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Ryan is into "accessorizing" right now. He loves his Seahawks beads, likes watches, and is fond of his rubber boots as well...and is that a fake smile I see? Hard to tell, but he's quite a ham and I wouldn't be surprised!

Later that day Rob and I got a good laugh out of Ryan's preferred snoozing position...

Favorite Things

Ryan loves books! A few days ago he was switching books and "readers" and my dad and I grabbed the camera to get a few photos of one of his favorite things.

Week 15: Navel Orange

We had a midwife appointment yesterday and all went well. Heard the heartbeat (about 140 beats/min) and my blood pressure, blood work, weight, etc. is all looking great. We also went ahead and scheduled our ultrasound for late November. I will be approx. 19 weeks along and we're so excited to see our little baby. I asked Rob if we could wait to find out the gender until the baby is born and he vetoed that idea! So then I asked if we could have the radiologist put a photo print out from our ultrasound of the gender (isn't technology so cool!) into an envelope and we would wait and open it on Christmas morning. Nope, nada, zilch! He says I can wait, but he wants to find out. How would that work? Him knowing and me not?!?! That would be hard! So I guess we will find out the gender if Baby J. reveals it to us at that time.

As far as the development of the baby goes...this is where Baby J. is at!

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces. Baby J. is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer than the arms now, and Baby can move all his or her joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are fused shut, Baby J. can sense light (if we shined a flashlight on my tummy for instance). There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but he or she is forming taste buds.



Will our baby be bald as a cueball, or emerge with a mop of hair? That's now being decided, as hair sprouts on the scalp. Hair also appears as eyebrows and on other parts of the baby's body, too. Baby's legs, back, and belly are covered by a downy fuzz called "lanugo," most of which will disappear before birth.

Mind-blowing fact: Like a tiny sea creature, our baby is able to breathe "underwater." Beginning anywhere from ten to fifteen weeks, the fetus inhales and exhales small amounts of amniotic fluid. This helps the lungs to develop and grow.

Pumpkin Patch, take 2

Last weekend we went with friends (the Pennell's and the Dempsey's) to another pumpkin patch. We met for breakfast and then the kids had some play time...so by the time we got to the patch Ryan was fast approaching nap time (he still takes two a day).

The patch had a giant slide, several rides, goats,

a gift shop, and of course, pumpkins. The four other kids that were with us were all over the age of 3.5. They were ready to go on the quad ride, train ride, and the slide. Ryan was too little to go, so we waited while they went on the rides and then we were headed to get some pumpkins...

only Ryan had some plans of his own!

I pulled him out of the puddles and tried to distract him...

But it was back to the puddles! I had a change of clothes for him, he needed a nap anyway, and he was laughing and having a wonderful time. Who was I to say "no splashing in the puddles?!" So I let him! And he gathered quite a crowd who were enjoying his laughter and free spirit.

Drenched to his diaper...we skipped the pumpkins, said goodbye to our dear friends, got some dry clothes on and he promptly took a nap on our drive home. It was a perfect day!

Week 14 - Fluttering Lemon!

We're in the so-called "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy. I'm feeling great and am amazed at how much energy I have. I have needed far less sleep than I did when I was pregnant with Ryan. It may be in part because I don't have the option since I have a 13 month old to keep up with. But so far things are going great!

Also, I am feeling flutters!!! It's so exciting! It is just now and again (mostly at night when I'm lying still). I can't wait until Rob can feel them too - probably in another month or so.

What is Baby J. up to? Growing by leaps and bounds! And so is my uterus by they way, which is why you can now see my little bump. I'll be getting out the maternity clothes soon. Most of my regular jeans and clothes all still fit, but I can tell it won't for much longer!

Anyway, back to the baby!

If you make a fist--that's how big our baby is now. At week 14, our baby is about 3 1/2 inches long from crown to rump and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. If you measured from head to toe (instead of to the rump) Baby J. is about 5 inches long!

Like you, he or she can make a fist, too, with fingers that have a unique set of prints; an epidermal layer in his skin shows genetically determined ridges on the tips and palms.

Our baby's arms have almost reached the length they'll be at birth and his/her neck has become more defined. Red blood cells are forming in our baby's spleen. Baby J. also continues to practice breathing the amniotic fluid in and out of his/her lungs.

Our baby has tiny, soft finger and toe nails, is growing hair and may even be doing a little thumb sucking. Expressions begin to flicker across his/her face -- little winces and grimaces. This is simply a flexing of muscles, not an indication of mood. Mouth-muscle flexing is especially important: these sucking motions is our baby's most basic reflex and will enable him/her to eat.

Our baby's blood is beginning to form in the bone marrow and blood vessels are beginning to connect various parts of the fetus to another. The joints and muscles allow Baby J. full body movement so he/she is able to move around. The baby's neck is getting longer and his/her chin is no longer resting on his/her chest. The eyes and ears continue to move into place. The hands are becoming functional and reflex movements often occur.

Well, those are the highlights...
what a miracle!

Baby Browns

The Wheels on the Bus

Okay, first of all, does it get any cuter than that? These two adore each other!

Grandpa comes over every Thursday to be with Ryan. It is wonderful!

 

 

 

Big hug please Grandpa! Like I said, they adore each other! 

At Grandma and Grandpa's

 Tonight we went over to my parent's house for dinner. Ryan is teething (molars) like crazy but was all smiles and drool.

 

They guys were working on a wiring project so Ryan was happy to get his hands on this pair of pliers.

We forgot a bib (I was sure there was one in the diaper bag!) so we used an old tee shirt that belonged to Grandpa. It worked like a charm!

 

After dinner we play with blocks, baskets of apples, and the top to an antique tea pot.

 

Before we knew it, it was time for PJ's, a bottle, and blankie.

Goodnight! Love you!

A boy and his dog

Sorry to our sweet chocolate lab, Kai, that I cut off his nose in this picture!

Got milk?

Ryan had a little rice cereal this morning...

(...and Mama had a sense of humor, thankfully!)

Baby, it's cold outside!

The fall weather is upon us! The sun has still been making regular appearances, but it's time to pull out the winter sweaters, stocking caps, mittens, and snuggly socks. Here is a recent photo of Ryan who doesn't seem to mind a bit if it's cold, raining, windy, or dark! This little guy is an "all-weather model" and loves to be outdoors even if Rob and/or I have chattering teeth and we're dreaming out that cup of hot cider next to the fire - - inside! Out we go to play!

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we made it to the pumpkin patch! We missed seeing Heather, Chad, and Aidan as napping schedules didn't sync up. Hopefully we will see them soon though.

The sun was shining and our boy was smiling (at least most of the time)!

Lots to explore!