At Lindsay & Doug's Wedding 

(March 2012)

Our First Christmas as Mr. & Mrs Stone

(w/ Baby Stone already growing)

WEEK 25- April 4th, 2012

Baby Stone was popular this week...pictures taken, audio recorded, and video taped.  Mommy and daddy made a trip to the High Risk perinatal center at St. Anthony's Hospital on Monday, April 2nd, to get a better view of our little eggplant. The ultrasound started at 8:15 in the morning in the BMW of ultra sound rooms and quite a comfortable chair. That time of the morning happens to be baby's active time of day. In order to assure baby would be awake, mommy followed the advice of her friend, Kristen, and had peanut butter and honey on an English muffin for breakfast.  Our ultrasound tech, Marylou, said that this might have worked because she had baby's undivided attention and the appropriate amount of movement... at least for a little while. Marylou was able to get all of the necessary measurements putting Baby Stone in the 63rd percentile weighing 1 lb 14 ounces (with a normal sized head, thank you very much!).  Baby started to get a little rambunctious when Marylou tried to get pictures of baby's face so we could see fully formed lips, palate, and nose (for the speech language pathologist in mommy). Every time Marylou tried to get a shot, baby turned the other direction or kicked the ultrasound wand.  Marylou had to call in back up and that is when we met Dr. Webb. Dr. Webb was able to get the right glimpses of our baby's face to report everything is fully formed. While the doctor did his work, daddy and mommy got to see all four chambers of the heart, fully formed major arteries pumping blood, got a great look at all of the major sections of baby's brain (we think we have an Einstein on our hands), and even witnessed a really good kick on screen. Baby is also already head down. Fingers crossed he/she stays there so no worry about breach. Our sweet little baby got a stellar report from Dr. Webb.  The relief was overwhelming! Daddy pointed out to Dr. Webb that baby's legs were crossed at the last ultrasound so we wouldn't have been able to find out gender then.  Dr. Webb said that he knew the sex of our baby within a few minutes of exploring.  Mommy and daddy did not budge and we still look forward to finding out our surprise in July.

Later that day, mommy and grandma Char went to the monthly doctor's visit with Dr. Gosser.  Baby Stone is measuring out just on target at week 25 and we got to hear the heart beat again... So AMAZING! Dr. Gosser is a wonderful Christian man and spent a lot of time calming mommy's fears with the recent loss of baby Jordyn. The report from the high risk clinic was faxed over while mommy and grandma were with Dr. Gosser and he restated the glowing report.  NO NEED for further appointments with the at-risk doctors! Praise the Lord!

Baby Stone has been an active little booger all week and mommy wonders if there has been any sleep at all. It seems that baby is rocking and rolling all of the time and really likes music.  There is extra activity during music worship at church and while Pastor Matt is preaching.  We hope that means baby will be on good behavior when we go to church as a family.

Mommy's feet have started to swell quite a bit in the last week and hoping it will be under control with a few suggestions from mommy's friends.  The unseasonably warm weather is not helping the situation, but the feet go up whenever mommy is stationary.  Aunt Melissa sent daddy on a mission to get the Cadillac of all pregnancy pillows so mommy has been sleeping like a rock since last Friday night. THANK YOU Aunt Melissa for spoiling mommy!

We appreciate all of the love an support we have gotten from all of you!

Big hugs,

Justin & Erin

Week 25 of Pregnancy: Baby's Lung Development

Your baby is about nine inches long and more than a pound and a half in weight this week. And don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker as small blood vessels form under the skin and fill with blood. Lungs and nostrils are also growing at this stage of fetal development.

At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, your baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little boxes (an analogy you'll find particularly apropos in a few years, when those juice boxes start taking over your refrigerator, your pantry, your car.…).

Don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker. No, not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping your baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity — and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But at 25 weeks pregnant, those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.

The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, your baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?)

WEEK 24- March 28th, 2012

We apologize for the delay in this update. Week 24 was a rough one.

