Top 10 Memories of 2010

I saw this idea on another blog and thought it would be a great post for A Day In the Life. 2010 has gone by so quick (every year goes by faster than the last!) and I have a lot to be thankful for, so I wanted to take a minute to reflect on my year.

10. Starting the blog- I actually stole this idea from someone else (thanks Jill!) but I thought it would be a great way to keep our families involved in the pregnancy (and someday in Baby V's life) and, in lieu of a baby book, a wonderful way to remember a very special time in my life. Never did I expect that it would become such a big hit with my few, but loyal, readers. A Day In the Life has become a very personal outlet for me and it pleases me that it has allowed some of you to get a better glimpse at who I am.

9. Road trip to IL- I drove back to Illinois by myself in April to spend sometime with family and I will admit the drive was long but great! Justin flew in the following weekend and we were able to spend a few days in Chicago with some great friends. We don't get to see them much but when we do we make it count :) J and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry...I haven't been since I was little and it was fun to go back.



8. Baby Shower- During our trip back to Illinois for Thanksgiving my best friend, Nicole, and a friend of my mother-in-law's hosted a baby shower for us. The ladies did a wonderful job with everything and it was a special afternoon for us. Baby V got a ton of great stuff and I think we are ready for his arrival!



7. Christmas in Colorado- We shared Christmas with several family members in Colorado this year and while it wasn't without its drama and stress (I have finally learned that every holiday is going to have some degree of drama and stress), Justin and I thoroughly enjoyed having everyone over to our house for a big Christmas dinner!



6. Celebrating two years of marriage- On November 28, Justin and I celebrated our two year anniversary (and 6 years together in December). I can't believe it has been two years already...time absolutely flies! This year has been a time of extraordinary growth in our relationship. We have spent a great deal of time trying to understand each other and ourselves better...there is always room for improvement! And this has lead to better communication in our relationship which I believe is key to any relationship in life. We have also watched each other begin to grow into our new roles in life...mom and dad. Baby V has not arrived yet but his presence has definitely begun mold our relationship into something new.



5. J's promotion- 2010 started out with some very interesting and eventually nerve wrecking news. Justin's new boss was let go after less than a year with the company and immediately Justin had to take on a new role with the company until a successor was named. It was an incredibly busy and stressful time for him but he took his task very seriously and did the job with great care. He was sent to New York and on his 30th birthday he gave a presentation AND interviewed for the position of CFO. A few days later, he found out he got the job! He is now the head of the finance department for the largest 'beer, wine, and spirits' distributor in Colorado. (Justin, I am done bragging but I am incredibly proud of you and all you have accomplished this year...and you should be too!)



4. MEXICO!- During the last week of May, Justin and I FINALLY took a vacation together! We went to the Rivera Maya and stayed at Secrets Silver Sands.....and it was AMAZING! This was the first trip (anywhere) that Justin left his computer and work at home. It was so nice to see him email free and finally able to completely relax. I hope we can make it back someday...



3. Personal Growth- You're never to old to stop growing and learning about yourself and I feel like this year has been a big year for me. The year started off with Justin and I working on better communication. The things we have learned and the progress made has led to a better marriage. I have also learned a lot about family this year...the new role you play when joining a family, the dynamic of the family you are born into, and how to be firm in what you need and expect from family. The funny thing about family is that you can't choose who is a part of this intimate group. But eventually you can choose how these people will effect your life by deciding the role they will play. And finally, I have learned to chill out! You can't be swearing and honking at every bad driver you encounter, especially with a baby in the car ;) People will always be inconsiderate and rude but it's really up to me to pick and choose my battles...and sometimes you just have to roll with the situation.

2. The passing of my grandmother, Dede- While this isn't the happiest memory of 2010 it is nonetheless a big memory from this year. Dede, my father's mother, passed away in June. We traveled to Florida for her funeral and then to Illinois for her burial a few weeks later. Her death was unexpected and swept us off our feet. I know this has been especially difficult for her husband, Rod. I hope that in the new year, he can begin to find peace and happiness again in everyday life.



