The Whislers.net

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 19-20 inches
Weight: 6 pounds

Baby Developments:

Well, we're carrying a full-term baby. If Laura goes into labor today, all systems would be a go.

Baby's growth slows down dramatically this week, which is great news for the birth canal. His bones are still soft and pliable and will solidify after he's born. Again, the birth canal rejoices.

So while we wait for him to arrive he's keeping busy practicing for "life on the outside," working on his breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing and peeing abilities. The only thing he can't practice yet is his ability to scream at the top of his lungs when he's hungry—but he'll do plenty of that in a few weeks.

At this point babies vary in size, but the average length is between 19 and 20 inches and most babies weigh approximately 6 pounds. About the size of an average largemouth bass his grandfather would like to catch someday in a father-son-grandson fishing trip.

What We're Doing:

The busy month of July continues as we take our final baby preparation class at Cox hospital in Springfield.  On Saturday we spent all day learning about pre-labor, labor and the delivery process.  We also took another tour of the labor and delivery wing.  This is our last scheduled weekend.  We figure that August should be kept wide open just in case.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 5 inches
Weight: 4 ounces

Baby Developments:

Baby is adding fat stores that will keep him warm and cozy after he's born.  The baby's weight will increase approximately six times over the next four weeks.  Good to know Laura's not the only one tipping the scale.

Baby is also hard at work honing her sucking and swallowing reflexes -- all the better for eating that 2am, 5am and 8am meal in just a few months.  The finger- and toenails are beginning to grow from their nail beds, which would explain why she'll need them trimmed almost as soon as she's born.

The baby weighs nearly 5 ounces and is a little over 5 inches long -- about the size of a baked potato.  Butter and sour cream on the side please.  Laura will take hers fully loaded.

What We're Doing:

We attended the Cox Baby Affair on Saturday and were able to tour the Labor and Delivery and Postpartum floors.  It really helped to get a feel for where we will be as we experience the whirlwind called "giving birth."  Mark's parents were able to tour with us and Mom B (aka Barbara) was instructed that she's in charge of showing Momma J (aka Janet) where everything is so they can be in charge when Mark and I have lost our minds during the delivery process.

We also were able to visit with several vendors and were really intrigued by the new cloth diapers out right now.  If any of you have experience with these, please let us know.  Supposedly, you can purchase a set of diapers that are adjustable for the size of the child and will last from newborn to potty-training.  It almost sounds too good to be true but we are very interested in looking into them further.

Laura is feeling much better and now has her appetite back.  Thanks for all of your prayers.  The worst is definitely behind us so we can start really enjoying the pregnancy.