Our little grapefruit is about 8 1/2 inches from head to rump this week and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds. The next couple of weeks will be big weight gains and length increases for our wee one. Daddy has had more opportunities to feel some movement, but it still seems to be a bit to faint for him to truly know what he is feeling.  Baby Stone has definitely taken preference to one side of mommy with most thumps being delivered to the left side of the belly button.  Baby has grown enough for mommy to fill into the maternity tops quite nicely and there is NO question a baby is growing.  With the increasing ability to hear, baby jumps whenever mommy checks her blood pressure at home. The humming of the machine must be startling.  This week, the baby's face is fully formed and the color of the hair is determined.  Will be have a red-headed mini-mommy to carry on the unique gene?  Hmmmm... guess we will find out in July.

So, luckily, Baby Stone has been proving to mommy that all is well inside.  Mommy and daddy have had quite an emotional week with the death of their friend's newborn baby, Jordyn.  Mommy has been waiting for every little kick and flutter and appreciates all of the opportunities to experience the life inside while agonizing Kelly and Dennis's loss. Mommy and Daddy attended baby Jordyn's memorial service and paid respect to the beautiful little girl we were so anxious to meet. This experience, although, creates some anxiety, has made us look forward to meeting a baby even more. God is with us on this journey for sure! 

Thank you to all of the love and support we have received from our family and friends.

Big hugs,

Justin and Erin

Week 24 of Pregnancy

Your baby's facial features are really filling out…and your belly button may be really popping out!

 Your baby is about eight and a half inches long and weighs one and a half pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week. Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is your baby a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there's no pigment yet

WEEK 23- March 23rd, 2012

What a week, week 23 has been. Our little pomegranate has become an active little one. The bigger Baby Stone gets, the easier it is for mommy to pick up on the sleeping pattern. It looks like we will not be getting much sleep in the middle of the night (Melissa and I can get some good telephone time in, right?). Unfortunately, baby is not all that active when mommy and daddy are in the same area. Although, since mommy has been experiencing some pretty severe edema of the ankles (boy, can the feet swell), we were laying on the couch with the feet up one night this week and baby was dancing around. Mommy called daddy over to feel the movement and baby stopped as soon as he touched mommy's tummy. Daddy walked away and baby started kicking again. Daddy came over to try to feel the movement and baby stopped... and so the pattern continued. Aunt LouAnne's theory is that baby is so calmed by daddy that baby will sleep whenever daddy is on watch. That'll be mommy's luck, right?

On April 2nd, we will be going to an at-risk perinatal clinic for a follow-up ultrasound. During the big ultrasound on March 7th, we were not able to see everything we needed to due to baby's positioning and lower tech equipment. We can't wait to make sure baby's heart is fully functioning, lips, palate, and nose are completely formed (for the speech pathologist in mommy), and that all the parts are as they should be. We'll have some better pictures to share after that appointment.

Mommy and daddy went to visit friends in the hospital this week who gave birth to their 1st baby girl last Wednesday. Baby Jordyn was born without a heartbeat and fought back. She went 18 minutes without a heartbeat and continues to fight everyday for her little life. The experience of being with that beautiful little baby girl, really brought home the blessing it is to have Baby Stone dancing and swinging in mommy's tummy and it also stirs up a strong amount of love for this little person we have not even met yet. We can't wait to meet our little sweet pea and pray for a healthy and calm delivery!

Big Hugs,

Justin and Erin

WEEK 22- March 16th , 2012

Our little Papaya is still about 10.5 inches long and probably close to 1 pound...WOW!  With the increase in size and weight, it was inevitable that the kicking would be more apparent. This week, mommy has been able to feel baby kick from the outside.  Unfortunately, as soon as daddy puts his hand on mommy's tummy baby stops moving. Surely daddy will get to feel a kick soon.

