Liam in Christmas Program

Last Friday night Liam and I helped out with the Christmas program at the Church of The Apostles titled A Children's Christmas. Liam was the baby Jesus in the program (last minute decision by our sweet Early Childhood Coordinator, Kimberley). If you would like to watch the short program see the face book link below... note Liam gets a bit upset half way through! That's me saying "He's fine" in the background. Mary leans over to kiss him several times to try and calm him down!

A few kids came home reporting that "the real baby Jesus" legs were wiggling while in the manger" : ) after the program ended several 4 and 5 year olds were motioning towards Liam saying "Jesus loves you and me" and "can you believe that's the real baby Jesus". It was a precious night to spend with the children in this ministry! Thank you Lord for all your many blessings!!!

Love,

Momma Skelly

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Church-of-The-Apostles-Childrens-Ministry/159854194042749?v=wall#!/video/?id=159854194042749

Liam before his performance...

 Liam and mommy

Liam's 1st Laugh... back at 8 weeks old

You've asked for it... now it's here... after finally getting it into the file format for uploading. This is the video of little Big guy's FIRST LAUGH(s) while we were on a 3-day trip to Savannah / Tybee Island. Liam was just shy of 8 weeks-old when we took to the road... enjoy!

Tickling him before bed one night (13 weeks old) :)

Happy 4 month birthday Liam!!!

Liam had a very exciting 4 month birthday - Grandpa invited him to come meet Santa who was making his way through Roswell, GA last Thursday. He happened to be coming across the lake at Kimberly Clark the night of December 2nd. Liam was such a good boy. He was happy - even after waiting in line for over an hour to sit on Santa's lap...

Thanks to Santa's early stop - mommy and daddy won't have to try and go see Santa in the mall crowds at Phipps or Lenox this year!!!

Peace and joy to everyone!

Momma Skelly

Today's Stats!

Today Liam is 3 months 27 days old...holy cows!!!
Height: 26 in (87 percentile)
Weight: 16 lb 14 oz (87 percentile)
Head Circumference: 44.3 cm (94 percentile) Proof that he does have a generous noggin!!!

Blessings to all our family and friends...

We pray you will enjoy the next few weeks together - remember the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ our LORD!!!!

17 pounder!!!

Kevin and I weighed Liam this weekend and figure he's at least 17 pounds...he's only 15 weeks as of yesterday and just keeps growing. Everyone keeps telling me that this is what happens for the rest of his childhood - but to actually see the changes day by day is incredible...I told Kevin I'm going to stop feeding him so he'll stop growing (I'M KIDDING OF COURSE)...

A few milestones - he is making a full spectrum of noises and sounds (including new toots everyday) - Liam has been a gassy boy since birth. He's now very ticklish on his belly, feet and underarms (new within the last week). He loves hearing himself cough, laugh, and seeing himself in any mirror. Grandpa tickles his feet with his wickers and this is probably Liam's favorite thing at the moment. Of course he loves mommy's ridiculous non-rhyming songs too. The latest one is "Liam, Liam, where's my Liam - where is he and what's he doin' I can hear him laughin' and tootn'" or Kevin's favorite - sung to the tune from the Wizard of Oz "Rub dub here, rub dub there and a couple of la-di-das, that's how we laugh the day away in the merry ol' land of Skell, toot toot here toot toot there and a couple of la-di-das that's how we laugh the day away in the merry ol' land of Skell, brush brush here, brush brush there" - I think you get the idea - insert any silly action verb and you will make Liam laugh with this one! {By the way, if anyone thinks of something that rhymes with la-di-das that's a fun make believe place - let me know and I'll pay you with snickerdoodle cookies this Christmas!!!}

Anyways, I digress!!! What else is new! This is happening more and more since the delivery of our beautiful boy! How long does pregnancy brain last? Well into your 90's???

We had his 3 month pictures done last Friday and the photographer said he did very well for a 3 month old. Usually they are squirmy and fussy, but Liam was just eatin' in up - smiling for the camera and laughing, gurgling. See below for a few proofs - you will literally melt!

He is too big for size 2 diapers now and too small for size 3 - so we are putting the 3's on him tightly - looks very funny indeed - he would kill us if he saw how far up his torso they go!

Well, friends and fam - just wanted to catch you up a bit...tune in because I'm going to try to give weekly updates to document this sweet boys' life.

In closing for today - what I can say is that Kevin and I are having an absolute blast with this little guy - we can't believe we made such an intuitive ball of cuteness - God is molding us and sculpting us into more patient and loving people just by being in Liam's presence. I'm learning the true meaning of having faith like a child - their joy and laughter is a direct reflection of the joy and laughter from the Lord - I know the Lord speaks to Liam in his sleep and during the day - because when I look at him there is such a peace and happiness and audible coos coming out - as if God is making him laugh and sprinkling love onto Liam in his dreams!!! As a mother this is absolutely sweet to see first hand!!!

Love you all and here is to a simplified, sweet and giving holiday season with friends and family!

Mom Skell

The little prince is over 5 weeks old now...

This is a picture of our sweetie at his one month/3 day check up with the pediatrician. He is 10 pounds 8 ounces now and over 23 1/4 inches! He is growing fast and capturing mommy and daddy's heart with each new expression and sound...

We are so excited to hear him talk one day and see him smile more and more.

Love you all and really appreciate all the encouragement and love!

Liam Brendan Skelly - updated post to follow

The Value of Hemoglobin & the What-NOT-to-do-List for Soon to be Fathers

Okay with only days to go… somewhere in the neighborhood of 3… until due date, It's Kevin checking & chiming in with some revelations. I’ve finally learned a few things about being pregnant. By that, I mean I’ve learned a little on what to say to... & do for... the pregnant beautiful wife.

