21 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

Note from Jen:

I am feeling great this week. Our little one has been moving around every day and it is so much fun to feel the tugging.

The ultrasound yesterday went really well. It took almost two hours and the tech looked at every bit of our kiddo. The baby weighs 14oz. and is measuring perfectly (50%) and everything looks wonderful... heart, spine, stomach, brain... everything!

We are so happy and had fun seeing our little one move like crazy and be completely stubborn when the tech was trying to measure the head... the baby had been in perfect position almost the entire time and then just flipped over and hid its head so she couldn't measure. It took about a half an hour and another doctor to finally get the pictures they needed! If that isn't proof that this baby is just like me and Kenny, I am not sure what is :)

Hope you had fun trying to figure out if our kiddo is a boy or a girl. The tech seemed very sure, but kinda just skimmed by it and took a terrible picture... we still aren't even quite sure what we saw :)

And now the moment you have all been waiting for...












...keep scrolling...

Do you want a hint?

We will give you three helpful hints. First, a masterfully written haiku. Second, a statement whose meaning is entirely obvious. Third, a hint on the photo.

Now many of you might start second guessing yourselves. Maybe, we have boy and are leading you to that. Maybe we are having a girl and leading you astray. Maybe, just maybe, we are just sitting here at home laughing ourselves to tears.

Blowing wind, blue sky,
Starry night to reach so high,
A child grows inside.

Mystery to tell,
Many guesses, not so swell.
Boy or girl - who knows?

Parents laughing tons,
Could be daughter, could be sons.
Do you want to know?

Fuzzy picture post,
Leaves you wanting all the most,
No such luck from us.

Boysenberries bloom,
‘Morrow we will tell at noon.
Lest ye all cry more.

私は男性であり、私の部品を侮辱した

Can you tell what I am?

Boy or Girl? What do you think?

Baby's Profile

Boy or Girl? This picture should show you.

Spine

Arm

Boy or Girl?!?

Get your votes in now! We go in for our Big Ultrasound tomorrow (not that I am saying that we will or won't find out...)

A few things about the pregnancy that may or may not influence your vote...

1. I had morning sickness, but it ended after the first trimester and wasn't terrible.
2. I craved fruit & orange juice & goldfish crackers
3. Baby's heartbeat has been between 146-160BPM

The quiz at http://www.childbirth.org says that I have a 43% chance of having a boy and a 56% chance of having a girl.

And Here's Why...

You are carrying the extra weight out front, so it's a boy.
The hair on your legs is not growing any faster during your preganacy, so it's a girl.
Boys are carried low. You are going to have a boy.
Sleeping in a bed with your pillow to the south indicates that you will be having a girl.
Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy. You are having a boy.
You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread. You are having a girl.
Dad-to-be hasn't been gaining weight along with Mom-to-be, so it will be a girl.
The maternal grandmother doesn't have gray hair (dyed or natural), so a girl will be born.
You had morning sickness early in pregnancy, so you are expecting a girl.
You are not looking particularly good during pregnancy. Therefore, it must be a girl, because girls steal their mother's looks.
Since the sum of the mother's age at conception and the number of the month of conception is an odd number, it will be a girl.
A needle on a thread held over your belly moves in circles, so you will have a boy.
You have a craving for salty or sour foods, which means that it is a boy.
Your nose hasn't changed during pregnancy, which indicates a girl.
You have been craving fruits, so it is a girl.
Your baby's heart rate is 140 or more beats per minute, so it's a girl.
You must have orange juice every day, so it's a girl.
You are having headaches, so it's a boy.
Your belly looks like a basketball, so it's a boy.
You show them the palm of your hand, so it's a girl.
You use the handle on a coffee mug, so it's a boy.

LOL! Some of these old wives tales are hilarious! So, just because I grab a coffee mug by the handle (instead of the body of the mug) it means I am having a boy?!? Oh and my personal favorite... Girls steal their mother's beauty :)

New Design: Vagablonde Traveling

Paula at Vagablonde Traveling has the life. She spends her time traveling all over the world and wanted to set up a place where she could blog about her trips.

