got outside with parker today for a few hours. the kid ran and ran and ran and well, he’s still running. i figured carter was down for the count for a few hours we may as well get out and enjoy the warm sunshine because it’s not going to last much longer. so i took the “dreaded camera” along and much to my surprise parker was asking me to “take picture”. so i did. enjoy.
he’s here. he finally made his debut. and early. bonus. today was my scheduled c-section, but instead carter is now 5 days old.
last wednesday night i began having contractions off and on. nothing consistent so i didn’t think much of it. for about an hour at a time they came and went at about 7 minutes apart. then they’d stop. then out of the blue they’d start again. then stop. you get the picture. the next morning i woke up and looked at doug and said “i just feel off”. the contractions had started around 8:00am and came 7 minutes apart and didn’t really stop. so i called my dr. and he sent me straight into the hospital to be checked out. off we went. well, after a shower. after i packed a bag. after we packed a bag for parker. after i grabbed a soda.after stopping to pay the car payments. ok. then we were off. contractions still coming full force. we arrived, were put in a room, i was checked and told “you’re not leaving. you’re in labor”.
my ob was contacted and he was in surgery. he said to try to slow my labor down and he would be there late afternoon to perform my c-section. i was then put into a labor and delivery room. this was at about 11:00am. doug ran down to the car to grab the camera, made a few phone calls and when he walked into my room it was flooded with doctors and nurses gearing me up to go into the or. my epidural was in and we were on our way. turns out my doctor wanted to make me a priority and stopped everything to come in and take care of me as soon as possible.
i remember being wheeled into the or. it seemed like yesterday that i was there having parker. the bright lights. the blue curtain. the sterile smell. and doug right by my side holding my hand. i didn’t feel a thing. before i knew it, it was over. doug stood up, looked over the sheet and then back at me and said “he’s here. he looks just like parker”. i instantly started to cry. then i saw him. his fat little face. his head full of hair. and my very proud husband and daddy taking pictures, rubbing carter’s head, holding his tiny hand. it was amazing.
during the delivery i remember hearing the doctors and nurses chatting about how big this baby was. one doctor even had to get up on the table and straddle me in order to get more leverage when tugging on carter. i heard comments like “look at those shoulders” and “holy christ”. did i mention carter weighed in at 10lbs 9ozs? the room was filled with joy and laughter and all kinds of talk about how big the reinholz baby was.
once out of recovery i was wheeled up to the nursery where i saw my parker. i came around the corner and when his eyes met mine he lit up like a light. “mommy!!!!”. my heart just melted and filled with joy at the same time. he told me over and over about “carter mohawk” being his baby brother. incase you’re wondering, when in the nursery, the nurse was giving carter a bath and spiked his hair up into a mohawk. parker thought it was just the coolest thing. we walked back into my room as a family of four. we got to spend time together, just the four of us, bonding as a new family. a moment i will never ever forget. my three boys.
i’m proud to say that at 1:01pm on september 22nd carter entered this world weighing 10lbs 9ozs and 21 1/4″ long. he is happy and healthy and has already brought so much joy into our lives. i cannot wait to see what the future holds for the reinholz clan, but i have a feeling it will be nothing but all the wonderful good this world has to offer.
today i am 38 weeks pregnant. 38 weeks. 38 WEEKS! i cannot believe it. i still can’t wrap my brain around the fact that any day now, literally, this child is going to enter the world. 2 weeks from yesterday is my scheduled c-section. i doubt i’m going to make it until the 27th. i hope not, but if i do then i will just continue to waddle, moan and groan. i can say in all honesty this has been a hard pregnancy. not medically speaking thankfully, just generally speaking. 7-8 months pregnant during one of the hottest summer’s st. louis has ever seen. braxton hicks all day everyday. sleeping 2-3 hours a night. very sore and swollen joints. a lot of these things i never dealt with when i was knocked up with parker, so it’s been a bit of a surprise during this pregnancy. again, i count my blessings that these are my “problems” because i understand fully it could always be worse.