As an aside -- to all 6 of you subscribers to this blog, you’ll be thrilled to know that Kel & I are embarking on a Blog-signing tour in September – where we will personally come to your home re-read these postings aloud to you and in-character for your enjoyment followed by a Question & Answer session and then Kel & I will personally autograph your computer monitor while Li’L Skelly will dirty a diaper in the room of your choice.

I digress... 

Here are (in no particular order) The Top Things TO-DO as a Man for/with a pregnant Wife

- Rub the Feet. Not yours... Hers. This has unlimited brownie point earning potential. When done correctly and from your own initiative, this is a quick & early-pregnancy way to bank, bank, bank. Now, what i mean by that is... think about cashing it in for poker night at your buddy's house or maybe an afternoon for a round of golf. Don't delude yourself in any way that you've somehow paved a pathway towards that insane home theatre system of whose retail price would rival most developing countries' defense budgets.

- Compliment Her Glow. She will be luminous. There's just something about the woman who carries my child. From the moment we found out we were 'prego' ... Kel has carried this iridescent glow. Guys, recognize this in your wife and comment on it... often.

- Bring Her Ice Water. A pregnant woman cannot have enough ice water. Yah yeah yeah... it'll make her pee ...even more than she would anyway, but ice water does a lot. It keeps 'things' moving for her when she gets ...well let's just say it rhymes with 'complicated'. Prenatal vitamins tend to have high concentrates of iron & other healthy doses - which sometimes interrupt nature. Note, at this point prenatal vitamins should be a morning staple alongside her cooked-to-order omelette that you whip up each morning for her. Lots of water will also serve to keep an otherwise overheated mommy cooled off. Yes, even in 30-below frigidity, pregnant women have been known to realize body heat temperatures comparable only to active nuclear silos... followed closely, if not immediately, by a complete shift to popsicle-like extremities. 

- Sacrifice Your Comfort. Bedtime mattress real estate will undoubtedly run at a premium the further along she gets. With the advent of the 'body pillow' combined with the product of some dastardly villain of home decor proportions who dreamt up 'throw pillows' - you, the husband will find yourself sharing your bed with - not only your blushing & well-hydrated wife - but also the finely upholstered equivalent to the Michelin Man will join you. These extra cushions serve the all-too-important function of helping Mommy-to-be maintain comfortable position. These unsuspecting buffering bolsters will be shoved and stuffed into shapes, sizes & positions probably never intended by the manufacturers of said plushness - all for the sake of keeping mom & tummy somewhat supported in slumber. 

And now, here are some things NOT-TO-DO as a Man with a pregnant Wife. Strong recommendations.

- Do not play XBOX while she does [your] laundry. This is a good general rule even if your wife isn't with child. 

- Do not expect her to get the car door for herself. This goes without saying, perhaps. C'mon be a gentleman.

- Do not stay up late on Friday night typing a blog-posting... ( Ummm... wait. )

- Do not overlook Snuggle Time - She's got some hormones coursing through her body. She will need a lot more hemoglobin than usual. (this is the biological chemical released - similar to endorphins - when physical contact with a warm-bodied hubby is accomplished.)

The following 2 things fall under DO NOT DO UNDER ANY & ALL CONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES WITHIN THE PHYSICAL WORLD

- Use phrases like "Geez Honey!" or "Wow!" that might follow an involuntary reaction of surprise if you happen to stumble upon her consuming something she might not otherwise (whether it be the category of food or the quantity of the same, keep your mouth shut. As Confucius says: A closed mouth gathers no feet)

- Believe for one second that 'Pregnancy Brain' means she'll forget your anniversary. She might misplace keys or be unable to locate the eye glasses that are on her face... but do not allow your feeble mind to think you're getting off any hook for not having your wedding date emblazoned on your brain.

So, hopefully you all have found this information helpful and feel free to post your comments and I'll be happy to host follow-up discussions. Love you all... even if you're a stranger... or my dentist. Thanks for reading. 

22 days or less :)

Quick update - we saw the midwife last Friday morning. I was right on target measuring 36 cm in the 36th week. The midwife confirmed that bambino is head down with his head locked into the pelvic area (the chances of him turning at this point are slim).

We are completely packed for the hospital minus a few odds and ends. Kevin is going to install the infant car seat today or tomorrow.

I got a really serious contraction this morning at around 3:00am - it was not a Braxton Hicks - but much stronger :). My belly went completely hard, it was a bit painful, and Skelly Jr. stopped moving around as much...not sure what this means...

Baby this week (37):
Huge news this week: You're carrying a full-term baby! If you were to go into labor today, all systems would be a go. Baby's growth slows down dramatically this week. His bones are still soft and pliable and will solidify after he's born. He's busy practicing for "life on the outside," working on his breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing and peeing abilities. At 37 weeks babies vary in size, but the average length is between 19 and 20 inches and most babies weigh approximately 6 pounds. About the size of an average largemouth bass.

Please pray for patience for Kevin and I - as I'm getting more and more uncomfortable as the hours go by...

Love you all! We'll get an updated belly pic on here soon!

37 Weeks Pregnant

Darn Braxton Hicks!

Well, I've been getting more of these sporadic uterine contractions which have been keeping me up at night and causing some discomfort. According to my midwives - when they come I just need to change activity/position and drink plenty of water (these contractions can sometimes be brought on by dehydration).

