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.

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 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: 18 inches
Weight: 5½ pounds

Baby Developments:

This week the final touches are being added to the mini-masterpiece and most of his development is going to br packing on the pounds. While baby's movements may be becoming less jerky, he may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put himself into the head-down position for birth.

Our little Karate Kid can't quite pack the punch he used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days. Laura seems to be feeling more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat baby is adding will create those cute dimples on baby's elbows and knees. His liver has begun processing his waste products, so we know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie.

Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of his tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. He'll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once he's born (as will Laura).

Little man is now about 5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of a sheet cake.

What We're Doing:

It's a week of birthday celebration for Mark.  To celebrate, his coworkers took inspiration from the TV series The Office and encased a large portion of his cubicle in Jello.  Here are a few pictures of the aftermath:

From left to right: [Green] Various office supplies, [Orange] Protein bar, [Purple] Water bottle, [Blue] Storage keys

Keyboard and Mouse

We will also be traveling to Mena, Arkansas this weekend to attend the wedding of a good friend of mine from college.  He was my best man in our wedding and I will be a groomsman in his.  Technically, we're not supposed to be traveling this far so close to the due date, but we're going to do it anyway.

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

Baby Stats:

Size: 17¾ inches
Weight: 5 pounds

Baby Developments:

The baby kind of looks like he's coated in a layer of cream cheese these days. The thick, white substance that protects his skin from pruning in the amniotic fluid is called vernix. When he's born it's possible to see some vernix lingering in the "hard-to-reach" places like under his arms and behind his ears.  The soft fur, lanugo, that covered baby's body for much of his stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. Little man begins to develop his own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta. This will come in handy when somebody manhandles the baby without washing their hands first.

This week, he measures about 17¾ inches, as almost as long as an American Girl Doll and weighs almost 5 pounds, as heavy as a bag of sugar, minus the cup Laura put in her sweet tea today.

What We're Doing:

Every weekend has been busy in July which is why we're behind, yet again, on the blog posting.  Over the 4th of July, we camped with Mark's parents, sister and brother-in-law in Washington State Park.  Yes, it's in Missouri; it just happens to be in Washington county just southwest of St. Louis.

Since Laura is pregnant, she slept in the nice, air-conditioned camper surrounded by mountains of pillows.  Mark and his dad had the pleasure of reacquainting themselves with nature after Mark forgot the tent poles and was forced to sleep outside under a makeshift tarp tent.  In case you were wondering, rain has an uncanny way of finding the areas of the tarp you didn't tie down well, not to mention the constant fireworks, oh, the fireworks.

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.