We set up a WordPress site using a template with a few modifications and a custom header for now... a complete custom site will be showing up in the future :)

Check out her recent trips, pictures and videos Vagablonde Traveling. Just be warned... you will definitely want to go on vacation after reading about the amazing places she has visited!

Redesign: Mary R Snyder

Back in July, I gave author and speaker, Mary R. Snyder a new look for her site. A month ago she contacted me again and wanted a fresh new design that portrayed the new direction she is heading. She wanted a fun, retro site that showed her and her girlfriends on the adventure of a lifetime.

I really enjoyed working with Mary once again and had so much fun drawing and playing with this fun new design.

Check out her site and join her on the Adventure of a Lifetime!

Doctor Visit

So, yesterday at the doctor pretty much went like this:

Step on the scale. Check blood pressure. Take pregnancy test. Check baby's heartbeat. Leave.

I did manage to stop her for half a second to ask a few questions and see what the heartbeat was (146 BPM), but that was about it.

I also got a referral for the ultrasound and once Kenny gets back today we will call and schedule it.

While getting rushed through an appointment isn't great, I still really like my doctor. She is efficient and decisive and I know that she knows what she is doing and can make tough, quick decisions.

We'll let you all know when we schedule the ultrasound and if we decide to peek :)

20 Weeks

From Baby Center:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on.

Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

Note from Jen:

Well, I have made it half way through! I feel great this week and have been feeling the baby move every day since Valentine's Day :)

Still haven't gained the 10 pounds Baby Center says I should (I have gained maybe 2-5 pounds), but I am sure it will all come soon as the baby grows :)

A few weird things happened this week. On Friday I woke up with my right arm and hand numb. Once the numbness wore off, my hand hurt so bad for the rest of the day that I couldn't even type! I read that carpel tunnel gets worse with pregnancy. I am going to ask the doctor about it tomorrow.

Other than that, my appetite is back to normal this week. Not super hungry like a few weeks ago. It is weird how it changes week by week.

My appointment from last Wednesday was moved to tomorrow. I should get to schedule my Big Ultrasound then.

So, Baby Center this week talked about birthing classes. Any recommendations? Did you even go to any?

My Valentine's Day Bubbles

Valentine's Day night we were over at Eric & Sheree's after taking the dogs out for a w-a-l-k. I was sitting there listening to Kenny tell a story about how he almost died at work (or something to that effect) and all of a sudden I felt tiny little bubbles moving around in my tummy. Weird. Probably the Mexican food from the night before. Then the little bubble happened again. And again.

Yesterday I felt those same little bubbles a few times throughout the day. I am about 90% sure that those little bubbles are our little kiddo bouncing around :)

Of course, as Kenny so lovingly pointed out, it just could be the Mexican food. Way to steal my joy!

Bribery...?

Okay, so it seems there is quite the constituency out there regarding my decision (or should I say indecision) about finding out the sex of our kiddo.

To date, I have a hard offer of $50 cash and another offer of “we could scrape some money together too” in order to lure me over to the dark side.

Let me state the following for the record:

1. I am not even really sure Jen is pregnant. The “sonogram” that I saw was simply a black and white squiggly mess of lines.

2. I love surprises. If you mail me a birthday present and I receive it before December 15th, I will wait until my birthday to open it. (please note the subtle hint as when to send me birthday gifts)

3. I have noticed in myself that I am somewhat anti-authority, that is to say, when the tour guide says “go right” that I have some weird, uncontrollable compulsion to go to the left.

4. You are just lucky that me and Jen (who happen to be the coolest people you know) decided to reproduce and share a child with the world (who will also be one of the coolest people you know)... (if Jen is indeed pregnant).

The aforementioned points aside, I am not above bribery, but my terms are steep. The list is not ranked in any particular order.

1. $287 cold hard cash, preferably small bills.
2. A Canon PowerShot SD1000IS.
3. A Springfield Armory XD-M 9mm.
4. A promise by anyone who knows us to be brutally honest about any changes in our lives and about the attractiveness of our kiddo.
5. Accompany us on a trip to the Mediterranean area or Egypt in late 2010.
6. A pair of Black Diamond Cramp-ons (a used pair is acceptable)
7. Four baby sitting weekends so that Jen and I can get away (if Jen is indeed pregnant)

Remember, while my demands may seem outlandish, this is my price for changing an opinion that I have held for over 24 years.