Also, this morning Skelly Jr. decided to get right up under my rib cage and stay there kicking - thus causing some serious cramping and what felt like the onset of labor! I shot up out of bed and I think Kevin thought I was going into labor: "Good thing we started packing your bag for the hospital" he said...

Otherwise, all is well in the world and we've got just under 26 days to get to the DD. Kevin's got to throw a few things in the hospital bag for himself and we've got to get the car seat situated in the car...other than that our little munchkin will have a bassinet ready to sleep in (the same bassinet that my brother, sister and I snuggled in - along with some of my cousins and their children - I think 15 babies all-together)! Diapers to keep his bottom fresh, and we've got enough onesies to sink a battleship and enough bottles to start our own baby feeding center!

We are both a bit overwhelmed - but I've been reading that no matter how prepared you feel you never feel fully ready to bring baby home. Always something to do or finish, or clean - yes, I've been nesting for awhile now!

Love you all and can't wait to share the pictures, size, length, and birthdate of our precious gift from God!!!

John Braxton Hicks - (What a good-lookin guy!!!) 

History Factoid: In 1872, he described the uterine contractions not resulting in childbirth now known as Braxton Hicks contractions.

Less than 5 weeks to go!

We have 4 weeks/4 days to go to get us to our due date. Now there's no telling if Skelly Jr. will come early or late. He is extremely active and energetic so I have a feeling he's coming early! Kevin is making no predictions!

Last weekend we found a beautiful crib that will be delivered in the next several weeks from Italy! Also, Kevin picked out an adorable bedding set at Babies "R" Us - it has racoons, foxes, blue birds, black bears and owls on it and the colors are sage and tans. The baby's room got painted this past Monday and we'll just need to go to IKEA for some lamps, a rug and maybe 2 small book shelves!

It is all coming together and my wonderful friends are coming over to help me fold baby clothing and get all the little details situated this weekend. A few months back, Cathy was able to bless us with so much boy clothing from a co-worker of hers - the only thing we're short on is 12-18 months and then beyond!!! But we won't need those for quite some time! Kevin said last night that he thinks the little guy will have a different onesie each day for his first 6 months in the world!

Some exciting news:

1. According to the midwife yesterday, I am right on target...belly is measuring 34 cm and I am in week 35. We listened to the heartbeat and he had just been moving around a lot - so at first it was in the 150's then he slowed down movement and it fell into the 130's (right where it should be). We found a pediatrician who came highly recommended through our birthing class and all the other little things like social security card, health insurance, etc. will be coming together later on.

2. My brother, Nathan, will be coming to visit for most of the month of July - I haven't seen him since last Christmas and he's yet to see our house or my big growing belly. We are VERY excited to see him and spend some time with him before the baby comes (and maybe after :).

3. Heather is getting 2 visitors in Cambodia from Mount Paran North this week - they are going on a short term trip to see her and fellowship with her! Have fun Bernadette and Jessica - and give my sister a huge hug and kiss for me!!!

4. Kevin's office is throwing us an office-wide shower on 7/14 - it will be so nice to see everyone in his office and celebrate this little life together...

Baby's development this week:

This week the final touches are being added to your mini-masterpiece and most of his development is going to packing on the pounds. While baby's movements may be becoming less jerky, he may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put himself into the head-down position for birth. Other fascinating facts:

Your little Karate Kid can't quite pack the punch he used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days (not true for Skelly Jr.!). You're likely to feel more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat your baby is adding will create those cute dimples on your baby's elbows and knees. His liver has begun processing his waste products, so you know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie.

Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of his tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. He'll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once he's born (as will you).

Your baby is now about 5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of one of those price-club sheet cakes.

35 Weeks Pregnant

Baby Skelly Bedding

33 Weeks and Freaking Out a bit!!!

I'm Thinking:

"Isn't there anywhere you could stand besides on my bladder, Skelly Jr.?"

Baby Skelly's Development this week:

The big news this week is lung development - baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature. That means if your baby was born this week, odds are he'd be a healthy bouncing baby with just a little help from NICU.

He can now detect light and tell the difference between night and day (of course that ability will miraculously disappear once he's born and up all night screaming). His pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light.

The bones in his skull are soft and are not yet fused together. This pliability allows the bones to overlap; making that trip down the tight birth canal possible (and resulting in that surprising cone head look your baby will sport for the first few days post-birth. Don't worry, it's totally normal and that's what hats are for.)

He will continue to pack on the pounds gaining around ½ pound a week from here on out.

He weighs about 4½ pounds (probably more according to the midwife), as much as a grownup duck, and is approximately 17.5 inches long, about the same as a collarbone-length pearl necklace.

 

Yes, the little kidney bean is a handsome BOY!!! Future grandpa Schwalen and papi Skelly got to make the announcement yesterday to all of us at the party and we were so happy to have my sis there via Skype!

We are so thrilled and excited! Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to our house warming party and for those who could not be there - we missed seeing you!

Lots of love from our family to yours!!!

   

Correction!!!

As of 5/27 bambino Skelly is estimated at 4lb - 4oz which is about 1 pound and 4 oz over where the little one should be. And according to Dr. Allen our baby is going to have "a very generous noggin". GREAT!

I just hope that generous noggin can get through where it needs to if you know what I mean!!!

We have a precious picture of our sweet kidney bean - we could see the eyes and mouth opening and closing in last Friday's ultrasound and all of the organs, bones, and little parts are all completely perfect (the right ventricle in the brain also looked perfect according to Dr. Allen).

Stay tuned for an important announcement - will the kidney bean be a boy or girl???

Adventure Is Out There!

Hello friends and family!

