Baby Loves....

Dancing with the Stars!




All night long he was moving and shaking. Maybe that big about his ears being fully developed is right, and those Lindy Hop dance tunes kept him pumped up!


Or, alternately, he was leaping and giggling at the judges' silly comments. I think Baby H really likes that Bruno!


I'm glad that baby and I share more than just a uterus at this point. We share a common fun spot in the week!

23 Weeks - What's going on in there?

A few months ago, I signed up for a weekly pregnancy email from BabyCenter.com, a website that has information about pregnancy and childhood. Its been interesting to keep track of what is happening with him on a weekly basis. I learned when he was developing ears and finger nails. Each week, the website compares the baby to an everyday object. I've noticed that these objects are all FOOD!

For example, last week he was as long as a normal size carrot. And at 7 weeks, he was the size of a blueberry. Today I learned that Baby H weights over a pound, about as much as a large mango.

The email also told me the baby's length. He is 11 inches long, from head to toe.

That was a milestone the baby reached this month - being measured from head to toe, rather than from crown to rump. I must say, crown to rump is a more fun sounding measurement!

Eleven inches long.

For some reason, I keep picturing a miniature baby lined up next to a ruler.That sort of freaks me out a little bit.

That means our baby is coming close the size of his father's foot. Its like I have a man-foot-sized baby inside of me, wiggling around. That is another creepy mental image! Ha ha!

In other news, the baby's sense of movement is fully developed. He is aware of my movements and can respond with his movements. I've noticed this the most when I change from a reclined position to sitting on a short chair to laying flat on my back. That really seems to stir him up! I know that I can expect quite a few movements around 3 or 3:30 pm each day, usually around the time I am coming home from work. If I am exercising, laying on the couch watching Jeopardy!, or am standing cooking dinner, I feel him move about the same amount, no matter the activity. The movements continue until I go to bed at night. I haven't felt anything much in the morning or early afternoon, which makes me wonder if the child is sleeping in there, or if my muscles are more relaxed, so he has more space to stretch around.

I have an appointment on Wednesday to see the little guy and get my vitals checked out. This will be the final monthly visit to the doctor. We've actually only had 3 "normal" every 4 weeks checks, the rest being weekly or every other week since late November. Four weeks from now I will begin weekly appointments for the duration of the pregnancy. That's right... starting at 28 weeks, I go in for weekly appointments! This is only a precaution, since the pregnancy is classified as "high-risk". Nurse Mary assured me that Baby H's progress is normal, that his development is normal, and that my part of the pregnancy is normal.

Baby at the Beach

Photo taken on Sunday, March 22 at Mexico Beach, Florida while I relaxed with BFF Ann and a lovely novel.







Photo taken Wednesday, March 25 at Panama City Beach, FL while I was listening to Britney's Greatest Hits.

Baby's First Plane Ride

Baby's first plane ride... in utero... was on Friday. I know he was alert and active. I have to wonder if the changes in pressure or G Forces are enough for the baby to feel... I could definitely feel more movement than normal in the mornings. (Usually the baby is moving most from 3 pm to 10 pm). It was almost unpleasant feeling... so I am glad that I don't have to fly every day or even very often!

Half Way There, Little Dude!

Dear Baby,

You're more than half way done being formed. Right now, you are a bit longer than a banana, but you still weigh less than a pound. I think that your weight is probably increasing rapidly now, because I've been able to eat like a normal person lately, and have even had seconds at dinner!

Another reason I think you are growing more and more is because your movements have been stronger. Usually, I could just feel you wiggling around and getting more comfortable. On Wednesday, I felt you move forcefully. I think you were trying to stretch out those long legs or perhaps you were looking for more elbow room! Either way, I feel your strong movements now. Your dad has been trying to feel you for a month now, and last night he felt your knee jerk twice in a row.

Last week at your doctor's appointment, we saw your lips, heart, toes, spine, and your boy parts. I found it especially cool to see all four chambers of your heart pumping blood, and your dad enjoyed watching your mouth move as you slurped in amniotic fluid. Judging by how active you were, I think your mouth muscles will be ready to eat or ready to talk! Your nurse, Mary, told me that we might schedule your birth a little early, so we might have the chance to meet you before the end of July. Won't that be nice?

