28 week Baby Bean Appointment

We had a great bean update today ­ he had a growth spurt! He's now in the 37th percentile and weighs 2.7 lbs. They took measurements of his head, tummy and femur and his head actually measures in the middle of the 29th week. Good for little beaners!!! We got a bunch of pictures of his face. The nurse pointed out that he has filled out a bunch...she said, "see the cheeks?" We had to stare but I could tell too. David thinks their technology leaves a lot to be desired. hehe

My weight checked out fine too ­ I¹m still on the small side but my OB/GYN said it was fine and to continue doing what I've been doing: exercise, diet, etc. I made my appointments for the remainder of the pregnancy today too. I go more frequently now, and I¹ve completed all the blood work that I will have to do. Thank God! My 9 month appointment will be the last sono and at that time the Dr. will be checking to see if he has turned. He's still breach at this point.

So that's my update. BTW, after much stress and anxiety, I passed my glucose test! I had worried too much, it was easy although I will never drink an orange crush soda, ever again!

Love,

Jolyn and bean

Ps. Here's a pic of me and my sweet friend, Suzanne at a wedding this weekend. We're both due this summer so it's fun to get the bumps together. She's having twins, a boy and a girl.

6 Month Bean Appointment

Yesterday was our 24 week appointment to see Mr. Bean. We got a DVD of the ultrasound and everything checked out great. Next time you come to visit, I can play it for you (hehe). The doc looked at all the organs, size, weight, etc. He is breach right now but they told me not to worry because he will flip around a lot between now and the due date. Also, he's measuring/weighing very small (28percentile) but I guess that could change in the upcoming months. My nurse told me to eat more protein. I really hope he won¹t be a shrimpy boy, but I have a feeling that the gene pool is working against him.

BTW, I have narrowed my crib search down to 2 choices. They are very different so I'm stumped.

Here is the first one:http://www.elgrecofurniture.com/nassaucribchanger.html

Here is the second:
http://www.corsican.com/itemDetails.aspx?Sid=11458

The first one is a wood crib ­ painted white. It¹s cute but I¹m sad to say that I like choice #2 better. The second one is an iron crib ­ white again. It is my CLEAR front runner but it¹s twice the price. It¹s so perfect with my existing furniture, and it looks like an antique. It¹s an investment, and it is very sturdy - it would last for bean's kids (I can rationalize any purchase, right?)

Anyhoo, my crib bedding is here, and I need to take it to the seamstress to have the bumper made. I also found a glider that is super cute. There are so many choices ­ too many! My head is spinning. :)

Hope you are having a good week!

Love,

Jolyn

Furniture for Bean Peden

Well we decided not to use David's old crib. It needed repairs and paint,and we both think it will be easier to buy a new crib. However, we are keeping the high chair and having it repainted. So that will be the sentimental piece from the original set of furniture. David's dad said David spoke his first words in that high chair. And just so you all know that word was "shit" when he dropped his food on the floor. Everyone tells me this is a true story despite my disbelief.

So the shopping begins! This is the fun part. I'll email you pics when I start putting this puzzle together.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Jolyn and the "Mexican jumping" bean

Bean Nursery Plan

I know...exciting stuff! :) I picked out a few fabric swatches and had a sketch drawn up so I decided to share. Bean is going to be one lucky guy!

My plan is to keep 1 twin bed in the nursery and have the crib bedding match the existing quilt.

In the pics, the print fabric is for the sheet, the khaki is for the skirt, and the green is for the bumper.



We are trying to use David's old Jenny Lind crib and baby furniture. We're headed to pick that up this weekend and evaluate the safety features, etc. The walls in that room are a silver/blue color so we will not need to repaint. This might be easier than I thought! I still need ideas for a glider and window treatments. But I have the basics.

Oh! And guess what else? I started a registry at Babies R Us. Can I get a pat on the back here? It was challenging to keep it simple but with the help of a few friends who gave great advice/recommendations, I think I have it almost wrapped up.

In your spare time, feel free to bore yourself to tears: Baby Registry

Week 22 and still kickin'

Love,

Jolyn

20 week appointment today

Half way baked! We saw our baby bean at the 20 week appointment today. He is 11 ounces and measures 3 days ahead of schedule. Everything looked great - he is 200% boy and he has all his fingers, toes, etc. In fact, we caught him doing a big YAWN on the ultrasound. Dr. Seeker took the pictures and printed them for us to keep. It was kinda cute and not so "alien-like" anymore. He passed the cleft pallet test -his jaw and pallet are in perfect shape.

The doc also gave me all the paperwork for childbirth classes, hospital admittance, etc. It was an informative appointment. He told us that the last day I can travel is July 24th. After that date, I need to stay within an hour of the hospital (just in case bean comes really early).

As for me, I've gained 5 lbs and I'm starting to feel worms in my stomach. I'm the not-so-proud owner of 2 pair of maternity jeans. Things are slowly but surely getting tight on the tummy. It's still small, but I have a little bump showing. David thinks it looks more like a beer belly than a baby. I think it will take another month or so before it's obvious to people.



I hope everyone had a happy Easter.

Love,

Jolyn, David and bean

Advice from Daddy David

This is an excerpt from an email received today.

Boys vs. Girls:

Breastfeeding: no difference, but no pass here for husbands. The will make sure the husband is awake with her, no matter what time it is. I hope the teeth come later. It is better for all concerned.

Diapers: Boys are easier to clean up after a messy diaper than girls, but the diapers smell just as bad no matter what the sex of the kid is. You will think it is really bad when you introduce meat. Then you will wish you could go back to the earlier foods. As for the environment, screw the landfills. I'm not putting that diaper in my washing machine along with my underwear.

When changing a diaper, if there is urine already in it, watch out for the boys.

Burping: I was really good at it, still am. I even learned how to burp a kid. It's easy. But always put the extra diaper on the shoulder. Always. Did I say always?

Crawling: boys find trouble faster. But even the girl will find trouble after you were certain you had baby proofed everything. Count on it.

Crying: You'll come running every time with the first one when you hear crying. But you do eventually get to where you can tune it out. You will learn to tell real crying from fake crying. we were so used to it with Nancy one time, David picked her up and brought her to us when we were intentionally letting her cry herself to sleep. We did not even know he could pick her up then. We still don;t know how he got her out of the crib. Carpet under the crib is a good idea. (stain proof carpet, of course).

Tantrums: Nancy won. Not even close.

Mistakes: You will make plenty, and if you were not sure it was a mistake, your spouse and close friends will tell you even if you did not ask them. They know more than you. Get over it.

Some mistakes you won't realize were mistakes until you are at the same stage with the second kid. But don't worry. Kids are tough, and they will love you no matter what!

We are proud of you two!
Love, Daddy David

Baby Peden...

Was confirmed a boy today. He's got the goods, for sure! :)