30 weeks begins today! And 4 years of marriage will be marked this Friday! Can't believe it - really - we can't believe it!! Apparently there's only 70 days left until the due date. The house is coming along nicely - finished the sun room last night - so we just have the guest room, master, nursery, living room and yard to do!!! THAT'S ALL! We are really enjoying every moment there - we are both exhausted but know this is just a season of disorder and that it will all come together soon. Praise the Lord!

Kevin and I are settling in nicely and I am throughly enjoying cooking in my double ovens!!! The animals are slowly adjusting too - they are getting more and more social with us in the house as each day passes.

Thank you to all the lovely people who came to our first baby shower this past Saturday, 5/22. Cindy and Hollie Lawing threw us a beautiful shower in Villa Rica and it was so nice to gather and participate in funny games - enjoy awesome food and celebrate this little life with everyone.

29 Weeks/5 Days

Kevin loves his "I love my daddy" lion

I went to a checkup last week and am measuring 30 cm - was just a little bit bigger than where I should have been last Friday. Kevin heard the baby's heart beat Sunday night just by placing his ear to my belly. Now, we can also feel and see the elbow(s) and heel(s) poking around my belly. There are swift jerky movements that we can also see. The birthing class is going well - we're now discussing the stages of labor - I'm really looking forward to transition (NOT).

Kevin is heading into PBA's TV pledge at the station beginning the day before our anniversary and I am in the throws of VBS 2010 at Apostles. Over 660 children and 230 volunteers will be in attendance. This is a crazy time of year for both of us!

We'll know whether to buy pink or blue in about two weeks - June 5th we'll reveal the gender of our bambino...this little one is currently about 3 pounds and total length is about 17 inches (I'm still not sure how he/she is fitting in there).

We love you all -the updated belly shot is above - taken at the shower Saturday. I promise we will get a better one of the belly and the family soon!

Kelly

Holy Cow - The Countdown is under 100 days!

Thank you for coming along on this journey and sorry it's been a little while since we've posted!

Things are a bit nuts lately. Kevin has been in Radio Pledge for the past 8 days and won't conclude until this Friday night. Yes, this means that I couldn't continue the moving process without him because I'm trying to follow that "don't lift anything heavier than 20 lbs. rule". This is one of the first times in my life that I feel I can't be independent! It's been hard, yet patience building!!!

Mommy Update:
For two weeks I've been suffering with serious sciatic nerve pain on the left side of my back that runs all the way down my leg and and also tail bone pain. I finally bit the bullet yesterday and went to the chiropractor to get massaged and adjusted. I have noticed baby Skelly hanging out on my left side a lot which the doctor said has caused my bones to over-compensate for the changes occuring in my posture/belly. Both of my hips were out and my sacrum was shifted which was causing the tail bone pain. Basically I left with some relief but soarness from the adjustment. Per instruction - I iced my back for an hour last night and sat on a tennis ball to work muscles out some more - lots of fun!!!

Daddy Update:
Kevin hasn't been getting much sleep because of the high pollen count and my mountains of pillows!!! He is so cute when he talks to the baby and today he called to say, "You know I've been thinking, this baby is going to look like one or both of us..." so adorable!!! He has been a great help with all the Bradley exercises/stretches and made it through the Breastfeeding session we had this past Sunday. We learned so much information!!! 

New this week:
*We started our Baby Registry at Babies "R" Us - exhausting!!!

*We hired a Doula for support over the next few months and in the delivery room - Kevin is the Captain, she will be our Co-Captain!!!

*We're moving more stuff into the house this weekend and next

*The Bambino: Week 26

Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing.

The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—the eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed.

Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. Though she can't understand what any of it means yet.

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of her stay in Hotel Womb. Your baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as your primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months).

Love you all and can't wait for you to meet our bundle of joy!!!

Kelly

6 Month Marker!!!

Note to everyone: 24 weeks are almost down and there will be 16 more to go (well, mommy-to-be is hoping for more like 14 or 15).

We begin our Bradley Method class this Sunday, 4/18 which will run 12 weeks and cover nutrition, exercise, pregnancy, relaxation, avoiding unnecessary pain in labor, how to help labor progress, active positive coaching, birth plans, avoiding unnecessary medical interventions, how to make informed choices, breast feeding, communication skills, basic newborn care and more...

This method embraces the idea that childbirth is a natural process and that, with the right preparation, most women can avoid pain medication and routine interventions during labor and birth. It's named after the American obstetrician Robert Bradley, who developed the method in the late 1940s. His main purpose was to get husbands back in the delivery room coaching/supporting their wives - "Husband-Coached Childbirth" is the name of one of his books...

Kevin is convinced he will be asked to dress like Magnum P.I. and wear those ridiculous sun glasses...you can ask him why he thinks this - I'm not going there!!!

So, along with the Bradley classes we will be moving in and beginning to settle down in our new home - getting the baby's room ready and spreading our wings with starting a vege garden for the summer and working to get a committee together to get us a neighborhood sign (I know this sounds all to exciting!!!).

Bambino Update: As each day passes little Skelly is more and more on the move! I'm not sure, but some hours it seems he/she is rehearsing for a Cirque du Soleil performance!!! I have noticed bambino is also on a sleep schedule - there will be about 1-2 hours of activity - kicking mommy's bladder and punching mommy's side - then there will be nothing for a few hours (sleepy time I suppose)!

At night Kevin is able to feel the swift kicks and punches too - we've been playing the Out of Africa soundtrack by John Barry, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Ravel and more. The baby LOVES Out of Africa - just like mommy!!!

