where to start? If i could describe my parents in 3 words, they would be "hippies from california".
My mom is VERY loud and VERY outspoken. She is so loud and outspoken that it often embarrasses me. She loves tie-dye clothing and birkenstocks. She has discovered texting recently and sends me THE longest texts. I tend to reply with one sentence because I have a word limit on my texts. She must've yelled at Verizon until they made it so she has no word limit. She is hard to handle, I dont know how my dad has lasted so long. She is a great cook. She is tall like me. She is very excited she is a grandma and has been buying everything in sight for Lyla. She is a great garage-saler. Although most of the time, I can only take her in small doses, Im very thankful for her.
My dad is very much the opposite of my mom. He is short. By far the shortest one in our family standing at about 5'8". He is much calmer than my mom. He loves to talk and tell stories. He always has a new idea or project. He is a hard worker and has supported our family by himself for my entire life. He is very creative and artsy. He can, and will, fall asleep anywhere. He is an animal lover. We have had so many animals throughout our lifetime and he still gets so heartbroken when one of them passes away. He has tractors and so my mom must buy every baby john deere item she sees. Lyla got a ride on john deere tractor for christmas. Im sure she will love it when she can use it. I'm very proud of my dad and very thankful for him. I am and always will be daddy's little girl.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Yeah yeah I know I'm behind...
With the holidays here and family visits, I didn't get a chance to update my blog. And so I will attempt to catch up!
Week 3: My first love...
It was 2001 and the summer I turned 17, and he was a boy I fell head over heels for. Sigh. This one brings back memories. I was working as a lifeguard at a summer resort in canyon lake and he was working as a maintenance man. I was about to start my senior year or high school and he was about to start his junior year, although we were nearly the same age. He introduced me to Texas Country music and New Braunfels. He wore jeans that were WAY too tight, with a ring in his back pocket from his can of snuff, drove a lifted dodge truck, and managed to both steal and broke my heart. I learned a lot from that relationship: most of all, never date anyone your best friend and your parents dislike and never give anyone a second chance to break your heart again. It was all just one of the many journeys that led me to the loves of my life, Tyler and Lyla.
Week 3: My first love...
It was 2001 and the summer I turned 17, and he was a boy I fell head over heels for. Sigh. This one brings back memories. I was working as a lifeguard at a summer resort in canyon lake and he was working as a maintenance man. I was about to start my senior year or high school and he was about to start his junior year, although we were nearly the same age. He introduced me to Texas Country music and New Braunfels. He wore jeans that were WAY too tight, with a ring in his back pocket from his can of snuff, drove a lifted dodge truck, and managed to both steal and broke my heart. I learned a lot from that relationship: most of all, never date anyone your best friend and your parents dislike and never give anyone a second chance to break your heart again. It was all just one of the many journeys that led me to the loves of my life, Tyler and Lyla.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Week 2: meaning behind blog name
And so week 2 of the 30 week blog challenge begins!
The meaning behind my blog name is pretty self explanatory... it began as 'Baby Dunkelberger' when we started this blog and was a journal of my journey through my first pregnancy. I wanted to start the blog so our family in iowa, colorado and california could keep up with the exciting happenings in our lives. Now that baby dunkelberger has arrived, I have changed the blog name to 'The Dunkelberger Family'.
Until next time, adios!
The meaning behind my blog name is pretty self explanatory... it began as 'Baby Dunkelberger' when we started this blog and was a journal of my journey through my first pregnancy. I wanted to start the blog so our family in iowa, colorado and california could keep up with the exciting happenings in our lives. Now that baby dunkelberger has arrived, I have changed the blog name to 'The Dunkelberger Family'.
Until next time, adios!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
30 Week Blog Challenge: Week 1!!!
Week 1: Introduce yourself, recent picture, 15 interesting facts....
This is the most recent picture I have taken...
"Auditing is providing information nobody understands to people who couldn't care less."
If that doesnt tell you what i do, watch the following video... i think its hilarious because it basically describes my work life to the T. but i dunno, it could be lame accounting humor that nobody else thinks is funny. theres other episodes there is anyone cares.
Public accounting episode 1
My name is Jami Rae Dunkelberger, formerly Calhoon. I am 26 years old and currently live in San Antonio, Texas. I am married to an amazing man, Tyler Robert Dunkelberger, and have been for almost 3 years now... WOW the time flies... We just had our first child on October 20, 2010. Lyla Jayde Dunkelberger is our little princess, pride and joy. We have 2 dogs, Bella (great dane) and Cash (black lab mutt), and a cat (Marmaduke or Duke for short). We just got rid of our ferret, Ferry Potter, about 2 weeks ago. Apparently ferrets and babies dont mix well. We miss her terribly but she went to a good home in new braunfels and we get pictures of her all the time :) That about covers the "introduce myself" part.
This is the most recent picture I have taken...
This was earlier today when I started out to decorate our christmas tree... This year is the first year we have had our own full size christmas tree so we dont have ANY decorations to make our new tree look pretty. So after Tyler got home last night and we ate dinner and played with Lyla a bit, which was about 1130pm, I decided to go to wal-mart to get some decoration. Millions of dollars later, I returned with decorations. I ran the Lyla drill, fed her, changed her, burped her, blah blah blah, hoping I could put her in her swing right next to me while I decorated. WRONG. The little turd didnt want to sit in her swing, bouncer, on the couch, or in her crib. She wanted me to hold her so she could be in the middle of everything. Well I couldnt get much done with one arm, so I grabbed my moby wrap and tried to stick her in there so I would have 2 free hands. After trying multiple positions, I ended up holding her again and sitting her in my lap so she could watch. She thought it all was pretty dang funny of course. Of course my ornaments needed little hangers attached to them and i only got material ones that you have to squeeze through a little hole and tie, I sat there on the floor and attached those things to all my ornaments with one arm. All the while fighting off the dog and the cat because they were convinced the shiny balls were their toys. After about 3 hours of fending off animal attacks on my ornaments and keeping the baby happy, I gave up. I have 1 ornament hanging on my tree. Sigh. Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow.
15 interesting facts...
1. I'm tall. 6'0". Although Tyler tells me I'm not all the time. I am. And I LOVE wearing high heels!
2. I was born in Escondido, California where I lived until I was about 5 years old. I was then transplanted to Texas.
3. I went to 3 different colleges and officially changed my major 4 times. After Texas Lutheran University, Texas Tech, Texas State and back to Texas Lutheran, I graduated with a BBA in accounting and a BS in accounting. 2 degrees = student loans forever! My pre-accounting majors were kinesiology, interior design and general business.
4. After returning to TLU in 2004/2005, and not participating in athletics from 2002 until then, I walked on to the track team as a high jumper and discus thrower. I won conference in high jump, actually placed im discus, and our team won conference for the first time in TLU history. Yeah, yeah, its only a D3 school, but STILL. I have a college conference championship ring!
5. I worked at hooters for 4 years throughout college. It paid for about half of my private school tuition which I am thankful for. I especially loved it when my college professors would ask me where I worked. And then say Oh.
