my pregnancy -- 33 weeks

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Finally, a fruit we can relate to! :)

mystery solved

This morning, I finally saw my PCP about my persistant knee pain. Her immediate concern was that it could possibly be a blood clot. So, she prescribed a test I had never had done before, a "venous doppler". (She also yelled at me about needing to wear flat shoes, so we're going shopping tonight.)

Thankfully, Kennedy Medical Imaging was able to see me at 1:00 this afternoon for the test, which was basically like an ultrasound for my leg. The technician, Linda, could immediately tell that I have a severe case of "venous reflux" which is exactly what it sounds like: blood is flowing into my leg, but having a hard time getting back out due to a faulty valve. Apparently this is very common in pregnancy, and even more common in the left leg. Go figure. But no clots, which was a relief.

Waiting for them to send the results to my PCP (who also prescribed physical therapy) to see what other precautions I can take. I have a feeling it is going to involve some tight-fitting glamorous-looking stockings. Yikes... Anything to avoid varicose veins, I suppose.

christmas part one

Christmas Eve, we had dinner at my parents' house, then went to my aunts' for the Recker family Christmas tradition.

These photos reminds me of a poem..."Jack Sprat could eat no fat. His wife could eat no lean..."

Here are the parents. Still looking as cute as ever!

At my aunts' house, they have one ornament on the tree for everyone in the Recker family. 81 in all! Next year, our baby's will be #82! :)

Christmas Day, we had brunch and dinner at Brandon's parents' house. Carly was all dressed up.

And John was thrilled with all of his Iron Man & Wall-E gifts!

Gee...wonder what we bought Colin?

Brian even made an appearance...

And Chris and Chuck were thrilled with their Jose & Tony's gift certificate. Feliz Navidad, guys!

Brandon's parents got gift cards from us...
...and a big picture frame, which unfortunately got broken within a few hours. (Thank goodness for a great return policy!) Guess Kara didn't want her picture taken....

...and this was the best one I could get of Tom, with Carly crawling on him!

The best part was that everyone was together...

Later that evening, we traveled from Imperial to Pleasant Hills to visit with my Aunt Carol, Uncle Jim and their family (plus my Aunt June, Rich, cousin Scott, his girlfriend Kim, and my cousin Kelly's friend Louie and her beautiful family consisting of 2 gorgeous teens and 2 gorgeous 8-month-old twins!). My cousin Kelly, Don & Diaz were in from New York and cousin Amy was up from Florida. Unfortunately, her fiance Scott and his daughter Rachel weren't able to make the trip because of illness. But it was good to see everyone! PLUS we got baby shower gifts, since my cousins won't be here for my shower next week! Sorry I didn't get any pictures...but it was a great end to a wonderful Christmas Day!!

Christmas Part Two will happen when Chris, Nikki & Reece arrive next week from the Windy City! Stay tuned...

visit with st. nicholas

Oops, I meant Doc Nicholas! I must still be in Christmas mode... :)

Anyway...this morning was our 32-week appointment and everything went well again, thank goodness! Baby's heartbeat was around 145, which is consistent. My blood pressure was still good and I was measuring exactly where I needed to be (which means my belly is 32 centimeters, I think, from top to bottom). She could even tell that the baby's head was "down" which explains why I've been feeling kicks in my ribs lately! This is the position we want the baby to be in during the last few weeks, but she said that could change within a half hour! So we'll see...

I also only gained about 1.5 pounds, which is great considering it was the day after Christmas!

I told her about my knee still feeling terrible, and she said that I should contact my PCP to get it looked at and an MRI if necessary. So, I called and made an appointment for Monday morning. It'll probably be feeling better by then...let's hope!

My next appoinment will be in 2 weeks. After that, they'll start the "internals" which the physician's assistant said are not pleasant! I appreciated the warning...

Here is a 32-week belly shot!

my pregnancy -- 32 weeks

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.I think it's funny that I didn't even know how to pronounce jicama until I lived in Arizona... You hardly ever see or hear about them on the east coast, but now I have one in my belly!

Brandon asked if our jicama-jig was going to get the jiccups...hee hee. He's so silly. :)

merry christmas to all!