This Week for Baby: Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. He's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the growling of your stomach. He can even hear your voice! Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means his sense of balance is working and he can tell whether he's hanging upside down or right side up. He can also feel you moving.

Your little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds.

Baby Skelly Feet:

I had a doctor appt. yesterday with my OB-GYN - my heart ECHO test came back completely normal and my belly is measuring 24 cm (right where it should be). Baby's heart rate was 160 bpm! The results of the baby's check-up came back normal except that the left ventricle in the brain is a bit wider than the specialist feels it should be (but still in the normal range). We will go back to the Perinatal Specialist late-May.

Week 22 and 1 day!!! It's going by lightening fast!!!

Quick update on the mommy:
I saw a cardiologist last Friday (3/26) and had an EKG done to check my heart. Then I had an Echocardiogram done yesterday (3/30). The appts. were to check my heart to make sure I'm really not considered a higher risk pregnancy. We believe I am not!!! Then I saw a Perinatal Specialist this morning (3/31). The reason for today's appt. is to rule out any problems with our babies' development because of my past health history. The ultrasound this morning was AMAZING - I was able to see the baby in higher-resolution: I saw the mouth open - the tongue slip out and move from side to side, clearly see the belly, front of the face, the profile, the legs, arms, hands and feet!!! The eyes opening and closing and the little acrobatic movements!!! The tech took measurements of everything - the head, brain, kidneys, spine, legs, arms, stomach, etc.! I cannot express what a miracle all of this is! Absolutely unbelievable to see our sweetie inside!!!

Please pray along with us that I do not need to be monitored more closely during labor/delivery but that we will be able to deliver completely naturally!

Special Note I learned this morning:
I am 22 weeks and 1 day and the baby is measuring 23 weeks and 6 days!!! This means bambino is longer than expected for how far along I am!!!!

Quick update on our bambino's progress: (note just b/c this refers to "her" doesn't mean anything!)
http://3dpregnancy.parentsconnect.com/calendar/22-weeks-pregnant.html

Your Mini's hands have grown bigger and stronger and the nerve endings in her fingers have developed her sense of touch. She's in there testing out her newfound abilities by touching her face and grabbing the umbilical cord.

Other cool developments:

You're already raising a little Einstein. Your baby's brain is developing at a clip this week and will continue to do so until she's five years old (so load up on the Omega 3)!

Baby's hair is now a short, bright white crop (Billy Idol, eat your heart out!). No matter what color it will end up—red, blonde, black—all babies' hair lacks pigment at this point.

Your baby has started growing taste buds and may be able to detect strong flavors in the amniotic fluid. If you could see inside, you might catch her sticking out her tongue for a taste and then grimacing, a sign that perhaps you should chill on the chili powder.

Your baby now weighs almost a pound and measures almost 11 inches from her head to her heel, which is how the Stretch Armstrong in your uterus will be measured from here on out. Up 'til now your baby's legs were curled tight up against her torso, so she was measured from her head to her bottom (or crown to rump) and not head to toe. This week your mini is about as long as a package of Oreos and as heavy as a large bag of tortilla chips. Who's hungry?

What's that sound? What's the sex? ...and why is Kevin on the couch?

Awaiting the birth of our first is proving to be more than this antsy dad-to-be can handle.

So what do I do to pass the time? Buy a house, of course. Well not exactly yet... we're in "due diligence." ...but we're close to being home owners.

Wait, did that just say 'due'?? who said 'due'?

So, Kel and I are just gluttons for anxiety. We're trying to get all the "firsts" knocked out in one year. First Baby - First Home ...and actually, I'm looking into cosmetology & aroma therapy trade schools for a refreshing career change. Those of you who know me - understand that last one was completely false.

But yes - we had our 3rd pre-natal appointment the same week we signed our offer to the seller. And while the home purchase moves at what seems to be a glacier's pace, I do realize this is our pregnancy blog, and you all tune-in week after week to see what's new on that front - so I suppose I should fill you all in.

10:13 a.m. March 9th, 2010 we heard,

"Wompa ...Wompa ...Wompa ... Wompa ... Wompa"
...from the sonogram machine.

To the untrained ear or to those of you, new to reading onomatopoeia - that's the heart beat of the 20 week-old little bundle that has graduated from Our Little Gummy Bear to ...well Our bigger Gummy Bear. Sounds as if he/she is running a marathon in there ... must take after mommy and her affinity for the LA Fitness elliptical machine. While on the topic - or question - of 'are we having a male or female runner?'

That answer, our dear readers, will have to wait.

Kel and I have decided NOT to find out the sex of the baby but rather place that little nugget of info in an envelope.

...and we have asked the producers of the Amazing Race to hold that envelope at the end of a long and circuitous route around world with a myriad of clues, hints & physical challenges peppering the way - so that the only possible way we could have a chance of finding out the sex of our baby is to circle the globe ...solving the puzzles and following the clues.

OR we could just call Dr. Huffman's office anytime.

There you go folks - by our next blog, your questions of whether Kelly will seriously injured Kevin will be answered - tipping him out of bed in an attempt to get more pillows for back support. Kevin may learn his rightful place in this journey...by Kelly's side, of course ...but on the couch at night.

My Sister & My Growing Belly!!!

Good morning!

Heather arrived back in the States on February 7th and I got to see her that evening!!! We've had some wonderful quality time together...a refreshing hike at Kennesaw Mountain with the 3 crazy dogs (Sar'ee, Sammi, and Lucca), relaxing and visiting together, a night at the Fox Theater, then Heather and Tracy threw a blessing shower for me and the baby last Sunday!!!

