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
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
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?)
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?)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
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
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, July 23, 2007
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
"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
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