2 Weeks Old

At his two week checkup Miles weighed in at 8 lbs, 4.3 oz. He measured 21.25 inches long. He's growing well and generally being a fabulous baby.

"Every child begins the world again..." ~Henry David Thoreau

He's here, and he's perfect!

Miles James Lee Bunag

March 14, 2009, 12:09pm

7 lbs, 5 oz

20 inches

Perfection

38 Weeks

Only two more weeks (or plus two more, max) before your baby makes his or her appearance. And what an adorable appearance that will be! Your little one isn't so little anymore — weighing in at close to seven pounds and hitting the height charts at the 21-inch mark (or less).

As you prepare (best you can) for baby's ETA, he or she is also getting ready, big time. Vernix and lanugo continue to shed from your baby's body into the amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows that amniotic fluid (yum yum?) and some of it winds up in his or her intestines where it — along with other shed cells, bile, and other waste products (triple yum) — will turn into your baby's first bowel movement (meconium) and perhaps your first diaper change.

Your baby's lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (remember — it helps prevent the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe…definitely a good thing). At 38 weeks pregnant, all systems, almost go! ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Anxiously awaiting Miles' arrival. We both feel like he could come anytime now. We're ready little one...come out!

Baby Organization

We found these awesome shelves and baskets at Fred Meyer and were so excited to be able to put up some extra organization for Miles. His dresser is almost done (Dad is staining it to match the cradle) for all of his little baby clothes. These little shelves and baskets were perfect for his blankets, towels, washcloths, burp cloths, bibs, etc. We are getting more excited and feeling more prepared for him to arrive. Should be any day now!

37 Weeks

With just three more weeks to go and at about six and a half pounds (though weight and height vary from fetus to fetus), your baby is doing just fine. You can expect weight gain to be about half an ounce per day. (Boys, though, are likely to be heavier at birth than girls. And here's a bit of boy baby trivia to back that one up: Moms carrying boys tend to eat more than moms carrying girls — a foreshadowing of teenage refrigerator raids to come.) Since your little one is considered full-term at 37 weeks pregnant, if your baby was to leave the wet nest this week, he or she would likely thrive. That's because Mother Nature and you have done such a fine job.

So what's keeping your little one busy while waiting it out until D-day? Practice, practice, practice. Your baby is simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking on his or her thumb, blinking, and pivoting from side to side (one day you feel the tushy on the left side, another day it has swung around to the right side). All these are skills needed for his or her next gig — starring as newborn.

Here's an interesting fact: Your baby's head (which, by the way, is still growing) will, at birth, be the same size circumference as his or her hips, abdomen, and shoulders. And guess what's making an impression (literally) these days on those shoulders and hips: fat — causing little dimples in those cute elbows and knees, shoulders and hip, and creases and folds in the neck and wrists. ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Same exhaustion, etc from last week.

Check, Check

More things to check of the to-do list. I won't include the stuff that isn't done yet, as it's too daunting!

• Found and confirmed childcare for next year.
• Faxed and sent in signed paperwork to Human Resources.
• Finishing (tonight) our child birth classes.
• Signed up for breast feeding class.
• Called and set up meeting with potential pediatrician.
• Received free dresser for baby room (THANKS LESLEY!)
• Washed and organized new baby clothes.
• Returned extras from baby shower and purchased other needed supplies.
• Bought and put together glider chair and ottoman.

That's what I can remember at the moment. My to-do list continues to grow. Stay in there Miles!!!

Low Rider

The midwife did a sonogram today, and she had a hard time finding Miles' head. Why? Because he is so low. She had to move the monitor down and down until she finally found his head. I didn't really notice a difference, but I guess he is getting ready to come. Just hoping he's not too early...we have so much to do!

36 Weeks

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his or her little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). At 36 weeks pregnant, the skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.

So your little bruiser (who you've now learned won't be bruising you all that much with those soft bones) is now about six pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms — and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed. ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Pretty much the same. Got my sinus infection on the way to recovery with antibiotics.
• Exhaustion. I can't say that enough.
• Nervous that Miles will come early. Not even close to being prepared: tons of grading, need to make sub plans, room isn't done, dresser isn't ready, paperwork isn't turned in, not enough paid leave time....the list goes on and on.

*Going to the doctor today for our 36 week checkup. We get an ultrasound which we haven't had since 20 weeks. I'm excited to see what position Miles is in!

Mommy and Daddy MeMe

What does MeMe stand for? I don't know. But, here's a survey about Judd's and my relationship. For your reading pleasure:

What are your middle names?
My middle name is Renee which rhymes with our last name. Judd's middle name is Adam, but he also has two last names Lee Bunag which means Miles will have those two last names as well.

