Tanner Manuel Colin

{3 Months!}

2007-11-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

90 short days have come and gone...::::sigh:::: I can not believe he's been here 3 months. One way it seems much longer then 3 months and other times not nearly 3 months. Tanner is a healthy big boy. He doesn't have the "baby" look. Yesterday I was looking at a friends blog and she had taken pictures of a brand new baby. Looking at the baby I thought, Tanner only looked like that for a few days; maybe 5. Even at his 2 week photo shoot he didn't have the brand new baby look. Everyone looks at him now and thinks he is much older then just 3 months.

A week ago we measured him and his head was 16.5 inches and he was 26.5 inches tall. He weighs almost 16.5 pounds!!!

Length = above percentile 95
Weight = in percentile 90
Head Circumference = in percentile 50

WOW!

Tanner is noticing his surroundings much more. He's noticed his hands and often "talks" to it. He is almost rolling over. He gets his whole body up but can't manage to get his last leg over...just yet.

He talks a TON and is awake more, but still sleeping tons.

He wakes up and an hour after waking up he takes another nap. Usually about an hour. He then proceeds to take 1/2 hour naps thoughout the day. About 1 in the afternoon he takes a longer nap; anywhere from 2-4 hours. Then he continues to take his little "cat naps" throughout the evening. I've started feeding him rice cereal at night. I give him 1.5 (formula) scoops of cereal to 1.5 ounces of water. I've noticed he eats better with the plastic spoon rather then the rubberized spoons. I give him this meal and then top him off with a bottle. That is usually his last meal. I put him to bed anywhere from 9-10 and he sleeps for 7 hours. He wakes up and eats an 8 ounce bottle and goes back to sleep for another 4-5 hours.

I've started putting him in the johnny jump up and put the walker together. He doesn't understand or "get" the meaning of them but sure enjoys standing upright.

I've also been forced to stop breastfeeding. My milk supply was/is great. My milk quality is not so great. For the past week Tanner has literaly projectiled his milk instantly after I've fed him. He wasn't eatting and was always hungry and so I fed him formula. He didn't throw up and so I assumed he was possibly sick and had gotten over it. Unfortanetly, as soon as I fed him the breastmilk again he projectiled. I am VERY sad (1) breastmilk is best and (2) breastmilk is FREE. We are now Costco members as Costco sells Similac for an affordable price.

{11 Weeks}

2007-10-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

After 12 weeks I will only update monthly, doctor's appointments and major milestone achievements....this is getting hard to do with an almost three month old!

T was measured and weighed today! He weighed 15.10 ounces. That is still in above 95%. He was 25 inches (that is 2.25 inches in 20 days!) That is in the 90-95%! His head was 16 inches and that is in the 50%!

I knew by the amount of sleep and food intake he was going through a growth spurt. What I didn't expect was when I pulled out all the 3-6 month clothing he'd be too small for them! So he is now wearing 6 month clothes. I should say Carter's 6 month clothing...I've noticed they run a little smaller. I have yet to put him in other 6 month but very soon.

He is starting to nudge himself on his back in his crib. I can put him head upwards and come in and he will be sideways or have his head smashed into the headboard. He is sleeping a consistent 7 hours at night. He is NOT taking consistent legnths of naps. He cat naps all day, not what I like....He sleeps about 1/2 to a full hour and wakes up just to do it again in 1 1/2-2 hours. I'd really like 2 full hours...is it too much to ask for, I won't ask for much as I pretty much STILL have a near perfect baby!

He is cooing TONS and smiling TONS. His two favorite words...gooooo and gaaaa. I just love it!

{10 Weeks!}

2007-10-17T12:12:00.001-07:00

Dare is say 2.5 months old! Where does the time go! Tanner is coming alive. Kicking and moving and smiling. He is a very happy and calm baby. It makes me happy when he wakes up and instantly smiles at me :), can't wake up any better I'd say.

Speaking of sleep, why oh why is my body CRAZY! Tanner has started sleeping 5-6 hours in a row, waking up to eat and usually 4-5 hours waking up to eat again then sleeping another hour or so...So an example would be last night....He ate his "dinner" at 10:00 I put him in his crib awake and he talked and wiggled and when I went into check on him at 10:30 he was asleep. He slept until 5:00 AM then ate what would normally be his middle-of-the-night feeding and went straight back to bed. At 8:30 he fussed and I gave him his binky, while I went to make another bottle but before I made it to the kitchen he was asleep. He woke up at about 9:15. Not bad huh. My body doesn't seem to be adjusting to extra sleep and I am MORE sleepy now then before!

I have noticed that he doesn't eat well around loud or distracting environments. He also doesn't eat as much during the morning/day time as he does in the afternoon and at night. He eats the most late and mid night.

He has found he can make some LOUD noise. He has also started a little crying and whinning louder then we are used to, but only when something is WRONG or he is ready to eat...NOW!

We haven't weighed him since his doctors appointment but....3-6 and 6 month clothing are starting to fit. I just went through his dresser and tossed the rest of 0-3 and most 3 month clothing out.

Over the weekend Tanner went on his first vacation to the ocean. By the end of this year he will be quite the experienced traveler as we have a few more trips planned!

{9 Weeks and 2 Month Well Baby!}

2007-10-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

I know there is tons to post but I will just post stats...

Poundage...13 pounds and 14 ounces...ALMOST 14 POUNDS! He's in the 95th percentile according to the doctor.

Height...ummm sort should I say...22.75 he's not tall....hmmm, where does he get that from?! He's in the 50th percentile for that one.

Head...15.5 I didn't ask % on this one.

Anyone know of a good pedi-doctor? We are in pursuit of a new one, someone that doesn't tell me I am feeding him too much, or make me feel like a bad mom....

{Baby T 8 Weeks!}

2007-10-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

Tanner has found a little voice. I think Victor and I are heartless or something because when he NOW cries it is a little whimpering thing and WE want to LAUGH! I am sorry to report that it is late and I am tired, so I can't remember anything really happening this week, SORRY!

How your baby's growing: Your baby can differentiate familiar voices from other sounds and is becoming a better listener. He also can show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from.An ongoing conversation (although still one-sided!) can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works.

Yeah, I didn't weigh him this week. He has a doctor's appointment coming up next Monday and we'll get the correct information then :).

{Baby T 7 Weeks!}

2007-09-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

Tanner loves music, loves to smile and coos. We, Victor and I, think he laughs and giggles but that could be just us crazy parents. He is very attentive and loves to look at our big picture of the lighthouse in our living room. If we put him down in his playgym he will kick and hit (only the left hand and leg) and he doesn't seem to mind on his tummy playmat either. I want to get video of him while in the playgym, he talks and coos and giggles :)

How your baby's growing: You may notice short periods of time when your newborn is quiet and alert. This is prime time for learning: Your baby's brain will grow about 5 centimeters during his first three months! Use these calm intervals to get better acquainted with your baby — talk to his, sing to him, describe the pictures on the walls. He may not be able to add to your conversation just yet, but he's learning nonetheless. New textures for his hands to feel and new sights and sounds (all in moderation) are all learning opportunities. Even bath time becomes a laboratory for understanding life.

So back at 5 weeks, remember how I said I was afraid to post numbers, well I was wrong...

1 Month at 7 Weeks:
Length = 22.25 Inches in percentile 50
Weight = 13 Pounds between percentile 90 and 95
Head Circumference = 15.25 Inches between percentile 25 and 50

{Baby T 6 Weeks!}

2007-09-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

How your baby's growing: Now that your baby's awake for longer periods during the day, you can use these times to support his sensory development. Try singing your favorite lullabies or playing music.You don't have limit yourself to children's songs. Fill the house with the sounds of music — from the Black Eyed Peas to Mozart — and watch as your baby expresses his pleasure through coos, lip smacks, and jerking arm and leg movements.Your baby might also enjoy the sound of wind chimes or a ticking clock. The more varied the offerings, the richer the impact. Inevitably, you'll notice that your baby responds to and favors some selections more than others as he begins to develop preferences.

1 Month at 6 Weeks:

Length =

Weight =

Head Circumference =

{Baby T 5 Weeks!}

2007-09-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Seriously, 5 weeks? The no-sleep thing has taken a toll on my body, we both took a 3.5 hour nap a couple times this week!

I can't say it enough but Tanner is SUCH an easy baby! He is doing well. He is pretty much still on the same time clock. Eats, stays awake for about an hour, sleeps about 2 hours and exactly 3 hours from the start of the last feeding wakes up hungry and ready to start the same process. This process is nice, but also hard!

I am strickly bottle feeding now, but feeding him breast milk. After a week of straight bottle feeding I did try breast feeding. I think if I wanted when he is COMPLETELY awake I could feed him that way but not sure if I will as he still doesn't get a FULL feeding. When I breast fed him this one time he ate really good on the first side but the second side was more of on-off game. Afterwards I pumped to see what I could get from each side, the first side I barely got a half an ounce and then second side I got 1.5 SO he ate 3 ounces. He is eating more then that so fed him the rest of what I pumped.

I feel like such the "proud or boasting" mom because I really feel he is advanced. He is holding his head up really well, pushing himself up with his arms. If you put something by his feet he'll push off of them. I can sit him in the bumbo, in his crib and start the mobile. He will reach for the mobile, only to NOT get it and make himself REALLY mad. He is also cooing, laughing and somewhat giggling. He loves to be sang to and smiles for both Victor and I on a regular basis and will smile on occasion for others.

Percentiles, I am hesitant to post this as my measuring and weighing is NOTHING like the "official" doctor's one but I am still gunna do it! (I guess my concern is when I get to the doctor what if he isn't as TALL as I say he is?) OH well!

1 Month at 5.5 Weeks:
Length = 22.5 Inches between percentile 50 and 75
Weight = 13 Pounds between percentile 90 and 95
Head Circumference = 15.75 Inches in percentile 75

How your baby's growing: Smiling happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you smile. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 5-week-old's development.

Your life: The postpartum checkup, soon you'll have the last of the series of checkups that began with your first prenatal trip to your doctor or midwife. Your care provider will want to be sure you're doing fine — emotionally as well as physically — following the stresses of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and becoming a new parent.

During the pelvic exam, your doctor will want to see that any tears, scratches, or bruises to your vagina or cervix have healed. If your cervix is healed, you may also have a Pap smear. She'll also examine your perineum if you had an episiotomy or tearing, to inspect the stitches.

Your breasts will be checked as well. If you aren't nursing, your caregiver will want to be sure there are no hard or sore areas that might indicate an infection. She'll also want to see if your milk is drying up. If you are breastfeeding, she'll examine you to find out if you have any clogged ducts, which could lead to an infection like mastitis.

You'll probably be told it's fine to begin having sex again, though many new moms don't feel their drive or energy kick in for a few more weeks or even months. Regardless of your interest level, you ought to discuss postpartum birth control, because it's possible to get pregnant even if you haven't gotten your period back and even if you're breastfeeding.

Your caregiver will also be concerned about your emotional health. As many as four out of five new moms become mildly depressed, commonly called the baby blues. However, if these down feelings last more than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression, a more serious condition. Your doctor or midwife can recommend interventions that really help, such as a therapist who sees lots of moms like you, or an antidepressant that's safe to take even if you're breastfeeding.

{Baby Percentiles!}

2007-09-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

I found a Growth Percentile Calculator on the Baby Center Website. I will try and keep this, too, updated :).

Newborn at Birth:

Length = 20 Inches between percentile 50 and 75

Weight = 8 Pounds and 4 Ounces between percentile 50 and 75

Head Circumference = 13.375 Inches between percentile 10 and 25

Newborn at 2 Weeks:

Length = 20.5 Inches between percentile 75 and 90
Weight = 7 Pounds and 7 Ounces above percentile 95
Head Circumference = 14.25 Inches between percentile 50 and 75

Not sure if I put 4 weeks as newborn or 1 month so I did both, (1) either he is HUGE or (2) he is TINY :)!

Newborn at 4 Weeks:

Length = 21 Inches in percentile 90

Weight = 10 Pounds and 12 Ounces above percentile 95

Head Circumference = 14.75 Inches between percentile 75 and 90

1 Month at 4 Weeks:

Length = 21 Inches in percentile 10

Weight = 10 Pounds and 12 Ounces between percentile 25 and 50

Head Circumference = 14.75 Inches between percentile 10 and 25

{Baby T 4 Weeks and 1 Month Check Up!}

2007-09-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

Doctor's appointment first:

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We saw Dr. Van Fossen for Tanner's 4 Week Check Up (kind of). I actually took him in because I "thought" I heard the baby wheezing. In actuality, I am the "over worried first-time mom" the baby had a stuffy nose :).
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Tanner gained 1 Pound 5 Ounces since his 2 week appt. That puts him at 10 Pounds and 12 Ounces!

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His head was 14.75 Inches
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Tanner also grew 1/2 an inch so that makes him 21 inches long.
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Tanner is eating well, obviously! He nurses and takes a bottle about 50/50 now. He is much more happy eating from the bottle as I am sure he gets more food! He is now eating 5 ounces a bottle!

Sleeping wise, last night was amazing! Up until yesterday night Tanner was eating 4 ounces and last night I decided to bottle feed him 5 ounces and he slept 4 hours! He woke at 2AM ate another 5 ounces and stayed asleep abother 4 hours! YAY!!!

