The Nursery

The baby's room is ready for baby!

Today I got out the watercolors and painted two little paintings (shown above) to hang on the wall...baby Moses and Noah's Ark.

Movin' and Groovin' at 35 Weeks

Here Steve took a picture of one of our new favorite things to do: watch my stomach! It looks like there's quite a party going on in there, especially after I drink my precious orange juice, or lay still for a while. Or if it's 10pm, 3 am, or 6 am. Or if daddy lays his head on my belly and invades baby's space. Who needs T.V. when there's all this fun to be had? I promise that I look more pregnant when I'm standing up!

Well, we're moving into Week 36 now...the big 3-6. Full term. The beginning of the end. There's no turning back. Time to pack hospital bags, clean house, put away the last of the shower gifts, practice my "deep, cleansing breaths", tour the hospital, buy the carseat (that's tonight). Of course, it could be another month or so before we have a little boy or girl to bring home, but we're praying than we reach the end sooner than later. Every day we are more and more in awe of the fact that the Lord is giving us this great blessing and responsibilty!! Please be in prayer for me during these last weeks as I prepare mentally and physically for the birth...and as we prepare our home and hearts for parenthood!

Here's how the baby is growing this week, from good 'ol BabyCenter.com:

Your baby's getting big. He weighs a tad over 5 pounds and is just over 18 inches long. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

*How many weeks are left for baby weight gain? Share your guess on the Baby Poll in Feb. 4th's blog!*

Ice!

Valentine's Day was a frigid, icy Wednesday around here...thankfully we didn't loose power like so many others in the county. Steve has been off of work for "snow days" since an early dismissal Tuesday afternoon, so we've been enjoying this benefit of working at a school! We wish we had a little baby around to entertain us, though. The occasional roll in my tummy is always fun to watch, but we can't help getting antsy...

I went shopping with Mom Deterding and my sister-in-law Amy yesterday for clothes and a pre-view of baby registry must-haves (Benjamin Grace's cousin is due in August). We had a great time doing nothing but talk BABY all day long! I was a little disappointed when the lady working at the maternity clothes store told me, in complete disbelief and with one eyebrow raised, that I didn't look pregnant enough to be due at the end of next month. Gee, I think I look like I'm ready to go...it's fine to say I'm looking great, but don't tell me that I should put in an extra month or two of growing before I'm allowed to see my baby! :)

Today I'm feeling very pregnant...the baby really enjoys sitting low, and along with that comes a little bit of discomfort and soreness for Mommy! That's why I tend to sit and post blogs a lot these days! My legs are getting numb and tingly and my lower back is a little achy. Everywhere I go I find myself lounging around with pillows stuffed around me...remember those days, moms?? In spite of all of this I can't help but think it's all really neat, because the reason behind the discomfort is the fact that I have my son or daughter living inside of me. And only for a few more weeks. I'm so proud that he or she weighs 5 or so pounds...way to grow, baby!!!

*Don't forget about the Baby Poll, friends! The pot is up to a hefty $21!*

Happy Valentine's Day

All three of us are enjoying a snow day here at home, and are looking forward to picking up Steve's sis Amy from the airport tonight!
Happy Valentine's Day xoxoxo

Week 34

34 weeks have come and gone...the big question is, how many more left to go?? If you have a guess, place a bet on the Baby Poll in Feb. 4th's blog! I'm heading into the OB this afternoon armed with my Birth Plan, so I'll be sure to add an addendum to this post after we see how things are going. I expect that this will be another routine, in-and-out kind of visit. I'm feeling a little under the weather this week due to the wintry weather conditions we've been having, but other than that I'm doing just fine.

Steve has been reading a Dr. Suess book called "Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go!" to the baby these past few weeks. It's supposed to be read to unborn babies, and describes all the wonderful things the baby will do and see once he or she is born. Granny and Grandpa Deterding, Steve's grandparents, sent us the book a while ago and I'm sure they'd be pleased to hear that their great-grandchild, without fail, gives a happy little roll and kick when Steve begins reading the first page...every time!!! Baby, oh, baby, the places you'll go! The worlds you will visit! The friends you will know!

For this week, BabyCenter.com says:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her central nervous system is still maturing and her lungs are well developed by now.

I'll add some more after I return from the doctor...

OK... back from the doctor's office, and very thankful that I didn't slip and fall in all that snow and slushy mess out there! There is nothing new to report on the medical front, except that I'm heavier than I was two weeks ago at my last visit:)

The Last of the Furniture

It finally arrived! Grandpa Deterding helped the new daddy set up the dresser in the nursery, while I looked on-- reclined in the rocking chair with a chilled drink in my hand, my feet up, and the camera ready to go.

All we need is the baby!

* Check out the post for Feb. 4th and make a guess on the Baby Poll! *

33 Week Update

At this point, the baby is putting on roughly 8 oz. a week (I get to keep the other 8oz. on me!)

With each passing day comes a little more discomfort as the baby gets heavier and more invasive of my organs and ribcage! I made top headlines in the church grapevine on Sunday when I was forced to sit down during the singing to prevent a fainting spell, and then spent the whole sermon madly fanning myself with the bulletin! Everyone else complained that it was cold...

It's still so much fun to feel the hiccups and the little hands and feet when the little one is awake and active. Baby.com says:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 17.2 inches from the top of his head to his heels. His skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and while most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help him ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal. [that's good to hear!]

Be sure to make a guess on the Baby Poll in the previous blog entry!

BABY POLL

Guess baby Deterding's arrival date and time!

Rules and Regulations:

1. Post your guess in the "comment" link below this blog entry. Be sure to specify both the date and time of day (either "am" or "pm"-- not an actual time*).

2. Cost: $1.00 per guess, sent to the parents-to-be. Cash only, please.

3. Limit one guess per person.

4. Winner receives the whole $$ pot!

5. Winner is determined based on time of birth. For example, if the baby arrives on March 24 at 11pm, a guess of "March 24, pm" would be the winner. In the event that there is no entry for March 24, pm, the next closest guess based on actual time of birth would win. In this example,
"March 25, am" would be closest to the 11pm arrival, and be declared winner.

6. Winners who did not pay the poll entry fee must forfeit the winnings, and the money will go to the runner-up.

7. Only one entry per time slot-- no sharing!

8. We will post entries on the Baby Poll Calendar above. Check prior entries before placing your bet! Dates not displayed on the calendar above are still up for grabs.

9. Please allow 7-14 business days for parental recovery before the winning money is shipped:)

**double-click on the calendar above to enlarge**