Did you notice that we are down to 98 days???
I am blessed… truly blessed! As I was driving to Rochester from Winona, MN yesterday, all I could think is that life is beautiful. This last weekend we were showered with love by my parents, sister, aunt and uncle, Jackie, and some truly wonderful friends as we celebrated the anticipation of Little One. Thank you to everyone that made this weekend so special! Steve's parents and sister also showered Little One with love this weekend. We wish they could have joined us.
“How do we do this?” is the question of the week. I’m sure you experienced parents would say it just happens… but how do you get ready? I initially thought the new dresser we bought to use also as a changing table and the closet system would hold more, but now I am looking at Little One’s room and thinking were do we put the diapers and socks and burp cloths and sheets. How do we organize all these new things? Steve was looking at the baby stuff we have now and said getting married was easy compared to this… I think he might be right. I have no doubt that even if we figured out the perfect system and found a home for every piece of baby paraphernalia, Little One will come out saying, “This is how I want you to do it.” For now we will do our best to get organized, but we also realize that things will likely change.
I’m not quite sure what is taking place inside my belly… Yes, there is a tremendous amount of development and growth… and a bit of rearranging my organs, but sometimes I wish I could peek inside to see what he is doing. Mr. Wiggles, Wiggle Worm, Squirmy are all names that would apply… and I’m sure this is nothing compared to what I will feel very soon. On Sunday I was leaning back on the couch with my shirt a bit taut and I could see flutters- I could actually see him move. Yesterday there was continuous movement… Flutter, flutter, flutter, something much bigger than a flutter, then flutter. His favorite spot at the moment is to the left of my belly button, but he also likes area just above my belly button. Occasionally he finds my bladder. I love feeling him move! Steve thinks it’s like watching a pot trying to boil. Little One is already teasing his daddy. I will get some big repetitive movements and as soon as I have Steve try to feel it, he stops just long enough for Dad to decide it isn’t worth waiting for. He is his father’s son! Once in awhile Steve gets to feel him.
Last week there was a set of quintuplets born in Minnesota. I was looking at their pictures and amazed to think that Little One looks somewhat like them as they were born at 27 weeks and we are 26 weeks today. He needs to stay were he is for another 12 weeks, but I can’t help but think about how big he is and what he looks like. He should be about 13 inches long and about 1.5 pounds.
So as I close, I will again say I am truly blessed by my family and friends! And I am completely amazed by the miracle of life!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Can I have a Kleenex, please…?
Week 25
This has been a quieter week for us… Steve and I, but I’m sure little one is busy growing and developing. He is definitely moving and wiggling. On Sunday Steve finally got to feel him move. I’m sure it will be more common now as he gets bigger. Isn't the animation of the little one on the right amazing? To think our little one looks something like it... WOW!
I think I must be starting to look like I am pregnant. I had three people I don’t know over the last week comment on me being pregnant or asking me when our baby is due. I probably don’t see it as much as I see my belly everyday. I know it is getting big by the fact that my clothes feel and look different. Last night in one last ditch attempt to wear a regular long sleeve t-shirt I put one on… guess what? It doesn’t fit. It’s too tight in the belly. Forget just being too short, now it too tight, also. So I think regular clothes are pretty much done until after little one arrives.
Last night we again had on Discovery Health and were watching a show about a family that had just given birth to triplets. I sat there feeling little one squirm and thought, “Oh my, we are going to have one of those”… excitedly. It’s not that this isn’t reality, but some moments are more real than others. I can’t imagine what it will be like to have a baby. One of my colleagues shared this thought with me, “To have a baby changes everything and is so extraordinary – It is forever to have your heart walking around outside of your body!” Wow what a thought… to have your heart walking around outside of your body. I can only imagine this is so true. I love him and I haven’t met him! I’m having another emotional week. Nearly everything baby brings a tear to my eye. More anticipated excitement.
My parents are coming this weekend and I am excited to see them. I’ve always been close with my parents, but now I feel there is this whole new element to our relationship as I anticipate becoming a parent myself. I can’t help, but wonder what my mom felt as she was carrying me. My hope is to give our child what my parents gave me… a sense of security in knowing that my parents loved and cared so much for each other that no matter what my sister and I would always be loved, too. I always had a warm, caring place to come home to. Something I don’t know many kids have these days.