How long have you been together?
We've been married 3 and a half years. We dated for 3 years before that.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met in January of 2001 when I came home for Christmas break. We mostly talked on the Internet for a year and a half before I moved home. We started dating shortly after.

Who asked whom out?
It depends on who you ask. Technically no one asked each other out, we just decided to start dating. BUT, I'm telling you right now he had romantic intentions before I did. He will tell you something else though.

How old are each of you?
I'll be 27 next month. He is a cradle robber and will be 39 in May. He likes the younguns.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
I've never met his dad or brothers. My brother lives in Germany, but we've obviously seen him much more often than Judd's family.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Any situation that involves finances. Neither of us are good with finances, and even though we continue to agree to work on them, we avoid it. This just causes more problems. I'd have to say a close second though would be Baby Mama Drama.

Did you go to the same school?
We both graduated from UAA but at different times. We definitely didn't go to the same high school as he was graduating the year I was entering elementary school.

Are you from the same home town?
Nope. I grew up in Eagle River, AK. He grew up in Pennsylvania and San Francisco.  His family still lives in San Fran.

Who is smarter?
I don't think either of us is smarter. He knows more about different things than I do. And, I know more about other things. I think we're both smart.

Who is the most sensitive?
Tough question. I'd say it's about equal. I think he's very sensitive when it comes to certain things. I'm also very sensitive when it comes to things. He might give you a different answer.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We rarely, if ever, go out just the two of us. If we're going out with the kids though, probably the most often visited restaurant would be Bear Mountain Grill for their yummy breakfast.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
St. Louis for my brother's wedding.

Who has the craziest exes?
I don't really have any exes.  So, his win by default. But, they also win because most of them really are crazy.

Who has the worst temper?
I wouldn't say one of us has the "worst." I'd just say our tempers are different. It takes a lot to make either of us REALLY angry...but then my temper makes me crazy while his makes him scary. I think that's the best way to describe it.

Who does the cooking?
Since we've moved in with my parents, we both do.  In the apartment, he did most of the cooking. He's better at dinners while I'm better at breakfasts. However, he seems to have suddenly become pretty clueless when it comes to the cooking. I think he just likes to get sympathy help from mom.

Who is the neat-freak?
He is. Not necessarily a neat-freak, but much more neater than I am. Sometimes, I get this weird organization bug up my ass that makes me want everything just so. At that point, his pack rat tendencies drive me insane.

Who is more stubborn?
Probably me, but only by a tiny smidgen. Because I said so.

Who hogs the bed?
I plead the fifth.

Who wakes up earlier?
Early in our relationship, it was always him. We've reversed roles. I really can't seem to sleep in too late anymore. He'd sleep all day if I let him.

Where was your first date?
I guess I'd have to say the Eagle River Visitor's Center for a hike. Although, it really wasn't a date to begin with. But, he showed up with a rose and mixed CD. And this is where I say he wanted to start a romantic relationship where as he claims otherwise. I claim he's delusional.

Who is more jealous?
Unless he's harboring some secret jealous thoughts, it's definitely me. I'm jealous of people and things that take his time away from me or the family.

How long did it take to get serious?
We were pretty serious when we first starting dating. I mean, he was old....errrr I mean older...and not willing to start a relationship that wasn't going to be very serious. He'd already been divorced and burned by other women. He also didn't want to introduce someone into his kids' lives that wouldn't be around for long.

Who eats more?
He does. Unless you count right now. I'm pregnant; I have an excuse.

Who does the laundry?
We both do. When we lived in the apartment, he did it alone more often, because I hated going to the laundry mat and wasting half a day. Now, we both do it. Having a washer and dryer in house has been a miracle.

Who's better with the computer?
I'm going to say me. Once again, he might have a different answer. He will admit that I am the one with a better computer...cause it's a Mac.

Who drives when you are together?
It's about equal. Even though I'm a better driver (which he'll admit is true), I'd rather have him drive. Driving is a chore to me. I'd rather be driven places...not enough to ride the bus though!

35 Weeks

At about 20 inches and five and a half pounds (but with about five more weeks to grow), most of your baby's growth over the next month or so before you meet will be in weight (with a gain of anywhere from one pound to several), not height (baby's pretty much reached the in utero limit in that department). Accordingly, fat continues to accumulate at a rapid pace these days (on baby, not just on your hips). Back in the middle of your pregnancy, your baby's weight was made up of only two percent fat; now at 35 weeks pregnant, that percentage has soared to closer to 15 percent (and will increase to 30 percent at term). Which means your baby's once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump…and irresistibly, squeezably soft.

