Tonight we were at Laura Sue's birthday party. We saw Amanda and John for the first time in months. Apparently, they bought a gift for Baby Texan soon after finding out that she was on her way. It's fantastic:
Sunday, April 29, 2007
20 week belly and a cool gift
Here is my belly this evening. I've always been posting morning shots, when my belly is significantly smaller. I seem to get bigger through the day as I retain water. I am definitely showing by the end of the day.
Tonight we were at Laura Sue's birthday party. We saw Amanda and John for the first time in months. Apparently, they bought a gift for Baby Texan soon after finding out that she was on her way. It's fantastic:
Tonight we were at Laura Sue's birthday party. We saw Amanda and John for the first time in months. Apparently, they bought a gift for Baby Texan soon after finding out that she was on her way. It's fantastic:
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Half way!
20 weeks! Now the countdown at the bottom of the blog has less weeks remaining than have occured. yay! Belly pics coming soon. I still don't look obviously pregnant if you don't know me - I'm at the stage where people are afraid to ask. But I noticed yesterday that when I look down, I can't see my feet.
This week:
- The heart grows stronger.
- Legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, kicks will get stronger.
- Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now.
- The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
- She may startle in reaction to loud sounds. She can actually hear noises outside of the uterus.
- She is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g). (Don't forget, she was actually about a pound a week ago. Everything is bigger in Texas)
This week:
- The heart grows stronger.
- Legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, kicks will get stronger.
- Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now.
- The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
- She may startle in reaction to loud sounds. She can actually hear noises outside of the uterus.
- She is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g). (Don't forget, she was actually about a pound a week ago. Everything is bigger in Texas)
Monday, April 23, 2007
Ommmmm
I went to my first prenatal yoga class tonight at Yoga Yoga. It was really great. It was lovely to be with a group of pregnant woman at various stages of pregnancy. The class was led by a yoga instructor who is also a doula. She asked everyone how they were feeling and then modified the class to address the concerns. She also explained how various postures would help later in labour and delivery. It was really useful to visualize everything. I had planned to go once a week, but I think I'll try to find a second class that fits into my schedule.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
A future cyclist?
Baby Texan is getting strong with her kicks the last few days. This morning as I was lying in bed wishing I could sleep longer, ignoring the whiny dog on the other side of the door and thinking about the list of things to do today, I was doing as I often do now when I first wake up which is checking on Baby Texan. She was head down (she is often crossways in the morning, which I'm sort of guessing about based on the shape of the bulge, which can vary quite a bit) and there was, I think, an arm sticking out to the right. Up at the top, around my naval, she was kicking and moving like she was trying to escape. She does this most mornings, and each day is getting stronger. I think that if I had looked down, I would have seen bulges coming and going. This is super exciting because Graeme hasn't felt her move yet, but I thnk she's getting strong enough that he'll feel her in the next few days.
Some would speculate that she'll be a runner or soccer player. But I know the truth. She's working on her spin.
Some would speculate that she'll be a runner or soccer player. But I know the truth. She's working on her spin.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Crib!
We assembled the crib. Cool, eh?
I'm planning to move and paint the book shelf, I just haven't decided what colour to paint it yet. I'm leaning towards white, since there are already lots of colours in the room and white looks so night against the green walls.
I'm planning to move and paint the book shelf, I just haven't decided what colour to paint it yet. I'm leaning towards white, since there are already lots of colours in the room and white looks so night against the green walls.
19 weeks
It's true what they say about the second trimester. I've been feeling great. Lots of energy, fewer side effects/symptoms, and I'm actually enjoying being pregnant. I feel her move every day and it's starting to make me think of the things we need to get done before she arrives. And things we need - all these little things like a thermometer, a nose sucker-thingy, baby washclothes and soap, baby sunscreen and diaper cream... it seems endless.