Finally, you have until February 17, 2009 at 11:57 am to meet ALL the terms of my demands or else we won't find out the sex and the kiddo’s name will be a last minute decision made be me after I am smelling-salted back to consciousness after having passed out in the delivery room.

I await your bribes.

PS – I just proof read this to Jen and she thinks that I am bluffing. Anyone ever play cards with me? So you all better get together and see who is going to get what from the list. Whoooohahahahahahaha! (my evil laugh)

19 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. (I don't know why, but the idea of the baby pickling made me laugh. I know. Shame on me.)

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." That darkened line running down from your belly button is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery.

Note from Jen:

I am feeling very, very tired this week, but I am guessing it has more to do with the 30+ hours it took to get home from China. I am hoping to get back to normal soon because jet lag along with being pregnant isn't so fun.

I was planning on asking my doctor about the sharp, stabbing pains I had been having in my lower left hand side of my abdomen, but as you just read, it sounds like I am right on track and just having round ligament pain. Figures. I have always had painful growing pains, now I just have them in my belly. I guess that means I am just making room for the baby and should be getting bigger soon.

No weird skin pigment changes or linea nigra. Whew! Although since getting pregnant I do have the skin of a 13 year old. Arg! No "pregnancy glow" for me :(

I have my next doctor's appointment tomorrow and we will probably get to schedule the next ultrasound then as well. Still waiting on Kenny to see if he wants to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Of course I want to find out :)

18 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead.

His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

Note from Jen:

Well, my 18th week was spent in China with Kenny and the baby-to-be. I did amazingly well (if I do say so myself) and managed to keep up with Kenny and climb to the top of the Great Wall!

I have been more hungry lately... good thing I packed fruit snacks and goldfish crackers to take on the trip. Yes Baby Center, I know I should be eating healthier snacks, but goldfish are just sooo good. I also ended up eating McDonalds 3 times on the trip... their soft serve ice cream was calling to me :)

This week, I had a few weird nights in Beijing when every time I fell asleep on my back, my right hand would fall asleep and then be numb for a while even after I woke up. I am trying my best to sleep on my side, but I am a back sleeper to the core so it has been tough.

I still am not too much bigger, but that should change soon. Here are a few 18 week pictures we took in China. The first is in the hotel at Xian (my pants are sticking out kinda funny near my belly cause there was no way I could button them with thermals on underneath! Ha Ha!). The second picture is in Shanghai on top of the world's tallest building standing on the glass floor!

We're in China!

Hi everyone. We made it. We are settled in our hotel room and are going to go off exploring today. I think we are going to go see the Summer Palace.

The flight was long, but uneventful. Can't wait to sleep in a real bed tonight.

Love you all!

Kenny, Jen & Baby Shepherd

9:45AM China time :)

17 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Are you starting to feel a bit off balance? As your belly grows, your center of gravity changes, so you may begin to occasionally feel a little unsteady on your feet. Try to avoid situations with a high risk of falling. Wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble; trauma to your abdomen could be dangerous for you and your baby. You'll also want to be sure to buckle up when you're in a car — keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly, drawn snugly across your hips, and also use the shoulder harness.

Note from Jen:

So, none of the things that Baby Center mentioned seem to be true for me. I am not big enough yet to have balancing issues... although last week when we went over to Eric & Sheree's to play Wii Fit, the Wii asked if I have trouble walking... oh wait, it asked Kenny that! I have perfect balance as evidenced by my all time high score on Wii Fit Tight Rope!

I still haven't gotten much bigger or gained any weight. However, I am pretty sure that I will come back from the 2 weeks in China and just be huge :)

Still haven't felt the baby move yet. Hopefully soon.

16 Weeks

From BabyCenter:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.

His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails.

And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Note From Jen:

I don't think I have felt the baby move yet, but I have nothing to compare it to, so who knows?!? I am pretty sure he/she is waiting for China :)

Feeling good this week. Not crazy, hungry like last week. Just my "normal" self.