Late last week my Uncle Jim and Aunt Becky came in from Wisconsin - so this weekend we got to spend some time with them and celebrated Heather's birthday together last night. Yesterday, we were also blessed to share time with Heather and all the other missionaries from Mount Paran North. A thatched hut was built in the center of the church gym to replicate a typical Cambodian home in the slums. (See the pic below of us in front of the hut).

It's been a sweet time to chat and soak in sisterly love...and talk with her face to face about this whole adventure!

Baby: apparently some time between weeks 16 and 22 I will feel little Skelly move for the very first time. I was told at the blessing shower that it kind of feels like popcorn popping in your belly...

Daddy: Kevin is so sweet and tender to me - and he'll lean down and start talking to the baby "Hey there, are you gettin some exercise in there?" The other day he put his ear up to my belly and swore he could hear the fluttering heart beat - we're going to see if a stethoscope will pick up more...then perhaps he'll let me order the doppler :)

Mommy: I'm going to the doctor this afternoon - been battling a sinus infection and soar throat with over the counter drugs for a week (all stuff I was told I could take). I was advised that if it persisted past a week that I needed to see my primary care for a perscription antibiotic.

Overall we are doing wonderfully and could not feel more supported or blessed!!!

Love you all!
K

Soaking at Tres Dias :)

Happy day to you all!!

Just wanted to let you know that bambino and I had a very amazing weekend at Tres Dias...we danced and praised the Lord together and I prayed for the little joy over and over again. The Lord truly met me there and I really felt the weekend was set aside just for me and my "Daddy".

There were so many amazing things that took place and were released from my life - all I can put into words is my gratefulness to the Lord for meeting me there and preparing the way for some much needed healing and forgiveness in my life! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

I know that this is a blog about our precious baby - but I felt it was very important to share the experience since I know it is a definite spiritual marker in my life to prepare me to be a more understanding and loving wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law and friend. Thank you to everyone who shared their love over the weekend and who was in prayer over me.

"You have turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of (daughtership) and by Him we cry "Abba Father". Romans 8:15

Have a blessed and warm day!!!

K

Appointment #2 - Week 14, Day 1

Truth be told, Kevin and I were a little disappointed that a second ultrasound was not done this morning at my second appointment :( Boo who! We didn't get to see the growing precious bundle of joy...we'll have to wait until my next appointment at week 19 I guess.

First, the wonderful urine specimin - pee in this cup and leave it in this cute little cupboard that looks more like a place you put organic cooking spices!

Next, I had the beloved female exam that I thought I'd be able to avoid over the coming weeks and months - but no, not true!

Finally, we got to hear the bambino's heart beat racing at just around 150 BPM! The midwife, Michelle, said that is exactly where it should be at week 14!!! Note to self - check on eBay for a BeBe fetal doppler so we can hear this miracle heartbeat at home/round the clock ... no - I did not know about this particular device - the midwife suggested it if we were interested!

Then during the rest of the appointment we shared our family medical history with the midwife and shared the praise report I received from my Endocrinologist just yesterday! I used to be a patient at the Aflac Survivorship Clinic following my chemo treatment back in the college years - and after a quick call to them yesterday I was faxed my full medical summary (chemo drugs administered, surgery details, follow-up exams and protocols, etc.). Then Dr. Meacham called last night to confirm that I am NOT considered a high-risk pregnancy from the chemo drugs I had - and further said I will NOT need to be followed by a cardiologist throughout this pregancy. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Now - for some of the interesting questions I had this morning...

1. When do I have to stop sleeping on my back (I've heard about less oxygen being able to get to the placenta when you sleep on your back)....."during 3rd trimester....."

2. Do we have to get rid of Nani (our cat) when the baby comes (something I could never see doing - period!)......"no, just don't leave the baby alone with the kitty......"

3. Bones and muscles are popping and seem more prone to aching...is this normal?......"yes, it is something called relaxin and it peaks at 14 weeks of pregnancy......" (look it up girls - all lovely changes!!!!)

Then after giving 3 tubes of blood at LabCorp I was on my way to Dunkin Donuts to get my favorite everything bagel!!! Then on to work...

Not so bad afterall!!!

Now we wait almost 5 weeks to see the precious miracle on the big screen again! He/she will be almost double in size (6 inches) and weigh half a pound...

Yes - we will be taking these 5 weeks to make the next most important decision, will we find out the sex of baby Skelly (?)

As it stands now: Kevin=yes/Kelly=no

Week 13!!!

Almost the second Trimester...can't nail down whether it begins in week 13 or 14, but I hear I should be getting more energy and stamina!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Under the direction of my dear friend Hollie - Overstock just delivered some awesome classical music for our bambino: we've now got Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Grieg, Mozart and many more...these are wonderful to listen to at night! I also ordered a book titled Baby Bites - I'm going to try to learn some baby food recipes as I don't think I'll be buying Gerber or Carnation off the store shelves!!!

We're getting more and more excited as each day goes by...it means we're getting closer to meeting our new little Skelly!!! Will our bambino be skinny, chunky, bald, freckled, green-eyed, long-lashed, have an inny or an outy...well, only the good Lord knows!!!

Now, about the growth of our precious bambino this week!!!

"Your baby can make a fist and even suck his or her thumb this week—both skills that are über-cute during infancy. If you're really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of baby's thumb sucking on an ultrasound photo. That's a framer! Other exciting developments include:

Your baby's eyelids are fused shut to protect his eyes as they develop. His bones and skull are solidifying and soon itsy-bitsy ribs may appear. (Baby ribs! How cute is that?!) Baby's intestines are finally right where you want them—in his or her belly instead of poking out into the umbilical cord. Baby's tooth sockets are all loaded and ready to pop out baby teeth six or seven months after baby is born (causing baby alot of pain and you a lot of lost sleep).

