WEEK 32!!!!

(Gross pic- I just got out of the shower- YIKES!)

New News!

Your baby weighs about 4 pounds and is about fifteen to seventeen inches tall. Photographs of babies in utero at this stage show their skin becoming less translucent and pinker, as layers of fat are deposited under the skin. His skeleton is rapidly ossifying (turning from cartilage into solid bone), which means that kicks will become visible through your shirt as the trimester progresses. Well-placed kicks under your ribs can take your breath away!

Your baby's appearance changes rapidly this week. Most of the wrinkles disappear from his face, and there may be a lot of hair on his head. In fact as the lanugo hair on his body begins to fall off, the hair on his head grows even faster. By week 32 some babies already have a thick head of hair while others have only a few strands.

Other developments this week:
Nails. Your baby will have completely formed fingernails and toenails.
Head movement. He can turn his head from side to side.
Organs continue to mature.
Sucking. Your little one’s sucking muscles have matured and enable him to latch on and breastfeed once he arrives. A good sucking pattern is also a sign of good brain and muscle development.
Dreaming. Toward the end of the eighth month, he begins dreaming during sleep, according to brain scans. Due to his impressive brain development, his sleep will now include both REM and non-REM sleep stages. REM stands for "rapid eye movement," the dreaming stage of sleep.

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. He's probably in the head-down position by now, with his bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for his body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make his eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If he's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb.

Well, he sure is big. I told Mom today that he's probably the size of Alyssa and me when we were born...and I still have 8 weeks to go! He is also in the head-down position already and actually has been the whole time (minus the occasional flipping he does.) Every time we've been at the doctor he's been head down, so we're hoping he stays like that! He either has his bum or knees or feet in my rib cage all the time too. I think it's his bum though because it's slightly round, but definitely not a head! I feel him hiccup all of the time too- which I guess is good because when he gets hiccups, that means that he's practicing breathing movements and accidentally swallows some fluid....which happens daily- so I'm guessing he'll have some strong lungs :) He hasn't been kicking as much lately, but moving or twisting. I don't think there is as much room in there to get a good jab to my lungs anymore. He also has a favorite spot to lay in as well- my right side-the whole right side. He's doesn't drift over to the left all that much, but hangs out a whole lot on the right side. Well, that's about all to report! If I think of anything else, I will surely add it! HAVE A WONDERFUL FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!

WEEK 31!!!

New News! (p.s. I look terrible in this picture)

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Baby's going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though -- smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.)

So, Mr. Baby is hard at work with putting on weight and brain development. I don't think he'll have a problem with the weight-as I've eaten nearly enough cake, creme puffs and brownies this weekend for an army! ( At least it was good!) Mom was in town this weekend and it was great! I took her to the airport today and cried a lot, but she will be back in 6 weeks- and then again two weeks after that! So I'll get to see her a lot in the upcoming months! Thanks to my friends and family who helped with baby shower #1 this weekend! It was amazing and I had a wonderful time (you went above and beyond!!!) Thanks to all of those who came as well! For Father's Day I hung out with Dad and then went to Moscow, IN to see my Papaw Jack and all of my cousins as well! Thanks for having us over and hope you Dad's had a wonderful day! Happy First Father's Day to Austin as well- even though this little sucker isn't here quite yet! All in all I had a wonderful weekend, but was exhausted! Thank to everyone for making it great!

This little boy was quite excited too! He has been moving around like crazy! Mom and Alyssa got to feel him jumping around all over- sorry Justina! I'll make sure he kicks next time your around! (He's shy in front of girls!) We went to the doctor on Friday and got a teddy bear with his heartbeat recorded on it- which is super neat! Now, if I want to, I can hear his tiny heart beating away anytime I want :) Everything was right on schedule when we went to the Doc as well- I've only gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks- which is normal/perfectly on schedule, but I could've sworn that I gained like 4 pounds in the last 2 weeks! Oh well, as long as he and I are healthy that's all I care about! Our next appointment is on July 7th- where if I want to, I can get a 3D ultrasound. It's the perfect/last time I'll be able to get the 3D if I want it. However, I think I'm going to pass. I want it to be a surprise about what he looks like when he comes out! And you can totally tell what they look like in those ultrasounds...I want SOME surprise- plus, it will give me more of a reason to push! Welp, that's about all! Hope everyone had a great weekend! 32 weeks next week- 8 weeks/ 2 months to go til he arrives!