I really wish I had more to report, but I really don't. Things seem to be moving normally. I am feeling good and ready to take this little baby on its second international trip!

Here is my 16 week picture we took on Monday. Again, I think I look pretty much the same, but since the baby should be doubling his/her weight soon... I think that is about to change :)

15 Weeks

From BabyCenter:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).

She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs.

Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam.

There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods." ( I don't get my ultrasound till week 20 :( I tried to talk her into doing one earlier, but it was no good.)

You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now, a little more or less is fine, too, (I haven't gained any yet, but with my hunger levels increasing the way they are I am sure I will gain plenty soon enough!) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days (Only stress right now has been work related. Can't wait for vacation!). Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

Note from Jen:

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and it looks like we are good to go for our trip to China. I was just told to get up and walk every 10 minutes on the plane and be careful about eating fruits and veggies in China. The doctor also joked that maybe I should just take a Benadryl so I can sleep the entire flight :)

My next appointment is in 4 weeks and I should be getting my next ultrasound around that time. We still need to make up our minds about finding out if we are having a boy or a girl, but it looks like the majority of you really want us to find out!

At the appointment today she also listened to the baby's heartbeat again. She found it easily at first, but then the baby quickly moved away. She laughed and said that the baby is moving like crazy. When she found it again it was about 160 BPM. If you trust the old wives tales, this could mean we are having a girl!

Well, other than being stressed at work, I am feeling great. Back to my normal self. Without the morning sickness and extreme exhaustion, it is easy to forget that I am actually pregnant. I am sure that will change in the coming weeks as I get bigger and start to feel the baby move!

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Ha Ha :)

Christmas 2008 & My Sunglass Dilemma

The weekend before Christmas we went up to Jen's parents house to play in the snow. We had a great time having an early Christmas and seeing everyone.

Jeffrey loves his Uncle Kiki and Pie-Pie (Pilot) and we had so much fun watching him run around calling for them all weekend long.

Anyway, I finally uploaded the pictures that I have. Check them out!

The next weekend, Mom & Dad come down to San Diego and stayed for a few days. We made tamales, did some household projects and had fun spending time together. Kenny was flying on Saturday so while we waited for him to get back we just had fun going out to lunch and braving the crowded mall. I was able to buy some maternity clothes (Thanks Mom Shepherd for the gift card!) and some sunglasses.

Here is where I need your help. I spent over an hour looking at sunglasses and ended up buying these Arnette glasses.



Actually, I bought two pairs. I had a gift card and since Sunglass Hut was having a sale, I was basically able to get two for the price of once. The cool thing is that they also both come with spare lenses, so essentially I got 4 pairs of glasses for the price of one.

I like the glasses because they are very lightweight which helps with my headaches and they are comfy. The only thing is that they are very sporty and not as fashionable.

So, I went back to the store yesterday with Kenny just to look again and found these.



They are cute and fit well, but are double the price.

I asked the girl at the store what the difference was between Arnette and Ray-Ban and she just said that Ray-Ban was just more well known and that they are actually owned by the same company.

So, what would you do? Get the sporty Arnette 2 for the price of 1 (along with extra lenses making it 4 for the price of 1) or get the cute Ray-Bans?

14 Weeks

From Baby Center:

Welcome to your second trimester!

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee (ewww!), and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Your energy is likely returning and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.


Note from Jen:

Whoo hoo! Second trimester. I don't feel like I am a third of the way through the pregnancy. Weird, but pretty cool :)

Nothing really to report. I am feeling so much better, but still have an achy back some nights. I pretty much go straight to the blue la-z-boy after work and sit with the heating pad all evening :)

I am getting hungrier by the day and I feel terrible if I don't eat. Yesterday I didn't get to take a lunch at work and it was horrible. Once I got home and got a little food in my belly I was fine... this kid just needs to eat I guess :)

Here is my 14 week picture. I think my belly is smaller than before. In fact, I actually fit into pants that I couldn't get into a few weeks ago. I know I better enjoy it while I can!