6. I love wakeboarding. Mostly on a cable, Im not a huge fan or riding behind a boat. Tyler bought me a pink wakeboard for my birthday about 4 years ago :) Before I started the professional lifestyle, I had finally learned how to hit sliders at the ski ranch, so fun! Now that we live in san antonio, we dont make it out to the texas ski ranch anymore :(
7. I'm an auditor. I dont do taxes. Theres quite often the misconception that because I'm an accountant, I do taxes. Its annoying when people refer to tax season when I am asked about my job. And I dont audit individual people, but when i say im an auditor, i generally get that crazy scared look like im coming after you. Im a corporate auditor. i now realize most people have no idea what a corporate auditor is/does. the following quotes sum up my job pretty well...
"Auditors are the people who comes in after the battle is over to shoot the wounded."
"Auditing is providing information nobody understands to people who couldn't care less."
If that doesnt tell you what i do, watch the following video... i think its hilarious because it basically describes my work life to the T. but i dunno, it could be lame accounting humor that nobody else thinks is funny. theres other episodes there is anyone cares.
Public accounting episode 1
8. I dont like living in san antonio and i wish i could move back to new braunfels.
9. I hate to cook, but i love to bake desserts. And eat them of course. I have a huge sweet tooth.
10. I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel to various beatiful countries. I wish I could do more of that and see many more countries. That may have to wait now that miss Lyla has arrived.
11. I love playing games. spider solitaire is among my faves. in fact, i have just about mastered my one-handed feeding while playing spider solitaire technique. just dont ask me to decorate a tree one handed.
12. i love wrapping presents. i wish there was a money makin opportunity there...
13. tyler and i never got a honeymoon... maybe one day
14. i still cant believe im a mom. its so weird growing up and getting older.
15. i love my in-laws. they are wonderful and amazing people. even if we have to visit them in iowa. mom-in-law texted me today and said its 7 degrees there right now. sheesh!
That is all i got tonight! Until next time!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
30 WEEK Blog Challenge? Who's With Me?!?
I was reading Jenny's blog a while back and she posted about starting a 30 day blog challenge after seeing the same on one of her friend's blogs. Well I LOVED the idea of a 30 day blog challenge, however, I know that it is highly likely that I would not succeed in said challenge. SO, I decided to change the challenge up a little so that I may have a higher chance at success :) This will be my 30 WEEK blog challenge rather than a 30 DAY blog challenge. I will try my hardest to post once a week! I haven't been very good at keeping my blog up to date lately, or ever really, so we'll see how I do!!!
If you would like to participate in the 30 day blog challenge, or join me in my new and improved 30 WEEK blog challenge, I welcome you. In fact, I dare you! :) Thanks for the idea Jenny!
Here's the details...
Week 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Week 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Week 3-Your first love
Week 4-Your parents
Week 5-Your siblings
Week 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Week 7-Favorite movies
Week 8-A place you've traveled to
Week 9-A picture of your friends
Week 10-Something you're afraid of
Week 11-Favorite tv shows
Week 12-What you believe
Week 13-Goals
Week 14-A picture you love
Week 15-Bible verse
Week 16-Dream house
Week 17-Something you're looking forward to
Week 18-Something you regret
Week 19-Something you miss
Week 20-Nicknames
Week 21-Picture of yourself
Week 22-Favorite city
Week 23-Favorite vacation
Week 24-Something you've learned
Week 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Week 26-Picture of your family
Week 27-Pets
Week 28-Something that stresses you out
Week 29-3 Wishes
Week 30-a picture
Now that I have all the info posted, I can begin! Maybe I will start tomorrow, Lyla has worn me out today! Good night!
If you would like to participate in the 30 day blog challenge, or join me in my new and improved 30 WEEK blog challenge, I welcome you. In fact, I dare you! :) Thanks for the idea Jenny!
Here's the details...
Week 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Week 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Week 3-Your first love
Week 4-Your parents
Week 5-Your siblings
Week 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Week 7-Favorite movies
Week 8-A place you've traveled to
Week 9-A picture of your friends
Week 10-Something you're afraid of
Week 11-Favorite tv shows
Week 12-What you believe
Week 13-Goals
Week 14-A picture you love
Week 15-Bible verse
Week 16-Dream house
Week 17-Something you're looking forward to
Week 18-Something you regret
Week 19-Something you miss
Week 20-Nicknames
Week 21-Picture of yourself
Week 22-Favorite city
Week 23-Favorite vacation
Week 24-Something you've learned
Week 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Week 26-Picture of your family
Week 27-Pets
Week 28-Something that stresses you out
Week 29-3 Wishes
Week 30-a picture
Now that I have all the info posted, I can begin! Maybe I will start tomorrow, Lyla has worn me out today! Good night!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Precious Pictures
Tyler’s long–time friend, Eric Daniel, and his wife Nichole paid us a wonderful visit when Lyla was about 10 days old. Nichole owns her own business, http://trueexpressionsphotography.com/, and specializes in baby photos! They made the drive all the way from Houston to come take photos of our baby girl – we love you guys so much! We got a sneak peak of a few photos on Nichole’s blog, http://expressionsphoto.squarespace.com/journal/2010/10/31/9-days.html, and were just blown away at how they turned out. We can’t wait to see the rest of them!! Lyla’s birth announcements are going to be the best J Thank you again Eric and Nichole!!!
Oh Baby... Finally!!!
And the journey began on October 19, 2010...
I went to the doctor for my weekly checkup - 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant - hoping that Lyla and my cervix had made some progress during the past week. No such luck. I was still 1 cm dilated, as I had been for 3 weeks, and only getting more impatient and uncomfortable. My blood pressure had been on the rise for a few weeks and when the doctor took a look at my most recent blood pressure, she asked, "would you like to be induced?". I said YES PLEASE. She then said she would induce me the next morning! Wow, I definitely didnt expect to be induced that soon, but I was super excited! While I was getting my blood pressure taken, YET AGAIN, she came in and told me that I would need to check into the hospital that day at 3pm so that my cervix could be "ripened". I wasn't sure what exactly that meant, but that gave me just enough time to drive home, let the dogs out, make sure my hospital bags were complete, and drive back to new braunfels.
The first call I made was to Tyler to let him know he needed to get his hiney back into town. He debated whether or not he would make the drive to Houston that morning for work and decided to go for it. He had barely made it to Houston when he received my phone call telling him I was getting induced! He said he started shaking :) And then he made the drive back into town.
I made it to the hospital by 3, filled out all my paperwork, checked into my private suite :) and changed into my lovely hospital gown (my extremely fashionable outfit for the next 4 days). I then got my IV and got strapped into the heart monitors and started answering the thousand questions the nurse had for me. Tyler finally arrived to join the experience.
