The big ultrasound

Well.... about 2 weeks ago we had our big ultrasound.

We found out on our anniversary and it was a great way to start the day. Steven went to work for a couple of our hours and then came home to drive me to the appointment. I had to drink a TON of water and not use the restroom for 2.5 hours. It was crazy! Steven made the comment that it felt like he was driving me to the hospital to have the baby because I got mad at him if he made me laugh or hit a bump while driving. It was painful... I don't know that it was the MOST painful thing I've done, but it definitely wasn't comfortable!

Once we there and after some measurements I was allowed to use the restroom. After that I really enjoyed the appointment. We got a DVD but I can't figure out how to upload it. I took some snap shots on the computer while I watched the video and thus the pictures below.

To start things off... if you haven't heard... and you probably have... the baby is a BOY! His name is going to be John Steven Swindell. And we absolutely can't wait to meet him. He wasn't very bashful and the lady conducting the ultrasound kept on saying, "Pretty convincing."

Boy shots

The next picture is kinda hard to see, but it's pretty sweet. It's a foot as it sweeps by the screen. In the second picture you can see toes. I like em'!

This is a picture of his little face (straight on).

The really dark spot are his eyes and

half of face is blocked by the placenta.

Profiles of his spine, stomach & legs.

Picture of the back of his neck & spine.

Profile of him face down.

His hand is touching his neck.

An arm and hand in a fist.

Brain!

Back of the neck

Heart rate measurements. 15o bpm.

Profile of his face... so sweet!

Baby Crib

As soon as we found out we were pregnant Steven said, "I want to build the crib!" I followed with, "and I'll make the bedding!" We are just plain nerdy... but I love it because we are so right for each other!

Anyway. I will post about the bedding when we get to it but we have gotten quite a start on the crib and I'm pretty excited. Here is a little preview...


First and foremost... SAFETY!
We've researched online and this is what we have gathered.

-The crib mattress must fit securely in the crib. If two adult fingers can fit in between the mattress and the railing then the space it too wide. Two adult fingers is a little over one inch... we designed a crib spacing of 3/4 of an inch.

-From the top of the crib, the mattress height should be two times the depth of the crib mattress. Crib mattress must be less than 6 inches deep... so for an infant we planned 12 inches and a baby that can sit up we planned 18 inches.

-The railing spacing must be at most 2 inches. Ours is 1.5 inches.

-Some drop down side have been recalled, so we designed a stationary side.


The Design!!!
Here are some pictures of the preliminary drawings. Steven came up with this and as you will see below we tweaked it together. The big cross is a cut out and the two little crosses are carved.

Side View

End View

Then we found google sketch up! Below are some 3D views of the crib. This is the most recent design. We took away the larger boards on the sides, but other than that it is pretty similar.

End View

Side view

mattress is at the lower level

mattress at the higher level

Soon to come... pictures of construction and the final crib!

4 (but really 4.5) months!!!

We have had a busy December, and thus this is not a 4 month post.. but a 4.5 month post! Which means we are half way!

I can't believe how fast the first half went by. However, I have noticed with the decrease in pace (no school work or major deadlines) and finding our that the baby is John I am growing more impatient. Even though we are half way, we still have a long way to go!


Changes for Me this month
-I've begun to feel movement, and I just love it! He is pretty consistent but I can't wait till he can respond to some of my (or Steven's) pokes.

-My stomach is really getting firm around my belly button and beginning to poking out of my shirts! As a result I've had to work really hard on my posture... otherwise I pay for it in lower back pain. I recently went to the doctor to get realigned and they tired and tired and tired... then sent me home and I was sad. The next day my back popped back into place and I felt great, Praise the Lord! I've found that keeping up with my stretches and doing lower back exercises really helps my back, but I think back pain is going to be a theme.

-I'm still battling dry skin... thank you hormones!... and the weather.

-A new development for this month is an INSANE hunger in the mornings. It is crazy! Usually I can't sleep because I've got to run to the restroom or my back hurts... but now we are adding a growling stomach into the mix.

-And finally the days of running and falling into a wonderfully soft bed face first... is over... sigh. I can no longer lie on my stomach. Which isn't a problem until one of those urges to fall into a soft bed comes along. :)


Changes for Steven
-Fallon's tummy is much bigger and I enjoy touching it more now that she is showing more.

-Finding out that the baby is John has increased my desire to meet and hold him.

-Fallon has been complaining about her lower back more often and is have trouble sleeping at night... I really wish she could sleep-in though.

-I've kinda given up feeling John move until later on in the pregnancy, but I still want to feel him kick!


Changes for Baby John!

This little man is up to a lot this month!

-finger prints are forming

-he is growing hair on his head (I hope he born with a lot)

-he is beginning to produce Meconium... can't wait for the first diaper changes ;)

-kidneys are working... oh diapers!

-he can hear me and other people talking

-fat is forming to insulate his newly formed organs... most energy goes into this task

-he is beginning to swallow the fluid and possibly suck his thumb

-he is able to feel things with his hands... maybe even respond to our movements by the end of the month

-by the end of the month he should weigh a pound... probably larger! we have a history of large babies in our family

:) :) :) :) :)

We still do!

So much to update on!!!!

Steven and I have had a wonderful two years of marriage (and we had a great day celebrating it). I'm amazed at how fast the time has flown by. God has blessed me so much with Steven Andrew Swindell!

We had a wonderful celebration on our Anniversary. To start the day off we had the privilege of bonding with our baby a little more. We know our baby now... He is John Steven Swindell!!! We couldn't be more delighted. We were excited to meet the baby before, but now it's just ridiculous. I will post more later.

Then we headed to a state park to hike! It's cheap and good for momma and baby. We actually explored a little of Huntsville State Park. We are always amazed by God's creation and it was so much fun walking and talking about John!!! (I just love saying that!)

Then we headed towards Houston. We shopped a little... well is it really shopping if you don't buy anything? We are having a hard time with Christmas gifts this year. I'm sure ideas will come! We also looked at baby clothes!

Honestly, (this is silly, but...) it was a wee bit difficult realizing that I wouldn't be able to indulge in those adorable baby girl dresses and bows and ribbons and little Marry Jane's and.... But then we found the sweater section at Kohls... little vests, sweaters and Polo's just melt my heart. I will still get to dress up a baby!

Okay.. back to to our Anniversary. We finished the day off with a lovely dinner at my FAVORITE restaurant... Olive Garden. OH so yummy!

We've only celebrated two years, but both times it hits me at the end of the day. Man... I just love having an entire day to spend with my sweetie. Talking about the past year and planning for our future... no other "task" except each other. I love Anniversaries and I propose we start celebrating every month... or day! We are blessed to wake up each day with each other!

YAY MARRIAGE!!!!!!!!!!

:)

Bum giv'n genius!

I really want cloth diapers this year for Christmas... but some people need diaper this year. I'm glad to say that we are going to support Bumgenius, flip & econobum all the way! I'm very impressed with Cottonbabies.com

To come: an updated cloth diapering report... I just have to graduate first!