38 Weeks

So we went to the doctor today and he backed down from June 3.  Now he seems pretty sure we'll induce on June 8.  We'll know for sure on June 2.  Kristina is 40cm.  Have a good day!

37 Weeks

A full term woman is 38 cm at 38 weeks.  At 36 weeks, Kristina was 39 cm.  We've got a big baby and the doctor wants to get him or her out.  

36 Weeks

Doctor says you can pencil in a June 3rd date for induction.  Get ready!

35 Weeks

As you've noticed, we've fallen behind in updating our blog.  We're really starting 36 weeks.  We've been pretty busy preparing for two big things.  First, obviously, the baby.  The baby's room is almost totally done.   Pictures hung, crib made up, diapers at the ready.  

But we're also preparing for another big event.  On Wednesday, I'm going into surgery for my jaw. 

Because of the long recovery from the surgery, it's going to be hard to update the blog for the next couple of weeks.  Of course, if we receive any information about when the doctor's might want to induce Kristina, we'll let everyone know.  

In the meantime, enjoy this picture of Kristina from last weekend.

34 Weeks

Lowdermilk's are bigger than Ortega's. Kristina had a doctor's appointment yesterday and the only interesting news is that the doctor believes he might have to induce our little bundle of joy. By his estimation the baby already has the feet of Grandpa Bloom (size 14), the wingspan of Brady (6'6") and, to the chagrin of Kristina, the head size of Casey (38" inches around). Kristina, whose Mexican heritage isn't known for it's gargantuan-ness, just wasn't built for that strong German, Irish, Sweedish and Russian blood. So, Lowdermilk's are bigger than Ortega's.

He suggested that if Nemo continues to grow at this rate, he will set a date for induction in early June--as early as the 1st of June.

Kristina and I are thrilled at this prospect for a few reasons. First, she won't have to be miserably huge in the crazy heat that we've been experiencing out here for too much longer. Also, as soon as they give her the drug to induce, they also give her pain medication, so she could concieveably not even feel contractions. I like the idea of induction because it takes the guess work and surprise out of the whole process. I won't have to break land speed records to get to the hospital. I won't inevateably forget something when we rush off to the hospital. Also our families can be more prepared and ready at the hospital. Most importantly, we can get down to the fun part of pregnancy--a baby.

If the baby has Lowdermilk size, what will Nemo take from the Ortega/LaRue side? Perfect skin? A penache for word play? An olive shaped face? A cantkerous attitude towards people in charge? We'll just have to see. Only 6 weeks left--at most!

We'll update the baby sign language in a couple of days.  Hope all is well.

33 Weeks

As I've said before, pregnancy is boring.  Aside from the biweekly doctor's visits, we don't have much to report.  Kristina continues to grow--and be  constantly tired and uncomfortable.  The baby's room is coming along nicely, however.  We've got a crib, a glider chair, a changing table, some wall hangings, and a slowly growing collection of clothes, blankets, and diapers.  Kristina and I have settled into a nice routine in the evenings.  We take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood at dusk, do the dishes, make dinner, watch House or Law and Order reruns and fall asleep.  I know that these quiet moments will become few and far between, so I cherish them now.  

Another week, another new set of words to learn.  This week Kristina will teach us "ouch," "help" and "change."  I realize that "ouch" is straight out of E.T.  It will take everything I have to not say "Elliot" and giggle every time the baby makes the sign to tell me he or she is in pain.  I can also admit that the sign for "change" cracks me up for some reason.  Anybody able to tell me why that sign is hilarious?  

21 days until maternity leave!!

32 Weeks

Kristina had a doctor's appointment this week.  These bi-weekly appointments have become anti-climatic.  She goes in, pees in a cup, gets weighed and, unless she has questions, leaves.  15 minutes tops.  We did find out that the baby's head is currently down and his or her booty is pressing up against Kristina's lungs/liver on her right side and causing great pain.  On the positive side, the pain will only get worse.  Other than that, no news is good news.  

As we've gone through the pregnancy process, Kristina and I have researched many different ways to make Nemo's life easier.  One such way that we became very excited about is baby sign language.  All the research indicates that it will help our baby express his or her needs long before speaking.  

However, for this to work, we need your help.  With that in mind, we have decided to include video examples of different signs in each week's blog update.  We'd ask that you study these and, when Nemo comes to your house, you use them.  In theory by the time he or she is 6 months old, the baby will have incorporated the signs and be able to communicate with you.

This week's signs are "more," "eat" and "milk."  I realize that "eat" and "milk" are one in the same for several months, but someday they might mean different things.  Enjoy!