About a week ago my best friend, Cindy shared the following with me… “TO BE A MOM”…
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey,"
she says half jokingly. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations..." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking,
"What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire, will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse that watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "MOM" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boys desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonalds will become a major dilemma, that right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years-not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my child's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughters quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it", I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand, and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift-that of being a Mother!
Just a few thoughts… Have a wonderful week!
This has been a quieter week for us… Steve and I, but I’m sure little one is busy growing and developing. He is definitely moving and wiggling. On Sunday Steve finally got to feel him move. I’m sure it will be more common now as he gets bigger. Isn't the animation of the little one on the right amazing? To think our little one looks something like it... WOW!
I think I must be starting to look like I am pregnant. I had three people I don’t know over the last week comment on me being pregnant or asking me when our baby is due. I probably don’t see it as much as I see my belly everyday. I know it is getting big by the fact that my clothes feel and look different. Last night in one last ditch attempt to wear a regular long sleeve t-shirt I put one on… guess what? It doesn’t fit. It’s too tight in the belly. Forget just being too short, now it too tight, also. So I think regular clothes are pretty much done until after little one arrives.
Last night we again had on Discovery Health and were watching a show about a family that had just given birth to triplets. I sat there feeling little one squirm and thought, “Oh my, we are going to have one of those”… excitedly. It’s not that this isn’t reality, but some moments are more real than others. I can’t imagine what it will be like to have a baby. One of my colleagues shared this thought with me, “To have a baby changes everything and is so extraordinary – It is forever to have your heart walking around outside of your body!” Wow what a thought… to have your heart walking around outside of your body. I can only imagine this is so true. I love him and I haven’t met him! I’m having another emotional week. Nearly everything baby brings a tear to my eye. More anticipated excitement.
My parents are coming this weekend and I am excited to see them. I’ve always been close with my parents, but now I feel there is this whole new element to our relationship as I anticipate becoming a parent myself. I can’t help, but wonder what my mom felt as she was carrying me. My hope is to give our child what my parents gave me… a sense of security in knowing that my parents loved and cared so much for each other that no matter what my sister and I would always be loved, too. I always had a warm, caring place to come home to. Something I don’t know many kids have these days.
About a week ago my best friend, Cindy shared the following with me… “TO BE A MOM”…
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey,"
she says half jokingly. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations..." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking,
"What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire, will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse that watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "MOM" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boys desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonalds will become a major dilemma, that right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years-not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my child's future. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughters quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it", I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand, and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift-that of being a Mother!
Just a few thoughts… Have a wonderful week!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Mr. Wiggles
We are 24 weeks today… wow! Can you believe it? Every time I turn around it is a new week.
Life is absolutely amazing. Every time I feel this little guy move I sometimes can’t believe this is happening. I want to hold onto every wiggle and movement. I don’t want to forget any of it as I know he will be here before we know it. In last week’s post I said I hadn’t felt him move on the outside, but sure enough on Wednesday I felt him. I think I had my hand in just the right spot at the right moment. He has done it several more times since then, but never quite long enough for Steve to feel yet or he does it will I am at work. I can feel him on the inside all the time. His moves are starting to become somewhat more predictable. I know that as soon as I sit back or lay still, he will move. Most often, though, they are gentle wiggles. I can hear you moms say, “Just wait. They won’t stay gentle.” I prefer to call him “little one”, but as his squirms become more regular he may become “Mr. Wiggles”. I love it! It’s my reassurance that he is there and doing just fine.
We had another OB visit yesterday and little one seems to be right on track. It was a fairly uneventful appointment with a bit more focus on me than on him. I’ve managed to hold onto a cough longer than my OB would like, but I’m sure it is nothing to worry about. She checked his heart rate, but in the midst of our conversation I didn’t ask her what it was. Those little details are important to me. I want to know everything about him. He is measuring right on for 24 weeks. I am so blessed that Steve has been able to be at every appointment with me. He is such a good dad! While I am carrying our baby, this really involves both of us. On our journey to get pregnant it seemed like the physicians focused only on me, but thankfully OB views us as a couple. Steve is just as much apart of this as I am. Aside from some of the aches and such, I wish he could experience this. I know I keep saying this is amazing, but it is!
