Week 28 Names

We've taken some more names off the list! And they are:

Parker

Logan

Mason

So, that would take us down to four names except that we've also added a name. Total possible names left on the list = 5. We're getting closer people! Oh, and we realized that we haven't mentioned it on the blog yet but we are set on a middle name which means we're two thirds of the way there.

Bump Photo Number 5

This is a special holiday edition bump photo as it was taken Christmas Day! Here you will see Robert showing off his own bump. A lot of people said Robert should expect to gain weight right along with me but he hasn't. Personally, I think he's jealous of the bump I'm rocking these days.

Week 28

Better late than never! We were in Texas for Christmas and since Christmas day was the beginning of Week 28 we were a little busy to post. Here is what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can open and close his eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before he's batting those beauties at you.

On December 19th we had another doctor's appointment. I had gained 9 pounds since the last appointment and the doctor is feeling better about my weight. I had my glucose test the same day and am waiting for the results. They also did a quick ultrasound to check Sudsie out before we left on our 15 hour drive to Dallas.

After our appointment we drove down to Walsenburg and spent the night at Robert's aunt's house. We left early Saturday morning and arrived in Richardson, TX that night in time for dinner. We had a great week with Bob & Geri and they gave Gus lots of attention while we were there. We also got to see some of our Texas friends and have some relaxation. We drove all the way back to Denver this past Saturday and spent Sunday unpacking and catching up on things around the house.

Week 27

Time is really flying lately and it's already been another week! Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were 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 him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Hiccups...hmmmm. I don't think I've felt these yet but I'm going to start paying closer attention.

This past weekend we finished our Christmas shopping and relaxed. We went to Baby S.J. Fannin's baby shower on Saturday. It was a lot of fun but I'm sure Sudsie will have more fun with S.J. once they're a little older. Saturday night we had dinner with Mikey & Sarah and then went for ice cream. Sunday we had dinner with Grandpa Mark & Grandma Monica at Rioja and then went to see Jersey Boys. It was a great show and Sudsie seemed to enjoy the music, he was kicking a lot.

Overall, it was a busy but fun weekend. It's been extremely cold here since Sunday. We have to bundle up whenever we leave the house. It was so cold on Monday that we had some frozen pipes at our house. Good thing Papa Crandell is a plumber and he came over to help Robert take care of the problem. Good news is that after just a few small holes in the garage ceiling they got the pipes thawed and we had no leaks!

Week 26

Week 26 and less than 100 days to go! Can you feel my(Natalie's) excitement? I can't tell you how much better it feels to see that ticker down to two digits. Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:

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 a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take two to three days.

Over the last week Sudsie went to the annual Smith cookie bake last Saturday at Grandma Monica's house. We also had a Beijo Holiday Open House at our house this past Sunday. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week he was kicking a lot. I was wondering when/if he was ever going to take a little nap! Yesterday Robert went to sign the contract and leave the deposit for Sudsie's daycare spot. He will be going to Little Chicks (aw! how cute is that?!?!) near our house. Another thing checked off the list. We're starting the nursery after Christmas so I better stop my indecisiveness and choose fabric and paint colors. Tomorrow we go to Baby SJ Fannin's (another one of Sudsie's utero buddies) baby shower.

Cravings: Hot, fresh french bread from Safeway, string cheese, pumpkin pie

Week 25 Names

So the other day I was talking to two coworkers about the baby and they were asking about names. I told them that I wouldn't say the names on the list. Then Megan said "Well if the baby comes a few days early on St. Patrick's Day then you have to name him Patrick!"

I mean really! This child will more than likely be born with bright red hair and we're going to name this poor kid Patrick if he's born on St. Patrick's Day! And for the rest of his life, our sweet boy will spend his St. Patrick's Days looking like a little Irish Leprachaun and have people say "It's your birthday? And you're name is Patrick?!?!" And then they will think "What were you parents thinking?!?!?"

