This Week I am Learning To...

...chill out. This week, I've decided to chill. I move a little bit, but because it's getting so cramped in here, I like to just sleep. I'm getting all caught up on sleep so that when I get outta here, I can stay awake for Mommy and Daddy for long long spands of time at once; I know they'll be so glad for that! I am also working on gaining weight...and what better to do then than chill out and be lazy! Mommy found out yesterday that I am in fact head down, no mystery there, and that I am facing backwards, like I am supposed to for delivery to be best for me and Mommy. She also found out that she isn't dilated at all...so I'm not quite ready to ocme out, now everyone knows. I'll let them know when it gets closer to time so that Mommy and Daddy have the oppertunity to get to the hospital and be in the same town. Don't worry Oma, my Daddy will be there to see me born, and my Mommy will make it to the right hospital in Tulsa to have me come out! No worries, I got their backs! Since I'm stuck in here, being lazy, I put on an average of a half of an ounce a day in fat. I should have some good lookin fat rolls when you all get to see me next. My skin looks wrinkley, like an old man, right now. Mommy will be putting lots of lotion on me when I bet out; I can see that one coming! I also like to practice breathing while I'm in here and don't really have to do it on my own, because Mommy does it for me right now, but I still want to get all the practice in while I can so that I can be ready to do it all on my own when I finally get outta here! So, I am really getting ready to get out of here you all. I can't wait to meet my Mommy and Daddy and all my Aunts and Uncles and my grandparents too. I should be spoiled pretty good by all those family members; I'm lookin forward to that! Zach, are you ready to pass on your crown of the only Best cousin?! Cause here I come to share that one; and I gotta say, I'm probably gonna be cuter than you for a while!! I haven't quite decided when I am going to come outta here, Daddy, remember that only about 5 percent of babies are born on their predicted due date (which for me would make Daddy and I share a birthday)...but I'll try for you Daddy.

This Week I am Learning to...

...grow even more. I am working specifically on that layer of fat that will sit below my skin, I hear it's good to keep me warm later, since I'll be going home in the wintertime, I know I'll need it! I am gaining almost a pound a week! Mommy is feeling the effects of that I'm sure! She also thinks that I am upside down, head down, if you will, getting ready to come out. Ask her and Daddy about it, lately they can see my butt and feet sticking out from just above Mommy's belly button (which is trying to pop, but isn't quite there just yet). I can hear really well now, although sound is still muffled for some reason. But I can hear high pitched sounds better than lower pitched sounds, so I love listening to Rashawn Ross wail on the trumpet with the Dave Matthews Band as Mommyand Daddy drive me around town in the car. My lungs are almost ready to go! I can't wait to get my first big breath of that sweet Virginia air...o wait, I'll be in Oklahoma, it'll be a while before I get to take in that sweet Virginia air that my Daddy likes so much. My kidneys and liver are working just fine on their own now and I am working on my own waste products, you know...poopy...It feels good to be independent. Also, you all know that I am a little boy; well, I am proud to say that my testes have completed their descent to normalcy; because you all needed to know that.

This Week I Am Larning To...

...grow some chubb. I am puttin on the pounds, don't worry, it's a good thing! I should have a few little baby rolls on my neck and legs and arms and tummy when you all get to finally see me. I haven't yet decided when that may be. I'll leave you in suspence and make it a suprise. I know how much Mommy and Daddy love suprises.

My immune system is mature now and I can fight my own fights. My bones are hardening, all except the skull, I want to make it easier on Mommy to get me out of here, so I'll wait to make that harder until later. The vernix, you know, the waxy stuff that covers my skin to protect it from all the liquid I am swimming in, is getting thicker around my skin. My lungs are still growing and getting better. I think they will be all good to go when I decide to get out of here and take that first breath.

Mommy will tell you that I love to sleep, but I have fun when I am awake. I like to blink, did you know that you have full control of these things you call eyelids! You can open them and close them and they come in handy when there's a bright light. My eyes are opened when I'm awake and closed when I'm asleep, ya know, just like you all do. I'm a big kid now. I am working on getting into a sleeping patern, but Mommy doesn't think I have one right now. I used to though.

