Daddy: hard at work

The nursery is all put together. This stuff should come with more clear directions. Good thing Kevin is an engineer, otherwise it might have taken days to put the furniture together.

Week 35

Little Kevin is standing tall this week, that is he should be about 20 inches and continues to gain 1/2 pound per week. While growth will taper off when it comes to height, Kevin will continue to pack on the pounds until delivery day. Something else he will be packing on in the next few weeks are brain cells. Brain development continues at a mid-boggling pace, making Kevin a little top-heavy. And speaking of tops, his bottom is actually his top. He has settled into a head-down, bottoms-up position in my pelvis. This is a good thing, since it's easier on me if the biggest part of his body exits first during delivery. Kevin's head may be big, but it is still soft, allowing that tight squeeze through the birth canal to be a little less tight. Until next week... pray that little Kevin doesn't come before big Kevin returns home on July 4th.

Week 33

Cage is gaining weight almost as fast as I am these days (averaging about half a pound a week), which would put him at abut 5.5 pounds. Still, he has plenty of growing to do. He may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by D-day. With this much baby inside my uterus now, the amniotic fluid level is maxed out. Which explains why his kicks and rolls are sometimes extremely uncomfortable. There's less cushen for the pushen. Antibodies are also being passed from me to him as my little once continues to develop his own immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect him from may playground germs.

31 weeks and growing

This week Cage is probably tipping the scales at around 5 lbs and 20 inches long. However, growing isn't the only thing on his agenda these days. While I am prepping for his arrival, Cage is busy prepping for his big debut too. In these last few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice, he is honing the skills he need to survive out side my belly, from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, my little one has been able to suck his thumb or a while now. Hopefully he doesn't come out like his mother: sucking his thumb. Okay, maybe sucking his thumb isn't a survival skill, but it sure is cute to think about.

Weekly growth

We are now 30 weeks. Baby Kevin should be about 17 inches; we all know that he is longer but that is the average for his gestational age. He is getting bigger by the day and is obvious by my growing belly. Also getting bigger daily is his brain, which is preparing for life outside the womb and for a lifetime of learning. Starting this week, his brain is starting to look more like one, taking on those characteristic grooves and indentations. The wrinkles of his brain will allow for future expansion of brain tissue that is crucial as his goes from helpless newborn to responsive infant to verbal toddler to curious preschooler and beyond. HIs bigger and better brain is also starting to take on tasks previously delegated to other parts of the body, like temperature regulation. Now that his brain is capable of turning up the heat (with the help of a growing supply of baby fat) Kevin will start shedding lanugo, the soft body hair that has been keeping him warm up to this point. Which means, no fuzzy baby.

Big Kevin and I discussing nicknames for our son. It's a toss up between Kevin J and Cage (K and J said together). I prefer Cage. Does anybody have any thoughts?

Nursery

Alright, 2 to the 3 pieces of nursery furniture pieces are put together. The dresser and changing table made it to Japan before the crib. I am happy to have somewhere to place all of Kevin's cute clothes.

Among many other reasons, however today I am happy to have married an engineer. It took about 3.5 hr for the dresser construction. However, we worked like pros on the changing table, completing in in 1hr and 5 minutes. Team Schilling rocks!

Little Kevin is not so little anymore. He is 3 pounds 10 oz and dating 2 weeks too big! The ultrasound showed us that his head is big and legs are long. Hum, I wonder who he gets that from? He is already starting to resemble his father. He should be within 3 inches or so of his birth length, but I don't know if he will follow traditional growing patterns. The majority of his growing should be gaining weight. In fact, over the next 11 weeks he should more than double in weight. Much of the weight will come from fat accumulating. As he plumps up, the room in my womb will start to feel a little cramped. All of this, I hope, will encourage him to enter the world on time and without problems.