27 weeks

9/10/08


This is what babycenter.com has to say about the baby. This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she 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 her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

I am trying to take moments out of every day to sit back and really enjoy this pregnancy. I have been so busy lately it has been a challenge. I am still having trouble sleeping at night due to this constant stuffy nose. I have done better with the sweets the past couple days. I am sure that the fact that we are out of Pumpkin ice cream plays a little into that equation. : ) Even though I have been complaining about constantly being hot during this pregnancy, I am already missing the hot days of summer. I feel like it became chilly overnight. I know that the before I know it that chill will become snow. I hate winter time. I guess this winter I have something to look forward to so it won't be bad that is so cold outside and we have to stay indoors with our new baby. : )


Here is another belly shot. George is getting pretty good at remembering to take them every Wednesday when I change over into the next pregnancy week.

Ultrasound results

9/4/08

We had another ultrasound today at Maternal Fetal Medicine. Once again, the kidneys were picture perfect. The ultrasound tech checked out the heart, brain, spine, bladder, and stomach, and once again everything was great. My amniotic fluid level was also perfect. The baby weighs 2lbs 3oz at this point, and was in the 56th percentile. During almost all of Owen's ultrasounds he was somewhere between the 70th- 80th percentile, so maybe this baby is going to be smaller. With all the measurements that were taken today, they came up with a due date of December 5th. I have had so many dates, so when people ask when I am due, I just say December. The heart rate was 148 and strong. The baby was in a position were we couldn't get a good picture of the face. He/She was laying sideways and had it's face tucked in and pointed down towards my feet. The knees were up towards its chest, and then he/she would extend them straight out, kicking me in the bladder. In case you are wondering, no we still have not found out the sex. The ultrasound didn't even look during this scan. We have another follow up ultrasound in six weeks to take a peak at the kidneys again.

26 weeks

9/3/08

The network of nerves in the baby's ears are better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both George and I as we chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. 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.
I had my check up with the midwife yesterday, and everything went well. I will now start going every two weeks. At my next check I have to do the glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes. I have to chug like 10 ounces of this nasty orange, very sugary substance in 5 minutes, and one hour later they will draw my blood. I just about threw up last time, I hope this time goes better. The baby's heartbeat was strong and loud.

Why am I constantly burning up??? I do not have a fever, I am just always hot. This is coming from someone who normally wears fleece pants, socks, and a t-shirt while hanging out in the house even in the summer. Now, I am constantly stripped down to shorts and a tank top and am still burning up. When I was pregnant with Owen I never experienced this. The only other time I have had a problem with being on fire was when I was taking all the shots for in vitro. For about the past month or so, I have constantly been craving sweets. I want ice cream, candy, and cookies. Plus, I have even eaten two of George's ice cream sandwiches, and I don't normally like chocolate. With Owen all I wanted was citrus fruits; lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges. I feel like everything is so very different, I am almost totally convinced this baby is a GIRL! Only 14 more weeks until we find out. Whooohooo!

Just in case I am wrong, we are still searching for a boy name. Some new names that are being thrown around are Preston, Holden, Parker, and the same old ones, Jack and Grant. I still think with our last name of Shultz, he needs a first name with two syllables. George is still just so set on Jack. He said he thinks Preston is for nerds and not athletic jocks (who he thinks are children are going to be). I reminded him that the U of L basketball team had a player named Preston, so maybe he will reconsider.

We have another ultrasound appointment tomorrow. I will keep you posted on how everything goes, and hopefully will get some more pictures.

25 weeks

8/27/08

Head to heels, the baby should now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. I wonder if she is going to have light hair like Owen, or dark like George and I. My hair is somewhat wavy, but Owen's hair is straight as can be. Wouldn't my little girl look cute with some curls? I see that most of you have voted on girl. Is that because you are wanting me to have a girl, or because you really think I am having a girl? My hair stylist had her twins at 25 weeks and 3 days. I can't even imagine having this baby in 3 more days!!!! How scary!!! Everything is going well, and I go back to Beth Bary the midwife on Tuesday, and have another ultrasound on September 5th. I can't wait to take another peek at this little one.

Owen has been to two different doctors in the past two days. Yesterday he went for his 15 month check up. He is now a whopping 24 pounds (50th percentile) and 32 inches long (75th percentile). He has grown an entire foot since birth. George said he needs to keep up that pace. Up to this point he had only received 3 immunizations of Prevnar (each spaced 3 months apart). At this visit he got his first dose of the Polio vaccine. He didn't even cry. Dr. Wampler, his pediatrician, says that we need to frustrate him more to get him to talk. He said Owen has no desire to talk because all of his needs are being met without having to do so. Owen will now pull me off the couch, and push my legs to get me to go in the direction he wants. He will also take my finger and point it at whatever he wants. It is so cute, but Dr. Wampler says to not give into that, and make him frustrated so that he learns to communicate through speech. He only says, ma-ma, da-da and ack at this point. He rambles on and on with gibberish all day long but not real words. Dr. Wampler said we will re-evaluate the speech issue again at his 18 month check. All of the other 15 month milestones he met several months ago. Actually he is already meeting all of the 18 month milestones except for saying 10 words.

Today we went to see his kidney doctor, and it looks like he will be having surgery within the next 9 months. The decision now is who we are going to have do the actual surgery. I have not been impressed with the local surgeon, so I am considering going to either Riley, or Cincinatti Childrens'. Owen's doctor is supposed to be calling me with some names of great surgeons at each place. I will keep you all posted.

Gotta get off of here, my fantasy football draft starts in one hour, and I have to get a lia sophia show closed out before hand. For those of you who don't know, I beat out 8 guys and 1 other girl for the title of 1st place last year!!! I am going for a repeat performance.