with all of this said my bags are packed and ready to make the trip to the hospital. i’m not nearly as over-prepared as i was with parker. just a few things i want to take. with parker i packed as though i was never coming home. this time just some comfy pants and tops, basic toiletries and well, that’s it. doug is planning on spending as much time at the hospital as possible, but now with parker in the picture we are striving to keep him on a routine. which means that they will “visit mommy and baby” and go home for bed. plus, what 2 year old is going to hang out perfectly content in a hospital room all day everyday for four days? not mine. that’s for sure. there will be plenty of bonding time once we come home so i’m not sweating the small stuff.
all in all i find that i’m very calm about everything. the one thing i am anxious about is another c-section. something about cutting me in half and removing a human being from my body cavity is still hard to digest. not to mention the recovery is a b*tch. i have heard it is easier than the first c-section so i am praying that is the case.
38 weeks down. hopefully not much longer to go. send us some good ju-ju.
at week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. if (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. during the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.
today i celebrate my fourth wedding anniversary. my amazing husband and i have been best friends for over 17 years now. if you would have asked me on the first day of highschool if i’d marry that kid i would have looked at you like you were crazy. and now, i can’t picture my life without him.
babe,
you have given my life meaning. purpose. something worth living for. you have given me unconditional love and support through the thick and the thin. your patience and kindness are unmatched. with every single day that passes i find myself loving you more. i could have never, in a million years, picked such a man to spend the rest of my life with. i consider myself so fortunate to have you not only as my best friend, but as my husband and father of my child(ren). thank you for being the man that you are. you are truly what i live each day for. happy anniversary, babe. cheers to 4 years and a lifetime of gray hair, babies and adventures to come.
xoxo,
me
i am 32 weeks pregnant. 8 weeks to go. maybe less. i am trying to convince my doctor to take him 2 weeks early in order to have him on my mom’s birthday. he said he has no problem taking a baby at 38 weeks (i would be 38 and 3 days), but he needs to clear it with the hospital first. fingers crossed. parker was born on my mother-in-law’s birthday so we thought it would be it would be great if this one could come on my mom’s birthday.
and if you didn’t notice fellow st. louisian’s - it’s hot. really hot. the 100+ temps have puffed me up like a – well – a puffer fish. i am really uncomfortable these days. in fact, i slept on the couch last night because i was afraid the tossing and turning would keep my husband awake. i feel like i have swallowed a 25lb bowling ball that has sunk to the lowest part of my abdomen. this child also kicks (hard, very hard) non-stop. which, yes, is an amazing and wonderful thing, BUT there also comes a point when mama needs a breather. they say that at this point in my pregnancy the baby has established a sleeping pattern. wrong. this kid never sleeps. i swear. i am praying to baby jesus this is not an indication of what’s to come.
all in all it’s almost over. and while i am excited to meet him i am also sad that the kicking, the hiccups, the rolling, the tossing and turning will all be gone. i am also a tad bit sad that parker will no longer be my “baby”. while i cannot wait to begin this journey i am also sad that a chapter is closing on our little family of three. i am also not prepared to start all over again. yes, we have all the baby gear in the world already, but what i mean is the fact that we will begin rasing another tiny human being who wakes up every two hours all over again. is it sad that i already want him to be two? but like parker, it will all go by in the blink of an eye so i retract that last statement.
i cannot wait to meet the little man who i know is going to weigh at least 10lbs. 8 weeks and counting. pray for me.
30 weeks. today. wow. i can’t quite figure out if it’s flying by or dragging. there are days when it cannot go any faster (mostly because of the heat, the kankles, and the fact that carrying myself up the stairs causes me to become seriously winded) and there are days i want it to slow down (10 weeks to go people, that’s insane). all in all things are great. i’m progressing just fine. at my last doctor appointment i was up 4lbs. my belly is as hard as a rock (all baby).i’m having some braxton hicks here and there. oh, and i wound up having to do the 3 hour gestational diabetes test. that was awesome. thankfully i passed with flying colors. now, back to oreos and ho-ho’s.
and today parker put his hand on my belly and said “baby brother swimming”. yes parker. swimming. we’ll just go with that.
baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though — as you’ve also probably noticed — they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.
last friday we took the kids to the magic house for free friday fun. these days it’s been beyond hot, so letting them run, explore and laugh in the a/c was not only good for them, but good for the adults (sanity) too. i haven’t been to the magic house since i was probably 5 maybe 6 so i was looking forward to watching parker’s face light up in excitement. an entire space catered to kids. nothing they can break. everything can be touched. perfect. on your mark. get set. go.
we had a wonderful time. i’m hoping to make it a point to go back more often. 25 years is a tad too long to let go by.
enjoy.
had a little run-in with one of parker’s most favorite “people”. mater. how could i not snap some pictures?
