The Whislers.net

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: 15½ inches
Weight: 3 pounds

Baby Developments:

Big news for baby's brain this week: It's starting to wrinkle and fold and looks like something that grew in the back of the fridge. This is due to the rapid growth of our little genius's brain cells.

Fingernails and toenails are finally finished—causing his parents great fear and anguish the first time we try to cut those little daggers. Plus, the bone marrow is completely in charge of red-blood-cell production now. Trust me, this is a good thing. Baby is starting to shed his lanugo—the downy hair that was covering his skin. Now that he's chubbier and better able to regulate his body temp, he doesn't need to sport a fur coat 24/7.

When the baby is awake, his eyes are now wide open and he's whittling away the hours looking around, checking out his rather dark, limited environs. Baby hasn't gained much weight or height this week, as most of his energy has been channeled to the brain. He weighs about 3 pounds and is approximately 15½ inches long, about the size of a Yorkie terrier. Of course our baby is less hairy and way cuter.

What We're Doing:

We saw the surgeon on Wednesday as a follow-up to the gall bladder ultrasound.  The pains continue to intensify and come more frequently so he feels that although it could be caused by a non-functioning gall bladder, the more likely cause is the big boy inside me.  He explained that because of my frame and short torso, baby boy '09 could be causing the ligaments around my rib cage to separate, causing moments of intense pain.  Whether it's the gall bladder or tearing ligaments, the pain is expected to get worse as I get bigger and further into the pregnancy.  Because I'm so far along already, he suggested that we manage the pain with medication for at least another 2-4 weeks and then possibly take the baby a little early.  If the pain is caused from the gall bladder, they can remove it immediately following delivery.  If the pain is caused from the tearing ligaments, they will begin to heal after little guy is out in the real world.  Either way, I should get relief from the pain after delivery.  I have a follow-up appointment with my OB on Tuesday and she will have the surgeon's notes so we can discuss her thoughts on that idea.  I, personally, would like to keep him in as long as possible so I will rest often, take my meds and be a good patient.  At least I'll TRY to be a good patient.  :)  Thanks for all your prayers and concerns  over the past few weeks.  We feel them and appreciate you.

Farm Report:

Week 30's vegetable is a radish.  Radishes are rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid, and potassium. They are a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, and calcium. One cup of sliced red radish bulbs provides approximately 20 Calories or less, coming largely from carbohydrates, making radishes, relative to their size, a very filling food for their caloric value.

Mark's rating: 7 out of 10

Laura's rating: 7.5 out of 10

Stay tuned for next week's report following Mark's day working at the farm.

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: 15 inches
Weight: 2-3 pounds

Baby Developments:

The baby's eyes are partially open now and can blink. Truly superior babies can actually wink. (OK, there is no way to prove that, but it's fun to imagine, right?)

His eyes have color now, too. It may not be the color he ultimately ends up with, especially if they're light gray or blue. The eyes typically don't settle on a final hue until nine months after baby is born. So when my mother-in-law says that the baby has her eyes, I can politely inform her that they'll most likely change soon. Sorry, Jan.

Little man is downright chubby compared to a few weeks ago. He is about 15 inches long, about the length of an amusement park cinnamon-sugar-coated churro, and weighs 2 to 3 pounds.

What We're Doing:

This week is an unusual one.  I've spent my entire week in Chillicothe running sound for a band.  One tidbit of interesting information, that my future son would certainly be proud of, is the a capella rendition of Vanilla Ice's, "Ice Ice Baby" last night in a talent show.  Absolutely amazing.  I believe there is video, but I'm not sure if it will be distributed.

Next Monday, Laura has a baby appointment to test for gestational diabetes with a glucose screening test.

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: 14 inches
Weight: 1 2/3 pounds

Baby Developments:

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see us with. Well not us, per se, because his eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but the baby's eyes are now fully developed.

Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. He can't understand what any of it means yet, but he's on track to read a Cover 2 defense in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, baby will start to recognize our voices. Songs like, "Living On a Prayer" and "Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone" have been met with repeated kicks to Laura's gut; an obvious indication of an encore performance from dad. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of his stay in Hotel Womb. The baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as our primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months).

What We're Doing: 

This week is the annual Springfield Relay For Life.  Laura and I actively participate on the RFL committee and will be attending the event as Event Directors.  For those of you in the Springfield area, please come on out and see us and help fight against cancer.  I know everybody knows somebody who has been affected by this disease. The event is held at Hillcrest High School from 7 - 9pm on Friday May 15th.  Lots of great things to do for all ages. More details and directions can be found here.

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: 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 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.