1. Pregnancy! This is the obvious choice but nothing else this year has been so consuming and life changing. June 29,2010, is the day that changed my life forever. I'm assuming that I am no different than most women during their first pregnancy in the fact that concerns over Baby V's development and educating myself about pregnancy, childbirth, and what happens after have become an instant priority in my life. The past 30 1/2 weeks have truly been a journey and I feel incredible fortunate for all of the love and support we have received during this time.



I hope that everyone has a safe New Year's Eve...I will probably be holding up my NYE tradition and going to bed early :) 2011 is garanteed to be the biggest year yet as we welcome Jack Gregory Voigts into our lives!

Lindsey

30 Weeks

Woohoo!!! The end is in sight :) We have seven weeks until Baby V is considered 'full term' and no matter what he will be here sometime in the next 12 weeks. I have had a feeling he might be a little early but people are starting to freak me out with stories past due babies. I suppose he will come when he's ready and there is no way for me to predict so I'll just enjoy these last weeks of the intimate bond we have already formed.

I had my 30 week appointment with the midwives today and Baby V is continuing to develop on schedule. I measured right at 30 cm, his heart was at 155 bpm and he is still positioned head down. The glucose test from our appointment 2 weeks ago came back normal and I am currently up 14 lbs (up 3 lbs from 2 weeks ago!). Our midwife, Jen, did say that I am a bit under the weight gain she would like to see at 30 weeks and said that I should be at about +20 lbs. I explained that I eat when I am hungry and I don't restrict myself. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit the amount of cupcakes, sugar cookies, and peanut butter balls I have eaten in the past month. But despite the excessive amount of sugar consumed, I feel that my every day diet is relatively healthy and has played a big part in avoiding extra weight gain. Overall, I'm not worried. I seem to be gaining about 1-1.5 lb(s) per week so by the end of my pregnancy I should be on track for a healthy weight gain.


Here I am at 30 weeks.


Baby V's growth from 10 to 30 weeks.

We went to an open house at Stapleton Pediatrics a few weeks ago and met with Dr. Kono, who will be joining the practice in January. Unfortunately, the office is not right around the corner but it was a very welcoming office and we were very happy with Dr. Kono and his philosophies. We decided we will be using Dr. Kono as our pediatrician...one less thing to do!

I hope that every one had a wonderful Christmas. This was the first year that we stayed in Colorado and had our family come to us...it was wonderful! Unfortunately, not everyone could make it out...we missed the Bartletts' and my mom and gram. But for those of you who were here, Justin and I loved being able to spend Christmas with you. I know not everyone will like to hear this but we thoroughly enjoyed spending Christmas at home in Colorado and I have a feeling that our Christmas trips back to IL will become far and few between in the future. I suppose it is just the natural progression of life when families live in different states.



Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

I hope that every one has a safe New Years!

Lindsey

28 Weeks

Hello 3rd and final trimester!!! We had an appointment with the midwives this morning which turned out to be way more traumatic than expected. At this appointment they were schedule to run a glucose test on me (this tests me for gestational diabetes). I had to drink this stuff that tasted like super sugary, flat Sprite and on the trip to the hospital it made me nauseous and dizzy. An hour after having the drink they needed to take my blood. Pre-pregnancy I was terrible with needles and having blood taken (passing out was the norm for me) but since I have been pregnant and had to have my blood taken multiple times, I have gotten so so so much better. So I wasn't to concerned about having a blood draw today. When she put the needle in my arm it hurt like hell and no blood came out. So then she tried my hand...same thing...and then she tried my other hand...again, no blood. By this point I have broken out in a sweat and I am on the verge of passing out. They called in the other midwife who tired my hand again and was only able to fill half a tube. Luckily this was enough to run the test. Fingers crossed everything turns out ok and I won't have to go in for the 3 HOUR glucose test!

Besides the blood draw, everything went great. I am measuring right at 28 cm and Baby V's heart was at 150 bpm. She was able to tell that his head was down, let's just hope it stays that way!