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How your baby's growing: Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express his feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. He'll enjoy holding your gaze now.

If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about talking baby talk — babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating that can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 4-week-old's development.

Your life: Mixed feelings Even when you're the happiest person on earth to be a new parent, it's common to have nagging little feelings of disappointment. Not that you want to tell anyone. But you spent nine months imagining what your baby would be like and now here he is — perhaps not exactly what you'd pictured. Parents of a baby born with a health problem are especially vulnerable to this feeling of not getting what they'd bargained for. But parents of perfectly healthy children often have such feelings, too:
• The mother of three boys who'd hoped for a little girl

• The older mom who probably won't have any more children and really wanted a little girl but got a boy instead

• The mom who expected twins at first but gave birth to a singleton after one fetus died in utero early in the pregnancy

• The mom whose baby looks like an exact clone of Daddy and not one bit like her
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In all of these situations, there's a perfectly healthy baby to celebrate. And yet there's often an imaginary baby to mourn over before the real baby can be fully embraced. Rarely does anybody talk about this phenomenon, but it's perfectly normal and human. So if your joy is tinged with a little regret, don't feel too guilty. Give yourself a little space to privately grieve, and then count the blessings you do have.

{Baby T ~ 3 Weeks!}

2007-08-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

How your baby's growing: Babies love and need to suck, so don't discourage it. In fact, you may have discovered that a pacifier works wonders in helping your baby calm down. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using pacifiers at nap time and bedtime, based on evidence that using a pacifier may reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). When the binky or your finger isn't around, your baby may even be able to find her thumb or fingers to soothe himself.

Your life: BondingSome moms talk about feeling an instantaneous, consuming love right from the beginning. That's become the prevailing image of what "bonding" is supposed to be like. But bonding isn't a single, magic delivery-room moment. For more than half of new mothers, feeling connected takes a bit longer — and for good reason.

Birth, delivery, and recovery can be taxing physical experiences, especially if there are complications. If you've never spent a lot of time around babies, let alone been completely responsible for taking care of one, anxiety and worry about doing everything right can intrude, too. Your relationship with your child is not so different from your other relationships — it can take time and many interactions for those feelings of attachment to develop and ripen.
So no need to feel guilty if you look at your long-awaited baby and feel like you're staring at a little stranger. In a sense he is. Give it time and eventually you won't be able to imagine life without him.

If after several weeks, however, feelings of aloofness, or even resentment, continue, you could be suffering from postpartum depression. Ten percent of new moms suffer from this form of depression, triggered largely by hormonal changes after delivery. In addition to prolonged feelings of ambivalence about motherhood, accompanying symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, changes in appetite, and thoughts of harming yourself of your baby.

Postpartum depression has nothing to do with your fitness as a mom and everything to do with biochemical changes you have little control over. Tell your ob-gyn or midwife without waiting until your postpartum checkup. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you'll feel much better.

{Tanner's 2 Week Check-up!}

2007-08-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

We saw Dr. Van Fossen for Tanner's 2 Week Check Up. It is official, I can grow weeds. I can't keep a darn plant alive but it seems the weeds in my garden do fine. Someone must have plucked Tanner out of my garden and placed him inside my house as he has grown so much.

I did think that he was getting HUGE until I saw another baby a few months older and was put back into real life sizes.

Tanner gained 1.3 pounds since birth (16 days) so he was 9 pounds and 7 ounces. I have no doubt he will be more then 10 pounds by early next week.

His head was 14.25 Inches

Tanner also grew 1/2 an inch so that makes him 20 1/2 inches long.

Tanner is eatting well, obviously! He nurses and takes a bottle when I have other's help, Victor, family or friends like to feed the baby too! When Tanner takes a bottle he drinks a sure 4 ounces and sometimes 5, and he can slurp it down!

Dr. Van Fossen says he's perfect, of course he is! I am happy to have this little guy around!

Forgotten Info...

2007-08-23T22:57:00.000-07:00

These things happened on Day Three:

Tanner smiled for the first time in his sleep. I have had two good friends tell me that it is not from Gas but that babies this young still remember where they just came from, who they were with, and friends they'll see again... I like that so we are sticking to both. Of course, I told Victor exactly what I was told "it's just gas..." so now whenever he smiles in his sleep, I get a very sacrastic...."it's just gas."

Tanner also experienced hiccups for the first time. I rarely experienced them with him in the womb and was shocked and surprised how much they rattle his little body!

{Baby T ~ 2 Weeks!}

2007-08-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

How your baby's growing: Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it'll take time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet, as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. (Your baby can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.

Birth Story

2007-08-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

So, for anyone out there who doesn't want all the nitty-gritty details, I suggest NOT reading this. This post is going to be long, detailed and very personal.

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That being said, I need to start from the beginning.....

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Last year, 2006, was a VERY difficult year for me. Sitting back, watching and hearing of more women pregnant. I had 3 super close friends, 6 relatives and a good 10 friends and other women from church that I knew, all pregnant. I think the hardest part was wondering, why not me? After having a miscarriage in early 2005 and almost a full 2 years of trying and nothing, I'd almost given up. Actually around early 2006 I did give up. I threw out the medication (that is supposed to work like magic), gave up praying, wishing and hoping. My attitude had changed to somewhat of "if it happens it happens, if not....well, I can adopt later on." I no longer pondered why me or when, just pretty much gave up.

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I was worried that I wouldn't be able to handle all these women pregnant and having babies and did think how fun it would be to be going through the whole 9 months pregnant with them, but that never happened. And as time went on I proceeded to amaze myself. I didn't feel one ounce of envy or jealousy, I truly was happy for them. What I did do was shower them with TONS of gifts and love. I think this was my way of channeling. It drove Victor mad (crazy), every time I brought something baby home for this or that person he told me I needed to not overload the person :).

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The summer of 2006 as all the babies were being born I enjoyed holding each one and spoiling them and their mamas. I met a close friend during this time and after a few months she boldly asked me why I hadn't had kids, I was great with hers? I might have been too harsh or mean but I said, just because I don't have them doesn't me I don't want them! By that time I was sick and tired of "curious" women who didn't realize how one question could cause so much pain. I think the hardest part was the women at church. I ended up being too harsh to anyone who asked, (1) that is a personal question and (2) they don't know the effect it has on the other person---I learned this through the pain of answering each of those women that I will never ask another one about when she plans on starting a family; because for all I know she is already trying and struggling.
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In late November, I started having thoughts of pregnancy. I seriously hadn't had a single thought in months. I felt like I was going to start my period. The only thing I had continued to do was document dates, which before trying to get pregnant I didn't document anything. I had a secret code in my computer calendar (just in case someone should look in it). I decided to look into the calendar to see when I should be starting my next period and was surprised to see that the date should have come already. Still, I did not take a single pregnancy test. I waited and waited and WAITED. I waited 10 days before I even took a test. I was so surprised how fast it turned positive! That was December 4th.
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Our 3 anniversary was two days away and Victor had planned a get-away trip but wouldn't tell me where. I decided I would wait two more days to tell him. I went out and bought a little Christmas outfit (for Christmas 2007) and two bibs, one pink that said "I love Daddy" and one blue that said "I love daddy". As soon as the hotel door was shut I gave him his presents. The first was the outfit, which by the look on his face confused the heck out of him. The second box containing the bibs was even more puzzling until it clicked and he was very excited himself. I immediately told him I didn't want to tell many people and as weird as it was especially NOT our families. I was certain this pregnancy I wouldn't tell anyone until I was sure.
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I prayed to Heavenly Father that if I was meant to have this pregnancy then let the first doctor's appointment go well. Let us see a heartbeat and feel some comfort. Which at our appt. the doctor nearly hugged me as he had experienced my pain from before. He was delighted and kept saying, what a Christmas present!
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The weeks before we told our family was pretty painful--not telling them! Finally I decided I was about 10 weeks and decided to tell my parents and siblings at Christmas time, but still wanted to wait for everyone else.
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I had more then a few scares throughout this pregnancy but that could be because I was so nervous and scared something would happen like before. I honestly knew and still know I could not make it through the pain and heartbreak that I previously experienced. I am thankful to have made it through this whole process!
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Okay, so here's where the fun and details about Tanner making his grand entrance…
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Towards the end of the pregnancy I started to gain a lot of water weight. Pretty soon my feet, ankles and calves were all one piece and so rock hard, you’d have thought I was superwoman with tons of muscles. You seriously couldn’t push in and have it move much at all. My blood pressure was also on the rise. Dr. Gramann was watching me closely and making sure that I didn’t get pre-eclampsia.

On Monday August 6th (the date I thought was my Due Date, but Dr. Gramann thought my due date was the 12th) I went in for a regular weekly appointment. I had proteins in my urine which is another sign of pre-eclampsia. Dr. Gramann said that he isn’t for inductions but he doesn’t NOT do them if necessary and he would leave it up to me. I told him that I wanted it done; not because I had to have the baby right then but I wanted to feel good again. I didn’t want my feet and legs to throb, I wanted the numbness in my right hand and left shoulder to go away (caused by water retention pinching nerves). He said Okay and went to call the hospital and schedule it. Candice and I sat there and assumed it would be later in the week (Thursday or Friday) or the next week. Dr. Gramann came back and said, Tomorrow…
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I was instantly scared and struck dumb. I think I stumbled out with an “uhhhh okay.” I was told that I was “stand-by” which meant if there were other pregnant ladies in labor then I’d be bumped until the next day. As Candice and I drove home I started making a To-Do list for the rest of the day so that I could be ready for tomorrow.
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I finished my to-do list and went to bed. I actually slept better then the night before, I think knowing I was going in. I was supposed to call the hospital at 7 AM. I woke up at 5:30 and decided to call. The nurse told me that I wasn’t going to be able to come in, there wasn’t a nurse for me. It confused me at first, but now I understand. They have 1 nurse for the lady in delivery and 1 nurse for the women who have already had their babies and are still in the hospital. They had a lady in delivery and so I was bumped. AND BUMMED! I felt like crying the whole day and tried to be strong…
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I called Wednesday and was given the runaround by nurses and they told me they’d call me back within an hour. I got back in bed, this time deciding NOT to take a shower and get my hopes up. Within 2 minutes of being back in bed, my cell phone went off. It was the hospital nurse stating she had a lady in labor but she was going to deliver any minute and could I be in at 9AM. I said YES! I called Victor, who was at work, and told him to pick up his mom and get going! I got in the shower and quickly tried to get ready. In the process my mom and grandma and aunts kept calling and I was trying to hurry. I was ready within 3o minutes but where was Victor? He calls me at 7:45 saying he’s just now picking up his mom (I had talked to him an hour ago!). I tell him to hurry that if we aren’t there by 9 they might bump us again! He gets home and rushed to get ready, probably the fastest I’ve ever seen him get ready (and that is saying A LOT!)
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We checked into the hospital at 9 AM. After all the paperwork and questions the nurse hooked me up to pitocin. I was laying in the bed a nervous wreck and Victor and his mom are sitting in the corner talking, not intentionally ignoring me but they were ignoring me! I was getting irritated. By 10:30 Victor’s sister-in-law comes walking in with our nephew, Andrew, who’s 4. They proceed to talk and Andrew plays with obnoxiously loud toys, really irritated me now. All I wanted was peace and quiet. I texted messaged Victor hoping he would get it and asked him to have them leave the room for a little bit as I was getting anxious and nervous and needed quietness.
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My mom came in with Lexi and I was happy to see them. Lexi was very intrigued by the baby’s heartbeat monitor and kept getting big eyed and saying WOW. However, the hospital is not a place for a 2 year old and after about 10 minutes my mom left taking Lexi to my aunts house.
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Candice came in about 12:30 and sat and talked with me. I was fine then. I had someone to talk to and now I didn’t care that Victor hadn’t gotten the text message and hadn’t asked everyone to leave my room. My friend Doreen, was also supposed to be there to help me but she wasn’t able to come until later on in the day.
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Dr. Gramann arrived at 1PM to break my water. I asked everyone to leave, except Candice and Victor. I am a true baby and my poor doctor was asked the whole pregnancy, “are you done yet?” I told him that I think this would be the last time I asked that question, but I ended up asking it later in the day…
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After he broke my water I asked the nurse to not let anyone back in quite yet as I was pretty overwhelmed. I got up and went to the bathroom and started feeling stronger contractions almost immediately. After about 30 minutes two aunts came, I am not really sure who was first but they came about the same time…One aunt held my hand, while the other was telling me how far apart my contractions were. I pretty much closed my eyes, breathed (if I was told to J) and ignored the world. This worked for awhile and then the contractions were on top of each other, not really stopping. The nurse had mentioned possibly needed to turn down the pitocin but we would wait and see.
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I finally asked for an epidural. I am not sure what time that was. When the lady came to give me my epidural I ended up having one aunt stay along with Victor and Candice. Rebecca came and tried to administer my epidural but kept stopping during contractions. I never saw a needle or really felt anything, as the contractions were stronger. By the end of the process I was sobbing, not because of the needle but because of the pain, but I am somewhat of a quiet crier so I was sobbing into my aunts chest which I was using for a pillow.
~
After the epidural kicked in I was better. I was happy and could talk to my husband and have him talk back without hating him. I slowly calmed down and relaxed. The nurse kept coming in and checking me and the day seemed like FOREVER, but really was flying by. I stayed dilated it a 7CM for probably 2 hours but then the next time I was checked I was ready to push.

