21 Weeks

We've surpassed the halfway mark and have been pregnant for more days than we have left...the downhill slide has begun! Our trusty internet sources tell us that at 21 weeks, the baby is the length of a carrot and approximately 3/4 of a pound. I heard that Karl had strawberry blond hair as a baby (sort of a carrot top, right?) - I'm hoping our little one picks up that genetic trait. It would be so cute!

We're anxiously awaiting for 10 am this Friday to arrive. We'll find out whether little Charlie gets a girl cousin or a boy cousin! The families are divided - the Manies family is rooting for a girl, while the Schweigel family seems to be pulling for a boy. Karl and I will be thrilled either way.

The crib and dresser have been assembled thanks to Karl's handiwork and Chloe's help. She managed to sit on every piece of wood and/or each tool just as we would need them. So helpful! Barley chose to supervise the construction from the doorway. Now we just need a sweet little baby to put in the crib!

We've had a lot of questions about the dogs and how we think they'll react to the baby. Barley is a baby lover - he particularly likes to smell them, it's weirdly cute. Chloe is a bit more unsure of little ones and keeps a watchful eye on them from a safe distance. Karl and I have no doubt that both Barley and Chloe will make fast friends with the baby and serve as excellent babysitters.

Baby Naner

It's official...we've reached the halfway point; 20 weeks! I'm almost impossible to believe. Our trusty internet resources tell us that the baby is the length of a banana (10" long) and about 10 1/2 ounces.
Karl and I have decided to name the baby Nanerpus. For some reason this incredibly dumb commercial cracks me up.

Tomato Baby

We're at 19 weeks today, which means the baby has graduated from a yellow pepper to an heirloom tomato. He/she has gained an ounce and a half in just one week, as well as half an inch in height! It's hard to believe we're narrowing in on the half way point - time has flown by!

Not much to report this week. We're still anxiously awaiting our next doctor's appointment - only 17 more days!

JayCatBearHawk

Karl and I are both very loyal to our college alma maters; KU and NW Missouri State. We've discussed who the baby will support and can't come to a consensus. Because the schools aren't in the same conference and will never play each other we've decided that Baby can cheer for both. He/She will be decked out on game days in Crimson and Blue (Rock Chalk!) and Green and White (B-E-A-R-C-A-T-S!). We figure this makes the little one a JayCatBearHawk .

Baby Bell Pepper

We're 18 weeks today and quickly approaching the half-way mark. The baby is the size of a bell pepper; approximately 7 ounces and 5.5" long. I'm sporting maternity clothes full-time these days - the baby belly has officially arrived! Four more weeks until we find out what we're having - I'm counting down the days!

Baby furniture has been picked out! It's been an exhaustive search - Mom and I have hit up every known baby furniture place in town. After all our searching Karl and I settled on something on-line...how 21st century of us. We're excited to get it set up in the nursery - we think the baby will love it!

Karl and I were lucky enough to be part of the first official babysitting team last Saturday night. It was a group effort shared between us, the grandparents and Roxie. Charlie's infrequent cries didn't stand a chance with a 5 to 1 babysitter ratio. He was a model baby and provided us with ample opportunity to snuggle and cuddle. Karl and I have volunteered for additional babysitting; we need the practice!

Pregnancy Q & A

I found a pregnancy Q & A online and found it interesting. I thought it'd be fun to post my answers.

1. How did you find out you were pregnant?
The old fashioned way…a pregnancy test. Three actually. I had a sneaking suspicion we were in "the family way" but the second pink line on the test still took my breath away. I took the first one at my parents house one afternoon and waited until the next morning to take another one, just to be sure. The third one was just because couldn't believe the other two were real.

2. How old were you?
The big 30.

3. Who did you tell first?
Karl

4. How did you tell your partner?
I woke him up to tell him the news, got a sleepy but excited "yeaah!" Once he woke up he said, "I told you so." He was very proud of himself.

5. Do you want to find out the gender?
Absolutely! We're ready to stop calling the baby 'it' and call him/her by their name. We'll find out on April 3rd.

6. Do you secretly hope for a girl or a boy?
Neither of us have a strong feeling either way about what we're having. Just praying for a healthy baby.

7. Do you have names picked out?
Yes, one of each. Oddly enough this wasn't hard for us. Karl's had a girl name picked out forever. Since he declared the girl's name, I got the right to select our boy name. I had three favorites - once our nephew Charlie came into the world, it removed one of our names from the list. Of the remaining two we quickly chose our boy name.

8. Will you share the baby's name before he/she is born?
Yes. I know I'd slip up and say the name before hand anyhow. We've decided to spill the beans once we know its gender. Some family members have been privvy to the names already.

9. Do you feel ready to have a child?
Does anyone ever feel ready? Simultaneously yes and no. Thrilled beyond belief, but terrified as well. I have a new found respect for my parents.

10. What bit of advice have you received that you've hated?
Not that it's bad advice, but I've had a few people try to talk me into natural childbirth. I admire the women that go that route, but it's not for me.

11. What bit of advice have you received that you've appreciated?
I've loved the advice on what (or not) to register for. I'm aghast at the amount of 'stuff' this baby needs.

12. Did you have morning sickness?
Yes, but certainly not as bad as others (Paige). I felt nauseous for about 3 months straight. Good times.

13. What's irritated you the most?
I can't think of anything specific, but Karl could tell you that I'm pretty moody. He can thank the hormones.

14. Where will you deliver?
Overland Park Regional

15. Who will be in the delivery room with you?
Karl and hopefully a doctor and some nurses. I joke about having a camera crew in there ala the Discovery Health channel and/or our entire extended family, but in reality we want to keep it intimate.

16. Will you take medicine to ease the pain?
I normally subscribe to the 'hugs not drugs' theory. However, I feel that giving birth is my chance to legally experiment with drugs. So, yes I will most definitely be getting an epidural. Better living through chemistry is my new motto.

17. What's your due date?
August 11, 2009, but I'm hoping that the baby is born on the 13th. It's a lucky number for the Manies family.

17 Weeks And Counting

I don't have a creative title for this week's post. The baby is the size of a turnip and I'm not sure how to spin a turnip in any creative way. I'm curious to know who came up with these fruit/veggie comparisons. A turnip? Not the most exciting (or attractive) veg in the world.

I had a doctor's appointment today and everything went great! I got to hear the heartbeat (finally!) and it was a strong 147. The doctor seemed pleased with my progress so far. Speaking of the doctor, I'll introduce you. Family and friends, meet Dr. Crystal Newby.

Dr. Newby is with Kansas City Women's Clinic. A girlfriend of mine had a great experience with her doctor who is in the same practice. Dr. Newby is super nice and very patient, I'm really pleased with her. My fingers are crossed that she'll deliver me, but of course there are no guarantees. Karl met her at our previous appointment and later asked, "is she old enough to be a doctor?" She does look very young, but that's something else I like about her.

Our next appointment, April 3rd, is a doozy - The Ultrasound. Karl and I are hopeful the baby cooperates well enough to show us the goods. I don't think Karl or I have a feeling one way or the other about what we're having. We're both feeling so blessed to be pregnant and are praying for a healthy, happy baby.

Another healthy, happy baby in the family would be Charlie. The little guy seems to be sprouting before our eyes. Too cute!