The nurse then gave me my medicine to "ripen" my cervix - medicine that had to be in place for 12 hours - and I was told they would break my water once the 12 hours was up. Almost immediately I started feeling slight cramping in my abdomen which continued for the next 10 hours, getting more and more painful. I started having actual contractions around 3am (about 10 hours into the ripening process). They were bearable until about 7am - which is about the time I was in agony and asking where in the world my epidural was!! I finally got my epidural, and was immediately feeling 100% better. My body was numb from my mid section on down, but at least I couldn’t feel the horrible contractions anymore!!
I suppose it was around 11am when the nurse checked my cervix again and said that I was ready to go! Baby was ready to come out!!! By this point, I could feel the contractions again, but they weren't as bad as they had been. The nurse said I had to push until Lyla was on the brink of delivery, so after about 30 minutes of pushing, we had arrived at the final destination. Tyler was so interested in the whole process, and even decided that he needed pictures of EVERYTHING. He could see and touch Lyla's little head during the whole pushing process.
Since we were ready to go, the nurse called the doctor to come deliver Lyla. She came in all decked out in her baby delivering gear and after only about 5 minutes of pushing, Lyla's head was out. And then her shoulders and the rest of her! Baby girl was born on October 20, 2010 at 12:20 pm. She weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and was 21 inches long.
Our first look at baby Lyla! WOW, what a wonderful experience!!! I couldn't stop crying, and Tyler couldn't stop smiling :)
It was very painful, even with the epidural. But its kind of what I expected - pushing a watermelon out of my body never sounded like an enjoyable experience. So on her way out, Lyla's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck (Tyler said her little head was blue) but when she came out, the cord broke and squirted blood everywhere - gruesome I know. Our precious baby girl had finally arrived, safe and sound. Then, doc said that my placenta was basically stuck inside me and wouldn't come out. And since I had already lost a lot of blood, the doctor had to go on a treasure hunt in my uterus trying to find the rest of my placenta and get it out of me. This was a horrible and very painful experience and lasted about 30 minutes - thankfully since Lyla was out of me, I could get some heavy duty pain killers.
Since I lost a lot of blood, the doctor told me I had 2 options: 1) I could get a blood tranfusion, or 2) I could take iron pills 3 times a day for a month (but I would feel like crap for a while). I didn't so much like the statistics surrounding the blood transfusion... apparently there is a 1 in 300,000 chance of getting HIV from a blood transfusion... no thanks!! I decided to go with the iron pills. The doctor was right - I felt HORRIBLE for quite a while... I'm just now starting to feel normal again after 17 days. The soreness and achiness has started to fade and my energy is slowly returning.
We were finally able to leave the hospital after 4 days. Both Tyler and I started to go stir crazy and I could only take so much hospital food.
Packing up the precious cargo!
We are so thankful to have our healthy baby Lyla here with us now. She is the most precious, wonderful, beautiful, amazing part of our life now and we are loving and enjoying every second we get to spend with her. Its taking a little bit of adjusting, as expected, but I think we are getting the hang of it :)
I went to the doctor for my weekly checkup - 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant - hoping that Lyla and my cervix had made some progress during the past week. No such luck. I was still 1 cm dilated, as I had been for 3 weeks, and only getting more impatient and uncomfortable. My blood pressure had been on the rise for a few weeks and when the doctor took a look at my most recent blood pressure, she asked, "would you like to be induced?". I said YES PLEASE. She then said she would induce me the next morning! Wow, I definitely didnt expect to be induced that soon, but I was super excited! While I was getting my blood pressure taken, YET AGAIN, she came in and told me that I would need to check into the hospital that day at 3pm so that my cervix could be "ripened". I wasn't sure what exactly that meant, but that gave me just enough time to drive home, let the dogs out, make sure my hospital bags were complete, and drive back to new braunfels.
The first call I made was to Tyler to let him know he needed to get his hiney back into town. He debated whether or not he would make the drive to Houston that morning for work and decided to go for it. He had barely made it to Houston when he received my phone call telling him I was getting induced! He said he started shaking :) And then he made the drive back into town.
I made it to the hospital by 3, filled out all my paperwork, checked into my private suite :) and changed into my lovely hospital gown (my extremely fashionable outfit for the next 4 days). I then got my IV and got strapped into the heart monitors and started answering the thousand questions the nurse had for me. Tyler finally arrived to join the experience.
The nurse then gave me my medicine to "ripen" my cervix - medicine that had to be in place for 12 hours - and I was told they would break my water once the 12 hours was up. Almost immediately I started feeling slight cramping in my abdomen which continued for the next 10 hours, getting more and more painful. I started having actual contractions around 3am (about 10 hours into the ripening process). They were bearable until about 7am - which is about the time I was in agony and asking where in the world my epidural was!! I finally got my epidural, and was immediately feeling 100% better. My body was numb from my mid section on down, but at least I couldn’t feel the horrible contractions anymore!!
I suppose it was around 11am when the nurse checked my cervix again and said that I was ready to go! Baby was ready to come out!!! By this point, I could feel the contractions again, but they weren't as bad as they had been. The nurse said I had to push until Lyla was on the brink of delivery, so after about 30 minutes of pushing, we had arrived at the final destination. Tyler was so interested in the whole process, and even decided that he needed pictures of EVERYTHING. He could see and touch Lyla's little head during the whole pushing process.
Since we were ready to go, the nurse called the doctor to come deliver Lyla. She came in all decked out in her baby delivering gear and after only about 5 minutes of pushing, Lyla's head was out. And then her shoulders and the rest of her! Baby girl was born on October 20, 2010 at 12:20 pm. She weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and was 21 inches long.
Our first look at baby Lyla! WOW, what a wonderful experience!!! I couldn't stop crying, and Tyler couldn't stop smiling :)
It was very painful, even with the epidural. But its kind of what I expected - pushing a watermelon out of my body never sounded like an enjoyable experience. So on her way out, Lyla's umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck (Tyler said her little head was blue) but when she came out, the cord broke and squirted blood everywhere - gruesome I know. Our precious baby girl had finally arrived, safe and sound. Then, doc said that my placenta was basically stuck inside me and wouldn't come out. And since I had already lost a lot of blood, the doctor had to go on a treasure hunt in my uterus trying to find the rest of my placenta and get it out of me. This was a horrible and very painful experience and lasted about 30 minutes - thankfully since Lyla was out of me, I could get some heavy duty pain killers.
Since I lost a lot of blood, the doctor told me I had 2 options: 1) I could get a blood tranfusion, or 2) I could take iron pills 3 times a day for a month (but I would feel like crap for a while). I didn't so much like the statistics surrounding the blood transfusion... apparently there is a 1 in 300,000 chance of getting HIV from a blood transfusion... no thanks!! I decided to go with the iron pills. The doctor was right - I felt HORRIBLE for quite a while... I'm just now starting to feel normal again after 17 days. The soreness and achiness has started to fade and my energy is slowly returning.
We were finally able to leave the hospital after 4 days. Both Tyler and I started to go stir crazy and I could only take so much hospital food.
Packing up the precious cargo!