Also continuing to grow at an amazing pace is your baby's brain power. Luckily, the part that surrounds that amazing brain — the skull — remains soft. And for good reason: A soft skull will allow your baby to squeeze more easily through the birth canal. (Mother Nature was really thinking this one through — imagine trying to push out a rock-hard head…ouch!) ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Everything from last week.
• A little bit of nesting, which is hard when you have nowhere to put the baby stuff at the moment. Still waiting for Dad to stain the dresser and clean out Miles' room.

Almost 35 Weeks

Not the best picture to show how big I am, but wanted to share anyway. It was snaining (snow+raining) when I took this. Weather sucks sometimes.

Baby Boo says, "Extra Special Thank you!!!"

My grandpa is awesome. He made this cradle for me all by himself! He picked out the design and everything. It is now ready for me when I arrive. I know that it will be wonderful to sleep in. It rocks back and forth so that I can go to sleep and (mommy hopes) stay asleep. Mom and Dad are very excited to have such a beautifully made piece of furniture that we're sure will stay in the family for years. Thank you so much Grandpa! You're wonderful!

34 Weeks

Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches right now and about five pounds. Need a visual? Hold a five-pound bag of flour in your arms and imagine it's your soon-to-be-born baby (cradle it, and you'll only get strange looks in the baking aisle). Then stack three such bags one on top of the other (and get ready for some more strange looks, maybe from the same clerks who saw you grinning and holding that one-pound box of sugar a few weeks ago). That's how tall your baby is at 34 weeks pregnant. (Now go bake some oatmeal raisin cookies with all that flour!)

If your little doughboy is, well, a boy, then you'll be pleased to know that this week his testicles are making their way down from his abdomen to his scrotum. (Some baby boys — three to four percent — are born with undescended testicles, but they usually make the trip down sometime before the first birthday.)

Your baby's fingernails now reach the end of the fingertips and may even curl over the tip, making a manicure one of the first things you'll need to do for your little bundle. ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• At the doctor's today, I found out I have gained another 6.5 pounds in 2 weeks.
• But, I think that's all in my cankles and feet. Seriously, they're getting heavy to life.
• Heavy breathing continues.
• Back pain.
• Knee pain.
• Just pain in general.

Check

It feels great to get things checked off a list of to-dos. Not to mention the stress relief that comes when thinking about all that needs to be done before Miles gets here. So, here are some things I've checked off quite recently:

• Found a long-term sub
• Had baby shower
• Took tour of Maternity Center at Providence Hospital
• Had maternity paperwork signed by principal including my Family Medical Leave Form and my letter for a free breast pump (have yet to submit, but glad the signatures are done)
• Signed up and paid for child birth classes (start next Wednesday)
• Asked around for child care options - have two potential leads

Believe me when I tell you this list is tiny compared to what's left to do, but nevertheless, it feels good to have a couple things out of the way.

Almost 34 Weeks

This was taken on Sunday at my baby shower. I look huge, but I swear it's the shirt. I mean, yes I'm 7 and a half months pregnant, but this shirt makes me look even bigger. More pictures of the baby shower to come later.

33 Weeks

This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. At this stage in fetal development, your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.

The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum at 33 weeks pregnant, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows. (Of course that means you're even closer to your baby now!)

If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).

And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections. ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• My feet and ankles got so swollen that I had to buy new shoes. And by new shoes I mean one size bigger and in the wide width. Oh and they're Dr. Scholl's. Yes, I'm an old lady.
• Nothing else new. Still exhausted, still back aches, still pain from Miles' kicking.

32 Weeks

This week your baby weighs almost four pounds and could be up to 19 inches long. And though that's a head-to-toe length, your baby is actually back to a curled-up position (you try standing up in those cramped quarters!). At 32 weeks pregnant, you're likely feeling tapping and squirming instead of your baby's signature rocking and rolling. That's because, while comfy, your baby is a bit tight for exercise space right now. Your baby has also probably settled into the head-down, bottoms-up position in your pelvis in prepartion for birth. That's because the fetus's head fits better at the bottom of your inverted, pear-shaped uterus. It also makes it easier during childbirth if your baby comes out head first. Fewer than five percent of babies prefer the bottom-down (or breech) position by full-term. Don't worry if your baby hasn't assumed the head-down position yet. There's still a good chance he or she will flip head-side-down before birth — even in the tight confines of your uterus.

While your baby is still getting nourishment through the umbilical cord, it won't be long before you'll be bringing on the breast milk or formula (and soon after, the mashed carrots and peas). In anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, your baby's digestive system is all set and ready to go.

