FINALLY!!!! After FIVE scans...a decent photo of our beautiful baby!!!Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Twas the week before Christmas...
The baby journal book, for week 24, says that "your baby's sense of hearing is developing and he can respond to music and your voice." This I can attest to, 100%!! Baby Louey has been moving and grooving so much lately, that if it weren't for modern ultrasound technology, I'd swear there was either three babies in my bump, or some kind of reincarnation of a Hindu god, with three sets of arms. This baby is making sure I know that s/he's in there and doing well. I have also learned that my unborn child in NOT a Handel fan. At rehearsals for the Messiah (I'm singing in) I have often had to stop singing for fear of ending up with bruised insides! (At first I thought he liked me singing....but now I'm thinking the kicks are trying to get me to be quiet!)
We have made it to week 24 and one would think that we have never been this pregnant before! Every day feels like a new milestone. Dan loves feeling the baby move and even Max has caught a kick or two (Ashton doesn't have the patience to wait with his hand on my bump.) We have named the baby (easy thing to do once you know the gender) and Louey seems to respond to him name already. Very, very cool. As much as I liked having my first two babies "surprise me" with what they were hiding between their legs, I LOVE knowing who this baby is. Now. Both Grandma and Nan have started shopping and even daddy Dan has bought a few things.
A check up with midwife clinic last week reassured us that everything was progressing in the right order. We already knew the midwife, which made it easier on Dan and I (as we didn't have to re-tell our "story.")
With Christmas less than a week away, we have decided to keep it small and reserved this year. It'll be a hard day to get through, with everyone missing Gabe. Plus we know that NEXT year, Christmas will be huge!!! Baby Louey will be 8 months old and cousin Tilly (who will be 1) will be home with her family. Good times to look forward to in 2009.
With only 16 weeks left to go, I pretty sure those too will fly by. Between Christmas, New Years, a friend's wedding, Bob's 60Th, Gabe's birthday, Ash's 5Th birthday, there's never more than a 3 week break in between events. Baby Louey will be here before we know.
From our growing family to yours, have a very Merry and safe Christmas.
xoxoxo
We have made it to week 24 and one would think that we have never been this pregnant before! Every day feels like a new milestone. Dan loves feeling the baby move and even Max has caught a kick or two (Ashton doesn't have the patience to wait with his hand on my bump.) We have named the baby (easy thing to do once you know the gender) and Louey seems to respond to him name already. Very, very cool. As much as I liked having my first two babies "surprise me" with what they were hiding between their legs, I LOVE knowing who this baby is. Now. Both Grandma and Nan have started shopping and even daddy Dan has bought a few things.
A check up with midwife clinic last week reassured us that everything was progressing in the right order. We already knew the midwife, which made it easier on Dan and I (as we didn't have to re-tell our "story.")
With Christmas less than a week away, we have decided to keep it small and reserved this year. It'll be a hard day to get through, with everyone missing Gabe. Plus we know that NEXT year, Christmas will be huge!!! Baby Louey will be 8 months old and cousin Tilly (who will be 1) will be home with her family. Good times to look forward to in 2009.
With only 16 weeks left to go, I pretty sure those too will fly by. Between Christmas, New Years, a friend's wedding, Bob's 60Th, Gabe's birthday, Ash's 5Th birthday, there's never more than a 3 week break in between events. Baby Louey will be here before we know.
From our growing family to yours, have a very Merry and safe Christmas.
xoxoxo
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Passing "that" gestational week
Well, we did it folks! Louey and I have made it to week 22 and Dan and I couldn't be more happy and relieved. I think somewhere in the back of our minds we weren't sure we'd actually make it this far. It was our first real goal with this pregnancy. That, and making it to our anatomy scan!!
Yes, we had our scan last week...AND YES, we found out the sex of the baby. (Sadly though, I won't be publishing it here on the Louey blog, cause there are readers who don't want to know. I'm not mean enough to break it to them that it won't be a secret for that much longer!) That all said, we are NOT keeping the sex a secret (I hate when people do that) and if you want to know, email or ask! We are very excited and the boys are happy...that's all I'll say for now;)
The scan itself, did prove though, to be yet another road bump in our tedious journey. The sonographer was worried when he couldn't find part of Louey's heart (an outflow section) and after 30 minutes of both him and the doctor searching, Dan and I had officially gone back into doubtful panic mode. Of course, we were told "not to worry" but that's easier said than done. We tried to not let it ruin our Thanksgiving, focusing on the fact that otherwise Louey looked healthy and is VERY active.
And speaking of uterine activity....Daddy Dan felt his first real kicks the other night. The poor guy has been chomping at the bit, waiting to feel the baby move. I think he needed it to make the whole thing feel real. If that makes any sense. And plus, he never felt Gabe move, so I think he missed out then too. But as if Louey knew daddy's hand was there, 2 huge reassuring kicks were sent out. And EVERYONE felt them!
