29 Weeks!

I had a doctors appointment today, and all is well. She is measuring on track and the doctor said that this pregnancy is going very well so far. Nolan was a very good boy at the appointment and we were literally in and out in 10 minutes. I love when they're fast.

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

28 Weeks! And third trimester...

I have to start off by saying I passed my glucose screening! I am so very excited to not have to go for the three hour one. Lily is getting big, and I am getting anxious. Each week I look at the calender and count the number of weeks left. It is going by quick but it has also slowed down a bit. I am just ready to meet my sweet baby. Of couse when she is ready, I don't want another early baby. :)

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Snow Day

I haven't been able to take Nolan outside to play in the snow since I normally have a house full of babies. Well, this past weekend it snowed a little and I knew that it would probably melt as the day went on. So, we bundled Nolan up and let him experience snow for the first time. He loved it of course.

Lily's crib

I think we have finally picked out Lily's bed. It is hard to see in this picture but it is beautiful in person. I cannot wait to order it and get it set up.

27 Weeks!

I had an appointment yesterday, which went wonderful. She is measuring right on track. It was the yucky glucose test appointment. So hopefully I passed, I should know today or tomorrow. I have started my two appointments now. Time is flying by, and getting very anxious to meet Miss Lily! I washed her little clothes yesterday and it just makes me even more excited.

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

I'll explain later...Updated

We have been noticing a lack of socks in Nolan's sock drawer. Well, today I just happened to think of checking behind his crib and this is what I found. Every time I look at these pictures I start laughing all over again. He is so rotten it is funny!! :)

Things like these make me love him even more, I enjoy funny messes.

26 Weeks!

I was 26 weeks as of last Thursday. Life has been busy. I have been trying to decide what do about Lily's room and Nolan's sleeping arrangements. I am so grateful that this is the most difficult thing I have to deal with. There are so many families that have to deal with things that I never could imagine. The blog that I often read "Bring the Rain", (I believe there is a link in this blog, if not there is one in Nolan's) Angie posted a video of the day her fourth daughter was born. If any of you have read her blog you know that her baby only lived for 2 hours (they knew that she probably would not live). Well in the video she shows a few clips of sweet Audrey's funeral, and the date of her funeral was April 17, 2008. This really hit me, she buried her baby, the day mine is due. I just ask that you pray for her family and give them strength. They found out about her diagnosis around this time last year. Her faith is amazing and it has been a blessing to read about her life. And just remember how precious life is. I am so grateful that baby Lily is growing healthy and strong.

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

17 Months!

Nolan turned 17 months old yesterday. I feel like I have a little boy, not a baby anymore. He is so much fun. And I must say this now, because I may change my mind in few minutes, He is a good boy. He loves to make messes but enjoys cleaning them up. I am impressed by this (I know it will not last for much longer). He seems like he gets smarter every day.

Here are a few things that he is doing now:

• Uses a fork and spoon like a pro. I have to admit that I really didn't have anything to do with this. I gave him a spoon one day and he instantly knew what to do with it.
• Enjoys coloring for a few seconds.
• Climbs on everything. I'll have to post a picture of his new favorite spot to climb. Let's just say he is a little fearless.
• He is getting very good about not freaking out when I leave the room. This is a big accomplishment for him
• He knows what a lot of words mean and understands them, but everything seems to be called a ball lately. If he doesn't say ball, the word has to start with the "b" sound. This makes things a little confusing.
• He is starting to love playing with race cars. He was so excited this morning when he saw some new cars waiting for him.
• He has started telling me (occasionally, or randomly) that he went potty in his diaper. I do take credit for this, though. I have started asking him and trying to make him aware, crossing my fingers that this will make it a little easier once we start potty training.
  

He is a pretty awesome little boy. I cannot wait to see what he thinks of his little sister. He is going to be a very good big brother.

25 Weeks!

Nothing new, just cannot believe that I am already 6 months pregnant. There's only nine months right, that means only 3 more until we get to meet our sweet baby girl. I am getting excited! My little ticker on the left side says 105 days left, CRAZY!

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Christmas at Home!

It was nice to spend Christmas morning together at home as a family. Nolan was so cute opening presents. He was very particular about the wrapping paper. Before he could play with the presents he had to get every piece of the paper off. I think that he liked his stocking the best though, it was full of candy. He also loves his movies. It took about a day but he can say "Blues Clues" and "Word World". But of course, I am the only one who can understand what he is saying. He has also figured out how to turn on the DVD player, open it and put in a movie. I find that pretty impressive. The picture of our tree is what it ended up looking like after a month of Nolan being around it. All of the ornaments had to be moved to the top which left the bottom bare. He would not leave the ornaments alone. He thought that they were balls to play with. Overall we had a very blessed Christmas and year. I look forward to seeing what our Lord has in store for us in the coming year!

Mama Evelyn's Christmas

We had a wonderful time at Mama's house. Nolan got lots of fun things and had fun playing with his cousins. Later that evening we went to our church's Christmas Eve service. It was nice be there and see our church family.
Tyler thought it would be so funny to make a silly face during pictures with his family. And of course the other I took of them didn't turn out. Silly Tyler! But, notice, Nolan learned from Daddy how to pose for a family picture.

Christmas at Nan and Pops!

This was Nolan's first real experience opening presents. He was a pro from the beginning. We had lots of fun and it was nice to see everyone. Nolan was very spoiled. I am still trying to find a spot to put all of his gifts that he got from everyone.