I have fingernails, full sized, and toe nails too! I just hope that I don't scratch myself while I'm in here; these puppies are sharp!

Mommy keeps giving me those antibodies through her blood. This will help in the future so that her breastmilk will help me to fight infections and diseases.

I haven't told anyone if I am lying in here head down or head up yet...you'll just have to wait on that one guys!

So what are you learning this week?

Tums

...I keep them with me at all times, as of yesterday.

Ah, the joys of pregnancy.

This Week I Am Learning To...

...turn over. I am doing that so much this week! Last night, I moved so much Mom was wierded out; she tried to get it on video, but I am a little camera shy. (Maybe I'll get over that soon!) I also love to make my presance known...just watch Mommy's tummy, you'll see me soon enough!

This Week I Am Learning To...

...grow more and more! It's definately what I am focusing on right now. I am learning to respond to Mommy and Daddy when they rub Mommy's BIG belly. I liek to kick Daddy back when he feels for me. I have turned over completely twice this week! Ask Mommy about it, she could feel it and Daddy even got to see me move over! I am excited that I can really hear Mommy and Daddy when they talk to me or play music for me now. My brain is rapidly growing so that I love it when they share music and conversation with me (I eavesdrop on all of Mommy's conversations...shh, don't tell! I'm sneaky!). Like I said before, I am growing like crazy! This could be considered a "rapid growth period," like I will have again in Middle School! Mommy can also tell my sleep patterns, it's pretty rhythmic throughout the day (maybe I can give her a glimpse into what it will be like when I get out of here...nah, lets leave that a mystery for her, she'll love that). Some experts even think that I can dream while I am sleeping now...I think I'll dream about my first international tour concert expierence tonight (will it be U2?)! I want Daddy to start sharing music with me so that I can know as much as him when I get bigger! And I also bet he can hear and feel my heartbeat if he feels just right on Mommy's tummy! How cool is that!?

Gone In 60 Seconds

Everyone has cravings/wierd food stories from pregnancies...and now I can say, I am too in that mass of people...

I LOVE MANDRIN ORANGES.

I could eat them with every meal, in between meals, for dessert, and a midnight snack. I bet you get the picture.


I take them from this...

to this...

...gone in 60 seconds.

1...2...3...4...5...6...7...

...and still no zzzzzs. Counting sheep is no help (sorry Serta Sheep).

Dale will tell you, it's hard to get comfortable and to sleep through the night when you're preggo...even for the Dad-to-be. I am tossing and turning ALL NIGHT long! I am not sleeping, and it is keeping Dale up too...poor thing, and he goes to work at 3 in the morning!

Any advice?

This Week I Am Learning To...

...respond to Mommy and Daddy touching me {the other day, Daddy felt my head and pushed on it a little bit through Mommy's tummy and I quickly moved out of the way and kicked her bladder, but Daddy found my head again on the other side of the belly! He's good!} You could see my response to touch and stronger brain waves for vision and hearing if you were to do a brain scann on my little head today. My brain is also gaining those important grooves and valleys, instead of being smooth and gelotionous. I am growing hair!! {We'll see how much I end up with after I come out of here in a few more weeks!} I also have eyelashes, long gorgeous eyelashes (Mommy will love them!).My lungs are forming well, I have air sacs and surfactant, which will help them expand when I get that first bit of oxygen soon. My spine is hard and long and very distinguashable as vertibrets now. I'm a boy, so I habe officially gainied the proper body parts outside of my body at this point. My skin and veins are still very thin, but are visible; I am beginning to put on fat deposits, rapidly. Mommy is also excited, she has officially begin her 3rd trimester today! I bet she and Daddy can't wait to see me!

