Pram & Nursery Background

Here's our pram - the Phil & Ted's, finally off lay-by!


And it's on display in the nursery, which we diligently painted over the break......so the "sea" and the "sand" is done......now Aunty Ami will come and work her magic to create the "Under The Sea" mural......

More 3d Piccies

More photos from our 25 week 4D scan...he's quite the acrobat!

Fetal Fotos

For our Xmas present to each other, Rod and I decided to go to Fetal Fotos and have the 3d / 4d pics done of Boo.....I'll have to do some scanning at work tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's a couple to keep you sated....Video teaser is the 3rd box....

It's cute - he's smiling in pic 2:

Belly Shot - 24 weeks, 4 days

All dressed up for Dabria's Christening & Birthday Party......

Another scan....

During our 24 week scan, we had a visitor......my mum (soon to be aka Nanna) "met" her grandson for the first time....plus, saw her first real-life scan (didn't have those in her day)....Boo was reasonably shy for the most part, with his hand up to his face....he seemed to be sucking his thumb with his fingers splayed out. We also saw him YAWN....cute, but a little freaky (imagine a skeleton yawning).

Here's a couple of pics....not the clearest ones to date, but you can see him sucking his thumb in the first one...and the second one is just of the soles of his little feet....

Belly Shots Time Line to 20 weeks

I'll update this shortly to include a shot of 24 weeks....then I think I'll attempt to do weekly shots to the end....
Important note - - I didn't suddenly "lose" my tan......the first 2 shots were taken at night-time with artificial lighting (the heat lamp to be precise)....the 3rd shot was natural light, no flash...

Couldn't resist:

I just couldn't resist this body suit...perfect for when Boo is feeding!!! And if you can't dress your kids up in novelty slogans, who can you do it to???

He's kicking!

Yup, Boo is well and truly moving around now - doing flips and kicking away! Clockwork movements at 10.30am and 10.30pm - - and whenever else he has the urge, usually following me eating....seems this gives him an energy boost!

Won't be long before the outside world can feel him too - - I very rarely get what I refer to as the "stereo movements" - ie, feeling him from both inside and outside. Rod has felt him when he's put his ear to my growing belly, but not so much with his hands yet....

24 weeks

Boo now weighs more than 600 grams. Though he still has little body fat and his skin is thin and fragile, he's now well-proportioned. His brain is growing rapidly (go brain!!), and he is starting to fill the space in my uterus (no kidding!). From crown to heel he could measure 30 centimetres.

Baldric's identity crisis

He now thinks he's a rabbit:

23 weeks

Boo now weighs a little over 500 grams and measures about 29 centimetres from crown to heel (that's almost a full ruler). His hearing is well established and he can make out a distorted version of my voice, the beating of my heart and my stomach rumblings (these happen often!). Loud noises often heard in utero, such as the barking of a dog (Baldric!) or the roar of a vacuum cleaner, probably won't bother Boo when he hears them outside the womb. Numerous studies seem to indicate that the unborn prefer classical music, especially Vivaldi. In addition to advances in Boo's hearing, his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. He can now swallow.

22 weeks

Boo now weighs almost 430 grams, measures just over 27 centimetres long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since his baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although he's getting heavier every day, his skin still appears wrinkled because he needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before we know it, our baby will be born, and soon after, his first teeth will come through.

21 weeks

Boo now weighs about 360 grams. Up until now he has been measured from crown to rump but from this point on the measurement will be from crown to heel. And from crown to heel he is approximately 27 centimetres long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed and the fingernails cover the fingertips. Boo can now hear our conversations. If we talk, read, or sing Boo, he can hear us. Some studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.

Another Scan!

Yup, being part of the NIH research program has meant very regular scans, and we had another one on Friday......

This time, the sonographer offered to flick over to 4d, so we got a quick preview - although he's still a little young so a bit skeletal..... Also, that's the cord over part of his face on the right hand side.....

I can see Rod in him for sure!

20 weeks, 3 days

The Half Way Week!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! We're on the homeward stretch......

Boo now measures about 16.5 centimetres from crown to rump and is steadily gaining weight (just like his mum!). A whitish coat of a slick, fatty substance called vernix caseosa is beginning to cover him and protects his skin during its long immersion in amniotic fluid. It also eases delivery (nice!). Boo's swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After he takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.

Cousin Laura from the UK

Adam and I have discovered a new cousin (or more rightfully, she's discovered us, as she's the one travelling and here in Australia). Laura is from the UK - West Midlands - closest main city is Birmingham, and is currently travelling through Australia, then NZ, then Fiji.

We all spent the day together today, and showed some local sights such as McLaren Vale (mmmm, wine tasting for the non pregnant participants), Port Willunga, coastline etc....