From now until 36 weeks we will go to the midwives every two weeks and after that we will go every week until baby boy arrives!



We have an appointment on Thursday to go meet with a pediatrician. A friend of mine has been taking her little girl to him and highly recommends him. From what I have heard he is an MD but he is also open to a more holistic approach to certain situations and he is very attentive to his patients and their overly concerned parents ;) Hopefully we are comfortable with him and this will be one less thing to do!



By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. HE can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

27 Weeks

10 weeks until we reach full term status! Justin and I were talking the other day and we both are beginning to realize that time is flying....with frightening speed!!! The weeks are literally flying by and Baby V will be here in no time. We have spent so much time talking and thinking about the actual pregnancy and the labor/delivery part that we temporarily forgot that in the end there will actually be this whole new person in our lives. Holy crap....then what!?!?!?!?

We are realizing there is so much we don't know and I think deep down we are both starting to freak out a bit. Justin has had some experience with his nephews when they were babies and I have had minimal exposure to babies and zero experience with baby boys. Since I found out we were having a boy I have been trying to figure out the logistics involved in changing a little boy's diaper...I even looked into pee pee teepees (if you have never heard of them Google it, you'll get a good laugh!) I realize that a 'golden shower' from my son is inevitable but I think after the first time I will have figured out the error in my ways...and my dodging reflexes will have been sharped ;)

There are so many answers we don't have and so many questions we haven't even thought of and I know everyone will say "You'll figure it out" but still the great unknown is becoming a bit overwhelming! How many bottles do we need? Glass vs plastic bottles? Cloth vs disposable diapers? How will we know when and what we can feed him? And the list goes on and on...

For those of you who don't know me well, I'll let you in on a secret...I am super anal about how things are cleaned and kept in my house. I don't trust anyone to clean my house except me (I will admit that sometimes I refold laundry that J has already folded because it's not 'right') and I need for things to be kept organized and picked up. Our home isn't always spotless but it is generally void of big messes. My husband will be the first to tell you that I LOVE to 'purge'...meaning I absolutely hate clutter and have no problem throwing useless items away. So you get the picture....I see this being a HUGE problem for me when Baby V arrives!

Let's be honest, babies are sticky, messy, and generally come with a lot of loud, bright, plastic STUFF! I have finally achieved my 'adult' house; it is nicely decorated and it is filled with nice things. And if our dogs haven't done enough damage to some of these 'nice things', I'm sure our little boy will finish them off :(

While I have not fully accepted this soon to be new reality, I am beginning to mentally prepare myself for the fact that my lovely, adult, organized, and uncluttered home is about to be a thing of distant memory. I am going to need to learn to relax, let go, and accept that this is just another unavoidable change associated with having a family.

Please don't misconstrue my comments to think that I am regretful or unhappy about Baby V's arrival, I am quiet the opposite! But these are just some of the things I am afraid I will struggle with once he is here.

Our little man has been super active over the past week. His little reflex punches are turning into actual movements that run from one side of my belly to the other. Justin has been able to feel his hiccups and the other night Baby V ran a hand or foot under Daddy's hand...a very new experience for both of us and one that left us with a shocked look on our faces.



This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Have a great week!

Lindsey

26 Weeks

I was a bad blogger last week and missed our 25 week post. Sorry! We flew out on Tuesday and didn't get home until early Monday morning. With all of the hustle I didn't have a chance to sit down and write.

One more week and I will finally be in the third trimester...the home stretch! While I am still able to fully function, I am noticing that certain activities are becoming more difficult and my body is starting to show its limitations. As our little man gets bigger, breathing is becoming a challenge. I have had a lot of tightness in my chest and a hard time catching my breath. Flying was difficult and uncomfortable and I am VERY thankful that we are not flying or driving at any time later in my pregnancy.

