A BIG Surprise!

At our ultrasound on Thursday, August 27, we got some BIG news...literally! At just shy of 32 weeks gestational age, Baby Femreite is weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs 2 oz! To put this in perspective, the average weight for a fetus of this age is normally about 4 lbs. Additionally, in the 8th month a fetus will normally gain around 1/2 lb per week and in the 9th month normal weight gain is 1 lb per week. At this rate, after a full term, or 40 week gestation, Baby Femreite could weigh upwards of 11 lbs!

After confirming that I have not developed gestational diabetes, both the ultrasound technician and the visiting doctor explained that women with diabetes tend to give birth to high birth-weight babies. I told them that if I had diabetes I would probably be dead by now (due to my sweet tooth, haha). Therefore, it's possible that we will need to have an additional ultrasound in a month or so to check Baby Femreite's growth.

As a side note, we weren't able to get any clear pictures of Baby Femreite's face because she had it buried into to side of the placenta. However, we were able to see that she already has a lot of hair. The only question is...what color will it be?

Decorating the nursery

Tonight we finally got in and started organizing and decorating the nursery.  The three canvas tree animal scene we painted was hung above the crib.  On the other wall are three metal flowers.  Getting everything in its place and making sure the room has the proper feng shui (yeah right!) has been fun, and we still have a ways to go.

Josh's work baby shower

August 25, Deary Idaho

My co-workers threw me a very nice baby shower during work today. It was akward being surrounded by pink, but I know that baby Femreite will definitely appreciate all of her new gear. I was excited to get home and show Jamie all the baby gifts. Thanks to I-DEA for helping us new parents get baby Femreite off to a great start!

Surprising Symptoms of Pregnancy

I’ve found that no matter how many books you read about a subject, there’s always going to be surprises waiting for you. I am aware that my body is constantly undergoing many significant changes as it progresses through pregnancy, but some of these changes have caught me off guard. My hands and feet, which previously could have been described as “icy” are now always hot, though not swollen (yet). Weird. My efforts to keep some kind of fitness regimen have been thwarted due to hip, tailbone and pelvis pain. Walking has become burdensome, though I had been used to running for miles. Strange. Most recently, after enjoying an afternoon outing to watch the WSU soccer team play Idaho, I noticed a new mole on my left kneecap that I’m sure wasn’t there just days ago. For fear that I had developed some kind of melanoma for not wearing sunscreen that afternoon I Googled “sudden appearance of moles” and learned about my newest and most surprising symptom of pregnancy yet--the darkening of existing, or sudden development of new moles due to hormonal changes while skin is exposed to sun. As if I need any extra moles! Who knew!

Original artwork for Baby Femreite's nursery

Acrylic paints on a series of 3 canvases

it's no Diego Riviera, but it'll do....

Josh making friends with the forest animals