The 24-hour Bug

Though Dan and I feel much better now, we had a rough couple of days with a "24-hour" bug. The good news is that it was like a thunderstorm (high intensity, short duration) and my symptoms didn't raise any red flags for the doctor. Those would include not being able to keep any fluids down for 48 or more hours and/or a prolonged spiked temperature. The worst of it was the added physical strain of vomiting (sorry, there's no sugar-coating that part) on my already stretched abdominal muscles. Like I said, I'm feeling much better now.

This all started around midnight on Monday (for Dan) and noon on Tuesday (for me). I was able to leave work before it hit me and even make a quick stop at the supermarket for some necessities (e.g. ginger ale, chicken noodle soup, disinfecting wipes). We're fortunate that it was staggered. By Wednesday we were both out of the "bug" stage and into recovery. Recovery can be defined as sleeping as much as possible throughout the day and night.

Through all this, the baby remained very active. The cute little movements are becoming more jab-like, but still not painful. More on that later...

Week 30

The little one is about three pounds and nearly 11 inches long (crown to rump; about 15.7 inches long overall). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds baby, but that volume will decrease as he/she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus.

Baby's face looks much like it will at birth, but still needs to fill out more to get the characteristic chubby infant cheeks. Baby can move their head, open their eyes, and make breathing movements through their open nostrils (although no air comes in).

Baby's eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he/she is born, he/she will keep their eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he/she does open them, he/she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he/she can only make out objects a few inches from his/her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Week 29

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the head is growing bigger to make room for the developing brain. To meet baby's increasing nutritional demands, Mom will need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because baby's 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.

Back to School

We are officially enrolled in all but the hypnobirthing classes at our local hospital (Cooley Dickinson Hospital, "Cooley Dick" for those who grew up in the area, which also happens to be where some really great people were born...Walter Mucha, Joshua Chu, me....).

We are looking forward to weekly sessions through the month of March. I wonder if there will be homework...

Week 28

Two trimesters down, one to go!

By this week, baby weighs around two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures roughly 14.8 inches from the top of their head to their heels (Melissa is measuring between 27 and 28 cm, right on track).Baby can blink their eyes, which now sport lashes. With their eyesight developing, they may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. They're also developing billions of neurons in their brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Visits to our doctor will now increase in frequency from once a month to every two weeks, with weekly visits during the final month.

Baby Mops

I'm not sure where one would even register for such a thing (or why...)...

http://www.apparelsearch.com/Unusual_Clothes/unusual_clothing_baby_mops.htm

Is this even legal in the States?

Belly II

You asked for it...


The latest and greatest of belly shots. Now can I go to bed?

Week 27

Welcome to the final week of the second trimester!

Baby's now the size of an eggplant. The average fetus measures between 13.6 and 14.8 inches in length and weighs in between 1.5 and 2.2 pounds (yikes!).

Baby's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means that baby is now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in the womb means that every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but hey...it's progress. Baby is sleeping and waking at regular intervals, as well as opening and closing their eyes and perhaps even sucking its fingers. Brain tissue also continues to develop, leading to a very active brain right now.

Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

I'm supposed to let Dan put an ear to my belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required)...we'll see how that goes! Also, any tiny rhythmic movements I may be feeling can be attributed to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Maybe that's what I'm feeling right now...

Baby likes travelin'

Thank goodness! All went well during our recent vacation to Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp) and the Netherlands (Hoogerheide, Amsterdam). Baby made its presence known via kicks and rolls throughout the trip, much to our amusement. Baby also got to sample some good food. Frites, chocolate croissants, cross race vendor bratwurst, frites, quiche, French onion soup, Belgian beef stew, roasted chicken...and did I mention frites?

No major upsets, though the mom-to-be managed to come down with a wicked cold. True to form, the dad-to-be was supportive and comforting (and not at all whiny).

This also marks what will likely be our last opportunity to truly pack lightly (one carry-on each) with the baby in tow...