The Whislers.net

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 21 inches
Weight: 7½ -8 pounds

Baby Developments:

Ok, so we are more than ready, but apparently our little man isn't quite done enjoying the comfy digs Laura's provided him.  The good news is, in general, babies who are born "late" (in the "fourth trimester") weigh more, appear more alert and have more hair than babies born earlier. Some even come out singing. Well, not really, but we wouldn't be surprised.

Our future sumo wrestler now probably weighs between 7½ and 8 pounds and measures about 21 inches long. So not only is the baby late, but he keeps getting bigger, making delivery more challenging, er, I mean exciting.

What We're Doing:

We have our final OB apointment on Monday.  Unless he decides to get moving on his own, we will induce labor on Thursday.  Our parents will both be there as well as numerous friends and coworkers.  We are so thankful for all the support, family and friendships represented.  Facebook will probably be the primary place for status updates, but I will announce his arrival on the blog and include pictures & video.

Here is the last pregnant picture:

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 19-20 inches
Weight: 7-8 pounds

Baby Developments:

At birth babies have a total of 300 bones. Some of the bones will fuse together later, which is why an adult has only 206 bones. Fascinating, no?  Babies vary in size at this point, but the average full-term baby weighs around 7 to 8 pounds and hovers around 19 or 20 inches. That's about the size of a ... BABY!

Yeah, we've made it to week 40!  Nine months ago it seemed like this day would never come and now it seems like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant.  It's been a fun ride but it's not over yet.  Although the due date is approaching, we haven't seen a baby yet.  I keep reading that more than 50% of women go up to 2 weeks past their due date.  At least I know he'll come out eventually and will be good and ready!  

What We're Doing:

This week we were at the hospital Saturday night and into the early morning hours on Sunday with contractions.  I started feeling contractions earlier in the day on Saturday and they got progressively worse through the evening.  Mark and I walked around the neighborhood in an effort to make them stronger and more regular and Mark diligently timed them.  By about 9pm I was having contractions every 5 minutes and lasting 2 minutes each.  We decided to shower and get our final bags packed for the hospital and left around 11:30pm. 

Upon arrival, the triage nurse hooked me up to fetal monitors and confirmed that I was having regular contractions.  After many laps around the labor and delivery floor of the hospital and 3 hours later, the nurses decided to send me home.  They believed I was in early labor and fully expected to see me back before 7am Sunday morning.  They gave me medicine to take the edge off the pain of the contractions and help me sleep.  The medicine worked so well that I didn't wake up until after 10am Sunday morning and all contractions stopped.  I was disappointed but we reluctantly realized he wasn't ready to make his grand entrance. 

Farm Report:

Week 40's fruit is a peach.  Peaches actually originated in China where they have been cultivated since the early days of Chinese culture. Peaches were mentioned in Chinese writings as far back as the tenth century BC and were a favored fruit of emperors.  Although Thomas Jefferson had peach trees at Monticello, United States farmers did not begin commercial production until the nineteenth century in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia and finally Virginia.

Mark's rating: 10 out of 10

Laura's rating: 10 out of 10

We are really enjoying eating fresh peaches everyday.  This teamed with blueberries and strawberries from Mama Jean's (a local organic market) have made a nice healthy alternative to Andy's Frozen Custard - the typical dessert of choice the last 9 months.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 19-20 inches
Weight: 7 pounds

Baby Developments:

Because there is no air around the baby, when he practices breathing, it can cause amniotic fluid to get into his windpipe, resulting in those regularly spaced thumps that make Laura think she's carrying a jumping bean in her belly.

The lanugo that used to cover his body has mostly disappeared, but it's not unlikely to find a bit leftover on the shoulders, forehead and neck after he's born.

The color of baby's skin is changing from a red-pink hue to a white or blue-pink color. These changes are due to the amount of fat the little pudger is putting on. The circumference of his head and abdomen are about the same size now. The placenta is lending Mini antibodies that'll keep him strong and healthy after birth. That said, dad will still encourage folks to reach for that bottle of hand sanitizer.

At this point the little critter is about 19 to 20 inches long and weights about 7 pounds. That's just around the size of a large rabbit. What's up Doc?

What We're Doing:

The last remaining baby items arrived one of which is a baby gate to install at the top of the stairs.  I know what you're thinking and yes, infants typically don't walk out of the womb, but this gate is designed to keep cats out of his room.  During the installation of the gate, I was required to use a drill which evidently makes a high-pitched noise that the little guy didn't like.  Each time I used the drill he'd violently turn, twist and jab momma in the ribs.

After the third hole, Laura decided that she wanted to keep her pancreas and went in search of a quieter room in hopes to try and calm him down.  A few children's books later, he was fine.  Rest assured; by the time that little hand can hold a power tool, he won't be able to get out of chores by running to momma.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 19-20 inches
Weight: 6½ pounds

Baby Developments:

Little man needs to be careful because he just might scratch himself in the womb as his fingernails have grown over the fingertips now.  Laura has already volunteered to trim them upon arrival; imagine that.

Baby's lungs continue to mature and his brain and nerve function are working better every day. The latter two will continue to mature until he becomes a teenager, at which point he'll undoubtedly know it all.

Little man weighs about 6½ pounds and is around 19 or 20 inches long—as long as a duffle bag.

What We're Doing:

This weekend was the Whisler family reunion at Windemere nestled in the Lake of the Ozarks.  This annual tradition has been celebrated for decades and we thoroughly enjoy it each year.  It's too bad I only see some of those folks once a year.  We're looking forward to next year with this little guy.  We haven't had a young one in the family for many years now.  That's fine with me; I envision plenty of volunteer diaper changers.