~
I started pushing at 7PM. What I didn’t know is that the epidural was turned off and I started to feel pain. My pain was about a 1 out of 10 but I didn’t want it to go any further, as I was done feeling pain----or so I thought.
~
A new man came into to give me a little more anesthetic (but I am now wondering what the heck he gave me). It didn’t really numb me and the epidural continued to wear off…
~
I pushed and pushed and pushed. I told everyone that I was done and giving up. They laughed and told me I couldn’t. When it finally came time to push and they head was descending Dr. Gramann had me touch the babies head, not something I really was “into doing”. I still hadn’t screamed loud or anything. I was crying and felt like a big baby and that I was doing horrible but everyone kept telling me how wonderful I was doing…As I pushed someone (I think the doctor) told me to keep pushing and I could soon hold the baby. This was not a treat for me and I told them, “I don’t think I have any motherly instincts because I don’t want to hold him!” I just wanted him out!
~
As the head started to crown, I started to scream. It was not a quiet scream either, my friends and family that were outside waiting heard me through 2 sets of closed doors and they could hear every word I was screaming…I told the doctor I couldn’t do it anymore. He told me very sternly to keep pushing and I was doing fine. He got up and went to get “tools” which I figured were forceps or something. I was so against anything being used (or the thought of it) during my pregnancy I was sure I would have said something but in that moment at that time, I didn’t care what had to be done just get it over with. He dropped his tools and had to go to get more, but never got a chance. Tanner’s head had crowned and it was time for the doctor to be there for everything. What they call “the ring of fire” really does burn and is the most pain I’d ever been in. I felt every bit of the delivery. After the head finally came out (which he did have a cone head) the rest kind of came out and was a blur.
~
I can remember feeling the cord and the afterbirth coming out after Tanner. I have a picture that was taken were I am holding the baby but have a screwed up face, it was at that time that the rest was coming out and my body was still contracting. After he was cleaned up, they placed him on me. I got to hold him for the next 2 hours. Dr. Gramann spent about 10 minutes giving me 3 stitches, he said enough to carve in his initials. After I was cleaned up and stitched up we started letting people in and the rest of the night was a blur.
~
After everyone left I asked if I could go to the bathroom and the nurse told me no because I was still numb. I told her I wasn’t and lifted and dangled my leg. She said that even though I could move I was still probably numb but that she would help me to the bathroom. She was surprised that I really wasn’t numb! So, I can say that I had an epidural BUT by the time I had the baby I was not numb and had a natural birth, right?!
~
Since the delivery I have really had it easy. I was able to get up and move pretty easily. The next day I took a shower and did my makeup a little bit and even did my hair. We gave Tanner his first bath the second day.
~
I am still surprised I am a mom! Victor and I are adjusting pretty easily. Victor finally, after 11 days, has changed about 3 diapers and fed the baby a couple bottles and attempted burping the baby. I told my Grandma a couple days ago that he had never fed, burped, dressed or changed a diaper and he told me he had! I was confused and asked him when?!? Apparently, he thought by standing next to me watching me do everything he was…helping! HA! Since then he’s done the real thing and is getting better with each attempt.

C.I.R.C. Appointment

2007-08-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

My baby is a tough little guy! Today he had his C.i.r.c.u.m.c.i.s.i.o.n and he did so well. I decided I did NOT want to be in the room and the nurse suggested going to the complete opposite side of the clinic. Well, I went there and instead of hearing my baby cry I got to hear a toddler, maybe 2, scream as he got shots and blood drawn :(. After about 20 minutes Victor came and got me. He told me that Tanner didn't flinch or make a peep. They gave him sugar water on a binky and numbed the area and he did fine.

Each time that Dr. Van Fossen sees him she comments how beautiful and perfect he is. I am sure she does this to every baby but it is nice to hear :).

We also had Tanner weighed and the little "piglet" as I've been calling him weighs 8 pounds 10 Ounces. He's up nearly a half a pound since birth and not even 2 weeks old, only 9 days!

{Baby T ~ 1 Week!}

2007-08-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

How your baby's growing: Your baby's eyesight is still pretty fuzzy. Babies are born nearsighted and can see things best when they're about 8 to 10 inches away, so he can see your face clearly only when you're holding him close.Don't worry if your baby doesn't look you right in the eye from the start: Newborns tend to look at your eyebrows, your hairline, or your moving mouth. As he gets to know you in the first month, he'll be more interested in having eye-to-eye exchanges. Studies show that newborns prefer human faces to all other patterns or colors. (High-contrast items, like a checkerboard, are next in line.)

Post Check #2

2007-08-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

So we took Tanner back into the hospital, this time unscheduled. We noticed his skin, eyes, and inside his mouth and tongue were very yellow. I am regretting that I criticized the nurses now. He scored higher on his Jaundice Test, 14.7. They said that today the Jaundice should peak and we should start to notice it going away. They weighed him and he now weighs 8 Pounds 2 Ounces. Only 2 Ounces from his birth weight!

Post Check #1

2007-08-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

We took Tanner in for his post check. He weighed 7 Pounds 15 Ounces. So in total he’s lost 5 ounces from birth. Not bad at all! He scored 14.1 on his Jaundice Test. If babies score 16 they place them under UV lights to help with the Jaundice. I sort of criticized the nurses because Tanner IS 50% Hispanic!

Leaving the Hospital

2007-08-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Tanner's weight was taken as we left the hospital. He weighs 8 pounds and 1 Ounce. Most babies loose more weight then this so were are doing great! He needs to come back for a post check up on Sunday as they think he might be a little jaundicey.

Birth Statistics

2007-08-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Tanner Manuel Colin
Born on August 8th, 2007
At 9:22 PM
Weight: 8 Pounds 4 Ounces
Length: 20 Inches
Head Circumference: 13.25 Inches

Chest: 13 Inches

Fast Facts:
I checked into the hospital at 9AM. We got the process started with pitocin at 10AM. My water was broken at 1PM. I started pushing at 7PM and 2.5 hours later we had this precious little boy! My first comments were he had a HUGE head and that he was big! Everyone was shocked when I told them his weight!

{Doctor Appointment and Induction!}

2007-08-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

I went today to my doctor's appointment. (Remember I thought my due date was today, the hospital ultrasound said yesterday BUT Dr. Gramann had his mind made up from the 12th to 15th).
~
When I got to the appointment they took my blood pressure: high as usual.
~
Then doctor Gramann came in and we listened to the heartbeat, which was quieter but still strong. Then he checked me. He said he was sure I was about a 3 centimeters dialated but wasn't completely sure as he didn't want to hurt me.
~
While laying down he took my blood pressure again....he did it TWICE. So today I had my pressure taken a total of 4 times as I did it once, the nurse and then the doctors.
~
He said, yes it is still high...Then said, "Well, mother nature can kick in at anytime and give you a birthdate for this baby!" I quickly responded with "SO CAN YOU!" He and Candice laughed at that.
~He then sat and started talking...He said he's not into Inductions but wasn't opposed in my situation as I did have some proteins in my urine. (Proteins in the urine are a sign of toxemia or pre-eclampsia and I already have all the other symptoms...)
~
I told him I was ready. Its not that I WANT the baby early but I wanted to feel better again. I want to not have my feet and legs (clear up to my knees) hard as bullets - no joke! I didn't want to have numbness in my hands. If I didn't have any of these issues, yeah I'd wait it out (probably complaining BUT waiting) but I didn't feel good and I am ready.
~
He said he'd call the hospital and see when the next available date was...then said later this week I said, fine with me having a date is good enough!
~
He came back and told me....TOMORROW!!!! Yikes, then it hit me and I was scared and nervous!!!
~
I have to call the hospital tomorrow at 7 AM to determine if they have room for me (I might cry if some other pregnant lady actually goes into labor on her own kicking me out of my spot...) If they have room for me I have to check in at 8 AM.
~
SOOOO, If you see a post of some sort tomorrow that other pregnant lady went into labor and I got booted! (FYI, I don't personally know of any other pregnant ladies but I am sure there are some due...) :)!

{39 Weeks!}

2007-08-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start out with the fact that down in the "weekly facts" about Week 39, there is really nothing NOTHING that needed to be said and this kid can just come out NOW!

That being said, I am DONE! I no longer ONLY have swollen ankles, but swollen legs and numb hands and legs and my right hand, well, I'd love to have the tingling sensation GO AWAY! I asked Dr. Gramann about it and he said it just water retention pressing on nerves but I am sick of it!

Apparently, I can't say for sure, I am a *little* cranky these days also...but who's asking?

Cravings: Ummm, Farrelli's Wood Fire Four Cheese Pizza with Ranch. Pretty detailed, huh, well you should try it, AMAZINGLY good pizza!

--
Aversions: Peanut butter, again...I had a pb and j sandwich and it came up pretty fast, I won't be surprised if Tanner has a peanut allergy as I haven't been able to eat much of any kind of nut this whole pregnancy, which is NOT normal!
--
T.M.C: Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

--
You see what I mean? Nothing, I am at a point when nothing but more weight is being added!

{Doctor Appointment!}

2007-07-31T20:02:00.001-07:00

Well, Dr. Gramann may not get a Christmas card for the "Best Doctor" afterall, just kidding!

My blood pressure was up a little and my feet are still swollen. I asked the doctor about a water pill because my Grandma wanted me to take one. My arms and shoulders have been going numb and he said that it had to do with the water retention pinching a nerve. He said NO to the water pill and I was happy to listen; taking the water pill kind of scared me!

He checked me and told me that I am a "strong 2 but not yet a 3". Then he said it: "Another 2 or 3 weeks and you should deliver, don't worry I will only let you go a week over your due date." HE'S FIRED! I didn't want to hear A WEEK OVERDUE!!!

Lets hope some freak nature pull will set me into labor early as I do not want to wait until August 19th!

{38 Weeks!}

2007-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

The weeks are starting to go by slower and slower. On Tuesday I had a second baby shower with the women from church. I have to say I was pretty adament about not wanting more then one shower BUT I loved this second shower. It was small and intimate and it gave me the opportunity to talk to women from church I haven't gotten to talk to in a long while and some women I'd never talked to but now I will!

My feet are still swollen, I love how people call and ask me if they've gone down or if I've gone into labor yet. Doctor Gramann has made it clear to me that they will not go down until I have the baby. I even had a cousin tell me if I get an epidural they'll stay swollen--oh joy! I have an aunt who called nearly every day for a week asking if I was still pregnant, she's stopped only because she's on vacation right now :). I also have people FREAKING out if I don't return a phone call immediately, because IT MIGHT BE NOW!?!? I will make sure to call as many people as possible and if I don't call Victor will :)!

Cravings: I was initially going to put nothing but then I realized this whole week I've wanted ice cubes? Not really a craving but then again, maybe...I don't like ice cubs from a tray and we don't have an ice machine so I have been using a half used bag of ice cubes we bought for camping but didn't use....Normally, I don't like ice cubes and don't need them as long as a drink is cold but this week I've been drinking and then chomping on the ice cubes later...

Aversions: Nothing that I can think of.

T.M.C: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and he's nearly 20 inches long. He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

{37 Weeks!}

2007-07-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I've decided I will not wait for my doctors appointment as last week I nearly forgot to post week 36. My goal was to make sure and have it done before a certain aunt reminded me I'd forgotten; luckly, she was on vacation and I posted it before she got back :)!

37 Weeks! According to http://www.babycenter.com/ my baby is fully developed and can enter the world. I've always heard 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late (making me think 38 weeks) but apparently it's 37 and, well, I'll take it! I've had a slow week. I wrote a to-do list and am almost complete. I need to pack my bag for the hospital and organize my closet and then I'm done and can sit and wait....I just hope it's not like a TV show waiting were you see the clock ticking and the person waiting and waiting and waiting...I'd rather NOT do that!

I've experienced a lot of braxton hicks contractions and am not thrilled for what will be coming! I've also had horrible heartburn. It comes and goes and seems to come always at night. For the past 3 days I've slept on the couch in a sitting up position to feel a little relief!
--

Cravings: This weekI ate at Taco Time 4 times for lunch! I've always gotten a chicken soft taco meal, but NEVER eat it all and wouldn't you know it that they have a kids meal version! I have to say the kids meal version is BETTER, it comes with fried tortillas dipped in sugar and cinnamon too, with a much smaller taco and mexi-fries, I've been in heaven!

--
Aversions: Nothing that I can think of.
--
T.M.C: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs a little over 6 pounds and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

{36 Weeks and Dr. Appt!}

2007-07-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

I have had lots of people tell me I look like I've dropped. Both Victor and I can't really tell but we see my stomach every day. It is probably safe to say that I am "nesting", but we are having inspections at the apartment and my manager has to walk through every apartment including mine. Normally, I do this but this time it seems I am decluttering A LOT more, throwing out A LOT more, and taking A LOT to our storage shed, at first having the storage shed bothered me paying for extra room to hold more junk but I am really dejunking the house and taking most of the stuff I plan to keep at least until we buy a home there. Only one problem with the storage shed is not having it right here.

