The Whislers.net

Here's what's going on this week with Whisler Baby Boy 2009:

Baby Stats:

Size: 12 inches
Weight: 1 1/3 pound

Baby Developments:

Things are starting to get a little crowded inside ye o'l womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. I'm sure Laura's ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Yeah, it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, it's possible that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little guy. He's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of Laura's heart beating, lungs inhaling and exhaling air, and the growling of her stomach. He's also hearing choice musical numbers from his father. Sorry, no shows; audience of two only.

Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means his sense of balance is working and he can tell whether he's hanging upside down or right side up. The little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds. A little shout out to my Cubs friend out there.

What We're Doing:

We spent the weekend with my grandparents and acquired a glider for the baby room; it's a perfect fit. We also updated the baby registry. Last week I promised that I would post that information on the site...I haven't forgotten about it. Also, before baby arrives, I want to pick up a nice HD camcorder to ensure those priceless moments are captured in 1080i and Dolby Digital 5.1. The research is underway.

Now that the baby kicks constantly, we (I) enjoy talking to the belly and finding out what sounds create more kicks than others. So far, 80's hair band songs seem to do the trick.

Here's what's going on this week with Whisler Baby Boy 2009:

Baby Stats:

Size: 11½ inches
Weight: 1 pound

Baby Developments:

Fat production is in overdrive at this point (for the baby, not Laura). The baby will basically double in weight over the next four weeks! The same won't apply to her.

Mini is starting to look more like a newborn as his skin becomes less see-through. His body is looking more proportional now, although his head is still kinda big compared to the rest of his little body. 

The baby is about 11½ inches long and weighs 1 pound, or about the length and weight of a Harry Potter book...Or, perhaps a book by a proud, soon-to-be grandmother, Barbara Whisler.  Check out her first book here.  I'll bet you can guess who can't wait to read it to him.

What We're Doing:

Spring is in full swing and productivity abounds at the Whisler household.  Let's get right to it.  The first lawn mowing of the season was a success; it's kind of like my "Opening Day".  The sweet smell of the grass, the roar of the engine and a back-to-back mowing of both yards was like a doubleheader. In addition, my confidence was lifted when I recently discovered a product that selectively destroys what many people call grass, but I refer to as the bermudagrass weed.  Take that neglectful neighbors.

On a more baby-related topic, we began registering for baby stuff at a few stores.  Soon, I will create a page on the blog which will provide lots of information about registries and upcoming baby showers.  A big thanks to everybody who have already agreed to host them for us.  We really appreciate it and feel the love.

On Tuesday, we went to the farm for our first meeting with the CSA (community supported agriculture).  Each week we will take a share in the yield of organic vegetables, fruits, cheese, milk, bread and a variety of meats.  All three of us are looking forward to it.  As part of the CSA, we will provide 12 hours of labor on the farm during the season.

Here's what's going this week with Whisler Baby Boy 2009:

Baby Stats:

Size: 7 inches
Weight: 11 ounces

Baby Developments:

By now the baby looks like a mini-version of what he'll look like when he's born. All his facial features are formed and hair is growing on his head. He's even acting like a baby and will occasionally suck his thumb or yawn.  Don't believe me?  Check out the ultrasound pictures from the previous posts.

Baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. That being said, please do not approach Laura and ask for a listen. By 21 weeks, fetal bone marrow starts making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.

The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning our little bean now serves another purpose: the baby uses it to "practice" chowing down. Yes, it sounds gross (as many aspects of pregnancy do), but it's an important step for the baby toward being able to chow down in the real world. Baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that he's absorbing small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.

The baby now weighs about 11 ounces and is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. Float anyone?  Laura will take one with a scoop of Andy's Frozen Custard, please.

What We're Doing:

This week, there are two manly rooms in the house receiving primetime attention.  For the big man, the focus is in the garage which includes lawn equipment preparation, organizing the tools with the Rubbermaid FastTrack system and mopping the epoxy finish floor.  That's right, I said mopping.  For the little man, we turn indoors where Laura is putting the final touches on the nursery room or as I like to call it, "Little Man Cave".