Baby B's arrival!

We still have lots to do to get ready for Baby B's arrival next month - here's what's on my "to-do" list for January:
>organize nursery
>pack hospital bag for mom & baby
>install car seat

Here's what's going on with Baby B this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 32 (www.parentsconnect.com)
Your Body
There is something surreal about watching a tiny foot move across your belly (and something uncomfortable about getting jabbed by a tiny elbow in the dead of night). Now that your baby is nice and big and mobile, you'll be getting kicked and prodded in all sorts of unexpected places. Oooof! Did you feel that one in the ribs?

If you're feeling sudden, jerking movements, then your baby probably has the hiccups. Or he could be practicing his routine for So You Think You Can Dance. Changing positions, taking a walk, or drinking a cold glass of water or juice can sometimes get a very active baby to chill with the kidney shots for a while. You could also try telling the baby if he kicks you one more time you're going to come in there and give him a time-out. OK, that won't help ease the discomfort, but mentally it'll make you feel like you're still in control.

You can also take heart in the fact that in a few more weeks, your Karate Kid will be running out of room for the kind of athletic displays he's so fond of these days. In other words, he'll be too cramped in there to haul his foot back 6 or 7 inches to give you a swift kick in the ribs



Your Baby
Although your baby will still remain active, his days of trying out for Cirque du Soleil are nearly over. About this time your baby will settle into the head-down position in preparation for birth. Other fascinating facts:

Both you and baby are putting on some serious weight at this point. You'll probably gain about a pound a week for the next few weeks, with half of that poundage bulking up baby. He'll likely double his weight in the next eight weeks.

Ever wonder what your baby is doing in there these days? He's busy blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him—pretty much exactly what he'll be doing for the first three months of his life, sans the adoring audience and the flashing camera.

Your baby may (or may not) have a full head of hair now. If she's a baldy, don't worry. You can always buy a Baby Toupee or some adhesive barrettes.

By the end of this week, your baby will weigh about 4 pounds and measure over 17 inches long—about the length of a hot pair of above-the-knee boots. Christian Louboutin? Manolo Blahnik? We're thinking Isaac Mizrahi for Target—you've got a nursery to furnish!

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters. wow.

stumbled upon this today & wanted to share...

get your tissues ready :)

Week 31 & CHRISTmas

Good Morning! We hope that everyone had a GREAT Christmas & was able to spend the holiday with loved ones :) We were lucky enough to spend a few days with the Goodroes in Social Circle! Unfortunately, I got really sick on Christmas Day, which really put a damper on things :( Still not exactly sure what it was, but it's definitely not a way you want to spend the holiday. I think I also had my first run-in with Braxton-Hicks contractions while I was sick over the weekend. Nothing too bad, but enough to get my attention for sure! Regardless, we had a wonderful holiday & really had fun imagining how next Christmas will be when we have a 10 month old!! This year also marked the last time we'll travel for the holidays since we'll start our own little family Christmas traditions with baby B in 2012.

We're back home now & getting in the swing of things today. Sad to see the Christmas decorations start to come down so soon, but we've got to prepare for other events! This weekend we are expecting a couple of JD's friends to come visit for NYE! AND we can't believe how close the due date is getting for Baby Baker (seriously, only a max of 9 weeks remaining???)!!!

I went to see my doctor last week & he said that everything is still looking good - baby is continuing to G-R-O-W (still measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule)! I won't go see him this week because he is out of the office, but will go back next week & every week until we have a baby! At my appointment next week we will do another ultrasound (to check baby's position & to see that the placenta is where it ought to be) & an NST (non-stress test) on the baby. Should be a longer visit, but I am really excited about seeing how BIG baby has gotten since our last ultrasound at week 18.

Now that the holiday season is coming to an end, we are hoping to do a few last minute things around the house & finish getting the nursery organized for Baby B's arrival!