Doug and I have been wanting to take a vacation before bambino #2 comes. Plus, we wanted to do something before it got too hot and I was too big and too swollen to even deal with the heat. Plus, we haven’t really had a family trip, just the three of us with Parker. So, on somewhat of a whim, we decided on Chicago, KC, or the Dells. After much consideration the Dells won out based on the simple fact that the trip was so kid friendly. Perfect. We made reservations at the Great Wolf Lodge, packed the car, and off we went. 6 hours later we were there.
We walked in and Parker went nuts. Tall ceilings flanked with antlers, animals and the smell of a waterpark floating in the air. It was amazing. This place had it all. Restaurants, spas, comfy beds, an ice cream parlor and more. We were given our waterpark bracelets and we were on our way. We walked through the large double doors and the 85 degree air hit us in our faces. We found a nice spot by the wave pool and set up camp. Parker wasn’t too sure of everything at first, but then again it was pretty overwhelming to all of us, but after a few minuets he took to it all like a guppy.
The entire trip was amazing. We shopped, we ate, we swam and swam some more. Parker enjoyed storytime and a cold treat every night. He even went down some pretty big slides as well as rode in a go-kart. I am so proud of the little man he is becoming. This was hands-down the best trip we’ve taken. I have some pretty amazing memories to hold on to. It’s no wonder I cried a little when we left.
Enjoy.
wanna see my big boy go down the slide? go here and here and see for yourself.
as always, go here to see more.
dear daddy,
i love you. i love you with all of my heart. i love everything about you. i love wrestling with you. i love when you hug me tight. i love when you kiss my boo boo’s. i love when you let me crawl into bed with you when i am scared. i love when you scratch my back. i love when you push me higher than mommy does on my swing. i love that you play hockey with me. i love when you cook me butter noodles. i love when you share your snowcone with me. i love that you let me watch cartoons instead of what you really want to watch. i love playing monster trucks with you. i love that you let me wear your hats. i love playing hide and go seek with you. i love going for bike rides with you. i love when you tickle me. i love that you fly a helicopter.
most of all daddy, i love you. i am so happy that you are my daddy. you are the best daddy in the whole wide world. i am so lucky to have you in my life. happy father’s day daddy.
xoxo,
parker
today marks 25 weeks down. 25. wow. i cannot believe how fast it’s going. i know i say that all the time, but it really is just flying by. i have gained 3lbs in the past month, but i was down 15lbs to start with. so i guess that would make me down 12lbs? i have officially popped. baby boy must be getting bigger i suppose. he is moving like crazy. lots of jabs and pokes and rolling, poking, kneading coming from within. all in all i feel good. some lower back pain, but nothing an ice pack can’t soothe.
let your spouse put an ear to your belly — he might be able to pick up baby’s heartbeat (no stethoscope required). inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. baby’s also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink — perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.
i took parker to a splash pond the other afternoon. it’s tucked away inside a local park. i actually never knew it existed. for the first time in a few days it was overcast and not as hot as it’s been. the pond was shaded by trees as well which always helps cool down the concrete on the kiddos toes. he was sporting his spongebob swim trunks and lightning mcqueen sandals (which he refused to take off). he was very hesitant at first, but with a little mommy prodding he took to it like a little guppy. for two hours he played with all the other kids. dunking his head in the cold water, splashing around, and squealing in delight. it’s times like these that make my heart break a little knowing they will not last forever. until then, i cherish these moments.
you wanna see just how much fun he was having? go here and here to see for yourself.