We are still playing the naming game. How do you name your child? It will be with him for the rest of his life and even after… *first name* *middle name* Hull. Forever. This is much harder than I thought. It was so much easier when I was little and naming my dolls. I’m sure he won’t come home from the hospital as Little One Hull… I don’t think we can do that, but thankfully we still have several weeks to decide. Keep offering your suggestions.
While the clothing saga is on hold… I’m doing fairly well this week; I am in a panic over cravings. We are quickly moving out of plum and nectarine season. What am I going to do? I know the easy answer would be to find a new craving, but I don’t know that it’s possible. Oh no. The HoneyCrisp apples are great, but they don’t hit the same spot… today anyway. Fortunately this week I have been on the Blue Bell grape kick. Poor Steve didn’t question me when I called him on Monday and asked if he could bring me a bag of grapes to work. I was obsessing over them and found it difficult to concentrate until I had them. I tell you these cravings are like nothing I have ever experienced. I found a carton of chocolate malt ice cream with chucks of chocolate filled with creamy fudge. Yes, I have found the ultimate ice cream for me. Thankfully, Steve is doing most of the grocery shopping so I don’t buy six cartons just in case they don’t make it anymore. It’s a special Minnesota Twins edition. I have my glucose tolerance test in four weeks and I hope I pass so I don’t have to give up my occasional bowl of ice cream.
Until later, take care!
Love Jen, Steve, and Little One… Mr. Wiggles
Life is absolutely amazing. Every time I feel this little guy move I sometimes can’t believe this is happening. I want to hold onto every wiggle and movement. I don’t want to forget any of it as I know he will be here before we know it. In last week’s post I said I hadn’t felt him move on the outside, but sure enough on Wednesday I felt him. I think I had my hand in just the right spot at the right moment. He has done it several more times since then, but never quite long enough for Steve to feel yet or he does it will I am at work. I can feel him on the inside all the time. His moves are starting to become somewhat more predictable. I know that as soon as I sit back or lay still, he will move. Most often, though, they are gentle wiggles. I can hear you moms say, “Just wait. They won’t stay gentle.” I prefer to call him “little one”, but as his squirms become more regular he may become “Mr. Wiggles”. I love it! It’s my reassurance that he is there and doing just fine.
We had another OB visit yesterday and little one seems to be right on track. It was a fairly uneventful appointment with a bit more focus on me than on him. I’ve managed to hold onto a cough longer than my OB would like, but I’m sure it is nothing to worry about. She checked his heart rate, but in the midst of our conversation I didn’t ask her what it was. Those little details are important to me. I want to know everything about him. He is measuring right on for 24 weeks. I am so blessed that Steve has been able to be at every appointment with me. He is such a good dad! While I am carrying our baby, this really involves both of us. On our journey to get pregnant it seemed like the physicians focused only on me, but thankfully OB views us as a couple. Steve is just as much apart of this as I am. Aside from some of the aches and such, I wish he could experience this. I know I keep saying this is amazing, but it is!
We are still playing the naming game. How do you name your child? It will be with him for the rest of his life and even after… *first name* *middle name* Hull. Forever. This is much harder than I thought. It was so much easier when I was little and naming my dolls. I’m sure he won’t come home from the hospital as Little One Hull… I don’t think we can do that, but thankfully we still have several weeks to decide. Keep offering your suggestions.
While the clothing saga is on hold… I’m doing fairly well this week; I am in a panic over cravings. We are quickly moving out of plum and nectarine season. What am I going to do? I know the easy answer would be to find a new craving, but I don’t know that it’s possible. Oh no. The HoneyCrisp apples are great, but they don’t hit the same spot… today anyway. Fortunately this week I have been on the Blue Bell grape kick. Poor Steve didn’t question me when I called him on Monday and asked if he could bring me a bag of grapes to work. I was obsessing over them and found it difficult to concentrate until I had them. I tell you these cravings are like nothing I have ever experienced. I found a carton of chocolate malt ice cream with chucks of chocolate filled with creamy fudge. Yes, I have found the ultimate ice cream for me. Thankfully, Steve is doing most of the grocery shopping so I don’t buy six cartons just in case they don’t make it anymore. It’s a special Minnesota Twins edition. I have my glucose tolerance test in four weeks and I hope I pass so I don’t have to give up my occasional bowl of ice cream.