We are so thankful to have our healthy baby Lyla here with us now. She is the most precious, wonderful, beautiful, amazing part of our life now and we are loving and enjoying every second we get to spend with her. Its taking a little bit of adjusting, as expected, but I think we are getting the hang of it :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Just Waiting...
Today I am 38 weeks and 4 days along. I never thought 10 days would seem like an eternity, but it does.
It's nice to be on maternity leave and not have to go into work every day but boy have I been bored.
So I have been watching a lot of TV and trying to find a hobby. I cant work on Lyla's room or the house, because it is still under construction... Yes, Tyler has been catching a lot of grief from me because the house is STILL under construction. Hopefully we can make some progress this weekend. I worked on painting Lyla's room decorations the other day...
Now I just have to finish the Jayde part, and once the ceilings are done in her room (this weekend), I can put them on her wall!
I've been trying to stay off my feet because if I walk around too much, they look like this...
We were finally able to get Lyla's changing table. IKEA has been sold out since we went months ago to try and buy it. Apparently there is quite a high demand for changing tables these days?
I had a doctor appointment on Monday. No change since last week unfortunately. The doctor keeps saying Lyla's not coming early unfortunately. I have another doctor appointment on Tuesday, which is the last one before my actual due date. I'm going to find out what the plan is if Lyla hasn't come by my due date. Induction? YES PLEASE! If I have to go past my due date, I might scream. We're ready Lyla, please come out now!!!
I sure hope the next 10 days pass quickly...
Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 38 weeks and 4 days
Size of baby: Watermelon... How is a watermelon supposed to come out of me??? goodness gracious...
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained - too much. I claim its all water weight
Maternity Clothes: Not even maternity clothes are comfortable to wear anymore
Gender: Girl
Movement: Lyla LOVES to kick me in the ribs. Tyler had his hands on my belly the other night and said "wow, that's so amazing." I completely agree with him.
Sleep: Can't sleep at night these days. Between the constant tossing and turning and bathroom breaks, I am a very tired lady. At least I can nap during the day. Lyla must be preparing me for when she arrives.
What I miss: walking normal
Symptoms: Can't sleep, heartburn with EVERYTHING, swollen feet and ankles, upset stomach, a little nausea, grumpiness, very achy hips, I could go on and on right now...
Cravings: country music has definitely been my strangest craving, if you can call it a craving. I haven't listened to a country station in YEARS and now my radio doesn't stray from the country stations. It's quite strange but that's all I want to listen to these days. Silly Lyla. Good thing grandma got Lyla a pair of cowboy boots. Aunt Danielle already wants to take her to the rodeo :)
Best Moment this week: Overall, it's been a pretty good week. I haven't been very productive, but I have gotten to spend a lot of time with Danielle this week - after my dr. appointment on Monday and for her birthday yesterday.
Until next time... Lyla's progress:
Week 38: Stuck in a holding pattern
As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.Friday, September 24, 2010
Hello blog, so we meet again :)
Well today is a great day, it's my official last day of work in 2010. I have the next 14 weeks off for maternity leave - and YES, I will be getting paid the entire time! The long hours I've put in this year have been worth it!!! And to top it off, my raise will become effective October 1st! Thank you KPMG, don't mind if I do.
We had our baby shower last Saturday and had a great turnout of family and friends! Thank you Danielle and Shayne for helping put the whole shindig together - couldn't have done it without you guys! Lyla got a TON of diapers and clothes and some great essentials. We are so thankful to have so many wonderful people in our life!!! I will try and put up some pictures of the shower shortly. We now need to go purchase all the other things that Lyla needs... changing table, bathing stuff, stroller, etc...
We will finally be attending a baby class tomorrow! YAY! Prepared Childbirth from 10am to 4pm. I hope they don't make us watch a birth video.
Next Tuesday is our last baby doctor appointment before the big day. It should be a fun one, I get to climb in the stirrups again. Woohoo.
How far along: 35 weeks, 5 days
Size of baby: Honeydew melon, over 5 lbs now
Total weight gain: ~50 pounds
Maternity cloths: the clothes I bought a few months ago are still fitting, believe it or not. However my one pair of jeans that fit me are starting to get a little tight :(
Gener: baby girl
Movement: All the time - Lyla had the hiccups forever the other night and it made me laugh
What I miss: fitting into my old clothes and shoes
Cravings: ginger ale, ice
Symptoms: hip pain, back pain, heartburn, swollen feet
Best moment this week: baby shower
We had our baby shower last Saturday and had a great turnout of family and friends! Thank you Danielle and Shayne for helping put the whole shindig together - couldn't have done it without you guys! Lyla got a TON of diapers and clothes and some great essentials. We are so thankful to have so many wonderful people in our life!!! I will try and put up some pictures of the shower shortly. We now need to go purchase all the other things that Lyla needs... changing table, bathing stuff, stroller, etc...
We will finally be attending a baby class tomorrow! YAY! Prepared Childbirth from 10am to 4pm. I hope they don't make us watch a birth video.
Next Tuesday is our last baby doctor appointment before the big day. It should be a fun one, I get to climb in the stirrups again. Woohoo.
How far along: 35 weeks, 5 days
Size of baby: Honeydew melon, over 5 lbs now
Total weight gain: ~50 pounds
Maternity cloths: the clothes I bought a few months ago are still fitting, believe it or not. However my one pair of jeans that fit me are starting to get a little tight :(
Gener: baby girl
Movement: All the time - Lyla had the hiccups forever the other night and it made me laugh
What I miss: fitting into my old clothes and shoes
Cravings: ginger ale, ice
Symptoms: hip pain, back pain, heartburn, swollen feet
Best moment this week: baby shower
Week 36: Wee fingers o' steel The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?
The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready? Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Montessori School
I had to share the conversation Tyler and I had this morning during our carpool to work... I laughed so hard I had tears rolling down may face.
(As we drive by Montessori School International)
Me: I wonder how much montessori school is?
Tyler: Why? Do you want to go?
Me: Huh? Do you know what montessori school is?
Tyler: Yeah, it's like God school...
(Here starts my laughing spell. Through my tears of laughter, I manage to eek out...)
Me: Maybe you're thinking of monestary school?
Tyler: Yeah I think you're right
I laughed for about 10 minutes. Tyler didn't think it was so funny. I'm just glad I hadn't put on my mascara yet.
On that note, it makes me excited that montessori school takes kids from age 18 months and up! And its about the same price as day care. Good to know... :)
(As we drive by Montessori School International)
Me: I wonder how much montessori school is?
Tyler: Why? Do you want to go?
Me: Huh? Do you know what montessori school is?
Tyler: Yeah, it's like God school...
(Here starts my laughing spell. Through my tears of laughter, I manage to eek out...)
Me: Maybe you're thinking of monestary school?
Tyler: Yeah I think you're right
I laughed for about 10 minutes. Tyler didn't think it was so funny. I'm just glad I hadn't put on my mascara yet.
On that note, it makes me excited that montessori school takes kids from age 18 months and up! And its about the same price as day care. Good to know... :)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Honeydew
33 weeks = Our little Lyla is now the size of a honeydew!