Our monthly appointment with the OB today reassured us that everything was on track and the Louey was thriving. Momma's healthy and so is baby. The OB even said that he's been over the ultrasound tape and he could see everything that needed to be seen. In other words, Baby Louey's heart is perfect. Apparently the doctor who reviews and signs off on the scans is always scared of being sued and therefore, won't report on anything he can't see well. Maybe we should sue him anyways, for STRESSING ME OUT!!
Yes, we had our scan last week...AND YES, we found out the sex of the baby. (Sadly though, I won't be publishing it here on the Louey blog, cause there are readers who don't want to know. I'm not mean enough to break it to them that it won't be a secret for that much longer!) That all said, we are NOT keeping the sex a secret (I hate when people do that) and if you want to know, email or ask! We are very excited and the boys are happy...that's all I'll say for now;)
The scan itself, did prove though, to be yet another road bump in our tedious journey. The sonographer was worried when he couldn't find part of Louey's heart (an outflow section) and after 30 minutes of both him and the doctor searching, Dan and I had officially gone back into doubtful panic mode. Of course, we were told "not to worry" but that's easier said than done. We tried to not let it ruin our Thanksgiving, focusing on the fact that otherwise Louey looked healthy and is VERY active.
And speaking of uterine activity....Daddy Dan felt his first real kicks the other night. The poor guy has been chomping at the bit, waiting to feel the baby move. I think he needed it to make the whole thing feel real. If that makes any sense. And plus, he never felt Gabe move, so I think he missed out then too. But as if Louey knew daddy's hand was there, 2 huge reassuring kicks were sent out. And EVERYONE felt them!
Our monthly appointment with the OB today reassured us that everything was on track and the Louey was thriving. Momma's healthy and so is baby. The OB even said that he's been over the ultrasound tape and he could see everything that needed to be seen. In other words, Baby Louey's heart is perfect. Apparently the doctor who reviews and signs off on the scans is always scared of being sued and therefore, won't report on anything he can't see well. Maybe we should sue him anyways, for STRESSING ME OUT!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Half-Way
Half-way there and "growing" good.
Yesterday, we passed the 20 week mark, meaning we are officially on the count-down to Baby Louey's arrival and the end of this incredible marathon.
The two photos on the left mark my bump at 18 wks (left) and 20 wks (right, with glasses.) As you can see, I did grow a bit over the past two weeks. And we are very excited about that growth. Most "normal" pregnant women freak out as they get bigger, but Dan and I are embracing all changes. At least we're movin in the right direction. (I can always worry about body-image issues next April!)
Mum-to-be is starting to feel more like a person, and less like an incubator. Morning/afternoon/night sickness has scaled down to just morning sickness and is nothing a good brekkie (or a good chuck:) can't help. My energy has boosted and my mood is better.
Louey is VERY active and I love feeling him practice his gymnastics routine. Look out the 2030 Olympics! This afternoon, we are off to a doctors appointment to have my prenatal obs checked. I.e. blood pressure, fetal heart rate, etc. Appointments always frighten me a little, but the positive outcomes alway warm my heart and give me hope.
We have plenty to keep us busy over the next 2 weeks. At least until we pass "that" period. We've invisioned this time to be quite difficult, but we are pulling together and trying hard to remain as positive as possible. Hopefully the next few weeks fly by as fast as the past 20 have.
Next Friday, while we prepare for our Annual Thanksgiving Down Under (our 8th!) we have anatomy scan (18-22 week ultrasound.) We are SUPER excited, and still reserved a bit. This is the milestone that we never got to with Gabe. Hopefully, everything will go well and if Louey cooperates (and that's a HUGE "if" based on past scans) we might even get a glimpse of what's there or what's missing. Stay tuned for results...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Week 18
It's hard to believe that we've made it to week 18. And while we very happy that we've made it this far, I doubt we're comfortable enough to announce our success on a rented billboard.
Like first time parents, jumping into the unknown...think "baby steps." One milestone at a time.
The four (and a half) of us went away to the beach during the Melbourne Cup long weekend. For you Yanks reading...the Melbourne Cup is the horse race that "stops the nation." With school and work cancelled, and every shop in town closed, we decided to head up the east coast to spend some time relaxing in the sun. It was a well deserved break and one that did us all well. We returned refreshed and ready to take on the next few weeks.
This week we met with our OB and talked about my progress and how well everything was going. We had a quick peak at Baby Louey, who once again, thought the ultrasound was an audition for Cirque de Sole. He (it) seems to be growing well and putting on the weight that he should be. He's also very active, which, while I'm enjoying it now, I might feel differently once he get bigger and stronger. Daddy Dan is very eager to feel Louey move (as he never got to feel Gabe) but will have to wait a few more weeks.
