3 Months

Dear Caroline,
I cant believe its been 3 months already... to some three months isnt to long, but its been an amazing three months. You are such a well mannered baby. You hardly ever cry, really its true. Except for around 7pm at night you start to get fussy and I know its time to start settling down for the night... everyone asks if you are a good baby, how to explain how truely lucky we are!
Its hard to believe also that at this time last year, you were only an hour old.. probably still getting poked and prodded by the nursing staff.. my how things change. We've faced MINOR hurdles, your bowel movements are regular now and you hardly ever spit up!! You also started sleeping through the night right at the end of 9 weeks.
Its so cute to see you smile at your daddy and the gummy grins I get from you when I come to pick you up in the morning or when we are playing. You have a beautiful smile little girl, its already melting hearts. Just last week you started holding your head up for much longer periods of time, and YESTERDAY, mommy laid you on your tummy and you lifted up and looked around.. you are growing so much little girl, I can hardly believe it..
We love you princess..
Mommy and Daddy

Almost two months..

I got wrapped up in mommy hood and forgot to update! She is already almost two months old and growing like a weed, we went to Nana Pam's house this weekend and she measured her and she is 23 inches long, holy cats! She also started sleeping through the night which mommy is ever so thankful for... Does anyone still read this?

3 weeks!

I cant believe its been three weeks already- what a life changing experience!! She's defiantly growing, and has been spending most of her day's awake this week... Im tired, but dealing and adjusting :) We've had a couple of rough nights- but last night- we actually made it in three hour stretches without getting up. I also think she's discovered her big girl cry and holy cats look out- she gets MAD! :) Next Sunday is baptism at the 11am service if anyone is interested- let us know and we can get you details :)

2 weeks 4 days..

Phew, guess we dont update enough ;) I will try to do better, I didnt realize how many people had started reading our blog! YAY! That makes me very excited. I am getting so big already, mommy cant believe it... makes her a little sad. But she know the best is yet to come.
This past weekend, we went to Linton to meet Great- Grandma Violet and a bunch of my cousins.. I like to travel, as long as the vehicle is moving and did pretty well in a different house.
I am awake a lot more and look around and I think I am recognizing mommy and daddy. I also have started smiling, that or its gas. :) But I sure looks happy!! :) I have also started wanting to eat every 2 hours, which gets tiring on mommy but Im sure growing.. in fact the little Mexican lady that was working at the golf bubble today said I look so healthy and she said, I am getting chubby little arms :) And on mommys news.. she had her blood pressure rechecked and its now at 128/80!! So HAPPY!

And now what everyone wants to see.......

Hospital Picture!

Hospital Photo :)

Week 1!

She hardly looks like this anymore!!!

Phew, what a week! At 6:35pm today Baby Caroline will be one week old, we survived our first week! (Never doubted that we wouldnt, but still!) I had all intentions of posting a bunch of pics, and will still try this weekend- but her looks have changed so much in a week, its crazy!!
Things Im sure people are curious about...
*Sleeping has been going well, we get REALLY fussy from about 11:30p-1:30am and then usually fall asleep again until 4:30am, eat and go right back to sleep until the next feeding three hours later.
*Still trying to get the knack of breastfeeding- I am pumping however and have been using bottles to get her breast milk that way- we are still trying- but I figure as long as she's getting what I want, thats all I can hope. :)
*Moved her up to her Playtex drop-in bottles today. :) Her little mini-bottles only held 2oz of milk/formula and that just doesnt seem to be cutting it anymore, we are up to 2.5-3 oz today already!
*Her dr's appt was on Thursday- they had to do a heal-poke. :( Broke mommy's heart! But in other good news, her jaundice levels are low-risk, so shes healthy and weighed in at 6lb.1oz with her diaper on. :) They figure it was less than that, w/o the diaper obviously- but Im still going for the 6lb mark :)
*I have her in newborn clothes today- that ALMOST fit! Its very exciting to realize she is growing so much!
But I feel another nap coming on- here is a picture to hold every one over until I can post more :)

We are finally home, we were discharged at around 2:30pm and are here, I think we are ALL exhausted, pictures and much more to come, hopefully sometime tomorrow? Keep watching our story is just beginning :)

There be a baby here!

At 6:35PM August 2 6.0lbs 19inches. Caroline Violet Gill whooshed out.

Last events before birth

6:10pm Nurse "Oh gosh your fully"

6:25pm Doctor on sceen "Ok here we go"

6:35pm Baby cries when hits the towel.