Still feeling a lot of movement with Baby B, & different kinds of movement - more punches / kicks rather than flips & spins. Also, he / she is definitely starting to form some sort of schedule - I can expect to feel movement at certain times of the day / night. Here's what else is going on with our growing baby this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 31 (www.parentsconnect.com)

Your Body
Your mind may not be anywhere near ready for your baby to arrive but your body is already making preparations. One of the ways it's getting ready is by "practicing" for labor in the form of Braxton Hicks contractions. Luckily, these are generally painless, although somewhat annoying as they can occur frequently (the middle of the night, during an important meeting, while you're trying to focus on Access Hollywood, etc).

Braxton Hicks contractions feel like a sudden tightening of your uterus. This is just a little preview of what real contractions will feel like. They usually start to become noticeable around the eighth month and can become very strong by the end of your pregnancy.

While you can't get rid of Braxton Hicks contractions, there are some things you can do to make yourself more comfortable, like gentle exercise (such as walking) or taking a warm, relaxing bath. Calgon, take me away. ...



Your Baby
From this week on, your baby will continue to gain around ½ pound a week until shortly before birth (even though it may feel like a whole lot more with every step you take). Other highlights this week:

Due to increasing space constraints, your baby's arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now, known as the fetal position (oh, so that's where that name came from!). Plus, your baby can now process information from all five senses—so she'll be all set to smell the pureed peas, taste them, feel them as she mashes them into her hair, hear you crack up and then see the flash as you grab the camera to snap picture after picture.

By now, your baby's lungs are the only system not fully mature. And by mature, we're not saying that the rest of your baby's systems are mature enough to be out past 10 PM with the neighborhood hooligan, just that her lungs need a little bit more time to bake before they can kick it in the outside world.

Your baby weighs about 3½ pounds and measures a little over 16 inches, about the same length as that miniskirt you used to wear (and will again someday!).

30 Week Update: We're in the home-stretch!

Short post this week - been busy, busy getting ready for CHRISTMAS this weekend! We finally crossed over to the last stretch of pregnancy & we are half we through week 30! I go back to the doctor tomorrow afternoon & will go every week until baby B is born. Hope to have more to report after my appointment!

Here's what's going on with our sweet growing baby this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 30 (www.parentsconnect.com)



Your Baby
Big news for baby's brain this week: It's starting to wrinkle and fold and looks like something that grew in the back of your fridge. This is due to the rapid growth of your little genius's brain cells. Other highlights this week:

Fingernails and toenails are finally finished—causing his or her parents great fear and anguish the first time they try to cut those little daggers (it gets easier, we promise)! Plus, the bone marrow is completely in charge of red-blood-cell production now. Trust us, this is a good thing.

Baby is starting to shed his lanugo—the downy hair that was covering his skin. Now that he's chubbier and better able to regulate his body temp, he doesn't need to sport a fur coat 24/7.

"I spy an umbilical cord and the inside of my mom's uterus!" When your baby is awake, his eyes are now wide open and he's whittling away the hours looking around, checking out his rather dark, limited environs.

Your baby hasn't gained much weight or height this week, as most of his energy's been channeled to the brain. He weighs about 3 pounds and is approximately 15.5 inches long, about the size of London, not the city, Britney Spears' Yorkie terrier. Of course your baby is less hairy and way cuter!

29 Week Update

Time for another update!! Here we are, getting closer & closer to Baby Baker's arrival! It's crazy to think that in 8 short weeks, our baby will be "full term" & will making his / her debut in no more than 11 weeks!! We are so very excited to meet our sweet baby & welcome him / her to the world!

This past weekend we attended the Preparing for Parenthood class given at the hospital! The nurse leading the class was also a mother of three, so she had a lot of good insight. During class, they showed a video of a live birth with an epidural & of a live birth without an epidural. I think this was my favorite part because this has been the biggest "unknown" of my pregnancy - how bad will it really be? I feel like I have a better handle on it now, though. We also learned a few basics in caring for baby - including how to properly swaddle! From talking to other moms, this is absolutely necessary for having a happy baby, so we were sure to pay close attention & take good notes! In keeping with our "parenthood" theme, Saturday night we hung out with baby Caleb for a while & JD got to practice his new skills & change his first diaper :)

Hoping to finish up holiday shopping & wrapping this week, as we have Baker family Christmas this weekend! I can't believe the holidays are almost here!!