this is how we celebrated memorial day. i’ll just let the pictures do the talking. enjoy.
today i have hit the 23 week mark. i feel great overall. if i have one complaint, i’m hot. and i’m not typically that person. i’m always, always cold. it can be 112 degrees outside and odds are i am still sleeping under a down comforter in flannel pajamas. now. now i’m hot. and that’s in the a/c. if i’m outside, forget about it. i’m miserable in about 5.3 seconds flat. but enough of the complaints. i feel great. my belly is popping. the baby is kicking. and all is well in our little world.
watch what you say — baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. and, baby’s starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. it shouldn’t be hard to figure out when — just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
22 weeks. that’s where i stand today. i cannot believe it. it really is zipping by at the blink of an eye. in the beginning it sort of crept by. maybe that’s because i didn’t feel great, i dunno. but i can say that now it’s just passing me by. the day will be here before we know it and i just cannot wait to meet baby boy #2. speaking of. he is kicking and moving like crazy. i forgot what such an amazing feeling that was until i started to feel it again. he’s an active little one, just like his big brother. something tells me i am going to have my hands full. i am down 4lbs (go figure) but i am starting to round out nicely.
watch what you say — baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. and, baby’s starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. it shouldn’t be hard to figure out when — just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
last week doug and i had our ‘big’ ultrasound. first we headed to my monthly obgyn appointment. i’m down 4lbs, but the baby was kicking like crazy and the heartbeat was 141bpm. my doctor seemed thrilled with everything so she sent me on my way.
off to st. john’s we went. doug was sweating bullets. we had both hoped for a boy, but of course we hope for happy and healthy first and foremost. we arrived, registered, and were on our way to the perinatal center. we sat anxiously awaiting our turn. from behind the swinging doors came a woman calling my name. it was our turn. the moment of truth.
i got comfortable on the bed and the warm gel was spread generously across my entire mid-region. the baby was low and the technician was having a hard time getting a good peek at all the major organs. so she tilted the table up. high. and it was very uncomfortable. all the pressure. all the blood rushing to my head. but i didn’t care because on the television screen was my baby and in the background was the sound of a tiny little heart beating away.
everything checked out perfectly. of course we were thrilled. but we wanted to know. boy or girl. we had asked the technician to place the news in a sealed envelope in which we would open together at dinner that evening. we left st. john’s dying to know what was tucked inside the sealed white envelope.
just like with parker we went to hacienda for some good ‘ol mexican food. we ordered our drinks, got comfortable and then doug said ‘you ready?’
was i ready? duh. with a shaking hand doug began slowly tearing at the envelope. he pulled out one single ultrasound picture. then i saw it. i saw his ears go up and a smile crack his face. i knew in that moment what we were having. he handed me the picture and as clear as day there it was. we were in fact having another baby boy. we kissed and laughed and thanked goodness for another little boy. a buddy for parker is what we had hoped and wished for. and to know he is healthy and strong is only icing on the cake.
another little boy. i.cannot.wait.
the above image is the one and only time i will ever ‘expose’ my child. promise.
today i am 18 weeks pregnant. 18. in 1.5 weeks we will find out if the bun is a boy bun or girl bun. i have my preference, and so does doug, but of course all we hope for is ten fingers, ten toes, sugar and spice, etc. i’m feeling great overall. i feel like i am gaining a little weight finally, noting drastic, but i do feel ‘plumper’. yeah for easter candy!
your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. and, baby’s finally big enough that you’ll be able to feel those movements soon.
i’m a tad behind. it’s been a long week. doug had knee surgery and much to our suprise, he has been ordered to stay on crutches for a minimum of 6 weeks. right now he’s recovering, slowly. and me, i’m busy keeping up with the house, meals, parker and making sure doug is resting comfortably.
needless to say i fell behind. as of last wednesday i was 17 weeks pregnant. i cannot believe how quickly it is starting to go by. i’m rounding out a little and overall feeling pretty good. right now i’m fighting some form of a cold or sinus infection, but i’m staying on top of it to avoid a full-blow sick household. my energy is good and my apetite is much improved. 3 weeks we will find out if the bun is a he or she. cannot wait.