Water has broken, contractions building

Just like the title says, I'm in a lot of discomfort not only from the contractions but from the Magnezium solute they are giving me IV to prevent seziure due to high blood pressure. Getting the IV pumps set up at 3am and 6am. More to come soon...I hope.

Day 7

Had another dr's appt today... blood pressure was high again, so they admitted me, and now Im hooked up to an IV so I cant type super well- gave me some stuff to get things started, feeling some contractions... CRAZY. They figure I'll be here until I have the baby, which should be in the next few days, holy cats! Im in room 604 at Innovis. Otherwise all looks well..

Day 6...... (of bed rest)

Sorry for the lack of update yesterday- nothing terrible exciting happened. Wait, thats the same case as today :) Mom has been keeping me pretty entertained as she does the nesting for me- I never thought it would be so hard to watch someone else clean and do little projects for you, or get things for you since you cant get off the couch.
I have a drs appt tomorrow, I am pretty excited about that- I think things are slowly starting to progress, just from listening to my body, its the little things I've been noticing (wont go into details, a LITTLE TMI) :) Have had some little contractions here and there, nothing bad yet- which is okay- because my dr. really wants us to make it to next week anyways...
In other news- today we are 37 weeks!! Hard to believe unless you see me, I feel huge! :P Im trying really hard to be patient and stay on my left side, not that easy when all you can see is out your window is into your neighbors living room, at least they leave their blinds open and I can see they have nice furniture :) My appointment is tomorrow at 1:15 with a ultrasound type thingy and then I meet my doctor at 3:15- so I will update at some point tomorrow evening. :) Until then, keep the prayers coming, we appreciate it (and she can come out at any point-- mommy is ready) :)

Tuesday's Dr Appointment

We had a doctor's appointment today, they hooked me up to the non-stress test machine, which monitors the babies movement and heart rate, she was really moving and grooving and her heart beat was SO fast, what an awesome sound! They said everything looked good- but I have another appointment on Friday for a biophysical exam, and from what I can find online, it looks at 5 things, from babies movement, to muscle tone, lung movement and heart movement and to make sure she has enough fluid in there to keep swimming for a few more weeks.
I am however dilated to 1cm- woohoo consider I have 9 more to go ;) She said it doesnt mean much, other than we are nearing the end, or the end is in sight! They want me to at least make it to 38 weeks gestation, which would be NEXT week, holy cats, everything is ready, and Im ready after 5 days of bed rest to not be on my couch, so I guess, come what may, right? :)
Other than that Im just hanging out, everything is ready to go and now we just wait. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I REALLY appreciate it. :) Until tomorrow....

Still hanging in there

Well, it has been an interesting weekend. With just over 3 weeks left to go Mandy decided to have high blood pressure that causes headaches. She was admitted to the hospital on Friday and released that night only to be re-admitted the next morning until released Sunday afternoon. I did spend the night with her that night and those chairs do suck.

Her pressure is still too high and is now on bed rest for the remainder of Caroline's stay. Feel free to call her at home on the home number she is guaranteed to be there.

On a happy note, the baby's room is done and ready for the day. Car seat is in the van and we have completed Lamazz class. When the 3 weeks and 3 days are up we can rock and roll.

At this time due to the high pressure Caroline's stay inside of Mandy will not be going past the due date and may come as early as 1 week from now when we enter the saftey zone for birth.

Stay tuned for more updates as the last few weeks roll on.

35 weeks today!

How far along are you?35 weeks!

What symptoms are you experiencing?Beginning contractions or baby contractions as I call them, I can tell she's really settleing into where she's supposed to be, swollen feet, and another "unmentionable" pregnancy symptom.

How are you feeling?Overall pretty good.. I think I've hit that emotional state most pregnant women hit. :) Im ready to be done, to meet my baby and to be comfortable again. Otherwise being pregnant is actually pretty beautiful. :) Another thing- think of the kids toys Weebles (Weebles Wobble but they dont fall down...) Thats how I feel and look I think. :)

Any doctor appointments/ultrasounds/tests this past week and how did they go?
I have a dr's appt. tomorrow. I am actually really looking forward to it, besides the lab work, but such is life, right? I have to take in my STD paperwork for work, so I can have leave to have this baby, and then thats basically it and we should be ready!!!!!!!

Anything big happening in your personal life (moving, work related, family, etc.)?Not really, *crosses fingers*

Any food cravings? Milk.. I could drink Milk ALL day long. But it has to be super cold, kind of strange.

