23.5 Weeks BB - Friends

Dear Baby,
I didn't update your blog this past weekend, but there was some lashback from your fans.  We've had lots of visitors in the past two weeks, and so I'll add some pictures to the voices you've been hearing.

Auntie Achilia came to visit me (you) after her hike up the Inca trail in Cusco, Peru.  Doesn't she look like a natural?  She came back in one piece, which was our only request, and surprised even herself at how good a time she had.  Daddy and I really hope to take you here one day, just look at that view!

Next came your Auntie Weslynne, all the way from Chicago!  She and Mummy go waaaay back to MIT, but apparently Boston wasn't cold enough!  Auntie Wes is an environmental engineer and just won the Teaching Award at her university, Illinois Institute of Technology.  Although she travels all over the world, she seemed at least as proud of her herb garden.

Now who are these lovely aunties?  Auntie Nikhila (note belly, I know you can barely tell, but use some imagination..her baby is just 1 month younger than you are) and Auntie Cathy, are residents at Mummy's work.  Except, wait, Cathy only has three more days!  We are so excited for her, and took her to lunch this past weekend.  Below is a little part of Mummy's work family - Aunties Mary, Nikhila, Julina, Cathy, and Vicki.  We have really enjoyed our girls limes, and just wish Auntie Cathy all the best in Nebraska.

Ok, now what have you been up to Baby?? Well you are growing and strong! I know because you kick a lot, and we think your head is lower right side.  You are probably about 1 whole pound right now.. hooray! Keep up the good work, Mummy and Daddy are very proud of you.

Week 22 BB - Happy Father's Day

Dear Baby, today was your Daddy's very first Father's Day.  We decided to celebrate it because ironically after you come, it becomes harder to do just that.  So in honour of this auspicious day, I'm going to post updates on daddy's projects.

Ta-daaaa, here is the completed tool shed, complete with termite proof stain, and conveniently positioned where we can see it from your room.  The second picture below is the view from  your bedroom window.

And speaking of your bedroom, I figured I'd include a before-Baby shot.  Here is your room.. save the gasps, we have 4.5 months to work on it.

And here's Daddy's other project update.. look at the compost pile grow.. we add stuff to it every day - watermelon skin, mango skin, vegetable ends.. you name it.. it is quite impressive, and doesn't smell or anything.  Daddy is thinking of starting a vegetable garden and this will be our manure.

22 Weeks BB - Yoga in the park

Baby, today at Discovery Green yoga, you got a shout out, if you please.  Today's instructor gave some special advice for anyone who may be carrying a baby and then looked at you and I and laughed.  Above are things mummy can still do.. so far.  Below are things that need a little.. modification.

At the end after others had packed up, you and I stayed to do a little hip opener session, to prepare for .. the inevitable.

Did I mention that Daddy can still do eeeeverything?!  Look in the background, even the others have given up.

22 Weeks BB - on the homefront

Well Baby, here we are again with this week's update.  Last Monday I came home from work, and was so impressed at all the construction at Scott & Jenni's across the street that I went to take a peek.  Ok wait no, I also went to ask Uncle Scott whether Daddy should really buy a motorized skate board, and the jury's still out on that.  But, Auntie Jenni did come over after and so you and I posed for a shot.

Then Auntie Rebecca came over, and we all four had a little belly party.  That's your future babysitter, Logan, in the background, fishing screws and bolts out of the rain water.. so he can throw them in again.  If you're a boy, you're in good hands.

The next day your Aunt Jenni and babysitter Logan brought you your very first present.  How did they know you ARE our sunshine?  Logan picked out Sophie for you himself, as that was his favorite toy when he was a baby.

Dear Baby, when Daddy and I got married, waaaay back when (last January), his best man, Uncle Kevin, told me that no one would work harder to make me happy.  So you know I try hard not to abuse this little tidbit.. but I may have mentioned to Daddy that I wish he could cook, say, a little more.  Well behold, this weeks new speciality - chicken pot pie! It was so delicious.

Week 21 BB

Well Baby, we made it to week 21! And my, how you're moving.. daddy caught you at it last night, we think you were dancing or playing drums in there.

  So Baby, at this point we have no idea whether you're a boy or a girl.. can you imagine that?  The people at work are sure they can tell .. some by feeling my hands, some by looking at how low I'm carrying.. what I tell them is that we're 100% sure that you're either a boy OR a girl!

