Baby's First....

FOOTBALL GAME!

We snuck our little bug into the first Gopher football game at the new TCF Stadium on campus. He/She was a part of history as one of the fans at the sold out game. It was a beautiful night and the excitement and energy gave me goosebumps! It was unbelievable to see the beautiful outdoor staduim filled with Maroon & Gold and MN fans filling the space that was an old parking lot when Chad and I were in college. Being from WI, football is not football unless it is outdoors so I didn't enjoy the Gopher games at the Metrodome when I was in college. We have supported the outdoor stadium movement from day one, watched as the Big Ten stadium was built, signed up for the season ticket waiting list and got tickets! We were so excited for the season to start!The game started with the Air Force F-16 flyover which was amazing seeing the planes come from the downtown skyline. The UofM football legendary history was honored with honorary captains which was really emotional - these men were so proud and happy to have a proper football field on campus again. And to top it off the Gophers even won! It was great to be back on campus, the nostalgic place where Chad and I met almost exactly 9 years ago. And this time with our first child going to its first of many football games :)

...BLESSING!

Our family got a special blessing on church on Sunday from Canon Richard who married us. Our little miracle is lucky to have lots of prayers to be a healthy baby :)

...And, better late then never.... 24 week belly pic

my funny Valentine

Valentine in her sexy underwear

A new addition!!!!

Hello,

I'm Chad West, Katy's hubby. As many of our loyal readers know, I was in Budapest, Hungary over the weekend. I drank and ate fine Hungarian food and hung out with close friends. When I got back home I felt a little funny in the morning. I turned to Katy and said "grab the tester!"

Katy grabbed one from the dwindling stash and in a building frenzy I took the tester out of its packaging. I read the instructions and started the test. I was so excited that I could barely keep my hands dry! The result: POSITIVE!

I had almost given up hope to never think it would happen. I was just on perfect cycle of beer, meat, and other unhealthy behavior that it finally worked. I wasn't even really trying that hard. It goes to show that good things come to those who wait.

I plan on telling my office tomorrow and thus instituting paternity leave there. 5 weeks off should be sufficient. I know I'll have my hands full!

So, yes, I already have all the details. I will have an underground birth. I expect to have about 1 to 1 and a half doctors in the room, but never at the same time. The lighting will be sans florescent with a peace candle lit a safe distance away, cared by a peace candle peacekeeper. I will also have another highly specialized person in the room who will solve many problems. The position I will take during delivery will be the All-Limb Method. This method was inspired by natural animals and basically means that I'll be on all fours. I just have to be sure that my face doesn't get too red for the photographer.

Well, there are just too many forward-thinking considerations and too little time to write them all down right now. Make no mistake though: I will tell you all of them and have a reason for all of them. The point, really, is that I'm pregnant. And you, my friend, have permission to touch my belly.

Love,

Chad (& the little one!)

A Day in the Life...

Today I woke up at 6:20am. I could feel the baby waking up about 6:40am as I was putting on my makeup. I had breakfast at work - oatmeal, calcium fortified orange juice, and hot chocolate. All those beverages resulted in me making several trips to the restroom! We do not have a bathroom in our office, so its a good chance to get some exercise walking to the bathroom so much! I actually enjoy these frequent walks because I can feel the baby most when I really gotta go! I was starving again by lunch so I had pasta, a big salad, and cherry crisp. I also try to drink a lot of water. Now I am so full! After I have yogurt for a snack and salmon for dinner I should have met all my nutrition requirements for the day. Its a big job keeping this growing babe healthy!

Blast from the Past

My sister came to visit us in July - we all enjoyed a chill weekend. We walked around Lake Harriet, went to the rose garden, and Annie tried her first bubble tea!

She also came bearing gifts, including these beautiful flowers! Thanks Auntie Annie and thanks for coming :)

Week 20 - Ultrasound

Our little one was the star of "A Baby Movie" today. His/her comfy bed was shrunk early this morning when mom had to drink 3 big glasses of water, pushing a bulging bladder against its head. He/she was all cozy head down with the butt to the left of my belly button and the feet to the right. Heartbeat was 141 and weighs 10-12 oz. I think it was still tired because we saw a few big yawns and its hands were by its head/face and even a few fingers in the mouth! It was so fun to see the movement and the little feet kicking, although I still cannot feel any of that movement. The doctor said he/she is very active and responsive to the belly pokes :)

Week 19

I haven't posted in so long I forgot my password! I have A LOT of catching up to do, but I am starting fresh with a 19 week update - almost half way!

Here's whats goin on in there:

Vernix (a white cheese like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo, a soft hair covering the body. Your baby may hear your heart beating, your stomach rumbling or blood moving through the umbilical cord. He or she may even be startled by loud noises.Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs and the vocal chords are formed. Baby goes through the motions of crying but without air doesn't make a sound; yet. Your baby may have the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. Baby will have a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.Your baby measures about 6 inches crown to rump and weighs about 7 ounces. If it is a girl, she already has 6 million eggs! (This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth). We have an ultrasound this Thursday, but we are not finding out the gender so you will all have to wait to be surprised in January!