Child Birth Class Number 1

Yikes! The class was informative and interesting-however, it kind of freaked me out. After we left I asked Loren what he thought. His response was, “It got me excited!” Excuse me? Excited? How are you excited?! I then told him it did the opposite for me. He said to me, “I guess I’m not the one actually having the baby.” Thank you, for recognizing that our roles in this whole labor and delivery are QUITE different! However, there is no way I would be able to do it without him. So, thank you Loren for your excitement. I hope some of it rubs off on me! Don’t get me wrong, I am over the moon and back about meeting our sweet little guy, but actually delivering the baby…not so much:/ We then stopped to get ice cream at Liks- a nice way to end the night! The class is a 4 week class that meets for 2 ½ hours each time. The instructor is great-brings a lot of humor to the whole subject. And no, we don’t watch a birth video the whole time (in case you were wondering). It was only 10 minutes long. One class down, 3 to go!

Baby Butternut Squash

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

I am starting to be overwhelmed. We have nothing done. What if this little guy decides to make his entrance early? We won’t even have his crib and furniture in Colorado until late July-yikes! Please Franklin, stay in the whole time. I keep hearing stories of people having premature babies 6 to 8 weeks early. It is kind of freaking me out. WE ARE NOT PREPARED! I guess if it happens, we will make it work. I will try not to think about it…

I have been feeling strange lately, Very emotional and starting to get some of the lovely last trimester side effects. Not sleeping so well. I am just uncomfortable and I know it will not get any better until Franklin is here. And then, that brings a whole new “sleep schedule”. Okay enough complaining. I am SO grateful to have this opportunity to be pregnant. All and all it is great. I now have lots of strangers (if you will) ask me when I’m due, tell me I’m either small or big, and so on and so forth. Funny how you become almost a target in any public place. Oh, and my belly button is on its’ way to becoming an outtie:)

Happy Tuesday friends!

Hello, 3rd Trimester

Where has the time gone? We have 81 days until we meet our little man! And we feel so under prepared. I suppose everyone feels that way, right?

Frank is weighing in at 2 ¼ lbs, like a Chinese cabbage (?) Anyone know what in the world that is?! I have no clue…He is blinking his eyes, which now have lashes and can see light filter through the womb.

He has been an active little rascal the past week or so. To the point of okay, calm down in there, you are kind of hurting me! I now can feel him moving around, not just kicks and punches. It is so strange and fun. Oh and he has gotten the hiccups a few times- simply adorable.

Here I am at 28 weeks. Looking larger. I went to the doctor today. Franklin's heart is beating at 150bpm and is measuring perfectly. I am feeling pretty good overall. I have had some nausea the past few days-BOO!!! Hopefully it doesn’t stick around for too long.



What’s going on outside of the baby? We are dedicating this weekend to our yard. It is in need of some TLC. I also need to plant some more flowers. It is suppose to be a nice weekend for yard work and outdoor play. Hopefully we get a lot accomplished.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Bon Voyage, 2nd Trimester.

Well, week 27 wraps up my 2nd trimester. Franklin is being compared to a head of cauliflower and weighs around 2 pounds. He is about 14 ½ inches long. He is sleeping and waking at regular intervals and opening and closing his eyes. The crazy thing is- he could be born now and survive. However, he would need a lot of medical help due to underdeveloped lungs. Please Franklin, finish baking in there! We are not quite ready for your arrival :)

So, I am thinking I might not sew bedding and such after all. Our summer is already so busy and time is flying by. Why add one more big project? Plus, I found a room that I love. Check it out.



The funny part- I hate birds. Well, hate is a strong word. I dislike them. Might be a little afraid of them? So, who would have thought I would want birds in our sweet baby’s room? I think it is adorable.

Chicago!

We had a great week away from reality. We spent a few days in Des Moines and then headed to Chicago. I have relatives that live there, and it was nothing short of fabulous! So fun to see my aunt and uncle, as well as cousins and their adorable kids! We took the train into the city on Monday and walked and walked and walked. We walked so much and I sure could tell that I am 6 months pregnant! I was so spent by the end of the day. We had a great time walking the city- Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, John Hancock, shopping on Michigan Avenue, Goose Island ( a brewery Loren wanted to visit) and to end our day, Chicago style pizza at Giordano's. Vacation is always the best, too bad it goes SO fast! Oh well- we are one week closer to holding our sweet baby!
Here are some pictures from our adventure.
Enjoy!

Kicks

Oh my. Last night we were in bed and Franklin was going crazy. I have not felt him move that much. Loren was almost asleep and I grabbed his hand and put it on my belly and he could feel him multiple times. Franlkin was kicking and kicking. It probably lasted 15 minutes. This little boy was not ready for bed! It was so fun! But, what in the world was going on? Hopefully he wasn't mad:)

We are taking a vacation. We leave tomorrow for Iowa and then we are going to Chicago on Saturday. It will be fun to get away, just the two of us. We are excited to see family and spend time with them. It will be great!

Time is just flying by. I can't even believe it! Franklin will be here before we know it and our lives will never be the same:)(in a good way). I am six months along now. 15 weeks until my due date. Yikes! We better get prepared!

Baby Rutabaga!!

Not even sure I know what a rutabaga is? But, that’s what Franklin is being compared to this week. He is weighing in at 1 1/2lbs and is 13 inches long. He’s getting there! I feel like my belly grows more each day, it is so bizarre! I love it! It is so fun to feel him move around so much-simply amazing!

I went to the doctor on Thursday. Franklin’s heart was beating at a strong 150 bpm. Good news-no gestational diabetes and as far as my due date- they won’t move it until I am closer, if need be. He’s only measuring 2 weeks at the most in advance. Let’s just hope he’s not a BIG baby. I can wish for that right? He could have just had a growth spurt at week 21 when he was measuring big. My doctor says it probably doesn’t mean anything at this point.

We enjoyed a weekend of household chores. I mowed the lawn and did yard work and Loren tiled the bathroom in the basement. I am so ready to plant flowers. We are going to be gone next week, so I thought I’d wait until we get back. We also have to seed our lawn again. Oh the joys of growing grass :) Patience, patience, patience! I’m ready for warm, sunny days everyday!