So, they started a guess list, and I took a picture for you. Just as we had predicted, about 50% are sure you're a girl and 50% a boy.  Mummy took the opportunity to write them a little addendum.. funny enough no one has guessed since then.

Baby, look at mummy and daddy out on the town! We went to resident graduation and just had to snap a photo at the end.

Jake and Bella graduate

Dear Baby, yesterday Jake and Bella graduated from their 6-week Beginner's Doggie training class... they even have cerfitikits to prove it :)  They took this especially to prepare for your arrival.  In this class they learnt to sit, come when called, leave things they shouldn't be minding, and walk on a leash.  They now do these about 90% of the time.. when we have treats, and about 10% of the time when we don't.

Note their little graduation hats

 These were their class mates.. note that only 1 is managing to sit for the picture.. maybe that's covered in the Intermediate class.

Random photo with belly in it

20 week checkup

Yesterday, mummy went for her 20 week checkup with Dr. Bobo.  Dr. Bobo told her she had gained 13 lbs so far (and you dear Baby are probably somewhere between 1/2 - 3/4 lb).  Daddy asked if Dr. Bobo said anything else (say, about you, Baby), but mummy said after that fact, she just heard blah blah.. good heartbeat.. blah blah.. any questions?  Then Dr. Bobo sent her to get some blood drawn for alpha feta protein and cystic fibrosis testing.

Week 20/40 BB (Before Birth)

Dear Baby, look at all of the books we're reading in preparation for your arrival.  Daddy read that parents who buy books have better children.. even if you don't read them!  So we make no promises..  The Baby Whisperer was from Auntie Erika and we're hoping to use this to get some sleep after you arrive.. oh yes, and to make you a happier baby.  The Baby Bargains book was Auntie Kemi's suggestion.. and we hope to use this to save lots of money as we prepare for your arrival.  Daddy bought the two on the lower right over a year before you existed, just hoping you'd come along.  The last two (lower left) are more recent additions, and include one just for expectant daddy's.. this one is hilarious, and sometimes keeps mummy sane too.

Guess which one of us is pregnant :) (Hint: daddy was pouching out on purpose)

Jake and Bella are taking classes in preparation for your arrival, and we were giving them some extra training on the weekend before their big exam; don't they look well-behaved?

 And what is your daddy up to these days? Well Baby, we're going to have a lot of wooden products by the time you come along.  Here is our new compost pile.  Enclosed with a hinge door.  Well it's not completely new, but mummy's brain only embraces it now that it's enclosed.  Before she affectionately called it "the rodent-magnet".

Weeks 12-18 BB (Before Baby)

Here you are at 12 weeks 3 days... if you're thinking of sucking your thumb, know that we have pepper sauce for that.  On this ultrasound they looked at the thickness of your nuchal fold and it was just perfect.

And at 18 weeks, you were swimming, and waving.. this was your "anatomy scan".. again we couldn't have been happier with how perfect every part of you looked.

This is how you looked to the world.  This picture was taken on our first day back to outdoor yoga at Discovery Green.  Daddy and I are sure you're going to love Discovery Green; we've been checking out all the children's activities there- the swing bridge, water fountains, and there's even a dog park for Jake and Bella.


And so this brings us to today, week 20! We are so excited to be halfway.  Here's how you look to the world.

Folks keep asking how your daddy is surviving the pregnancy, and I tell them very well.  I think we're going to have a lot of wooden products by the time you come along.  Here he is at work, with his table saw.. or maybe it's a jig saw.. it's one of the saws... He's building a tool shed to hold the things in the garage apartment while we tear it down, and prepare to rebuild.  I'd say pregnancy has been very good for daddy.

Week 7 BB (Before Baby)

Our first glimpse of you at 7 wks 3 days old - you are the bigger lower blob, and the yolk sac giving you nutrients is the smaller upper blob.

This is mummy's belly shortly after that.  We went together on a trip to St. Lucia where we did some medical work (guest house bed in background).  I took this pic to show daddy how huge I was getting.. lol.

Your very first blog entry

Dear Baby, During your first trimester, I wasn't so sure we'd want to remember the details of this pregnancy. We were also a little scared being new, but older, parents. But now, at week 20, the whole world can see your existence and we want to openly celebrate you. So today, June 2nd, 2012 we begin our blog to you