Siblings

Christian surprisingly patted my belly the other day and said that he couldn't wait to see his little brother. Lately, He seems to be concerned about the pain. He comments that he is glad that he is a guy and can not carry children and he feels for women. He is continually stating that it is amazing that the belly gets so big.

Stefan still seems to be a bit reluctant, though he has reached out to feel my stomach without prompting a few times in the last few weeks. He was actually able to grasp a little foot the other day and I think he found it to be pretty amazing.

Bailey has been very grown-up about the whole experience. She likes having siblings. She and Piper are very close. I believe that she will also form a wonderful bond with her newest sibling, even though hasn't expressed an interest in touching or talking to my belly.

Piper is very excited about the coming of the baby. She has been snuggling my belly a lot while singing and talking to her brother. She giggles when she sees him move and tries to catch his little feet. I have begun preparing her through conversation for the birthday. I hope to head off any fears she might have about hospital stay for me and the baby. I am hoping for a short one, so that our family can be reunited quickly. Piper has slept away from home only about three times in her life. Generally, she has a billion comments and or questions for every new experience. I hate that I will not be the one to comfort her through the wait and to answer her questions.

34 Weeks

We had a check up on December 28th. Vital signs are wonderful and he appears to have his head in the downward position. We go back in two weeks for another check-up. We will see the doctor every two weeks for a a while now.

Rubbing Noses

We woke to an unexpected snow day. All of the kids, including the grown and unborn joined in the fun of snow angels, snowball fights and snowman building.

December 22nd
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About 8 weeks to go...

Our holiday is going by like a whirl wind. It seems a foreshadowing of what February holds.

Wake Up Big Sister!

uh huh...IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY...


Bailey's 12th birthday
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Holiday Spirit Shirt

Okay, Christmas is not traditionally a costuming holiday, but this was just too cute an idea to pass up. Notice any similarities here? Inspired by the great holiday novelty, the snow globe, we just had to make this shirt. Jen wore this shirt the last day of school before the Christmas break. This was a fun project.

Christmas at Golden China

This has been a tradition for our family for years. We gather with Lois's family during the Christmas season for Chinese buffet style dinner. It dates back to a true turn of events when a Chinese restaurant was the only establishment open for business for us during the holiday season. We laughed about it being like "The Christmas Story" and vowed to keep the tradition alive. Though our families have changed over the years and the restaurant has too, we have kept up the tradition of gathering for a Chinese buffet during the holiday.


Holiday Tradition
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Do Babies Dream?

According to this article I found at birthpsychology.com. Life Before Birth; The Fetal Senses by David B. Chamberlain, Ph.D.

...researchers have discovered that babies are dreaming as early as 23 weeks g.a.when rapid eye movement sleep is first observed (Birnholz, 1981). Studies of premature babies have revealed intense dreaming activity, occupying 100% of sleep time at 30 weeks g.a., and gradually diminishing to around 50% by term. Dreaming is a vigorous activity involving apparently coherent movements of the face and extremities in synchrony with the dream itself, manifested in markedly pleasant or unpleasant expressions. Dreaming is also an endogenous activity, neither reactive or evoked, expressing inner mental or emotional conditions. Observers say babies behave like adults do when they are dreaming (Roffwarg, Muzio, and Dement 1966) Click on the title of this post to view the rest of the article.

I wonder what they dream about. Those outside the womb tend to dream about things for which there is a frame of reference. Are their dreams of light and sound or do they actually get images? If they do get images; what are those images?

31 weeks

The doctor's appointment went well. I was in and out in a flash. The baby's heart sounded great and my belly is growing, as it should. My iron and blood sugar tests had wonderful results. We are still on schedule and our next appointment is December 28th.

The best part of the visit occurred when Dr. McDonald told to me that he and his wife are expecting their fourth child. She is nineteen weeks along. He seems proud. We spoke briefly about how parenting takes precedence over a career. It was nice to hear his point of view; it seemed genuine. There he was dressed in scrubs, apparently fresh in from the near by hospital and he had an expression on his face that beamed through his costume to reveal the dad role that he would rather be experiencing at the moment.

I remember thinking; God has a way of putting us in great hands.