Week 22 has been very busy.  Mommy and daddy flew to Wyoming to visit family on Sunday and to celebrate cousin Maycee's 3rd birthday. We also got to meet new cousin, Addy, who was born 2 days before mommy and daddy got married.  Baby Stone greeted baby Addy by sending her a few kicks when mommy was holding her.  During our visit mommy and daddy were able to tell Nana Dupy that she was going to get another great grand baby and she was very excited.  We had a wonderful visit with family and friends and a trip to Riverton, Wyoming to see where daddy grew up.  It was so enjoyable and very sad to leave.

Travel was a little rough on mommy with the cramped flight quarters, tight connecting flight time, erratic sleep, and elevation change, but with a little rest, the blood pressure was kept under control. Mommy and daddy had to take a run for it to catch the connecting flight in Denver on the way home. Baby didn't seem to be affected, other than a little more sleep when we got home, because the kicking kept getting stronger.

Back to reality and work and maybe some more time for daddy to spend trying to get a glimpse of Baby Stone's movement.

Big hug from Justin and Erin

WEEK 21- March 10th , 2012

Hello family!

This e-mail is a bit late this week due to lots of unexpected events keeping us extra busy and away from the computer.  

So mommy made an error last week.  Baby was the size of a cantaloupe last week measuring at about 8 inches and 10.5 ounces then went into a growing spurt for week 21 reaching 10.5 inches (length of a banana) and 12.5 ounces.  We had the BIG ultrasound on Wednesday and baby is projected to weigh 14.5 ounces and is measure at the 55th percentile, which is right on the mark.  It is a very good thing we had decided to keep the gender of Baby Stone a surprise because there was no way we would have found out. Baby did not want to reveal anything to us that day.  We saw baby's hand waving to us and baby's feet moving around during the whole procedure, then we zoomed into the amazing little heart and saw it pumping. WOW!  What a sight!

On Friday, we had a follow-up visit with our doctor and he was very happy with what he was able to see. Mommy has an anterior placenta (thick side out); however, which made it difficult to get a good clear picture of many baby parts, so we will have another ultrasound in about 3 weeks at the perinatal department at the hospital.  The Perinatal department has higher tech machines that will be able to zoom into the major organs (heart, stomach, etc) as well as body parts (lips, cleft, nose, etc) to make sure every little bit is working like it should.  

This week, Mommy and Daddy were surrounded by the Taylor family while celebrating Uncle Warren's life at his wake and funeral. Uncle Warren would be so proud of Baby Stone's development.  All of Mommy's Aunts, Uncles, and cousins were amazed at how much mommy's tummy has grown since the wedding in October.  Everyone wanted to see pictures and wish baby well by patting mommy's belly.  The guessing of baby's gender was in full swing. It will be very exciting to find out who is right. 

During week 21 baby's taste buds really develop so mommy hopes baby gets a craving for corned beef later in life after eating the best Rueben Sandwich at McGurk's Irish Pub in celebration to a good report from Dr.  Gosser. Baby sure did move a lot while eating and listening to Irish music. 

Mommy is on Spring break for week 22 so Mommy and Daddy will be traveling to Wyoming to see Grandma Roena, Grandpa Marlowe, Aunt Melissa, Uncle Cortney, cousins Maycee and Addy, Aunt Jana, Uncle Dan, Grandpa Mike, Couer, and Daddy's Nana, plus visit some of others special to daddy. We are so excited and lucky to be with everyone in one place before Aunt Jana and Uncle Dan leave for the Peace Corps.

Baby Stone ultrasound from 3/7/12 is attached below.

Big hug from the Stones!

WEEK 20- February 28th, 2012

WOW! Our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. Baby is also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. That explains the size of mommy's belly. Baby Stone also has some active legs and arms because there has been a lot of movement this week and a few swats that has made mommy jump out of surprise. Our banana definitely likes music as the activity increased during worship time at church this week. There is also a strong "baby like daddy" similarity in the choice of food because some very clear thumps were given during lunch at Cheese-ology Macaroni and Cheese Restaurant this past Sunday.