The midwife appointment on Wednesday morning shows that I'm doing great, and the U/S showed that she is doing great. My blood pressure is fantastic, 90/64 and I've gained about 10 lbs so far. She weighs almost a pound, by U/S estimates. It's crazy to think that in the first half of this gestation she has gotten to 1 lb, and in the second half she needs to gain 7 more! That means I'm going to get a lot bigger. My belly seems bigger than it is in pictures:
Sharon, Nick and Selah, friends from Seattle, will be visiting later this week. That means cleaning up the spare room for them. It also means that Selah needs a place to sleep, which means I get to assemble the crib. Yay! I'm a bit overly excited about that. It all seems more real now that we know she is a she, and now that I feel her moving, but a crib in the house. That's just crazy.
This week, #19, here is what is happening.
- She has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. She has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
- Nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
- Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
- The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
- The uterus starts to develop. The vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.
-She is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
- size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm).
The midwife appointment on Wednesday morning shows that I'm doing great, and the U/S showed that she is doing great. My blood pressure is fantastic, 90/64 and I've gained about 10 lbs so far. She weighs almost a pound, by U/S estimates. It's crazy to think that in the first half of this gestation she has gotten to 1 lb, and in the second half she needs to gain 7 more! That means I'm going to get a lot bigger. My belly seems bigger than it is in pictures:
Sharon, Nick and Selah, friends from Seattle, will be visiting later this week. That means cleaning up the spare room for them. It also means that Selah needs a place to sleep, which means I get to assemble the crib. Yay! I'm a bit overly excited about that. It all seems more real now that we know she is a she, and now that I feel her moving, but a crib in the house. That's just crazy.
This week, #19, here is what is happening.
- She has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. She has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
- Nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
- Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
- The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
- The uterus starts to develop. The vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.
-She is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
- size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm).
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
It's a girl!
The ultrasound showed us a healthy, perfect (as far as an U/S can tell) girl. We're super excited. We would have been excited either way, of course. But knowing the gender suddenly makes it really real. Now we can visualize her instead of just some vague idea of a baby. Her. We have specific pronouns now. So exciting.
The big day
Today is the big ultrasound. We have a midwife appointment at 9, and then the u/s at 10. They will measure everything there is to measure, check for cleft palate and club foot, check blood flow through the heart, and maybe tell us if it's a boy or a girl. Woohoo!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Weekend pictures
I shouldn't have promised belly pictures on a particular day. It never seems to get done when I say that. But here is the belly this morning. I should take an evening shot too, since through the day my belly seems to expand and I am definitely showing more at the end of the day.
Yesterday I was volunteering at an adventure race and took Westley with me. The weather wasn't great - very windy and quite cold, but the flowers are out and that made up for the cool weather. It is very typical here to plop your little kids in the middle of a field of bluebonnets for a picture, so I made Westley pose in a similar fashion.
Yesterday I was volunteering at an adventure race and took Westley with me. The weather wasn't great - very windy and quite cold, but the flowers are out and that made up for the cool weather. It is very typical here to plop your little kids in the middle of a field of bluebonnets for a picture, so I made Westley pose in a similar fashion.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
18 weeks
Week 18. Wow. That means we're approaching the half way mark already. I've been feeling more excited lately, and I attribute it to feeling the fetus move every day. It's not a strong enough movement for Graeme to feel yet, but I'm hoping that in the next week or so he'll feel it too. It's nice to feel excited - a few times over the past few weeks I've wondered if maybe this wasn't the right decision. I think all pregnant women feel like that, and I expect I'll keep having those doubts right til the end, and probably after the baby is here too. But this week, I'm excited.
I promise a belly shot by the end of the day!
From Pregnancy.org, here is what is happening this week:
- Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) forms on fetus's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both serve to protect the skin during the months in amniotic fluid.
- Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs.
- Vocal chords are formed.
- Features of the heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound.
- The fetus measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm). (this is measured head to rump. Suddenly at 21 weeks, measurement is done head to foot, so it would be significantly longer.)
I promise a belly shot by the end of the day!
From Pregnancy.org, here is what is happening this week:
- Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) forms on fetus's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both serve to protect the skin during the months in amniotic fluid.
- Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs.
- Vocal chords are formed.
- Features of the heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound.
- The fetus measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm). (this is measured head to rump. Suddenly at 21 weeks, measurement is done head to foot, so it would be significantly longer.)