Laura is our second cousin......our grandma's sister (Aunty Alice's) grandaughter....or Dad's cousin's daughter....confusing, but we love finding more family!

She's in Australia until January - but will probably extend to March to see the Grand Prix (yes, Rod was happy to find someone new to discuss the finer points with).

Here's a happy snap taken at D'arenberg Winery:

Boo is a.........

Boo is a

BOY!

Yup, well and truly and without a doubt Boo is a little man!!!!!! From the scan today we also ascertained that everthing is A-ok 100% normal and fantastic: 4 heart chambers beating well, 2 kidneys, 2 arms with 5 digits each, 2 legs with 2 feet with 5 digits each.

We got to watch him swimming around lots and making drum playing motions - already becoming a muso!

Here's a piccy of our little son - 'aint he just grand:

So, of course, immediately following the scan and prior to us both going to work, just HAD TO BUY SOME CLOTHES (somehow, I can't imagine every walking into a department store again and actually buying clothes for me!!!):

So, we have the hoody and matching t-shirt:

Another t-shirt that has racing cars and reads "Fastest on the Track" (in honour of when he becomes a Grand Prix driver)....note the matching jeans with the racing car applique:

A safari shirt and jeans, and, the cincher, the yellow muscle shirt for underneath:

And a couple of gender specific ever practical wondersuits........

In case it wasn't obvious, the wondersuit above on the left has the following gorgeous print:

Ahhh, what a perfect day!

12 HOURS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until the BIG morph-scan-ultrasound-thingo.....

This is the one where we all HOPE and PRAY that Boo's legs are WIDE OPEN so we can find out whether Boo is a

HE

or a

SHE

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned (you know us - open books, so you'll all know too!)

So can't wait! So want to go to bed NOW so I can wake up and it's tomorrow!

Nursery - take 1

Ok, thought I'd put some progress shots of the nursery online.....at the moment, not so much "progress" as "we've now got all the big furniture, it's all together, but it's still chaos in there"......

A couple of weeks ago we picked up a 4 square x 4 square bookshelf from IKEA, which Rod put together on the weekend along with the cot lent to us from Petta & Checc. Put those together with the tallboys (featured in an earlier post under the "Nursery" label), and all big furniture is together.

I now need to clean out the cupboard, and we'll be putting one tallboy in there (figure that Boo won't need the long hanging space for a few years yet).

And after TOMORROW (gender finding out day - whoo hooo), we'll be able to pick wall paints and linen themes.......

So, stay posted for the progress shots:

The demise of Baldrics latest Teddy.....

Do you remember the post on the 9th September 2007? "Nanna" (my mum) had bought Baldric a new teddy for his cuddle collection...?

Well, today saw the last "cuddle" from Baldric:

Teddy is now RIPing in our bin...... looks like tomorrow is a visit to the Goodwill store on The Parade for a new teddy (the old lady volunteers think that I'm buying for a neice or nephew as I go in every couple of months for the biggest teddy they have - they actually know me now! ..and I'm too embarrassed to tell them that the teddy's are actually for Baldric....

Belly Shot - 18 weeks, 2 days

Here's me all tizzied up for an awards dinner at the Hilton.....champagne was flowing for everyone but me... a plethora of belly rubs were received:

Catchup: 17-19 weeks

WOW, have just realised how behind I've been.....we've recently gotten a new PC at home and have had issues with setting it up, so my internet time has been less.....

So, here's a catchup of Boo's developments for the last couple of weeks - as I type this Boo is 19 weeks!


17 weeks:

Boo is now nearly 13 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs approximately 140 grams. His/her skeleton is mostly rubbery cartilage, which will harden later. A protective substance called myelin slowly begins to wrap around the spinal cord. He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now and holds his/her head more erect and the body and limbs are longer in proportion to the head.

18 weeks

Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) has formed on Boo's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs) - both serve to protect your his/her skin during the months in water. Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs. Vocal chords are formed and Boo goes through the motions of crying but without air there is no sound. Features of your Boo's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound. Boo is now measuring about 14.2cm from head to rump this week and weighs about 190gm.

19 weeks

Boo has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He/she has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
Throughout Boo's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly. Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow. The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth. If Boo is female the uterus starts to develop. If Boo is a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.
He/she is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine. Size is around 15.3cm from head to rump (mum - thats more than half a ruler) and weights 240gm.

16 weeks, 4 days

Boo is now about the size of an avocado (about 11.6 cm long from crown to rump and weighing approximately 100 grams). In the next three weeks he/she will go through an tremendous growth spurt, doubling weight and adding inches to length.

In or out of the womb, babies are playful creatures. Boo has probably already discovered their first toy -- the umbilical cord -- which he/she will enjoy pulling and grabbing. Sometimes it may even be clutched so tight that less oxygen gets through, but don't worry -- it won't be held onto long enough to harm him/herself.