Here's what's going on with Baby B this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 29 (www.parentsconnect.com)

What You're Thinking:
"How can one pair of tiny little socks make me so happy?"



Your Baby
Having a baby prematurely is frightening, no doubt. But here's a reason to relax: Due to the impressive advancements of medical technology, if your baby is born this week, she'd have a 9 out of 10 chance of survival, which is seriously great news. Other awesome developments:

Baby's brain can now control her breathing and body temperature. She can also cough, and her sucking abilities have been perfected. Look out, boobs!

Your Mini's skin is looking less wrinkled as she packs on the pounds. She's starting to look more like a Pampers model and less like a Depends model. She's now beefing up on the energizing and insulating white fat she'll be born with (unfortunately, white fat is not energizing and insulating for adults!).

And speaking of energy, your little Energizer Bunny is on fire these days. You're sure to feel your share of kicks, punches and elbows, especially when you're lying down. You might want to start keeping a kick chart to monitor your baby's movements, and also to later show your 13-year-old child what you endured for him or her. Ask your doctor how to count kicks and how often you should do it.

This week your baby is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop.

Week 28: The Third Trimester Begins!!

Hi all - sorry, I'm a bit behind in blogging this week! Things have been busy, busy at work & at home with the holidays approaching!! As of today, we are 28 weeks & 5 days along! Annnnd, WE ARE IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER!! It kills me how quickly time has gone by during pregnancy, yet at the same time we are so very anxious to meet this little bundle of joy!! According to my doctor, things are continuing to progress nicely with Baby Baker - still measuring about two weeks ahead of schedule, but my doctor is keeping my due date at 02/26. I'm now seeing the doctor every 2 weeks (rather than 4) & will go back this coming Thursday. Things are definitely starting to get a bit more cramped / uncomfortable for me as baby is growing, growing, growing! Getting a "good nights sleep" is becoming more difficult as I am getting up on average 4 times a night & it's hard to get back to sleep. No real swelling issues, but I have just about given up on wearing my winter boots - I think that more so than swelling, the problem is that my joints are loosening up, so my feet just aren't fitting like they did before. Feet & leg cramps are more severe, but I can't complain - I know it's all part of the body doing what it needs to do to prepare for Baby's arrival! Baby has been moving & kicking more this week & at different times of the day. Maybe he / she is celebrating hitting the 3rd trimester milestone?

Here's what's going on with Baby Baker this week as we venture in to the last phase of pregnancy...

Your Pregnancy: Week 28 (www.parentsconnect.com)

As the Big Day nears, your baby is getting ready to go towards the light at the end of the tunnel (the tunnel being the birth canal, the light being the one the doctor is shining directly into it so she can see what the heck she's doing). Other highlights this week:

Your baby's eyes are partially open now and can blink. Truly superior babies can actually wink. (OK, there is no way to prove that, but it's fun to imagine, no?) Your baby can also now become a shiny, happy person as she has begun having rapid eye movement (Get it? REM? Shiny, happy person?? We'll be here all week.)

Her eyes have color now, too. It may not be the color she ultimately ends up with, especially if they're light gray or blue. The eyes typically don't settle on a final hue until nine months after baby is born. So when your mother-in-law says that the baby has her eyes, you can politely inform her that they'll most likely change soon. Sorry.

Your babe is downright chubby compared to a few weeks ago. She is about 15 inches long, about the length of an amusement park cinnamon-sugar-coated churro (yum!), and weighs 2 to 3 pounds.



Other events at the Baker house since my last post:
*got ourselves in the Christmas spirit by decorating inside & out! MANY thanks to my better half for doing all of the hauling of boxes & adorning of lights :)
*started holiday shopping (not NEARLY as far along as I had hoped, but baby steps, right?)
*our first BABY SHOWER hosted by JD's sister!! several of our family members were able to attend & brought lots of sweet gifts for our little baby-on-the-way!! We are so THANKFUL to Aunt Katie for opening her home & to our sweet families for coming out, especially during this busy time of year!! Baby Baker is already so very Blessed!!