I don't have a lot to report today, and I probably won't have anything new until after Christmas...so I wanted to share something clever from Naperville, Illinois which is near where my brother and his family live. (I borrowed these pictures from his Facebook page. Thanks, Chris!)

There is a house there that goes Christmas crazy each and every year...

...and the neighbors don't even try to compete. "Just keep looking to the left, people..."

I love it! Merry Christmas and a very happy 2009 to all of my blog readers!! xoxo

john's show!

Thursday night, Brandon and I attended the Zion Lutheran Pre-School's presentation of "Happy Birthday, Jesus"! Our four-year old nephew, John, sang three songs with his class and even shouted "Hi Uncle Brandon!" "Hi Auntie Jennifer!" from the stage before he started! He did soooo well and we were very proud. See for yourself...that's him, second from the left on the top row between the two pretty girls. We think he's a born showman!

Afterward, we were all invited for cookies & punch in the church hall!

my pregnancy this week

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Brandon and I are a little perplexed by the multiple number of fruits this week. I keep singing "four navel oranges...and a partridge in a pear tree"!

They are certainly right about the kicks and somersaults. They are not just at night -- they are practically 24 hours a day! And nobody mentioned that my ankles were going to look like tree stumps. That's a bit bothersome, but there are only 9 weeks left to go! :) Yippee!!!

we have no class

So, we were all geared up for our final "Preparing for Childbirth" class last night, figuring that the fourth class was where we would learn, you know, the final things we needed to know before we headed into parenthood and were on our own.

Around 4:00 yesterday afternoon, it started to rain and next thing we know there's a call to our home and a call to my work number that class was cancelled due to "bad weather" and that it was rescheduled for this Thursday. Well, I don't know about the rest of the class but we have plans Thursday (it's John's pre-school Christmas concert) that we cannot miss!

So, I called the Magee Education Department (since we paid for 4 classes) and they told me that we could attend Class #4 of the NEXT session, which will be held on Feburary 3rd. Same teacher, same location but none of the same people. Maybe there will be another over-eager, question-asking couple in that group to entertain us?

And by the way, it never snowed. It just rained all night, which made the whole rescheduling completely unnecessary. Ugh.

holidays, birthdays & more!

It's been a few weeks since Thanksgiving, but I had to share these photos of John (& Carly) proudly "carving" the turkey cake at my in-laws' with a plastic knife, of course. He looks like a pro!

Then, we celebrated three December birthdays -- my Dad's on 12/1, Tommy's on 12/4 and Brandon's Dad's on 12/10 -- on Sunday, December 7th. Here's a shot of the Birthday Boys with the kids!

And then, we finally had the chance to take Brandon's parents out to Hyde Park to thank his Dad for all of the work he did on our deck this summer/fall. It also happened to coincide with his actual 60th birthday. Happy Birthday, Pappy! Would you look at the size of that carrot cake?!?

When we got home (and I was super stuffed!), Brandon took a picture of me in the baby's room so you get a glimpse of my growing belly as well as how cute the bedding and furniture look together!

That's it for now. We have George the painter here this week adding some colorful touches to our home, so when he is finished next week I'll have some updates of that as well!

preparing for childbirth -- class #3

I spoke too soon a few weeks ago when I thought we watched a birth video. That was nothing compared to what we witnessed last night. Real woman, naked, in labor...full view of everything. It wasn't horribly gross as much as it was quite alien-like. Even the woman doing the pushing shouted "It doesn't look like a baby!" We had to agree. Thankfully, the instructor reassured us that we could be clothed from the waist up if we wanted to be. Whew!

We started the class with discussion of c-sections and we were asked if any of us were c-section babies. Proudly, I was only one of two people in a room of 16 who were! Then she asked us if we knew reasons WHY c-sections would be performed. Brandon whispered to me the reason my own Mother had a c-section (her hips were deemed too small) so I shouted that one out to which the instructor giggled and said "Well, that's debatable!" Apparently there are several other reasons and she had large posters showing all of the wacky positions those babies get themselves into. I am still not sure which direction our little Cabbage is facing. He/she still has some room to move around.