What's cooking Wednesday
Nothing. Again. I had plans though, I really did. We got a few selections from the Soup Peddler - Zimbabwe Peanut Stew and Coq au Vin. The plan was to have the chicken. I was going to do something potato-ish on the side with a salad. But, after riding home from work, cleaning up the yard, mowing the lawn and walking the dog, and then finding that the potatoes in the fridge were bad, it all fell apart. Graeme cooked himself periogies, and I had mac&cheese (but it was the good Annie's shells and white cheddar). I did manage to cook a pot of rice to have with the peanut stew for lunch today.
Sheryl and Jonathan are coming over for dinner tonight, so I'm planning to make the Rockin' Moroccan stew that Karen posted a few weeks ago.
Sheryl and Jonathan are coming over for dinner tonight, so I'm planning to make the Rockin' Moroccan stew that Karen posted a few weeks ago.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
A delayed meme post
Karen tagged me for this meme last week, and I've been delinquent in not answering it. Is there is a statute of limitations on tags? In anticipation of 'what's cooking wednesday', I'll finally do the meme.
1. Can you cook? If yes do you like to cook?
Yes, although I find I often don't have the energy or inspiration. Although I do enjoy it. I especially enjoy preparing big meals for lots of friends.
2. When does your whole family come together to eat?
We eat dinner together most nights. On the couch.
3. What do you have for breakfast?
Cereal with fruit or granola with yogurt and fruit. And tea.
4. When, where and how do you eat through the week?
See 2 - we eat on the couch, usually between 7 and 8 pm after walking the dog.
5. How often do you eat out?
Once a week or once every two weeks.
6.How often do you order in or get take out?
Once a week.
7.Re: 5 &. 6 - if money were no object would like to do it more often?
Probably not. We might just go out for sushi more often.
8.Are there any standards that make a regular appearance at your table?
There are the fall back meals - periogies, sour cream pasta, cereal (I don't think that counts as cooking though). And our favourites - fajitas, grilled anything, spaghetti. Our meals are very seasonal, since I don't want to turn on the oven or stove in the hot months.
9.Have you ever tried a recipe from another blog?
Nope, not yet, although I probably will later this week.
10.Are there any quarrels because of food?
We 'quarrelled' about how to divide the leg of lamb the other night.
11.Are you a vegetarian or could you imagine living as a vegetarian?
I was a vegetarian for a few years in university, but now I'm an enthusiastic meat eater. I would certianly be happy eating meat only once or twice a week, but Graeme is a total carnivore and would likely mutiny if I were to try.
12.What would you like to try out that you haven't dared yet?
Nothing is coming to mind. I'm a pretty adventerous eater.
13.Would you rather cook or bake?
Bake, unless it's cooking for a big meal. I love making Thanksgiving dinner, for instance.
14.What was the most terrible mess you've ever made in the kitchen?
Nothing specific comes to mind, although when I do a big meal, every pot and surface tends to end up dirty and covered. I do my best to keep up with dishes as I cook, so it usually stays under control.
15.What do your kids like to eat best? What would your kids never eat?
Not yet applicable.
16.What do you dislike most?
Mushrooms. Ham. Yellow mustard. Caraway seeds.
1. Can you cook? If yes do you like to cook?
Yes, although I find I often don't have the energy or inspiration. Although I do enjoy it. I especially enjoy preparing big meals for lots of friends.
2. When does your whole family come together to eat?
We eat dinner together most nights. On the couch.
3. What do you have for breakfast?
Cereal with fruit or granola with yogurt and fruit. And tea.
4. When, where and how do you eat through the week?
See 2 - we eat on the couch, usually between 7 and 8 pm after walking the dog.
5. How often do you eat out?
Once a week or once every two weeks.
6.How often do you order in or get take out?
Once a week.
7.Re: 5 &. 6 - if money were no object would like to do it more often?
Probably not. We might just go out for sushi more often.
8.Are there any standards that make a regular appearance at your table?
There are the fall back meals - periogies, sour cream pasta, cereal (I don't think that counts as cooking though). And our favourites - fajitas, grilled anything, spaghetti. Our meals are very seasonal, since I don't want to turn on the oven or stove in the hot months.