Tomorrow JD & I have a full day of "Preparing for Parenthood" class at St. Vincent's hospital. During the day we will cover topics such as labor & delivery, options for pain management, C-section / postpartum care, newborn care, & a tour of the birthing suites! I am most excited to see the birthing suites so that I can get a better picture of what it will be like when Baby Baker makes his / her debut!!

That's all for now - hope everybody has a great weekend :)

27 Week Update

Another week down in the countdown to Baby Baker! Last week was a little crazy with Thanksgiving - as I mentioned before, JD & I spent this Thanksgiving in Mobile with the Bakers, a first for both of us (growing up, JD usually spent Thanksgiving in Birmingham with his grandparents). It was lovely - we relaxed, watched the Macy's parade, looked through all of the "black Friday" ads, & then got to cookin'! JD & his dad fried a turkey (another first for me), while his mom & I tended to the side dishes. Our spread included cornbread dressing, butter beans, sweet potato casserole, macaroni & cheese, rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, & pecan pie! I polled the table during our meal to see what everybody's favorite was - it was a tie between the turkey & sweet potato casserole (both were super yummy!).
Friday afternoon JD hosted a few of his friends at the house to watch the LSU / Arkansas game & have an unofficial beer tasting of all of the different homebrews that JD has made since last Christmas! Saturday we headed over to the Modling house to watch the Iron Bowl game. A sad loss for Auburn, but a good game to watch! JD & the Man played Saturday night at O'Daly's! There was a great crowd at the show, either out celebrating the Alabama win, or drinking their sorrows away for the Auburn loss... either way, it was great to catch up with some of JD's hometown friends & hear the guys play! It also occurred to me today that this past weekend was the very last time that JD & I would travel to Mobile as a family of 2 (CRAZY!!)!

**For the folks in the B'ham area who may have missed the show (or who can't get enough of JD & the Man), you're in LUCK!! They are playing again this Wednesday night at Big Blue Bagel in Crestline!! Hope to see you there!**

So on to Baby Baker... I don't know if it's the pregnancy or the time change, but I have been so exhausted lately!! I get upset with myself when I'm not as productive in the evenings as I'd like to be (still haven't decorated for Christmas yet...), but then I remind myself that I am on the verge of my third trimester & it is silly to think that I should be able to do all of the things that I used to be able to do pre-pregnancy. Any other moms out there remember feeling this way during the late 20 weeks? After reading this week's update, it made me feel better about being so tired - Baby Baker has been a busy bee, & is getting bigger & bigger all the time!

Here's what's happening this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 27!! (www.parentsconnect.com)
The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter for both you and your baby. With only 13 weeks left (give or take a couple of days), it's time to enjoy the ride because it's getting shorter. (This is the point on the roller coaster where you throw your arms in the air and wail like there's no tomorrow. Weeeee!)




Your Baby
Baby's lungs and immune system are maturing this week as baby prepares for his grand entrance. If he were born today he would have an 85 percent chance of surviving as his lungs are capable of breathing air (with medical assistance, of course). Other exciting developments:

Baby's done a lot of growing over the past few months. His length has more than doubled in the past 15 weeks! And that's not the only thing growing—baby's brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace. His brain waves are now firing away just like those of a newborn baby. If baby is a he, his testes will have completely descended at this point.

Your baby now weighs in at approximately 14½ inches and just over 2 pounds, or about the size of that roast you made last time your in-laws were in town. (OK, the baby is the size of that roast you meant to cook before you decided that ordering Chinese was a much better idea.)




I go back to the doctor on Wednesday of this week for another check up. I don't think there is anything worth noting happening at this appointment, just checking to see that Baby Baker is still growing. I was told that after this appointment, I would start to go see him every 2 weeks (instead of 4) until we get closer to my due date (CRAZY!).
This week we are busy getting the house all decorated for Christmas & to welcome our families to town for a baby shower this weekend!! JD's sweet sister was nice enough to volunteer to host a shower for Baby Baker for all of our aunts, cousins, & grandmothers! Can't wait to see everybody on Saturday!!