WEEK 30!!! (Ten weeks to go!)

New News!

Your baby's length is about 16 inches—about as long as a laptop computer—and he measures almost 11 inches from crown to rump. He weighs approximately 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. From now until delivery, every baby will gain weight at a more individual rate. Your baby has doubled in height over the past six weeks, and from now until delivery, he'll gain only a few more inches in length. Don't worry if he's in a strange position (what your care provider might call a "transverse lie"). There's still plenty of time for him to get settled into the head-down (cephalic) position for birth. He's floating in about 1 1/2 pints of amniotic fluid and has some room to move. Your baby's most important organ, his brain, continues to develop at a rapid pace. His eyes are able to track light, and some researchers have theorized that exposing your belly to light may stimulate development. Try moving the beam of a flashlight slowly over your belly in a dim room, and see if he reacts

He’s also filling out a bit as he continues to gain weight, and these layers of fat help him to appear less wrinkled. As practice for breathing after birth, your baby mimics breathing movements by repeatedly moving his diaphragm in a rhythmic way. This can trigger hiccups if he inadvertently inhales amniotic fluid. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby, but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus.

Here's what else is happening this week:
Head. Your baby’s head continues to grow, and brain growth speeds up even more. Hearing. It’s improving; nearly all babies can react by movement to sound by this week.

As baby's skin smoothes out, his brain just keeps getting more wrinkled. All those grooves and indentations increase surface area, meaning more room for that oh-so-essential brain tissue. He's also adding some brawn -- his grip is now strong enough to grasp a finger

His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

This weekend was rather busy, but I like moving around and not just sitting all day so it was fun! Friday I just hung out and had dinner with Alyssa because she was home from camp. We watched a movie and that was about all! Saturday we went garage saling and got some furniture for her apartment next year, went to the Italian Fest (it started to rain...) so we headed over to the Peacock's condo downtown and saw Courtney and Tom for a little bit! Which was nice seeing them since we havn't in a while! Sunday Dad and I just ran errands and then went to the Grandparents house and went on the boat for a little bit. We need to put the jet ski in the water soon if the weather would ever clear up! So that's about all that happened this weekend.

The baby is definitely getting bigger- I'm pretty sure I grew last week(noticably). He's still really active though and getting strong. It makes me giggle every time he kicks me really hard-it's such a neat feeling! I have a doctor's appointment this week-Friday- and will learn how much I've gained in two weeks and if we are on schedule or not. Although I think we are! Also, Mom will be here- FINALLY! I can't wait to see her! On Wed. of last week I had my first Child Birth Prep Class (@ Comm. North) and there were some interesting things that I learned. It was basically what I expected, but some new info regarding the actual birth. Now, I think I'm a little more scared of the delivery then I was before, but oh well. Hopefully here soon I will be adding baby pictures of Austin and Me- then once this little man arrives we can see who he looks like! Other than that, not much to report! Have a great week and thanks for reading!

Week 29!!!

New News!

Baby's now the size of a squash!
Baby's energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath his skin. And since he's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for you: Get ready for some more kicks and jabs to the ribs.



This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain— which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester.