9.Have you ever tried a recipe from another blog?
Nope, not yet, although I probably will later this week.
10.Are there any quarrels because of food?
We 'quarrelled' about how to divide the leg of lamb the other night.
11.Are you a vegetarian or could you imagine living as a vegetarian?
I was a vegetarian for a few years in university, but now I'm an enthusiastic meat eater. I would certianly be happy eating meat only once or twice a week, but Graeme is a total carnivore and would likely mutiny if I were to try.
12.What would you like to try out that you haven't dared yet?
Nothing is coming to mind. I'm a pretty adventerous eater.
13.Would you rather cook or bake?
Bake, unless it's cooking for a big meal. I love making Thanksgiving dinner, for instance.
14.What was the most terrible mess you've ever made in the kitchen?
Nothing specific comes to mind, although when I do a big meal, every pot and surface tends to end up dirty and covered. I do my best to keep up with dishes as I cook, so it usually stays under control.
15.What do your kids like to eat best? What would your kids never eat?
Not yet applicable.
16.What do you dislike most?
Mushrooms. Ham. Yellow mustard. Caraway seeds.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
17 weeks
I missed week 16 since I was out and about. (I started this post yesterday, but wanted to add a belly pic. But I realized today that if I wait for the belly shot, I'll have to add week 18. I'll post a belly shot on Thursday when week 18 begins.)
Week 16:
- Fat begins to form underneath skin (the fetus, not me. That has already happened to me).
- The fetus has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
- The heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day and beats at a rate about double my heartrate.
- Sucking, swallowing and blinking are now evident.
- The fetus has learned to breathe.
Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
Week 17:
- The fetus weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
- Pads are forming on the tiny fingertips and toes.
- The eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
- Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel.
- The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger
- If the fetus is male the prostate begins to develop.
- The skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone.
Week 16:
- Fat begins to form underneath skin (the fetus, not me. That has already happened to me).
- The fetus has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
- The heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day and beats at a rate about double my heartrate.
- Sucking, swallowing and blinking are now evident.
- The fetus has learned to breathe.
Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
Week 17:
- The fetus weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
- Pads are forming on the tiny fingertips and toes.
- The eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
- Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel.
- The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger
- If the fetus is male the prostate begins to develop.
- The skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Ladies who lunch
Today Karen and I left the kids with Dad and Donna and went to the Chateau Laurier for afternoon tea. We were saying that we were ladies who lunch, but without the fancy hats. Karen pointed out that you really need to drink sherry to be a lady who lunches. True. We quickly remedied the situation.
We chose the traditional tea (there is also the Canadian Tea and the Champagne Tea). It came with three types of crustless sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and some sweets. Oh, and tea of course.
It was fantastic. We've decided to make it a tradition. When I'm in Ottawa, we'll go to Chateau Laurier for tea, and when she is in Austin, we will go to the Four Seasons for theirs.
Earlier in the day, Emily created a masterpiece which I'm sure you'll see someday at the National Gallery. She calls it 'Dad':
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Play group
This morning we went to play group, which is just starting again, apparently. Imagine a whole room full of 2 year olds. Then imagine them with paint.
My dad and Donna arrived this evening. The highlight tomorrow will be when we leave Emily and Hope with Dad and Donna and we go to the fancy fancy hotel downtown for afternoon tea. oooee.
My dad and Donna arrived this evening. The highlight tomorrow will be when we leave Emily and Hope with Dad and Donna and we go to the fancy fancy hotel downtown for afternoon tea. oooee.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
In Ottawa
I arrived yesterday evening in Ottawa. I'm here for a week visiting Karen, John, Emily and Hope. Here are pictures from this morning (at least this morning, a Sunday):
After the mellow start to the day, we (except for John who stayed at home to get some work done) we went to the tea shop where we had tea and scones. The we walked to the parliment buildings and enjoyed the view.
I'm not sure the plan for tomorrow yet, but I expect that Emily and I will do some baking, some crafts and a walk or two. Stay tuned for more cute pictures.
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