My ultrasound technican woman gave me a changed due date of 23 May instead of the 27th I was going by, then my midwife said the 22nd. So now I don't know how far along I am. I'm going with the 23rd for now, which means I get my weekly update on a different day and that's throwing me off completely:
The baby now weighs about 430 grams, measures nearly just over 27 centimetres long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled because she needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through.
All is good. I was so exhausted I could barely move over the weekend but that was just fine with me - I enjoyed some library book reading and read more of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory to my little boy wonder. I also got a bit of a sweet tooth over the weekend, which Fruit Loops helped to fill.
He's pretty darn active these days - kicking and rolling around quite a bit. I had a huge laughing fit on Saturday night (is there where I have to admit how much I enjoy Funniest Home Videos?) and he seemed to enjoy that so I'm hoping that means that means he shares my sophisticated sense of humour. I'll have to watch Three Amigos or Police Academy: Citizens on Patrol this weekend and see what he thinks of that.
Nothing else to report I guess. My mom was ever so kind to send me some Olive Garden salad dressing since I miss that place greatly. Too bad customs confiscated my precious dressing unless I can provide a letter from OG headquarters on their letterhead stating how much egg content is in the dressing. So I have a 4-page quarantine report (yep, my dressing is in quarantine) instead of satisfying my Olive Garden cravings. I have to say I'm lucky not being pregnant in America where I would gorge myself at all my favourite restaurants. Don't get me wrong, they have good ones here too but not the addictive kind (except Thai ... and fish & chips) and it's too expensive to eat out that often. I don't cook well enough to crave anything that comes out of my own kitchen. That's probably the only reason I haven't put on too much weight so far.
19 January 2009
15 January 2009
you take the good, you take the bad
My, it's been a very busy baby week. We'll start with the good news today - we felt the baby kick!!! Like from the outside. I was taking a bath and had my feet kicked up and my hands folded on my stomach when someone kicked my hands very boldly. I squawked for Marcel who came running and he got to feel kick number two a few seconds later. Pretty awesome & pretty strong for such a little guy. Marcel pointed out that he may have not appreciated being boiled in a vat of liquid lava but the bath was really not so hot, just warm. In any case I got out just in case I was overheating the young sire.
In bad news, the cankles are here to stay. They started at 11am today and even my 2 1/2 litres of water didn't touch them. I now have a large plastic box under my desk to hoist my feet up all day so it feels better and I think they've gone away then I look down and the puffiness is still there. Honestly it looks like someone took two rectangles of pasty coloured molding clay and just bent the bottom for feet. Who knew I'd miss ankles so much? I was going to take a picture so you could laugh but it's just not funny - it's soul-crushingly sad.
Okay, I'm off to drink more water to hopefully ward off future swelling, read a chapter of Willy Wonka to my son and keep my hands on my belly for any future kicks, hits or headbutts. Nighty night night!
In bad news, the cankles are here to stay. They started at 11am today and even my 2 1/2 litres of water didn't touch them. I now have a large plastic box under my desk to hoist my feet up all day so it feels better and I think they've gone away then I look down and the puffiness is still there. Honestly it looks like someone took two rectangles of pasty coloured molding clay and just bent the bottom for feet. Who knew I'd miss ankles so much? I was going to take a picture so you could laugh but it's just not funny - it's soul-crushingly sad.
Okay, I'm off to drink more water to hopefully ward off future swelling, read a chapter of Willy Wonka to my son and keep my hands on my belly for any future kicks, hits or headbutts. Nighty night night!
14 January 2009
the saga continues
Had myself a tragic afternoon. No air conditioning in our office at work and today was stinky hot so I was miserable all afternoon (I'm cranky in heat without being pregnant so you can imagine the crank factor while great with child), then I dashed to the train station with one minute to spare to catch my train. The air conditioning felt like heaven but it was so full I would have had to stand so I decided to be logical but annoying and leave that train and wait for the next one. The next one is 30 minutes later but that was supposed to be no big deal because it actually comes 20 minutes early so I thought it would be perfect to sit on an empty air conditioned train, reading my book & waiting for my journey home. But noooooo, for the first time ever my train didn't show up until 6.40pm - 10 minutes late. So then I had to crowd on with all the late-coming bozos but at least I had a seat ... BUT NO AIR CONDITIONING. I've never had one of the intercity trains without air conditioning until today. 1 1/2 hours in a train that doesn't have opening windows & no air con. Needless to say I had swollen feet tonight.
But on to the happy stuff ...
Week 21: Banana
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.
Your baby could measure about 27cm from crown to heel. Her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed and her fingernails now cover her fingertips. Watch what you say from now on because she will probably hear you. You can communicate by talking, singing or why not try reading aloud? Some studies suggest a newborn will suck more vigorously when you feed if you read from a book frequently heard in utero. Choose a children's classic, take a look at some of our parent's favourites or use one of your own books -- whatever you prefer.
Week 21: Banana
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.
Your baby could measure about 27cm from crown to heel. Her eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed and her fingernails now cover her fingertips. Watch what you say from now on because she will probably hear you. You can communicate by talking, singing or why not try reading aloud? Some studies suggest a newborn will suck more vigorously when you feed if you read from a book frequently heard in utero. Choose a children's classic, take a look at some of our parent's favourites or use one of your own books -- whatever you prefer.
I don't think I mentioned that I started reading Charlie & the Chocolate Factory to the baby a couple of weeks back. Don't get too excited, I've only read two very very short chapters. But now that he can actually hear me, I'll be doing that every night. AND forcing awesome food down my gullet so he'll be born with a cosmopolitan palette. What's that, young Mr. Eisele? More paneer saag? Sure, here you go. He's still going to be a turd who hates reading and foreign foods, isn't he? Oh well, it won't be my fault.