Week 26 Update & THANKSgiving!!

Time for another weekly update on Baby Baker! Hope that everybody is ready to get their turkey on for Thanksgiving tomorrow!! I know that we sure are - We have *so much* to be thankful for in the 2011 year! We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving in Mobile with the Baker / Modling families for the first time! I even baked some of JD's holiday favorites last night to kick off the season (I'll post on that later)! Lots going on over the next few days: Thanksgiving dinner celebration, family time, Christmas decorating, IRON BOWL, & we'll end our trip with a JD & the Man show at O'Daly's Saturday night! Hope all of our Mob-town readers will be able to make it out!

As far as Baby Baker is concerned, things are starting to feel a bit more uncomfortable as baby continues to grow & grow! Baby Baker continues to move & swing around a good bit - & his / her foot even found my ribcage in the last few days :) I'm starting to feel a bit more tired in the evenings than I have been, but I can't decide if that's from pregnancy or if it's due to the time change? I have another doctor appointment next week, so we'll see if Baby Baker is continuing to grow, grow, grow! It's hard to believe that in a few short weeks (MAX of 13!!) we will have a sweet little baby!

Here's this week's update...

Your Pregnancy: Week 26 (www.parentsconnect.com)


{YIKES!! Look how big that baby looks already!!}

Deep breath! Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (technically called alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing. Other highlights this week:

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see you with. Well not you, per se, because her eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed.

Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. She can't understand what any of it means yet, but she's on track to comprehend an entire episode of Blue's Clues in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. One hint that your karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the best would be when the baby starts banging on your gut. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of her stay in Hotel Womb. Your baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as your primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months).



Hope that everybody has a safe & happy Thanksgiving weekend!!

24 Week Update

Hi All - nothing much to report this week... continue to feel Baby Baker movin' & shakin' all over the place! JD was even able to *see* baby kicking in my tummy over the weekend!!! I've been able to feel baby moving for over a month now, & it still catches me off guard. If I'm sitting still, I always look down at my tummy to try & catch a glimpse of *proof* that there is a baby in there! I also read in one of the pregnancy books that Baby can not only hear & recognize my voice, but can also hear & start to recognize JD's voice starting this week!
I have another appointment on Thursday - one that I'm not really looking forward to, the glucose test for gestational diabetes. I don't know what it is lately, but I have started to have unwarranted worry about things going badly during the rest of my pregnancy. For example, I'm worried that I may not "pass" my glucose test which may lead to complications later during delivery; I also worry that for some reason I will be put on bed rest & have to go out on maternity leave earlier than planned.

I wonder if this is a normal part of pregnancy, or am I being overly anxious?

Oh well, one thing at a time, right? Wish me luck for Thursday!

Here's what's going on with Baby Baker this week...

Your Pregnancy: Week 24 (www.parentsconnect.com)

What You're Thinking:
"OK, seriously, where are my toes?"


Your Baby
Your baby isn't just sitting around (on your bladder) doing nothing, he's working hard preparing for life outside the womb—perfecting his lungs and packing on the pounds. He'll gain ½ pound this week alone. Other highlights this week:

Things are starting to get a little crowded inside the old womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. Your ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Hate to break it to you, but it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. He's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the growling of your stomach because your partner promised he'd be right back with that double cheeseburger and he's taking forever! He'll even be able to hear your voice when your partner finally arrives and you ask him where the bleep he's been! So talk nice!

Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means his sense of balance is working and he can tell whether he's hanging upside down or right side up. He can also feel you moving, so go ahead, pop in your favorite tunes and boogie.

Your little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds.

Week 23 & Getting Ready for Baby

Hi all - another week is behind us already! Time seems to be going by much more quickly these days - and will only get worse as the holidays approach! Hope that everybody had a great Halloween! JD & I enjoyed greeting all of the neighborhood kids in costume & seeing our neighbors' *precious* baby girl (9+ months old), who was dressed as a duck!

