The Whislers.net

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: 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 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".

This week is kind of like halftime at a football game.  One half down with one more to go.  The most exciting part comes at the 2 minute warning.  Until then, here's what's going this week with Whisler Baby Boy 2009:

Baby Stats:

Size: 6½ inches
Weight: 10½ ounces

Baby Developments:

The baby has established sleep patterns akin to a newborn now. Many babies even have a favorite sleep position already. Some snooze with their chins resting on their chests, while others nap with their head flung back. Many babies at this age fall into noticeable cycles of sleep and activity, so we may know before he arrives whether we have a night owl or an early bird.  We have both a night owl and early bird at our house so we'll know exactly who his sleep patterns favor.

From this point forward, the baby will put most of his energy into gaining weight and, not coincidentally, so will his mother. Right now the baby weighs approximately 10½ ounces and is about 6½ inches long, about the size of a can of Red Bull (which has way too much caffeine for a pregnant woman to be drinking).

What We're Doing:

Some of the nursery decor has already been ordered and will be arriving shortly.  Laura and I will begin working on that right away.  Personally, I have been spending this month studying for another Microsoft Certification exam with the hope of passing them all before baby arrives.  Just last week I achieved my MCAD designation and will focus on the MCPD next.  Most of you have no clue about what I just said and probably wish you had the last two sentences of your life back.  I've passed 3 exams so far with 4 more to go.  Imagine each test like a bar exam and you'll get the picture.

The time is here; it is ultrasound week.  Here's what's going on this week with Whisler Baby 2009: 

Baby Stats:

Size: 6 inches
Weight: 8½ ounces

Baby Developments:

This week the baby starts bulking up and packing on the grossly named "brown fat" he'll need to keep warm when he gets evicted from his comfortable home.  Vernix, a milky white coating that protects the baby's skin, appears all over the baby's body to keep his skin from getting pickled in the amniotic fluid. Think of it as if the baby has been dipped in yogurt, like those delicious but fake-healthy yogurt-covered raisins and pretzels.  Under the vernix, a fuzzy layer of hair called lanugo now covers baby's body. Don't worry, Mini won't look like Cousin It when he's born. Most of the fuzz will fall off before baby makes his grand entrance.

The baby's kidneys are fully functioning and producing urine this week. Bad news: That means there will be lots of diapers in our future.  She now weighs about 8½ ounces and measures 6 inches, as long as an Italian BMT sub from Subway on warm, delicious Italian Herb and Cheese bread.  Yes, that is a classic Mark sandwich.  The only thing missing is "Gabagool" (for you Soprano fans out there).

What We're Doing:

This week we are going to set up the baby room furniture and prepare to do some shopping once the gender has been revealed.  Try and guess which one of us is doing what.