Bending over is still possible but my body is telling my that it is time to start trying different maneuvers. I stepped on the scale this morning and saw a new series of numbers that I have not seen before. I know it's a necessity and completely normal but it's still a tough cookie to swallow. From my low point, I am up 11 lbs. My eyelashes have begun falling out and the hair is growing on my stomach instead :( Overall, I am realizing that I am quickly approaching the time in my pregnancy when I can no longer be superwoman and I just have to take one day at a time.

Our trip back to IL will be our last before Baby V arrives and I couldn't help but think that these trips are only going to become more challenging very soon. We do our best to please everyone but in reality that just isn't always possible. I know the jury is still out on this debate, but the fact is we have three families to see when we go to IL. I know people feel slighted by this or try to be understanding but I really do hope everyone understands that we do the BEST that we can. We want to spend time with everyone. And when Baby V arrives we will work even harder to make sure everyone gets quality time but at the same time we need everyone to understand that we multiple obligations when we come to IL. This is why we encourage trips to Colorado!!!

Nicole Russell and Teri Heines hosted a baby shower for us on Sunday, 11/28. It was WONDERFUL!!! The ladies did an amazing job from the food to the decorations and I couldn't be more thankful for all of their hard work. We got a lot of really great stuff. I spent the morning unpacking and organizing Baby V's room. While we made out like bandits, I feel like there is so much more we need to get. Good thing I still have 3 months to divide and conquer!

Sunday was also Justin and my 2nd anniversary. One of these years we will actually get around to doing something special! Our time together has flown by and I am looking forward to the upcoming year. Our lives are about to change drastically as well as the dynamic of our relationship. And while I have no doubt that there are many challenging times that lie ahead of us, I know that we are both fully committed to this relationship and we will continue to work to make this a loving and happy home for us and our new family.




Happy Anniversary Boo...I love you!!!


And here I am at 26 weeks...



The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about two pounds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are beginning to open at 26 weeks pregnant. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting).

The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.



Lindsey

24 Weeks

We had our 24 week appointment yesterday and were finally able to meet the third midwife in the practice. Jen was super nice and I feel really good about our decision to deliver Baby V with the midwives at Swedish. Each of the three ladies brings something different to the table but I feel will feel comfortable having any of them there (we can't chose who will be with us on D-Day.)

It was a quick appointment. She answered our questions, measured my belly, listened to his heartbeat, and I got my first ever flu shot. We were offered the shot last time but I wanted to be able to talk about it with J. We both felt that it was a good idea, especially with Thanksgiving travel in the next week. My uterus was measuring at 22 cm and his heartbeat was at 135...both of which freaked me out! Everything says you should grow a centimeter a week after 20 weeks, so 24 weeks should be 24 cm. So of course I instantly think somethings wrong EVEN THOUGH the midwife told me that it was perfectly normal to be +/- 2 cm. And then we listened to his heartbeat which has gone from 160 to 135 and of course that freaked me out too! Again, the midwife said that was perfectly normal for the heartbeat to lower has he gets bigger. The worrying of a mother has begun and Baby V isn't even here yet!

However, despite all of my worry, everything is looking great and Baby V is doing well. Here's proof (more for myself) that progress is being made!



We had our third week of childbirth class last night, finally getting to the good stuff...labor and delivery! It was a very educational class and we had a lot to talk about on our way home. The reality of what lies ahead of me is starting to set in as the weeks fly by but I am really happy with our choice of classes. I think that being well informed and having a significant amount of time to prepare mentally is helping to build my confidence. I used to be the type of person who viewed childbirth as something I didn't really want to take an active part in or even experience. But now I see it as a natural experience and I will be able to do it! And I feel even more confidant knowing that I will have J there with me. I really appreciate his involvement and willingness to learn. It's comforting to know that I have a partner who is ready to be an active participant.



Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Lindsey

23 Weeks

Sorry about the blank 23 weeks that was just sent out to some of you...my bad!

Well it has FINALLY happened....we here in the front range of Colorado have finally seen our first snow flake of the season!!! I'm pretty excited, I love the changing seasons and I am really looking forward to the upcoming holidays. This is my favorite time of year and I am excited about having Baby V here next year. Christmas will take on a whole new meaning for us.