Then we watched a c-section video which was animated, thank goodness. Still made me squeeze Brandon's hand really hard, thinking of someone manually separating my abdominal muscles!

After that, we discussed 2nd stage and pushing and how the baby has to move down the birth "canal" which she said is mere centimeters. Then they talked about what happens directly following the birth, which we already kind of knew from our Baby Care class.

Then came the birth video, which I described above. No need for more details. Use your imagination.

For the last hour, we practiced our laboring positions and she taught us some pushing positions. It was incredibly weird to pretend to push my baby out when I know he/she needs to stay in there for 10 more weeks! I was careful not to give it all I had. :)

I kept a tally of questions asked by the over-eager question-asking couple in relation to the rest of the class and it was a whopping 9 to 2! Told ya...

Next week, we will have one hour of regular class. The second hour, we will be joined by four of the new parents and babies from one of our instructor's previous classes. They will talk about their individual birth experiences, which should be very interesting, as well as meet our instructor's 11-week old, Jude!

my pregnancy this week (30 weeks!!)

hello jennifer! Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)More cabbage, really? Though not of the Chinese variety this week! What's been great is that I can almost constantly feel the baby moving, especially responding to what I eat and drink. It's miraculous...until I get kicked in the ribs. Hee hee. Will write more about last night's Childbirth class in a bit!

from the archives...

I've had this song in my head since becoming pregnant...not that it's even really a song...but I just thought I'd share since it makes me smile. It's from one of my favorite "Friends" episodes of all time ("The One with the Embryos").

I couldn't find a video (boo) of this but here are the lyrics. Just picture her sitting upside-down on the chair in Monica & Rachel's apartment...

"Are you in there, little fetus?

In nine months will you come greet us?

I will...buy you some Adidas..."

I really miss that show. :(

28 week check-up (one week late)

Last night, Brandon and I had an evening appointment so that we were finally able to meet with my regular OB, Dr. Whiteside, who has not seen me since I've been pregnant. I was so excited that I was going to write a song about it to the tune of The Killers' "Mr. Brightside", but I am not feeling that creative this morning. :)

Let me just start by saying the entire staff at Womancare is wonderful. Andrea, the physician's assistant, who weighed me (20 pounds officially have been gained - which sounds like a TON to me, but is actually really healthy) and took my blood pressure, actually gets ELATED every time she finds a baby's heartbeat. I think that's wonderful, considering she's been doing this for 20 years. She is a chatty sweetheart. Baby Davis had a heartbeat last night of 146 and my blood pressure, she said, was "beautiful". Also "beautiful" were my glucose test results...so that was good, too! No more drinking orange mystery liquid for me!!

When Dr. Whiteside came in, she greeted us both with a giant smile and a "Well, look who's pregnant!!!" It was great to see her. She mentioned how the last time we had seen each other (April '07), she was setting me up with a Reproductive Endocrinologist and asked "So, the Clomid worked?" Yes, thankfully, after 6 tries!

She did all of the usual measurements and checks and said everything was looking good, but that I should consider adding an iron supplement to my daily vitamin regimen because I was on the borderline of anemia and it may only get worse as my pregnancy progresses. So, Brandon wrote that done and we'll get those this weekend. I asked a few questions (including one about my sore knee) and she assured me that it was all because I'm carrying 20 extra pounds on my tiny frame. Can't wait to see how great I feel with 10 more pounds on me...ugh.

After Dr. Whiteside left, nurse Linda came in with LOTS more information for third trimester moms. She also got me a new pre-natal prescription and sent us on our way. We were there for about an hour.

I also have to mention that everyone who saw me complimented me in some way about the green turtleneck I was wearing. I don't know if they were all just being honest or if it's just their way of making expanding OB patients feel good about themselves! I'll have to see what they say next time. :)

My 32-week check up is scheduled for the day after Christmas with Dr. Nicholas (whom I have never met -- the last of the docs to meet) and then I'll start going every 2 weeks!!!! We are getting so close to holding our Baby Butternut Squash!

preparing for childbirth class #2 recap

Brandon and I attended our second class on Tuesday night. Once everyone arrived (including a couple who was missing last week), I was quickly surrounded by gum-chewers: one to my left, one to my right and one across the way. And the guy to my left was LOUD about it. Ugh. I had to plug my left ear to avoid having to get up and move across the room. I may have to devote a separate blog entry to my Sound Sensitivity Syndrome...

