Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Happy Birthday Olivia!


My sister, Courtney, had her baby today through C-section. Olivia and Mom are doing great. She was 6 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long.

Fetal Fibronectin (fFN) Test

It came back negative! YEAH! That means there is a high chance that I won't go into labor in the next two weeks. I'll see the doctor again next Tuesday and hopefully I will be able to stop taking this medicine that makes my feet and ankles swell when I stand up. Baby is doing great and I am still just taking it easy, which is hard when I really want to get this house ready for baby.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Month 7


Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Snow?

Yup, I saw it. There were flurries this morning at 3am! I'm used to rain for Halloween not snow. I guess it's that crazy Indiana weather.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Taking it easy

After spending over 5 hours in the hospital today the treatment is to take it easy. Which means no lifting, no prolonged walking or standing, and the doctor doesn't want to see me at Wal-Mart, but she did not put me on strict bed rest. Just medication to stop the contractions. All this time I thought it was just Buster kicking me.
Earlier today I had a little bleeding and called the on-call doctor who then told me to go to the hospital for monitoring and an ultrasound. Ultrasound looked good but I kept having contractions so we tried a couple different medications. The second one worked so I got to go home and am now taking it easy. 10 more weeks to go!

Halloween Party!

We got second place.
This guy (Rock'em Sock'em Robot) got first.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Carrots anyone?



These are supposed to be Short & Sweet carrot, but they are huge! This is only a few of the hundreds we have. If you would like some carrots just let me know. They have such great flavor. Once you have some home grown carrots, store bought carrots will never taste as good.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Week Twenty-Eight Facts

  • Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
  • Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
  • Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
  • Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
  • Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
  • Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
  • Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
  • Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Week 28: Fetal Brain Activity

from whattoexpect.com:

Are you dreaming about your baby? Your baby may be dreaming about you, too. Brain wave activity measured in a developing fetus shows different sleep cycles, including the rapid eye movement phase, the stage when dreaming occurs.
By now, your baby, who weighs in at about two and a half pounds and stands — or rather lies — at almost 16 inches (measured head to toe) has added blinking to his or her growing bag of tricks. (Outside in the real world, blinking is necessary to help keep foreign objects out of the eyes.) Other impressive new talents being added to your baby's roster in the womb include coughing, more intense sucking, and, perhaps most important, better breathing.
The good news is that babies born this week, though premature, have an excellent prognosis because their lungs have reached the point (for the most part) of maturity — so you too can breathe a little easier now. Of course, it's still best if a baby doesn't check out of that uterine hotel just yet — there's still a lot of growing and maturing to do over the next 12 weeks.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Indy Baby Shower

This past Sunday my friends in Indy threw us a Colts themed baby shower. We had the game playing the in the background.

Here's one of the hostesses, Karla. Sorry Allison, I didn't get a picture with you. They did an awesome job and were very creative. We played NFL babies, matching NFL players with their baby picture and present bingo. As we opened presents, people were trying to find that present on their bingo card. My mom and step dad were able to make it up for the baby shower. David completely surprised me by asking the guests to bring a piece of cloth and a saying/phrase to make a 100 Good Wishes Chinese quilt. I always love getting together with friends and family. Thank you friends for all the wonderful presents and great company. We are truly blessed.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Glucose Test & 27 week check-up

The check-up went great. No problems, got a lot of freebies and even some samples of heartburn medicine. I hope they work. I was really hoping I would pass the 1 hour glucose test, I didn't even eat any sugary foods yesterday! But I failed the test by 2 points.
Now I have to fast for tomorrow's test, which is 3 hours. They will take my blood when I get there, then every hour for 3 hours. I can't eat, drink, or leave the office during those 3 hours. The plus side is that I get to catch up on my magazines and maybe even finish my mom's slippers.

Monday, October 13, 2008

27 weeks

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements 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 they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

The New Indianapolis Airport




Today we went on a tour of the new Indianapolis Airport. It was fun to go behind the scenes, look at where baggage gets sorted and to go out on the tarmac.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

26 week ultrasound

This ultrasound was to see if the placenta has moved away from the cervix and it has! It is 8cm away and they like for it to be 3cm away. We got to see our little sleeping. He was grabbing his ear and had a knee in his eye. We also got to see his fat rolls, how cute! I also got the flue shot, yuck. Since I am getting it in my last trimester, he is also getting the flu vaccine. He is now vaccinated for his first flu season. I'll be seeing the doctor next Tuesday and also get tested for diabetes.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Another wonderful day

You know those delicious homemade cookies, well they are all gone. Dorito ate them. David was enjoying them for breakfast Saturday and when he got up, Dorito moved in.

