A Denver Family's Adventure Through The Ups And Downs of Life



Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Week 35 with 35 Days to Go

Good morning everyone. Things at Sam Central are still going very well.

According to the experts:
* The vast majority of Sam's growth is complete by 35 weeks.
* His kidneys are completely developed, and the liver is beginning to process waste.
* Because Sam has grown so much, I will notice that he will no longer be performing an aerobic workout. There just is not enough room for somersaults. However, this does not mean I will not feel Sam move. His kickboxing routine should stay the same.


Sam is continuing to grow and most likely measures between 17 to 18 inches long and weighs 5 ½ to 6 pounds; That's about the size of a honeydew melon.
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This past weekend, Brian and I took some maternity pictures in Sam's room. Here are a few that turned out pretty well.
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Here is the weekly bump picture (as always)
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Monday, February 23, 2009

Baby Shower- February 21, 2009

My mom and mother-in-law thew me a very successful shower on Saturday. Everyone was overly generous with their gifts. I shouldn't have to buy any clothes for Sam until he starts to walk. There is no way that I'm posting pictures that I’m in because they made me wear a tiara. But here are some of the wonderful decorations and me with each of the lovely hostesses.

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Most of my big ticket items were purchased and I got some really nice handmade crocheted blankets. I also received the outfit that DH was brought home in from the hospital. Unfortunately, mine can't be found, so we are going to use his.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Week 34

Good morning everyone. Things at Sam Central are still going very well.

According to the experts:
* Sam's fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder.
* Sam's skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well.
* The fingers and finger nails are well developed and the facial features are also clearer now.
* If anyone is nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
I don't forsee that happening.


Sam now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long
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Weekly Bump Picture
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Week 33

Good morning everyone. Things at Sam Central are still going very well.

According to the experts:
* Sam is approximately 17 inches long and weighs over 4 pounds
* Sam's bones are all beginning to harden except for the skull. The skull needs to remain soft and pliable for delivery.
* In terms of appearances, Sam is getting cuter and pudgier every minute as he piles on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes.
* Although Sam is getting stronger, my bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick he has been working on.

Changes that I'm experiencing:
* As Sam fills out even more of my belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before I was sashaying, I am now waddling.
* Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

Weekly Bump Picture
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Shopping for Sam
This past Saturday I went shopping with another pregnant woman at the local outlet stores and grabbed a few more outfits from Carters and OshKosh B'Gosh. I made sure to purchase mostly 3, 6, and 9 month clothes.

Baby Shower
So far we have 12 confirmed (adult) attendees for my baby shower on February 21st. I hope that people are comfortable in my house. I hope that we can get enough chairs in my family room and dining room to accommodate everyone.


Sam is proportioned like a pineapple when it comes to weight -- a little over 4 pounds. (Length: more than 17 inches, head to heel.)
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Week 32-- 8 Months In, 8 Weeks to Go

Good morning everyone. Things at Sam Central are going very well.
I feel great!!

According to the experts:
* My blood volume has increased by 40% to 50% during the past 32 weeks.
* Sam is a little over 16 inches long and weighs between 4 and 4 ½ pounds.
* Sam will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb.
* He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz).
* His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.



Sam is approximately the size of a large jicama
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Weekly Bump Picture
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We had our first pediatrician interview yesterday with a kindly, older gentleman. We plan to see at least 2 more to determine the practice that's right for Sam (and us).


I'll start seeing our midwife every two weeks, until the final month when I'll kick it up to once a week.

Here are the dates for my appointments though my estimated due date.
32 Week- Feb 5
34/35 Week- Feb 24
36 Week- March 5
37 Week- March 10
38 Week- March 16
39 Week- March 24
40 Week- April 1 (if I haven’t delivered by then)
41 Week- April 7 (if I haven’t delivered by then)

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Sam's Room

We finished decorating Sam's room. Don't mind the space next to the painting on the wall above the dresser. We have something to put there.

I hope that you like it as much as we do.

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