Who's that singing? Could be your baby: His vocal cords and larynx are completed now. (Perhaps we'll have a singer in the family???)

Your baby-to-be now weighs about 20 grams and is nearly 3 inches long, or about the size of a Nutter Butter."

Courtesy of: http://3dpregnancy.parentsconnect.com/calendar/13-weeks-pregnant.html

13 Weeks Pregnant

12 weeks, 2 days & counting...Mommy-to-be is feeling...

The mornings and days are going fine, it is the evenings that are the hardest! Occasionally at the end of the work day my eyes get so heavy I feel like I'm going to crash right on my desk. I am reading articles that say this is all normal because of hormonal changes going on in my body.

Apparently in the first trimester there's a spike in progesterone, which helps to contribute to a feeling of tiredness and sluggishness. You got that right! Then I read that feeling anxious or nervous about being pregnant can also make you tired. All of this is very helpful!!!

The most encouraging thing I've read is "Finally, you may have trouble sleeping in the first trimester, due to hormones, worry, or just the increased need to urinate frequently." Yeah, try about 4 times a night!

Something else that has kind of made me laugh is that I'll be reading in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" or an article that's been emailed to me from Parents.com and the very next week or so whatever was mentioned will happen exactly as they say. I had lunch with Hollie the other day and while in the restroom I blew my nose to find it bleeding pretty bad...about 4 days ago I read an article titled "SOS for Pregnancy Nosebleeds, Getting Nosebleeds? Here's What To Do!"

All of this is quite an adventure! I told Kevin last night, "If I'm having bad lower back pain now when the baby is only 2 1/2 ounces, what will it be like in 5 months when the little one is 4 lbs and growing!" We both laughed and I got a back massage!!!

I will be calling Violet this week! She's the most amazing deep-tissue masseuse on the planet!

Love you all and have a safe and healthy week.

Birthday for Mommy-to-be & Grandpa-to-be's Knee Surgery

Christmas decorations are finally coming down off the Skelly house ... that can only mean two things:
It’s finally Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend
-AND-
it’s Kelly’s Birthday!!

We take great pride in not rushing to yank down the garland, mammoth artificial tree and countless toy-soldier Nutcrackers shoved in every conceivable nook & cranny of the house. We savor the season... because, as we see it... the holidays are not over until all the exchanging at department stores is complete.

While Kelly marked one more year of wisdom today, grandpa-to-be, Jerome, marked day-one of post-op following his Friday morning knee surgery.
So we did celebrate Kel’s __th birthday in a dinner with family earlier this week so both sets of soon-to-be-Grandparents could be present.

Besides, I would have found it to be cruel and unusual punishment to be savoring the Copeland’s steak, seafood & Birthday desert experience while my father-in-law, a “carnivorous-officionatis” remain laid-up in a Northside Hospital room with nothing more than a boring sectional tray containing a brown-gravy mass masquerading as salisbury steak along side something reminiscent of grade school cafeteria mashed potato paste and the ubiquitous jello cup.

So we did Copeland’s on Thursday night, as his last hearty meal before surgery and birthday tribute to Kel.

For her actual birthDAY, as any good and loving daughter, who is state-side [not to dig on you, Heather] would do, Kel wanted to spend time with grandpa-to-be while he nurses the now-bionic knee in the hospital for a couple of days. Grandpa is the best in his physical therapy class, and we'll talk more about that when we have his permission.

And since this is a pregnancy blog, Daddy-to-be thought he might clue you all into what’s going in Kel’s body this week [cue the News Room intro music]...

Our Baby’s face is looking more human as eyes have moved to the front of the head and the ears are in place... great this kid will LISTEN to his mother.

Other baby highlights of the week: According to sources close to the baby...

Our little one can swallow this week. Good, because no son or daughter of mine is going to have a hard time eating. Also, our little one can breathe in all that fluid because he/she is getting oxygen from the blood pumped into their body by the placenta - there is no breathing with their lungs. The fingers and toenails are forming this week and the chin and nose are becoming more defined.

Also, little Gummy Junior has doubled in size (almost 1/2 of an ounce and 2 1/2 inches long) and should be the size of my pinky finger or a good-sized vienna sausage. The next part is gross, albeit fascinating. Our little gummy bear’s intestines are well underway but aren’t where we’d expect them to be.

We’ll leave it at that so readers may continue to enjoy their respective lunch breaks this week.

Our cute little 2-inch Gummy Bear

“Yesss Dear?”
“Where are you,” Kelly hastily inquires after I casually answer my cell phone trying to play cool and not to burst with anticipation,
“I’m just coming past the South Loop exit... I’ll be there in less 10 minutes.”

Okay ... by ‘there’ I thought I meant the Doctor’s Office behind Kennestone Hospital. What I found (and that Kelly found first by arriving before me), was an homage to world travel, an eccentric collection of vintage furniture, sports and other framed memorabilia not to mention a Who’s Who of a celebrity-autographed photo gallery that would rival any Sunset Blvd diner. Wow. This was not an OBGYN’s office. This was Sotheby's... in nurse’s scrubs.

Getting checked-in was accomplished in the 3 minutes I had not yet been there by my lightning-fast wife and the hot mommy-to-be. Then we entertain ourselves with the list of questions we had drawn up over the past few weeks. Including...

“Can mommy have soy milk?”

“How much should mommy lift?”

