The Whislers.net

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: 18½ inches
Weight: 6 pounds

Baby Developments:

Baby continues to put on weight at about ½ pound each week. This layer of fat will help regulate his body temperature after leaving the climate-controlled womb. In fact, he will be 15 percent fat at birth. Even in the womb, he can listen, feel, touch and see. The only thing separating him from living in the outside world is a little thing called the birth canal.

His gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth, though his actual pearly whites won't start breaking through until he's between three months and a year old.  Little man has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening his eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. In fact, baby will become alert and turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would, especially when I start singing select Garth Brooks hits.

Baby is now around 18½ inches long and nearly 6 pounds—just about as big as a breadbox.

What We're Doing:

July 19th was our six year anniversary.  We decided to celebrate our last retreat as a couple in Branson since the doctor won't let us travel long distances.  Laura snagged us a pair of tickets to see Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby and Six featuring, well, six brothers singing a capella.  Both shows were fantastic and we would highly recommend them.  The weather was fantastic so we spent an evening at Branson Landing.  You might recall our "Guide to The Landing" in a previous post. 

Check out these scores:

Old Man Benches - 42

Who Dressed Me? - 14

Farm Report:

Week 36's fruit is an eggplant.  The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain (an insignificant amount of) nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.

Mark's rating: 6 out of 10

Laura's rating: 8 out of 10

This fruit has possibilities if cooked properly.  The eggplant parmesan seemed to make a favorable impression.

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.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 15 inches
Weight: 3 pounds

Baby Developments:

Baby's brain can now control his breathing and body temperature.  Little dude's skin is looking less wrinkled as he packs on the pounds. He's starting to look more like a Pampers model and less like a Depends model. He's now beefing up on the energizing and insulating white fat he'll be born with (unfortunately, white fat is not energizing and insulating for adults).

And speaking of energy, our little Energizer Bunny is on fire these days. Laura is feeling her share of kicks, punches and elbows, especially when lying down.  This week, little man is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop.  That was for all you Mac folks out there.

What We're Doing:

Laura passed her glucose test with flying colors.  Sweet.  Typical results range from 70 to 120 and she scored a 71.  It means her body processes sugars well and she won't be prone to gestational diabetes.  Unfortunately, that positive light is shadowed by her chronic pain that has the doctors stumped.  These sharp, shooting pains were thought to be gall bladder related, but the ultrasound showed her gall bladder within normal limits.  We have been referred to her surgeon for another opinion and see where things go from there.  That appointment is next week.

On a side note, during the ultrasound, the technician is not allowed to show the baby unless ordered by the doctor.  However, he was positioned close to the gall bladder so as we watched the screen we were pleasantly surprised to see a chubby, right arm pass through our field of vision, which of course Laura immediately felt in the rib cage.

Oh, and by request from my father, here are the latest baby bump photos.

Farm Report:

Week 29's vegetable is arugula.  It has a rich, peppery taste, and has an exceptionally strong flavour for a leafy green. It is generally used in salads but also cooked as a vegetable with pastas or meats. In Italy, it is often used in pizzas, added just before the baking period ends or immediately afterwards, so that it won't wilt in the heat. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in pesto, either in addition to basil or as a (non-traditional) substitute.

Mark's rating: 9 out of 10

Laura's rating: 8 out of 10

This is a must have leafy green for salads. Try a small handful mixed with romaine lettuce, spinach and other mixed greens. I will try this on pizza soon.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 14½ inches
Weight: 2 pounds

Baby Developments:

Baby's lungs and immune system are maturing this week as baby prepares for his grand entrance. If he were born today he would have an 85 percent chance of surviving as his lungs are capable of breathing air (with medical assistance, of course).

Baby's done a lot of growing over the past few months. His length has more than doubled in the past 15 weeks! And that's not the only thing growing—baby's brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace. His brain waves are now firing away just like those of a newborn baby.

Little man now weighs in at approximately 14½ inches and just over 2 pounds, or about the size of that roast Laura might make for her parents this weekend. (OK, the baby is the size of that roast she intends to cook before deciding that ordering Chinese is a much better idea.)

