week 29: sqaush

This week, Baby is the size of a large squash (and will be around this size for the next couple weeks). His energy is surging and is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though they don’t coincide with my own. And, all five of of his little senses are functional!

{How big is baby?, Squash image from The Bump}

week 28: 'seeing' baby move

Pete and I were sitting on our patio and I felt Baby kicking away. I was staring at my belly and thought I saw my entire belly shift. I asked Pete to just watch for a minute. We both waited patiently, and all of a sudden it looked like a little groundhog was tunneling his way around my belly button! So weird, but completely entertaining.

week 28: hospital tour

Pete and I had a tour of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center over the weekend. We've heard wonderful things about the facility & it's staff these past few months. The tour did not disappoint.

The hospital is attractive and inviting (and very easy to get to!). It didn't have the cold, sterile feeling we were expecting. The employees were very friendly, the waiting areas were comfortable, the labor & recovery rooms were cozy, and the security is incredible!

We did, however, have a couple homework assignments before the big due date...1. purchase a car seat and make sure it is properly installed before delivery. 2. Choose our pediatrician for Baby Flocken. This is especially important for 'boys'.

Here are a few shots of Mercy Gilbert.

{Entrance, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center}

{Delivery Room, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center}

{Recovery Room & Nursery, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center}

{Chapel & Lobby, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center}

week 27: pedicures

Sandal season...pedicures. Normally an activity I look forward to, but now very difficult. It's uncomfortable to lean over for a period of time and paint. I find myself holding my breath and getting winded. Ugh.

week 27: trimester numero tres

Its happening. I've hit my third trimester. I'm feeling huge and expanding by the hour. Although I haven't had those crazy pregnancy cravings, I've certainly gained back my appetite. My daily wardrobe is mostly 'stretchy' and I couldn't even imagine wearing heels or fancy shoes to work. Thank goodness it's sandal season!

week 26: world map

While scouring the internet for cool prints and art pieces for baby's room, we recently came across These Are Things, a graphic design duo creating modern, limited edition hand-screenprinted maps in Columbus, OH. A minimal world map has made the cut and should be in the mail tomorrow!

{World Map in black by These Are Things}

week 26: sun burn

I retreated to the Camelback Inn for a spa day yesterday. It was wonderful! I spent some time by the pool and let it all hang out (my belly, that is). I wasn't out there too long, but you'd think I was sunbathing for hours. I'm red. Really red. My belly looks like a giant red tomato.

week 25: eggplant

This week, baby is the size of an eggplant. And, apparently if you put your ear to my belly, you may be able to hear his little heart beat!

{How big is Baby?, Eggplant image from The Bump}

week 25: changing station

We converted a closet into a changing station. First we removed the doors, track, molding and hanging rods. We patched and painted and added new molding to finish out the opening. We slid our Ikea Malm dresser into the new space (perfect size for a changing pad), installed a couple shelves for all the supplies we'll need, and a new pendant light (that's on a dimmer!). An electrical outlet will eventually make its way inside the changing station to power the light and hide the wires.

As always, we failed to take a before picture, but here's an after.

week 24: kid-friendly back yard

We've put a lot of hard work in to our backyard to make it an inviting place for us to relax. We've removed all the prickly agaves, nurtured our lawn, planted soft shrubs, vines and fragrant flowers. After all of this, have we made a kid-friendly environment?

Our friends Holly and Jeremy made it to our house this past weekend with their boys Mason (5, soon to be six!) and Tyler (2). We were absolutely thrilled to see the boys plop right down in the grass like it was a big green carpet. They pulled out their tiny toy trucks and pushed them on our curbing like it was a long winding road. Our vines we're training on a wall became a soccer goal. Our patio cover was the perfect launching pad to catch bouncing balls. And, who knew how fun watering plants could be!

We're thrilled that our little yard provided hours of entertainment (with no injuries).

Kid-friendly backyard...yes!

week 24: monthly visit

Just had my monthly visit with the doc. Baby's-a-cookin, with a heart rate of 160. My weight "looks good"...hmmmm.

week 23: zooooom!

Still on the hunt for a cute, boy-friendly night light, to ward of the scary darkness. Apartment Therapy posted the Candela Zoom Night Light that's offered by OXO. The LED light provides eight hours of light, plenty of time to send baby Flocken off to dreamland. Zoom lights up automatically when lifted from the charging base. Best of all, its shaped like a little rocket!