Tell us your favorite thing about your pregnancy this week! Everything is set up and ready to go! We got a pack and play to use for the first few weeks until we get the crib, Mike has been putting things together, and now this weekend I hope to get the room FINISHED, its almost done, just a few last minutes boxes that need to go out and decorating that needs to be done. Pictures to come once its completed :)

Going to try...

Im going to try really hard to update more often, maybe even convince Mike to put in a post now and then... considering things are getting closer and closer as the days go by.
We had our second Lamaze class last night... I was a little disappointed, I was REALLY hoping to go on the tour of L&D- but she said we'll go next week. The coolest thing was, as we were sitting there, they played a lullabye because a baby was born!! I couldnt help but smile because that will be us soon!
Tomorrow will be the weekly update with how things are going for the baby.. now for a little pros and cons.. because well.. I think I've been pretty quiet about things this pregnancy :)
+ babies room is almost done! (pack and play/bassinet should be in tonight!)
+ I just watched my WHOLE belly move.. like she was repositioning or something.
+ Mom got to go meet my daycare lady I am really excited/feel really comfortable leaving her there, they seem like really great ladies. (Who wouldnt like a daycare where the second worker (deedee's mom) the kids call Grandma!
+ Dr's appointment on Friday
- Lab work/thyroid test.. yuck.. at least they do a good job and it doesnt usually hurt TO bad
- Its hard to get out of my chair at work.. REALLY hard. I've decided I need a booster seat.. I wonder if they make those in adult sizes. (its a funny picture, admit it!)
- Its also hard to sit down, other mom's who have been pregnant can about imagine why-- I will not go into details..
Other than that, its finally cooled down and rained, so hopefully its DONE raining and will stay slightly on the cooler side, my body doesnt like when its 90* at 6pm when I get off work :)
Until tomorrow....

Week 34...

Its hard to believe that we only really have 6 weeks left.. wait, did I really type that. WOW. I have Friday off from work and I hope to finish the babies room. We ordered a pack and play that comes with a bassinet from Walmart on Sunday, so hopefully that will be here soon and will be suffice until Grandpa Darrel brings us the crib, which I cannot WAIT for, Im sure it will be beautiful as the dresser he already made, it is amazing.
We started our childbirth/lamaze classes last night. Not really sure if you can call it Lamaze, not to much heeeing and hoooing going on. But it was very interesting and I learned a bunch of stuff I didnt know and actually was wondering. We have two more weeks of that, next week during class we get a tour of the birthing center!
Baby apparently weighs as much as a cantelope.. thats actually pretty hefty, no wonder I can hardly walk! She is also pretty much set in the department of things to put in her room, my shower was amazing! Thank you to everyone who came, or thought of us even if you couldnt be there, we totally understand. I will post pictures as soon as I get everything put away... this is going to be one well dressed baby. :) I almost cant wait...

A extra shout out to my cousins who are in Africa for three weeks, if you could keep Kara, Andy and Tyler in your prayers it would be really appreciated!!!!
Until next week...

32 weeks

Thats about how I feel and look right now.. okay maybe not so top heavy, but I sure feel that way! And this would all be due to the fact that the websites are prediciting that the baby weighs about 4lbs.. NO WONDER my belly feels like something is trying to claw its way out. :)
See what Im talking about, seriously.......
Nothing else very eventful this week... I am VERY excited for my baby shower on Saturday. Im like a kid at Christmas, this week has gone by fast/slow just knowing that I get to go home and receive such thoughtful things for baby, and feel everyone's love has me excited. :) Next Wednesday is our next dr's appointment, so more than or maybe more after my shower, we'll see what I come up with... :)

31 weeks... I really tried to do a 30 weeks but the internet ate it :(

How far along are you?
31 weeks 2 days

What symptoms are you experiencing?
A rapidly expanding belly, what I think MIGHT be braxton hicks (fake contractions), extreme fatigue

How are you feeling?
I feel pretty good compared to how I know some pregnancies can go.. Im just so tired! I am growing a small furnace I think

Any Dr. appointments/ultrasounds/tests this past week and how did they go?
I just had a dr's appt. on Friday- not my regular doctor my she said everything seems to be okay. Baby is measuring where she should be, my glucose test came back normal and the pain when I stand up/walk.. yup thats normal to. :)

Anything big happening in your personal life (moving, work related, family, etc.)?
Gavin and Sandi just had their baby, a friend at work just had her baby.. I WANT MINE! :) Just kidding.. she can bake for awhile longer, other than that nothing "huge happening.." my baby shower is next weekend, I can hardly wait- I am SO excited.

