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.

Diaper Cake

A great friend made this diaper cake for my baby shower. Thank you to everyone for the amazing shower. I felt very special and and I can't wait to see little Kevin in all the adorable clothes.

This week, my amazing baby has reached 2 1/2 pounds and is almost 16 inches long. Along with, the tricks in a growing repertoire that already includes coughing, sucking, hiccuping and taking practice breaths, Kevin can now blink his sweet little eyes. Maybe he closes his eyes and dreams about me as I am dreaming about him.

Third trimester here we come!

Kevin at 25 weeks

Kevin is growing leaps and bounds, he is already 2 lbs. This week the doctor said that his legs are long and head is on the large side. I then informed her of his Dad's size, she giggled and said that he already takes after his father. This was a very exciting picture. It looks like he is smiling. I believe that he is fat and happy right now. He constantly reminds me that he is occupying space in my belly by moving around a lot, especially at night and early morning. I enjoy every kick and punch because it tells me that he is growing and healthy.

6 months; 3 1/2 to go

No doubt about it, the tummy moves these days are all baby. His little arms and legs are starting to really pack a punch. I swear that he is doing baby calisthenics. His favorite time to move is late at night and early in the morning. But, I am happy that he is growing. In fact, he is about 8 inches long and a little over a pound in weight. By the end of the month, he will be double the weight he is now. Fortunately, I won't be.

Have you ever worn a tent?

Go Navy! Gotta love the Navy maternity uniform. It is comfortable, but looks like a tent. I had to convert to this uniform about two weeks ago. I am much more comfortable, but feel like a bag lady.

We had an appointment this week. Everything looks good. We caught a glimpse of baby Kevin on ultrasound. Aw, the benefits of having worked on Labor and Delivery. Unfortunately no pictures this time. However, we did see him opening and closing his mouth as if he was swallowing. The doctor said he had chubby cheeks, yet bashful because he kept his arms raised over his eyes. We don't have official measurements, but he should be about 15 oz. He will gain approximately 6 oz in the next week! Wow, he has a lot of work to do this week.

Big Kevin and I are working at getting the Nursery ready. We have moved the majority of the office furniture out and made room for baby Kevin. It looks pretty empty now, but am confident that it will be more full come June.

I will post new a new belly pic this weekend.

Nursery Furniture

After searching and researching, we have chosen nursery furniture. We had a lot of difficulty finding stuff that we liked and that was available to be shipped to Japan. We had two options, 1) Buy something we really liked at Babies R Us and have it shipped for $700, or 2) Buy something we kinda liked but wait up to 6 months for delivery through the Navy system. So, there wasn't much choice. We are happy with what we got, but are more happy that the search is over. Hopefully the furniture arrives in 3 months. Keep your fingers crossed!

First clothes

We bought our first pieces of clothing for baby Kevin. I am so excited. Anybody who knows how much I love to shop and save will appreciate this.... the total original price for all the clothes was $107, however we only spent $17. Yeah! What a deal. It is so much fun shopping for a baby. I can only imagine what he is going to look like in the wardrobe he is collecting. Baby Kevin is so loved already.

Hawaii Trip

Here are some of our pics from our most recent trip to Hawaii. While we were there Kevin found a toy that he had when he was a child; The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We decided to take picture with the caterpillar to show Kevin Jr all the places we visited while he was busy growing in my belly. It will make a good start to a scrapbook for baby Kevin.

Profile Picture at 18 weeks

Here is Kevin at 18 weeks. He looks so big already.

First Post

Most of our friends and family already know about the big news. We are proud and excited to announce that we are having a boy. His name will be Kevin John Jr. He is expected to arrive July 29th.

I am already 19 weeks. About 1 and a half weeks ago I felt the first movements. Technically, the term is "Quickening" the initial motion of the fetus in the uterus as it is perceived by the mother. I was told that this feeling would be like "butterflies." Not true. My first thought was that there was an alien in my belly trying to get out. I didn't know if I wanted to sit there to feel it again or get up and walk around because it felt so strange.

I am not so startled by the movements anymore. In fact, if I don't feel him move by the end of the day, I get a little nervous. I guess that is the Labor & Delivery nurse in me.

There will be more posts and pics to come. Please let me know what you think.