And because your baby is accumulating more fat, his or her skin is finally turning opaque (like yours), which means those see-through days are over. Though weeks away from D-day, your baby's looking more and more like a newborn.

And speaking of that big day, hope you're resting up for it — because your bambino certainly is. In preparation for that big first date with you, your baby is sleeping like a baby — with sleep cycles of 20 to 40 minutes long (which would also account for the decrease in movement you're likely feeling these days). ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Swollen ankles. Last night my left ankle was so swollen, it looked like a cankle. Ouch!
• My midwife says I've gained 31 pounds. Personally, I think that's after I lost almost 10 pounds, so it's really around 21 pounds. In any case, it's more than I thought it would be as I don't look like I've gained any weight except where the baby is.
• Cramping (which I think might be Braxton Hicks contractions) have been coming mainly when I'm really tired, worn out, or have just done a lot of physical activity.
• Miles' movement seriously hurts. Apparently his head is down now so his legs are kicking me in the ribs or just kicking out and staying there.

What Miles Might Look Like

I found this picture online today of a 32 week baby. I thought it was pretty cool, so I thought I'd share. I will be back later with a 32 week update after my appointment this afternoon.

Bubble Bath

My view during a bath. 31 week belly bump.

31 Weeks

As far as growth goes, your baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. At 31 weeks pregnant, you can still expect your baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before you two meet.

Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and your baby can now perceive information from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he or she is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you — and your baby — yours will be one of the very first scents your baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his or her very favorite.

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his or her arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall, and even sucking his or her thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a little sucker!). ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Still exhausted.
• Heartburn. Ugh. Thank god for acid reducer meds.

30 Weeks

Your baby's height and weight haven't changed much in the past week, but the big news is your baby's brain gain. Until now, the surface of your baby's brain was smooth. Now, your fetus's brain is taking on those characteristic grooves and indentations. The reason for this change in appearance? Those wrinkles allow for an increased amount of brain tissue — a necessary change as your developing baby prepares for life outside your womb, and the street smarts he or she will need.

Another big change at 30 weeks pregnant: Your baby's bone marrow has taken over production of red blood cells (before, tissue groups and then the spleen took care of producing the blood cells). This is an important step for your baby, because it means he or she is better able to thrive on his or her own once born (with a little TLC from you, of course).

So it's in with the new (brain cells, red blood cells) and out with the old (lanugo). Much of the lanugo — the soft, downy hair covering your baby's body — is beginning to disappear now because both fat and the brain are regulating your baby's body temperature (so no need for that furry coat anymore). But you may see a few leftover strands of fur on your newborn's back and shoulders. ~Information from whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• Miles' "kicks" have become painful as he tries to stretch out in what little room he has left.  He will stick a body part out and leave it there, but sometimes I can slowly coax him back in by pushing him back in.
• The pain in/on my ribs is getting worse. It feels like a burning on the skin but goes down further. It's hard to explain, but there's nothing that can be done about it.
• Still exhausted. It's so hard to make it through the whole work day.

Passed

I passed my three hour glucose test. They said the results would take 2-3 business days, but they called me this morning to say I passed. This means I don't have gestational diabetes. Which is good cause the solution for that is usually diet and exercise. And you know I don't do either of those two things.

29 Weeks

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost 17 inches tall now (nearly as tall as he or she will be at birth), and close to three pounds (a weight that will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling — by delivery time). His or her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface. This fat, called white fat, is different from the earlier brown fat that your developing fetus accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation while white fat (the fat you have, Mom) actually serves as an energy source.

Which explains why your energizer baby feels so…well…energized! Space in your baby's living quarters is now at a premium, so you'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. But those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because your baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light, and that candy bar you ate half an hour ago.

Luckily, your baby doesn't have teeth yet that would need a brushing after that sugary treat, but it won't be long before you'll need to buy that first baby toothbrush! You'll recall that your baby's baby-teeth buds formed weeks ago, but now the buds for permanent teeth are forming in his or her gums as well.

And back to those kicks, who's counting? Actually, you should be. Now's a good time to start doing a kick count twice a day to make sure baby's doing just fine (plus, it's a good excuse for a rest). Lie down (preferably after a snack) and keep track of your baby's movements. You're looking for at least ten movements in an hour's time (don't forget to count movements of any kind — kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, and so on). whattoexpect.com

My Symptoms (Side Effects?)

• I was four points over the maximum for my one hour glucose test, which means I have to go in tomorrow for a three hour glucose test in order to check for gestational diabetes. It's a pain in the ass, because I have to take a half day off of work.
• This third trimester is kicking my ass. I am exhausted from after lunch on. My body feels like it can no longer work at full capacity after a few hours of being up. This is going to be a problem.