24 weeks 1 day

8/21/08

The baby is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (about the size of an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

I have had another great week. I can tell this baby is getting bigger by the day. The movements I feel and see are becoming stronger and stronger. I am also able to feel something on the far left side the same time as the far right side. Hopefully this baby will get George's genes and be tall, instead of short like his mother. It seems like Owen is going to be tall. He is always in the upper percentiles for height, and hopefully he stays that way. Everyone that looks at Owen thinks he is older than what he really is. I went to my monthly lia sophia meeting on Monday, and all the people that hadn't seen me since the month prior said my belly has really popped out there. I love my bump, and love showing it off.

I have posted a name poll next to the gender poll. Our top two names for a boy at this time are Grant and Jack. Do you think they both go along with Owen well? As you all know, our girl name has be set for a couple of years, Adyline Claire. I had to work at the hospital today, and I had two people tell me I was having a girl. Almost everyday I work I have at least a couple strangers tell me what sex my baby is going to be. Everyone just loves to share their opinion.

23 weeks 1 day

8/13/08

The baby should be about 11 inches long and just over a pound (about the size of a large mango). She feels much larger than that when she is punching me, and rolling all around. The movements are so strong now, you can see them just by looking at my belly. I think she must love listening to the Olympics, because she is very active while the USA is winning all these medals. She is now able to pick up on loud noises, like dogs barking. That is one noise she should be very used to by the time she is born with all the barking going on in our house. Owen just doesn't understand that he has a sibling in mommy's belly, and he just loves to climb all over me like I am a jungle gym. I am sure this little baby in there does not appreciate being punched and kicked from the outside by it's older brother. The sibling fighting has already begun! YIKES! I am not sure how much weight I have gained at this point. I didn't pay attention at the office visit because the medical assistant was asking me questions at the same time, and our scale at home needs new batteries. Maybe it is for the best if I just don't know. I have still have not had any heartburn this pregnancy. That is such a relief. I had it so bad last time, it caused an ulcer in my esophagus. Another difference about this pregnancy is that my nose is always stuffed up. I feel like I can't breathe out of my nose most of the time. I had to finally give up my pre-pregnancy clothes. I was wrapping a rubber band around the button, but even now that is not working. Why was I being so stubborn about getting some new maternity pants. I bought some the other day, and I have to admit I was much more comfortable. It is funny, the first pregnancy I couldn't wait to wear maternity clothes, and this time I am trying to stay out of them. : )

Owen is really starting to enjoy snuggling again. He went though a phase where he was just way too busy to snuggle. When George comes home for lunch Owen loves spending time with Daddy. I am not sure that sitting on George's lap is all that comfortable with all that police garb on, but Owen doesn't seem to mind. My lap space is getting smaller and smaller, so I am glad he enjoys spending that time with Daddy. Owen has started to notice when he is the center of attention, and he really lives it up. When he dances, everyone thinks he is so cute, and they laugh, so he will continue to dance, and dance, and dance. If people stop paying attention to him, he will start clapping to get the attention back. He is not a shy kid by any means! He does not know a stranger, and loves it when ALL eyes are on him.

22 weeks

8/6/08

At this point the baby is supposed to be about 11 inches, or about the length of a spaghetti squash, and weighs about 1 pound. The tiny teeth buds are starting form beneath the gums. The baby is really starting to look like a miniature baby now. It is so miraculous how the baby starts out as something so microscopic, and grows so fast to be a human being.

I have already had 2 people touch my belly that I don't even know. It is fine when it is people I know, but I don't get how random strangers think it is okay to just touch my belly without asking. Am I the only one that thinks this is weird?!? Everyone is also starting to tell me their opinion on if the baby is going to be a boy or girl. They want to know the heart rate, and find out if I am carrying the same way (high or low) that I did with Owen. Personally, I don't think their is too much to these old wives tales, but everyone likes to let their opinion known. Last week I thought I was having a girl, but this week I am really starting to think it is a boy. He has really been moving around a lot, and makes his presence know almost every time I sit down.

I had another appointment with Beth Bary, the midwife, and everything went well. She was able to find the heartbeat right away with the doppler which was a relief. She said the baby had a good strong heartbeat, but didn't tell me the rate. We discussed changing my due date back to December 16, and she said she wanted to get the ultrasound reports from the old doctors office, of my first two ultrasounds. She said the top of my uterus was only measuring 20-21 weeks instead of 22, which would be consistent with a due date of December 16th. Hopefully with this being my second baby, these 6 days won't come into play, but if it comes down to it, I want to be able to take full advantage of them. We have another appointment with Beth in four weeks, and the same week we have another ultrasound with Dr. Jamie (Maternal Fetal Medicine). I can't wait to see the baby again, and make sure those kidneys are still behaving like they should.

Owen has learned a new skill of throwing balls in the air above his head. They really don't go up very high, and sometimes he just puts them on top of his head and lets them roll off. Either way, he really thinks this is fun. He has also learned how to climb up the three stairs on his Little Tykes slide and then slide down all by himself. Once he gets down he looks at everyone in the room waiting on them to clap and say, "Yeah Owen!" Sometimes he tries to cheat, and just climb up one step and then back down, and wants an applause. If you don't clap, he looks at you like why are you not clapping for me, and starts to clap for himself. He is still in love with the JG Wentworth commercial, and stops whatever he is doing so that he can dance. Some people know of this commercial by 877 CASH NOW. I have even looked it up on youtube.com, by searching JG Wentwork opera, and it comes up. Owen will dance to the jingle on the computer as well. He has been on the other side of the house before when it comes on, and he stops what he is doing and runs to the living room. One of the actors puts his hand up to his mouth at one point, and Owen imitates him almost every time. We know have the commercial on tape, and play it every once in awhile just to watch him dance. It is too cute!