Baby V's crib arrived this week and we absolutely love it!!! Thank you so much to Grandma and Grandpa Voigts for this wonderful gift :) It's very simple and matches the dresser perfectly...I couldn't be happier with it.





I had to finally break down and buy a new bra today (sorry Dad ;)). And I have started to experience Braxton Hicks contractions. Nothing to worry about! It has happened a few times...my belly gets super tight, I feel like I am having really bad menstrual cramps and lots of pressure in my lower back. I called the midwives just to make sure everything is ok and they said as long as I don't experience the contractions at any regular intervals it is normal. For those of you not familiar with Braxton Hicks contractions check out this link for a brief description... http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/braxtonhicks.html

J has been busy at work lately. It's just that time of year and I know it won't be getting any better until about....March! When you marry a man like Justin, you just have to accept the fact that a 40 hour work week is not reality. I can't complain though, BDC is so much better than when he was with Ernst & Young and the 70 hour week was becoming far too regular. But I couldn't be any more proud of him and how far he has come. I admire his dedication, ethics, and abilities and I have so much respect for what he has accomplished in 30 years (even if he says it's all been dumb luck). I can only hope that Baby V gets all of these traits from his dad. He will be a very successful man someday.

I am rekindling a project I started weeks ago and I just have to accept the fact that this 'project' will take a lot of time and patience. As many of you probably know, I am a self proclaimed 'picture whore'....sorry for the terminology but for lack of a better phrase this is what I have labeled myself. Simply put, I love to take pictures. I love to look back at the pictures that were taken of my family before I was even here. I love to look back at the pictures of my childhood before I knew how to use a camera. I love to look back at all of the pictures I have taken of special memories of my life. In fact, someday I would love to learn how to take a really great picture and share this love with others, being able to beautifully capture their memories.

Needless to say, this 'love' of mine has led to a collection of memories. I believe I currently have over 11,000 digital photos on my computer. This does not include the addition thousands that are not in digital form and are currently sitting in a bag waiting for me to continue my project of scanning them all into digital format.

All of these memories have become an unorganized mess and I am currently trying to figure out the best way to organize and permanently label all of these memories so that someday when I am long gone my children (if they turn out to be sentimental fools like their mother) can say 'Hey, that's Mom on Halloween in 1987' or 'This one is of Mom and Dad at Rockies opening day 2006.'



Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when she hears them outside the womb.

Lindsey

22 Weeks

While there have not been any new developments, Baby V seems to be thriving everyday. He is moving up a storm and yesterday morning (while spending our quality time together in bed) I was feeling my belly and while one side was soft the other had a very hard 'lump'. My best guess, the 'lump' was our baby boy...firmly pressed up against my belly. There's no doubt about it, he's in there and getting bigger everyday! I comparing my biweekly belly shots, I feel like I have gotten noticeably bigger over the last two weeks. (Check out the My Pictures section on the upper left side on my blog page for belly shots!)



We had our first childbirth class last night. We started our 11 week series with nutrition and exercise. The nutrition part I feel like I am doing a really good job (well as long as you don't include my love for cupcakes and just about anything sweet...hey we can't all be perfect!) About a year and a half ago, J and I really started to pay attention to the foods we consume and while it was difficult at first, it is habit now and I'm really thankful for these changes now.

The habit I REALLY wish I would have picked up earlier is exercise. In class, we went over a few simple stretches and the lesson learned was that I really need to start doing stretching and exercise on a regular basis...immediately. I have heard from several different sources that childbirth, natural childbirth, is like running a marathon. And at this point I don't know if I could complete the 50 yard dash! So it's time to start training :)

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! Last year, I only bought 4 bags of candy as it was our first year and I had no idea what to expect. Well 4 bags lasted 12 minutes! So this year I was prepared....12 bags made it 2 hours! It was fun to see all of the kids, especially the little ones. Can't wait for next Halloween when Baby V will be here to help :)





