Baby Movement

Here is a photo Drew took of me today. My belly sure feels and looks like it has been growing.

I have been feeling the baby move around lately. Some days I don't feel the little guy much at all, but a few days ago I was typing away at my desk and kept getting a little kick in my right side. That was a funny feeling that made me laugh. I notice the most movement in the early afternoon when I play Bach for Babies on the iPod. I felt a kick on the outside of my stomach once very lightly, but haven't felt that again. Drew was disappointed he missed it. My mom told me my brother liked to kick her a lot (especially in the diaphragm), so I bet Drew will get to feel something soon.

We visited my friend Anna tonight. Anna had a little baby on Monday, a girl named Emily Grace. Emily is the tiniest, sweetest thing I've seen in a long time. It's easy to forget how small and helpless a newborn baby can be. It made me all the more excited to meet our little person. We will get a sneak peek in two weeks when we have the ultrasound. Drew and I are very excited to see our baby, even if it's just a fuzzy picture on a computer monitor. We'll keep you posted!

P.S. Abby wants to be on the blog so here is a cute picture of our little 4-legged baby with her most prized possession.

Dad Update - Growing Bellies

We are now well into the second trimester and my belly is growing nicely. No, I am not pregnant also. I’m either gaining sympathy weight or it could be the fact that I’ve been cooking more. Probably the latter.

We just went on our first big baby shopping spree. Quite the experience. I didn’t realize there are 500 different strollers. Amazing. Luckily, Catherine was prepared and we made a b-line to the exact one that she wanted and moved on. The rest of the shopping was just as easy since we went off her magic list, which should be no big surprise to anyone since Catherine makes lists for everything. She types up my honey-do list.

The biggest news over the past month is that our baby is going to be a drummer. That’s right, a drummer. Catherine began putting headphones up to her belly and playing Baby Mozart for the little tot, and lo and behold, he/she began tapping. Each time Catherine puts music on the belly, the baby starts moving. Now, I have not been able to feel anything but I’m hoping that I’ll get to feel something soon.

Drew

The 5th Month

Thanks to all our family and friends for the books and gifts you have given to us for our baby!

Today is the first day of the 5th month and time is flying by. We just spent a week in Colorado. First we were in Ouray for a baby shower that Christina hosted for us. Lois, Rob, Deedee, David, Christina, Matt, Sophia, JB & Michelle all came for it. It was a sunny and warm fall day at the cabin and the leaves were in full color. We had brunch and opened gifts which were mainly beautiful books for our baby's new library. Drew got to go fishing with his dad and brother, and Cat got to sit by the fire and take a nap. We went for a few nice walks and enjoyed the beautiful weather and autumn colors.

Drew had to go back to Austin, but Cat stayed another four days in Montrose with Mom and Rob. We all made a really cute Old McDonald's Farm polar fleece blanket together. We tried to hear the baby's heartbeat with Rob's stethoscope but the little guy moves so much that it was hard to hear it for more than a few seconds. Mom and I shopped for baby stuff and bigger bras -- a first for me. We also went to Grand Junction to have dinner with Grandpa Hiner and Bonnie, and visited the Bauers at the Lab. We missed seeing John and Dad & Lyn. John had to go to a wedding so we will see him in November or December. Lyn had knee surgery so Dad is her nurse. I am hoping to visit them in Craig for a weekend before the baby is born.

Although I was sad to leave Colorado and my family, I was happy to see Drew and Abby at the airport in Austin. Abby gets excited to go to the airport because it usually means we are picking someone up. She snuggled her face up to me and closed her eyes which is her way of saying "Hi Mom, I am so happy you are home." She might be the cutest dog on the face of the Earth.

Into the 4th Month

Hard to believe we are in the 4th month already. Drew & I saw Dr. Polon again this morning for my monthly checkup. We listened to the baby’s heartbeat which was very strong and easy to find. We elected not to have the screening test for birth defects which was the best choice for us. Dr. Polon said I look great and was happy to see that my weight had gone back up since my last appointment. He said he’s never heard of someone’s hair turning curly when they get pregnant which has been the case for me. I have always had stick straight hair—until July. Hormones are strange! Also, I had a hypoglycemic episode on Sunday morning after breakfast—something I haven’t had for about five years. I felt sweaty and saw black spots, so I ate an apple and some peanut butter which made me feel better soon after. Dr. P said to eat a good balance of carbs and protein in the morning, but that it is normal to have such reactions because a certain hormone during pregnancy makes me more sensitive to blood sugar and insulin fluctuations. He said (thankfully) that this is not an indicator of whether or not I develop gestational diabetes, and the episode did not affect the baby. All good news, but I will tell you that I now drink some protein with my grape nuts! I will have my second ultrasound in mid-November. My weight was 127 and blood pressure is still at a healthy 98/60.

Right now I am feeling really good. My appetite is back and I can eat normally. I am even cooking again which Drew is very happy about. We are back into our regular morning gym routine, so I am gaining the muscle back that I lost during the first trimester. I am not running because it’s not comfortable, so for now I am doing cardio machines and weights. I also go for power walks outside with Drew and Abby on cooler days. After baby is born I will get back into running because I sure have missed it. Besides it will help me get my butt back in shape!

Dad Update

Catherine was such a trooper over the first trimester. She is so tough. She was worried more about the effect of her morning sickness (or more appropriately “all-day sickness”) on Abby and me than on herself. What a sweetheart. Now that the sickness is over, we’re able to enjoy the experience much more.

I just read that in the 5^th month the baby is able to hear noises from outside the womb. Some studies have shown that newborns will often stop crying when they hear music that was played to them while in the womb. Another study showed that a baby will begin to bond with his (I think it’s a boy) parents while listening to their voices from the womb. I’m going to start playing the guitar for the baby and talking to it each night. Who knows? We may end up with the next Sting.