News about baby this week?

She apparently weighs about 3.5 lbs and is super active, she likes to curl her toes up under my ribs, but wont let other people feel her move (soon enough Grandma and Im sure you'll be able to!!)

Any food cravings?
Water, Frosted Flakes, Tuna

Tell us your favorite thing about your pregnancy this week!
Hearing her heartbeat, seeing Mike's reaction when he talks about how he saw my belly move. :)

28 weeks.. or as the websites say, a butternut squash?

A butternut squash? I think my mom used to make me try to eat those when I was little and now Im growing one, good grief. No wonder its hard to walk. We have entered the THIRD and last trimester of pregnancy.. its crazy how fast things are going, I cant believe before to long she will be here!!!!
New things about growing baby this week, she weighs in at approx. 2.5 pounds.. her brain is getting bigger, and her eyes open and close and respond to light. I also read somewhere that she is starting to be able to smell things, so when she is born, she'll recognize my smell- I hope thats a good thing!!! :)
Things are going well at our house, Grandma Pam is here for the second half of this week and we are kind of working on babies room, I have a few painting ideas picked out, but we'll see what I decide on.. my good friend heartburn is back as well as not being able to... go... as regular as I'd hoped... which I guess is all normal for this week, wahoo?! I also feel like Im waddling, they say this is normal as well as my legs support the extra weight.

26 weeks?!!?? Bet you all wished you had a cucumber in your belly..

Pretty sure I didnt realize I was already at 26 weeks.. HOLY CATS! Time is just flying by, anyone want to come help organize my house to get ready for baby? I'd love you forever... I had to post the update from the website because it is way to cool- babies eyes are now open!! wow!

At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

We took our first big road trip as a "pregnant" family to visit Mike's family this past weekend and we even took Grandma Pam along for the ride, let me tell you- I probably wont be riding 10 hours non-stop again in a car while I am this huge again! We do have to go again in a few weeks for a wedding, but hopefully will be making more stops, or I will put my foot down. :) But I should be getting back to work, I just drank some orange juice and baby is going CRAZY.. hopefully other people can start to feel it more noticably soon!

24 almost 25 weeks!!

We had a doctors appointment yesterday, it was a really quick appointment- but everything seems to be going well- the baby is measuring at 25 weeks (which is right on track!) and according to the website weights about 1.5 pounds.. the weight of a rutabaga? Kudos to you if you've ever eaten one or held one before :) (Weird, I think so...)
She's been super active lately, so hopefully soon other people will be able to feel it- my belly is also hard- which is kind of cool, but weird at the same time. We are going to Wisconsin this weekend- so I'm interested to see how my first long car ride goes as a preggo.. and Johnson family- if you were wondering- yes baby can be an Old Navy baby (my favorite place to shop!!) :)

Week 23... 117 days to go..

Sorry I havnt written in awhile, I didnt feel like there was much going on significantly and didnt want to sound like a broken record. :) We are getting very close to being less than 100 days to go and somedays it STILL doesnt seem real. I should really get started on that baby room, or cleaning it out.. yikes. She has been moving like CRAZY lately. I think she must still be head up, because it feels like little or rather big bumps against my bladder. Its a really weird, peaceful feeling! The most exciting thing is that Mike may have felt the baby move the other night, she's kind of shy (takes after her mommy) and he had to be very still and patient for her to act up again, I drank some Orange Juice and away she went....
I was reading in the emails I get, that she weights just over one pound and her taste buds have developed as well as her sense of sound.... which I've noticed, because when we were at Manley's funeral this past weekend and they did the gun salute she jumped and swished around, it was pretty amazing, for the situation. My lunch is over now though, so I should get going... I will try to update more frequently :)

Nosey Nelly...

I mean Heidi... ;) Grandma Pam says you've been calling.. so here you go :)

Darn IT, you cant see the first picture but its a GIRL!!!!!!!!!
The next one is FEET... two honkin' big feet...

