Pregnancy Humor

According to all I've heard and read, pregnant women are known for their rollercoaster of emotions. I've been pretty normal throughout my pregnancy, if I do say so myself. I'm sure Jonathan is quite relieved!

But now let's visit an incident that happened the other night, shall we?

They say that at this stage in a baby's developoment, he can hear sounds outside the womb. So, every night, Jonathan reads to the baby from a children's book of Bible stories that we have. On this particular night, I was laying in bed, highly amused at the strange shape my stomach becomes when I sit up just a bit. And I got a bad case of the giggles, just like a kid does. The giggles interrupted Jonathan's story time and so he eventually closed the book and put it away.

Enter pregnancy hormones.

I was immediately moved to tears because he stopped reading. I was truly upset by it. So I got up, took the book and proclaimed I was going to read the Bible story for the night. Poor Jonathan was dumbfounded by my tears. And frankly, so I was I.

So what did I do? While crying, I started laughing ... and then I continued crying. Oh, boy. It was just weird. I was highly amused and seriously upset at the same time.

And so when I saw this cartoon today, I just had to share it.

Jennifer

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Liz!

My sister, Liz, turns 31 today (and there are few things that make an older sister feel OLD than knowing her LITTLE sister is 31!)

Jennifer

The Baby at 27 Weeks

Week 27: I Sense Something Is Going On

Most babies this age, yours included, still like to snuggle in a slightly curled position inside the uterus (thus the term "fetal position"). Even so, beginning at this stage, your baby's length will be measured from top of head to toe — which makes your baby nearly a full 15 inches now. And at just over two pounds, he or she has doubled in weight from four weeks ago.

Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he or she may recognize both yours and your partner's voices. So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun: If your partner presses his ear to your belly, he might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat.

Your baby's taste buds are very developed now too (with more taste buds than he or she will ever have outside the womb, actually). Need a taste test? If you eat some spicy food (you hot mama, you), your baby will be able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid (but keep in mind that you'll have different mealtimes, with your baby's coming about two hours after yours). Some babies will even respond to that spicy kick by hiccupping. And although hiccups (which feel like belly spasms to you) may seem like they're disturbing to your baby, he or she isn't stressed at all. It's just one more sensation that babies need to get used to.

What a Week ...

What a week ... and that might explain why I've posted nothing since Tuesday.

Jonathan flew out to D.C. last Sunday, and thankfully comes home this evening.

All is well with the baby this week. I'm starting to find it difficult to find a good sleeping position at night and it seems when I finally do get comfortable, its time to get up. But regardless, I know I'm still getting way more sleep now than I will once the baby comes. So, as they say, "Its all good."

This week, I have learned that Bella (you know, the dog ...) is pretty much a Daddy's Girl. She's excited to see me when I get home and when she gets the hint that she'll be going on a walk. But aside from that, she seems to be oblivious to the fact that I even exist. But, I kind of understand ... Jonathan interacts with Bella much more differently than I do. He's her playmate. I'm just the Mom.

Probalby the hardest thing about Jonathan being gone is that I am the one who has to walk Bella twice a day. She's 50 pounds of energy on those walks and I'm just a big ol' pregnant woman slowly walking along, trying to keep Bella from running off after rabbits, birds and unknown creatures that lurk in the bushes.

Aside from Bella, work has been crazy for me this week (and will get progressively more busy until our annual conference comes and goes next month).

This girl needs a nice, quite, and relaxing weekend with her husband!

Jennifer

Cheap Thrills ...

... and there's nothing wrong with cheap frills. In this case, my thrills are free!

The baby has been moving around like crazy today ... and it makes me laugh! And I love to watch my stomach as he moves around. Ever seen that movie Alien? That's what its like - only nothing is bursting out of my stomach (yet!).

Jonathan finally felt the baby kick this weekend. The timing was good: it was his strongest kick yet, and Jonathan's hand was right there to feel it. YAY!

Jennifer

The Baby at 26 Weeks

Week 26: Eyes Wide (Almost) Open

Look who's looking. Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are now beginning to open. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). But do try this at home for kicks (baby's that is): Shine a flashlight at your stomach. Your baby might kick in response (as in: "Get that light out of my eyes!").

The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.

Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.

And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.

It Finally Happened ...

My pregnancy books, and previously pregnant friends, have all mentioned that perfect strangers will approach a pregnant woman and make "pregnancy talk." This afternoon was the first time for me.

As the classic story goes, I was in line at the grocery store (well, Whole Foods, so it was a LONG line) so I had a few minutes to chat with this woman. It was actually a very positive conversation: she asked if it was my first baby, told me to take advantage of being able to eat everything, mentioned if I'd be breastfeeding, then I get to continue eating everything I wanted, etc.