--
Cravings: This week I ate breakfast every day :). That is something I still rarely do. It seemed that I ate the same things all week, and am still not bored with any of them. I would cook an egg, add a piece of cheese and toast bread put it all together and call it breakfast :). We have also had white rice with almost every meal. I thought Victor was going to be sick of it but he's a trooper and has eaten it each time; one time even asking "no rice?" but in a tone that made me think he wanted it !!
--

Aversions: Nothing that I can think of.

T.M.C: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little under 19 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

***Side Note*** Baby has been head down since I was 28-29 weeks along!

I decided to wait until after my doctor's appointment to post this week (rather then on Sunday) so that I could just talk about my doctor's appointment and 36 weeks at the same time.... Here goes:

I first apologized to my doctor and he assured me that he didn't even realized that I'd yelled at him! Also, he checked me and I now "looser" then last week maybe a 2. Okay here is where I a scream "DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW BIG 2 CENTIMETERS REALLY IS!?!?!" right there on the wall was a diagram that explains the different sizes of centimeters....which for those of you (like me) who didn't know a 2 is the size of a quarter! EWW!

Nothing else really of notable interest, except again my blood pressure was too high. :(

{Dr. Appt!}

2007-07-12T15:33:00.001-07:00

Tuesday was my first *fun* appointment (insert sarcasism). Dr. Gramann did the Strep Test on me and will let me know the results on my next appointment. He also checked to see if I have any action going on (so to speak).

I need to say that I checked my folder for the urine sample from last week and it said TR in big red capital letters. I asked Candice what she thought it meant and we both were stumped. I was planning on asking the Doctor what it meant but the rest of the appointment went by so fast and painfully that I forgot! Later, talkign with my Grandma we decided it possibly meant Toxemia Risk.

He told me to relax and it would be a little uncomfortable. Um, no it REALLY REALLY REALLY hurt! In fact I think I probably flinched, whined and gasped. Candice (best friend that she is) laughed at me! He knew I was uncomfortable and said he was almost done BUT really he wasn't and it took another minute or so. I in the process yelled/talked loud, "are you almost done?!"

Once, Dr. Gramann was finished he helped me sit up (in which I immediately felt like I was going to pass out, I think next week I will stay laying down for a little bit). He then made the comment, "It's tough having babies!" NOW, I didn't mean for the next sentence to come off as harsh or rude as it did and I didn't realize that I YELLED at him until after the appointment. To his wonderful comment I quickly replied with, "How would you know!?" (Still in pain mind you). He commented back that he's witness a few in his time.

I guess I must have flustered the poor man because the rest of the time he was in the room was less then two minutes and he managed to tell me, I am dilated to a 1 CM, not much but that is something. I am partially effaced (but didn't give me a %). If I experienced any spotting or bleeding to call the office, it's normal but not to worry and just call him. He told me my blood pressure is on a slight rise and continue to watch it. Then he all but ran out of the room. He made it out the door, popped his head back in and said "do you have any questions?" Still in pain I said NO! and he quickly shut the door.

I got dressed and we made it out to the car. The whole time I am oblivious to my actions towards the doctor and then I said to Candice, "he kinda ran out the door didn't he? I mean, he almost forgot to ask if I had any questions!" She laughed and said she would have ran if I yelled at her that way too and that she thinks I was the first to ever YELL at a doctor that way!

I feel bad, it wasn't my intention to yell at the poor man and next week plan on apologizing! I can only hope that the pain lessens as I dialate further. If not, an epidural is looking like something I WILL have! My next appointment is Monday rather then Tuesday because of Victor's surgery.

{35 Weeks and Doctor Appt!}

2007-07-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

I had a doctor's appt this week and will every Tuesday for the next few weeks but will be giving details about it on the other blog . This week went by pretty fast. Between appointments and a fast vacation it all flew by. I have been having signs of toxemia or pre-eclampsia but haven't gotten the full blown thing yet. My feet have been swollen Monday night they swelled even more, I knew something was wrong by the way I was feeling and reacted accordingly. My feet were super painful with red blotchy spots on it. I called Cathy and she suggested measuring my feet and taking my blood pressure. I did both and the numbers were gross. I continued to take my blood pressure every 30 minutes for 3 times. Cathy told me my machine might be off so I went to the Fred Meyers machine and mine was only higher by 5 points but that was also 30 minutes before that. I grabbed new pajamas and a few things that I needed and right before I left I checked again, because my feet were starting feel normal again. My blood pressure had lowered and was normal again, WHEW! I did tell Dr. Gramann all about it the next day and he gave me some things to watch for.

Cravings: This week I had a somewhat weird craving. I have never really liked hotdogs. I think I might have ate them as a child but that was because hamburgers were even worse for me. This week hot dogs have sounded good. Before camping I really wanted one and so while shopping I picked up a "lunchables hot dog meal" I was not about to buy a whole pack of hot dogs, especially if I didn't like them. One night Victor had cobasa (I am sure I just spelt that completely wrong) and I had a hot dog. Um, yeah, still don't like them. But then we go camping and the little kids are eatting cheese filled hot dogs all cut up from loving mothers. They look good. So I get one, and take one bite and wait until no one is looking and throw the rest away. The next day they still sound good (even though I know I will NOT like them) and while eating baked beans and smoked weinies I had a little one. IT was okay but it was only one bite and I was good then. BUT MAN! WEIRD CRAVING!

--
Aversions: Yeah, read above. I craved hot dogs but then didn't like them each time I tried it.

--
T.M.C: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 pounds plus. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

{34 Weeks!}

2007-07-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well, for a whole week straight now my feet have been so swollen that literally you can not see my ankles AT ALL! Any tips BESIDES, drinking lots of water and keeping my feet up and elevated and off my feet? I'd really REALLY like them to go down, they hurt all the time and the pressure is moving into my legs WHICH are getting tight too :(! This week has FLOWN by. We (I love how I say we because I only moved stuff and painted one wall) painted the living room and kitchen and put down the flooring in the living room, kitchen and baby room. All that is left is painting our room and flooring. Well, the touch up and detail stuff afterwards!

Every Sunday, Victor asks how far are you know? What week is this? I then tell him, each time slightly annoyed because how hard is it to remember? Then after I answer, he asks, how far was your mom with Lexi? And I tell him, 34.5 weeks. Then he states (the only thing he manages to retain---which might be the most unaccurate piece of the whole issue) but she's a girl so her lungs are more developed, right? I always answer yes girls lungs develope faster but as long as he has nothing wrong (medically) he'll do fine...AND, yes, he did this tonight in bed right before he fell asleep, he's like clockwork with this questioning thing :)!

Cravings: Chicken Fajita Pitas from Jack in the Box, all because I was talking to Candice on the phone when she went through the drive thru and ordered one. I remembered them and late that night sent Victor to get me one (he volunteered, ah so sweet :)!)

Aversions: Nothing that I can think of....I do like that most things don't bother me....I have been pretty lucky to not have too many smells get to me also BUT I made crockpot pork chops and after the leftovers stayed out over night in the crock pot I about killed myself when I lifted the lid. My mother-in-law was washing the dishes as I was emptying things and she kept telling me NOTHING SMELLS BAD! Yeah right!

T.M.C: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

{33 Weeks! and Doctor Appt}

2007-06-24T20:38:00.001-07:00

Holy Cow! I have probably said this a thousand times but ITS GETTING CLOSE! Yikes, we are SO not ready. Just when we think we will be finishing the babies room something else comes up :). Victor is going to be having surgery (most likely) in July and before that we wanted to finish the "Honey Do List Before the Baby Comes" :)! Victor has never been one to actually follow a "Honey Do List" but with the baby coming he actually has something going and so he has finished almost all of my wishlist. The two major jobs were painting and flooring. It seems we will be doing that this week. First working on the living room and kitchen painting Monday and then the flooring Tuesday. I have spent most of this weekend (between mulitiple naps) "packing" YEAH it stinks!

Not much to report as for doctor's appointment. Everything normal and the same as before. I only gained 1.5 pounds in the 3 weeks! YIPEE! I only have 1 more 2 week appointment (July 3rd) and then every Tuesday from then on!

A friend and I were talking and she said we'll the baby can come two weeks early and be full term, that gives you five weeks. Currently, with our list he can not come any sooner then planned :), but if we finish all our to-do and surgeries with time to spare THEN it's okay :)!

Cravings: I ate at the Teriyaki place like 3 or 4 times this week!

Aversions: Nothing that I can think of....

T.M.C: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

****Quick Side Note and Funny Story**** I am pleased to read that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance! I was one of them and since about 28 weeks this kid has been down in the birth canal ready. Which worried me that he, too, would be born with a conehead. My aunts like to remind me of how funny I looked, yeah I love them for the sweet memories:).

{32 Weeks!}

2007-06-17T01:08:00.000-07:00

Someone at church asked what it was like to finally be in the "single digits"....Emotional! I am not sure if it just my nerves or that my hormones are super out of whack but recently I have been even more emotional. I am an emotional person, but in private for the most part. Rarely will I cry in front of anyone more then my husband. Recently, Candice has almost witnessed a near breakdown and the topic, not something I should have cried over. I had talked with my Grandma, my mom and Victor but surprisingly as soon as I told Candice I got all choked up?! And now, it's 1AM and I am putting this post up because I am too upset to go to sleep, all over a dog!

Cravings: Something I grew up having lots of during the summer was sun tea. Since about February Iced Tea has sounded so yummy. I looked and looked for decaffinated tea and never found it. Victor finally had enough of my wishing and hoping and found lipton decaffinated hot tea but once I make it I just drink it cold. I have had A LOT of it and haven't gotten over something I have never missed until pregnancy. It makes me think of the women that have told me they have craved smoking a cigarette, even though they've never smoked before...just something weird to chalk up to pregnancy!

Aversions: I was avoiding most everything because of really bad heartburn until Candice suggested that I take a zantac before eating, DUH---why didn't I think of that?!

T.M.C: By now, your baby is just shy of 4 pounds and is nearly 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. 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. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

{Baby Shower and More!}

2007-06-10T15:44:00.002-07:00

First, a special thanks to Candice for putting my baby shower together, letting me help, and giving me exactly what I wanted! We had a great meal catered by New York Catering and enjoyed the pleasant cafe. The cake was so yummy none was left over AND I had to actually ask for MY piece, which my Grandma kept taking from me for more pictures. Between Deana (sister) and Cathy (step mom) I have well over 150 pictures. Cathy kept trying to get a picture of my with my mouth full of food. I told her to go ahead and keep taking pictures with my camera because I would just delete the bad pictures! I also promised her that I would eventually take a picture of her with her mouth full and that I promised I would devote a special post to her with her mouth full....she stopped taking bad pictures of me immediately!

We played a few games and had so much fun! We played a question and answer game all about me...

What was Leslie's reaction to watching "The Baby Story", the one and only tmie she watched it?
What is the name Victor has been telling people they are naming the baby, as a joke?
What is the name Leslie and Victor are planning on naming the little boy?
How many Grandma's does this baby have (include Great-Grandma's)?
How many children does Victor want?
How many children does Leslie want?
How have they agreed on how many children they want?
What are the colors of the nursery (hint three colors).
What is the one physical feature Leslie wants the baby to get from Victor?
What is the one physical feature Victor wants the baby to get from Leslie?
What was Leslie's first reaction after finding out the baby was a boy?
What dreams do Leslie and Victor hope the baby will accomplish?
What personality trait is Leslie and Victor worried about the baby getting too much of?
What will be something this baby adn Leslie do a lot of (hint-hobby)?
How many times has Leslie been to the doctor for an emergency appointment rather then the normal ob appointments?

Answers:

Turn it off! Turn off the TV!
Pedro
Tanner Manuel
9 - Leslie's side: Donna, Cathy, Ardeth, Helen, Rosetta, and Gerry. Victor's side: Lucy and his two Grandma's {Forgive me but I don't know their names and he's sleeping...}
10
2
Two children will be coming out of my body and we will proceed to adopt until HE has decided we are done, I am thinking it will be WAY before we reach 10!
Light Green (Actual Name:Cypress), Dark Green (Actual Name: Juniper), and Dark Blue (Actual Name: Blue Silk)
His Feet
Her Eyes
He's going to pee on me!
Granduate High School, Complete a Mission and Graduate from College
Stubborness
Photography
2

We also played a memory card game with items around pregnancy and babies. When someone found a match they got a prize associated with whatever match they'd found...

Daddy-Hot Tamales (Candice wanted to do Big Hunk but I thought Hot Tamales were more up Victor's alley)
Mommy-Airheads
Amniotic Fluid-Bottle of Water
Baby Bottle-Milky Way
Boobs-Mounds
I'm Pregnant-Skor
Doctor-Butterfingers
Dr./Hospital Bill-100 Grand
3 Grandmas-3 Musketeers
Baby Giggles-Snickers
Baby Shower-Almond Joy
Umbilical Cord-Red Vines
Dirty Diaper-Milk Duds
Baby Kisses-Hersey Kisses
Nap Time-Take 5
Tax Deduction-Pay Day
Baby-Baby Ruth

{Baby Shower Pictures!}

2007-06-10T15:44:00.001-07:00

Here is an assortment of baby shower pictures. A special thanks to Deana and Cathy!

My mother-in-law made this! I thought it was procelain but she told me she made it. She's been taking cake decorating classes so I am assuming this is sugar or frosting! It is not a great picture as my hands are in the way but I will take another one as soon as the whole nursery is put up and post it again.