Recent Developments
Well, we have managed to get the old carpet out of the house (with the exception of our room) and the new wood in about half the house. We still have our room and the other two bedrooms to finish laying wood in and the 2 bathrooms to tile. After all that is done, we have to put new trim on all the doors and new baseboards everywhere... Can we finish it all in 7 weeks or sooner? I sure hope so!
We did get to put together Lyla's crib and dresser this weekend! Soon enough, we will have all her bedding washed and set up in the crib... once all our home construction has slowed and all the dust settles, literally.
Marmaduke has already tested out the crib and he seems to love it. I hope Lyla loves it as much as Duke does.
We have another doctor's appointment today at 4:30. It'll be another quick one, taking my weight, listening to Lyla's heartbeat, the usual. We'll find out today when our next and last sonogram/appointment will be. I can't believe the end is so near!
Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 33 Weeks, 2 days
Size of baby: Lyla is a honeydew
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained ~ 40 lbs... give or take a few pounds
Maternity Clothes: I'm all stocked up on maternity clothes! Three more weeks of my business casual clothes and then I plan on living in my Target tank tops.
Gender: Little princess
Movement: Lyla is moving like crazy these days - mostly during the day.
Sleep: Ehh not so great lately. I recently bought a Snoogie (body pillow) from Babies R Us and it definitely makes sleeping a little more comfortable.
What I miss: wearing heels, bending over, my old jeans :(
Cravings: ginger ale
Symptoms: severe heartburn.
Best Moment this week: Putting together Lyla's crib and dresser this week! They look beautiful in her purple room :)
I got the "Pregnancy Highlights" idea from gotta run...catch me later. I love reading Jenny's blog!
Lyla's Developments
Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.
Fetal development in pregnancy week 33: fetus in eighth month For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?
Recent Developments
Well, we have managed to get the old carpet out of the house (with the exception of our room) and the new wood in about half the house. We still have our room and the other two bedrooms to finish laying wood in and the 2 bathrooms to tile. After all that is done, we have to put new trim on all the doors and new baseboards everywhere... Can we finish it all in 7 weeks or sooner? I sure hope so!
We did get to put together Lyla's crib and dresser this weekend! Soon enough, we will have all her bedding washed and set up in the crib... once all our home construction has slowed and all the dust settles, literally.
Marmaduke has already tested out the crib and he seems to love it. I hope Lyla loves it as much as Duke does.
We have another doctor's appointment today at 4:30. It'll be another quick one, taking my weight, listening to Lyla's heartbeat, the usual. We'll find out today when our next and last sonogram/appointment will be. I can't believe the end is so near!
Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 33 Weeks, 2 days
Size of baby: Lyla is a honeydew
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained ~ 40 lbs... give or take a few pounds
Maternity Clothes: I'm all stocked up on maternity clothes! Three more weeks of my business casual clothes and then I plan on living in my Target tank tops.
Gender: Little princess
Movement: Lyla is moving like crazy these days - mostly during the day.
Sleep: Ehh not so great lately. I recently bought a Snoogie (body pillow) from Babies R Us and it definitely makes sleeping a little more comfortable.
What I miss: wearing heels, bending over, my old jeans :(
Cravings: ginger ale
Symptoms: severe heartburn.
Best Moment this week: Putting together Lyla's crib and dresser this week! They look beautiful in her purple room :)
I got the "Pregnancy Highlights" idea from gotta run...catch me later. I love reading Jenny's blog!
Lyla's Developments
Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.
Fetal development in pregnancy week 33: fetus in eighth month For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Crossing Off Stuff on the To-Do List!
Baby Furniture ~ Almost Done
We will have to make another trip to get the changing table. But it feels great to be almost done with the furniture shopping. Now once the floors and ceilings are done, we can actually put the dresser and the crib together! Can't wait!
Speaking of Floors and Ceilings ~
We made a decision after months of debating what we were going to do with the floors and actually bought the flooring! Hopefully we can get the floors installed the weekend after next. And when I say we, I mean Tyler :) Its getting more and more difficult to bend over these days.
We finally made it to IKEA last week around 6:15pm and they close at 7pm... So it was a little bit of a hectic trip once we got there. I felt like I was in a maze. After finding the dresser and changing table we wanted, we got to the checkout section only to learn the changing table was out of stock! At least we were able to get Lyla a dresser.
Speaking of Floors and Ceilings ~
We made a decision after months of debating what we were going to do with the floors and actually bought the flooring! Hopefully we can get the floors installed the weekend after next. And when I say we, I mean Tyler :) Its getting more and more difficult to bend over these days.
Baby Classes & Our Little Sqaush's Development
I finally signed Tyler and I up for a baby class! Believe it or not, they are kind of hard to find! It seems like hospitals offer the most options. So it looks like we will be attending "Prepared Childbirth Class" on 9/25 ~ a 6 hour course at Southwest General Hospital. Apparently we will be learning what to expect and what to do while in labor. I'm pretty excited... I hope it provides us with a lot of information since I don't really know what to expect and have no idea what to do while in labor! Eek.
We are also looking into a few classes that are being offered at Methodist Healthcare... Hopefully these will work out with our schedule because they seem interesting!
~ You & Your Baby - Find out how to transition into your new role as a parent, prepare for your baby's homecoming, learn basic infant care and much more.
~ And Away We Grow! - Learn fun ways to enhance your baby's potential. Topics include feeding, tummy time, sensory development, maximizing strength, coordination and flexibility.
~ Boot Camp for New Dads - Veteran dads (with their babies!) show expectant dads what it's all about! In this class you will learn tips on how to support mom and how to handle the new demands of a baby.
Week 31 Developments ~ Lyla is this size of a squash this month! Next month she becomes a honeydew :)
Another day... another ounce - Fetal development in pregnancy week 31: fetus in seventh month Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.
We are also looking into a few classes that are being offered at Methodist Healthcare... Hopefully these will work out with our schedule because they seem interesting!
~ You & Your Baby - Find out how to transition into your new role as a parent, prepare for your baby's homecoming, learn basic infant care and much more.
~ And Away We Grow! - Learn fun ways to enhance your baby's potential. Topics include feeding, tummy time, sensory development, maximizing strength, coordination and flexibility.
~ Boot Camp for New Dads - Veteran dads (with their babies!) show expectant dads what it's all about! In this class you will learn tips on how to support mom and how to handle the new demands of a baby.
Week 31 Developments ~ Lyla is this size of a squash this month! Next month she becomes a honeydew :)
Another day... another ounce - Fetal development in pregnancy week 31: fetus in seventh month Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Week 30 ~ 3/4 of the way done
As of Sunday, I am 30 weeks along! Only 10 left to go!! I had another dr. appointment today and it went smooth as usual. Our baby's heart beat is a strong 136. The belly is measuring 30 inches and thankfully, everything seems to be right on track. I have 2 more check ups before the "big day". The next one is September 9 and the last one will be 3 weeks after that. It's getting so close!!
New developments this week.......