And then ... she lookes at my stomach and says, "So you must be due pretty soon then?" I said, "No, actually ... not until November."

The poor woman. She didn't know what to say ... and I felt embarassed for her. So I quickly said, "I keep wondering how many babies are in here!" She laughed, I laughed and all was well.

I still haven't had perfect strangers come up and want to touch my stomach. And you know what? I don't think I'd mind if they did. I am just soooo happy to be pregnant!!!

Jennifer

Today's Dr. Visit

Today was my monthly Dr. visit. It was pretty uneventful ... the baby's heart rate was good (though, as usual, the Dr. had a hard time finding it ... this baby is alwyas moving around!), my blood pressure was good, and she didn't make any comments about my weight (yay!).

They test my urine at every visit for various things. After my mass consumption of Red Hots earlier this week, I thought for sure I'd be told I now have gestational diabetes. But, they didn't say a thing.

So does this mean I can eat another movie theatre-sized box of Red Hots? Eh, probalby not. But man, they are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! My other favorites that I have managed to mostly stay away from: Butterfingers, Ben and Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, and white cake with buttercream frosting. Its such a good thing that Cold Stone Creamery closed in Santa Fe. I'd be there A LOT if it was still open.

I really thought I could eliminate sweets from my diet once I got pregnant ... I could do far worse, I suppose. Its not like I sit here all day eating cake, candy and ice cream (but wouldn't that be fabulous!!). And, really ... if my Dr. does tell me I need to stop with the sweets, then I absolutely would.

But back to my appointment. As I said, it was uneventful. Translation: no ultrasound. And no future ultrasound mentioned. Drats! I guess I was spoiled with so many ultrasounds early on. I want to see the little guy!

Jennifer

The Baby at 25 Weeks

Week 25: A Breath of Fresh Air

At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, your baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little boxes (an analogy you'll find particularly apropos in a few years, when those juice boxes start taking over your refrigerator, your pantry, your car.…).

Don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker. No, not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping your baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity — and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.

The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, your baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?)

And Then it Hits Me ...

I never forget that I'm pregnant, but there are times that the fact we're having a baby soon just kind of "hits me."

For example, I was flipping through the winter schedule for the Santa Fe Symphony and saw a performance I'd like to attend. As I started making plans in my head to attend, I realized we'll have a one month old baby by then … and the likelihood that we'll want to go to that performance is slim to none.

Or … this weekend when a friend, after hearing I'm 24 weeks pregnant, proclaimed, "You'll be at full term in 13 weeks!!" (37 weeks is considered "full term," though 40 weeks is ideal) I thought, "Oh my … THIRTEEN WEEKS?"

Or … after going through a box THREE times (so far) of baby clothes we were given this weekend. I look at them, fold them, put them into stacks and think, "Oh, wow … there is going to be a baby filling these soon."

Wow … we're having a baby! Six months into the pregnancy, it still amazes me!

Jennifer

Monday Giggle

Okay, today's post has nothing to do with baby stuff. I've had a few intense days at work lately, and when I saw this quote today, I just had to share:

"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar." --Drew Carey

I know ... I know ... that job called "motherood" will be way more intense than my current job. :) But I look forward to it anyway!!

Jennifer

Hey! There's a baby in there!

Last night as I was relaxing watching "The Road Warrior," (more on that momentarily) the baby was moving around a bit higher than usual … and then I realized I could feel him from the outside! Jonathan will be thrilled, as he's been a bit jealous that only I have been able to feel the movements. The movment is pretty subtle … its not like a hand or foot is poking through my skin … but there is definite movement that can be felt with a hand on the tummy.

Now, onto "The Road Warrior." A couple of weeks ago, I watched "Mad Max" for the first time ever. I thought it was a dumb movie and couldn't believe it was responsible for launching Mel Gibson's acting career. The sequel, "The Road Warrior," sounded more interesting, so I rented it. Indeed, it was slightly more interesting, but still dumb. I don't think I can bring myself to watch the third movie, "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome." Last night's movie watching was just a waste of my hour and thirty-five minutes. Maybe that is why the baby could be felt from the outside … he was PROTESTING that dumb movie.

We have over 100 movies on our Netflix list … and I admit, a good portion of them are chick flicks. Since I'm supposed to be "relaxing," I'm going to spend the next few months with my feet up and watching chick flicks with Bella while Jonathan is in D.C. I'll be happy … and he'll be happy that I won't make him watch all of them with me. :)

Besides, I gotta get all of this movie watching taken care of now. I'm sure there will be little quite time in our house for movies come November.

Jennifer

The Baby at 24 Weeks

Week 24: Sounds Like?

Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!).

Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like? If you had a baby cam, you'd almost be able to tell by now. That beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed. What's still missing from the picture is the fat that will be piled on under baby's skin. Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender skin is still very transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones, and blood vessels. Fortunately, that see-through look won't last much longer. Babies at this point are gaining about six ounces each week — with much of that gain coming from fat, in addition to growing organs, bones, and muscle.

What's been playing on your little rocker's stereo system these days? All kinds of sounds: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.

Wow ... our baby is the length of a piece of paper! And that is not including legs. AMAZING!!

Jennifer

Off He Goes, Into the Wild Blue Yonder …

Jonathan made his first of many trips to come to Washington D.C. yesterday. Luckily for us, we're both okay with him traveling – and always have been. And Bella is here to keep me company, so I don't get lonely (or scared by bumps in the night).

Originally, we had planned on moving to D.C. over the summer, but those plans transitioned into two weeks in July, two weeks in August and two weeks in September.

They had also discussed Jonathan going to D.C. for the first two weeks of October (rather than August). But I suggested to him that with a due date of November 9th, it would probably be better for the situation if he didn't go so late in the pregnancy. After all, one never knows when a baby will make his way into the world. Some tell me, "First babies are usually late." On the other hand, I have several friends who tell me their first babies were early. So … ya never know. (And according to all the baby shows I watch on Discover Health, this baby could come any time between now and the end of November! My preference is early-to-mid November, thank you very much.)

So when I think of the next four months in terms of how frequently Jonathan will be gone, I realize the rest of this pregnancy will probably go very quickly. And imagine how much bigger I will be when Jonathan comes back after being gone for two weeks in each of the three months! He'll see me down the concourse at the airport and think, "Whoa! Is that MY WIFE?? It can't be!"

Jennifer

Wong Fu, Ping and Yul ... The Real Scoop

We were just kidding about our top three names being Wong Foo, Ping and Yul. Our little boy will have a "normal American" name ... not to worry.

"What name did you pick?" will surely be the next question we get. We have a good idea on what his name will be and we'll let you know the day he's born. We like to have intrigue and suspense ... like a good mystery novel.

Parenthood Preparation - The Unintentional Method

When we moved into our home two years ago, our neighborhood was quiet and calm. But all that has changed. I'm sure you've experienced at least one of these yourself:

Noisy ATVs day and night
People fighting, screaming, etc. outside
Cars with really loud mufflers
The dogs that bark non-stop into the wee hours of the night
Smoke detectors that go off randomly (which is not a neighbhorhood thing ... its just the latest adventure in our house ...)

All of these annoying and noisy disturbances we encounter daily (more to the point, NIGHTLY) are very similar to the way our lives will be once Baby Lucero comes into this world. Only the disruptions to our sleep won't be once or twice a night … it will be constant throughout the night. And its not like we can roll over, put a pillow over our heads and ignore the noise. We'll have to actually get up and change, feed, burp and otherwise soothe that little baby.

When that day comes, I'm sure we'll come to appreciate the aforementioned annoying noises … because after a few minutes, they stop. However, after getting the baby back to sleep, it starts all over again in a couple of hours.

So here's to the screaming kids, annoying ATVs, and loud mufflers late at night. Hallelujah to the barking dogs and the obnoxious smoke detectors.

We'd like to extend a hearty "thank you" to each and every neighborhood annoyance for helping to prepare us for the first few months of parenthood!

Jennifer

The Baby at 23 Weeks

(I get daily pregnancy e-mails ... and my favorites are those that tell me what our little baby looks like. Below is the e-mail I got today)

Week 23: All Systems Growing...

At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too).

You have probably heard your baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb!

Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops. But don't worry. By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out — from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.

Kids' Reactions to the Pregnancy

I am just so amused by the various reactions little kids give when they learn we're having a baby.

As many of you know, Jonathan and I teach the toddler class at church on Sundays. We have a different crowd every week and so from time-to-time, we announce to them that we're having a baby. The youngest of our kids are intrigued momentarily, and then go about their merry ways (just like when its story time in our class … ha ha! Such short attention spans!).

The older kids who come in to help us sometimes are really intrigued. Two of the girls have decided we're going to name our baby Charles. And each time an older kid comes around, they ask, "When is the baby coming, again?"

When I say November, those with November birthdays get all excited, "My birthday is in November!!" Come to think of it, adults do the same thing: "Hey, MY birthday is in November! Maybe he'll be born on my birthday!"

I was really amused yesterday at the reaction of one of our kiddos. Alicia is a very bright, mature three year old. When her mom picked her up from class yesterday, she noticed I was pregnant and happily announced to Alicia, "Your teacher is going to have a baby! It's in her tummy!" Alicia stared in amazement. It was then time for them to go, and so Alicia gave me her customary hug (awwwwww!) and walked off for a moment … and then turned around and started at my stomach. She started to walk away again and then stopped and looked at me through the classroom window, no doubt pondering the baby in her teacher's tummy.