“Is it true mommy only needs 300 extra calories a day?”

“Should mommy buy daddy a Toyota Tacoma SR5 Pre-Runner Crew-Cab?”

I am pretty sure I was going to get a professional’s opinion on that last one.

Anyhoo, after 2 other Kelly’s are called by the nurses - inciting joint chest palpitations each time - we finally get the “Kelly Skelly?” from the nurse abridging the doorway to the examining areas. With a uniformity and near military precision, we pop to our feet and scurry ... yes I said ‘scurry’ ... over to where we were called.

I see this as an opportunity to clue all readers in that in my 30 years, I don’t believe I have ever ‘scurried’ - Sauntered? Yes, Moseyed? Sure. Scampered? Not since I was 6-years-old. This was my first time scurrying.
Moving on ...
Meandering down these presidentially adorned hallways with the sorts of artifacts and memorabilia I was threatened never to touch as guest in other people’s homes growing up, we arrive to the this cozy examining room that felt more like Aunt Pat’s upstair’s guest room ...except this one had a sonography machine the size of a decent-sized cat condo in the corner. Turning to put down the coats and the documentation we’ve accumulated to this point, I realized that we’ll have the company of Clint Eastwood, Mel Gibson & Harrison Ford all in their framed and autographed majesty - staring at us as we learn the greatest news we’ll ever receive.

This was it, we were going to find out that we were really pregnant... not partially pregnant ...not just 10 weeks of indigestion-and-discomfort-for-nothing but really pregnant.

Per nurses instructions, Kelly, as modestly as possible, dons her new paper-ish drapery, takes the ‘implement’ connected to the sonography machine thing ... abracadabra ... there’s an image on the screen. AMAZING.
The nurse makes a few adjustments to the lighting & shading and voila! We now have a clear picture of our gorgeous, adorable, mono-chromatic 2-inch-long bundle of joy ...that Kelly later determined, looks like a Gummy Bear. The nurse then proceeds to do something that I would be slapped for even attempting. She takes the heel of her hand to push & jiggle my wife's mid-section to 'wake-up' the little Gummy Junior. As a result, our little Gummy Junior begins sprinting in place and shadow-boxing. This was wicked cool to say the least.

"Pow, p-pow, pow, p-pow!" ... that of course, is the heartbeat.164 beats-per-minute. Whoa! Okay yeah, I'm totally a dad. Totally awesome warm fuzziness begins taking control of my body.

This is amazing. This was the coolest thing on a TV screen since watching New England get shut-out of a playoff spot. I’m holding my gorgeous wife’s hand and seeing her beaming ...as much as one can beam given her vulnerable, and I can only imagine, uncomfy position.

She looks up at me with a glistening fore-head and loving smile. In addition to warm fuzziness, there was a wave of “Holy cow, this is as real as it gets...” that came over me. While the nurse is making the adjustments to the ...um... device that is providing these images to

the screen, she’s also clicking the ‘print’ button about half-a-dozen times to produce a photo-booth strip of images of our gorgeous little gummy bear.

So, yes. We are very pregnant and very excited... especially to have shared this moment of discovery with Dirty Harry, William Wallace and Indiana Jones. Afterwards, we met with one the mid-wives in the practice. We answered a good number of questions. We got our questions answered. We drove home, feeling just a little warmer and more giddy than we might otherwise have been on a January Monday afternoon.

What does our bambino look like this week?

Week 10 has begun

"Your baby weighs only 4 grams and measures 1½ inches, about the size of a mondo Brazil nut.

Your baby now has discernible fingers and toes, which will explain the steady stream of kicks and punches you'll feel down the line.

Junior's skeleton is starting to grow and harden. The ears are beginning to take shape and the eyelids are no longer transparent. Tooth buds are forming, although your baby won't get any teeth until six or seven months after birth.

Baby's brain will make an incredible 25,000 new neurons every minute this week. If you're baby is a boy, he's started producing that macho hormone testosterone. And whether your baby is a boy or a girl, the kidneys are creating copious amounts of urine. Lucky for you, you won't have to change a diaper for another 30 weeks."

Courtesy of: http://3dpregnancy.parentsconnect.com/calendar/10-weeks-pregnant.html

10 Weeks Pregnant

9 Weeks, 6 days...and counting!!!

Good evening!
Today is January 4th, 2010 and I have begun a blog in order to journal and make accounts for the next 30 weeks of our lives. Lots will be changing and lots will be growing! I hope this will allow for you to come along on the journey with us!

Ah yes, if you are late to the table you may not have heard that Kevin and I are expecting our very own bambino/a!

We learned of this exciting news on December 3rd, but swore each other to secrecy until we felt the appropriate time came to share the happy news with our family and friends.

That special time came on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! To which both sets of our parents said they could not have received a more wonderful and surprising gift!!!

So, we are 9 weeks and 6 days along and so far I only feel preggers because I have not had that certain annoying visitor that comes to us gals each month (well every 28 days for me to be exact)! Let me just say that I am not missing this visitor right now and to be honest will be glad she'll be on vacation for the next 30 weeks! Instead I will get to experience the vast array of changes in my body and in my environment! Ahhhh! A very wise woman told be last week that "Nothing in the world worth having comes easy". Very true indeed!

Sweet Kevin is ecstatic! He is convinced the bundle of joy will be a sweet bambino! So, he can be a big brother - Kevin is, however, totally happy to have a bambina! Thank goodness :)

So, please feel free to comment, post messages to us, or just poke around to catch up!

Love you all and thank you dearly for your support and unfailing love!!!

Mz. Skelly
Mom-To-Be :)