22 Weeks

Weeks 22-24 (Month 5): Papaya

Average size: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 oz.

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

More pictures from the wedding

Landon
Kevin and Melissa
Diana and I
Melissa and I

Weekend in TX

We went to TX last weekend for my cousin, Diana's wedding. John and I were SUPPOSED to fly to Austin Friday night. We get to the airport and the flight says 10:30 instead of 7:30 pm. We thought at first that it would be 15 minutes late landing, but we soon found out that the flight was delayed to leave Chicago at 10:30 pm. When we went to the gate to get more information on why the flight was delayed they couldn't tell us for sure that the flight would even take off. They were suggesting to fly to San Antonio or Houston instead. We decided to get on a plane to Houston instead. It took off at 8:35 pm and we landed in Houston about 11 pm. We had Brandy, who lives in Bryan/College Station, pick us up. By the time we got to her apartment it was 2 am!! (We took the long way home by accident :) ) We stayed at Brandy's house but she wasn't going to the wedding, which is in Belton near Killeen.
My Uncle Terry lives about 30 minutes from Brandy. I had asked him if we could ride with him to the Wedding when we found out we would have to go to Houston. He said sure. He picked us up on Saturday at about 3 pm by himself. I was wondering why he was by himself and then he told us he wasn't going to the wedding but gave us a ride to Austin anyway. We were so thankful. He dropped us off in Austin (it was about a 2 hour drive) and my aunt Tootoo drove us to and from the wedding. We stayed at Tootoo's house Saturday night.
On Sunday we went to see Iron Man 2 and then her and Torrey took us to the airport.
It was a VERY busy weekend, but I'm so glad we were able to go. It made me wonder if we would be able to do things like this after Austin comes. I think we will be able to go but we will not take airplanes that leave so late. Chicago is the WORST place to fly out of. Airplanes come in from all over that you can be delayed and there isn't even bad weather in Chicago. It can be very frustrating some time.

Here are some pictures from the reception:

John and I
Sara, Cameron and Torrey
Diana and Kyle
Mom and I
Jeanne, TooToo, Carol and Mom

Kristal's Graduation

Kristal, Sean, Sheana, and Peter
All the fiends. AS you can see I wasn't really ready for the picture. Oh well...
Kristal and Sheana
Sheana and Peter
Kristal and Sean

My friend Kristal graduated from UIC last week with her Master's. I'm so proud of her! I went to the graduation. Here are some pictures of her and her family.

21 Weeks

Week 21: Banana

Average size: 10.5 inches ***, 12.7 oz.

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Baby's now the size of a banana!
Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

First Cubs Game

John and I...this was Austin's first game as well :)
John and I with Sheana and Peter
Sheana and I
John and I

Kristal and Sheana, friend's of mine that are twins, are turning 26 tomorrow. Sheana's boyfriend Peter bought Sheana 4 tickets to the Cubs game for her birthday. Sheana asked if John and I wanted to go with them. We had a great time. It was a PERFECT day for a baseball game and I had a ball park hot dog! MMMM! Overcast and low 70s. The cubs won and we had good seats. Happy Birthday Kristal and Sheana!

20 Week Appt - It's a boy!

20 weeks and 2 days

John and I went to the doctor Friday morning. I had a 9:30 appointment where they did a very detailed sonogram to make sure the baby is progressing like it should. The baby did not want its picture taken, which made me wonder how it could possible be my kid :). Anyway, the more we pushed on the belly to get him to un-fold from the ball he was the tighter the ball got. I tried jumping up and down in the sonogram room and everything, but we basically scared him. So since he didn't cooperate I will be going back on May 11th to see if we can do round 2. The sonogram tech wasn't able to get all the pictures of his spine and other areas that she needed. He was bent over with his legs crossed, but we were finally able to see something. The sonogram tech was 95% sure we are having a boy. On May 11th I will have them confirm this if they are able to. We have picked a name... Austin Daniel Tarver. I think 95% odds are pretty certain, but I guess there's always a possibility a girl could come out.