Too Early for Nesting ???

Tonight, I found a site that states that nesting can begin as early as five months into the pregnancy. Click on the title of this link to read it for yourself. I had always heard that nesting didn't begin until late in pregnancy and this belief was confirmed by the birth of my first born, son. I began cleaning out closets the night that I went into labor. The apartment had been spotless up until that point and I had gotten the sudden urge to clean out boxes that were being stored in the closet. He was born four hours from the onset of labor. Needless to say, boxes were all over the livingroom when I returned with my beautiful baby boy in my arms.

Currently, I am often asked how much further I have to go and my response is met with a look of surprise or shock; it is hard to tell which. I feel big and everyone thinks I look big. I had to go back to photos of my previous pregnancy to confirm in my own mind that, I just get big and that's that. The fourth time around at age 35 is a lot different in many ways than at 18, 19 and even 31.

The strangest thing happened last night. I couldn't sleep so; I got up and ate two bowls of Sugar Smacks. I have never been one for mid-night snacking; generally I am enjoying the movie on the back of my eye-lids too much to even stir until the light begins to peer through the blinds, or that alarm clock makes a nuisance of itself, as it is scheduled to do every morning before dawn. After I wolfed down those bowls of cereal, I cleaned the kitchen. I also had an urge to rearrange the house, but was afraid that I would wake everyone, except the dog, who starred at me like I was disturbing her until I gave her two dog biscuits through her crate and scruffled her head. I finally returned to bed at about 3:30am only to be awaken again at 5:30. At least it wasn't cold or rainy when I pulled away from the drive this morning to start my whirl-wind day of dropping off kids followed by greeting more kids with my painted on smile and puffy eyes.

Upon returning home today, the nesting syndrome continued. Cubby Hubby had class and the boys were hanging Christmas lights at a friend’s house. It is funny how kids don't mind helping out at other people's houses. So, I pushed, shoved and scooted furniture until the dinning room and living room were totally rearranged and all cracks and crevasses were thoroughly swept. Our four year old daughter was extremely excited by the whole process and was underfoot "helping" all the way. We even managed to move our fully- decorated 6.5ft tree by ourselves to a table top. I just hope that when the guys return home they don't trip literally and figuratively; not to mention what my step-daughter will think when she returns at the end of the week.

Anyway, I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. It will be nice to talk to Dr. McDonald and have a confirmation that all things are on schedule and as they have been anticipated.

Pregnant Dads

10 Tips for New Dads

1. Remember that babies aren't really breakable. Don't be afraid to hold yours! Ask someone who is around to show you some great holds for little ones whether it be a midwife, doctor, nurse, doula, mom, relative, friend, etc.
2. If you are feeling left out talk to your partner about it. Chances are it's not on purpose.
3. New moms often have emotional ups and downs that are not predictable. Be supportive and offer an ear when possible. Learn the warning signs of postpartum depression and seek help if the situation is heading out of control.
4. Support her with breastfeeding. Tell her that you're proud of her and protect her from well meaning but negative comments about breastfeeding. Take a breastfeeding class during the prenatal period if possible.
5. Help with the other children or household. Remind mom to let the house go and to focus on her recovery and the new baby.
6. New dads can also experience the blues or postpartum depression. Much in your life has changed and it’s important to realize this and get help if you need it as well.
7. Remember that the only thing you can't do is breastfeed. You can change diapers, soothe a crying baby, carry the baby, play with the baby, anything the baby needs done.
8. If you need help ask for it. Know who to call in your area for help and support whether it be a doctor or midwife, a postpartum doula, lactation consultant, or the local babysitter.
9. Mom is going to need extra sleep and care while her body recovers. Get up with the baby when you can. Bring the baby to her in the middle of the night if possible. If you must go back to work check in with her during the day. Perhaps surprise her with some healthy take out food or fresh flowers.
10. Remember that adding a new baby to the mix is always going to stir your life up a bit, even if it's not your first baby. Learning to live with another human being takes time. Give yourself a break if you need it as well.

-pregnancy.about.com

Click on the title of this post get the dad's side of pregnancy and other interesting tidbits.

Count Down...10 weeks

30 weeks-photo taken by Stefan
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