ANYWAY, the first thing our instructor did was show us a video of an actual couple in labor. And yes, it included the "money shot" that nobody really needed to see...I'll just leave it at that. What we were supposed to watch for was how the woman, her partner AND her Doula (a new term to Brandon) NATURALLY helped relieve her discomfort with massage, water, different positions, and positive encouragement. All I know is that half-way through the video I was 100% certain that there's no way I was going to be able to do what this woman did...and that if I would hire a Doula, I would probably would have punched her in the face.

After that, we got down on the floor with our mats and pillows to practice the positions that would help us get through our pain. The positions were real easy to get to when you're NOT in labor, so how were we supposed to know if they'd help? It was all quite silly so we'll have to wait and see when the time comes. I shouldn't be so negative. I'll probably be the one trying EVERYTHING to make it stop! Brandon got to massage my lower back with a tennis ball (to alleviate back labor) and squeeze my hip bones together (which I couldn't even really feel) among other things.

After a 10 minute bathroom break, she then played a video about "interventions" specifically mentioning that this was not her favorite part of the class. Finally, we got to see what is involved with induction, monitoring, and pain relief (yay!) all of which the instructor made seem like "bad things" that all came with risks. She also passed around actual internal monitors and epidural catheters. I could tell some of the people in the room got squeamish watching the epidural being administered. I might have been one of them. :)

Everyone seemed a little bit more "open" since this was our second class and three more of us (myself included) actually asked questions. The over-eager question-asking couple was in full effect, asking 10 questions for the entire rest of the class's 1 question. I may have to tally them next week... The funniest thing about this couple is that she has an 11-year old! Brandon thinks she may have been unconscious during that birth. Hee hee.

More tomorrow, as we have our 28 week doctor's appointment (one week late) at 5:45 tonight!

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

class recap

The bad news: What we thought was "Preparing for Childbirth" is actually "Lamaze" which we purposefully did NOT sign up for...

The good news: Our insurance will reimburse us $65 for a Lamaze class.

We had our first "Preparing for Childbirth" class Tuesday night from 7-9pm. We entered rather hesitantly, with only the instructor and one other couple in the room. As the room started to fill up, we recognized three other couples who had been in our "Baby Care Basics" class the week before -- the super-eager question-asking couple, the low-key & friendly couple, and the middle-age-father-with-a-moustache-who-didn't-really-want-to-be-there couple.

After an ice-breaker (Brandon just looooves those), our instructor Lisa Clarke introduced herself to us as a certified Lamaze instructor (uh oh) and the mother of three boys (Grant, Gavin & Jude - cute names). She also mentioned that this was her first class back since giving birth to Jude 11 weeks ago and her husband was home with all three boys. She also passed out Lamaze Magazine. That's when we knew we were in trouble. :)

She began by discussing the "three stages" of labor and knowing when you're actually in labor. She showed us some charts and graphs as well as demonstrated the dilation process with several models going from 1 cm. to 10 cms. There were also videos shown intermittantly, but nothing gross yet. That took about the first hour, and she was very casual about the whole thing. Meanwhile, I am furiously taking notes and wondering "Is she ever going to talk about pain relief that doesn't involve heavy breathing and focusing???"

During our 10-minute bathroom break, Lisa's husband called once to say that Jude was crying and he couldn't get him to stop. To which Lisa replied "What do you want me to do about it?" Great...

After the break, out came the mats and all of the Mommies got to lie down on the floor with our pillows and the lights turned off. And we started "relaxation" exercises. I wasn't sure if I was being hypnotized or if I just wanted to take a nap like I was in pre-school or something but it was kind of awkward lying there with all of these strangers. As soon as Brandon was told to massage my shoulders, I stopped wondering and just tried to enjoy it. And next thing I knew, it was over. (10 minutes early. Guess Lisa had to get back to her boys.)

