Seven Weeks Pregnant!

How your baby's growing:The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

For your viewing pleasure I'll include a photo of some babies we already have.

Wow, that face says DO NOT DISTURB!

Down the lane lies James Taylor...

This is a picture of the lane behind our house which leads to the James A. Taylor Memorial Cemetary. Sounds creepy but it's not. Although I must admit having a cemetary so near the house freaked me out a little bit in the beginning!

Noel took this picture. I think he did a nice job.

I guess you can tell there's not much going on around here. Just the usual. Seems like I have a couple of new pregnancy symptoms creeping up. I hope they are fleeting because they really suck! Aren't I suffering enough with the exhaustion?!?! haha

Shhhh...the Baby is Sleepy

I think my hubby has sympathy tiredness. haha No really, he works hard six and sometimes seven days a week so if he wants to sleep in on Sunday and then take a nap later on, well, I won't say a word. Isn't he precious. Notice the book on the arm of the chair. He's studying on how to be the husband of a pregnant woman and father of a baby. I think it'll be harder to be the husband of a pregnant woman!

Two Stinkin' Mutts

These are our two mutts. They've taken to running off lately and it's not too easy to get them back home. It's especially frustrating when you need to go to work. I think they go get in the creek because they come back wet and muddy and they smell none too fresh.

Noel said he's going to train them to come back home by responding to a bell. he he I'll let you know when it happens.

Six Weeks Pregnant

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

On another note, I hope not to disappoint but the weekly belly shot will be discontinued as it causes extreme discord in the household. I'll post another one later on when there's something to see.

For now, I'll post a picture of what I generally do everyday after work because I am sooooo tired.

Introducing Audrey Allred

This is Ashley and Aaron's little girl. I had the pleasure of meeting her the other night. She was all smiles, but of course, my luck, she cried when I held her. But I must admit, it's been a long time since I held a baby and I was a bit nervous.

I think she looks like her mommy. And mommy is in great shape after having a baby. So hello Audrey, nice to meet you. By the way, Ashley has offered up her clothes for our little one. Thanks Ash.

Introducing Nathan Pack

This beautiful boy is Deena and Jeff's baby. Deena and Nathan came by and visited me on Monday. He was so well behaved and so cute! Deena looks great too.

When I was paying attention to the baby my original kitty Felix was jealous and was jumping up on me and meowing incessantly. I can see what I have to look forward to there.

Belly Shot at Week Five

I don't know how my belly got so big if the embryo is only the size of a sesame seed! haha Seriously, we plan to post a picture of the belly every week. I can't say there's any difference now or that there will be for the upcoming weeks. You can be the judge and you might be wise to keep smart comments to yourself!

PS I have my first Dr. appt. March 3, 2008.

My Husband the Rock Star

This is the father to be rocking out with Guitar Hero. When I bought the Wii at WalMart the cashier told me I'd never get anything out of him again. he he I think he needs Rock Star clothes to be more effective.

P.S. Check out the terrible picture resolution. I can't wait to get a new camera!

Five Weeks Pregnant!

How the baby's growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

Mommy's Original Babies

These are the original babies. I found these precious angels on the interstate two different summers. I think they like their new brothers and sisters, but I know they like their Mommy better than their Daddy!

Happy Valentines!

My husband did the sweetest thing and had the Kanawha Kordsmen come to work and sing me love songs. I must admit my face was beet red when EVERYONE came out to watch, but it was so thoughtful I didn't care about the embarrassment! I'm very lucky.

Oh I almost forgot, they told me he paid for the deluxe package so I got two songs. Thanks honey.

P.S. I'd like to thank Kim and Steven for the gift certificate to Laury's. We had a wonderful time and ate like the gluttonous pigs we are!