Fabulous Family Baby Shower

Today, my sister and mom hosted a beautiful family shower for Baby Boy Beck. There were so many creative details - the blue and brown theme, "decorate-a-onesie" project, personalized M&M's, delicious carrot cake (my favorite...thanks Andrea!) and so much more.

Our little guy is already so spoiled, and will be one of the best dressed babies on the block! It was a wonderful day and we are so lucky to have supportive family and friends. The day was extra special...my cousin Kellie is expecting her daughter on May 9th, but her water broke during the shower! She waited until we opened her gift before heading to HOAG hospital...and we're all waiting by the phone for the big news. Our little guy is next in line, due at the end of June. We hope he didn't pick up on the idea of coming early...he needs a bit more marination time.

A fantastic day! And yes, the baby diapers and gear in the nursery-to-be are a little overwhelming, and exciting all at the same time!

29 weeks and back to school

All is well at 29 weeks. Had a doctor's appointment the day these pictures were taken. She said that the baby's measurements from the ultra sound put him at about the 49th percentile...which is a nice size for delivery (let's hope he stays that way!).

This week also marked our 1st of 4 childbirth prep class. We watched a video of a birth - I think it was filmed in the 80's. Beck said the woman looked like Bon Jovi...and he was right. He closed his eyes during the actual birth part, saying he wasn't planning to watch that closely when our son is born and certainly didn't need to see this lady go through it. We'll see how things go in about 10 weeks...

Week 28: our baby, the thinker

I always look forward to the ultra sound - a little peek inside to see what Baby Boy Beck is up to. Friday was our growth scan, to take measurements and make sure everything was on track. The doctor confirmed everything was as it should be (and confirmed he was still a boy), estimating his weight at 2.14 pounds. He is head down with his back against my belly - he turned his head a couple of times but kept mostly turned away. A shy one! He was resting his chin on his hand - something I saw Beck do later in the day and it freaked me out a little. How can this baby already have our mannerisms! I've included a shot of "the thinker" (it kind of looks like a snake biting his chin, but rest assured, it's his hand. I made sure.)and a side profile - his little duck lips melt my heart!

The thinker


Side profile

26 weeks...and a little drama

I am writing this post on day 1 of week 27. We took these pictures in week 26. There was a little drama in week 25...

Long story short, Beck and I headed to labor and delivery about 2 weeks ago to confirm what I thought were contractions. Oh boy! I was on the monitor from about 1 AM - 4:30 AM, baby's heartbeat was great, contractions subsided after 2 shots of terbutaline and we headed home to get some sleep. My doctor checked me out the next day and everything looked just fine. I was still in pain and discomfort (doctor called it irritable uterus...what?) for several days so she told me to rest - and now I'm feeling back to normal.

Belly expansion continues...

Monthly check-up, week 24

My monthly doctor's appointments are usually the same and thankfully, uneventful. My favorite part is hearing the baby's heartbeat. Today was the first time the doctor measured my belly, and the most weight gained between appointments since I first started this process. The nurse was kind and said it's probably the baby's growth spurt. I didn't remind her that Girl Scout Cookies arrived towards the end of February. Oops! Next week - glucose test. Wish me luck!

22 weeks

We're celebrating 22 weeks! According to babycenter.com, our little guy now weighs about a pound (that's it?) and is about 11 inches long (similar to a spaghetti squash). And as the baby grows, so do I. I may have to part ways with my bella band, the lovely piece of stretchy fabric that has allowed me to wear my jeans and some pants/skirts, until recently. It's just not cutting it anymore. I'm enjoying a prenatal pilates class and my new discovery - decaf skinny vanilla lattes at Starbucks! I know, I'm late to the party. But it doesn't matter. It's my little piece of heaven in a cup. Yum!

Here are some belly photos.

Half-way there...20 weeks!

I don't think that 20 weeks is a significant milestone in pregnancy...except that it's the halfway point. Woohoo! I feel very fortunate thus far - I've been feeling great and enjoying this experience.

Now at week 20, the butterfly flutters have turned into actual movement. According to babycenter.com, he's about the length of a banana and 10 1/2 ounces, so the flips and bumps are still pretty faint - but every now and again the movement makes me laugh. I wonder what he's doing in there? I think he likes Jelly Bellies, conference calls, 2 Pac Shakur and news radio. Okay, maybe I can't know these things specifically, but so far I've noticed his movements during my commute (morning and evening), around lunchtime and after dinner/before bed.

And for the official documentation, week 20 photos.