Until later, take care!
Love Jen, Steve, and Little One… Mr. Wiggles
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Ultrasound photos from 9/11/07
Here are the US photos... His face, a foot, a leg,his profile, and it's a boy!
Butterfly kisses and summersaults…
Oh, it has been too long since I last updated. The weeks are just flying. We will be 23 weeks tomorrow- WOW! Little one will be here before we know it.
Life has been interesting and crazy. I have had a few really busy weeks at work. I’m finally seeing the activity calm down, but then that means playing catch-up on everything I have had to put on the “back burner” to get the immediate stuff done.
To make things even more interesting both Steve and I have gotten sick. Okay, I was tired before, but add in busy days at work and a cold and I am wiped out! I have also been informed that colds during pregnancy hang on longer than colds normally do and there isn’t much to take to make me feel better. As a result of this cold, Steve and I had our first experience with Labor and Delivery. Apparently being pregnant with a cold and wheezing and a history of asthma gets you a fun filled afternoon in L&D. Actually I can’t complain because the staff was very friendly, perhaps a bit over cautious, but I suppose you can’t take chances. We had a TV and an interesting poster of various laboring positions to keep us entertained and wondering how some of them could possibly be comfortable. I’m sure in 15-18 weeks from now, we’ll find out. 15, oh my… breathe, Jen. Steve had fun blowing up the lumbar support in the bed. At least we got to see where we will be going. After a not-so-quick neb and stops to the OB appointment desk and the pharmacy we made it out of there in about three hours.
Steve has picked up a variation on what I have. Thankfully I didn’t get the fevers he has had. Wow, he can radiate heat! My bound-out-of-bed husband has spent the last few days on the couch, so I know he is sick. He’s got a sore throat and cough, too. Hopefully he’ll be up again real soon. I’m still not feeling great, but I’m trying to take care of him.
Okay, on to little one… I can finally really feel him being active. We knew from the ultrasound we had a couple of months ago that he was a wiggle worm, but now I can feel it. Usually at night when I lay on my side is when I can feel him the most. He pokes or kicks me in the same spots… just to the right or left of my belly button. I love it! A few nights ago I would swear he did a summersault. He did something. It was the most intense movement I have felt yet. So far his movements haven’t been strong enough to feel on the outside. I think I got Steve’s hopes up to feel him, but it just didn’t happen. I’m sure before too long Steve will be to experience it.
With both of us being home for a couple of days we have watched a few episodes of a Baby Story or Babies: Special Delivery on TLC or Discovery Health. While I’ve watched these shows many times in the past, they are different now. I’m not afraid of what I’ve watched, but there is some reality of the fact that little one will have to physically make his way outside of me…hmmm. Oh my… breathe again, Jen. Last night I asked Steve as one of the episodes was ending if he has moments were this hits him that this is really happening. He really doesn’t feel it yet. I suppose for me it is different, I’m carrying this little one. Each movement or a touch of my belly reminds me this is real. We got our confirmation letter of our prenatal classes that start in about a month making this all the more real. I guess I’m not just playing dress-up.
Steve has done a beautiful job of getting little one’s room ready. It is painted, wallpaper bordered, and the dresser is stained. Steve did a great job on matching the dresser to the crib and it looks wonderful. I’ll attach a picture of the room (the dresser is unstained in the picture). We still have to put the pictures back up on the wall, but we’ll get there.
Can you handle one more clothing saga…? I am struggling to like my clothes. I nearly melted down this morning trying to get dressed. Maybe I need a few more shirts. I, of course, bought almost everything in black, gray, and white to make mixing and matching work, but now I am tired of black. I think I am just overtired and over emotional. All I want to put on are my blue sweat pants and my favorite gray maternity shirt. Ugh, that doesn’t fly for work. Hey, at least I’m acting normal… this is a typical non-pregnant day.
I promise to try to keep this a little more up to date. Keep checking back. Steve and I have tried to get better ultrasound pictures up, but so far it isn’t working. I really want you to be able to see little one, so we’ll try again.
Take Care! Love, Jen and Steve
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