Then we went to the Walk to Remember, which was better than I expected.

After that, we hit up all the stores in the area armed with coupons. We found some amazing deals.
Got a Rubbermaid tote filled with book covers (which we are giving out for Halloween), baby swim gear, page protectors, page dividers, and folders all for $9.99 at Goodwill. David wants to go back to see if they have made more goody totes.
Armed with a 20% off coupon we found this bouncy seat on clearance because the box was damaged, regularly $54 we got it for $20 at Meijer.
And we used a 40% off coupon on these wonderful stickers at Michael's. And this humidifier was on clearance for $16, regularly $32, but it rang up $5 at Meijer!
And the greatest deal of the day... gas for $3.09 at Wal-Mart.

Walk to remember

We went to Avon Town Hall Park for the Walk to Remember Baby Huang. The walk commemorates the lives of children who have died. The program included a memorial service, dove release and a leisurely walk around the park's lake. The dove release was amazing and beautiful.

Each October, as part of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, officially proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, we come together for a Walk to Remember. We come as bereaved parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and healthcare providers – as a community – to honor and remember our children, of any age, whose lives were all too short. We are here to remind each other that we are not alone and to proclaim that no child should be forgotten.

Here are the words of the book "Born to Fly - An Infant's Journey to God".

A miracle has happened.
A life has begun.
"Are you there God? "
"Yes, I am here, Nathan," the Lord whispered.
"Where am I?"
"You are in the womb of your mother," God smiled.
"Oh what is that sound?" Nathan asked.
"It is the voice of your mother, Nathan. She is singing to you."
"It's beautiful."
"Yes. She loves you very much," God said.
"I feel the warmth on my back," Nathan whispered.
"Yes, she is rubbing her stomach, caressing you the best she can right now. She is speaking to me, Nathan. She is asking me to care for you."
"I will kick her back, so she knows I love her, too" Nathan said excitedly.
God smiled.
"Now what is she saying, God?"
"Your mother is laughing, Nathan."
"She is happy, isn't she God?"
"Yes, Nathan. She is happy."
"I hear a different sound. What is that?"
"It is the voice of your dad, Nathan."
"He sounds strong," Nathan said.
"Yes," answers God.
"I'm not feeling so well, God"
"I know my son, but soon you will fly."
"I will fly?"
"Yes," God smiled.
"Will my mother fly with me?"
"Someday," God said.
"I think I'm ready," Nathan whispered.
"I know, my child."
"Is it time to fly now, God?"
"Yes," God said gently, and wiped His eyes.
"When will I see you, God?"
"Very soon, my son."
"Is that my mother and my dad?"
"Yes, Nathan," God said and pulled the child onto His lap.
"Why are they crying?"
"They cry for you, my child," God answered as He wrapped his arms around the boy.
"Why do they cry for me?" Nathan asked.
"Because they want to hold you in their arms, Nathan."
"But instead, You hold me in Your arms, huh, God?"
"Yes son," God said.
"Why does that make them sad, God? I like it in Your arms!"
"They love you very much, Nathan. It can make a mommy's and daddy's heart sad when they don't get to hold their children - I know how it feels to watch my child die."
"Have I died, God?"
"Just on earth, Nathan."
"I don't feel dead. I feel very much alive! Watch how fast I can run!" Nathan crawled down from God's lap.
"Yes Nathan, you are fast," God clapped.
"Now watch me fly!" Nathan said as he soared high.
"You are amazing!" God laughed.
Nathan settled back in the safety of God's arms and said, "When will my parents fly, God?"
"Someday my child."
"We will fly together?"
"Yes Nathan, my mark is on their foreheads."
"Good," Nathan said."Will you tell them I am safe and happy?"
"I will comfort them, my child."
"Will they be happy again?"
"Yes child. They will heal."
"And someday we will all get to be with you, huh, God?"
"Yes, Nathan. Someday," God promised.
"I love you, God." Nathan said as he snuggled close to God.
"I love you too, son," God said as he put His hand on Nathan's head.
"Take good care of my parents until they fly!" Nathan said.
"I promise," God whispered.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Oh Wonderful Day

Last night I decided to make homemade chocolate chip cookies, and they are delicious.
Today UPS stopped by and delivered a nice surprise from my friends Julie and Aaron. Thank you. Then Goodwill called to tell me I won their drawing of a $50 gift certificate. They had their grand opening in Brownsburg this week.

Look Ma...

I made a button hole! It's not perfect but it works.
Which happens to be a part of this grocery bag holder/dispenser. I got the pattern from here.