It's a Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I kept you all in suspense long enough. I can't believe it! The whole time I have been pregnant, people have asked me if I had "a feeling" either way. I really didn't. And then, just a couple of weeks before the 20-week ultra sound, I somehow convinced myself that it was a girl. I don't know if it stemmed from the belief that I should have some sort of feeling or intuition, or if I just liked the thought of tea parties, ballet lessons, and fairy decor. Regardless, I was wrong. Not that I couldn't picture a little Adam running around, because I totally could. And now I really can! We are so excited and very relieved that everything continues to look healthy so far! I can't believe we are having a baby boy! Here are some more of the ultra sound images from our last doctor visit. Anyone who can identify the tell-tale anatomy shot deserves a prize. The only way I can pick it out is by finding the picture that has the little arrow labeled "boy" which points to the evidence. I love the profile shots! I just can't wait to meet him in person!

22 weeks!

Well, here we are at 22 weeks! I am really starting to feel big! According to http://www.babycenter.com, the baby is 10.9 inches long (the length of a spaghetti squash) and weighs almost 1 pound. Baby Center puts this disclaimer at the bottom of these little progress reports: "Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development". I am so glad that they point this out because I am quite sure my baby weighs at least 22 pounds at this point! I am feeling well this week, although sleep is definitely becoming more difficult. The cats are getting very frustrated with all of my tossing and turning. I have been waking up around 3:00 in the morning and then can't seem to find a position comfortable for everyone (me, baby, Adam, Pussca, and Sashi). Stay tuned for more exciting details regarding my sleep hygiene in an upcoming blog entitled "How my life has changed". I know I have been a little slack lately on the old blog, but I do have some good stuff in the works. I have started several already, but I was typing in such a fury I really need to go back and proof read them before putting on the internet (those of you familiar with my spelling understand). I will post the rest of the ultrasound pictures this week and soon I will tackle the issues of weight and hormones. I am sure you can hardly wait! Have a great week!

-Blair and Baby C

21 Weeks!

Hi everybody!

I am sorry I didn't post a picture last week. Despite the lack of photo, it was very eventful week. Baby C was the size (length wise) of a banana (around 6 1/2 inches long)! So cute! We also had our 20 week ultra sound! Here is one of our favorite shots. It was a really amazing experience. I love being able to see the baby move around. At one point the nurse had to press down really hard on my belly to get a shot and we saw the baby curl up into a little ball as if to say, "Aw, come on stop poking me!"

Can you tell if Baby C is more likely going to be into snakes and snails or sugar and spice? Well, now we know and are very excited! Don't worry, I won't keep you in suspense for too long; I just want to tell a few more of you in person. Feel free to make a post if you think you know. I will plan to do an official posting of the news in a week or so.

Here I am at 21 weeks! Check out how it compares to my very first shot at 12 weeks! Wow!











Right now Baby C is the length of a carrot (approximately 10 1/2 inches long) "rump to crown". He or she now weighs about three-quarters of a pound. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. B.C. has been kicking up a storm. It is such a crazy feeling. I just wish I could see what is going on on there! Hope you all have a great week!

Cat Burglar

This is such a cute article! My mom cut it out of People magazine. It is about a Siamese cat from England who began stealing stuffed toys from around his neighborhood and bringing them home to the family's new baby! I can only hope Pussca and Sashi are as welcoming to our new addition! To view the entire article, click on the link below. http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/4/11/1861445/My%20Documents/The%20Cat%20Burglar.pdf

Conscious Birthing

Hello Everyone!

This weekend Adam and I took a really cool class at the Yoga Source in Carytown. My mom gave Adam a gift certificate for the workshop for his birthday. The class was called Conscious Birthing: A Workshop for Couples. At first we weren't sure what to expect. I mean, I didn't really think being unconscious through the process was really an option. Then we began to joke that perhaps the title of the workshop was referring to husbands to be who may have a propensity to pass out when under extreme direst (Adam has a history of mysterious fainting spells). The description of the class is as follows:





"Learn to approach labor as a joyous, empowering rite of passage. This half-day workshop offers pregnant couples an opportunity to deepen their relationships though yoga, mindfulness practice, and focused inquiry. Share questions and concerns, learn poses to strengthen, open, and relax both of you, and practice effective pain-coping techniques. Partners will learn comfort measures to support pregnant and laboring women. Snacks provided".
( http://www.yogarichmond.com/prenatal.asp)

They had me at "snacks provided". But seriously, it was a really beautiful experience. We started off with some basic yoga exercises to help everyone relax. It was Adam's first experience with yoga (aside from tiptoeing through the living room when I am doing a yoga video). I was very impressed! He performed the poses with the grace and agility of an experienced yogi (his favorite poses were the "rolling cat" and "child's pose"). After the warm up we learned some wonderful poses to do together. The poses can be done anytime throughout pregnancy to help with the inevitable aches and pains as well as during the contractions of labor to help ease the pain, open the hips, and promote relaxation. My favorite thing about these poses is that they give dads-to-be/partners specific tools which allow them to really take an active role in supporting (literally in most poses) moms-to-be. I can only imaging how helpless it would be to see your partner in so much pain and have no idea how to help them. The techniques also involve being physically close to your partner (one pose begins with slow dancing) which I am sure only facilitates the bonding experienced in childbirth.

After the poses, the fathers learned some amazing massage techniques. Then we had snacks (finally) and watched a terrifying video of which portrayed the various stages of labor and childbirth.

It was really a wonderful bonding experience (thanks, Mom). The instructors were amazing and brought years of birthing experience into the classroom. Yoga Source also offers a variety of other prenatal and postnatal classes which I can't wait to try out. As for Adam, I think he is excited to practice what we learned, but has no plans to watch anymore birthing videos anytime soon!