Archive for August, 2009
I finally feel baby move at 22 weeks!
Posted on August 24, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
It’s official. With my hand on Denise’s round tummy, I felt the baby move at 22 weeks. A pretty amazing experience which is hard to describe. After reading through a few blogs, it seems many dads-to-be are actually pretty freaked out by the experience and find it too unusual or weird. I’ve also read that some dads ”communicate” with their baby via tapping on mom’s stomach, and being replied to by a swift punch. Not sure how mother’s feel about this game.
By the way, I wonder how “Octomom” felt with 8 babies all doing their Kung-Fu routines inside her?
What are your top 5 baby necessities?
Posted on August 22, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
We registered at Babies R Us today, an overwhelming task that is by no means complete.
The realization of having a baby really starts to sink in when you stare at 15 strollers blankly, with no clue which to pick. I mean, do you really need a stroller? We’ve managed for thousands of years without them. That’s pretty much my thought process when I look at every item on the shelf.
Any advice out there on what you would consider to be your top 5 baby necessities? And if it’s more than 5, then so be it.
Baby now at 22 weeks!
Posted on August 22, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Baby’s now nearly a pound and 11 inches from head to heel. She’s definitely stronger with more frequent and stronger punches, kicks and headbutts. In fact, her hands have grown bigger and stronger and she can now feel and touch with newly developed nerve endings in her fingers. Apparently she’ll try them out by touching her face and yank the umbilical cord — probably for more food, I’m sure. And by the way, she can also taste the amniotic fluid. Yes, she’s test-driving her new taste buds. She’s also sporting a short hair-do. White, I’m told. But this obviously changes over time once pigment appears.
Baby now at 20 weeks
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
At 20 weeks today, we’re half way there. Although we’re told that the real growth starts now with the baby packing on the pounds.
The baby now weighs about 10 1/2 ounces and she’s around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana and the weight of a cantaloupe.
She can hear sounds now, and covers her ears with her hands if a loud sound is made. She’s also moving a lot — twisting, turning, punching, and kicking. This feels like butterflies or stomach rumblings. She’s been pretty active in that department, which we’re told is a good sign. Apparently it means she’s getting lots of oxygen.
She is starting to grow hair on her head and a waxy skin covering is forming to protect her skin from the amnotic fluid. Her eyebrows are forming, and nail growth has started. Amazingly, her uterus is fully formed and her vaginal canal is starting its development. She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries, seven million of them — though by the time she’s born, that number will be down to two million. And interestingly, she’ll be born with all the eggs she’ll ever have.
Naming a Baby Girl
Posted on August 5, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Since we’ve found out we’re having a baby girl, we can now focus finding that perfect baby girl name. It’s an incredibly overwhelming task, and the easiest way to approach this might be via the process of elimination. For starters, we’re not interested in names that: are too common or too uncommon, have funky spelling, come from the Victorian era, contain negative connotations thanks to nutcase celebrates or other people we’ve met, hard to say or remember, are akin to fruit, and come from New Guinea.
After browsing around on the web, these are the Top 10 Girl Names for 2008:
- Emma
- Isabella
- Emily
- Madison
- Ava
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Abigail
- Elizabeth
- Chloë
We’d love to hear what names you like.
Memories from within the womb
Posted on August 5, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
During pregnancy, parents often attempt to communicate with the baby as it develops within the womb. They might play Mozart to raise their baby’s IQ; or talk to the baby in the hope that he might recognize their voices once born; or dad might poke mom’s belly in hope of a reciprical baby kick and also shine a flashlight to brighten their dark little cave.
While this might sound like fun and games, there’s a lot of research being done that has uncovered remarkable evidence of how babies respond to outside stimulation.
Audio Stimulation
The baby can in fact hear from within the womb and many studies now confirm that voices can be heard. A mother’s voice is particularly powerful because it is transmitted to the womb through her own body reaching the baby in a more audible form than the outside sounds.
Music is another source of stimulation and in one study, “Brahm’s Lullabye” was played throughout the day in a premature baby nursery. It was documented that the music produced faster weight gain than the effect of voice sounds. The baby’s heart rate can also be altered by sounds. In fact, only a 5 second stimulus of sound can change the heart rate and cause the baby to move around for up to an hour.
Visual Stimulation
Despite the baby’s eyelids remaining closed until the 26th week, they are sensitive to projections of light on the belly and respond with an accelerated heart rate. It has also been observed that they can detect the location of needles entering the womb, even with their eyelids still fused. Despite their closed eyes, it’s assumed that they have some aspect of vision, but it’s not understood how. Babies have been observed either shrinking away from the needle, or attacking it with a fist. And when twins are in the womb together, they will often locate each other, touch faces and hold hands.
Dreaming
As early as 23 weeks, babies are starting to dream with rapid eye movement and they display facial expressions that can range from pleasant to unpleasant depending on the dream. It’s also important to note that dreams are neither reactive or evoked which means that the baby has inner mental or emotional experiences.
Other Stimulation
Believe it or not, ultrasounds have recorded erections as early as 16 weeks, which are often partnered with finger sucking. This suggests that pleasurable self-stimulation is already possible. And in the third trimester, when the parents are engaged in intercourse, the baby’s heart rate fluctuates wildly and is directly associated with paternal and maternal orgasms!
