4D

Well, at this very moment, sweet baby Brasen has the hiccups. :)

We went last week for our 4D ultrasound. It was neat, and we got to see lots of facial features, but not much fluid was around his face so it was hard to get some good pictures. I'm not sure we will pay for that again in the future since it really depends on the cooperation of the baby! Here are a couple of images from our session

What a sweet little face. Can't wait to see him. We also found out at that ultrasound that his weight (based on the measurement of his femur) was 4 lbs, 6 oz. He kept his hand by his face the whole time and Kyle kept saying what a good quarterback he will be with his arm up like that. But when we found out how much the little stinker weighs, Kyle said, "Well, maybe I should have been hoping for a linebacker instead of a quarterback..." He still has 9 weeks to grow! I am hoping he will decide to meet us a little early (not too early, just a week or two!).

The nursery is sort of at a standstill...all is painted with the exception of the doors. The bed is completed; dad is just waiting on the hardware to come in to put it together. The changing table and night stand are done (with the exception of drawer pulls!). The bedding and curtain are currently being made. The wall decorations are almost all bought, but none put up yet. It will all come together. 

At all of my checkups, everything has looked good so far. I have already gained 32 pounds...and I can feel it. Mostly in my feet when I get up in the mornings, and my back. I am having to wear Kyle's tshirts to sleep in. He is thrilled, haha. He has had the flu the last few days and today is my first day back at home. I steered clear while he was running fever so I didn't get it. When I came home today, everything was sanitized, and all the sheets, pillows, and comforter were washed. What a good hubby I have.

Last weekend we had maternity pictures made by Jennifer Goodman. She did an excellent job. She is also going to do Brasen's newborn pics. Go here to check out her website. 

I suppose I need to be productive and go pay some bills. :)

Faces of Grace

One of my very best friends from OT school just had her first baby on December 30. I am so excited that our babies will be close in age. I know they won't be as close as we are but just having someone to share stories with will be fun!

Grace Elliot is a little cutie, with big puffy cheeks that you just want to kiss over and over. She has many little faces and her lips and eyebrows have a little mind of their own with lots of expressions. The whole family is doing well and her Aunt Alana is super excited she is here. :)

 (Get ready for some more "friend's babies" posts, because there are a few of us who will be having babies very shortly!)

7 months

Baby Brasen-

This week you are 28 weeks old. Mommy and daddy are confused sometimes with the "math" of a pregnancy :) 40 weeks is full term, yet it's 10 months. And a typical pregnancy is 9 months. So we don't really know how many "months" we are. We just know we have a few more weeks before we can meet you and we are so excited! You are about 16 inches and weigh about 2.9 pounds. At your last ultrasound you weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces which is a little ahead of your tiny peers the same age. We have a 4D ultrasound scheduled for the end of the month, and then we go to the doctor every other week to check on you.

Mommy has gained quite a few pounds for you to only weigh nearly 3 pounds. But that's ok. We'll get out that jogging stroller as soon as we can! My blood pressure has been almost picture perfect every visit, around 108/72. Doctor says that is great! You are such an active little one. At times, I feel like you are in karate class. My belly will jump around and I can feel and see your arm or leg move across.  You like to keep me up at night with your tumbling skills. I can't wait to see you and be able to see those movements in person.

Your room is coming along slowly but surely. It has taken a village to get ready for you but everyone is happy to help (or seems to be!). Daddy says you have more shoes and clothes than him already (I do agree that you have more shoes...clothes...not yet!). Right now your things are taking up space in his deer room but he doesn't seem to mind too much. I went to visit Whitney and Grace and while I was gone, daddy texted me that he was in your closet looking at all of your things. :) You have a great daddy who already loves you so much. He asks about you all day, making sure you are still as active as you usually are. Which is typically a YES every time!

We are so thankful for you and often wonder what we would be doing if you were already here. For now, we'll nap when we can, sleep in when we can, and be lazy as much as we can. We know when you get here you will be the boss of the house but we are ok with that. I continue to pray for your development. Although I read almost daily what is going on with you inside of me, I know that God is knitting you together each day and even as we speak. I pray he blesses you beyond measure. I pray for you to love Him above all else. And I thank Him every day he chose us to be your parents.

Can't wait to meet you, sweet baby.

Mommy and Daddy