28 Weeks and Hospital Class

We have officially decided on the name Parker Andrew Stant.

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

On Sunday, we went to St. Joe's for a 'Prepared Child Birth' class. It was actually very informative and fun! We learned so many coping techniques and options we have when its time to go to the hospital. I got a lot of back rubs, which was AMAZING! Thanks Gordon! I feel so much better about going into labor. Next up we have what is called the 'Baby Business Tour' where we register for the hospital, social security number and birth certificate. As well as touring the Labor and Delivery unit. This will take place sometime in November.

We went for the 28 week check up on Monday. They measured my uterus and it was 29 inches which would indicate that I might be a week farther along than we originally thought, although it could just be a large baby (go figure). Other than that things are looking great and the Dr. is happy about how we are progressing through this pregnancy.

Next appointment is November 24th, 32 week check up

I hope to post belly pictures soon! Stay posted!

Weeks 26 and 27

26 Weeks-
The network of nerves in the baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both my voice and Gordon's as we 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.

27 Weeks-
This week, our baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, Parker's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalking up any tiny rhythmic movements I am 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 him.

My belly is sure growing, I feel like it is twice the size it was the day before. Its getting heavy too! He is finding his way up to my ribs every once in awhile, not too painful yet. I feel him moving all the time but as soon as anyone else trys to feel he stops moving or goes somewhere else. I am still feeling great, getting tired more often, a daily nap is a must and in bed by 9:00. No weird cravings really, except when I want something I must have it, for example a Wendy's Frosty! This weekend we are taking our hospital class at St. Joesph's (where I am delivering). Hope it goes well. I'll let you know how it goes!
Thanks for reading!

25 weeks

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

My tummy is slowly starting to grow but I'm not nearly as large as I thought I would be at this point in the pregnacy.

I feel great. I feel like I may be getting some Braxton Hick contractions every once in a while. Parker is still kicking around a bunch and I can feel him more at night when I am trying to wind down for then night.

We registered for our Hospital class which is October 18th, I don't like classes like that but since Gordon has to suffer through it with me it will be better!

Next appointment is October 24th for the 28 week check up!

24 Weeks

Our Parker is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound (but probably more is mom's guess). Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Can you believe how fast this is going? I thought this was the long part!? Mr. Parker likes to squirm and poke mom a lot but as soon as mom convinces dad to come over and feel her tummy the little one decides to stop moving. Dad thinks Parker doesn't like him yet. Haha who knows.

23 Weeks

His sense of movement is well developed by now, Parker can feel my every move. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), I sometimes am able to see him squirm underneath my clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that Parker's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as Karma barking (which is rare) or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb

Next Appointment is Sept. 21st for the 6 month check up.


*sorry for not updating sooner!

22 Weeks (5 1/2 months)

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound (if not more), our baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside my womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.



Time is flying!! I can't believe how fast its going. I'm still feeling good, some days are better than others but overall it good. I'm feeling A LOT of movement, he tells me when it's time to eat and after I have eatten that he is happy. I think that you can start to feel the movements from the outside. He seems to sleep when I'm asleep so thats nice.

Thanks for reading!

21 Weeks!

Our baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. (According to the ultrasound tech the baby is actually 15 oz.) I am starting to feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements are turning into full-fledged kicks and nudges. I am also discovering a pattern to his activity as I am getting to know him better. He is most active after I eat a meal, or sugar. In other developments, my baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

My weight is starting to slowly climb back up to my beginning weight, probably because I have a massive baby growing inside me. I am also starting to get more hungry more often. I will eat a full meal and stuff my self silly and a hour later I will be starving again. No weird cravings yet if anything it is sugar; candy and root beer!

Gordon and I went to Babies R Us today and registered. Wow, it was really overwhelming! I was so exhausted and I can't believe how much stuff little babies need. Where the heck am I going to put all of it??

As you can see from the picture, the baby bump is in full swing!

Did you guess the gender correctly?