29 Weeks

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (about the size of a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

11 weeks to go!

I just did a little count and there are 11 weeks until you are here.  I am very excited to meet you and look at your little face.

Some news, we are closing on the house next Thursday, August 1st.  So exciting!  Kaitlyn was able to go to house yesterday with us and see the inside for the first time.  She is very excited about your rooms, that they are right next to each other and that you are sharing a bathroom.  I will have to remember these moments when  you are both teenagers and fighting over the space. :-)  As we were sitting in the house I realized that is where we will bring you home and where you will have all of your firsts; first step, first word and so many more.

So back to packing and preparing to move.

28 Weeks

By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Daddy!

Last night daddy got to see and feel you moving! Normally you stop the moment anyone touches my belly but last night you were dancing all over. Her laid his head on my belly for some daddy daughter time to feel you moving. You put on quite a show. 

Kaitlyn is still freaked out by it a bit and doesn't want to feel you move but she talks to you all the time.

Your Great Grandfather

Aubrey,

We received some sad news late last week.  Your Great Grandfather, Papa Jay, is very sick.  He has a brain tumor and was given a short amount of time that he will still be with us.  As I digest this news and cry for the man that took care of me when I was sick, went on my class field trips with me, video taped all the big moments in my life and generally spoiled me rotten.  I also cry for you.  I can not describe how sad I am that you may never meet this wonderful man.  He will never watch you ride the rides in Rehoboth, video tape your Christmas concerts and birthday fashion shows, or just hold your hand as you go for a walk.

Papa Jay has influenced so many people who will be in your life that I know you will still "know" him even if you never get to meet him.  The hugs when you walk in the door, the smiles and laughter as we retell stories over and over, the big family get togethers, the desire to look at the dessert menu first so you know how much room you need to save, the hidden stash of peanut m&m's where there will always be a dr. pepper and the two handed waves from the end of the driveway until you can't see them anymore in the mirror are all things that Papa Jay has instilled in our family.

The last time I went to see Papa Jay, before we knew his diagnosis, he asked about you.  How you were doing and how I was feeling.  He loves you just like he loves every one of us and I know that he always will.  I hope that you do get to meet him.  That I can get a picture of him holding you or sitting with you.  But if I can't I want you to know how much you are loved and I want him to know that it's ok.  I know he will watch over you and all of us.

I love you baby girl. I love you Papa Jay.

Love,
Mommy

27 Weeks & A New House

See the bigger picture.

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Our offer was accepted on the house last Friday!  YAY for the bank finally getting it all together.  Now we just need to schedule closing and do all the fun stuff that leads up to it like title search, inspections and .... packing.  OYE!  Big sister Kaitlyn is with her Grammy & Pops this week so hopefully we will be able to get a lot done.  I'm so excited about this house!  I can't wait!

26 Weeks

See the bigger picture.

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the size of a scallion) from head to heel

25 weeks!

How your baby's growing

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — 1 1/2 pounds — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.





It has been a crazy week.  Big Sister Kaitlyn turned 4 and had a party with her friends at the house.  When I left my doctors appointment on Wednesday some guy backed into the two week old van, told me he would take care of it...then told his insurance company that I hit him!  UGH!  On top of my first semester of grad school coming to an end and constant papers, preparing a presentation.  The first week of summer school.  Jury duty.  Can you tell I have been a little stressed!  But it all melts away when I feel Aubrey rolling and kicking around in there.  I think that my belly has dropped and is sitting lower then in previous weeks, but I could just be crazy. I have had a lot of pain in my hip, lower back and pelvis bone (remember it didn't heal correctly after I had Kaitlyn).  I think mostly cause to constant motion this week.  I will take it.  Aubrey will be here before we know it!

In other news we should be hearing something about the offer we have in on a new house this week.  Please keep your fingers crossed!!  Just over 3 months until Aubrey makes her arrival.  Kaitlyn is very excited and tells me all the time that she is going to give Pumpkin her bottles and and help change her diapers even the stinky one. She loves to snuggle and talk to her sister...who talks back according to Kaitlyn.  She tells me pumpkin tells all kinds of things.  It is really cute to see her bonding with her baby sister even before she arrives.  Here are a few pictures of Kaitlyn snuggling her baby sister.  We love you Aubrey can't wait to meet you!