I am hoping that the next few classes include other ways to prepare for childbirth (as the title of the class suggests) like "what happens if you are induced?" "what about c-sections" and, oh yeah, "what kinds of drugs can I get and when???"

I guess we will just have to wait and see... At least we are only paying $20 for the class now instead of $85. I think that might've been the most valuable lesson we learned that night.

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

preparing for childbirth classes start TONIGHT!

I've been off all week (which has been heaven on earth) and tonight is our first Preparing for Childbirth class at UPMC South (same place as last week). It's the first class in a series of four that will hopefully ready us for what we will experience in February. We are supposed to bring two bed-sized pillows with us and wear comfy clothes.

Here is the official description:

This four week, eight hour prepared childbirth series offers expectant parents an opportunity to receive answers to their questions about giving birth and reviews what typically happens when mom comes to the hospital in labor. Through these classes, parents will learn the signs of labor and comfort measures including relaxation skills and paced breathing, as well as anesthesia options. Moms-to-be and their support persons rehearse for labor to help ease anxiety surrounding the birthing experience. This comprehensive course also addresses post-partum emotions. All instructors are nationally certified childbirth educators. The 4 week course meets on weeknights and is offered at the hospital and our satellite locations. Classes at the hospital include a tour of the birth center and postpartum. Magee-Womens Hospital recommends that expectant parents complete this course 2-4 weeks prior to their due date.

Sounds great, but what I'm picturing in my head is every movie or tv show that has ever visited this topic. Particularly "Baby Mama" -- oooh OOOOH! Guess you had to see it...

belly shots

Some of you have been asking for updated shots of my ever-growing belly...so here they are! (Gotta give the people what they want, right?)

I took these in the bathroom at work...

My belly is an endless source of fascination for both Brandon and me. We love sitting at night and feeling (and watching!) our little one wiggle and kick. It's the craziest, but best, feeling in the world.

tests and shots

So, yesterday I had to go for a routine Glucose Screening Test which basically tells the doctors if I am at risk for gestational diabetes. At 8am (after eating only crackers for breakfast), I had to chug a watered-down, super-sugary orange drink. Then I had to sit in the waiting room for an hour while the sugar did its stuff. After the hour was up, they had to draw blood to see how "sugared up" I was (not the technical term).

They took 3 vials of blood because they also needed to confirm that my bloodtype is still O-. I called my doctor's office today for the results and they told me that yes, indeed, it was still negative and that I had 5 days to come in for my Rhogam shot. So, I am getting that today at 2:45. I think I will finally feel better knowing that my body's antibodies aren't going to attack the baby's body. :)

my pregnancy this week (first week of my third trimester -- woo hoo!)

hello jennifer! 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.

Cauliflower is not a favorite vegetable of mine...but that's ok. Seems like only yesterday that Baby Davis was just a Grape! :)

Baby Care Class in Review

We spent three hours at the Magee South facility last night with about 10 other couples who looked about as clueless as we were! The instructor, Connie, was very nice and very informative...maybe a little too informative because it was a LOT of information to absorb in three hours. We covered everything from safety to feeding to diapering to swaddling to bathing with a 15-minute bathroom break and about 30 other topics thrown in between. We were able to "practice" on dolls...but I don't think either one of us got quite enough practice. All we can say is that we tried our best and are thankful they gave us a "user's manual" to take home!

Here is the tester model of Baby Davis, all swaddled to perfection! (Note that she has brown eyes, just like us!)

Baby Care: Basic Training for New Parents -- TONIGHT!

Tonight we start a series of classes that will (hopefully) prepare us to be parents! But is anyone ever really ready? :)

Here is a description of the class we will take tonight from 6:30-9:30:

New parent basic training such as newborn care, feeding, and infant behavior are included with an emphasis on safety and health promotion. Parents-to-be have an opportunity to practice these skills on a Magee baby doll. Recommended during the second trimester of pregnancy, but may be taken at any time before birth. This class will boost your confidence while preparing for the arrival of your baby.

I'll blog tomorrow as to how accurate this was! Next Tuesday night, it's Preparing for Childbirth...

my pregnancy this week (26 for those who've lost track)

hi jennifer! The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you 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. (Lovely information...but necessary, I suppose.)