I was talking on the phone to a friend of mine recently when she told her three year old, "Jennifer is going to have a baby!" and then explained that the baby was growing in my tummy. In the distance, I could hear the little girl proclaim, "I want to go back in your tummy, Mommy!"

Little kids make me laugh!

Jennifer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As I'm sure most pregnant woman can attest to, there are a list of questions we get often:

"How do you feel?" I feel GREAT! Seriously! I didn't even get morning sickness.

"Do you know what you're having?" As most of you know by now, we're having a boy.

"Have you picked out any names?" We have three top choices: Wong Foo, Ping and Yul (yes, as in Yul Brenner).

"Do you have any cravings?" I must disappoint all who ask this question with one simple word, "No." Early on, I was really into McDonald's double cheeseburgers. But I don't know if that counts as a craving, or as I've aways loved McDonald's double cheeseburgers so I'm going to eat them more often now that I'm pregnant. I can tell you what I don't crave: chicken. I won't eat chicken in any way: nuggets (which I used to LOVE), fried, BBQ, strips, tenders, etc. Just grosses me out. I've read that its common for pregnant women to have a distaste for meat. But, even before I was pregnant, I was getting grossed out by chicken that was attached to bones. My sweet husband would be kind enough to get the chicken off the bones for me. But now, I just don't like chicken. Period.

"Will you be quitting your job once the baby comes?" Nope ... I'll keep working. I only go to my office in ABQ two days a week right now anyway ... and so I'll just adjust my schedule so that I work from home five days a week for a while.

"Since Jonathan now works in Albuquerque, will you be moving back to Albuquerque?" We have no immediate plans to move back to Albuquerque. We're very happy with our home and life here in Santa Fe.

That's all for today. Have a fabulous weekend!

Jennifer

Pregnancy Update

I gotta say ... this pregnancy has been pretty uneventful (which is a good thing, of course!). Aside from the difficulties we had in getting pregnant and the four months of progesterone shots three days a week (ouch!), everything else has been great! All ultrasounds have shown a healthy baby ... and every exam has shown a healthy Mommy.

We are more than 1/2 way there now ... 22 weeks or so. "They" say I should be able to feel the baby anywhere from 18 - 23 weeks. Those initial movements have been described in books as "butterflies" ... or just plain ol' "gas feelings." I finally started catching on that what I've been feeling ever-so-faintly from time-to-time surely must be the baby. But it happens as kind of an after-thought, "Hmm ... was that the baby ... or was that just the cherries I ate earlier?" So far, I haven't felt a definite kick or jab and makes me say, "Yep, THAT was the baby alright."

Oh, and our due date is November 9th. We feel like time is moving at a snail's pace, but we know that in looking back after November, time will have certainly passed very quickly.

And ... a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Bol (that's Valerie to everybody else)!!!

Jennifer

The Luceros' Blog is Now Open!

Today marks the first day of the rest of our lives. Actually, that could be said about any ol' day, couldn't it?

So let's say that today marks the first day The Luceros have opened their blog. Come on in ... we're open for business!

If you're new to blogging, here is the scoop: a blog is a website where the owner (that's us) can post daily comments, pictures, etc. The visitor (that's you) can come to the blog and give the comments and pictures and even post comments to us, for all to see.

Blogging can become quite a habit - so be careful! The first time I participated in a blog, the people posting their comments were being rather cranky, so I joined in to give my two cents. Well, a few people didn't agree with my two cents and posted cranky comments directed towards me.

Oooh, did that get my blood a boiling! Who were THEY to be critical of ME?? And so began my mild obsession with blogging.

I found other blogs to participate in ... because I just LOVE to share my opinion (and, believe me, I have opinions on just about everything!) and soon discovered that once you get involved as a blogger, blogs can become very time consuming.

If you hang out and read a blog without ever posting comments, you're considered to be "lurking." In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with lurking. Consider it a form of entertainment. But, if you've take the time to come visit our blog, we'd LOVE to hear from you!

The catalyst for us creating this blog can be summed up in one simple word: BABY! As you know, Baby Lucero is scheduled to arrive in this world in November. Times have changed and we no longer live in a society where generations of family and extended family all live in the same town (well, at least in our case). Our family and friends are now scattered across the country and we want to give everybody a chance to participate in our lives ... especially when there is a new baby about to be on the scene!

My hope for this blog is to give updates on the pregnancy, post various photos ... and maybe even videos (once we get a DVD recorder and I get it all figured out). November will come quickly (at least that's what I keep telling myself), so I need to get caught up on the technology so that from the day Baby Lucero arrives, you will have real-time access to our little boy!

And so with that ... LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN!!

Jennifer