Last weekend my sweet parents came over to help us finish up the "big stuff" in the nursery!! JD & my dad were able to assemble the crib & install the new hardware & blinds in the windows; Mom & I steamed the curtains, washed the bedding, & focused more on the "details". We are SO PLEASED with the finished product!!! Everything looks better than we even imagined!! Here are some pictures of the finished product:







Walls are still a blank canvas, & I haven't decided what I want to do just yet. Here are some ideas I've found on *pinterest*...

**over the crib, something with the initial & various "baby" items on small floating shelves**



**on the wall over the dresser / changing table - some form of assorted pictures (family? baby prints?) & I MUST find this huge safety pin!! anybody have a clue??**



**this idea is still in the works, but I like the idea of storage for books without taking up a lot of space in the room (like you would with a bookshelf)... thinking about these on the small wall immediately on the right when you walk in the nursery**


(another image of book storage - right side of the picture only)



I know that this stuff will come together in the next few weeks - it's such a HUGE relief to have all of the big stuff done in the nursery!! MANY THANKS to my terrific hubs for making sure that we got a jump start on the house projects & nursery early enough in our pregnancy so that I wouldn't stress too much, & to our families for all the help you've provided as we prepare for Baby Baker's arrival!!

This weekend we are looking forward to RELAXING & enjoying time at home! Our Supper Club group is coming over on Sunday evening for dinner - hoping that the weather cooperates because we were imagining doing a fire outside & making smores!!

Here's what's new with Baby Baker this week - no "new" pregnancy symptoms to report, but JD was able to feel & see the baby kick / move around this week! Baby continues to be very active, & I am starting to learn his / her schedule - I know to expect to feel movement at certain times in the day! Next week I am scheduled to go back to the doc & will have the dreaded glucose test. Wish me luck!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 23 (www.parentsconnect.com)



Your Baby
Your baby's got a while to go before her lungs will be ready for air and is practicing her "breathing" on the amniotic fluid—sucking it in and out of her lungs. Other highlights this week:

Fat production is in overdrive at this point (for the baby, not you! Well, OK, maybe for the baby and you). Your baby will basically double in weight over the next four weeks! You'll be happy to know the same won't apply to you.

Your Mini is starting to look more like a newborn as her skin becomes less see-through. Her body is looking more proportional now, although her head is still kinda big compared to her cute little body.

Your baby is about 11½ inches long and weighs 1 pound, or about the length and weight of a Harry Potter book.

21 Week Update & Nursery in Progress

Hello All - lots going on since our last update on Baby Baker! We attended our 20 week appointment on Friday morning with an ultrasound - doctor reports that all looks GREAT & baby is growing, growing, growing!! My official due date is still February 26, but the ultrasound tech measured baby last week with a due date of February 13 -- I guess this one is really going to surprise us on the arrival date!

Baby must have known that he / she was in the spotlight all morning because it was dancing all over the place! Not only could I feel it moving, but the ultrasound tech had a hard time keeping him /her on the screen & then the doctor had to keep moving his device to hear the heartbeat! He did get a good heart rate reading & it came in at *134* (for all of you who are playing the guessing game, the rumor is that a lower heart rate means BOY). I'm getting to where I feel baby moving just about every day now, which is such a great feeling! The best one so far was last Thursday morning (10/13/2011)- I woke up, it was overcast, I was really tired as I haven't been sleeping very well, & all I wanted to do was crawl back under the covers to get some more rest - well, as if baby could read my mind, I felt two quick *kicks* in my tummy, as of he / she were saying "Mom - you have to get up & go to work now or else you will be late!!" Well, that was all I needed to get me moving :) Still looking forward to when those kicks are more intense & hard enough for JD to feel them!

This weekend we drove over to Social Circle to visit with my parents! While there, we were able to get a lot of things checked off the list for the nursery, including window treatments, hardware, & an area rug!! I couldn't hardly wait to get home with our new purchases so that we could see how they were going to look in the nursery - I'm happy to report that everything is even more perfect than we even imagined!!! I know I haven't posted any "nursery in progress" pictures yet, but I am ready to do so now...