(From Left to Right: Moon designed by me, executed by J--Scary Face D/E by J--Ghost D/E by me--"Baby V" designed by me, executed by J)



I reflected on the night's events later in the evening. I smiled to myself and realized that it was a very memorable Halloween. Not because of smashed pumpkins or adorable trick or treaters...but because this would be the last time it will just be us. We had started a game of Monopoly on my iphone the night before and while I had the most real estate, I was getting my butt kicked royally! We sat in the formal living room to be close to the front door and played Monopoly for 2 hours in between answering the door together (J held ridiculously large bowl of candy while I passed out the goodies). We laughed at my terrible misfortune and J would gloat about his ever increasing fortune which was funded by...me! I remember thinking at one point that it is amazing that after 6 years together we still have so much fun together. I don't know if this unusual or normal for most couples but I never thought it would be possible in my life (for those who don't know me well, I am a awful pessimist). We are far from perfect and no better than anyone else but it pleased me so much to realize that after all this time we can spend two hours, free from the distractions of daily life, to goof off and just thoroughly enjoy each others company.

My only hope is that when Baby V arrives we don't lose this joy and playfulness. When the stress of life becomes too great, we never let it get the best of us. And that we continue to find humor in everyday life ;)

Enough with my sentiment rambling but it's the simple events that make the best memories...



At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Love to you all,

Lindsey

21 Weeks

We had an interesting night on Monday night...We were in bed and at about 9:30 the doorbell rings. I just assumed it was kids being pests but then someone started knocking. J went down to check and there was a man and 5 kids at our door. Apparently the kids had stolen two pumpkins from our porch and destroyed them. The man (a police officer who lives down the street) saw them do this. The man told the boys that he could arrest them which scared the hell out of the boys and even brought one to tears. Instead, he brought them to our house and made them apologize. The boys were told they needed to replace the pumpkins they stole...to my surprise we had 3 new pumpkins and an apology letter on our porch the next day!

And much to my annoyance, the intersection in front of our house was covered with the remains of several pumpkins this morning.

I know kids do stupid stuff and not that long ago I was doing stupid stuff but you don't appreciate how disrespectful and upsetting it is until you are an adult and a homeowner. So it got me thinking....what would I do if one of these boys were my son? And then in a sudden panic I realized someday I will have a teenager! Good god the prospects of parenthood can be terrifying. I feel like now that I am in the second half of pregnancy, I am starting to anticipate his arrival and all of the new experiences that will follow.

Speaking of new experiences, Baby V has been kicking up a storm over the past few weeks but this morning I was actually able to see my belly move! Feeling him move is one thing but actually seeing your belly move around might take some getting used to!!! But I admit, I am loving every minute of this new part of pregnancy. Every morning, baby boy wakes up shortly after I do and I lay in bed a for a bit with my hand on my belly, enjoying every kick and the reassuring feeling that we have made it through another day.

We were able to get one of the guest bedrooms painted and FINISHED over the weekend. It feels so good to have another room done and we are both very happy with the end result. Only one more bedroom to do and we will be done!!! Well, done with rooms that need to be repainted immediately. The family room and kitchen need a fresh coat of paint but those jobs would be best done by the professionals ;) Every additional room we get done makes me love this house more and more because it is finally starting to feel like us....like OUR home. Once February comes and goes this will be the longest I will have been at an address since 521 W. Reynolds St Pontiac, IL....9 years ago!

We start childbirth class next Tuesday! Early I know but we have decided to take childbirth classes on the Bradley method and they are once a week for 12 weeks. I will go into more detail next week.



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.

Lindsey

20 Weeks....HALF WAY THERE!!!

140 down and 140 to go! I have been waiting for this day for a very long time. On a day to day basis, it feels like time moves so slowly but it amazes me that it has been 16 weeks since the fateful day I found out I was pregnant. March will be here before I know it!