As you can see in the photos, I am showing (much sooner than I did with any of the boys) but I'm not really that fussed and actually like "looking" pregnant. BUT I do not need any comments regarding my size...as one woman found out the hard way when she told me I "was huge." My reply..."Bite me."
PLEASE NOTE: I use the word "he" but we do not yet know the sex of Baby Louey. We are due to have our anatomy scan in about 3 weeks (end of Novemeber) and will hopefully find out if we're expecting a Lou or Louisa. Of course, at this point, we can only hope and pray for a healthy baby, that's a given. But if we find out, we will share.
Peace, love and belly rugs until next time.
xoxo
Like first time parents, jumping into the unknown...think "baby steps." One milestone at a time.The four (and a half) of us went away to the beach during the Melbourne Cup long weekend. For you Yanks reading...the Melbourne Cup is the horse race that "stops the nation." With school and work cancelled, and every shop in town closed, we decided to head up the east coast to spend some time relaxing in the sun. It was a well deserved break and one that did us all well. We returned refreshed and ready to take on the next few weeks.
This week we met with our OB and talked about my progress and how well everything was going. We had a quick peak at Baby Louey, who once again, thought the ultrasound was an audition for Cirque de Sole. He (it) seems to be growing well and putting on the weight that he should be. He's also very active, which, while I'm enjoying it now, I might feel differently once he get bigger and stronger. Daddy Dan is very eager to feel Louey move (as he never got to feel Gabe) but will have to wait a few more weeks.
As you can see in the photos, I am showing (much sooner than I did with any of the boys) but I'm not really that fussed and actually like "looking" pregnant. BUT I do not need any comments regarding my size...as one woman found out the hard way when she told me I "was huge." My reply..."Bite me."
PLEASE NOTE: I use the word "he" but we do not yet know the sex of Baby Louey. We are due to have our anatomy scan in about 3 weeks (end of Novemeber) and will hopefully find out if we're expecting a Lou or Louisa. Of course, at this point, we can only hope and pray for a healthy baby, that's a given. But if we find out, we will share.
Peace, love and belly rugs until next time.
xoxo
Bumps, bumps, Show us your bump!
Bumps, bumps, everywhere. When I asked Dan to take a photo of my bump (as a record) Ashton decided that he too, should show us his "baby bump." And then, innocently, suggested Daddy show us his. (What a good sport.) So these are our baby bumps, at 18 weeks.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The story behind "Baby Louey"
It just dawned on me that I ought to explain where Baby Louey got his/her name.
PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT NAMING THE BABY LOUEY, LUIS, LOUISE, ETC.
We were just calling the baby "the baby"...like any expecting family does. Only, Ash would sometimes get confused and tripped up, and called the new baby "Baby Gabriel." Don't want or need that.
So we said to the boys, "Maybe we should give the new baby a name that we can use until we find out if it's a brother or sister (and name it for real.)" They both liked that idea and Ashton cheerfully exclaimed "How about Baby Louey!?" Don't know how he came up with that one, but as funny as it sounds...it has stuck.
And everyone is getting so used to talking about "Baby Louey" that Dan and I are starting to get worried that it'll be hard to refer to him/her by anything different. YIKES!
PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT NAMING THE BABY LOUEY, LUIS, LOUISE, ETC.
We were just calling the baby "the baby"...like any expecting family does. Only, Ash would sometimes get confused and tripped up, and called the new baby "Baby Gabriel." Don't want or need that.
So we said to the boys, "Maybe we should give the new baby a name that we can use until we find out if it's a brother or sister (and name it for real.)" They both liked that idea and Ashton cheerfully exclaimed "How about Baby Louey!?" Don't know how he came up with that one, but as funny as it sounds...it has stuck.
And everyone is getting so used to talking about "Baby Louey" that Dan and I are starting to get worried that it'll be hard to refer to him/her by anything different. YIKES!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Virgin Blog
Hello all reading this.
After viewing similar blogs that friends have set up for their soon-to-be babies, I thought I would try one for ours.
Yes, you read that right... Dan and I are having another baby!!!
Baby #4 is due the day before Good Friday (April 9th.) What else could the Easter Bunny bring, besides chocolate (and maybe Peeps...if Grandma remembers) that would make it the best Easter ever???? A new baby!!!
We are all very excited (and of course, very scared) but mama and bubs are doing well and we all have our fingers, toes and eyes crossed.
After viewing similar blogs that friends have set up for their soon-to-be babies, I thought I would try one for ours.
Yes, you read that right... Dan and I are having another baby!!!
Baby #4 is due the day before Good Friday (April 9th.) What else could the Easter Bunny bring, besides chocolate (and maybe Peeps...if Grandma remembers) that would make it the best Easter ever???? A new baby!!!
We are all very excited (and of course, very scared) but mama and bubs are doing well and we all have our fingers, toes and eyes crossed.
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