Remembering Experiences
Now, it’s doubtful you remember anything from your days within the womb. But a new study suggests that a short-term memory could be present for fetuses at 30 weeks of age. This study tested how fetuses in nearly 100 pregnant women responded to a very low vibrating sound. The researchers then observed the reactions using an ultrasound. The fetus was startled when it first heard/felt the sound, but after repeating this stimulation it got used to the sound, and no longer reacted to it.
This lessened response to a repeated stimulus is called habituation, a process that both humans and animals are known to experience. For example, you might become habituated to the sound of your grandfather clock ticking. Hearing it at first, but growing used to the noise after a while and falling asleep. Habituation is a form of learning and memory.
The researchers also discovered that if they played the sound to the same fetus 4 weeks later, it stopped reacting to the sounds after only a few attempts. Whereas the fetus that had not been exposed to the stimulation 4 weeks earlier, took much longer to ignore it. This test illustrated that a 30 day short-term memory was in place.
It still hasn’t been proven that the baby can remember all the stimulation it receives, but it should make you think twice about the environment outside the womb, and how it can effect the baby within.
Finally we know the baby’s sex!
Posted on August 3, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
We’ve been waiting for this day for what seems like ages now. In fact, it’s been 19 weeks, 3 days, 3 ultra sounds, and dozens of guesses that have separated the day we first knew we were expecting, and today’s milestone.
For this third ultrasound, the doctor examined the brain, heart, organs and the rest of the anatomy; and without hesitation, informed us we’ll be having a baby girl! And if things are as they appear, a healthy baby girl. We honestly didn’t have one preference over another, only that he or she would be healthy.
So now what? Well now we can focus our planning towards decorating the nursery appropriately, return the generously donated boy’s clothing, and brainstorm girlie names! Knowing the baby’s sex now, seems to make all the sense in the world to us.
Denise’s Baby Bump at 19 Weeks
Posted on August 2, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
As part of documenting the pregnancy, we’ll be taking a series of maternity shots throughout. Here’s Denise in our garden, showing off her baby bump. This was taken one day before we found out we’ll be having a baby girl. Click on the picture to get the full view.
Baby’s sour-pickle face
Posted on August 1, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Not sure if that’s a sign of stupidity or tenacity. Either way, it’s pretty darn funny.
Ohdeedoh.com – for parents with a Design sensibility
Posted on August 1, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Ohdeedoh.com is a website for people who care about good design and have children. They take the belief that kids stuff is often ugly and use it help make home more beautiful, organized and healthy.
According to their mission statement, a calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world. Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it. The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.
Some great items here, check it out!
ManBabies.com – love it or hate it
Posted on August 1, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Without question, ManBabies.com is just plan weird. But depending on your sense of humor, it’s pretty funny too! Basically, people take photos of dads and babies, and then using that weapon called Photoshop, they swap the heads around. Check it out!
5 Decor Must-haves for your Baby’s Nursery
Posted on August 1, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Planning and arranging baby’s nursery not only helps parents prepare for their bundle of joy; it also lets them get used to the functions and layout of furniture in the nursery. Creating a comfortable and secure nursery for baby begins with the furniture you select. Each piece, from crib to dresser and hamper to toy chest, should be carefully chosen and strategically placed based on how it will integrate with the size and shape of the room, as well as with the room’s other accessories.
1. Convertible Baby Crib
The Emily Crib easily converts to a daybed and a toddler bed that includes a guard rail. The full size headboard and footboard can be used later with a separate rail kit to convert this stylish piece of furniture into a full sized bed, perfect for older youths. And made from real pine with a handsome cherry wood design, this crib will nicely complement the decor in baby’s room.
2. Changing Table
This elegant baby changing table features functionality and style and its pure white finish will give a clean fresh look to your baby’s room. Profiled edges, clean lines and lots of convenient storage space are sure to make this piece the highlight of your child’s room or nursery. Whether you prefer storage space behind doors, or open storage space, our one of a kind table was designed to answer your needs.
3. Glider and Ottoman
A must-have for new moms, this Hoop Glider is perfect for rocking baby to sleep in the wee hours of the night. Glider features solid wood construction with metal, enclosed ball bearings for a smooth gliding motion. Chair features ample seating room with padded arms, and the arm cushions have a pocket for paper, magazines and other small supplies. Back and seat cushions are machine washable. Ideal for your nursery, or any other room in your house. Includes matching ottoman.
4. Chests, Armoires & Dressers
Pefectly store your clothes, toys, and other items in this chest, while adding a clean, classic look to your room. This mixture of storage options, allows you to conceal your items behind the cabinent doors and drawers while featuring your room decor. This model features durable construction and an attractive Pure White finish. Features: Constructed of particleboard with a Pure White finish One door chest, two drawers, three shelving units Ships Ready-to-Assemble 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty Behind the door there are 4 shelves
5. Playard with Bassinet & Changer
Perfect for traveling, this mesh-sided Pack ‘n Play playard sets up in less than a minute. We’re sure that the Pack ‘n Play playard will quickly become one of you and your baby’s favorite Graco products. This Pack ‘n Play playard comes with a full-size bassinet with comfy quilted bumper pad and mattress pad, a great place for infants up to 15 pounds to nap peacefully and drift off to dreamland with the nature sounds or music from the electronics unit or just gaze happily at the soft, detachable toys hanging from the included mobile. The changing station supports babies weighing less than 25 pounds. and the parent organizer holds many of your diaper changing essentials. A convenient travel bag is also included – just fold the Pack ‘n Play playard, stow it in the bag, and you and your little one are off to see the world.