We had a pretty busy weekend and baby cooperated, for the most part, so mommy could participate without feeling too sick or tired. This weekend will be another busy one with a short trip down south for a good friend's wedding in which mommy and daddy will be taking part.

We are looking forward to the big ultra sound next Wednesday so we can see the little one (it's been since January 11th since we got our last glimpse). Of course, we will not be finding out the gender, but we are interested in a thorough look to make sure baby Stone is growing and is healthy.

Mommy and daddy have been talking about boy and girl names, with nothing decided on yet. It has been fun talking about this part because we have very similar interests in what we are looking for. This will be, yet, another surprise for everyone. So, Baby Stone it will be until our little one is delivered in July 2012.

Big hug to all of you!

Justin and Erin

WEEK 19- February 22, 2012

WOW! What a week!  Our little Mango has been moving like crazy.  There is no question in mommy's mind what is going on in there! Even though it is the slightest of feelings, daddy keeps asking, "Can I feel it now?". Sorry, daddy, it is going to take a while longer till that happens.

Grandma and Grandpa Taylor came along to the week 18 doctor appointment in hopes of a little glimpse of baby Stone, but got to hear the heartbeat for the first time instead. What an amazing sound!!!  Dr. Gosser said it was a strong healthy heartbeat...WOOHOO!

Baby Stone is becoming a world traveler already and will be heading to Wyoming in March for Spring Break and Baltimore, MD in April for a committee meeting. Mommy is wondering what these flights will be like this time around since the flight from Germany was full of nausea and discomfort.  We're hoping that the 2nd trimester brings uneventful flight experiences.

Love to all,

Justin & Erin

WEEK 18- February 15th , 2012

Nausea and headaches comes and goes for mommy where we'll have one REALLY good day, and it is taken full advantage of, then the pay back is 2 or 3 days of feeling ill and tired. We're looking for an increase in those good days. Daddy has put a real dent in getting baby's room cleared out for painting the nursery. We could have one heck of a garage sale with all of the stuff we've accumulated in our single days.

Daddy was out of town over night for a trip to Chicago for work on Sunday and mommy didn't sleep very well without him around (even though what daddy refers to the 3rd person in bed... the body pillow... doesn't leave much room for all of us comfortably)! Mommy started to feel some clear movements this week. Baby seems to be most active in the morning, but with all the treats the students brought mommy, baby was jumping around a lot on Valentine's day afternoon. We think this baby is going to LOVE their sweets!

We have another doctor's appointment on Friday. Grandma and Grandpa Taylor are coming along and, surely, they're in hopes of getting a glimpse of baby Stone. Maybe

mommy should consume some of her student's sweets to get baby on the move for a possible ultrasound. Mommy sure is looking forward to seeing the sweet potato again!

Week 17- February 7th , 2012

Baby Stone has been busy so far this week! Baby attended their first ball this weekend and with the new ability to hear, it might have been a little alarming with all the voices and music. Baby's growing spurt made a little tough for mommy to find something to wear and made it even more apparent there is baby in there. Before long, mommy will not be able to wear any of her dressy clothes (even if they stretch). Baby's growing spurt has also resulted in a ramped up appetite. Mommy can almost eat more than daddy these days... ALMOST.

Baby is now the size of a beanie baby. Mommy has an Irish Beanie baby (see attachment) at work that she looks at inamazement all day wondering how all of that growing happened so quickly. Mommy and daddy can't believe we could hold baby in the palm of our hands already! At 5 inches long from head to rump, a few little flutters can be felt throughout the day which is quite amazing! Daddy sure can't wait to be able to feel some of the movements too.

WEEK 16- January 31st, 2012

Luckily, over the past few weeks, the extreme nausea has passed so involvement outside of the house has increased a bit for mama, THANK GOODNESS! Daddy has been keeping quite active with church and work but has definitely been making time to pick up extra duties at home as he has limited mommy's lifting and bending.

