Week 29- May 2, 2012

Our little acorn squash is estimated to be an average size of 15.2 - 16.7 inches long from head to foot  and 2.5 - 3.8 lbs... WOW!!! We're moving right along.  Because of the baby's size, mommy has been able to SEE movements when sitting quietly.  While sitting on the couch on Saturday, baby was kicking up high and mommy's tummy was moving up and down.  It was quite amazing.  Despite baby either being more active or just getting bigger so movements are felt better, our little one continues to stop when daddy tries to feel it... stinker! 

Not a whole lot to report for week 29, but mommy and daddy scheduled a tour to both of the hospital options. That will be an even bigger reality check. We're in hopes to have the location of the delivery decided on, get ourselves pre-registered, and sign up for classes very soon so we are are prepared as we can be for this process.

Daddy has been working a lot, tis the season, and mommy has been working around the house and sleeping, a total change of pace compared to the life she has lead up until now. Daddy's search for a new job continues and mommy's search for childcare begins.  The thought of arranging for a place to drop our baby off creates anxiety, but it has to happen.  Mommy and Daddy have been attending a Parenting DOJO class at church to learn easy ways to create a Christian home environment for our family. We have been introduced to many great strategies!

The big number 30 is right around the corner so here's to getting that much closer to the day we meet our sweet pea!

Big Hug!

Justin and Erin

Week 28- April 28, 2012

Week 28 has delivered us a lot of growth. Baby is stretching out and reaching angles never been touched before and is the size of a rutabaga. Didn't know a rutabaga was 15 inches in diameter...WHOA!  Mommy is mesmerized by the movements and loves knowing everything is going well in there (despite some discomfort at times). Friends, Donna and Russ, gave mommy and daddy a baby heart monitor to use.  Mommy thought it was terribly cute when daddy hooked up the speakers to talk to baby and baby kicked in the places the sound was coming from.  AMAZING! Oh, how we can't wait to meet our special little gift!

So week 28 talks a lot about dreams... Mommy's have been VIVID this week. Exhaustion hit hard after the work trip so mommy has been falling asleep while reading and even while talking to daddy.  Daddy reports that mommy has been talking a lot in her sleep the last few days but can't make out the conversation.  These dreams must be so vivid mommy is acting them out. I can only imagine what baby Stone is dreaming about. 

We had our 28 week checkup on Monday and received the wonderful news that mommy passed her 3 hour gestational diabetes test. We are processing sugars perfectly so no additional concerns for that part of the pregnancy.  Dr. Gosser did recommend another follow-up ultrasound in a few weeks in order to monitor baby's growth since blood pressure continues to be a concern. Mommy has been checking blood pressure 2 times a day... some days are better than others, but nothing in an alarming range. There are only about 20 more days of school left for the year so hopefully ending the stress of work before baby comes will help with the stability of blood pressure.  Here's to hoping!  

After the doctor's appointment, mommy and daddy went to work a little more on the baby registry. Daddy had full control over the scan gun and was running all over the store zapping away while mommy was "testing out" the gliders and ottomans.  Daddy sure was having fun! Unfortunately, when we went to turn in the scan gun, nothing registered. Poor daddy has to go back and do it again (although I think he will have the same fun zapping away). 

Mommy's students have been making comments now about the size of baby.  As mommy and daddy noticed in the last few weeks, baby has popped.  Mommy keeps hearing, "Ms. Taylor (the kids can't get used the married name), you've grown!" or "That baby got BIG!" The students are getting more and more excited and keep sharing their thoughts on what baby will be.  One student even keeps trying to name baby Stone. The students who have been historically difficult have become so sweet and respectful now that they can see, without a doubt, there's a baby involved.  Mommy knew they had it in them.

Now that mommy is officially 7 months pregnant, the days are being counted down and planning kicked in high gear. With the nursery painted, we are on our way to getting things together.  WOOHOO!  Excitement!

Big hugs to everyone!

Love,

Justin and Erin

WEEK 27- April 21st, 2012

This week's update... a little late due to travel...thanks for your patience!

Baby Stone is about the size of a cauliflower this week weighing in at approximately 2 lbs, 14 ounces.  With this rate of growth, mommy and baby needs to appreciate the little bit of wiggle room there is right now.  The extra cabin space is going to shrink very quickly!

Going into the 27th week was quite busy.  Daddy's work schedule ramped up and mommy was planning for a business trip. The week began celebrating grandma Char's birthday where the nieces and nephew put their order in on the gender of their newest cousin. Sophia and Isaac want a boy, but Cecily wants a little girl. Grandma Char is fighting the urge start buying clothes because she found a cute little romper for a baby boy. Guess they will all be surprised when baby Stone decides to make an appearance.

Mommy and daddy spent some time trying to decide on a color of paint for the nursery.  Daddy is WAY more artistic than mommy and we spent a lot of time narrowing down to the final 2 choices. Mommy liked them both equally (although pretty different) so she told daddy to make the final call.  Daddy painted the nursery while mommy was away in Baltimore and wouldn't tell what he chose.  Mommy had a surprise in store and it turned out beautiful... a beautiful shade called Vanilla Brandy... looks as yummy as it sounds!

Baby Stone has grown a lot over the last week. So much so that the baby belly comments have started at work… “WOW! You are really starting to show!” or “That top really enhances your belly!” Not sure what to think about all of this attention, but glad that baby is still growing and thriving!  Mommy thinks the sure sign of baby’s growth right now is the fact that movement is no longer limited to the left side of the tummy.  Baby Stone is now creeping to the right side of mommy’s belly button.

Mommy and baby went on their last flight together before the birth.  We traveled to Baltimore, MD for an ASHA committee meeting.  The last time mommy saw the committee was a few months before the wedding.  During that visit to Maryland, mommy talked to her committee friends about the fear of not being able to get pregnant easily.  Since that was not the case, everyone was SOOOO excited to see mommy and hear all about the baby plans. While in the meeting today, mommy felt baby hiccup for the first time.  It was so cute, mommy didn't pay attention to what was going on at the time... hope it wasn't too important!

During the flight to Baltimore, Baby Stone was very active and kicked a lot. The ride was pretty turbulent so mommy wondered if it was a little like a roller coaster ride for baby.  Night times, on the trip, were consistent for mommy and baby with the little one waking up around 2 a.m.. Without the golden pregnancy pillow, it was a little hard to get comfortable in the hotel bed but mommy built a little cocoon out of pillows.  The flight home was quite uneventful, just how mommy likes it, and the trip was a nice way to end traveling before baby comes.

On the medical front, mommy did not pass the first glucose tolerance test and needs to take the more in depth one very soon.  We are hoping that sugars don’t have to be cut out for the remainder of the pregnancy!  Mommy and baby CRAVE carbohydrates and chocolate, luckily after doing some research, fruits can still be a part of our daily consumption.  One of mommy’s friends at work has been spoiling her and leaving little treats on her desk every day. Mrs. Wags has left so many wonderful spring fruits like bananas, apples, watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe to yogurt and little cookies (portioned controlled). We have been eating like royalty. So, we’ll probably be just fine without the processed sugars since the fruits have all been so delicious!

Here’s to great week 28!

Big hug,

Justin and Erin