My mom bought these nifty little pins so I wore "mommy to be", Lexi wore "aunt to be" and Mom wore "grandma to be". Mom bought more then one pack BUT I forgot them at home...

This little stinker kept climbing into the bags and taking stuff! I can only imagine what this Christmas will be like!

Family and Friends

Gifts

{31 Weeks!}

2007-06-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

A couple people have mentioned I have the "waddle"....oh, joy! I do always feel tired, have heartburn and swolen feet, I can not see my ankles and this is an all day-everyday occurance now. I am not sure if I've mentioned this BUT pregnant ladies that said, "I can't remember...." and blame it on pregnancy....I used to think those ladies were CRAZY but twice every day this week I forgot that Saturday (yesterday) was my baby shower. On Wednesday Candice was telling me her work schedule and she had Saturday off, which she never has off! I asked her why'd you take Saturday off, she looked at me like I was stupid...ummm, your shower! Then on Friday (one day before my shower) the chiropractor asked what my plans were for this weekend and I told her, nothing I think it's going to be the first quiet weekend I've had in a while. About 5 minutes later I realized what I'd forgotten. She suggested I tattoo it to my forehead, instead I literally spent the rest of the day quoting, baby shower, baby shower....

Cravings: Nothing that I can remember.

Aversions: Nothing that I can think of...

T.M.C: This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and he's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath his skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, his arms, legs, and body are filling out.

{30 Weeks and Dr. Appt!)

2007-06-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

I am officially three-fourths the way finished! I feel much slower these days. I can't get enough sleep and yet my neighbor asked me if I was high on something becuase I couldn't sit still, ha! I saw Dr. Gramann last week and again he told me how perfect and beautiful I was. I was mentioning this to someone (I really can't remember-I thought ladies were crazy when they said, "Oh, I'm pregnant, I can't remember"!! BUT IT IS SOOO TRUE-anyways back to my story...) I was mentioning to someone that he tells me I am the perfect size and beautiful all the time. They joked how much am I paying him....well, whatever the insurance pays him ;)! and not a penny more :)! Dr. Gramann gave me an ultrasound and said that he is the right position. My Grandma and Candice both kidded with me after he left. Candice said, "did you notice the size of that kid's head?" and Grandma said, "Did you see all that hair?" Both of which I said, "really? OOOO" and they both said they'd been kidding. I did gain more weight then I had thought so I decided it was time to stop drinking pop again, too much sugar :)! Dr. Gramann also said that I had been retaining water, already! UGH!

I have spent the majority of my free time painting. I despised hating before painting the baby room and yes I still hate it but for some odd reason it is okay to do it for the baby. Today, as I was sweaty and sore I couldn't really find an actual reason why we think we need to paint and decorate a baby room, because he DOESN'T care the least bit, but yet, we suckers do it!

Cravings: Watermelon and strawberries and cucumbers...

Aversions: Thousand Island and ketchup, two of my FAVES, not because they make me sick but because they give me heart burn!

T.M.C: Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and fills out your uterus. His eyes open and close, he's able to distinguish between light and dark, and he can even follow a light source back and forth. Once 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 a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.)

{28 and 29 Weeks!}

2007-05-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well I skipped a week and thought it would go unnoticed. I knew that I would catch week 28 up when I did 29 and I wasn't aware how close this is watched by others. Today at our family picnic/bbq an aunt of mine informed I was still at 27 weeks! So this is for Aunt Tammy ;)!

At the beginning of my pregnancy EVERYONE (or so it seemed) told me how slow the whole 9 month process would be for me. Actually the first 7 months seemed to go by so FAST, but just in this last week it seems like each hour, day, and week takes a long time. My mom is still telling me it will get worse the last 4 weeks...

I have been able to keep myself occupied with different things. First having a visitor from Mexico then going to California and with the slow but progressing nursery details I am busy.

Pregnancy wise...I had a few days in which I was blessed with morning sickness again. It was horrible! Something that shouldn't have made me sick did and I threw up right on the living room throw rug...(we got new ones that day!) and one morning I had to get up earlier then normal (I have learned to just stay in bed for the first while) and because I was leaving the house to watch Harlee I brushed my teeth before noon! A BIG NO-NO! I ended up throwing twice before making into the car for a safe trip to Candices. I am thankful to say the morning sickness has left again :)!WHEW!

Cravings: Nothing...

Aversions: Nothing....

T.M.C: Week 28: By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of his head to her heels. He can open his eyes — which now sport lashes — and he'll turn his head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. His fat layers are beginning to form, too, as he gets ready for life outside the womb.

Week 29: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to accommodate his brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and him well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)

{27 Weeks!}

2007-05-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

WOW! Only 13 weeks left! YIKES! This week has been very busy and productive. Candice and I sat down and made the invitations for the baby shower. We sent them out and I have already had people tell me yes and no they can make it! We were more or less getting them out because my Grandma was adament about everyone needing 1 month notice (we sent them out on the one month date!). We got an email that our dresser and changing table were in the store and late Friday night we went and picked them up (thanks to Candice and her jeep). We got home about 11 and Victor started putting the dresser together. He finished about 1AM! As each drawer was finished I folded and placed the clothing that I already have in each drawer :)! The OCD part of me even has each drawer age catergorized. Drawer 1: Preemie and Newborn, Drawer 2: 0-3 Months, Drawer 3: 3-6 Months, Drawer 4: 6-12 Months, Drawer 5: 12-24 Months! He is just now finishing the changing table!

Cravings: It seems lately that I go in spurts of wanting the same thing for about a week. This week it was pizza. We ate out for lunch having pizza and I made a few frozen pizzas for lunches...Pizza, Pizza, Pizza. Which lead to heartburn, heartburn, heartburn!

Aversions: Nothing Much! Luckily there hasn't been anything that makes my stomach turn. I have pretty much stayed away from anything that just didn't "sound" good and have done well.

T.M.C: Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

{26 Weeks!}

2007-05-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

This week has FLOWN BY! Between ordering the crib set and then my doctor's appointment and then our Portland Vacation I don't have much to report this week!

Cravings: I ate A LOT of Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, YUM!

Aversions: Nothing Much!

T.M.C: Your baby now weighs a little under 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches, from head to heel. The nerve pathways in her ears are developing, which means her response to sounds is growing more consistent. Her lungs are developing now, too, as she continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when she's born and takes that first breath of air. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

{Dr. Appt!}

2007-05-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

SOOO, I had my doctor's appointment and took the Glucose test. I will only get a call if something is wrong, lets hope I don't hear from anyone! I also was relieved, happy and ECSTATIC to only gain 1 pound. The doctor measured me and said I was PERFECT! Not too small, not too big, but PERFECT! ;)! The baby's heart beat was 150 and sounded really strong. I asked the doctor A LOT of questions and all were answered to my liking. He said he wasn't worried about me flying to California in May but not in June. I was free to take Zantac 2 times a day with Tums as needed throughout the WHOLE day. I am free to paint on my own. He said to try and stick to Latex based paints rather then oil based and to stay off ladders but that I could paint on my own (which is a plus because I am starting to get antsy and wanting to get things done! AND waiting on others is driving me NUTS!)

Overall, it was a great appointment and I will have one more 4 week appointment (Monday May 30th) then onto 2 week appts! AUGUST IS SNEAKING UP ON ME!

{Tanner's Room!}

2007-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

I am so EXCITED!!! Almost giddy and hyper! I was planning on ordering each piece one by one but they were on sale SO I ordered the whole set and it should be here in less then 2 weeks! I am now feeling like things are a little further planned and I am not feeling not-so ready as much. I also set up a date for the baby shower and just need to give them the credit card to reserve the place! So with that I went ahead and did Online Registry for both WalMart and Burlington Coat Factory. I am really getting excited and want to get the bedding set picked out!

{25 Weeks!}

2007-04-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

This week was the first week that someone else felt the baby. For a few weeks Victor has been putting his hand on my tummy and "saying" that he has felt the baby. This week he was feeling and everytime the baby moved Victor responded and was more excited then before. I asked him if he had really felt the baby before then or if he'd just been saying yes, my suspicions were correct: he'd been humoring me! I used to really only feel him when I was in bed but recently he's been moving a lot and during the day while I am in different positions, sitting up, laying down, on my side, moving. While in Water Aerobics he started kicking on my bladder so I was trying to hold my fluids inside while working out and so I stopped during one particular activity and the instructor called me on it. I said I was pregnant and the position felt funny and she said that the other pregnant ladies had always said this one was the easiest. I really wanted to look at her and ask which she preferred, me peeing in the pool or resting for a second while the baby calmed down?!

Cravings: It seems like last week I ate Teriyaki Chicken at least 3 or 4 times. So far this week I haven't felt like it so, that must have been a craving for a week :)!? Baskin and Robbin's Daquri Ice Ice Cream was so good that the next night I went back and purchased a quart of it! The quart lasted the whole week but I just finished it, and MUST go back for more!

Aversions: Weird but I can eat chicken breast meat but when it came to an instant chicken patty---well that did NOT sit well at all!

T.M.C: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

{24 Weeks!}

2007-04-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

So today it hit me: I am 24 Weeks/SIX MONTHS! I am feeling a little unprepared---which is not me! I am usually ahead of the game done with everything have all the Christmas Presents wrapped and under the tree the day of Thanksgiving...So to have only 3 months left, WHAT, where did the time go? I guess I will be needing to make one of my lists :)!

Cravings: Still watermelon and fruits, yumm!

Aversions: Nothing much! Lucky Me!

T.M.C: Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when he was just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long, that makes a pretty lean figure, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby's skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, his brain is growing rapidly, and his taste buds are developing. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

{23 Weeks!}

2007-04-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well, since my doctor's appt I have been pregnancy dieting :)! Not that I haven't been eating really healthy anyways (honestly better then before I was pregnant)! I forgot to mention that the doctor moved my due date up three days. The ultrasound tech said nine days but the doctor only changed the date 3 days earlier. That changes my due date to be August 12th which is on a Sunday. (Which is why I am now updating on Sundays rather then Wednesdays).

Cravings: Nothing much but I have been eating lots of watermelon and strawberries. Today as a treat I melted chocolate and dipped the strawberries in it and then let the chocolate harden (SO YUMMY!!!)

Aversions: Nothing much! Lucky Me!

T.M.C: baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. His skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. He can swallow, but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when he hears them outside the womb.

{22 Weeks!}

2007-04-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well it is official, I've decided that my baby has ADHD. He waits until I just about to fall asleep and then decides to start acrobatics in the womb...We finally heard the heartbeat on our little doppler thing that my Aunt Tammy gave me. Victor got to feel the baby kick also. This week has been a pretty good week. I have been having lots of nightmares (not involving the baby) so an actual sleeping pattern is a little off.

But now, for update on my doctor stuff. I saw Dr. Holly Dickson today instead of Dr. Gramann. Dr. Gramann mentioned they like their patients to see the other doc once (I am thinking just incase she is on call when I go into labor) so we know both OBGYN. I've been to her before (when I had to start all my girlie stuff thinking I would like a woman doctor more) and like her as a person just not as my doctor...She (well and my body) is the main reason I was so screwed up for about a year because of the different types of birth controls she tried with me....

Anyways, here we go!! I still don't like her as a doctor. I was only in her room for a whole 10 minutes and 5 was waiting and she spent about 5 minutes with me...The baby's heartbeat was 140. She gave me the orange juice for the glucose test (next month) AND THAT WAS IT! I had to say, I have a few questions....Oh, and I did not do as well as last month in the weight department. YUCK!

Cravings: Still sweets, which is why I did NOT buy any during my weekly grocery shopping trip, nor did I buy any more ice cream. You need a lot to make a milkshake but you don't realize HOW MUCH you are really getting :)!

Aversions: I had a funny night last night. I had been craving this Mexican Meat (that is what I call it) and you have to buy it specially in Tacoma. Victor made a special trip to buy it. Then you eat it with beans, tortillas, sour cream, avacadoes, and pico de gallo (tomatoes, onions, cilantro, salt and lime juice). I REALLY really wanted it but by the second mini taco (corn tortillas are small) I thought, I'd better be done I don't feel so well. Also, Candice took me to this little sub shop called Jersey Mikes, in Bonney Lake, GREAT FOOD! They cut the meat fresh and in front of you but they had all the meat in a window that you could see all the meat sitting there and THAT made me a little ill.....