baby’s skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.
i’m sitting at st. louis spine and orthopedic surgery center. doug survived his knee surgery. in january he slipped on the skid of the helicopter at work and his knee has never been the same. after months of therapy it was decided to operate. turns out he had a small meniscus tear in his left knee. he survived. he is awake. i’m simply waiting to see him. the best part? crutches for 6 weeks. should be fun.
thanks to everyone for the thoughts, the prayers and phonecalls.
xoxo
last saturday we hosted parker’s birthday party for roughly 60 of our closest friends and family. in february, when i booked the party, i didn’t think than on april 16th it was be a tad rainy and a bit chilly. but. that didn’t stop us. we pushed on. and it was a success. the kids played. the adults snuggled up under blankets. we ate some incredible food. and we sang happy birthday to my sweet man.
despite the weather the day was amazing. everyone coming together for parker meant the world to both doug and myself. i still cannot believe i am the proud owner of a two year old. time is flying by and i can’t seem to keep a tight grip on it. i drink life in each and every single day because parker is my living example of just how quickly it all passes me by.
happiest of birthday’s to you, parker. we love you tremendously.
and to everyone who bared the elements to celebrate, thank you. doug and i love each and every single one of you.
*if you wanna know who made his cake, just shout. i’ll give you the info.
today i am 16 weeks pregnant. it’s funny because there are days in which i totally forget (well, maybe not totally). i havent really started to show, although there are days in which i feel/look more round than others. i have my 16 week doctor appointment today. i’m hoping i’ve gained a little weight. i was down 12lbs as of about 2 weeks ago, but i’ve noticed a slight change in my eating habits. i’m eating more of it. everything.
all in all i still feel pretty good. some days i’m more sluggish than others, but i suppose there will be days like that.
watch what you say… tiny bones forming in baby’s ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. and, if you’re interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.
dear parker,
today you turn two. two years ago today is a day i will never ever forget no matter how long i live. i remember each moment, hour, minuet, even second of that day. i remember standing in the hallway at 8am when i looked at your daddy and said ”wake-up, it’s time to go”. i remember stopping at mcdonalds for a chicken biscuit and dr. pepper. i remember daddy missing the hospital exit. i remember how the entire day i anxiously awaited your arrival. i remember thinking “i cannot believe the day has finally come.”
and here we are 2 years later. 2 years! it’s so hard to believe. i never thought in my lifetime i could love someone so very much. words truly cannot express the feelings i have for you. you light up my entire life. you make my world go round. you are my everything. and at 2 years old you have grown so much. you are so wise. so smart. you never stop ceasing to amaze me. you also never stop talking, running, jumping, and climbing. you make me laugh. you even make me cry (happy tears) with each new and amazing stride you make. i adore you, parker.
happy birthday hammy-hocks. i love you. daddy loves you. we love you.
xoxo,
mommy
i wrote this post a few days ago knowing i would be on a plane to sunny phoenix to see my sisters and their much better halves. so, since i will be enjoying much needed fun in the sun i will not be updating the blog for a few days or so.
so. 15 weeks. 15 weeks!?! insane. i just said to doug last night “can you believe that in 4 weeks i will be 1/2 through this pregnancy?” at which point he turned white. kidding of course. but it is crazy just how fast it is going by.
i feel good. i’m having some lower back pain, but all in all i blame toting around a 30lb toddler for that. i still cannot fathom eating some foods. and because of that i am down an additional 2lbs. i live on fresh fruit, salads, etc. i think it’s because i’m eating healthy that’s contributing to the weight loss.