So, no, our wee one won't be named Patrick - no matter what day he's born.

But thanks for the suggestion Megan!

Week 24 Names

People continue to ask "Do you have any names?". We started the list of baby names when we found out we were having a boy. After going through the baby name book we had 11 names on the list. Since then we have eliminated 4 of the names and currently have 7 names on the list. We won't tell anyone the names still on the list but we have started to tell people the names that have been eliminated. Here are the elimated names thus far:

Carter
Lincoln
Caleb
Connor

Yes, we do think we will be able to agree on a name for our son however it won't be one you see here on the blog!

Week 25

Today's another Thursday and so begins another week of pregnancy. Here is what BabyCenter.com has to say about Week 25:
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

This week we've been decorating the house for Christmas. Our tree is up and the other decorations are scattered around the house. Sudsie has been moving a lot more lately but continues to stop when people try to feel him. I'm feeling great and continue to have energy. In the later afternoon and evening my back starts to ache a little bit but it's still nothing compared to the arthritis flare ups I used to experience. It is now obvious to strangers that I'm pregnant and I get a lot of "When are you due?", "Do you know what you're having?", "Have you picked out a name?" All of this is better than the "Is she pregnant or just fat looks".

Cravings this week: Pumpkin pie (had to make another one when we ran out of Thanksgiving leftovers!) string cheese and mexican food. This kid is going to come out saying "Yo quiero Taco Bell!"

Bump Photo Number 4

Here's photo number four for your flip books. Ahh, a maternity shirt. Gotta love elastic. But at least they look nice and Natalie doesn't have to wear a burlap sack for 4 months. Its pretty clear now where the baby is located and it is neat to feel him more and more. It was nice to find out the baby is growing just fine and hopefully won't be too big. More pictures coming soon.

Week 24 Ultrasound

Yesterday we had an ultrasound to check Sudsie's growth. When we started the ultrasound Sudsie's toes were touching his forehead! So flexible. He measured at 24 weeks and 6 days which is exactly what he was yesterday and his belly measured at 25 weeks. Toward the end of the ultrasound we were able to see Sudsie's face (see above). He was opening and closing his mouth and although his eyes were closed, we could see his eyeballs moving behind his eye lids. Then, while we were watching him, he yawned! It was fun to see him moving around on the screen and doing so well.

Doctor's Appointment

Last Tuesday we went to the OB for our monthly check up. I had gained 3 pounds since the last time we had been in. The doc felt my weight gain was a low and was a little concerned. So, this Wednesday we're having another ultrasound to check Sudsie's growth and see how he's doing. We're excited to see our little guy moving around on the screen and will post the ultrasound pictures once we have them.



Otherwise the appointment was fine. We go back on the 19th when I will have my glucose test and hopefully will get cleared to drive to Texas for Christmas!



My belly has grown over the last couple of weeks so I will have Robert take another bump picture sometime during the next couple of days.

Week 24

Thanskgiving Day was also the beginning of Week 24! We went to my Aunt Mary Carol & Uncle Dave's house for dinner with the Crandell side. The food was great and the company was nice. Robert made a pecan pie which was a hit. Friday we went shopping and got some great deals. We also purchased a new computer and a camcorder. So once Sudsie is here we will be able to post videos on the blog so all can watch him grow. Friday night Dena & Scott (Robert's sister & brother-in-law) threw us a suprise baby shower at their house. It was a book shower so Sudsie now has lots of books and other things for his room.

Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about this week:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent(insert joke here), but that will start to change soon.

Grow Sudsie, grow!

Negligent Posting

So we weren't very good about posting last week. Robert's parents were in town from Texas and we were busy visiting with his other family that was also in town.



People have been asking about this. Robert was able to feel the baby kick on November 21st! Since then numerous friends and family members have also felt him move. Sometimes he's a little tease and will move a lot until someone puts their hand on my belly and then he stops.