Tug o War and Kickboxing

I think he is practicing the good ol' game of tug-of-war in there today...he's pulling on his cord and it feels so weird, but absolutely amazing. It kinda hurts, a little bit; not like grueling pain, just more than uncomfortable. It's still pretty neat though.

I am starting to be able to distinguish his movements in there lately. He's lying sideways right now and occasionally will stick his head against the wall so that Dale can feel his little head. The other night, he stick it right next, just to the left of my belly button and Dale pushed on it a little bit, he promptly kicked me in the bladder...bathroom run! Sometimes I can tell if he's using a knee or elbow or if it's his hands or feet. His hands are the smallest when he touches the wall with them, his feet are definitely the strongest and his head is the largest! He loves to make his presence known; all the time. I love it!

His favorite times to move around are just when I am trying to go to bed or when I am just waking up. He loves to move around when Dale gets up for the morning show before my alarm goes off. When that's the case, I stay up for another hour or so and we hang out watching early early morning news. He likes it when I a lying on my back, propped up on pillows; that's definitely when he's more active. It's easier to see him moving around then.

Ya, know Dale asked me the other day if it hurt or if his kicking and moving around in there is annoying at all...I say, not one bit! It's absolutely amazing to me how there is a little tiny person growing inside me and he reminds me of his presence all the time. I'd say that the being pregnant part is great, just not the aches and pains that come with the territory, but I'll live. I can't wait to have this new little man in my life. He'll make a great addition to our growing family and if he's anything like his dad, he'll bring me smiles, joy, laughter and blessings everyday! I can't wait!

Yesterday...

...I spent ALL day kicking Mommy. She loves it! And She's thinking that I'm going to do the same today, if the morning is any indication...I'm thinkin about it. But yesterday wore me out! I went to sleep way earlier than usual!

To Be Preggo or Not to Be Preggo

...(It's not really the question)

Anyways, so I was reading Jessica Turner's blog (the wife of a friend of my husband) and I loved her post about what she loved and didn't love about being preggo. She is at approximately 36 weeks, so little Elias should make his appearance into this world soon! Dale and I are so excited for Matthew and Jessica!

So with her inspiration, here's my two lists of What I Will and Won't Miss About Being Pregnant.

What I Will Miss
*knowing that he is always with me
*Feeling his little movements (bumps, kicks, rolls, headbutts; all of it!)
*Dale talking to my belly
*Dale running over to feel the baby move inside me
*Dale kissing my belly goodbye instead of me myself
*being able to play the "pregnancy card"
*people waiting on me without even asking!
*the attention people give me
*the anticipation of not knowing what he is going to be like
*registering for baby stuff (and soon organizing it all and decorating his little room!)
*Dale doing my toenails (because I'm sure he won't when I'm not preggo!)
*getting away with ordering french fries with my ice cream, every time

What I Won't Miss
*back pain (it's a different kind of back pain than I normally have)
*maternity clothes (especially the high pants!)
*not being able to wear belts
*swollen feet and hands
*not being able to wear my wedding band
*the stares from strangers in public when I don't have my ring on
*Not being able to sleep on my stomach
*random strangers asking me if I am having twins
*not being able to get comfortable
*lack of sleep (although this one won't improve anytime soon!)

This Week I Am Learning To...

...grab at things better and better everyday; some would say that my dexterity is improving day by day (now, if some of you wonder how I am able to use so many big words, it would be because I am a genius baby...I'll show you!). I love making a fist and grabbing at things with my palm. I can also show Mommy how my optical nerve is now fully developed; all she has to do it shine a flashlight onto her tummy and my head will turn toward the light. I have officially fully formed my fingerprints, toenails, and fingernails; Mommy will have to trim them when I am still little bitty because they are startingto grow longer and longer already! And you know what else, my spine is straightening out, so I will no longer look like a hunchback when Mommy and Daddy see me at the doctor's. My bones are fully hardened; no more flabby cartilige! To help protect my skin and regulate my body temperature, I am forming my vernix at a rapid pace (for those of you who don't know, that is a waxy substance that covers my whole body; it'll go away after birth). My nostrils are opening too! If I were to live in Northern Ireland (because that's where they did the most recent study), the doctors would say that I even have the capasity to prefer one scent over another (I rock!)! I can also swallow and breathe all by myself, actually it's just liquid that is going through, but I am practicing for the real thing!

