The Whislers.net

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 17½ inches
Weight: 4½ pounds

Baby Developments:

The big news this week is lung development—baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature. That means if he was born this week, odds are he'd be a healthy bouncing baby with a just a little help from his friends (aka, the NICU). Baby can now detect light and tell the difference between night and day (of course that ability will miraculously disappear once he's born and up all night screaming). His pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light.

The bones in his skull are soft and are not yet fused together. In other words, now is not the time for his father to teach him how to do a headspin while breakdancing. This pliability allows the bones to overlap; making that trip down the tight birth canal possible. Baby will continue to pack on the pounds gaining around ½ pound a week from here on "out".

He weighs about 4½ pounds, as much as a grownup duck, and is approximately 17.5 inches long, about the same as a collarbone-length pearl necklace. (Remember the one Laura said she was going to make?  Yeah, now Mark is supposed to just go out and buy her one.)

What We're Doing:

The last shower was held in Eureka, MO where Laura spent a majority of her formidable years. It was primarily attended by her side of the family, church friends and family friends. Mark was instructed to make himself scarce during that time at a movie theatre and he obliged. We spent the rest of the weekend with her parents and family at the house.

The biggest news is that he finally dropped which gave Laura immediate relief from the excruciating pain she's been having for the past few weeks. Trust me, we're all thankful for this.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 17 inches
Weight: 4 pounds

Baby Developments:

Although the baby will still remain active, his days of trying out for Cirque du Soleil are nearly over. He will settle into the head-down position in preparation for birth.

Both Laura and baby will start putting on some serious weight at this point. She'll probably gain about a pound a week for the next few weeks, with half of that poundage bulking up baby. He'll likely double his weight in the next eight weeks.

So what does his day typically consist of now? He's busy blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him—pretty much exactly what he'll be doing for the first three months of his life, sans the adoring audience and the flashing camera.

By the end of this week, little man will weigh about 4 pounds and measure over 17 inches long—about the length of a pair of above-the-knee boots. Christian Louboutin? Manolo Blahnik? Yeah, I'm thinking Isaac Mizrahi from Target—we've got a nursery to furnish.

What We're Doing:

This post is slightly delayed due to our neighbor slicing the phone and DSL line to the house when he put up his fence.  Laura had another baby shower, given by some good friends of ours, at Honey Heaven in Springfield.  We had another shower the following Monday at ANPAC (where Mark works).  The second one was a tad more techy and the males weren't quite so outnumbered there.  Overall, it was a great week and we want to thank everybody who planned and attended.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 16 inches
Weight: 3½ pounds

Baby Developments:

From this week on, baby will continue to gain around ½ pound a week until shortly before birth. Due to increasing space constraints, his arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now, known as the fetal position (oh, so that's where that name came from). Plus, he can now process information from all five senses—so he'll be all set to smell the pureed peas, taste them, feel them as he mashes them into his hair, hear us crack up and then see the flash as we grab the camera to take the picture.

By now, little man's lungs are the only system not fully mature. His lungs need a little bit more time to bake before they can kick it in the outside world. Baby weighs about 3½ pounds and measures a little over 16 inches, about the length of the necklace Laura's hoping to finish making before The Arrival.

What We're Doing:

My first baby shower was on Saturday and was hosted by my good friends and co-workers, Laura and June.  It was beautiful and a wonderful opportunity to spend time with work friends outside of the office.  A few clients and vendors also came and it was a lovely time.  Mark and I now have a great start on our new collection of baby gear and we're both amazed how much STUFF the little guy requires.  Next Saturday a few friends are hosting a shower for me and I'm looking forward to my parents coming in town.  My mother-in-law and Mark's grandma will also be there so it will be nice to all be together before the little guy arrives.

On Tuesday, Mark tried his hand at being a farm hand at our local CSA.  Accompanied by storm warnings, cloud-to-ground lightning and torrential downpours, Mark's first experience was quite memorable as he picked cucumbers, baby lettuce, radishes and squash drenched head to toe.  I guess it's better than picking vegetables in 90 degree temperatures.  We now have a new appreciation for the way produce gets to our dinner table.