T.M.C: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. His skin will continue to appear wrinkled until he gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his head and body is now visible. His lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath his gum line. His eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and his pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

{20 and 21 Weeks!}

2007-04-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

I wasn't planning on posting today but rather waiting another week until my doctor tells me exactly how far along I am! The ultrasound tech told me I he thought I was farther along but today I realized I never got around to posting last weeks so I am posting two this week and will fast-forward next week if I skip a week or so once the doctor tells me....I would like to mention I FINALLY felt the baby kick! Monday March 26th. It happened in bed as I rolled from one side to another. The first kick I think my heart stopped and I thought, "wait, what? Was that the baby?" and then I waited and not soon after I felt it again. It was hard to think of words to describe it but I will say it DID NOT feel like butterflies, as everyone has told me. It felt more like a flick you would give with your finger but from the inside. I have since felt it two more times both of these times have been when my laptop is sitting on my lap, I am now wondering if I should make sure it rests on my legs and not on the baby at all for fear of too much heat or weight..... I also had an alarming and life halting feeling lower then normal. I called Candice (pretty late at night) and she diagnosed it as the baby having hiccups. All I have to say is when I first feel something the feelings I get are not joyous, THIS KID IS GOING TO KILL MY NERVES! I get pretty nervous and then realize, it is OKAY! :)

Cravings: Sweets! This is the first time I have really had a sweet tooth! I am serious! I had some sort of sweet every day and then maybe every night, strawberries and cheesecake, chocolate turtle pie, Sunday Conference I made blackberry, rasberry and blueberry pie (don't get to proud it was frozen one), and I taught Victor the true meaning of Vanilla milkshake and I think we had one for 3-4 nights in a row! I am not thinking the doctor will give me a pleasing weight next week. It won't be the great, "Leslie, you're doing wonderful, You only gained 1/2 a pound this whole month." It will mostlikely be something along the lines of "slow down sister!" :)

Aversions: I am doing pretty good! I actually tried peanut butter today and managed to keep it down and THAT is saying a lot because I seriously could just think of peanut butter or NUTS in general and would gag.

T.M.C: 20 Weeks: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against his torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.) A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats his entire body to protect his skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.) Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

21 Weeks: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night.

{And the Verdict is?!?!?!}

2007-03-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

We got our ultrasound today!! It was very interesting and actually really calm. I thought I might be nervous at first but wasn't.

UGH! The doctor told me I had to relieve my bladder at 9:30 AM and then from 9:30 until 10AM I was to drink 24 ounces of water. Seriously by 10:17 I was squirming really bad. I ended up going into the bathroom and counting to 15 while going REALLY slow not to empty my bladder but I wasn't going to be able to wait the next 45 minutes JUST to get into the appointment. After that I drank more water because it has now been proven my bladder fills up super fast! Once the technician called us (Victor and I only-our 3 moms had to wait until the end) I immediately told him, I already need to pee again! He laughed and said one minute. I thought he was joking. He laid me down, took one picture of just by bladder and said that my bladder was indeed TOO full and to empty it! I said I thought the whole procedure wouldn't work if I didn't have a full bladder and he said if I was a few weeks earlier it would be a different story but being this far along didn't matter and in fact made it harder to be 100% clear and easy! I WAS RELIEVED!!!

The technician spent about 40 minutes checking things (I am not sure of WHAT as I laid on a bed and couldn't see the screen). I think I told him 3 times we really did want to know the sex and did he know yet???

He said that we most likely would need to come back for a second ultrasound because he was looking for something in the heart but the baby and the heart are small and whatever he was looking for is only 2 milimeters big. In a few weeks the baby will have grown more and he will see whatever he was looking for. I am not alarmed because he told me he was able to catch a glimpse of it but wanted to snap a shot of it for the doctor but the baby moved before he could.

He mentioned that the baby was developed and aged to about 20 weeks and on the moniter it said 20w2d (20 Weeks, 2 Days). HA! I have been telling Dr. Gramann I was farther along then his 19 weeks! The technician never told me an exact size but did mention the baby was smaller in size but not SUPER small. FINE by me, I will not complain for a small baby, in fact, the smaller the better so long as the baby is FULLY developed...

FINALLY........And, yes, I drug this out because I really felt the technician did this to us, so I am giving you a taste of patience---and I don't have much of that virtue!

It's a BOY!

He showed us this picture of a gray semi circle and said that this was a hip bone, then pointed on the opposite side and said this was a leg and then the middle part was well, his privates. I could see what he was looking at but the "hip bone" wasn't white like the rest of the bones and was very dark and gray so to me it was hard to tell. I was only 75% satisfied.

After this we were invited to let our moms come in. My mom, Cathy and my mother-in-law stepped in and asked well, what is it? And before they had come in Victor said don't tell them make them wait. So I answered them with it was a baby! Then told them take it up with Victor because he wanted to wait. He smiled, turned red and said, we are having a boy!

Once the tecnician came back in to give them a little peek and I told him we had a few unbelivers (my mom and mother-in-law) and if he could get another still shot to show he is a boy! A little later we determined that our son will need to be taught a lesson in modesty :)! The shot he showed us was looking down from the head and you could see two perfect little pelvic bones and right out in the middle there it was! There is no denying or second guessing it is pretty much 100%! The technician said he was so sure that if he and Bill Gates made a bet he'd take all of Bill's money ;)!

I have to say it was weird hearing, "You are having a boy." He told me this at around 11:45 and now 6 hours later I am trying to figure out my feelings. They are not feelings of sadness because I didn't care either way, boy or girl. I guess you could describe the feelings as anxious, excited and nervous. If he has said a girl I would have been fine. It seems that there are tons of little girls in my life right now and I am used to them. So for a little boy I am trying to decide what I do with them :)! I know that I will just jump right and realize boy or girl I can figure it out. :)

{Drumroll Please!}

2007-03-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here are the ultrasound pictures of our BABY! It definetly seems much more real to me now!

I am not sure how well the pictures look. My scanner and I are not the best of friends, so instead I took a picture with my camera, cropped them and now they are here!

This pictures is a side view with the baby's hand up close to his mouth. You can see his cute little nose and profile of his face.

This picture is another head and arm shot but you get to see more of the skull and bones.

The technician said we have a true boy "hands fisted and ready to fight!" I am not too sure he'll be a fighter, we will work hard to have a lover :)!This ones a little blurry but you can see the leg, ankle and part of his foot.I guess this one is blurry too, it has to be from taking the picture and then cropping it because the real ulrasound picture shows a perfect leg and little itty bitty toes!

{Boy or Girl?!?!?!}

2007-03-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

So in effort to put all information out here I am putting it down on (internet) paper so I have this stuff down and out of my head. If I forgot someone or gave the information incorrectly, I apologize:

Victor:Girl

Dad:Boy

Mom:Girl

Cathy:Boy (but she says she could be wrong)

Mama (Mother-in-law):Girl
Papa (Father-in-law):Girl

Jeffrey:Boy

Deana:Boy

Candice:Girl

Kelle:Boy (but she might have changed her mind..)

Brent:Girl

Joy:Boy

Aunt Tammy:Girl

Aunt Lisa:Girl

Grandma: Girl

ME: I still have NO idea but since most people are saying a girl and most wive's tales are swinging to the girl side I am starting to wonder... The answers are whatever my answers are:

Wive's Tales:

If your legs are just the same as they were before you got pregnant: Girl

If your fingernails are growing faster and stronger: Boy

Mom, its time to bite the bullet and look at what's happening to your waistline...If you say what wasteline, you are having a: Girl

Are you bugged by your feet being colder than they were before your pregnancy? If no: Girl

A very old New England wives' tale says if you are sleeping in a bed with your head to the North, you'll have a boy: My head is to the South: Girl

Germans say that a girl will make you want to sleep more then you did before: Girl

A girl is favored if you sleep on your right side: Girl

At your next doctor's appt check the heartrate test. If the heartrate is lower then 139 it's a boy. All of my heart rates have been 150-160: Girl

According to the greater authority of old wives' tales you are more likely to have morning sickness with a girl: Girl

Do you feel well or not so well during your pregnancy? Having a daughter, it is said, make for a troublesome pregnancy:Girl

Does your mom-the child's maternal grandmother-have gray hair or is it colored? If her hair is NOT gray a girl is headed for her coming out party: Girl

Before getting pregnant did you like chicken or beef more? If chicken it's a girl and if beef it's a boy (if you want the technical reasons for this one email me---I am not putting the WHOLE story and background on this one on here!):Chicken:Girl

Okay, so I am done trying to remember all the wives' tales I have heard these last 5 months but you get the gist!

{10 Things to Savor!}

2007-03-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

I think I am a weird one that reads most magazine from back to front (rather then the normal person who probably reads front to back?). I got this month's Pregnancy Magazine and flipped to the back to start reading. It had this cute article that I wanted to put on here...Maybe those other preggos out there can enjoy this also!

Between morning sickness and too-tight wedding rings, sometimes it can be hard to find anything to appreciate about expecting a baby (beyond, the impending bundle of joy, of course). This spring, stop and smell the roses, so to speak, and consider these bonuses of being pregnant:

Buying, and receiving, all those cute baby items, regardless of the expense.
Letting other people help you, by opening doors, carrying bags, or propping your feet up!
Taking lot naps that everyone will understand.
Getting away with being round and plump.
Noshing all day (nutritiously, of course).
Gaining those hormone-induced gifts: thicker hair, longer nails, and more bountiful boobs.
Being told you're beautiful and glowing. (You probably won't feel that way when there's spit-up in your hair.)
Having a good excuse to reconnect with old friends and distant family.
Dreaming about your baby-to-be---before actually habing to be a mom.
Receiving lots of attention just for being preggers.

Anyways, I thought this was too cute to pass up on! Some of these I can already relate to, my wedding ring is to snug so I have started wearing a right hand ring that Victor bought me (it seems to fit perfect on my wedding ring finger and I have had a few comments like "is that your wedding ring, or that is a pretty ring".... Also, longer nails and slightly thicker hair, (I already had "large" boobs so THANKFULLY I haven't noticed a big change...And I am learning to cope with the attention (such as touchy-feely people and my belly) that comes with being preggers...

{19 Weeks!}

2007-03-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

I forgot some "important" detail that I kept telling myself to put in here but I have forgotten it, sooo....This week has been great. People are really starting to notice that I am pregnant. It is funny, I wonder how many residents in my apartment think, is she getting bigger or is she pregnant? Anyways, NO residents have asked me I am just getting odd stares. I went with a friend to have her baby's pictures taken at a photography studio and seeing the super new infant pictures has me excited for the future. I am THRILLED that in 2 days (child willing) that we can find out the sex of the baby!! Stay tuned for more info...

Cravings: Still Fruit and now some veggies. It is funny but I can honestly say that I have eaten much healthier (by choice) during this pregnancy then I did before being pregnant. I have heard some either eat super healthy or super unhealthy and NOT that I am choosing to be overly healthy it just sounds REALLY good, which is kind of cool because I fell better eating better!

Aversions: Can't think of anything??? I guess I am not too picky afterall :)!

Baby Colin: Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

{18 Weeks and Dr. Appt!}

2007-03-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

I had my monthly doctor appt. today! We set up my ultrasound appt!!!!! (I think I might have done 100!!! BUT didn't want to use up the whole blog on !!) It is set for Friday March 23rd at 11:00 but we need to be at the hospital at 10:30....I am soooo excited! I had a few questions to ask (since my FREAKED me out):

1. Epidurals----if I ask for one, will I get it?! Answer: YES, of course. (See Mom you were nice enough to JUST freak me out and make me actually think of changing doctors!)

2. Episodomies----only if I need one right? Answer: Yes!

3. Bronchitis----my having it didn't hurt the baby right? Answer: My having bronchitis wouldn't hurt the baby.

4. Rash----I seem to have a little rash or something, but it was NOTHING to worry about.
The baby's heart beat was 150 and that is pretty fast. The doctor never made ONE comment about my baby being small! Infact, Dr. Gramann said everything was great and he was pretty happy.

Cravings: Fruit: Watermelon, Strawberries, Oranges, Bananas! It doesn't matter what kind of fruit just fruit! Funny, last week I couldn't even think about a corn-dog but this week I have eaten them twice! WEIRD!
Aversions: Can't think of anything???

Baby Colin: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

{String Test!}

2007-03-12T01:39:00.000-07:00

My aunt Lisa does this "string test" to determine the sex of your baby. She previously predicted (before I was pregnant) that I would have a total of 2 children, both girls. I think she did this a few years ago, but I have yet to forget. In fact, my comment was "well, I guess if I could just get them done at the same time {meaning twins} I think I would be less crazy to have TWO girls!"

Today she predicted that I was going to have a girl. (She does have a 1 in 2 chance she is right!)

We will have to wait and see. I totally believe in her ability to do this string test because the first great-grandbaby was predicted (by Aunt Lisa) to be a girl but the ultrasound said boy (twice!) and, well, I can not repeat my cousin's words on this blog (as it is PG-13 and lower ;)!) when his daughter was born! She has only been wrong a few times (I think twice) but with Jordan she was SO sure she was going to be a girl and even the ultrasound tech said Jordan was supposed to be a boy, so she has some talent!

I have my regular doctor's appointment this Wednesday and that is when we will set up our ultrasound appointment to confirm...I have to say, as of yet, I still have NO feelings of 100% it is a boy or the baby is a girl. Victor wants a girl, I just one a healthy baby with all 10 toes and fingers, etc!

{17 Weeks!}

2007-03-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

I still have Bronchitis and it is not getting ANY better! In fact, the coughing has bruised (or broken as I have been whining) my rib cage on the left side. The doctor prescribed me so meds but they seriously wig me out and keep me up so I am not taking them! I have had a pretty mellow week just at home mostly trying to preserve energy and get better! But no such luck to date!

Cravings: Sumner has this little diner called Dixies. They have these amazing fruit cups. Okay the fruit cups are actually really NORMAL but to me they are GREAT! The fruit consists of pineapple, honey dew melon, oranges, and cantelope. OKAY, the part I crave are the oranges. They are skinned and peeled and taste so yummy. They remind me of large mandarin orange slices. I have wanted that fruit cup everyday this week!