25 (or less) weeks to go!
continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby’s legs now outmeasure the arms. and, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can’t feel the movements.
today i am 14 weeks pregnant. today i feel pretty good. i have noticed my energy is still hit or miss, but more times than none i can keep up with the day. food and i are still having our issues. i’m not loving meat one bit, unless it’s a mexican pizza from taco bell of course. so i live mostly on pb & j’s, cereal, fruit, milk, muffins, etc. so i would guess i’m still either down 10lbs or quite possibly more, but then again i am starting to fill out in the belly area so maybe not. i suppose the next doctor appointment will reveal the weight truth. 14 weeks. wow. it’s flying by.
your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.
friday morning i was checking facebook (duh) and saw an announcement on a local radio stations fb page. it announced that in celebration of the movie cars 2 coming out that the real mater and lightning mcqueen were making a special appearance at the museum of transportation.
let me stop here and just say my child is obsessed (literally) with three things. daddy. monster trucks. and cars. so this was a no brainer. we were taking him. then we got 4″ of snow on saturday. guess we weren’t going then. sunday rolled around and although it was a little chilly, the sun was still shining and the snow was mostly melted.
we arrived at 11:00 on the dot when the event began, yet we still waited roughly an hour to see the famous disney characters. we stood in line, each of us taking parker to walk around, see the trains and mostly just to let the kid stretch his legs. 2 year olds don’t understand waiting in line. they sure as heck don’t understand standing still.
then we made it. we turned the corner and there they sat. the real live mater and mcqueen. if my kid could have found the words to express his excitement i think he would have said ‘holy sh*t’, but since he had no words, his silence and look on his tiny face were more than what words could have expressed. he was star struck. we snapped a lot of pictures. we stared. we snapped more pictures. we stared some more. and after about 20 min of just staring we said ‘bye bye cars’ and left.
it was well worth the hour of waiting time. it meant the world to my tiny man. but i think it meant more to his parents.
today marks the 13 week mark. 13 weeks? it seems like it’s a lot, but then there are days when it feels like it’s dragging. i am feeling better for the most part. i feel like my energy is coming back. my appetite is still a struggle. in the morning when i pack my lunch i find myself queasy. 9 times out of 10 i just pack a ton of fruit, granola bars and a muffin and run out the door. i can typically get those down for the most part. i keep telling myself it’s mind over matter, but i just can’t fool myself. i am also beginning to show – at least i can tell.
27 weeks to go.
your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords… savor this, their non-functional phase. baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby’s tummy. (much more convenient.)
yesterday i had a doctor appointment. doug and i decided it would be a great opportunity to take parker to hear his little brother/sister’s heartbeat.
now in my head i pictured unicorns, rainbows, my child listening intently and behaving like an angel.
i did not get any of those things.
what i did get was parker spinning the doctors stool round and round as fast as his little hands could go. i did get parker saying over and over ‘i go bye bye’ as he yanked intently on the door handle. what i did get was parker pointing to the naked diagram of a woman with child and yelling ‘mama! baby!’.what i did get was parker telling my doctor ‘i want lunch. i want cold juice’. but that’s ok. i wouldn’t have it any other way. they are my memories and i adore them.
baby is doing well. heartbeat is strong. i am down 8lbs (food and i struggle). but all in all things are going great.
today i am twelve weeks pregnant. twelve. it’s moving right along. i wish i could slow it down some days. i want to cherish as much time as possible with parker. play with him. teach him. and smother him with my affection. then there are days i want to speed it up. meet the little squishy face living in my belly. introduce parker to him/her. and watch another life grow, learn, and live.
all in all i feel good. i still have days when the exhaustion is more than i can take. food is still a battle. and the nausea comes as goes less frequently. we’llalso be hearing the heartbeat today. this time with little brother in tow.
as you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. after weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby’s systems are fully formed.
my birthday was tuesday. and doug PROMISED me no gifts. i had just gotten an iphone so i said ‘that’s my gift this year’. we agreed. that was that. till the morning of my birthday. i sat on our bed with my boys, opened two cards and then parker handed me a small, yet heavy box. what was it you ask? it was only the speedlite i have been drooling over for months and months. and as upset as i was (at first) i was really jumping for joy on the inside.
so i popped it on last night and snapped away. and i caught this picture.
speedlite i love you. i love you too, doug.
today marks the 11 week mark. i’m hoping, soon, to regain some energy. i could fall asleep standing up i tell you. also, my eating habits are all out of whack. so i’m hoping to be back on track in the upcoming weeks. until then i am chugging along. 29 weeks (less, actually) to go.
your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. but fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming — setting up a significantly more attractive future.