We had our 20 week appointment/ultrasound today and we were given nothing but GOOD news. Well it is 100% official...BABY V IS A BOY!!! The first image I saw in the u/s told me without a doubt that it is a boy ;) In retrospect, I think next time I'll wait until 20 weeks to ask about gender because the 'there's a 90% chance it's a boy' has been driving me nuts. I feel so relieved to know for sure that it's a boy. Woohoo, we don't have to return anything :) So bring on the blue!!!

Most importantly Baby V is growing and developing very well. My uterus is measuring right at 20 weeks and he weighs 13 oz which puts him a little ahead of schedule at 20 weeks 5 days. His heartbeat was 150 and we were able to clearly see all four chambers of the heart. We were able to have a 4D picture taken (4D is an u/s that allows us to clearly see the baby's facial features, etc.) BUT baby boy was being stubborn. He had his arms up around his head and he was facing my back so we couldn't get a clear view. Oh well! Just seeing him on the 2D u/s was everything I needed. Justin was even able to see him open and close his mouth and stick out his tongue!!! I, at the time, didn't know what the hell I was looking at ;)
Unfortunately, this will be the last time we get to see Baby V until his arrival.

In the meantime, Baby V has been and will hopefully continue to kick and punch up a storm much to his mother's delight. I felt a lot of movement in the lower part of my uterus this morning and I just assumed it was his feet but in the u/s his head was down so it looks like we may have a little boxer on our hands.

We were able to get some u/s pictures...

This one is a bit creepy. The machine is able to see through his eyelids and that is how you can so clearly see his actual eye. His hand is next to his face and I believe his torso is towards the left. J calls him our "Terminator" baby.



Here is a hand...



Again, another creepy eye picture with his torso to the left...



And here is a foot...



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.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).



Here I am at 20 Weeks...



This how far we have come in 10 weeks.




Lindsey

19 Weeks

This week has brought an exciting milestone to Baby V's development...mama bear can officially feel him move! I "thought" I felt something for the first time last Tuesday but being that this is the first time I have had something growing inside of me, I couldn't quite be sure. That first day I only felt it a few times within a few minutes and the best way I can describe it it was like a little hummingbird inside. I am now positive what I am feeling is our little bean kicking, punching and stretching. I have never felt anything like it and the last few days the movements have been much more pronounced and frequent. I have heard people describe the feeling like a 'flutter' and in all honesty that is exactly what it feels like. I can't help but stop everything when I feel him and hope that he kicks again! Truly an incredible sensation.

Next Tuesday we have our 20 week appointment with the midwives and ultrasound afterward. I CAN'T WAIT!!! 20 weeks marks half way, we get to see Baby V and we will finally get the final word on gender (fingers crossed, he cooperates).

At 19 weeks....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.



Lindsey

18 Weeks

Okay Lindsey is not really feeling it tonight so a quick update from the sperm donor. This week has been fairly un-eventful. Lindsey is feeling much better and actually gaining weight. She is super excited about this fact but I foresee a time in the future where she will be stressing about gaining too much weight. (ahhh women???) We had company this weekend which was nice as Lindsey's dad drove a bunch of furniture out and we actually got a lot accomplished. We got Baby V's room painted. See pics below and got a lot of other projects done around the house. Lindsey's dad also generously purchased Baby V's dresser see pics below. Thanks Greg!!! Last night Lindsey felt a weird sensation in her stomach which we believe might have been the baby kicking. Too cool!!!. Tonight I think we finally decided on a Baby V's name. We shall call him ........ Sorry folks but you will have to wait until he is born. We are keeping this one a secret. Love all of you

J & L








Proof that I did help :)



The girls wanted to help too!



And here we are with the finished product...



Phase 1...DONE!





And here is your 18 week Baby V progress report...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.

17 Weeks

We had an appointment with the midwives this morning and I must admit that I love the sense of relief I feel after every appointment. Having a chance to get answers to the questions that have been building in my mind and hearing Baby V's wonderful heartbeat (145 beats per minute) brightens up my day. At 17 weeks I still don't look very pregnant (unless you see me at the end of the day and after dinner :)) and I have only put back on 2.5 lbs of the 6 I lost in the first trimester. These things bring a bit of worry to my mind....until I hear that wonderful sound and am offered reassurance from the midwife.

