To Do Lists for Baby's Arrival...

The list making is nearly done.

The To Buy List is done being written and nearly done being bought! Online shopping has helped me out so much getting the diapers, nursing supplies, and furniture. The last few things to buy are a breast pump, a lamp for the room, and a diaper pail. Perhaps a few other random items... but not many!

The To Thank List is done, but not all thank you cards have been completed or mailed. Its like I need a never-ending supply of stamps to accomplish this task!

The To Build List has been done for Dan. We have a dresser yet to paint, but its not completely necessary to have done in the next month.

The To Learn List is completed! I've sorted through the best pregnancy, birthing, nursing, and infant care books and marked key sections with post-its. We've attended classes on nursing and child birth, so that's good. I've asked lots and lots of questions to friends with babies, and am forming my schema for how things will go. There are a few things I can't say I know now... like how to soothe our crying baby or the like, but I think our son will teach us.

The To Launder List has been made, but I'm waiting to do the actual laundry until the last set of cloth diapers arrive. I've bought the specialty detergent for the CDs as well as the special baby detergent for his clothes. Luckily, baby clothes are super tiny and won't require nearly as much laundry fold/hang up time as our clothes!

The To Clean List is nearly done, but has been in a constant state of revision as things get dirty or disorganized again.

I think I need to make a To Enjoy List... a list of fun things that we'll be able to do independently of an infant. Perhaps we could call it the Soak It Up Now While It Lasts List... because I am certain there are things we will not be doing when we get little Baby H here. We'll spend so much time cuddling and caring for him that we'll not be able to do some things. Like exercise classes, leisurely dinners out, or sleeping in.

35 weeks, 5 days Appointment

Today we had another Baby H appointment. Because he hiccuped for 20 minutes and did not practice breath for the other 10, our doc recommended another BioPhysicalProfile again today.

So, another copay, another set of ultrasound pictures, and another NST.

Our visit with the doctor post- BPP was quite different than the visit we had on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Dr. G shared with me his concern for placental health and early delivery. Today, Dr. Kimberly was all sunshine and roses and natural childbirth. I felt reassured, but still confused.

The two main things I will remember about today's appointment are:

1) "When you come in next time, we'll go ahead and schedule an induction in case you don't deliver early."Holy crap! Its coming up! It will be on the calendar by Wednesday! It will be around July 17!!

2) "Oh, it looks like you had some contractions during that NST. I see several, with two major ones. That one three minutes ago must have been pretty big!" No kidding, doc. Lots of contractions. Never progressing enough to make it past a good rest and huge drink of water... so not active labor.

Note: I've got dozens of ultrasounds to scan from the past few weeks. Today's best picture shows a chubby big toe.

Due Date Update

Today at the weekly appointment, my doctor told me that I would be delivering before 40 weeks is up. In fact, before 39 weeks. Either my body will naturally begin the process of labor around 36-38 weeks, or I'll have a scheduled induction.

This means the baby will likely be born on or before July 20. This helps me with the mental preparation count down!

The reason why is the MTHFR deficiency I have as part of my genetic make up. It makes the life of the placenta a bit less than an unaffected placenta. Which makes the baby's last few days more unhealthy, if left to term.

I am not sure how large of an alarm this is or should be, because my doctor was pretty cautious about telling me these facts, and also emphasizing the importance of noting decreased fetal movements. Note: lots of fetal movements today around noon and 10 PM. WAY less during other times of the day. Def. freaks me out, but baby h probably has a very nice nap routine going!

In fact, I'll be returning to the office for another BioPhysical Profile (ultrasound and non-stress test) on Friday to further monitor this baby. These frequent BPP tests are used as a way to measure the baby's overall health, thereby making inferences about the placental health.


Interesting facts...
Did you know placentas are temporary organs, meant only to function for 40 weeks? In America, doctors routinely schedule labor inductions for post-term women because they feel the condition of the placenta is not so good.

Did you know that I was born 8 days after my due date, so I probably went with a less than satisfactory placenta for awhile?

Did you know that less than 5% of all infants are born on their scheduled due date?

Baby's Got (another) Bed

We've got a lovely crib for the baby to rest in for the bulk of his infant years and which converts to a toddler bed and full size bed headboard, too.