What We're Doing:

This has been a relatively calm week, which doesn't happen very often.  We recovered from Relay For Life and now look forward to a restful, holiday weekend.  Laura's parents will be in town and I'm packing up a trailer full of sound equipment to run sound for a band next week.

Farm Report:

Week 27's vegetable is a beet.  The roots and leaves of the beet have been used in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. Modern research is investigating in further detail how beet extracts could be used to protect normal and diabetic livers, as well as their effects on elevated cholesterol in individuals with cancer, and other medical maladies.

Mark's rating: 1 out of 10

Laura's rating: 8 out of 10

This vegetable has mixed reviews.  Some individuals eat them while others find a hiding place for them under the mashed potatoes.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 13½ inches
Weight: 1½ pounds

Baby Developments:

Baby's hands are now fully developed and he spends most of his awake time groping around in the darkness of the uterus. Brain and nerve endings are developed enough now so that he can feel the sensation of touch. That doesn't mean he can feel it when his father pokes at the belly.

The baby's arms and legs have grown to almost the proportions they will be at birth, which is still sort of short. Baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, clear out (like he's taken a super-dose of Sudafed) and he can practice breathing through the nose. The structures of his spine are now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings and some 1,000 ligaments.

The capillaries, the teeniest blood vessels, are now forming in baby's body, giving his formerly translucent skin a pink glow. The blood vessels in the lungs also develop this week. I can't wait to see how well that worked out when he gives those lungs a workout at 3 in the morning. 

The baby weighs about a pound and a half and is about 13½ inches long—roughly the length of one of those recorders you played in elementary school music class.

What We're Doing: 

I found out that Restless Heart was going to be in Branson last weekend so it immediately turned into date night.  We began with The Landing for dinner followed by a show at the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre featuring Country Tonite and Restless Heart.  Check out these pictures as proof. Also, make sure you follow our guide to The Landing on your next visit.

The Whisler Entertainment Guide to The Landing

• Arrive at your restaurant of choice no later than 5:45pm.  Coordinating the transition time between the early bird old folks and twenty-somethings is critical.
• Count the number of times you hear Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way".
• Play the game, "Old Man Benches".  You'll find most benches filled with older men waiting on their wives to finish shopping.  Count them quickly.  Double points if you walk back and they're still sitting there.  Triple points if they are holding a shopping bag.  Try and beat our high score of 48.
• If visiting in the evening, make sure you play, "Who Dressed Me?".  The goal is to count the number of inappropriately dressed young women.  Bring pencil and paper as you will lose count quickly.

Farm Report:

Remember, Laura and I are both farmers now.  We will bring you the vegetable of the week accompanied by a rating and perhaps a recipe.

Week 25's vegetable is Kale. Kale is a highly nutritious vegetable with antioxidant properties and is an anti-inflammatory. It contains sulforaphane which is a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.

Rating: 8 out of 10

This vegetable has been approved by Mark and Laura.

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.

The official due date (August 22nd) is exactly 6 months away from today.  Here's what's going on this week with Whisler Baby 2009:

Baby Stats:

Size: 4 inches
Weight: 2 ounces

Baby Developments:

Baby's head is now resting on his well-formed neck instead of directly on his shoulders like a linebacker. He's beginning to grow eyebrows and eyelashes this week. (All the better to give Laura that "Mom, you're crazy" look when he's a teenager.) The hair on the head also begins to grow and, with some creative styling, we'll be able to turn those locks into a Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk some day.

Although baby's eyes are sealed shut, she's now able to sense light. Her eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. As the baby practices sucking and swallowing actions, she may actually hiccup. We'll know she's had one too many shots of amniotic fluid by the steady thump-thump Laura should feel.

The baby now measures nearly 4 inches, about the size of a Kit Kat "finger" (regular-size, not the big one you overpay for at the movies), and weighs almost 2 ounces. Chocolate hasn't been a craving as of yet, but we still have about 6 months left to go.

What We're Doing:

We are investigating joining a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. It's a system by which consumers own a share of a farm and partake in the yield each week during the growing season. It's a great way to get fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, eggs and meat from local farmers.