P.S. Where do they find these vegetables???

daddy's 40th birthday weekend!

We celebrated Brandon's birthday by heading to Mountaineer Race Track & Resort on Friday afternoon. After checking in, we played slots, Roulette and enjoyed a nice lunch at the casino before heading over to the race track for a night at the races! We watched the first few races while we had dinner and stayed for all ten of the races. We only won a few dollars, but came EXTREMELY close to winning $2,800 on a Trifecta! It was so frustrating, but very fun. After spending the night, we ordered room service and went downstairs to The Spa at Mountaineer where I had scheduled a one-hour Swedish massage for Brandon and a pedicure for myself. It was a great way to end our trip!

Sunday, Brandon's family (and my parents, too) had a delicious lasagna dinner and watched the Steelers game while Brandon opened presents and blew out the candles. Here are a few pictures!

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! Head to heels, your baby 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.

4 more weeks and 5 more pounds

We had our 24-week check up today with the CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) in our practice. Yes, I put on 5 more pounds (since 4 weeks ago) which they said is normal and my belly is measuring perfectly (1 cm. for every week, which I did not know). Baby's heartbeat was found quickly and going strong at 145 bpm! The Head Nurse/Coordinator, Karen, then came in with at least an hour's worth of information and instructions. My head was spinning. I am glad that Brandon was in the room because I have NO IDEA how I'm going to remember everything she told us. She even sent us home with free gifts, courtesy of Similac & Enfamil. Two hours later (no kidding), Brandon drove me through a drive-through for lunch and back to work. I was starving!

Before my 28-week appointment, I need to have my glucose tolerance test done and I'll also get my Rhogam shot at that point (because of my negative blood type). I am looking forward to that appointment because it will be the first time I'll be seeing my regular OB, Dr. Whiteside, since I've been pregnant!

the deck is done!

Please enjoy these pictures of our beautiful new deck, which was lovingly (and meticulously) built by my father-in-law Bill, who also designed and masterminded the project. Brandon, family friend Chuck, brother-in-law Tommy, good friend Jeff, my Dad and even my Uncle Pudge all contributed and it wouldn't have been possible without all of their help. We are looking forward to enjoying our new deck (with our new baby!!) once the weather gets nice again in the spring!

the other member of our family

I just realized that I have yet to introduce the fourth member of the Davis household, our 7-year old goldfish, Fish! (Brandon's "nephew" Colin named him when he was 4.) Believe it or not, he started out as a little $0.25 fish, belonging to Brandon's late grandmother. When she passed away in 2002, Brandon took him in. At that time, he was in a little desktop tank. Now, he currently resides in a 20-gallon tank in our living room. (It was either that or a pond, the pet store said.) He has been through some rough times lately (ammonia poisoning, diseases called Ich and Cotton Mouth) but is doing really well right now, thanks to Brandon's constant attention and maintenance. We have never weighed or measured him, but we think he is the biggest goldfish in captivity. Fish thinks he's a shark. :)

my pregnancy this week

hello jennifer! Your baby's 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 (picture 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.

mango-a-go-go in chicago

Brandon and I packed up our little Mango and flew to Chicago to visit Uncle Chris, Aunt Nikki and Cousin Reece! We all had a wonderful time, with many fun dinners out and a trip to the Chicago Children's Museum. Brandon and I even changed a few "poopies" and you know what? It wasn't so bad!! I think we might be ready for this after all.

At the Children's Museum...

We also got to visit Chris's office, which is on the top floor of the tallest building in Oak Brook, Illinois. I am so proud of my little brother and his advertising career. He works really hard and travels a lot, but I know he loves it. He is living his dream! Did I mention he is a champion pumpkin-carver?

Reece is such a good, sweet and funny little girl. She is saying so many words now, which we loved. We carved "punkies", looked out the window for the "guys" (cutting the grass) and the "byes" (airplanes). By Sunday afternoon, she had called Brandon "Gunkle" twice and she might've called me "Danny" (for "Auntie") so we'll take it! We also danced to Reece's favorite song "Disturbia" by Rihanna!