Your baby's adrenal glands are producing a chemical which will be made into estriol (a form of estrogen) by the placenta. This estriol is thought to stimulate the production of prolactin by your body, and the prolactin makes you produce milk. So even if your baby comes early, you'll still be able to breastfeed. Each passing week improves the likelihood that your baby will be born strong and healthy. His brain can detect rhythmic breathing and control body temperature, so he's less likely to need breathing assistance should he be born early. He's growing eyelashes, adding fat, and developing his brain. Because of brain wave activity, researchers have speculated that babies can even dream at this time!

It's amazing all the new improvements his little body is undergoing! In 29 weeks, he's completely become a tiny person- it's so crazy to think about it! I just can't wait to meet him- although I want him to stay inside until the due date! Well, I went to the doctor this week and once again, everything was good! His heartbeat/rate was 150, which is very strong and his and my weight were right on schedule! I've gained 2 pounds since the last time I was there. I'm supposed to gain a pound a week, so I'm literally right on schedule- and if I continue to do that I will have gained about 25 pounds throughout the pregnancy- so, we shall see how big he gets! Once again, he's been super active this week, but I can definitely tell he's starting to gain weight because of his strength now and how much I've grown in just a couple weeks! Next time I go to the doctor I get a teddy bear with his heartbeat recorded on it :) Also. Mom will be here, so she'll finally get to see me and hear his heartbeat! I wonder when I'll get another ultrasound, because I really want to see him again! That's about all I have this week! Congrats to my cousin Katie for graduating high school! Love you all!

WEEK 28 (Start of month 7 & 3rd Trimester)

New News!

So, this week marks my 28th week, the start of my seventh month and the beginning of my third trimester!!! Man, things are flying by! Here are some of the new developements happening with my little baby boy...

Your baby has doubled his weight in the past month and is the size of a bag of flour. He now weighs almost 2 1/2 pounds. His total length is nearly fifteen inches. Your baby's lungs are now capable of breathing air! This is big news. It means if the baby is born from now on, he'll be able to survive with less medical intervention. Your baby's main job right now is to put the finishing touches on major organ systems, such as his brain, lungs, and liver. As you can probably tell, he's also working on gaining layers of fat. His body fat is about 2 to 3 percent. Your baby's eyes, which were covered by his eyelid folds at the sixth week of development, are capable of opening this week. His sucking and swallowing skills are improving as well.

This week marks an important milestone for your baby's brain development. Until now the surface of your baby's developing brain was smooth. During this week, his brain begins to form its characteristic grooves and indentations, allowing the brain’s surface to expand while it develops within your baby's tiny skull.

Other important developmental advances:

More fat. Your baby will continue to add layers of fat under his skin and will become plumper with each passing day.
More hair. Hair on your baby's head will continue to grow.
Testes. A boy's testes are usually completely descended into the scrotum by this point.
Lungs. His lungs are now capable of breathing air.

He can open and close his eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before he's batting those beauties at you. His skin is still pretty wrinkly (one byproduct of living in amniotic fluid) but will smoothen as fat continues to deposit

This weekend was pretty eventful- We had a surprise party for Kristi (Happy B-day) on Friday after work. Saturday we spent the day at Grandparent Agnelneri's house- cleaning the boat and visiting, then had Amy's open house (Congrats on Graduating Nursing School!!). Sunday we went to the race- oh boy was it hotttt! Then yesterday (Happy Memorial Day) we tried to go to the boat, but it rained and ended up just hangning out at the house! Needless to say, I'm worn out. He's not though, he's been really active this weekend, nothing new though- he always is :).

I can't hardly believe that he will be here in 12 weeks!!! Its amazing and I can't wait to meet him, see what he looks like and have him in my life! I know that he's already amazing, but I can't wait for what's to come! Friday I have a doctor's appointment- now I go every 2 weeks until the last month when I'll go every week! Hopefully everything will be fine and he'll be right on track! I've gained 16 pounds now...I'll let you know how much I've gained next week (after my appointment)...I'm going to really start packing on the pounds I think, because that's his main goal now= get big! That's about all that I have today, thanks for reading- sorry I'm a little bit late in writing this week!

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