Wow! I am definately up to more things now that I'm not an embryo, but a fetus! Next comes crawling, walking talking, college and the real world here I come! (but I know Mommy and Daddy aren't ready for that one yet!)

Uncle Karl should be proud...Mommy got my post done this week before 9am! She rocks too!!

Pickles and Ice Cream Anyone? :: Not For Me!

So you know how when you're pregnant EVERYONE asks you if you've had pickles with your ice cream...from the co-workers who bring you ice cream, to the family members who get it for you when you want it...to the Braum's scooper-people who are trying to be funny...you know, all of them? Well, that's just gross, I thought so before and I still think so...I've made it a vow to not crave nasty stuff during my pregnancy...like I can control that!

But I do have a food that I LOVE now and not so much before being pregnant; that would be mandarin oranges. I will open a can and eat them any day; sometimes twice a day! They are so stinkin good! Now, the can has to be cold, chilled in the fridge for at least 12 hours or in the freezer for 2. The first time I opened a can and started eating them a few months back, I asked Dale if he wanted an "orange"; he said yes, so I fed him a bite...I've never seen such a disgusted face on my husband before! He HATES mandarin oranges, for some reason. So next time you want to offer someone one, be sure to specify that it is a mandarin orange...not the kind from Flordia that make GREAT juice!

That's another thing...I can't get enough juice now that I'm preggo. Al kinds of juice too...apple, orange, grape, cherry, and mix-there-of...I LOVE juice!

And you know what craving (if you want to call it that) I had the other night?? Elfin cookies... they're so stinkin good. We were just laying down to go to bed and the conversation went a little bit like this...

"I want cookies...Oo oo Elfin Cookies!!" I said rather
loudly just as the light was out and his head hit the pillow.

"Right now?" he said, puzzled.

"They sound so good."

"Do you want me to go to Wal-Mart and get you some?"

Aw, how sweet is my husband?! He would have gone and gotten them right then and there!

and my wonderful husband just brought me some with my lunch this afternoon. (have I mentioned lately that he is wonderful?!) They taste so good! I just had 3!

I am saving up for that midnight run I'll send Dale on for some obscure fast food item or crazy ice cream or something...maybe it'll be a fresh mandarin orange from where they were originally grown and distributed (Japan, southern China, India, and the East Indies, that is)...we'll see...

This Week, I Am Learning To...

...get my sleep into a pattern, that is if Mommy would stop and chill for a little while so I can sleep in peace! I am still growing like crazy! I have officially passed the halfway mark to get to the size I will be when I debut in this world. My tongue is fully formed and I love practicing making raspberries (I will use it soon to charm all the ladies, my Daddy will be proud.) I can hear everything now, sometimes when it is too loud, I'll cover my ears so I don't hear. I love listening to my Daddy talk to me, he's funny; and Mommy's laugh is infectious, I love it!

This Week I Am Learning To...

...develop my 5 senses. I can hear so well now, I like to jam to music with Mommy in the car. I still LOVE to hear my Daddy's voice and I am working harder and harder to kick his hand when he feels Mommy's big belly. I also like to blink, sometimes the lights are so bright I squint to avoid the brightness.

Linny Has A Fibroid

Sounds like a sugary-but-healthy breakfast snack. But it's not.

Went to another appointment with Lindsay today. At the specialist check-up on Monday, the doctor noticed a growth called a fibroid in Linny's uterus. Today, the ultrasound tech found it, measured it, and told us the doctor would talk to us about it at our next regularly scheduled visit on April 14th.

Click here to read about fibroids during pregnancy. It's actually something that may force Linny to have the baby via cesarean delivery. And it may be the cause her frequent 20-some trips a day to the restroom to pee.