But, our little one won't be sleeping in that crib right away.

I wasn't too keen on the super-frilly white bassinets (which I am sure makes Dan happy!!), and I haven't found a Pack'n'Play I want to spend the big bucks on (not sure if I really need this purchase...) so I needed a different option. Something to keep the baby in close by during the early weeks/month, and that is a portable bed option.

Sure, he could sleep in a padded laundry basket in our room. But that's pretty ghetto, isn't it? And someone suggested sleeping in a dresser drawer for awhile, but it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Kramer gets the Japanese businessmen trapped in the chest of drawers.

Enter the Moses basket, so very similar to the one Miriam made for her baby brother, yet I doubt it floats. We don't live near a major river to find out, nor are there any Pharaohs looking to kill small male children. Plus, who would want to get this pretty thing wet?

I bought this one from Target using gift cards from Great Uncle Greg and Great Aunt Sharon as well as Great Aunt Ruthie and Great Uncle Phil.

Baby H Update: 35 weeks gestation

When he is most active:
Active times start from about 3pm until 6 or so, and then begin again a few hours later and last until at least midnight. Most of the time, the baby's moves are like gymnastics. I feel various body parts rolling around, getting into different pressure points on my abdomen, and wiggling. I wouldn't describe these as kicks, exactly... more like shoves, jumps, bending and flexing of muscles, and wriggling into more comfortable positions.

When he is sleeping:
I generally don't feel Baby move in the mornings or in the middle of the night. Any movements are just twitches or small, subtle moves.

Other things I notice about him:
He responds to conversations much more than music or noises. The more rhythmic the conversation, the more I notice he is awake and ready to move.

I often push on one area of my stomach to encourage him into a different place, and he doesn't usually push back, just adjusts to find a place with more space. That's cooperation!

I am noticing far less hiccups this week, probably once every day or every other day for less than ten minutes a time. During the last month, the hiccuping really picked up, so much so that it drove me crazy! I felt as if I were being tickled from the inside! I think his lungs must be getting stronger, or he's getting better at coordinating the lungs and diaphragm muscle. Phew!

Assembly of Dresser by Grandpa Zeke and Dad

Lots of concentrating required for this furniture assembly product... dozens of parts!

The finished product looks quite nice!

Stroller Time!

Dear Baby H,

You received a really deluxe stroller from Great Grandma Haid, Great Aunt Sheila, and Great-Cousin Kayla. Its ruby red and very flashy! I read so many reviews because I wanted you to be the safest and most comfortable baby when we go for our walks. I also wanted to be a stylish, comfortable momma. So I chose this stroller, which arrived un-assembled in a rather small box.

Your dad was busy at work, so I thought I'd put it together myself.

I arranged all the pieces...

But quickly discovered I didn't have all the tools I needed to assemble it. Note for your future reference, a nail file just won't work as well as a screw driver.

I did get some of it put together...

But in the end, I waited for your dad to come home and assemble it correctly. It took him about twenty minutes because he has been getting so much practice at product assembly lately!


Notice the 3 wheel construction, which you and I are supposed to enjoy. I also like that you can face me in your car seat or in this plush cosy seat. We can turn you around to face the world when you are a bit older, or if riding backwards makes you car sick!

You can take the sock monkey along for a friend... if you want to. Right now he's just holding your spot!

Won't we have a nice time?

See you in a few weeks,

Your momma

Thank you for the generous gift, GGma, GA Shelia, and GC Kayla!

Mystery Gift

Baby H is experiencing a lot of generosity these days. He was showered with gifts on Saturday, most of which are still not put away orderly in his room.

This package arrived via our friendly UPS delivery man this evening. However, there was no gift tag or card or packing slip, and I am 99% sure I didn't order it myself.

Happy jumping, kiddo!

He's really growing...

Baby H has hair! We saw it today during the ultrasound today. Its on the nape of his neck, and might be less noticeable at birth if he's got fair hair.

Baby H has feet that are nearly 3 inches long! This makes total sense to me, since I feel them prodding me from late afternoon until late at night.

Last week, he weighed 4 pounds, 11 oz. I bet he's up to five by now!

This baby is growing and growing every day. I have to remind myself that when I don't feel like drinking more water or eating healthy foods or taking naps. He needs me to be as healthy as I can be!