Friday, October 21, 2005

Baby Shower Mania



So I had my first baby shower last night! Everyone from my department at work attended- plus my sister since she also works at the college. Noah received a lot of really great presents, including his carseat (pictured above). Of course my camera batteries died as soon as I got there- but fortunately someone else had a camera and took plenty of pictures. I will post some of them as soon as she sends them to me. And don't worry, I took one of my belly so you all can see how big I have gotten!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Hectic Life

So I realized today that this blog is getting pretty boring. But at least I have a few excuses for why we hardly ever post. In case you didn't know, we are in the process of moving. Ben has started a new job in Jacksonville and I am still living in Virginia. We are hoping that if all goes well, we will be reunited next week to make our move to Florida. We do have a house for Baby McDonald to live in there- although it needs quite a bit of work before we can bring him home from the hospital in 15 weeks!! Anyone who wants to make a trip down south to help out is more than welcome. Friday is my last day in the office- but I will be working from home starting on Monday. My first baby shower is tomorrow night at a co-workers home. Hopefully I will have pictures to post by the weekend. Maybe I will have time to post more interesting updates once we get settled in our new home, but until then, this will have to do. :)

Week 25

Baby McDonald weighs in at 1 1/2 to 2 pounds this week, and measures about a foot from head to toe. Though still skinny and wrinkly (skin hangs loosely until the fetus develops more baby fat), he's growing rapidly and starting to fill the space in your uterus. You'll feel his kicks and pokes more strongly with each passing week, with kick-strength peaking in about a month when he gets too crowded to do anything but squirm.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Week 24

The unsung hero of the fetal support system is the umbilical cord, which forms a vital link between the fetus and the placenta. The cord contains two arteries and one large vein; by birth, it may measure up to four feet long. Every 30 seconds, nutrients and oxygen-rich blood are transported from the placenta to the fetus via the single vein, then back again to the placenta through the two arteries. This ingenious method ensures a constant supply of filtered air and nutrients, and keeps the mother's blood separate from the baby's.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Week 23

The end of this week is an important milestone: Your one-pounder would have a good chance of survival if born now--about 85 percent if given the right care. His body is well proportioned, although lacking in body fat, and the blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. About 50 percent of "early preemies" experience complications ranging from eye problems to intracranial hemorrhage (spontaneous bleeding in the brain); the rate drops steadily from the 24th week onward.