Week 30: Goodbye monkey baby, hello roly poly! Fetal development in pregnancy week 30: fetus in seventh month The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.
New developments this week.......
Week 30: Goodbye monkey baby, hello roly poly! Fetal development in pregnancy week 30: fetus in seventh month The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
No really, poke me AGAIN, it's fun!
As you can probably tell by my unusually high posting frequency, I'm on vacation from work! I saw the article included below and it made me chuckl - I can totally relate. It seems like every time I go to the doctor, they need to steal more blood. And I HATE needles, so that makes each appointment that much more enjoyable. The diabetes test last time was probably the most fun - On top of having to give away my blood again, I had to drink a really disgusting bottle of "fruit punch" and sit in the waiting room for an hour before I could release my blood to them. I wonder what's in store for me at our next appointment on Tuesday :) Lyla ~ I would give them all my blood if it would ensure that you will be born a healthy and happy baby ~ but that doesn't mean I won't complain about it :)
"No really, poke me AGAIN, it's fun!"
When you’re pregnant, you’re getting ready to change all the “labels” in your life. You go from “wife” to “mother.” “Childless” to “Mom.” There’s another label they may forget to tell you about: Human pincushion.
I have never been poked with a needle as many times as I have while I was pregnant. It seemed that every time I turned around, someone was telling me they needed this or that tested and, of course, it always needed to be a blood test.
The most annoying test, to me, was the gestational diabetes test. Not only would you find out if you would have to stop consuming that gallon of ice cream every night, but you’d actually have to drink a sugary syrup before having your blood drawn.
The doctors always scared me with this test. They’d hand me a glass bottle with a bunch of directions typed on it and say “See you next month. Make sure to follow the directions.”
Too bad the directions were written by someone who had never met a pregnant woman that worried too much.
“Do not eat for X hours before test. Do not look North while drinking the orange soda. Do not hold your breath for longer than six seconds and please do not think about peeing in the next five hours.”
After you drink the orange soda, you have to make sure to get to the doctor’s office in a certain amount of time for them to do the blood work. From the minute the bottle touched my lips to my entering the doctor’s office, I would keep worrying that I wouldn’t get there in time and I had drunk the drink for nothing.
“I’m here for the glucose test!” I’d scream as I ran in. “I drank the drink exactly one hour and 55 minutes ago and I need someone to draw my blood now or I JUST MIGHT DIE.”
I never did die, nor did I ever miss the time frame given for me to have my blood drawn. I did, however, annoy plenty of nurses due to repeating “Oh no. I think I’m going to faint. I hate this. I’m going to faint. I have bad veins. HURRY THE HECK UP ALREADY.”
"No really, poke me AGAIN, it's fun!"
When you’re pregnant, you’re getting ready to change all the “labels” in your life. You go from “wife” to “mother.” “Childless” to “Mom.” There’s another label they may forget to tell you about: Human pincushion.
I have never been poked with a needle as many times as I have while I was pregnant. It seemed that every time I turned around, someone was telling me they needed this or that tested and, of course, it always needed to be a blood test.
The most annoying test, to me, was the gestational diabetes test. Not only would you find out if you would have to stop consuming that gallon of ice cream every night, but you’d actually have to drink a sugary syrup before having your blood drawn.
The doctors always scared me with this test. They’d hand me a glass bottle with a bunch of directions typed on it and say “See you next month. Make sure to follow the directions.”
Too bad the directions were written by someone who had never met a pregnant woman that worried too much.
“Do not eat for X hours before test. Do not look North while drinking the orange soda. Do not hold your breath for longer than six seconds and please do not think about peeing in the next five hours.”
After you drink the orange soda, you have to make sure to get to the doctor’s office in a certain amount of time for them to do the blood work. From the minute the bottle touched my lips to my entering the doctor’s office, I would keep worrying that I wouldn’t get there in time and I had drunk the drink for nothing.
“I’m here for the glucose test!” I’d scream as I ran in. “I drank the drink exactly one hour and 55 minutes ago and I need someone to draw my blood now or I JUST MIGHT DIE.”
I never did die, nor did I ever miss the time frame given for me to have my blood drawn. I did, however, annoy plenty of nurses due to repeating “Oh no. I think I’m going to faint. I hate this. I’m going to faint. I have bad veins. HURRY THE HECK UP ALREADY.”
Things I am Thankful for Today
A few things I am thankful for today...
1. The AC Guy ~ It's been pretty miserable at the house lately. Our AC has been running non stop but it just hasn't been getting cool. Considering its a billion degrees outside and I seem to be carrying some extra weight lately :) I have not been a happy camper. Well Tyler finally called the AC guy, who came over today, and who woulda thought that its just the AC filter that needed to be changed! Apparently Tyler changed it about a month ago but with the house remodeling, we should have been changing it once a week... So thank you AC guy - you are my hero today.
2. Starbucks ~ I really do enjoy drinking an extremely overpriced, but extremely tasty, cup of coffee. Since we learned Lyla was on her way, I haven't been drinking much of my beloved starbucks. But today, on my way home from buying air filters at Home Depot, I stopped in and treated myself to a caramel mocha frapp... so tasty... Made my morning that much better.
That's all for now, I'm off to enjoy my day off in my cold house with my yummy starbucks!!
1. The AC Guy ~ It's been pretty miserable at the house lately. Our AC has been running non stop but it just hasn't been getting cool. Considering its a billion degrees outside and I seem to be carrying some extra weight lately :) I have not been a happy camper. Well Tyler finally called the AC guy, who came over today, and who woulda thought that its just the AC filter that needed to be changed! Apparently Tyler changed it about a month ago but with the house remodeling, we should have been changing it once a week... So thank you AC guy - you are my hero today.
2. Starbucks ~ I really do enjoy drinking an extremely overpriced, but extremely tasty, cup of coffee. Since we learned Lyla was on her way, I haven't been drinking much of my beloved starbucks. But today, on my way home from buying air filters at Home Depot, I stopped in and treated myself to a caramel mocha frapp... so tasty... Made my morning that much better.
That's all for now, I'm off to enjoy my day off in my cold house with my yummy starbucks!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Week 29 Developments
Week 29: To pee or not to pee...Fetal development in pregnancy week 29: fetus in seventh month If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practicing breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless, you’ve been there.
It's been a while
It has been a while since our last post... Today I am 29 weeks and 3 days along. Which means we have an estimated 10 weeks and 4 days to go! It seems like time has gone by so fast and so slow at the same time - its really quite strange.
Lyla has been moving more and more these days - she's doing flips galore. The other day Tyler was laying his head on my belly and she kicked him in the face :) She's a rascal already. She especially loves doing flips on my bladder. I can't make it through the night anymore without 3 or 4 trips to the bathroom.
We have another doctor's appointment next Tuesday. The appointments are now about every 3 weeks instead of once a month. I feel like they may start to get closer and closer together pretty quickly. I'm definitely ready to have another sonogram so we can see her precious face and enormous feet again, but I'm not sure when the next one will be. Next Tuesday is just another quick checkup and to get the results of my previous visit's diabetes test.
