Letters to My Son: 21 Weeks

Dear Little Boy,

We call you Bruce, for now, until we figure out what your name will be. You've been very active this week.  And a little of your personality is showing.  You don't like for anything to lay on my belly.  You kick until it's moved.  It is very hot outside, so you and I have been in the air conditioning as much as possible.  You gave mommy some cankles, for which I would like to thank you.  I love you.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my birthday.  I am 27 years old, and 21 weeks pregnant.  I got lots of birthday wishes.  My husband spoiled me with a GPS system, tickets to a concert, and a baby mobile (Chevy Tahoe) that we agreed to share.  I love him very much.  I am going to have to make his birthday just as special.

Registered

We're registered!

21 Weeks

• How far along?: twenty-one weeks
• What's baby up to?: Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.
• Weight Gain: I have gained two pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: nausea; baby bump; clumsiness
• How big is baby?: about the size of a banana (about 10.5 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope
• Sleep?: pretty good; gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days
• Best moment this week?: purchasing the baby’s crib bedding
• Movement?: yes
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: not having to wake up multiple times a night to go potty
• What I'm looking forward to: feeling consistent movement
• Milestone: making it to the half-way mark

Letters to My Son: 20 Weeks

Dear Little Boy,

This week has been interesting.  We've had days of no movement, and days with lots of movement.  I loved feeling you hiccup for the first time this week.  It was the weirdest sensation.  Keep working out your lungs and diaphragm.  I also love the fact that if you are laying in the right way, I can lay my hand against my tummy and feel your heartbeat.  You must think I'm a mean mommy for poking you, but we both know you'll be getting my back in no time at all. You have also decided that I should experience a little more nausea, so this week hasn't been the most relaxing for me.  Thanks a lot kid.   Your daddy and I have been slowly, but surely preparing for you.  We're really ready to meet you, but prefer that you take all the time you need, and don't come any sooner than necessary.  We love you little boy.

Nursery Project: The Bedding

The baby's bedding has been purchased.  I found a great deal that marked off 75% of the cost of this bedding.  Which was originally absolutely too expensive.  So here it is; the baby's bedding.  I'll post pictures when we buy a mattress for the crib, set the crib up, and actually put the bedding on.  This probably won't be for quite a while.

20 Weeks: Half-Baked!

**I have a bump.  I promise.  I just can't ever seem to remember to take a picture of it.  I'll try to remember tomorrow.**

• How far along?: twenty weeks; half way done with the growing process
• What's baby up to?: Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!
• Weight Gain: I have gained two pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: crazy dreams; headaches
• How big is baby?: about the size of a cantaloupe (about 6.5 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope
• Sleep?: pretty good; gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days
• Best moment this week?: purchasing the baby’s crib
• Movement?: yes, this morning at around 3am, I felt him moving; then at about 7am, I felt what I think was him stretching his legs;  later in the morning at about 11am, I think he had the hiccups.  I think I'm getting more movement.
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: not having to wake up multiple times a night to go potty
• What I'm looking forward to: feeling consistent movement
• Milestone: making it to the half-way mark

Nursery Project: The Chosen Crib

There it is, the crib.

We have chosen our crib, and purchased it.  It is currently residing in it's box, which is leaning in a corner of my bedroom at my mother's house.  (Please excuse the ugly lime storage bins.  Those will be removed.)  We chose to go with the Baby's Dream Ocean crib, in espresso.  It was a tough decision, but we decided that since I will be working at my current job throughout the up coming school term, we would only purchase the necessities for the baby, and not set up a nursery.  Therefore, baby Giles will be sharing my room at my mom's.

In case you forgot which crib the Ocean is, here's the picture again:

19 Weeks

• How far along?: nineteen weeks
• What's baby up to?: Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.
• Weight Gain: I have gained two pounds total; as of last appointment
• Symptoms: crazy dreams; headaches
• How big is baby?: about the size of a mango (about 6 inches)
• Sex: boy!
• Maternity clothes?: yes
• Stretch marks?: nope
• Sleep?: pretty good; gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days
• Best moment this week?: finding out that baby Giles is healthy, and a boy
• Movement?: yes, usually around 3 am
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely
• What I miss: not having to wake up multiple times a night to go potty
• What I'm looking forward to: feeling consistent movement
• Milestone: finding out the sex of the baby

We're Members of Team Boy!

After much guessing and speculation, it has been determined that Mikey and I will be welcoming, at the end of the year, a BOY!  It really didn't matter to us whether we had a boy or girl, but our family is extremely happy to welcome this little boy baby.

He is healthy, developing right on schedule, and looking like he's going to be a big boy.  We're already in love.  Now on to deciding on a name.

18 Weeks

• How far along?: eighteen weeks
• What's baby up to?: Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.
• Weight Gain: I have gained two pounds total; as of last appointment
• Symptoms: crazy dreams; headaches
• How big is baby?: about the size of an sweet potato (about 5.6 inches)
• Sex: we find out on Wednesday (hopefully)
• Maternity clothes?: a few pieces
• Stretch marks?: nope
• Sleep?: pretty good; gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days
• Best moment this week?: Celebrating the 4th of July with family
• Movement?: I think, just maybe, there has been some movement
• Food cravings?: none
• Labor signs?: n/a
• Belly button in or out?: flattened and sensitive
• What I miss: not having to wake up in the middle of the night
• What I'm looking forward to: finding out if it's a boy or girl (Wednesday)
• Milestone: feeling movement