The circulatory system and urinary tract are in full working order, and Boo's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid through his/her lungs.

Who knew....

....I'd get so excited by a couple of tallboys!?!?!!


A girl at work is moving to Sydney and selling off some bits and pieces. I jumped at the chance to buy these 2 tallboys (total $80!!) for the nursery.


I spent an hour in there tonight putting all wondersuits, singlets, beanies, mittens, booties, nappies, blankets and breastpads (!!) in the drawers.


I look forward to rearranging multiple times between now and March....as all sizes are currently mixed up (oh the humanity) and there is no colour coordination going on yet (seriously not OC).

15 weeks, 5 days

My tiny tenant is frequently getting the hiccups, which babies master before breathing. Babies don't make any sound because their trachea is filled with fluid rather than air. Boo is now weighing in at around only 70 grams and measures nearly 11 centimetres long, crown to rump. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, fingernails are fully formed and all the joints and limbs can move. External genitals should be developed enough that an ultrasound technician can tell you if you're going to have a boy or a girl - - so fingers crossed that Boo will have his/her legs open for this Friday's scan!

More prizes to be had.....

I found out today that I won 2 x comps......

* double pass to the Adelaide premier of "Death at a Funeral"
* 1 hour pregnancy massage

Hopefully win #3 for the week will be $30 million in Powerball on Thursday night.

Whoo hooo.....

Flinders Ranges

Just returned from spending our October long weekend in the Flinders Ranges. Here's some happy snaps from our bushwalking adventures:


We weren't even at Wilpena Pound yet....this stop-off along the way was about a 45min round trek to see some Aboriginal Cave Paintings:


Of course, Rod found "Stimpy".....or was it "Stumpy"?

Ami did tell us it was boring, but we honestly thought they'd be at least a few more solar panels.....there's half an hour we'll never get back:

We had to "give way" to this emu crossing the road:

14 weeks, 2 days

Crown to rump, Boo is around 9 centimetres long and weighs 43 grams. The body is now growing faster than the head. This week, the parchment-thin skin covers itself with lanugo (ultra-fine, downy hair that usually disappears before birth). Though eyebrows are beginning to grow and the hair on top of the head is sprouting, this hair may change in both texture and colour after birth. About now, Boo can grasp, squint, frown, and grimace. He/she may even be able to suck his/her thumb. Researchers believe these and other movements probably correspond to the development of impulses in the brain.

Boo say's HI

We had an appointment at the WCH today, which we thought would be pretty run of the mill - the exciting part was that we'd get to meet our Student Midwife, Melissa.

So, we met Melissa (who's lovely, BTW), but the best and luckiest part is that the doctor that we saw today was really into "training" of the Student Midwife, so we got to hear Boo's heartbeat, then he got Melissa to do her first Ultrasound!

Bonus for us!!!

I couldn't see too clearly myself, as I was on that bad angle you get with some screens (think plasma), but Rod saw lots of movement and bouncing around - it was very exciting.

Boo is now just under 9cm, and it's quite amazing that I can't feel any movement yet, considering the party that he/she is having in my uterus!

So, here's another piccy. Boo's grow heaps since the last scan a month ago....

To help you out, Boo is facing downwards in this picture (just lining up the exit for in 6 months!!) and there's a little bump on the head - this is the nose!

Just gorgeous, we think!

Next scan in 2 weeks, so stay tuned! (apparently, if lucky, the gender may be seen at 16 weeks!!!!)

Fishing at Zadow's Landing

Yesterday was a day the carp and yabbies feared - - yes, it was a family outing to Zadow's Landing for a few hours of fishing, yabbying and kransky's.

Zadow's landing is a little spot on the Murray between Mannum and Murray Bridge, just down from Caloote.

We found it by accident last time we were there.

This time, Rod and I decided to go the Mannum way (rather than Murray Bridge, as we did last time) as it would be a nicer drive through the hills (and we could stop for a danish at a cute country bakery in Birdswood).

Well, we got lost. Wrong turn out of Palmer. Should have kept going along the pipeline to Mannum......

I managed to SMS Ami (we were in and out of reception), only to get the reply that they were lost too.

Comedy of errors.

Then we finally got on the main road that we THOUGHT was correct (would lead us to the Caloote turnoff), only to see Adam and Ami driving towards us.

HILARIOUS !!

So we all stopped, consulted, decided to continue back the way Adam and Ami were coming from, and we were there within 5 minutes.

Yabbie nets went down, rod's were cast and we sat back to enjoy.

Quite a few nibbles, with myself the only lucky one to clear the Murray of another pesky carp.

Kranskys were enjoyed by all over a fire, before heading home (via Rod's parents to drop off the carp for their eating pleasure).

Oh yeah - no luck with the yabbies. It's a shame, as we want a "claudia" for the office......