Big items on our to-do list:
Lyla's Room ~
Lyla's room is still a work in progress. We have to get a drywall guy to come in and finish our ceilings and once that's done, we can replace the flooring. THEN, we can finally finish up Lyla's room! I can't wait to actually get everything put together. I hope we have enough time to get everything done before she arrives. We still need to go buy some baby furniture for our princess. We were going to go to IKEA last weekend, but that didn't work out. Maybe this weekend will work out better...
Find a Pediatrician ~
I don't even really know where to start here. Besides knowing that we want to find someone close to home, we dont really know how to pick out a good pediatrician. I guess we'll have to read up on the baby books and see what advice they have for us...
Lamaze Class ~
We need to find one of these soon! I feel like the big day will be here before we know it and I definitely want to get all the practice in that I can!
Baby Shower ~
Still trying to get all the baby shower details worked out and everything planned. We don't have much planned yet, but we DO have a date - Saturday, September 18. I'm glad my best friend is willing to plan this for me :) Thanks Danielle.
Overall, mom, dad and baby are doing great! I'm ready for our little girl to be here and Tyler can't wait to be a dad!
Lyla has been moving more and more these days - she's doing flips galore. The other day Tyler was laying his head on my belly and she kicked him in the face :) She's a rascal already. She especially loves doing flips on my bladder. I can't make it through the night anymore without 3 or 4 trips to the bathroom.
We have another doctor's appointment next Tuesday. The appointments are now about every 3 weeks instead of once a month. I feel like they may start to get closer and closer together pretty quickly. I'm definitely ready to have another sonogram so we can see her precious face and enormous feet again, but I'm not sure when the next one will be. Next Tuesday is just another quick checkup and to get the results of my previous visit's diabetes test.
Big items on our to-do list:
Lyla's Room ~
Lyla's room is still a work in progress. We have to get a drywall guy to come in and finish our ceilings and once that's done, we can replace the flooring. THEN, we can finally finish up Lyla's room! I can't wait to actually get everything put together. I hope we have enough time to get everything done before she arrives. We still need to go buy some baby furniture for our princess. We were going to go to IKEA last weekend, but that didn't work out. Maybe this weekend will work out better...
Find a Pediatrician ~
I don't even really know where to start here. Besides knowing that we want to find someone close to home, we dont really know how to pick out a good pediatrician. I guess we'll have to read up on the baby books and see what advice they have for us...
Lamaze Class ~
We need to find one of these soon! I feel like the big day will be here before we know it and I definitely want to get all the practice in that I can!
Baby Shower ~
Still trying to get all the baby shower details worked out and everything planned. We don't have much planned yet, but we DO have a date - Saturday, September 18. I'm glad my best friend is willing to plan this for me :) Thanks Danielle.
Overall, mom, dad and baby are doing great! I'm ready for our little girl to be here and Tyler can't wait to be a dad!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Random thoughts for the day
Since we haven't done much planning yet, we though it would be a good idea to push back the shower a bit. So it's looking like it will be sometime in mid-september. I don't know the exact date yet but will let everyone know once I do!
I have a baby doctor appointment today. I wish it was another sonogram appointment (those are the best!) but instead its some kind of hour long diabetes test - no sugar for me today. At least I get to leave work early!! Unfortunately Tyler will not be joining me at the appointment today :( :( he is in Houston for work until tomorrow. It is actually the first baby doctor appointment he has missed. He gets a lot of props for being at every one so far. I love it when he gets to share the appointments with me! It'll probably be a pretty boring appointment this time anyways... hopfully next time we get to look at Lyla again! I'm so excited to see what she looks like now... and how much she has grown since the last one.
I guess I should get back to work now :)
Jami
I have a baby doctor appointment today. I wish it was another sonogram appointment (those are the best!) but instead its some kind of hour long diabetes test - no sugar for me today. At least I get to leave work early!! Unfortunately Tyler will not be joining me at the appointment today :( :( he is in Houston for work until tomorrow. It is actually the first baby doctor appointment he has missed. He gets a lot of props for being at every one so far. I love it when he gets to share the appointments with me! It'll probably be a pretty boring appointment this time anyways... hopfully next time we get to look at Lyla again! I'm so excited to see what she looks like now... and how much she has grown since the last one.
I guess I should get back to work now :)
Jami
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Week 26: Eye see YOU!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 26: fetus in sixth month At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Week 25 Developments
Lyla is definitely growing. It seems like she's getting bigger every day. Her ears must be growing too because she has started noticing loud noises much more easily. When we were at the lake for the 4th of July, the neighbors set off fireworks and she freaked out and started to try and kick her way out of my belly! She also notices when we have the radio too loud in the car and will start tossing and turning. I'm convinced that our voices are soothing to her. When we drove home from the lake, I read Breaking Dawn to Tyler the whole way (my voice was about gone after 15 hours), but she slept the entire way - she loved it :) This baby is pretty amazing.
After weeks of kicking the crap out of me, Tyler FINALLY was able to feel her kick!! He was pretty dang excited. I cant wait until I am spooning him and he can feel her kick him in the back.
Lyla's baby shower is coming August 14! We don't have many details planned yet, but we have decided that it will be for both ladies and guys. We wouldn't want the boys to miss out on all the baby shower fun :) More details to come!!
Week 25: Turn it around... and aroundFetal development in pregnancy week 25: fetus in sixth month Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.
After weeks of kicking the crap out of me, Tyler FINALLY was able to feel her kick!! He was pretty dang excited. I cant wait until I am spooning him and he can feel her kick him in the back.
Lyla's baby shower is coming August 14! We don't have many details planned yet, but we have decided that it will be for both ladies and guys. We wouldn't want the boys to miss out on all the baby shower fun :) More details to come!!
Week 25: Turn it around... and aroundFetal development in pregnancy week 25: fetus in sixth month Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.
Tour de Stretch-pants
So I guess this is another thing I need to add to the "things to do before Lyla is born list" ... tour the hospital! This to-do list seems to be getting very long... oh well, ready or not, she's coming in 102 days (or less)! I can't wait!
Tour de Stretch-pants
by The Sarcastic Journalist
Going on the hospital tour was always an exciting part of having a baby. On both of my tours, I arrived at the meeting spot, my husband in tow, to find several other pregnant women waiting to go on their tours.
Of course, being a female of the overly hormonal variety, I’d size them up. Who looked like she had one too many ice cream sundaes. Who seemed a little neurotic and who decided to do away with fashion totally once finding out she was pregnant.
Yes, I know we were all pregnant and part of that big Vagina Sisterhood, but I couldn’t help but judge.
At the same time, I was wondering if they were judging me. You see, I didn’t want to go on the hospital tour too early. If I did, I’d look like some crazy woman who wasn’t even pregnant wanting to tour labor and delivery. I didn’t want to schedule it too late because what if I went into labor?
No, the middle of the pregnancy was, as Baby Bear would say, “Just right.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous at the pregnant women who, when asked their due dates, would reply “Tomorrow!”