She went over my blood work and testing results...everything looks excellent. No problems with my blood work and the genetic testing we had done after the last appointment turned out perfectly and I won't need to go back in for any more tests. I have been having dizzy spells everyday over the past week or so which she said was fairly normal in pregnancy because a woman's blood pressure has a tendency to get on the low side (I was at 90/50, normal is 120/80). It's just becoming an annoyance and is starting to interfere with day to day activity. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do except stay well hydrated and don't change positions too quickly. This too shall pass.

I have been having a lot of 'growing pains' over the past week or two. Nothing painful, more like quick bursts in my lower abdomen where my uterus is beginning to do some serious stretching. I was also able to finally feel the top of my uterus the other day, just below my bellybutton. Very strange sensation! As the belly gets bigger, I am noticing that I am having to starting to adjust certain activities. Leaning against the counter to do dishes or put on make up is a definite no no and sitting straight up from a laying down position is becoming uncomfortable and puts a lot of pressure on my uterus.

We go back to the midwives on October 19 for the big 20 week appointment. Whoa, almost half way done!!! At that time, we will have an ultrasound and get the final say on Baby V's gender (as long as he cooperates) and then let the baby shopping begin :) Can't wait to see our little bean again!



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.

Lindsey

Have you seen my friend?

We used to be really good friends...in fact only a few short weeks ago we couldn't get enough of each other. Now he seems to have abandon me. If you see him, tell him I miss him terribly. Oh and by the way his name is Sleep.

Apparently, my body has decided that is it enough to have to wake me up at least 3 times a night to use the bathroom but now during one of these trips I should have to lay in bed, wide awake for an hour or two. Ahhh, I miss the days when half of a Xanax would set me back into a peaceful slumber. Oh well, guess I am preparing for things to come.

Sweet dreams....

Lindsey

16 Weeks

It's like someone flipped a switch in me! The second trimester is such a blessing and much needed reprieve. My energy is up and so is my motivation. There are lots of little things I want to get done around here before Baby V's big arrival and we are no longer left with any free time. We started to paint the baby's room last weekend. Yes, I understand it may be a bit premature but if you have ever met me, you understand that I hate putting things off until the last minute and I like to have a plan. And this plan works even if Baby Boy Voigts turns out to be Baby GIRL Voigts! I will put up pictures once we have 'phase 1' done.

My dad is driving out in a few weeks (thank you, thank you, thank you!) to bring us some furniture and among said furniture is the crib my parents used for me when I was a baby. I am well aware how old this crib is and we are going to check it over thoroughly to make sure it is safe and that the slats aren't too far apart. But I am very hopeful that we will be able to use it because that is $200-$300 we won't have to spend on a crib!



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.



Lindsey

15 Weeks

Wow...we are moving right along!!! I can't believe I am at 15 weeks already. Just five more weeks until the half way marker and we get the official say on Baby V's gender.

This week has been fairly uneventful, which I must admit I am happy to report! I have been a bit stuffy for the past week or so, hoping that I was not getting another cold. Low and behold, nasal congestion is just another wonderful side affect of pregnancy! When they say that pregnancy is total body experience, they weren't kidding! Oh well, I would take this any day over being nauseated everyday!

We have spent some time starting to plan our holiday season...I know it's only September but when your extended family lives 1000 miles away, advanced planning and logistics is a must. All I can say is what a friggin' nightmare. And I am well aware that holidays are only going to get more complicated once we have Baby V. I am just hopeful that over time Justin and I will be able to work out a 'holiday routine.'

Unfortunately, I don't have any other big news to report this week :( Ooooh, I forgot, we did receive our 'travel system' Baby V this week. Premature, yes. Nonetheless, exciting! The travel systems (otherwise known as a stroller and car seat) was a gift from my mom and grandma...Thank you, thank you ladies, I LOVE it!!!









Here is Baby V's 15 week update! 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.")

Too bad we don't have a doc appointment this week!



Lindsey