I have decided to paint your room blue. We aren't even close to being prepared for having you in our house, but our hearts and heads are getting more ready. Keep on keeping on, and when you arrive, we'll have our game face on and be totally supplied!

Love,
Your mom

Baby H March Photo Shoot

March 4th was a routine check-up. During this longer-than-average appointment, the baby's head circumference was measured, the long bones of the body were measured, the spaces between the toes were measured, heart rate and blood flow through the valves were calculated, the space above his lip was checked for a cleft, and the size of most internal organs were measured.

I am happy to report that the growth and development is on track! Actually, for a baby at 19 weeks and 3 days, he is measuring as large as a baby who is 20 weeks, 3 days old. (This is a confirmation of my original opinion that they got the D.O.C. incorrect!).

Although we didn't get pictures that showed them, we clearly saw all the individual bones in the baby's spine, all the ribs, and bones in the feet. It was amazing how much detail we could see. Its a shame that the images are blurry, but its because our son is a wiggler. At one point, I felt a very big wiggle, and then seconds later saw it on the screen. That was pretty cool!

Half Way There!

Hurray! This pregnancy is half way through, and in as much time as I've spent being sick, I'll get to have a baby! I am glad that medical professionals can estimate the date of birth and of conception... it helps me feel like I am making progress towards the goal and that the end is in sight. I can't imagine not knowing when I will be finally un-pregnant and holding our son. Countdowns are so comforting for those of us who aren't basking in the joy of being pregnant.

I have finally started to gain weight, and I think it is due to the fact that I've had a full two weeks of being able to eat supper! In the past three days I've actually been hungry. I know... sounds strange, but having an appetite is something I'm not yet used to.

All of the balanced nutrition has paid off in terms of development for my baby. He is measuring ahead of schedule, according to length and circumference measurements. I feel relieved that the daily ritual of dry-heaving and losing my lunch hasn't negatively impacted his development.

Which leads me to discuss my wardrobe... I am living exclusively in maternity pants (dress, cords, jeans - I've got them all now), yoga pants, Bella bands, long tank tops, and "normal" shirts. I do have three or four maternity tops that are making their first appearances, but I want to hold out on those as long as possible. I feel more "normal" wearing my "real" shirts, and for some reason, the maternity tops make me look more pregnant than the normal fitting shirts.

I am feeling the baby move quite frequently. The movement has changed over the last few weeks to go from a sudden twinge, to constant bubbling/boiling feeling to the occasional large movement. I haven't felt anything painful - no sharp jabs or kicks - but when I am laying down flat (like in the dentist chair or on the ultrasound table) big movements are more pronounced.

20 week appointment

Wednesday, March 4 was my 20 week appointment. In a word: "normal".

I'll post the pictures of this normal baby boy tonight - that is, if I feel better than last night! The past two days have been awful in terms of puking and feeling as if I were about to puke. :o(

Name Suggestion - Uncle Larry

Here's evidence that our son will have interesting and creative influences in his life.

Uncle Larry suggests naming him:

RINGO LUDWIG HAID

Ringo is unforgettable and Ludwig is the brand of drums he plays.

People will say " RINGO son of BOOBAA"

Doesn't make any sense to you? Well, I guess you aren't a Landolt. Or a Haid. Or from Hermann. Or a little nuts. :o)

So, yes, little baby, just wait until you meet Uncle Larry and he calls you by that name, regardless of what you are actually named. It will be an interesting and creative day, I am sure!

Reading List

I've read a lot of pregnancy resource manuals... some were fantastic, some were boring, some were fear-inducing, and some were lame.

I feel like the pregnancy thing is getting under control, now that I am half way finished, and it is time to begin reading up on much more important topics, such as being a parent to an infant.

I recently purchased these titles:

1. Institute, The Guiran. It's a Baby Boy!: The Unique Wonders and Special Nature of Your Son From Pregnancy to Two Years
2. Huggins, Kathleen. The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
3. Jana, Laura. Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality
4. Pantley, Elizabeth. Perfect Parenting
5. Pantley, Elizabeth. Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry--Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby

I hope these books are insightful resources that in one year's time will have made my life a bit easier.