Tomorrow? I hate you. I have three more months to go and my butt doesn’t fit into my maternity jeans very well anymore.
The tour can seem a little overwhelming. They show you triage. They show you the rooms and, of course, the stirrups. Perhaps they point out the couch for Daddy/Grandma/Friend/Partner.
It all starts to seem a little too real.
On our first hospital tour, the nurse asked me how I felt. “I’m not so sure I want to do this anymore,” I said.
“Oh, I know, it’s all a big adjustment having a baby for the first time.”
“No, I just don’t want to push it out of my crotch.”
Tour de Stretch-pants
by The Sarcastic Journalist
Going on the hospital tour was always an exciting part of having a baby. On both of my tours, I arrived at the meeting spot, my husband in tow, to find several other pregnant women waiting to go on their tours.
Of course, being a female of the overly hormonal variety, I’d size them up. Who looked like she had one too many ice cream sundaes. Who seemed a little neurotic and who decided to do away with fashion totally once finding out she was pregnant.
Yes, I know we were all pregnant and part of that big Vagina Sisterhood, but I couldn’t help but judge.
At the same time, I was wondering if they were judging me. You see, I didn’t want to go on the hospital tour too early. If I did, I’d look like some crazy woman who wasn’t even pregnant wanting to tour labor and delivery. I didn’t want to schedule it too late because what if I went into labor?
No, the middle of the pregnancy was, as Baby Bear would say, “Just right.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous at the pregnant women who, when asked their due dates, would reply “Tomorrow!”
Tomorrow? I hate you. I have three more months to go and my butt doesn’t fit into my maternity jeans very well anymore.
The tour can seem a little overwhelming. They show you triage. They show you the rooms and, of course, the stirrups. Perhaps they point out the couch for Daddy/Grandma/Friend/Partner.
It all starts to seem a little too real.
On our first hospital tour, the nurse asked me how I felt. “I’m not so sure I want to do this anymore,” I said.
“Oh, I know, it’s all a big adjustment having a baby for the first time.”
“No, I just don’t want to push it out of my crotch.”
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Week 24: Breathe baby, breathe!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 24:
fetus in sixth month This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!
fetus in sixth month This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!
Week 23: Dancing Baby Alert
Since we will be out of town when we reach week 23 AND week 24 (at lake of the ozarks :)) I thought I would post the next few weeks' developments...
Fetal development in pregnancy week 23:
At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)
Fetal development in pregnancy week 23:
At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Week 22: Welcome to raisin country!
Fetal development in pregnancy week 22: fetus in fifth month The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin’s way of planning ahead for the time when they’ll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.
Sarcastic Journalist - What to accept when you're expecting:
Sarcastic Journalist - What to accept when you’re expecting:
It seems like everyone loves to ask a pregnant woman if she has any weird food cravings. I really think they want you to tell them “Why, yes. I do. I eat a can of sardines every night before I go to bed. Sometimes I cover them with grape jelly.”
Really, I went for “comfort food” (cheeseburgers are comfort food in my book) and sweets. I think I personally kept Betty Crocker in business during both of my pregnancies.
It always started out innocent enough: I wanted a cookie. Next thing I knew, I had gone through an entire bag of Oreos and a gallon of milk. Then two candy bars and a sandwich.
When I first got pregnant (this was during my first pregnancy, when I read those books) I read the “What to eat” chapter in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
These people had what I should or should not be eating down to an exact science. I wanted to get my pregnancy off to a good start, so I’d eat all that “good for you” food while really wanting to high tail it down to the corner store to pick up a cupcake.
I’d pat myself on the back, all high and mighty like, because I made myself delicious meals that would make my baby smart! Those greens? They’re getting my baby into Harvard! All that fruit? She’ll be President!
It didn’t take too many lunches of trying to eat cottage cheese before I gave it all up. I tried. I really wanted to be a good Mom and somehow, that book had me convinced that I wasn’t a good Mom because I chose chocolate over cheese. She’d be lucky if she’d get into community college with the way I was eating!
Get over it. You’ll be a good Mom. Just consider all the eating good practice for when you have a kid and you’re so tired of all the whining that yes, you let him have ice cream for breakfast.
It seems like everyone loves to ask a pregnant woman if she has any weird food cravings. I really think they want you to tell them “Why, yes. I do. I eat a can of sardines every night before I go to bed. Sometimes I cover them with grape jelly.”
Really, I went for “comfort food” (cheeseburgers are comfort food in my book) and sweets. I think I personally kept Betty Crocker in business during both of my pregnancies.
It always started out innocent enough: I wanted a cookie. Next thing I knew, I had gone through an entire bag of Oreos and a gallon of milk. Then two candy bars and a sandwich.
When I first got pregnant (this was during my first pregnancy, when I read those books) I read the “What to eat” chapter in What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
These people had what I should or should not be eating down to an exact science. I wanted to get my pregnancy off to a good start, so I’d eat all that “good for you” food while really wanting to high tail it down to the corner store to pick up a cupcake.
I’d pat myself on the back, all high and mighty like, because I made myself delicious meals that would make my baby smart! Those greens? They’re getting my baby into Harvard! All that fruit? She’ll be President!
It didn’t take too many lunches of trying to eat cottage cheese before I gave it all up. I tried. I really wanted to be a good Mom and somehow, that book had me convinced that I wasn’t a good Mom because I chose chocolate over cheese. She’d be lucky if she’d get into community college with the way I was eating!
Get over it. You’ll be a good Mom. Just consider all the eating good practice for when you have a kid and you’re so tired of all the whining that yes, you let him have ice cream for breakfast.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lyla Jayde Dunkelberger
No one can prepare you for the lifestyle changes a baby can bring. If somebody would have told me a year ago that you could love someone so much, I would have laughed. Just for the record baby girl, you're already my everything...
Friday, June 4, 2010
It's a GIRL!!!!
Well we finally found out that we are having a baby girl!!! The suspense was killing me! As of yesterday, our baby girl weighs 11 oz. (almost a beer as Tyler put it). We got to see her precious little face and tiny toes on the sonogram and got a few pictures to share with everyone.
Face and arms - she's using my placenta as a pillow :)
Side view of her face - her hand is right by her chin
I'm not quite sure what this is...
This is a view if her back - you can see her spine
Look at her little feet and toes!
You can see her long legs and apparently that she is a girl!
Friday, April 30, 2010
What energy?
So the baby books say that your energy is supposed to come back starting in week 14... I haven't seen any yet!!! Maybe week 15 will bring some of my energy back. The book was right however about it being time for maternity clothes shopping. I have officially gained 20 pounds and I can't button any of my pants anymore. Jeez louise.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Welcome to Baby Dunkelberger's blog!
We decided to start a blog for all our friends and family who can't be near us throughout this wonderful experience. We wanted to be able to provide everyone with updates, info and pictures of Baby Dunkelberger, which will hopefully be up soon! We love you all and hope you enjoy this!
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