{Zoom Night Light by Candela}

week 23: baby registry

A baby registry is A LOT different than a wedding registry; a daunting task that completely overwhelmed me yesterday. I spent hours researching the strangest products...do I get a manual nasal aspirator or one that is automatic and plays music as a distraction? Both are pretty gross. Is a swaddling blanket with velcro better than one without? Is a video monitor necessary or can we rely on the old audio monitor? All this left me with a bit of a headache and stinging eyes.

After reading a variety of baby blogs and viewing a number of "must have" lists, it looks as though we're shooting for over 100 baby items to register for. Yikes! Let me tell you this, the "quick start" registry lists are not helpful, and who knows if an item that has been given a 4-star rating will actually work for us and baby Flocken.

I've decided to take the advice of Currant Baby. They offer a registry checklist that seems pretty manageable. So far, I've checked off a handful of items, practical goods at Babies R Us, and cutesie things from The Land of Nod. I'll take it day by day, section by section, and hopefully will have this registry completed in the next couple weeks.

week 23: papaya

This week, baby is the size of a papaya!..and I'm the size of a small SUV. Apparently, I (we) need to watch we say as baby Flocken can now hear outside noise from inside the womb. His tiny face is fully formed and is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day.

{How Big is Baby?, Papaya image from The Bump}

week 22: the dentist

I went to the dentist for a cleaning this morning (because all those baby books I've been looking at warn you about the risks associated with having a 'dirty mouth'...and, because it was time). Afterward, I scheduled my next appointment in 6 months. The hygienist said I could bring the baby. Wow, that was an eye opener!

week 22: its official...

I look pregnant, and people aren't afraid to say so.

week 22: pet lamp

Pete came across this OFFI Dachshund Lamp. Its made of non-toxic, odorless plastic and uses a 12v bulb. It's a sweet lamp that may work well in a nursery & boys room.

{My Pet Lamp, Dachshund in Sunset Orange by OFFI}

week 22: first kick for dad!

I've been feeling flutters for some time now. Last night I was feeling movement pretty consistently and could definitely feel kicking with my hand. I grabbed Pete right away and put his hand on my belly. Baby kicked twice for him! Pretty cool.

week 22: night light

We've been fans of J Schatz for several years now. We're proud owners of a an aqua Egg Bird Feeder! In addition to egg-shaped bird feeders, houses and banks, Schatz also creates night lights. The candy-colored Star Egg Lights are modern with a touch of whimsy. Light is projected through the tiny openings on the ceramic egg’s surface, creating a dreamy starry night.

{Star Egg Night Light in Dark Tidepool Light by J Schatz}

week 21: overalls!

Aunt Kate & Uncle Chris sent us the cutest outfit for baby from Baby Gap. A striped pink onesie polo (we can see Chris wearing this...a polo, that is), denim overalls, and fleece jacket. So cute!

week 21: banana

This week, baby is the size of a banana!

{How Big is Baby?, Banana image from The Bump}

week 20: rocker

GrandPatti saw this fiberglass shell chair rocker from Modernica in Dwell Magazine. It was featured in a nursery! She thought we might like it for our nursery...and she was right! I've had my eye on this particular chair for years! We decided on Elephant Hide (a color suitable for a rambunctious little boy's room) with maple and zinc base. The Rev and GrandPatti made the order and it just arrived! It fits perfectly next to the crib.

{Fiberglass Shell Arm Chair by Modernica}

week 20: light or black-out

Black-out shades. Are they necessary for baby's room? After quite a bit of research and wavering, I (I say 'I' because my other half had no imput in this decision...we'll see what he thinks) finally invested in a custom linen roller shade from The Shade Store for baby's nursery. It filters the light but doesn't completely block it out. I figure that, plus sheers, plus curtains should do the trick. Babies can sleep anytime, in any light, right?

{Linen Roller Shade by The Shade Store}

week 20: a 'sweet' gift

We got the cutest gift in the mail today. A pastry box filled with washcloth cupcakes from Baby Cakes and Decor out of Seneca Falls, NY.

{Washcloth Cupcakes Boy Style by BabyCakes and Decor}

week 20: early portraits

Here are a couple ultrasound pics of baby's foot and facial profile. I think he has his dad's nose.

{Baby's Foot and Facial Profile}