*the bedding - still no pictures of the assembled crib with the bedding because we haven't assembled it yet... updated pictures will be shared in early November*


*rug & window treatments - this is seriously the SOFTEST rug that I've ever seen in my life!! can't wait to get baby baker down there crawling around on it!!*


*close up of the dresser / changing table - prints were previously in the guest bathroom at my parents' house, we think they will be perfect in the nursery! The fuzzy guy on the dresser is a recent purchase - we just couldn't leave him at the store :)*


*another close up of the window treatments on one window - it AMAZES me what a difference some curtains & a rug will make in a space!!*


We also found these cute little guys from HomeGoods - just couldn't leave them there & they are PRECIOUS in the nursery!!



It's still hard for me to comprehend that we are move the half way hump in pregnancy!! Here's what's going on with baby's development as we kick off week 21...

Your Pregnancy: Week 21 (www.parentsconnect.com)

Twenty-one is a magic number. It means independence. It means you just won a hand of blackjack. In pregnancy terms, it means you have gotten over the hump and you only have 19 weeks left!



Your Baby
Chances are good you're feeling someone performing a round-off back handspring in your uterus by now. Is there any other feeling this cool? Other highlights this week:

By now your baby looks like a mini-version of what she'll look like when she's born. All her facial features are formed and hair is growing on her head. She's even acting like a baby and will occasionally suck her thumb or yawn. Aww ...

Baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. Ask for a listen at your next prenatal visit! By 21 weeks, fetal bone marrow starts making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.

The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning your little bean now serves another purpose: Your baby uses it to "practice" chowing down. Yes, it sounds gross (as many aspects of pregnancy do), but it's an important step for your baby toward being able to chow down in the real world. Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that she's absorbing small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.

Your baby now weighs between 10 and 11 ounces and is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. Float anyone?


That's all for now - looking forward to a visit from the Bakers this weekend for a JD & the Man show at ORE (Friday) & the Freshwater Land Trust Darter Dash 5k on Saturday! Wish me luck - not sure I was in my right mind when I agreed to do a 5k at a nature preserve at nearly 22 weeks pregnant...

Half Way There - 20 Week Update!!

okay, okay - I missed a week of baby updates :( Time is really getting away from me these days - & I know that will only get WORSE! This week marks a few really big milestones for our pregnancy: the half way mark & another *important* ultrasound!! JD & I go back to see my doctor on Friday. Usually, this would be the big gender reveal ultrasound; but, since we're sticking to not finding out in advance, we will just get to see baby again & check to make sure that all of his or her organs, etc are growing as expected!! It feels like it's been forever since I've seen baby Baker - & even longer since JD has seem him / her! We are both really excited to see all of the changes & how BIG he / she is getting!!

More highlights - I've been feeling baby move around pretty regularly over the past week. Since being able to identify what that *flutter* is, I notice it more & more! Some not-so-charming symptoms are increased indigestion, more intense cravings (cheesecake, anyone??), & more difficulty sleeping.

JD has final exams this week for the term - sadly he doesn't get much of a break; finals end Thursday & the next term starts Monday :( This weekend we are heading to visit the Goodroes after their return from sunny Florida!

Your Pregnancy: Week 20 (www.parentsconnect.com)

What You're Thinking
"Twenty down, 20 to go!!"



Your Baby
This is the week most women get that ever-important gender-revealing ultrasound. If your baby isn't shy, the genitals can be clearly seen at this point. Will the baby pee standing up or sitting down? Well, that depends on how you potty train—but if you're interested, you could leave the appointment knowing if you're carrying a boy or a girl. Other highlights this week:

Your baby has established sleep patterns akin to a newborn now. Many babies even have a favorite sleep position already. Some snooze with their chins resting on their chests, while others nap with their head flung back. Many babies at this age fall into noticeable cycles of sleep and activity, so you may know before she arrives whether you have a night owl or an early bird.

If your baby is a boy, the testes have begun descending from the pelvis into the scrotum. If it's a girl, her uterus is completely formed and the rest of her "parts" are in development. (Is that TMI?)

From this point forward, your baby will put most of her energy into gaining weight and, not coincidentally, so will you! Right now your baby weighs approximately 10½ ounces and is about 6½ inches long, about the size of a can of Red Bull (which has way too much caffeine for a pregnant woman to be drinking).