Aversions: Yogart and corn-dogs

Baby Colin: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

{Shopping Spree....}

2007-03-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

On my little shopping spree with my mom and sisters I got these new things. I am totally excited that I finally figured out how to use the link. If only I can now figure out how to just put the picture in instead of the link...

My new Sunday Dress:

Fun Outfit:

Extra Shirt:

Fuzzy Warm Sweater in Pink:

I also got two pairs of tights and then a white and a black undershirt/tanktop.

{16 Weeks!}

2007-03-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

After taking too much Tylenol I decided to go to the hospital to check to make sure everything with the baby was ok. Which it was but I am just not going to be satisfied until this baby is breathing out in the world on his/her own! This week I have been SUPER sick with a high fever and major cough, which turned out to be Bronchitis. I can not believe that I am (1) almost halfway through this pregnancy and (2) I have been sick THE WHOLE pregnancy! I purchase my first few maternity outfits a couple days ago. I do not need to wear maternity clothing yet, as my current clothing still fits, but it would have been silly to purchase non-maternity clothing that will only fit for a few more weeks. I can feel my lower belly/abdomen firming up where the baby must be but only myself and Dr. Gramann (who knows what he is feeling for) can really feel it. I keep having Victor feel the upper part of my belly saying, "see this is the jelly part of the belly :) and down here is the firmer part, can you feel it?" The first few times he couldn't now he says he can, but I am not sure if he is just telling me that so I will shut up or if he really feels it?! I did comment to the doctor about it making sure I wasn't crazy but he confirmed I am still sane:)!

Cravings: Nothing outstanding that I can remember

Aversions: Nothing?! I guess when it comes to food I can say I am pretty lucky, nothing has really made me sick from the thought of food or smells but I guess when you are sick with a cold for 4 months straight you get to be lucky one way or the other :)!

Baby Colin:At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

{15 Weeks!}

2007-02-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

Our next doctor's appointment is in a few weeks but I SOOOO excited we get to set up the appt. for our ultrasound. I have heard that pregnancy brings upon weird dreams. I have always had weird dreams BUT I have really had some weird dreams. When I expressed them to Candice she told me she had very similar dreams. I had one dream about feeding triplets. Another about my brother's death from cancer (which I actually woke up crying real tears and I am goign to have a talk with him) and then the final dream was again with triplets and how I put infant babies to sleep on bunkbeds??? Anyways weird dreams!! I am pretty much always hungry but can't ever decide on something that actually (1) sounds good or (2) tastes good!

Cravings: Starbucks Strawberry Lemonade Blended with Whipped Cream and Baskin and Robins Strawberry or Chocolate milkshakes. Mostly cold drinks. Ice Cream

Aversions: yogart, eggs, M&M Kudos bars

Baby Colin: At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the sex depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

{Dr. Appt!}

2007-02-18T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I really have nothing to post that has changed from my previous doctor's appointment. The normal nurse was not in and the fill-in nurse couldn't figure out how to use the digital scale (which I stand on and then wait a few seconds and it beeps with my weight) she did it twice and felt it wasn't correct so she sent me down the hall to one of the old scales that you manually change the weight on! Let me just say....I liked the number on the digital scale much better, it was 3 pounds lighter! But this way the doctor didn't comment on my loosing too much weight because it said 3 pounds higher....

No ultrasound today. We did listen to the heartbeat on the doppler and it was 150-160. I said, "well, you know, the old wives tale is the faster the beat the chance of a girl..."

Dr. Gramann laughed and said, "that is usually about 50% right." I laughed at that one!

He told me that the baby and my uterus still feel pretty small but he won't be changing my date again...Ummm, Dr. Gramann you really can't change the date again otherwise the dates will not make ANY sense with my body!

I was telling my friend Candice that and she said, "Well Manuel was really small so you might be lucky and just a small fully developed baby..." One can only hope, right? I mean if I had a big baby I really couldn't complain but I am not objecting to a baby on the smaller size, it just seems more comforting...

A side note my mother-in-law and I were talking and she was telling me that she hoped my baby had Victor's blonde hair...Ummm, am I color blind (like my dad) or is it just me that sees my husband with BLACK hair? I guess, my MEXICAN husband, was a toehead for the first three years of his life! I have been commenting that I am going to be confused when my baby comes out with dark skin, dark eyes and dark hair (don't be confused-those are all the qualities I am attracked too) but every single baby I am around right now has blonde hair and blue eyes. So maybe it won't be too much of a shook to have a toehead, but I still want the baby to have Victor's color of hair and his curls but my texture/thickness (his is super coarse and thick).....Well it can't help to hope even though I have no choice :) I just hope for a non-bald and non-cone headed baby like me :)!

{14 Weeks!}

2007-02-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

This has been a very long week, I am still pretty tired! Not too much to report for this week. I have a doctor's appt in a few days and I will report more then!

Cravings: Water and Juice which is a good thing!

Aversions: Nothing, again!

Baby Colin: Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.

{13 Weeks-OH MY! 2nd Trimester!}

2007-02-09T07:14:00.000-08:00

So go figure that as soon as I posted last weeks update I got sick! I have pretty much managed to STILL not throw up the only problem is I have a really bad cough and if I cough too long or too hard I then throw up! I am danged if do and danged if I don't---isn't that the phrase? Besides being sick with a cold-cold I am actually doing well. I like what it says down in the baby description "jumbo shrimp" :)! I see Dr. Gramann next week but it seems like FOREVER since i got used to seeing him every two weeks for like 2 months so to go a FULL month before seeing him again...I do have tons of questions and concerns for him. I got February's monthly edition of Pregnancy Magazin and there were things in there that frightened me so even though I am pretty early in asking the questions I am going to ask away!!

OH, FYI, I get my baby info from baby center and they changed the description of he/she every week throughout the 40 weeks of pregnancy. That is why one week it will refer to the baby as a he and then the next week as a she. I have gotten a few emails about if I know the sex of the baby, not yet! But in March and that is coming up faster and faster :) YIPPPEEE!!!!

Cravings: Nothing that I can remember!

Aversions: Nothing, again! (well besides the same stuff I have said before...)

Baby Colin: Your belly may soon be big enough to announce to the world that you're expecting, but your baby is still tiny. In fact, he's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside your womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, his head is now only about a third the size of his body. His tiny, unique fingerprints are already in place. His kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and he's starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he's been swallowing. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed, and your odds of miscarriage will drop considerably.

Pregnancy Invokes a New Form of Weirdness

2007-02-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

This is a post of complaining/rambling/wonders of amazement I have towards people.

I have a few questions/comments/concerns....I have had a few incidents that make me wonder WHAT WAS THAT PERSON THINKING??? Apparently, pregnancy gives a person the right to just touch another persons stomach? Now, I am not talking about the family or friends of the pregnant lady but an acquaintance or someone not too close. I guess maybe this is just OK once someone is pregnant? Please do not touch my stomach, maybe when I am actually looking like I am harboring a baby but until then "please keep your hands to yourself."

The second thing that amazes me (and this I will say happens from people both close {as close as my own mother} to people I am not too close to) that assume that since I am pregnant I automatically am growing and my once just "a little too much fed" stomach is now a growing baby. NO, just because I am pregnant my stomach is NOT forgotten about it is still my "a little too much fed" stomach and someday I will start to show the signs of a growing baby.

Third, and then I think I am done, I am amazed at how many people, ummm....., feel free to just give advise. I should just say "thanks and I will try that" but I am a stubborn and know-it-all myself so I don't usually. I am just surprised how many people, mainly women, who give advise and even when I say "I've tried that, it didn't work for me, I wish it had like it did for you..." They still continue to preach to me!

Anyways, sorry for all this frustration it is a little held up and my frustration just sort of boiled over into this blog...

{12 Weeks!}

2007-02-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

I did not throw up this whole week!!!! YIPPEEEEEEE FOR ME!!! I did get sick feelings but never sick-sick! I guess I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as everyone has been telling me. I finally am feeling well for more then part of a day. I am not sleeping well but once I am tired enough (after no sleep for a couple nights) I sleep really good about every third night. I am starting to get excited, like, I am REALLY pregnant!?!?!? Seriously! Only one thing that I need to check with my doctor, I seemed to have a few little heart racing episodes. I am not sure what they are, not like anxiety-ish but rapid heart beating faster then normal? I have tried to avoid things that get me anxious or excited (even cutting some TV shows-thinking maybe that will help). I did not cut out my Grey's Anatomy though :)! Everyone kept asking me about Victor's birth and so I finally found out some info, when he was born he was 4.8 pounds (full term), had a head of hair, but was sick and needed a little medical attention after he was born (I am assuming due to his weight).

Cravings: Last week I mentioned craving thousand island dressing. Well, two big bags of salad and a whole container of dressing later, I think that is all that ate for the whole week...Yesterday, my cousin called and invited me to dinner and in my head I heard "rib sandwiches" but what she said was rueben sandwiches. So today I had Victor take me to Famous Dave's BBQ so I could have a BBQ beef sandwich, mostly because the BBQ sauce sounded good. I find it weird that I crave sauces and dressings rather then food, maybe that will change with time....

Aversions: Greasy foods, and Fast Food Restuarants (just the thought-ugh!)

Baby Colin: Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions on the sides of her head. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her movement for several weeks.

{11 Weeks-sorry a little late!}

2007-01-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

I have lost my mind, and I think I need to tie a ribbon around my finger to remind me to THINK before opening my mouth! I am normally a little ditzy and don't always get the jokes right off hand and sometimes say stuff that comes out wrong BUT this week I have done that pretty much 24/7. AND emotions! My poor husband! Apparently (I am not sure if this is true???) I have been pretty opinionated also! At least, I say what is on my mind. I do need to work on who gets a piece of my mind because the poor salesman on the phone really didn't deserve the lecture he was given while calling during dinner, anyways I am rambling so next section of this blog...

Cravings: This is the first week I had kind of a weird craving (thousand island salad dressing). It seems that I want normal foods so nothing really out of the ordinary. I am NOT craving pickles and ice cream the "pregnancy craving" types of food ---- which is FINE by me!

Aversions: The same stuff I have already put down here before....

Symptoms: I am almost through the sickness stage (I hope!) but other then that I am still sleeping lots and not really into eating much!

Baby Colin: Your fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his gums. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As his diaphragm develops, your tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups. Because he's still so small, though, you won't feel any of his workouts or intrauterine gulps until sometime between weeks 16 and 20.

{Yeah Baby!}

2007-01-19T17:40:00.001-08:00

Good news, no more semi-bedrest!!! I went to the doctor and we heard the baby's heartbeat (which was 160 beats per minute). The doctor said everything sounds good and I am good for 4 weeks (I have been on an every 2 week appt schedule). Anyways, good news for me! My next appt is on February 16th and then in March we will be able to have an ultrasound at the hospital to determine the baby's sex!!

{10 Weeks!}

2007-01-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

I am now ten weeks and have been on bedrest for almost 2 weeks. I have learned what to do to keep myself busy but stay down..I thought I had mastered how to keep myself from getting sick but I seem to have failed at that or my body has since changed? This week I have done a lot of scrapbooking, tv watching, internet surfing and XBOX playing...You heard me right, XBOX!!! I had Victor go out and buy me a game "something easy that I will be able to figure out" were something close to what I told him and he came back with Cabela's African Safari...Now, I am not a "hunter"but I already finished the game, I actually really liked it and now have an accuracy score I want to beat. Other then, that I have had lots of visitors stop in and say hello which has helped me with the long days.

Cravings: I could live off fruits (apples or bananas), lots of yogart and warm fresh bread, but as soon as I eat it I get sick so I stay away from bread :(!

Aversions: Bread, Orange Juice, Anthing including Nuts, Anything Greasy or fast foodish

Symptoms: I seem to go everyother day were I can not keep anything (including water) down!! I get so weak and icky I can't imagine going on...Aparently, I am a little emotional. A couple times this week Victor has made small comments like, "it is alright" "calm down" I have read this comes with the hormones but whew! one minute I am happy, the next minute raging mad and then crying the next, oh my poor husband. He has learned to jump up and do whatever I am asking within seconds for fear of what emotional explosion will erupt.

Baby Colin: Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear.During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance. Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs.If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.

{Ultrasound Pictures!}

2007-01-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah for Victor! He finally helped me put my two ultrasound pictures through the scanner and onto a disk. (He even blew them up and added a boarder) Now I can post them up here.

The first was taken on December 20th, 2006 my first doctors appt. As you can tell a perfect little blob :)!

The second was taken on January 5th, 2007 my second doctors appt. A bigger blob and a weird little circle?!?!

The next picture should be on January 19th my fourth doctors appt. I will post that one then!

{Ultrasound Pictures!}

2007-01-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

I have two ultrasound pictures I am trying to figure out how to scan in and then I will post them. That way all the Mommies out there can look at the "blobs" and know what I'm talking about. To me, currently, all I see is a blob, but MY blob :)!

***Added Note: I am needing the assistance of my husband, it may be a few days before the pictures get up here :)!

{9 Weeks---Again!}

2007-01-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am again, still 9 weeks! Okay not really the first time I posted that I was nine weeks I really wasn't but anyways!!! I am adjusting to bedrest, can't say that I am doing it well but I am doing it! It is a AMAZING how many people found it weird that I posted I was pregnant on my blog as a way for telling people. All I can say is everyone is different and it gave me an idea of how many people really read my blog! This week has really been easy pregnancy-wise other then the few complications I had over the weekend but not too much sickness or other symptoms. :)

Cravings: After having popcorn last Wednesday I had that for a few nights but other than that not much cravings going on...