Our next doctor's appointment is Feb. 17th just to make sure everything is going well and we're on track. The BIG one is on March 7th (Grandma Roena's birthday) where we could possibly find out baby's gender. At this point, we don't know if we will, but thinking we will just be surprised when little one makes an appearance.

We are in the process of thinning out the house to empty the extra room for baby. A friend, Niki, has offered up quite a few baby items so we need to make room for the crib, dresser, and a few other generous items. Grandma Char and Kathy are prepared to help toss a few things out that we are finding hard to rid ourselves of at this point and they have also offered to paint the nursery. We can't wait to see how it all turns out! Grandpa Stephen has arranged for a friend to come into the house and do some repairs including adding a 1/2 bathroom upstairs for the extra bodies. Baby doesn't know how luckily they are to not have to deal with a 1 potty house.

Things are underway and working out on this end...slowly but surely!

Lots of love!

Erin and Justin

Week 15- January 23rd, 2012

WOW! Baby is busy this week! I can't believe how big little Stone is getting!

FYI to the grandparents... The BIG ultrasound is on March 7th then we have follow-up consultation with Dr. Gosser on March 9th. At this point neither one of us has a strong feeling about whether we are going to find out baby's gender. We will have out mind made up closer to the ultrasound date.

Continued Patience and Support....

Thank you for your continued patience, prayer and support!

Erin & I want to post our weekly email updates here on the blog. Right now we hope to start back at Week 13 and work our way forward so that you can track our baby's progression with us!

We love all of you and thank you for your support and prayers during this time.

God Will Provide,

Justin & Erin

Week 14- January 17th, 2012

This is what is going on in our baby's world this week. AMAZING! Fetal Movement

If you could peek inside yourself now, you'd see a baby the size of your clenched fist (and come to think of it, at 14 weeks of fetal development, your little one can clench his or her own fist!). As fetal development continues, your baby also has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb (how cute is that?).

14 Weeks Pregnant, Your Baby is a Mover (But Not a Shaker Yet)

Growing by leaps and bounds, by week 14 of pregnancy, your baby is leaping and bounding. He or she is on the move almost constantly — and those movements are a far cry from those jerky twitches of last trimester (though you won't feel any of them for weeks to come). They are now ballet-like, smooth and fluid.

Your Baby at 14 Weeks: Developing Perfect Posture (or Better Posture, at Least)

Speaking of ballet, it'll be years before you'll start nagging your offspring to stand up straight — but unbelievably, he or she is doing it right now, without any prodding! No slouch anymore, your baby's neck is getting longer, helping his or her head stand more erect. This gives your 14-week-old fetus a more straightened-out appearance.

Your Little Bigfoot — A Hairy Baby at 14 Weeks

Growth is happening on top of the head as well — by 14 weeks pregnant, your baby could be sprouting some hair (though the final color may not be determined until birth) and the eyebrows are filling in, too.

Hair growth isn't limited to the baby's head, though. He or she is also covered with a downy coating of hair called lanugo, largely there for warmth. As fat accumulates later on in your pregnancy (the baby's fat, not yours — though that will accumulate, too), most of the lanugo will shed — though some babies, especially those born early, still have a fuzzy coating at delivery (it sheds soon afterward).

Week 13- January 12th, 2012

This is not a picture of OUR baby but about what little one is in size. I thought the grandparent's might want to see and read about how we're progressing.

Erin and Justin

Your Very Busy Baby

Your baby is getting bigger and cuter by the day. It's honing its reflexes -- the little hands and feet respond to stimuli by bending or flexing. And the baby may stick its thumb in her mouth this week, although it's not quite ready to start sucking it. The eyes are looking more and more like your baby blues -- or browns, or greens -- but you won't see them until about the 30th week since its eyelids are fused together to protect them as they develop. Best of all, now that all of her organs and systems have formed, your risk of miscarriage drops significantly by next week (approximately 75 percent of miscarriages occur during the first trimester) so you can give those early-pregnancy nerves a rest. Courtesy of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine - AIUM.org