Weekends for the Baker Bunch & 18 Week Update

Hi All - realizing that it's getting harder for me to keep up with my weekly blog updates! A lot has been going on for the Bakers -- here's a quick recap of what we've been doing...

We finally got the house projects complete {with the help of our amazing families!!!} & the Baker abode is getting closer to being ready for the arrival of Baby Baker!!! All of JD's music & home-brewing equipment is tucked away in its new home, thanks to JD's dad's incredible carpentry skills!! {I promise to post pictures soon of the beautiful cabinets he built for us!!} We now have new hanging cabinets in our screen porch for JD's homebrew equipment & we have two GORGEOUS cabinets in the guest room for JD's music equipment!! We also installed a kitty-sized pet door so that Aja is free to travel between house & screen porch. It took some time for her to get compfortable with the new set up, but she has finally come around & seems to be a much happier kitty overall! (For those of you who know Aja, I think she's really started to come out of her shell - a few mornings this week, I've gotten up in the morning & spotted her sitting in a window sill out on the porch just watching the yard & flicking her tail!! JD & I joke that she is out there enjoying her morning coffee, watching the world go by...)

We hit a couple of bumps in the road during work week, but we *could not* be happier with how everything has turned out!! AND - with JD's stuff out of the third bedroom, we were able to start making progress on the NURSERY!!

No pictures of the nursery-in-progress yet, but here's what we've done so far:
>painted the room (walls, trim, closet, etc...)
>put in new crown molding
>purchased new blinds for both windows
>picked up dresser & crib from furniture store - dresser was already assembled
>bedding arrived & is ready to go in the crib, once assembled

It's got a long way to go before the baby comes, but it's definitely coming along!! We ended up going with a nice, neutral color for the walls (Martha Stewart's 'Alpaca Brown') with white trim - it's amazing what a difference a couple of gallons of paint can make!!

JD & I find ourselves stopping by the *nursery* most nights just to look around & think about what it will be like when Baby Baker arrives & is living in his / her new space! It seems like so far from now, but at the same time, I know it will be here before we know it!! I get so excited thinking about it!!


Last weekend we spent some MUCH NEEDED R&R time at Smith Lake with some great friends! We enjoyed the sun, games, good food, football, & baby Caleb! Here is a quick picture I snapped of the view of the lake from our room at the GORGEOUS house:


(Sadly, this is the only picture I took all weekend... must have been having too much fun??)

Other big news for the Bakers this week is that we met with our mortgage broker & are going to be able to refinance our home loan & save 3 points off our current interest rate!!! We couldn't be more excited about this - it's going to save us over $200/month, which will definitely come in handy when we have to start paying for daycare next year!

Although this week is nearly over, here's an update on our baby's progress...

Your Pregnancy: Week 18 (www.parentsconnect.com)

Now that you're in the full throes of the second trimester, you're feeling—and looking—fabulous. So don't waste it! See friends (they've missed you since you moved your bedtime up to 7:00 p.m.), plan romantic dinners with your partner (you will miss those when junior arrives) and get active. Waterskiing might be a little too much but swimming and taking long walks are great for you and your bambino.

Your Body
At about 18 weeks, you might begin to feel a suspicious flutter in your belly. The professionals call it "quickening," we call it "baby's makin' waves!" Within the next few weeks, those tiny bubbly feelings will become more obvious. And soon enough they'll be unmistakably identifiable—especially when you (and anyone within 10 feet of you) can see tiny feet, elbows and knees moving across your belly.

>>>SIDE NOTE: I felt this for the first time on Sept 20!!!




Your Baby
Your baby's ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so she can actually hear you talking now. You don't need to abandon your potty mouth just yet, but you might want to start thinking about it! Other highlights this week:

This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that sounds like some long and involved paperwork you'll have to fill out, it's really a fancy medical term for the hardening of your baby's miniature bones. And that's a good thing.

Your baby's nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now coating your baby's nerves.

Your baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. (You're familiar with pickles, right? Your regular accompaniment to a big bowl of ice cream?)