I think I had other things to tell you about but I can't remember them. Still no progress on a name but I think we've created a safety backup name in case we can't come up with anything else. I'm not telling you what it is in case we actually use it then you think we're morons who couldn't come up with anything else. I'm still waiting for your name submissions, by the way.
13 January 2009
09 January 2009
the outcome
It's a boy!! We're very happy and have a few scan photos that we'll have to get online as soon as possible so you can see our soon to be son. He looks very cute so far - little button nose, pouty lips & HUGE FEET. The woman who did the ultrasound thinks we're going to have a tall son and referred to him as Sasquatch so that scares my poor lady parts that will have to push that thing out.
We've already gone out & bought a bunch of blue & green clothing. All just pajamy/onesie crap at this point so I'll have to branch out to other colours soon. Also had my first taste of swollen feet last night. When I got home from work, I took my shoes off and almost cried. I've never had particularly dainty ankles so I always joke about my cankles but lord almighty, I'll never complain about my normal ones again. It was terrible. I kept my feet elevated all night and they're fine today. I blame the little tight "invisible" socks I was wearing with my ballet flats - they were too tight and I just knew it was going to be a disaster. Like Forrest Gump, I must take care of my feet ... or were they just talking about socks? I don't know.
So there, big day on our side of the world. Now I can pull together a nice nursery for my boy. I do look forward to calling him "son" but not in a loving caring way, more of a Jay-Z way. This is going to be fun!!
We've already gone out & bought a bunch of blue & green clothing. All just pajamy/onesie crap at this point so I'll have to branch out to other colours soon. Also had my first taste of swollen feet last night. When I got home from work, I took my shoes off and almost cried. I've never had particularly dainty ankles so I always joke about my cankles but lord almighty, I'll never complain about my normal ones again. It was terrible. I kept my feet elevated all night and they're fine today. I blame the little tight "invisible" socks I was wearing with my ballet flats - they were too tight and I just knew it was going to be a disaster. Like Forrest Gump, I must take care of my feet ... or were they just talking about socks? I don't know.
So there, big day on our side of the world. Now I can pull together a nice nursery for my boy. I do look forward to calling him "son" but not in a loving caring way, more of a Jay-Z way. This is going to be fun!!
08 January 2009
One day more
Nothing new & nothing relatively exciting to report. Very happy that we'll find out the sex tomorrow as it seems to be about the only major milestone in this neverending pregnancy. Actually, I just got paranoid so I called to confirm my appointment. I'd feel like a dumb turd if I showed up all excited only to be turned away.
Anyway, that's all the poop that's fit to scoop from my end. Baby has become very active in the mornings, which I hope stays the case so it doesn't keep me awake during the night at the end of the pregnancy. I've heard horror stories. Still can't feel the squirrel kicking from the outside but the inside twirling sensation still freaks me out a tiny bit.
Have a happy Friday and I'll be sure to post the big announcement tomorrow when we get home from buying a lot of pink or blue onesies.
Anyway, that's all the poop that's fit to scoop from my end. Baby has become very active in the mornings, which I hope stays the case so it doesn't keep me awake during the night at the end of the pregnancy. I've heard horror stories. Still can't feel the squirrel kicking from the outside but the inside twirling sensation still freaks me out a tiny bit.
Have a happy Friday and I'll be sure to post the big announcement tomorrow when we get home from buying a lot of pink or blue onesies.
07 January 2009
Baby is a cantaloupe. Mama is a tank engine.
Hmmm ... 20 weeks & lots of talk about what will be in our baby's diaper. I also don't appreciate these people comparing me to a tank engine.
20 Weeks
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!
How your baby's growing -- Your baby's putting on weight now and has turned into a slippery little thing -- a greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats the entire body to protect the skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. Some babies are still covered with this whitish goo when they're born.
How your life's changing -- Out of breath? Most women start to feel a bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, huffing and puffing up a short flight of stairs. Some breathlessness is normal and may get a little worse as your expanding uterus pushes up against your lungs, but tell your midwife if it gets out of hand. Also, make sure you're getting enough iron. Your baby measures about 6.5 inches/ 16.5 centimetres from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. The baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.
Did I already tell you that we bought some stuff? Toys R Us is having a big sale so we got our "cot" (crib), which is a lovely cocoa bean colour. Also got a ruffly bassinett for beside our bed for the first few months. I will later dedicate a blog to the world of bassinetts (I don't know how to spell it) because it is a dark, scary, ruffly world that one. We chose the least of evils but it's still evil. Also got a Baby Bjorn. I know, I know.
20 Weeks
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!
How your baby's growing -- Your baby's putting on weight now and has turned into a slippery little thing -- a greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats the entire body to protect the skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. Some babies are still covered with this whitish goo when they're born.
How your life's changing -- Out of breath? Most women start to feel a bit like Thomas the Tank Engine, huffing and puffing up a short flight of stairs. Some breathlessness is normal and may get a little worse as your expanding uterus pushes up against your lungs, but tell your midwife if it gets out of hand. Also, make sure you're getting enough iron. Your baby measures about 6.5 inches/ 16.5 centimetres from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight. The baby's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.
Did I already tell you that we bought some stuff? Toys R Us is having a big sale so we got our "cot" (crib), which is a lovely cocoa bean colour. Also got a ruffly bassinett for beside our bed for the first few months. I will later dedicate a blog to the world of bassinetts (I don't know how to spell it) because it is a dark, scary, ruffly world that one. We chose the least of evils but it's still evil. Also got a Baby Bjorn. I know, I know.
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