Aversions: Orange Juice, Peaches, Dole Fruit Cups, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches ---- I tried all of the following and within minutes I was visiting the bathroom.

Symptoms: I am doing better at keeping myself from getting so sick, it requires eating but I am adjusting to eating more regularly!

Baby Colin: Your baby is nearly an inch long - barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. He's also starting to look more and more human. His embryonic tail is now completely gone, and his development of his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — is kicking into gear.

His eyelids completely cover his eyes now and are fused shut. They won't open until 27 weeks. He has earlobes, and by week's end, the inner workings of his ears will be complete. His upper lip is fully formed, too, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The tips of his fingers are slightly enlarged where his touch pads are developing. Your baby is now able to move all his limbs. As for his heart, it's divided into four chambers now, and the valves have started to develop. Your baby's external sex organs are present now but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

{Doctor's Visit}

2007-01-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

On Friday January 5th I had a doctor's appt. It was an interesting one....We saw the heartbeat and everything in that department looks great. The doctor had a few concerns and he let them be known. (1) I lost too much weight, too fast. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem but I guess it currently is. I am eating, I AM! I did have the flu also, so I blamed the flu! :) (2) The babies size. According to my dates I should be 1o weeks tomorrow but the baby is only the size of a 8 week baby so I just digressed 2 whole weeks!!! He also changed my due date to the 15th of August. I am a little confused because even with the date of the 15th I calculate that I would be 9 weeks?? Oh well, I guess this proves I can't try and control everything :)! Other than that everything looks great. We still are seeing the doctor in 2 weeks but I like going in more often, it seems to make things go by faster.

{9 Weeks!}

2007-01-02T17:10:00.000-08:00

I have a doctor's appoinment in a few days and am so excited. The doctor's office called me today and scared the death out of me! Side Note: I have had the same insurance company since I have worked at the dental office in 2002! Fast Forward to today: "Hi, this is Enumclaw Medical Center, just calling to let you know we contacted your insurance company to get your medical benefits and we thought you'd like to know that your OB appointments will NOT be covered during your pregnancy." PAUSE------I couldn't think, "ummm. Are you sure??? I need to call them then because there is no way I am paying $350 a month for nothing!!!" I hang up call the insurance company to find out that the doctor's office was WRONG! SOOOOO I call the doctor's office again and after we determine that I do have very good (but expensive personal insurance---we don't have the luxury of insurance through either of our jobs :(. After the whole phone call the lady has the nerve to say, so at your appt on Friday we will write you a reciept for 672.00? Wait, what?! That amount is my 20% portion after insurance pays. BUT that is also for the whole 9 months, so I ask we need to have the bill pre-paid. "Well, no but we like to stay on top of our bills and not let the patients get too deep into the bill..." I said I would make payments throughout the WHOLE 9 months but was not planning on paying the full bill this Friday. Boy, I should call my dad and ask him where that tree in the backyard is...You know, the one that grows money on it?! My dad always told me he had one :)!

Cravings: Subway sandwich sounded good but had one this morning and not all great :)!!

Aversions: I can't think of anything that I made me sick???

Symptoms: So sleepy and just the normal morning sickness. Last week when I reported that the pizza and tums made me sick WELL it was actually the flu and I had the flu for 3.5 days! I was so sick, it was horrible!

{8 Weeks!}

2006-12-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well, we told a few family members over the holidays. First, my grandma was told on 12/23 she got goosebumps and cried for about 5 minutes. Then yelled at me because I told her not to tell anyone yet for a few more weeks. Then Christmas Eve I told my mom, again more crying :). Then Christmas Day we told his parents and Cathy and my dad. Cathy and my mother-in-law did a LOT of yelling (all excited but loud). Currently we have told (maybe more but this is who I can remember and it is in sort of a the accurate list): Kelle, Candice, Luis (my brother in law), Victor's boss and wife, Victor's complete crew at work, Kim, Janelle, Carol Hanni, Mandy Jolley (Carol helped with that one :)!) Sondra, my grandma, all of our parents, and then grandma slipped and told Aunt Toni....Oh and my friend Mandi at the doctor's office knew but she is sneaky and checked us in, then at the end said "congratulations!" I can't think of anyone else we have told but we might have told more. All the people that we have told are close enough to us that if something was to happen it would be okay that they knew. I am hoping the doctor says everything looks fantastic after our January 5th Appt. Then maybe we will tell more!!!

Oh, my siblings also know now too :)

Cravings: Orange Pop sounded great all week!

Aversions: Now that we have told the family I can not wait to tell my Brother-in-law that I do not like Crab! After spending two family dinners with the guy I have concluded he wants me dead. For his wife's birthday and then for Christmas Eve he has been so excited to share the gross food with me. On Christmas Eve I only pretended that I ate crab. Each time someone finished a leg I stole the empty shell and put it on my plate, I think this fooled him?!?

Symptoms: No longer just nausea. This last week and even yesterday and today have proven to be the worst days so far! Instead of just feeling nauseated I am actually spewing everthing out. It is funny because most of the time this happens at night. One night dried apricots sounded so good so I bought some at the store. While watching TV I ate about half the little container, more then I should have. This started off a horrible night by the end I had thrown up 5 different times, pretty sure nothing was left in my stomach! This morning was the first time EVER I've actually thrown up in the morning. I am thinking it was the TUMS. We ordered pizza last night for dinner. I love cold pizza for breakfast the next morning and so that is what I ate today. I started to feel like I was getting heartburn and the doctor gave me a couple packets of Tums. I've never in my life taken tums but I was surprised they tasted good. But now that I have just thrown everthing up I am not sure I like them afterall. I guess I will have to given them another chance sometime...

Baby Colin: Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. She's constantly moving and shifting, although you won't be able to feel these womb wiggles for several weeks yet. Her embryonic tail is disappearing, and her eyelids practically cover her eyes. Still slightly webbed, her fingers and toes are growing longer. Her arms have lengthened, too, and her hands are now flexed at the wrist. Her knee and elbow joints have formed so she can now bend both, and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. With her trunk straightening out, her head is more erect. Breathing tubes extend from her throat to the branches of her developing lungs. The nerve cells in her brain are also branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. Though you may be daydreaming about your baby as one gender or another, the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl.

{7 Weeks!}

2006-12-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

We had our first doctors appointment on December 20th! Nerve racking until the appointment. After long awaited time (the doctor had to leave to deliver a baby at the hospital) we got into our appointment and filled out all the paperwork. Some of the questions they asked were quite funny... I asked Victor the questions I thought he'd like: (1) Are you and the baby's father related (i.e cousins, siblings or otherwise related). NO! (2) Has your partner been with another male within the last 12 months? At that point Victor said stop asking me those questions (we were sitting in a full waiting room. I thought it was funny!

After the doctor got back we got to go in and at the end of the appointment we got to have an ultrasound. There on the screen was a very small little baby with an even smaller heart beat! But the heartbeat was visible!!! YIPPEEE!

Cravings: Bread and Cheese

Aversions: Seafood, this is truly sad for me! Before being pregnant I LOVED crab!!! It was my favorite food! Now the thought of it pains me!

Symptoms: Nausea, Really Tired and Emotional

Baby Colin: Now almost half an inch long - roughly the size of a raspberry — your baby has elbow joints and distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. In his oversized head, both hemispheres of his brain are developing. His teeth and the inside of his mouth are forming, and his ears continue to develop. Eyelid folds partially cover his tiny peepers and the tip of that nose you'll be tweaking someday is emerging. His skin is paper-thin, and his veins are clearly visible. Your little one also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. His liver is busy producing red blood cells, and a loop of your baby's growing intestines is bulging into his umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from his tiny body. Your baby still appears to have a small tail (actually, it's an extension of his tailbone), but it will disappear in the next few weeks.

You can't feel his gyrations yet, but your little jumping bean is moving in fits and starts around his watery home.

{6 Weeks!}

2006-12-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

Well it is the start of the 6th week and I am experiencing forever sickness! Day and night, rain or shine sickness it is! Food just doesn't sound good and so I wait until I am so hungry that I can't think about it :)!

Cravings: None yet

Aversions: Food in general. It kills me to eat and when I get hungry I still don't want to think about it.

Symptoms: Fatigue, Sleep, Smells

Baby Colin: The cells that will make up all of your baby's body parts and systems are dividing furiously as her body begins to take shape. Right now she's about the size of a small lentil bean (4 to 5 millimeters across). If you could see through your uterine wall, you'd find an overlarge head and dark spots where her eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape. Shallow pits on the sides of her head mark her developing ears, and her arms and legs appear as protruding buds. Her hands and feet look like paddles, with thick webbing between the developing digits, but her fingers and toes will soon become more distinct. Below the opening that will later be your baby's mouth, there are small folds where her neck and lower jaw will eventually develop. (Inside, her tongue and vocal cords are just beginning to form.)Your baby's heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to circulate through her body. Her intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where her lungs will be. She's also starting to build muscle fibers and, halfway through this week, she'll likely start moving her tiny limbs. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to wait until you're several weeks into your second trimester before you get to enjoy feeling your baby's calisthenics.

{5 Weeks!}

2006-12-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Well I told Victor on December 6, 2006 our 3rd anniversary!! It was so fun! I gave him two gifts. The first is a cute little Christmas sleeper that says, “Baby’s First Christmas” he looked at it and was confused. Then the second gift was two bibs one pink and one blue both saying “I Love Daddy.” That was all that it took and confusion was gone!

Cravings: None yet
Aversions: None yet

Symptoms: Cramping still but after much research I have found it actually might be stretching more than cramps. The doctor told me to take it easy and slow down. Now, after our vacation the weird feelings seem to have gone away but I am still nervous. I am have been pretty nauseous lately and food just doesn’t sound good. Oh and heartburn! I’ve only experienced heartburn a couple of times in my whole life and currently it is a daily occurrence if I don't eat regularly it is even worse!

Baby Colin: Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues. The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop. This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel. His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

{4 Weeks!}

2006-12-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Cravings: None yet

Aversions: None yet

Symptoms: All the symptoms I had this week I passed off due to a cold. I have a few mornings were I woke up starving and had to eat right then and the days I didn’t eat about 10 I felt sick (which I figured was do to needing to eat). I didn’t take a pregnancy test because I have had cramping everyday which I just passed off as going to start my period any day but after a week of this I still decided to take a test. When I realized I was pregnant I immediately freaked out and called the doctor due to the cramps; unfortunately there is nothing to stop a miscarriage if it is going to happen. I was told to drink lots of water and take it slow---this is a new thing for me SLOW? What is that? I have been tired a lot and can’t sleep soundly. Victor thought I was insane the first night I went to the couch and then the second night tried to sleep on an air mattress I can’t seem to get comfortable.

Baby Colin: Right now your baby is an embryo consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all her organs and body parts will develop. The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow into so that the developed placenta can provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week. Also present now are the amniotic sac that will house your baby, the amniotic fluid that will cushion her as she grows, and the yolk sac that produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta is ready to take over this duty.

{Surprise!}

2006-12-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

WE'RE PREGNANT! Yay! I was afraid to take a test all week due to previous problems and so finally took ONE test (I bought a package of 3) Monday night (4th). It is funny because I actually kept thinking “am I pregnant?” but just kept letting it go due to the fact that I always get excited with just the possibility. Can you imagine my excitement when the test actually had a + sign! That was the first time EVER it has said +, which makes me think this time might actually be for real!!! I decided not to tell Victor yet as we are going on vacation for our anniversary on Wednesday and thought it would be a GREAT present for him! BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT HAS BEEN TO NOT TELL HIM???? I have a favorite doctor site that I have used for different types of information http://www.askdramy.com/ and currently that is what I am using to determine how far along I am and when I am due (and then I will let the doctor tell me for sure).

I am not sure when I will actually tell people that we are pregnant. I definitely want to hear a heartbeat and most likely be really far into the first trimester do to past experiences…

To answer the questions that I am sure we will be asked in the future:

I am keeping this journal for myself but do like to share everything with everyone so I am posting in it blog form (which is actually pretty common).

This was not really planned but it is not an accident.

We are due August 7th, 2007.

Yep, we will find out the gender of the baby. I keep telling myself that it would be fun to keep that a secret but who am I trying to kid knowing I can not keep a secret!

Nope, we do not have a preference of gender. We only wish for a healthy little thing. I have always said that I want boys due to the fact I know what kind of hell raiser I was and if you ask Victor he’ll say all girls because he never had a sister.

Yes, we already have a girls name picked out (actually we have two!) We have pondered a few boy names but not so set as we are with the girl names.

We will be going to doctor Gramann. During Candice’s pregnancy I went with her to her doctors appointments and fell in love with Dr. Majors but I feel at least for our first baby Dr. Gramann should get to be involved after all his help to get us here. Do you think it really matters who I see? Do you think Dr. Gramann would have his feelings hurt knowing I went somewhere else?
Those were honest questions for you out there but in the same sentence I am sure that Dr. Gramann sees many women that seeing ME doesn’t make a difference. Either way I made an appointment with Dr. Gramann for December 20th!