Week 20

What a week its been. I started my new job like I think I stated last week.. and its been CRAZY. I think I'm going to be actually talking to providers on the phone next week, so if any of you have questions on Medicare, I might be able to answer.. haha.. that is IF you work for a provider.. the rest of you get to call the Medicare hotline ;)

4 1/2 more days until my scan, I am so excited. I've been waiting and waiting. I think it will finally make everything "real" not that it isnt real-- but honestly- 20 weeks is a LONG time! I dont think either of us really care what "it" is- but rather that its healthy. I would love little dresses and stuff.. but boy stuff has been getting cuter by the day ;) Enough of my rambling! About this little one making my pants to tight:

This week you're carrying about 10.5 inches and 10.5 ounces of solid baby-miracle-goodness! — the length of a banana. (that made me laugh..)Their little delicates bones continue to ossify and toughen while their itsy bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up. Your little monkey now has teeth buds, although they’re hidden beneath the gum line. And finally! Their limbs have reached their relative proportions—no more alien baby! Their cute pink lips are more defined, and might be helping out in a bit of prenatal thumb-sucking. If you have a little boy, then their tiny testes are descending, though they have not yet passed the abdominal wall. What’s more, eyelashes and eyebrows are also visible. At this point, your little one really looks like a miniature baby—and we do mean miniature as your little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of their final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind you, the most significant gains are yet to come!

As far as Im feeling? Im glad the weather is finally nice enough out so I can Chelsea out for some VERY MUDDY walks, except she thinks she's the human and pulls me through the puddles as she prances around. Im not as tired as I was, and my tummy is hard now. I can tell there is a tummy there, some other people think its just pudge. Hopefully in the next few weeks that changes. Look for an update Monday afternoon after we find out what it is!!!!!!

Week 19

I had to add this picture- I thought it looked so funny all scrunched in there :)

WOW! Next week is our anatamy scan, and yes- Im being spoiled and telling everyone- partially due to the fact that Target has a stinky return policy.. only two items per year.. TWO... Anyways..

Your amazing little baby is now around 10 inches in length! If this seems a bit shocking, you’ll be relieved to know they’ve not actually grown over 3 inches, but that their little legs are now straight enough to be measured. This is when doctors begin measuring fetal growth from head to toe, (no longer “crown to rump” or CR). Lanugo (little hairs) covers their whole body now, trapping that charming cheese-like vernix caseosa (see week 18) to the surface to the skin. This week your lil’ fetus will start on an appetizing diet of amniotic fluid which they are now capable of swallowing, digesting, and passing the fluid as far as their tiny “large” intestines. Fortunately for you, this nice little lump of baby-poop won’t be coming out while they’re still in your womb. Some time shortly after they’re born, this fun lump will become the first in a long line of baby poops. (What finally comes out— commonly known as “meconium” to the science world, will be black and sticky, and you’ll be very glad it happens only once!)

Where Does All The Weight Go?
Baby: 7 to 8 pounds
Larger breasts: 1 to 3 pounds
Larger uterus: 2 pounds
Placenta: 1 1/2 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
Increased blood volume: 3 to 4 pounds
Increased fluid volume: 2 to 3 pounds
Fat stores: 6 to 8 pounds pregnancy.

How am I doing? I am fighting a NASTY head cold, really.. the next 4.5 hours are going to drag on (well I hope not) I cant wait to go home and rest. its taking a lot of energy! Lots of stretching this week, which I especailly feel when I stand up! Here's to another healthy, safe week! Next week on the 7th we find out what our little miracle is!!!!!! :)

Week 18

I can hardly believe that I am already 'almost' half ways done.. two more weeks and we hit that milestone, wowzers.. its been a long but short week if that makes sense. Started a new job here in the Medicare system and its wearing me out- a lot of big words and terminology, but I think once I get going I think it will be well.. PS- to Auntie Emily- I fixed the website name, so I spelled Journey right. :P
And about the baby this week according to http://www.baby-gaga.com/:

We have two more ounces! Your "getting bigger-n-better by the minute baby" is already up to 7 ounces and 6 inches! This is a big week for their baby skin. There are now two distinct layers—the epidermis (or the surface skin) and dermis. Currently, their skin is covered with a greasy, waxy, cheese-like substance, known as vernix caseosa. Sure, it sounds pretty nasty, but this mixture of fatty secretions covering your little swimmer from head to toe is the best way to protect their oh-so-thin skin from bruising and abrasions as well as chapping caused by amniotic fluid exposure (and your little one is swimming in that stuff!). Still don’t like the fact your little darling is currently slathered in fatty cream like a greased pig? Well, you know the birthing process? Where you have to push something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a grape? That adorable little greased piglet would have a lot harder time getting through the birth canal without the vernix caseosa. Fun fact for momma’s with baby girls: it’s a uterus within a uterus! Your little girl will have developed a uterus and vagina canal by the end of this week.

And how Im doing:

Its getting harder to take deep breaths, kind of feel like I went for a run ALL the time, when really I only go for short walks at night (that is if this nice weather continues to stay.) And apparently I am also making more blood so that would explain why when I stand up so fast I get a little woozy. Other than that, not much else is new with us, next appointment in two weeks, and then we get to find out if our little bell pepper is going to be a boy or a girl!!!! :) See some of you this weekend!

Week 17

Holy cow how time flies, this week has just FLOWN by... mommy has been experience what they describe as "round ligament pain" feels more like a stretching muscle (which it is) right to the side of her hip bone, not fun when you roll over in the middle of the night... and you feel this PING.. yikes! I added a different picture up above to give an idea of what the baby looks like! :) Not so tadpolish/alienish anymore! If you still want to fruit/vegtable comparision you can click the blue link below.

How Im developing:

Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

And from another website:
Don't be too shocked but... your baby is EVEN bigger than it was last week, not to mention getting cuter, and smarter every day! As you’ve come to expect, there’s no shortage of growth and development this week: your fantastic little bean stalk has added yet another half inch to their overall height-- making them nearly half a foot long! Their little limbs have reached (or are within one week of) their relative proportions, and will continue to grow evenly with the rest of the body after this week. Reactive listening has begun for your baby, even though their ears are not yet structurally complete or fully functional. Meanwhile, different parts of their astonishingly complex brain are developing to process your little one’s hearing and other senses, (you know, sight, smell, taste and touch). Mind boggling factoid of the week: if you’re having going to have a little girl, her ovaries have already produced millions of primordial egg cells, which, within a few weeks, will develop into actual eggs! Phew… just wait till she’s a teenager eh?

3 more weeks until the big ultrasound.. until next week!
Mike, Mandy and Baby Gill

Week 16

Welcome to week 16... instead of comparing my baby to a fruit this week, I decided to show a picture of what the baby looks like at 16 weeks, seems big, but really it isnt. :) Mommy's tummy hasnt changed much- except its harder and not fluff. Which is weird, because when you poke yourself in the tummy it usually feels squishy- not when there is a baby in there! What the website says about this week:
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.
I had my 2nd doctors appointment today- no- no ultrasound, sorry family :) I had to pee in a cup, get my thyroid tested and we heard baby Gill's heartbeat. I think I actually almost started crying. Nothing beats that- well Im sure seeing your baby for the first time is great- but this was amazing. I could tell it was MUCH louder and closer than it was last time, although little Gill kept swimming away and we couldnt find it right away- but she found it. :) I also found out that Bridget (Lawler) Belter works on 6th floor- so if baby decides to come on a day/shift she is working, I can request her to be my Labor nurse! Next appointment is in four weeks, where we will get to FINALLY see the little one. Until next week...
Love- Mike, Mandy and Baby Gill

Week 15

If any of you know my mommy, you know she doesnt have the most patience in the world, I'll be 15 weeks tomorrow, so she wanted to tell you all about the exciting things that are happening inside of there this coming week!

First of all I've been waking mommy up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, she just LOVES it, expecially since she used to be able to sleep through the night, for hours on end. :) Daddy also just groans when mommy tries to crawl over him, just wait daddy until mommy is HUGE and trying to crawl over you.

I am now about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). I am busy moving amniotic fluid through my nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in my lungs develop. My legs are growing longer than my arms now, and I can move all of my joints and limbs. Although my eyelids are still fused shut, I can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, I am likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but I am 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.") (But dont worry Grandma mommy's next appointment isnt until March 6th).

Anxiously awaiting my arrival in the world....
Baby Gill

Welcome! :)

Well, I decided that since all of our families dont live in the immediate area, and most of our good friends, we could create a blog to let you all know about the happenings in this pregnancy. With just about 181 days to go, mommy and I are sitting at approximately 13-14 weeks (not 100% sure on this one yet). I have fingerprints formed on my tiny fingertips, my veins and organs are clearly visible through my still-thin skin, and my body is starting to catch up with my head — which makes up just a third of my body size now. If I am a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. I am almost 3 inches long and weigh nearly an ounce. How exciting right? The shrimp and the quarter at the top of the page are a comparision of my size... mommy doesnt like shrimp, but thats how big I am! Next week I grow to the size of a lemon, what a jump!!

Mommy is feeling better this week, as she and I are now in the "second trimester". Not that nauseus feeling and heartburn that hit hard the first few months, but now we are just really tired. Its nice to take naps and go to bed early. Not sure Daddy likes us going to bed so early, but we are dealing...

T-14 days until the next doctors appointment!